- How to Leverage Cloud Computing for Maximum Value
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written on April 11, 2012
by Matt Wilhelm
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Innovation in Technology
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Our firm has been engaged by a handful of clients to establish roadmaps for the thoughtful adaptation of cloud technologies to improve their businesses in a variety of ways. It seems that these clients with “cloud on the mind” had been lured by the vast promises associated with cloud computing – cost savings, efficiency, ubiquitous accessibility, etc.
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- Selling Tech in a Volatile Economy
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written on April 02, 2012
by Brad Nellis
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NEOSA- The COSE Technology Network
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Signs are appearing that the economy is improving, but it remains on shaky ground. Our panelists, from Warwick Communications and Hileman Enterprises, both veterans of multiple business cycles, share their take on selling tech in the current economy.
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- It's Worse Than I Thought!
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written on March 29, 2012
by Eric Kurjan
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Strategic Planning and Execution
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It takes a “blood test” to really know the health of an organization. A business assessment will uncover the areas for improvement.
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- Know Thy Customer – The Importance of CRM in Marketing
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written on March 29, 2012
by Jason Therrien
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Marketing Plans
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Customer relationship management (CRM) has been a hot term for about a decade within sales organizations, and it has rapidly been making necessary inroads into the world of marketing. CRM is defined by Wikipedia as: "A widely implemented strategy for managing a company’s interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects. It involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize business processes—principally sales activities, but also those for marketing, customer service, and technical support."
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- Investing Through the Economic Cycle
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written on March 29, 2012
by Frank Fantozzi
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Investment Management
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Look for opportunities in different market sectors:
As most Americans have learned in recent years, the U.S. economy is cyclical, alternating between phases of expansion, when the economy is growing, and recession, when economic activity contracts.
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- Women's History Month and Small Business Owners
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written on March 09, 2012
by Tameka Taylor
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Diversity Awareness and Education
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March has been designated as Women’s History Month since 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project. Prior to that, beginning March 7, 1982, Congress began to celebrate Women’s History Week and did so until 1986. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress continually passed additional resolutions while asking the President to make March Women’s History Month. Annually, since 1995 Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month.
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- A Valuable IT Evaluation
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written on March 09, 2012
by Laura Pettit Rusick
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Innovation in Technology
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Last month, we talked about risks and the need for an IT assessment. Let’s say you aren’t aware of risks within IT. Why spend the time or money on an assessment?
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- We're in it for the Money!
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written on March 05, 2012
by Eric Kurjan
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Strategic Planning and Execution
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Making money - this is the basic premise on which most businesses operate. Investors want a return and businesses need a process to produce it. The business/organization may have a higher calling to improve society or serve a given group; however, the vast majority of businesses are in it for the money. Even if they are a non-profit, they still need money, donors and strong fiduciary controls to insure they have the money they need.
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- Top Performers Need Purpose and Plan
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written on March 05, 2012
by Jeanne Coughlin
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Strategic Planning and Execution
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Top performers want to belong to an organization with purpose and a plan. In a survey done to evaluate what employees value most in an organization; the number one quality cited was the “feeling of being in on things”.
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- What Does 2012 Hold For Your Personal Financial Standing?
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written on March 05, 2012
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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2011 will likely be remembered at least in part for wildly fluctuating financial markets, high unemployment and congressional inaction. This economic uncertainty may have directly affected your personal financial status.
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- Good Public Relations is not just Outreach, it's also Responsiveness and Delivery
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written on March 05, 2012
by Katherine Bulava
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Public Relations
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Many people consider public relations as the act of reaching out – pitching to press or potential partners, establishing relationships, sharing your message – and it is. However, there is another side to public relations and that is being responsive – to everyone, but especially to those you’ve initiated contact with – and good service delivery.
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- The Truth About Data Integrity: 5 Questions to Ask Your Online Backup Provider
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written on March 05, 2012
by Brian Rosenfelt
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Disasters: Prepare & Recover
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Competition is fierce in the exploding online backup industry. With so many providers, whom can you trust with your data? You must expect your backup provider to have a solution that will get you back their data when you come asking for it. Fewer issues are more sensitive than lost or corrupt data.
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- Expanding Ban the Box Legislation Impacts Small Business
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written on March 01, 2012
by Ted L Moss
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Recruitment and Safe Hiring Practices
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An increasing number of states, counties, and cities have passed so called “Ban the Box” legislation which seeks to limit discrimination against applicants with a criminal record. Some state’s laws only apply to public employers, and others include private employers and have an impact on small business.
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- Tech Growth CEO Perspectives
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written on February 25, 2012
by Brad Nellis
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NEOSA- The COSE Technology Network
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All businesses go through various stages, such as start-up – growth – maturity. Tech companies are no different, albeit with a few nuances. But growing a tech company is nonetheless challenging: adding and integrating talent, staying on top of rapidly changing trends, finding funding and more. How have your peers, running successful, growing tech companies done it? What are some secrets to successfully growing a tech company in the CLE?
AJ Hyland, CEO of Hyland Software, and Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive, share stories from their early days with a fast forward to current challenges for a more mature tech company.
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- Leveraging Mobile Technology to Increase Sales
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written on February 12, 2012
by Brad Nellis
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NEOSA- The COSE Technology Network
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It’s no secret that sales of mobile devices continue to explode, but apps and other tools are exploding too. Your customers are deploying mobile technology to manage their businesses and you probably are too. But are you considering how to use mobile technology to actually grow sales?
Tools like tablet computers, smart phones and more are apparent and a variety of applications are available to enhance sales force productivity. But new apps and tools are being introduced constantly that can help your company’s marketing efforts too. Join us for an enlightening session featuring peer tech companies sharing their inside story on how they’ve leveraged emerging mobile technology to grow sales.
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- Self Care Health Care
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written on February 10, 2012
by Liz Cavin
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Healthy Lifestyles
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Current media and advertising frequently remind us of the threat of chronic illness like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. They also remind us of the detrimental effects of stress in our lives.
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- Capturing Your Message In Your Communications
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written on February 10, 2012
by Katherine Bulava
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Public Relations
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You can hire an expensive advertising firm to create marketing materials for you or a consultant to manage your social media for you or assign these duties in house, but if you cannot communicate your message to those responsible for communicating it to your target audience, than you are not likely to end up with results that effectively communicate who you are and what you do. A crucial first step to starting and effective communications campaign that I always undertake with clients and yet is often overlooked is establishing your Creative Position.
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- Corporate Taxes
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written on January 31, 2012
by Marlene Herman
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Owning a Franchise
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If you never owned a business, one of the biggest surprises can be the exorbitant taxation especially in the State of Ohio. Taxes and rates will vary based on your tax structure, sales volume, city, state, and type of business.
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- Proper Planning or Pretext for Procrastination
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written on January 30, 2012
by Tom Scully
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Relationship Selling Strategies
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You have a goal to achieve. Perhaps it’s a proposal to write, a “to do” list item to check off, or a major department project to complete.
Detail: You have a goal to achieve. Perhaps it’s a proposal to write, a “to do” list item to check off, or a major department project to complete. Whatever the task, preparation – research and planning – enables you to attack the undertaking in a more organized fashion, focus on what needs to be done, and complete the job more quickly.
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- Employees for Franchises
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written on January 30, 2012
by Marlene Herman
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Owning a Franchise
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One of the hardest and seemingly simple things to do is find good employees. You would think with unemployment at an all-time high since the depression, people would be knocking on your door. It also seems to make sense that the Franchisor would have a steady stream of candidates looking for a job since it will also benefit their bottom line.
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- Sales Leads
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written on January 30, 2012
by Marlene Herman
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Owning a Franchise
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One of the advantages of owning a Franchise over a startup is increased sales. Franchises are a proven business model and supplementary sales leads are one of the benefits. No matter what business you get into, obtaining new sales or leads is one of the most difficult aspects of running a business. Of course, some new franchisees think that because they bought the “name” customers will be standing in line waiting for service. The reality today is that if a consumer does not know a “name” of a company for the product or service they need, the first thing they do is ask a friend or relative.
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- Why Social Media is Called Social
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written on January 27, 2012
by Karen Malone Wright
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Social Media
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Is your social media account truly social, or have you created an online bulletin board?
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- When Do IT Risks Become Business Risks?
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written on January 24, 2012
by Laura Pettit Rusick
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Innovation in Technology
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Is IT the department you don’t want to hear from? Maybe you have wished IT could provide better business value? Many CEOs don’t have a good handle on risks in IT.
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- Maximize Your Tradeshow Value
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written on January 20, 2012
by Phil Stella
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Networking Strategies
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Many COSE members use business expos and trade shows to market their products and services and network with prospects, clients and colleagues. If that strategy works for your business, here are four Best Practices to help you maximize your trade show experience, ROI and value.
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- A note to marketers: Don’t forget to experiment
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written on January 20, 2012
by Jason Therrien
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Marketing Plans
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As we think about budgeting for 2012, we’d like to recommend an important line item that is far too often overlooked. In this time of exponential shifts in marketing efforts, don’t forget to include a place for experimentation.
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