B2B Connection

No matter what type of business you are in, time is money. Growing businesses need easier ways to track time and expenses. Today, instead of using spreadsheets or complicated invoice reporting, managing costs can be simple as opening an app on your phone. Both Time Tracking and Expense Management software have been instrumental in allowing freelancers and companies of all sizes to track their time, expenses, and analyze resulting profits easily. There is a substantial overlap in these two categories because time and expenses are not mutually exclusive. Time Tracking software is an instrumental tool for modern workspaces. Remote workers and staff who travel for meetings can sign in from anywhere. Firms that manage multiple projects can analyze how much time is being spent on each task and reallocate if needed. It’s additionally beneficial for the hard working freelancer who shouldn’t give away free hours to developing a project and for the employer who is worried about staff “stealing” time. Expense Management tools today make expense tracking easier for both employees and companies. Software enables employees to keep track of expenses on the go (like submitting receipt photos from mobile, for example), and gives businesses a more streamlined way to […]

Full disclosure: I was skeptical of Dropbox some years ago when I first heard about folks using it to back up their personal and professional data. Fast-forward to 2018 and my doubts seem quaint in retrospect, as I now constantly rely on cloud storage providers to secure my most important files and information. The rest comes from knowing a bit about what cloud storage is and how it works. As you probably know, cloud storage offers a slew of practical advantages over old-fashioned data storage via local drives. These include: Your data being available on various devices in various locations The ability to access, search, edit, and synchronize your data across devices at the push of a button or on an automated schedule The ability to support all the file types you use, including audio, video, text documents, and digital images Many cloud storage apps integrate with others to allow the easy sharing, editing, and playback of your data across platforms and devices Cloud storage solutions have much to offer anyone with data to manage. But many of their features are geared towards businesses rather than individuals. Security and admin features, for instance, are designed for companies where sensitive data […]

These days, small businesses and enterprises alike depend on software tools for everything from HR and management to customer engagement. Survey and form building tools can be extremely helpful to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Tools like SurveyMonkey let companies easily create and distribute surveys. Some companies may need a survey for internal purposes – to establish employee preferences for overtime, for example. Others may want to use a form building tool to engage with their customers and target audience, either to collect contact information or to conduct market research. The best survey and form building tools go beyond the creation and publication of surveys. They also let companies analyze survey responses and report on their findings. Some may even act as a comprehensive research platform for marketing, sales or HR departments. The most common use cases include customer satisfaction surveys, employee feedback surveys, and overarching research studies. Whatever the use case, these business tools should let users directly edit format, appearance, content/questions, design, logic, and flow. Most of the Top Rated tools listed below include the capability for analytics and reporting, integration with CRM or marketing tools, automated publication, and flexible admin permissions. SurveyMonkey is one of the […]

Big data is big capital in today’s tech markets. Technological advances that make it cheaper and easier than ever to store and process large quantities of digital information. Thanks to these advances, the analysis of big data, or data analytics, is a flourishing sector of the tech economy. Many products and services offered by tech companies rely on their collection and analysis of huge, complex data sets from increasingly diverse sources. Big data is conventionally defined in terms of the three Vs: a greater variety of data arriving in increasing volumes with ever-higher velocity. It is important to understand these three Vs a little more in depth. Why? In order to understand what big data companies have to offer and which ones to watch in 2018. 1. Variety Whereas traditional data was neatly structured, big data is unstructured or semi-structured, as from text, audio, and video sources. What this means is that these and other new data types require a preprocessing that traditional data did not. Data from sensors, tweets, encrypted packets, audio recordings, photographs, e-mail, books, presentations, and documents, and so on are all qualitatively different from one another. They do not all fit neatly or in the same […]

It’s 2018, and having an online presence is no longer optional for most businesses. From enterprises to small local shops, online content helps businesses connect with their target audience and keep up with current customers. There are a few elements to this – social media, for example, is often crucial for engagement and reviews. But at the core of moving online for most businesses is the use of a Content Management System, or CMS. A CMS is used to create, manage and publish web content. This includes websites, blog posts, e-commerce content, corporate information and more. Businesses can use a CMS as a basic blogging platform or a unified platform for their entire web presence. Depending on the platform, users can typically create content directly within the CMS. Some feature WYSIWYG editors, while others require at least some technical skill for uploading content, customizing the layout, and building out navigation. CMS platforms are critical for business success because they allow companies a structured and integrated approach to managing content across web pages. Most also let users personalize content, analyze demographics and optimize content. WordPress is one of the most widely used Content Management Systems out there today. In fact, WordPress […]

The war for talent is more intense than ever. Just when organizations are starting to adapt to the demands of millennials, their successors–Generation Z–are ready to stir up a storm. Satisfying these tech-savvy workers is notoriously tricky. Now, HR leaders aren’t just competing against other employers–they’re also battling demands from their potential recruits. Generation-based stereotypes are broad judgments, but there is often a lot of truth to the observations when it comes to recruiting and workplace culture. Younger generations demand convenience, and job-hopping doesn’t carry a stigma anymore–it is a way of life. If a role fails to fulfill their expectations, the next-generation workforce will gladly trade it in for another opportunity. HR staff move mountains to find qualified workers and hire them. Once new employees sign on, the grueling task of training and engaging them begins. Consequently,  one slip in this phase can invoke churn, dump all of HR’s efforts down the drain, and leave them back at square one with seats to fill. The truth is, nearly 56% of all new hires leave their job within the first year. 2017 saw a steep rise in employee turnover rates, and 2018 doesn’t look any better. Work Institute’s retention report […]

Every business faces the same challenge: to make a consistent profit while continually growing and improving customer satisfaction. The way businesses achieve this goal has changed in recent years, with software at the core of business success. Just like their customers, businesses are not looking for a solution that works. They are looking for the best experience possible. They are looking for a software solution that increases productivity, lowers cost, and improves the bottom line. This is where software-as-a-service (SaaS) comes in. “Companies have woken up to the fact that people want outcomes, not ownership. They want customized experiences, and they want continuous improvement, not planned obsolescence. This isn’t a software story anymore. The table stakes have been raised for every industry.” – Tien Tzuo Founder and CEO, Zuora SaaS companies like Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, and Zendesk have paved the way businesses of all sizes to strategically use software for business processes. Software giants like Microsoft, Amazon and IBM now focus a larger portion of their effort on SaaS products and offerings. The combination has translated into a business environment run largely using SaaS products. Even with the growth of software-as-a-service, some companies and business leaders are left wondering what […]

In this guide, we’ll give you insights on how to use Facebook to market your brand to a consumer audience. As the world’s most popular social network, and one that offers many tools for advertisers to personalize and measure their campaigns, Facebook is a powerful way for you to reach consumers. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with Facebook Ads. Why is Facebook a Good Tool for B2C marketing? Social Ads are a quick, effective, and inexpensive mode of reaching potential clients through highly personalized messages. Thanks to social networks’ large user data storage, social ads hold the potential for highly precise and targeted campaigns. With over 1.5 billion active users, Facebook offers an enormous potential reach, making it one of the most interesting social networks to leverage. It is also one of the most personalizable and visual options, all at a very low cost per click. For a successful B2C Facebook marketing strategy, follow these five basic steps: Understand the different types of ad placement Facebook offers. Define your goals for the ads—awareness, consideration, or conversion? Build your audience segments. Design and format your ads. Measure your results, and iterate! In the rest of the guide, […]

What are some of the strategies for a productive, successful conversation? No matter who we’re speaking with, or the circumstances surrounding a conversation – whether we’re speaking to a friend, asking for advice, or passing the time of day with a stranger – a conversation must convey relevance and value to both parties for it to continue. For modern buyers, that immediate and contextual relevance -receiving the right information at the right time – is now an expectation across digital interactions with brands too. It is a key aspect of buyer empowerment and decision-making. In fact, conversational inside sales and marketing techniques, such as live chat and intelligent chatbots, are playing a huge role right now in personalizing, humanizing, and building trusted relationships between buyers and organizations. However, it’s not all smooth sailing! From the buyer’s perspective, there’s still a lot of information out there. There is plenty to consider when looking for the right-fit solution – particularly in B2B. In fact, often there’s so much information that buyers experience analysis paralysis when they feel swamped by information overload and indecision. For a B2B sales leader today, finding a way to cut through the noise, and deliver that expected timely […]

Influencer marketing isn’t just for the B2C space. It makes sense in any industry where at least one person has become notable and respected for their knowledge, contributions, and insights. In fact, it would be difficult to find a niche where influencers weren’t making their mark. By successfully using influencers, you can increase trust with your target audience, make your content more appealing, and give your audience a person they can relate to. The latter may be the most important, because people tend to form relationships with brands not businesses. By having a respected person act as an ambassador or evangelist for your brand, you add a genuine face and personality. The old adage is true, people buy from people. Of course, in the B2B space, influencer marketing is a bit more challenging. In B2C, a brand can simply find a well-known person that their audience will find relatable. That person doesn’t necessarily have to have any direct relationship with the product or service offered, or any relevant professional expertise, they can simply promote it as something they consume in their personal life. In a sense, B2C ambassadors are really often pitchmen. In B2B, it’s necessary to dig a little […]

With project deadlines and new products rolling out, many businesses tend to put recruitment on the back burner. The thought is that a quick job posting with a few sketched out details will be enough to find a suitable candidate. While some businesses may get lucky with this approach, the truth is a bit more complicated. If you want a great company, you want great people. If you want great employees, you’ll need a great job post to attract them. “I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not on strategies.”  ~ Lawrence Bossidy, GE There it is: people trump nearly everything else you do. Why is that? Without exceptional, motivated people, success will be more elusive. A solid job post will help you attract promising leads, leaving a great first impression on your candidates and opening up an avenue for them to leave a fantastic impression on you. If you are looking to recruit stellar employees for your new product or project, you most likely already know what you are looking for. You have the experience, personality and strengths of your ideal […]

In order to grow a business, entrepreneurs need to stay on their toes, keep an eye out for new opportunities, and even put in extra hours. For small and new businesses, in particular, staying focused and improving productivity can make or break a company. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that can slow down productivity. These can range from chatty colleagues to non-essential tasks, causing productivity levels drop throughout the day. According to a recent Irvine study, interruptions can have serious repercussions. The study showed it takes up to 23 minutes to refocus your efforts and recover from a distraction. Working in distraction-rich environments is a significant problem when it comes to maintaining work efficiency. Here are some helpful tips for avoiding distraction and staying focused on your most important projects: Use the 2-Minute Rule Most of us have a tendency to react to something the moment it comes up, whether it’s a question from a colleague or an email from a client. But letting questions and new tasks interrupt your workflow only make you less productive. They take away your focus from the task at hand. Still, it can be stressful to not address tasks right away. Small […]

Graphic design has always been an integral part of marketing and business operations. In more recent years, design software has become more accessible for business leaders looking to bring a new edge to their image. Gone are the days when specialized knowledge was a prerequisite for creating compelling design. But how do you choose the right design software for your needs and abilities? Design software tools range from simple platforms for beginners to advanced suites for experienced graphic designers. Which design software you choose will depend entirely on experience level and what you are looking to do with design. But no matter what, you should look for a design tool that makes your job easier and your message clearer. Take into account these words from the designer of the world-famous FedEx logo. “I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things.” ~ Lindon Leader This design mantra applies equally well to design software tools which should also be simple to use and bring clarity to what you are trying to accomplish. If you’re looking to create social media graphics, you most likely won’t need an entire design suite. On the other […]

B2B Tech Buyers are Wary of Biased Information Sources As a B2B technology buyer, you seek sources you can trust to give you the full scoop on a product — how to use it as a secret weapon, all of its shortcomings, how well it plays with other tools, and what kind of ROI you can expect. You’re looking to feel secure in your choice. You know there’s no magic bullet — and you wouldn’t trust any source that claimed to be one. In fact, according to a recent survey we did of 438 B2B technology buyers, the average buyer uses 5 different sources of information, because no one resource is perfectly adequate or trustworthy. The top five resources used by buyers were product demos, user reviews, vendor/product websites, a free trial or account, and vendor representatives. Buyers also used resources like analyst rankings & reports, prior experience with the product, vendor marketing collateral, third-party publications and independent media, referrals from friends, colleagues or peers, communities/forums, vendor-produced case studies, vendor-provided customer references, solution consultants or agency recommendations, and vendor blogs. As buyers consult these diverse resources, they pay close attention to potential biases, evaluating not only the products but also […]

SEO stands for search engine optimization, and SEM stands for search engine marketing. So what’s the difference between the two? SEO experts focus on generating traffic and leads through organic search whereas SEM experts aim to generate traffic and leads through organic and paid search. When it comes to practicing SEO and SEM, it’s not an either/or — SEM actually includes SEO tactics. Still confused? Don’t worry, it can often sound like jibberish! We’ll explain what both SEO and SEM experts do, rather than soley their differences, to help paint the picture for you.  What does an SEO expert do? An SEO expert’s job includes a number of day-to-day responsibilities, from finding the right keywords to go after to reading industry news daily to ensure that the right tactics are being used. Below are some tasks an SEO expert might focus on. Perform keyword research Anyone working in SEO should have a firm grasp on how to perform keyword research. So, what’s a keyword? A keyword is a word or phrase you type into a search engine, like Google, to find the answer or result that you were looking for. If you’re trying to figure out what kind of spider you […]

Mobile workforces are becoming increasingly common. As companies look to save money on office space and employees look for flexibility, remote teams have become a popular choice. This development comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. On one hand, a mobile workforce can arguably increase productivity, lower costs and increase flexibility. On the other hand, companies may find it challenging to manage these remote employees well and encourage teams to collaborate. But these challenges are not insurmountable! There are many tools in place to help small businesses and large enterprises manage their mobile workforces. These business apps can help you keep employees in communication and productivity. But that’s not the entire point – you don’t just want to manage your employees, you want to support your mobile workforce. We took some time to research which software tools TrustRadius users utilize to help them support their mobile workforce. Some useful tools are for collaboration, while others focus on time tracking or video communication. This list is in no particular order, but all the products have at least one thing in common: they are used by customers to support a geographically diverse team. 1. Dropbox Business Dropbox Business expands the cloud […]

IT professionals want hands-on experience before they buy new products, but look to both vendors and peers for insights to guide evaluations. As an IT professional, you likely evaluate new software tools through a different lens than other leaders in your company. Of course, in any new system, individuals across all roles care about how well it can meet your company’s needs now, and in the future, and how quickly you’ll be able to see results. But because you intimately understand the complexities of technology, and because you will probably be more hands-on during implementation, integration, and troubleshooting, you take product evaluations further than the average stakeholder. You’re invested in understanding the nitty gritty of the product’s capabilities up front. And, you know how to push the system to discover limitations or breaking points to get the full picture of what a solution can and can’t do. You certainly aren’t going to take someone else’s word for it, and rely on that alone. You know your own technology environment best. But you probably do want some input on what to watch out for. You need an insider perspective on the product’s strengths and weaknesses, so that you can test them […]

Fake reviews have become a significant issue in the B2C world. To ensure reviews are authentic and unbiased, many consumer sites have banned the use of incentives, or in the case of Yelp, even prohibited businesses or third parties from asking customers to write reviews. These moves were driven by research that showed offering rewards or free products in exchange for reviews resulted in higher ratings. This has led to a perception among B2B buyers that the same is true for reviews of business technology. Yet in the B2B world, the opposite is actually true—invitations with small incentives actually lead to a larger, more representative sample, a more even distribution of ratings (not just promoters and detractors), and more detailed product reviews. Why do paid reviews in B2C and B2B look so different? B2B is on a smaller scale First, consumer-facing businesses enjoy exponentially larger customer bases, which translates to many more potential reviewers. Relying on a fraction of a percentage of customers to self-motivate to contribute reviews for B2C shops might produce enough quantity to be statistically meaningful. But many B2B vendors have just a couple hundred customers. At best, they could hope for one or two self-motivated reviews […]

There has been an explosion of news coverage around fake consumer reviews. As product reviews play an increasingly important role in buyers’ decision-making process, sellers are doing what they can to play the game—or game the system. Recent stories by BuzzFeed and the Washington Post dig into fake review schemes that Amazon sellers can (and sometimes must) buy into, paying for a slew of 5-star reviews of their product—or 1-star reviews of competitors’ products. For certain types of products on Amazon, as few as 33% of reviews of the top 10 products appear legitimate, according to an analysis in the above Washington Post article using data from ReviewMeta, a website that helps consumers spot unnatural Amazon reviews. The BuzzFeed article says, “Paid review writing is the modern lemonade stand.” The price per fake review can start small, but it adds up. At scale, the fake review hustle has a big impact on which product consumers buy. It costs sellers who are locked in an arms race, and consumers who choose the wrong product based on fake reviews. If you read through the comments on the above articles or others like them, you’ll find many stories that go just like this: […]

You can’t develop software without also creating bugs or flaws that cause it to behave incorrectly or in ways not intended by the design. It is imperative to squash these bugs as quickly possible since multiple bugs in a released software application can negatively affect the business processes of your customers and create significant customer support problems. What are Bug Tracking Systems? Bug tracking systems are programs that keep track of the defects or errors, also known as ‘bugs,’ in software development projects. Bug tracking software allows you to track bugs from inception through resolution. They provide a way to report each bug as it occurs. You are able to log the date and time the bug was noticed, who reported it, who is working on it, what the observed defective behaviors are, and issue severity. They also allow you to track the steps taken to reproduce and resolve the bug along with the resolution outcomes. Advantages of Bug Tracking Systems The main point of bug tracking software is to have an overview of each bug’s life cycle, status, and resolution. Bugs can be entered into the system by internal members of the software development team and, sometimes, by end users. System […]