| Your feedback is important to us. Click here to email us your feedback. |
| BBB TrustBrief |
| April 2, 2012 |
Meet expectations to build trust in your brand
It's essential for people to live up to the expectations that are set by their branding and referrals from other individuals, writes Sherri Edwards. Failure to do this can lead to an erosion of trust. "Ultimately, a person saying one thing and doing another develops a roadblock that may be impassable," she writes. Forbes (4/1)
Consumer spending in Feb. was highest in 7 months
Consumer spending increased 0.8% in February, the highest figure in seven months, as Americans became more confident because of the improving job market, the Commerce Department reported. "Consumer spending is going to hold its ground," said Chris Christopher Jr. of IHS Global Insight. Bloomberg (3/30)
4 ways to guard customer data when accepting mobile payments
Allowing your customers' credit card data to fall into the wrong hands could result in costly fines and hurt your business' reputation, writes Mikal E. Belicove. If you accept credit card payments through an attachment to a smartphone or iPad, it's a good idea to dedicate the device to that purpose, according to Rajat Bhargava of StillSecure. It's also important to make sure access to the device is restricted to employees who need it and to monitor for signs of fraud, Bhargava recommends. Entrepreneur online (3/29)
B2B companies' common content-marketing mistakes
Business-to-business companies are often focused on researching past events, but this isn't necessarily the kind of content your customers are interested in, Greg Alexander writes. "Reporting on what has already happened is sure to increase unsubscribes," he writes. "In contrast, writing something that represents where the market is headed is likely to build a loyal followership." To make their marketing efforts more effective, B2B companies should tailor their content to mobile devices and offer insights that are of value to their customers, he advises. Sales Benchmark Index/Sales Force Effectiveness Blog (4/1)
How to build your business by holding webinars
A well-designed webinar can help you to attract new business for your company, Kathryn Hawkins writes. To put on a successful webinar, choose a topic that will provide value to your audience and practice your delivery. Also, spread the word about your webinar via e-mail and social media, she recommends. Intuit Small Business Blog (3/29)
How to make strong connections with B2B buyers
Connecting with business-to-business customers has gotten harder, but there are some techniques companies can use to address the issue, Tony Zambito writes. For example, one key tactic is the use of buyer modeling, he writes. "Buyer modeling incorporates the elements of attitudes, beliefs, values, goals, perceptions, needs, and motivations," he notes. iMedia Connection (3/28)
sponsored by
Ensuring you're an entrepreneur with integrity
Entrepreneurs can develop a reputation for integrity by creating and abiding by a strong moral code, treating everyone with respect and maintaining the trust of others, writes Martin Zwilling, CEO of Startup Professionals. Zwilling's other advice: Be honest to a fault, admit to mistakes and honor all commitments, he advises. Startup Professionals Musings blog (3/31)
7 strategies for squelching difficult behaviors in talented employees
Some employees are talented but also difficult to deal with, Victor Lipman writes. Leaders can deal with these workers by providing feedback and giving them interesting assignments. "To the extent possible ... provide some especially substantive, challenging assignments that will fully utilize and stretch their considerable skills." Forbes (3/28)
How to keep unpaid internships on the right side of the law
Unpaid internships must meet six criteria to be allowed under the law, Eric Meyer writes. Such internships must be for the betterment of the intern, and there must be a mutual understanding that the intern won't be paid. TLNT.com (3/28)
|
Advertisement |
3 steps to a more profitable business
Generating profit should be one of the key focuses of your company, writes Brad Sugars of ActionCOACH. This may require re-evaluating the way you think about money and concentrating on improving profit margins. "The quicker you can generate higher and more consistent profits, the closer you'll be to achieving your own vision of success," he writes. Entrepreneur online (3/30)
3 ways to cut costs and boost business
Attracting new customers is important, but you should also focus on decreasing your costs, writes Nick Friedman of College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving. Make sure your employees are being productive, and look for opportunities to buy in bulk to save on office supplies. "Look up competitive prices online from other vendors, calculate their discounted prices and compare them to your total expenditures to see your possible savings," he writes. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (3/28)
Other News
Featured Content
|
How to protect yourself from e-mail scams
Clicking on a link in a malicious e-mail can have dire consequences, but there are some ways to protect yourself, writes BBB's Eleanor Katzele. Make sure you have an updated firewall and antivirus program on your computer, she writes. Also, stay in the loop about current scams, and be wary of e-mails from people you don't know. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content) (4/1)
|
--Marshall McLuhan, |
Email: bbb@smartbrief.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at
http://www.smartbrief.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe
There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening."