Nov22

Learn What You Don’t Know

by Don Purdum on November 22nd, 2011 at 7:31 am
Posted In: Marketing, online marketing, Preferred Partners, Seminars, small business

Are you aware of what you don’t know? Of course not, or you would know it. Online technology is changing rapidly and so your ability to gather and use the information. Especially if you’re busy running a business.

That’s where the Internet Conference can help you. Started by Texstar Web.com, The Internet Conference is growing into a GREAT resource that can help you.

From practical tools and how to’s, to links and information about resources out there that can help you.

Check out the new website and learn how this tool can help you at www.theinternetconference.net

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Oct28

Protect Your Businesses Reputation and Proprietary Information

by Don Purdum on October 28th, 2011 at 6:44 am
Posted In: Business Reputation, e-policy, Internal Website, Intranet

Protect Your Businesses Reputation and Proprietary Information

By Guest Writer, Charles Blount

 

Recent news reports highlight collisions between personal and private online worlds.  Humorous from a safe distance, online and other electronic mishaps can cause damage and embarrassment in a professional context.

Recognizing this risk, organizations are adopting policies covering online conduct. Employers should be careful, however, because implementing a policy that is too restrictive may actually create a basis for claims under labor laws.

Many businesses invest time and resources in developing a carefully crafted online presence. Also, trade secrets, confidential and otherwise crucial information are now used by and accessible to employees and contractors in electronic form.  Valuable proprietary information should be protected, and so should your business’s reputation.

Organizations may benefit from establishing ground-rules concerning online and electronic issues.  Having a clear policy in place satisfies three objectives:

  • employees and personnel will understand and can be trained concerning boundaries, appropriate conduct, ownership and confidentiality of electronic content;
  • an e-policy specifically provides for enforcement in the event a problem arises; and
  • an e-policy can clearly establish ownership of materials and information that are valuable to your business.

A business may also want to consider adding data confidentiality provisions to the e-policy. Such provisions would be designed to train employees in the handling of company confidential information, audit its use and recover/secure information on termination. A data policy could also provide controls on the use of, access to and extent of distribution of particular types of confidential company materials

If you would like to discuss implementing an e-policy or if you have any other questions, please call me at 972-661-5114 or email cblount@uplawtx.com.

Visit Chuck’s website

Visit our website at www.texstarweb.com

Charles W. Blount III
Underwood  Perkins, P.C.

Board Certified-Civil Appellate Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization

5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1900
Dallas, Texas   75240
(972) 661-511

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Oct27

Using an Internal Company Website?

by Don Purdum on October 27th, 2011 at 6:52 am
Posted In: Content Management, Internal Website, Intranet, Web Design, Web Development

Does your company have an Intranet website?

A lot of companies are still using older forms of internal communications that may be hampering your efficiencies and communications such as email from one employee to another with large attachments, company handbooks, policies, trainings, resources, and much more.

There is a better way!

An intranet website is a perfect solution for companies with more than 20 employees. It is really nothing more than an internal, secure website.

Some practical ways of using an intranet website are:

  • Employee Communications
  • Corporate culture-change platforms. For example, large numbers of employees discussing key issues in an intranet forum application could lead to new ideas in management, productivity, quality, and other corporate issues.
  • Document Management
  • Project Management
  • Collaboration tools and applications for teams that need to share large volumes of files and documents, or work on projects on one file together. The types of organizations with these needs may be engineers, architects, production teams, and any kind of team that works together to bring a project to completion.

It is even possible to have a Facebook like social media page on an intranet for quick and easy communication and targeted file sharing. Companies can also control access levels to specific pages or sections of their intranets.

Of course, these websites are secure, usually behind firewalls and have SSL certificates. Additionally, they require employee logins.

Intranets have HUGE potential of both time and cost savings.

If you want to learn more about Intranets and their benefits, visit our website at http://www.texstarweb.com/intranet/.

Have a question or comment? Please leave us a comment.

Don

Don Purdum

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Oct26

Too Many Bad Websites

by Don Purdum on October 26th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Posted In: Web Design, Web Development

Too Many Bad Websites

So, I’m sitting in a Starbucks this morning before my next meeting. Earlier, I thought of what I believe may be a great idea for an expansion of my company. So, I do what we all do, I went digging on Google.

OH MY GOSH! What I have found is aweful! Now, I feel I need to rant.

There are people out there claiming to be experts in web design and development, and their sites look REALLY bad. How do they stay in business?

If you’re going to work in an area of expertise, then your own work ought to reflect the very best of your capabilities. If a 1998 look is the best you can offer, then please get out now.

Don

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Oct25

It’s Not All About Likes!

by Don Purdum on October 25th, 2011 at 7:24 am
Posted In: graphic design, Landing Pages, Marketing, online marketing, social media, Visitor Experience, Web Design

It’s Not All About Likes!

It just isn’t. For a couple of years I’ve been hearing how social media and the new economy is all about relationships, and people buy from people that they like and trust.

Before I go any further, I do believe that is absolutely true! Without question.

However, if I go to xyz company and the person I ask for help gives me a hard time or acts like they don’t want to be there, let alone help me, I don’t have just a bad feeling for the help, but also for the company. My “relationship” with the company has just taken a ding. However, it’s also true if I continue to receive outstanding service I love the company and want to come back every time I have need or reason. Over time, if I have more good interactions than bad, I excuse the occasional bad one. (Although I may let the manager know).

What is the Quality of Your Product?

My problem with the attitude swirling around out there is that too many have missed the boat.

It’s not all about relationship, it’s also about the quality of the product! The product must exceed expectations. The product has to have such a reputation that I want it, and I want more of it every time a new one comes out.

How do I know this is true?

Apple

As we hear more about Steve Jobs life, we get a unique picture into his life. He wasn’t the friendliest or most caring person in the world, according to his authorized biography just released.

But the product was so refreshing, unique, and compelling that over the last 8 years consumers now have an expectation and will wait in line forever to get their hands on the new product.

Was it about Steve Jobs? Did you have a personal connection with him?

Not directly, you had a personal relationship with him through his ideas, which were fleshed out in iPod, iPhone, and iPad products.

Okay, that’s not the norm. But I do think we live in a world we companies have created mid to low range products for the masses, and then marketed via newspaper, tv, radio, magazine, etc. It made great sense and it worked for 30 years.

Times have changed. Now, we can get mid to high level products and services for the same amount of money, and if done properly connect with our prospective customers in ways never before possible.

If we combine great products in demand with great prices, and add in the likeability factor – your business can explode. So it’s not all about likes, but it’s also about great products and services, which give a compelling reason to like you even more!

Website Translation

I’ve preached this for over a year now. If your website is clean, easy to get what I want from it, relevant, compelling, and I’m always two clicks away from where I want to be, you give your website visitors a reason to like you!

If your site looks dated, boring, and hard to follow – they won’t like you. They will just go back to Google and start over. It’s that simple.

Your website creates an expectation and sets the tone for your company. It’s the first thing they will check out before leaving the house to buy that product or service, if no other reason than to get your address.

Impressions are everything! If they don’t know you and don’t like your site, they won’t like you.

Remember, next to your store front and inside decor and organization, your website represents you.

Are you giving people a reason to want to have a relationship with you?

Don

P.S. leave us a comment and let me know your views

www.texstarweb.com

Don Purdum

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