Tip #1: Your Phone is a Powerful Business Tool

Smartphones (not just the iPhone… Droid does, after all) offer numerous advantages to those who know how to use them well. They not only let you work away from your desk without losing contact with clients, but also gives you access to a wide range of apps that can help you work more efficiently when you are on the go.

There are also many suites that you might be accustomed to using (Netsuite, for instance) with have mobile versions.

While some apps will help your business more than others, there’s a ton that are beneficial to all- Chase bank, for instance, lets you deposit checks with your smartphone.
Having this convenience allows you to 1) not have to run around with those big, black deposit bags, and 2) allows you the freedom to deposit whenever you want, wherever you are.

Tip #2: Use an Electronic Document Signing Service

Signing business documents (or having them signed by clients and business partners) can take up a lot of time when you rely on the postal service. Successful startups know that there is a smarter way to have documents signed.

Using an electronic document signing service dramatically reduces the amount of time that you spend waiting on paperwork completion. Whether you have insurance policies, contracts or other types of business documents, signing them digitally can reduce a three day wait to a matter of minutes. Signing documents electronically also allows you to track progress online so that you know who still needs to sign it- saving time on both ends.

Best of all (and I can certainly vouch for this) you know that the documents have actually reached your client- no more paranoia- not even certified mail can give you instant notification OR gratification.

Tip #3: Share Everything With Your Team

Online calendars make it possible for you to sync your schedule with others on your team. When everyone in the office shares their schedules, it becomes much easier to coordinate meetings- and instead of concentrating on contacting numerous people via phone or email, you can just look at their online calendars to see when they are available and set meeting times from there.

Sharing contacts can also make your company more efficient. When each person keeps his or her own contact list, you have the potential to have a major problem on your hands.

Say, for instance, that an important member of your team is out sick one day, so you need to contact her client to cancel a meeting.  If your team member doesn’t have their contact list sharead anywhere you could end up with an angry client on your hands.

Google Apps is great to use for your company if you’re going this route. You can sync up your contact/chat list automatically with everyone in the company, as well as share your calendar (keeping details public or private) to make booking meetings easier- you can also integrate with sites like SmartSheet (a project management system) directly from your Google App account.

Successful startups will tell you that working efficiently offers a lot of advantages-and as you get past the startup phase you can look into the benefits of cloud storage or NAS storage, utilizing VMware, etc. Depending on the amount of things you’re able to store in cloud storage, you may actually need to have memory and CPU intensive programs (for instance, if you’re in automation and helping to build a process for machines) and could benefit from having something like an I7 laptop.

Many established companies, however, have a difficult time adjusting to the newest opportunities created by technological developments so make sure that you ease into these changes and structures rather than give your company a culture shock.

What startup tips can you offer that will help businesses avoid becoming one of those dinosaurs on the brink of extinction?

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The cloud is the perfect small business computing platform. By leveraging the strengths of this new technological trend, your little operation can compete with the big boys. Here are some of the most important ways the cloud is leveling the playing field:

Pay Only For What You Use

If your small business has a tight budget, and who doesn’t in this economy, the cloud is the perfect IT solution. When purchasing hardware, the rule of thumb is to buy big, to allow room for expansion. Although this is a great plan when you’re building your infrastructure from the ground up, it’s much harder financially for a smaller shop to make this investment. However, when you use cloud services to host your programs, you only pay for what you use!

No Hardware Maintenance or Support

Although it might be impressive to show off your state-of-the-art computer room complete with a bank of servers, this proud display also means a lot of hard work. In addition to the initial build of your system, you’ll need to hire a support staff to keep the whole operation up and running. From upgrades to emergency fixes, if there’s a hardware failure, only an expert with pricey skills should be allowed to modify these expensive pieces of electronic equipment

Not only will this add to your payroll, but it can also be difficult to attract and retain this kind of talent. Of course, you can always go with contracting this support task out to a third-party, but this is often even more expensive. When you use the cloud for your infrastructure needs, this concern disappears like a puff of smoke!

The Latest Equipment

In today’s cyber world, a server bought today will be obsolete tomorrow, way before you’ve received a good return on your investment. However, when you utilize the cloud, you can rely on a dependable bank of hardware that’s always maintained to be at peak performance. By using cloud services to host your applications, you can let someone else worry about the entire procurement process.

Program Less

Just like building your hardware infrastructure from the floor up can be expensive and frustrating, designing and implementing an entirely new computer system can be difficult, as well. With cloud computing, you can mix and match canned applications with custom software solutions for the best possible system.

By using the cloud, it even becomes easier to use a consultant instead of a full-time staff to add new programs or modify existing ones to include new features.

It Just Sounds Good!

If you make the switch to cloud computing, it can be a great advertising tool! By downsizing or eliminating your computer room, your small business is leaner and greener. Most Internet-savvy consumers are interested in doing business with modern companies; what could be more cutting edge than using the hottest new trend in computing?

As you can see, making the switch to cloud computing can only save time and money, and also attract customers. What more could you want from the latest technology?

Social media is here to stay – both for personal and business use. Two of the most popular social media platforms are Twitter and Facebook (the words are actually now verbs in the English language), with everyone who uses the two seeming to have their favorite. But which is best from a purely business standpoint? You can choose the one you think fits your business needs most closely, but choose you must, because it’s pretty obvious you need to have social media presence if you want your business to thrive in today’s digital economy.

Facebook is Business Friendly

Facebook is mainly a social networking site where users can post photos, videos, and other information for everyone on their “friend” list to see. With Facebook you can display a personal profile as well as a business profile (setting up a Facebook fan page for your business is a must), and you can buy pay-per-click ad space. Facebook, with more than 500 million users, offers special features such as the “Like” feature.

When someone “likes” your company, they will automatically receive any updates you send out, and a broadcast is shown to their friends indicating that they just “liked” your company. When multiple friends of a user like your company, Facebook will even prompt that user to like your company as well. This allows your brand to spread quickly through the social network.

Twitter Is Fast

While both Facebook and Twitter allow you to send out broadcasts, the chatter on Twitter is undoubtedly faster. Tweets, the posts that Twitter users send out to all their followers, create a never-ending flow of information about events, businesses, and more. With Twitter you can create links instantly, conduct fast research, and have word spread more quickly since your Tweet history is saved and made accessible via Twitter search.

It All Depends On the Use

According to a survey of 200 businesses conducted by Abrams Research in 2009, 32.2 percent of people utilizing social media for personal use would – if they had to – pay to use Facebook while only 21.8 percent would pay to use Twitter. But the percentages were a little different when the question was which one a business should pay for; Twitter carried 40 percent – topping Facebook two-to-one. This was attributed to the fact that Twitter can give instant feedback from customers and because it gives the business a “real time” voice/presence on the Internet.

B2B or B2C

In another survey, conducted by an SEO Internet Marketing firm called Irbtrax, Twitter was rated better in the business to business category. This is largely due to its functionality in providing real-time news and updates. In the business to consumer category, Facebook rated better because of its ability to display photos, links, videos, and surveys – all of which Twitter cannot do. Facebook showed as especially powerful for well-known businesses who already have an established reputation.

The bottom line is that if you want to make the most of your social media marketing potential, you should consider using both Twitter and Facebook. If you must choose just one, do your research to find out which is used more frequently by your target market.

Sonia Mansfield is the content editor for PsPrint and editor of PsPrint Blog. PsPrint is an online printing solutions company, which you can follow on Twitter and Facebook.

1. “Things” for iPad

Having the right platform to organize all your tasks and to-do items is a must. “Things” for iPad lets users easily create notes, lists, schedules, and projects, managing due dates, details, and more. Better yet, those who aren’t planning on working exclusively on the iPad can synchronize their Things data between as many work platforms as they choose to use.

2. Desktop Connect

Sometimes, the resources found on your desktop system are necessary to get a job done. Even then, the iPad can take care of your needs through Desktop Connect, a desktop viewer that gives you access to your Windows, Mac, or Linux system. The app automatically discovers other systems on the local network, and is compatible with several major desktop sharing utilities, including VNC and RDP.

3. Markup

Think of Markup as “Dreamweaver light” for your iPad. It allows you to connect to your website server, download all text-based files (HTML, CSS, PHP, and so forth), modify them to your heart’s content, preview them locally, and publish them when you’re ready.

4. Gusto

Most web developers are waiting eagerly for an iPad iteration of FileZilla. Until that popular FTP program makes its way to the world of tablets, Gusto provides a solid alternative. Gusto allows users to download multiple files or folders from their site simultaneously, tabbed browsing of server-based documents, and a powerful built-in FTP client for easy file manipulation.

5. SketchBook Pro

Autodesk’s SketchBook features layered image creation with blending modes, transparency features, a library of templates, the ability to output to video, and much more. Those more used to the resource of the Adobe Creative Suite will certainly face a learning curve but, once on the other side, will be able to complete the majority of tasks usually dedicated to Photoshop or Illustrator.

6. Penultimate

Use your tablet as a versatile and powerful note taking and sketching program on the go. With Penultimate,You can easily make quick notes, draw sketches, or otherwise use the tablet as if it were a notepad with limitless pages and an organization system that pen-and-paper tools could never match.

7. Ego for iPad

Once your project is complete, tweaking is the key to success; however, to tweak appropriately you need to get the right sort of feedback. Ego allows you to quickly review the nit-picky details of your Analytics web statistics, check out who’s referring people to you, see your mentions on Twitter, and much more.

With powerful tools like these, the iPad is a perfect tool for any on-the-go developer. As the technology continues to advance, the iPad is poised to cover every possible utility currently available on any computer system.

The drug of choice for many technically inclined people these days is “cloud computing.” I love cloud computing. Why? The idea behind cloud is a simple one. Rather than having dedicated servers for each client or group, a large number of people can share the infrastructure of a database, highly customizable software, or the general database platform for the desired applications. Despite its introduction in the early 2000s, cloud is only now starting to peak its head out of the cave and show us its blazing guns. Here are five reasons why cloud will rule the world now that it has shown us its real abilities.

1. The art of natural collaboration.

With software as a service (SaaS), one of the main forms of cloud computing, there isn’t a need to install software on every computer or engage in a long and difficult process just to share files, documents, or information. With the use of cloud software, collaboration becomes second nature. Take Google Documents and Google Wave as examples. Multiple viewers can add to and edit the same document at the same time, even keeping open communication while doing so. This is able to happen due to the innovative way that cloud approaches file storage and editing processes.

2. Technical issues vanish in the haze.

With previous forms of computing, such as the client-server computing relationship, technical issues were pretty severe. Since many of the resources that were required came from the on-site computers and servers, you had to have an internal technical support guru or department. Even with server run software, upgrades and alterations, especially ones that were customized to any degree, could be disastrous. Cloud computing shows its super hero qualities by having application companies provide their own technical support for the infrastructure, platforms, and software.

3. Software costs get flattened by a twelve ton anvil.

Once upon a time, in the excruciatingly recent past, each individual computer that needed access to a database, set of utilities, platform, or software required its own software license. A technical support employee would have to get this software onto each and every computer and handle all the technical issues. Don’t forget that the company would have to purchase each of these licenses. With software running in the cloud, you don’t have to take this time to install software, nor do you have to pay the licensing fees, which can quickly add up.

4. Employees break the chains of location.

Maybe you don’t want your employees to work on their projects from home, a cafe down the street, the city library, or their Aunt Mimi’s house. However, for companies that do want their employees to have that extra flexibility, the “work from anywhere” format of cloud computing is a modern day miracle. Exchange hosting, which gives you full access to exchange, will allow your employees to work from ANYWHERE! Even if they don’t want to.

5. Working with freelancers no longer requires pain killers.

Working with freelancers used to be a painful process requiring an overly complicated structure for completing any given project. Now, with cloud, you can easily add freelancers as collaborators in your platform or software, then remove them when their services for your company have been completed.

This, my friends, is why cloud computer is going to explode and become more common. Of course, not ever project is right to employ cloud computing- but you will probably know that before you explore. There are so many benefits, why wouldn’t cloud change the world?

Here’s the catch. You must fill out a tax form called the Schedule M to get your credit. No tax form, no credit. That’s true for self-employed workers, too.

Here’s where things get confusing. There is no rebate check for Making Work Pay. Instead, the government actually reduced your payroll taxes last year. That way, you could get a few more bucks each paycheck, and get use of the credit sooner. It was incremental, and you probably didn’t notice it.

Oddly, the IRS doesn’t actually apply that credit until you file a Schedule M. Bankrate’s Kay Bell explains how it works:

Essentially what the IRS wants via this new form is to double-check that people get the correct credit amount due them. The problem is that in some cases, people got more credit than they should have. This could be the case for someone who held multiple jobs or who could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. In such instances, the Schedule M will account for the over payments.

If all of these amounts are more than your tax bill, you’ll get a refund. But if you didn’t claim the credit, that money won’t be counted, so you’re shorting yourself.

Note to government: Rebate checks would have been a better idea. Read more of Kay’s article here for further clarification on the Schedule M.

According to the FTC, an estimated 9 million Americans have their identities stolen every year. Because creditors are not required to report instances of identity theft to the FTC, these numbers may actually be much higher. Identity thefts are up 5% this year alone.

It can take more than 100 hours—and large sums of money—to fix your credit after an identity thief strikes. Besides using your credit cards, thieves may rent apartments, obtain employment in your name, use your information to get medical care, or create telephone and utilities accounts in your name.

If the idea of identity theft frightens you, it should. But you’re far from helpless. A few basic protective measures will go far in keeping your identity secure. Here are eleven ways to protect yourself from identity theft:

1. Don’t write down credit card numbers. If a service provider or merchant asks you to write your credit card number on a bill, check, or envelope, don’t. Instead, share your credit card number over the phone or online.

2. Don’t give anyone your credit card number unless you initiated contact. That is, you called them, or you know exactly who is calling you, and why. If you’re not sure, don’t share your number.

3. Shred, tear up, or burn credit card application forms. Thieves sometimes fill these out in your name in order to steal your identity.

4. Check your billing statements every month. Look for fraudulent charges on statements. If you find questionable charges, call your bank and report them. If you find a change of address or other new information associated with your account—without having initiated it–call your bank and alert them.

5. If you don’t receive bills, be suspicious. As nice as it may be not to have bills in your mailbox, it might be a sign of identity theft. If you haven’t filed a change of address, contact your post office to see if someone has done it in your name. Filing fake change-of-address forms is one identity theft technique.

6. Tear up, shred, or burn any mail containing personal information. Identity thieves sometimes dumpster-dive.

7. Beware of phishing scams. When you see an email that looks like it’s from a bank, PayPal, eBay, or any other site you might be registered to, be on guard. Look for misspelled or strange sender email addresses—they may be phishing. Don’t verify any account information directly through an email. Go to the service provider’s website instead. Log in from there. And don’t respond to any pop-ups.

8. Don’t give your social security number or date of birth to anyone calling you. Some thieves “pretext,” that is, they pretend to be someone they’re not in order to steal your information. They can be pretending to be a research firm, credit card or mortgage company, etc. Once they have your information, they call your bank to obtain information about your bank account and credit card number. Rule of thumb: If they called you first, don’t give them anything.

9. Look over your shoulder. According to the Department of Justice, “shoulder surfing” is a tried-and-true way to steal an identity. A thief looks over your shoulder as you enter a credit card number on your phone, or they listen in when you give your number to someone on the phone. Be discreet when dealing with personal information.

10. Keep your personal information stashed somewhere safe. Don’t carry your Social Security card around with you. Try not to carry your medical cards unless you have to. Make your Internet account passwords complicated and hard to crack by including letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t leave your wallet or purse laying around in places where people might be interested in stealing information (this can include your place of work). Vigilance pays.

11. Don’t use your debit card to pay anything online. That applies to automatic bill payment services, e-commerce transactions, insurance payments, and anything else that isn’t a loan. If thieves steal your actual money (vs. the bank’s credit-card money), it may result in more heartache if you do get hit by identity theft.

Sources: FTC, Department of Justice

The other day I was at a business luncheon and the woman across from me was texting like a fiend. Her thumbs were a blur. I was grateful. Her bad behavior made me feel better about my own. Because who hasn’t checked an email under a table, pretending others can’t see?

After a few minutes this woman, a reporter, turned to me and asked about something the speaker had just said that she’d missed. She made a point of mentioning that people are always giving her the hairy eyeball because they assume she’s just checking Facebook or picking out a happy hour, when she’s actually taking story notes.

So apparently she’s not just a savvy business woman, but also a little psychic.

What do you think when you see someone tapping away? Do you figure it’s important business, or just frivolous socializing? And now that we can use our phones to do so many things (like check facts or take story notes) what’s the etiquette for using them in business situations?

Image Credit: Ada Harverd, Flickr

In case you were wondering whether iPhone 3.0′s age restriction feature meant porn was on the way, the answer is yes. Wired has the details:

Apple has finally allowed pornography into the iTunes App Store. The application, called Hottest Girls, costs $2 and includes “2200+ images of topless, sexy babes and nude models.”

The most interesting part is the social media aspect, or at least a crowd-sourcing one. When you view a picture full-size you are asked to rate it as either good or bad. Supposedly these ratings will steer future updates, which will be free and pushed directly to buyers.

If you hear a distant rumbling, it’s probably a porn industry stampede towards Cupertino.

Today is April 13, 2009. You know what that means–two days until the dreaded April 15. If you haven’t gotten your forms together yet, avoid stress by filing a tax extension, which gives you until October 15 to hand in your tax forms.

It beats filing late, which allows the government to charge you 5% of the total taxes you owe each month until you send your the return. After 60 days, they bump up the minimum penalty to $100/month or 100% of owed taxes–whichever is smaller.

You can find the tax extension form–cordially known as Form 4868–here, at the forms section of the IRS’ website.

Note that the IRS doesn’t let you off the hook for interest if you file a tax extension form, so try to delay sending in your taxes as little as possible.

You can also file by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.