Think hard now. Can you remember your first virtual meeting? For many of you, it was in the latter decades of the 20th century, and you likely called it a "teleconference." If so, chances are you can recall how simple — but expensive — the technology used to be.

Well, virtual meetings aren't expensive anymore.

But they're still relatively simple, even if you're talking now about meetings held via the Internet instead of by phone.

In fact, getting up and running with Web conferencing software today is so easy that virtually anyone with a PC and an Internet connection can do it. For example, it took me less than two minutes to sign up for Microsoft Office Live Meeting's free 14-day trial.

If it's that easy, how much harder can holding a Web conference be?

One of the most common complaints heard by IT helpdesks is: “My computer is running too slowly – what can I do?” There are actually a number of reasons why this could be happening, and luckily, a number of ways to solve the problem.

Here are our top five recommendations to help boost your desktop or notebook PC's speed and performance.

The first day of spring is one thing,
and the first spring day is another.
The difference between them
is sometimes as great as a month.

~Henry Van Dyke
 

Just for Laughs

Traditional v.s Emerging Backup Technologies
Hurricane Season starts in June now is the time to prepare. Is your business data protected?

A recent study discovered that, of companies experiencing a “major loss” of computer records, 43 percent never reopened, 51 percent closed within two years of the loss, and a mere 6 percent survived over the long-term For small and medium-sized businesses (SMB’s) in particular, these statistics suggest the necessity of crafting a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) strategy grounded in a robust data backup and recovery solution.

Unlike enterprises, many smaller companies cannot afford optimal in-house strategies and solutions in service of BCP. These companies are consequently at an elevated risk of being put out of business due to any major loss of data. Loss of data could mean emails lost, accounting data lost, patient or client files lost, company records lost, client legal records or orders lost and so on. This white paper evaluates the scope of BCP for smaller companies, by examining their challenges, range of existing solutions and their drawbacks. We’ll also discuss how our solution overcomes commonly faced challenges to offer the most comprehensive solution out in the marketplace.

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In today’s economy you need every advantage in your sales kit. Prospects are scrutinizing all requests for their time and each purchase decision. You want to pass their piercing investigation but the sales tools you’ve used in recent years aren’t cutting it. You need something more, and testimonials are the answer. They can be the difference maker in not just winning opportunities but also in attracting attention in the first place.

Testimonials are your clients’ stamp of approval. They provide an independent perspective that gives prospects insight into how you work, how effective your solutions are, and the results others have experienced through engaging you.

Recently, a client we’ve worked with over the past 5 months was at a conference where I was speaking. He’s highly respected among the community and people stop and listen to his suggestions. He’s been so pleased with the sales training and consulting support we’re providing his sellers and managers, that every time he saw me, he walked up and expounded on it to the people nearby. He went on and on about his team’s comments and results he’d seen. He ended by telling people that they needed to hire us, too.

The business his testimonial drove was huge, all because of his effusive endorsement. You can get the same results by exposing your prospects to your delighted clients. They’re dying to sing your praises, and see you and your company excel, if only you’d ask.

Here are 4 Quick Steps to adding exuberant testimonials to your sales kit.

If you have listened to the radio recently, you may have heard commercials regarding the illegal installation of software. The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is a non-profit trade association supported by its vendor partners in an attempt to advance the goals of the software industry – specifically it promotes the legal and safe distribution of software as intellectual property. As companies have downsized and laid off employees, the BSA has been running radio spots encouraging individuals to turn in their employers and ex-employers who they believe are not in compliance regarding software purchases and copyright laws.

Now is not the time you want your current or previous staff members to turn your company in to the BSA. The repercussions to your company can include heavy fines, require you to become compliant at full list pricing, or legal action against your company. Plus the downside to installing software purchased illegally can be unwittingly installed viruses, no technical support from vendors, and possible incompatibility.

Top 3 Sales Resolutions for 2009
By Kendra Lee

It’s a new year, with a fresh sales quota and a new set of sales resolutions. I’m always looking for ways to improve and January consistently finds me evaluating my performance from the previous year then setting goals for the coming one.

While I’m ranked as a top sales performer I always believe I can do better.

So it’ll be no surprise to you that I recently asked a group of top sellers to share their top three sales resolutions for success in 2009’s challenging sales environment. I wanted to see what new ideas I could glean to outshine myself this year and thought I’d share them with you, too.

See how closely these align with your resolutions.

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