Our top stories this week, Facebook may soon be the new LinkedIn and Powa the new PayPal … or Shopify … or both. Check out these and other critical stories potentially impacting your small business in the Small Business Trends weekly news and information roundup.
Social Media
Facebook at Work Could Rival LinkedIn, Google Drive
Unless you’re updating the company page, using Facebook at work is frowned upon generally. But a new report suggests that Facebook is planning to invade the workplace with the intent of getting actual work done, not frittering away your day.
Mobile Technology
Powa Raises $80 Million, Brings Mobile Commerce Service to U.S.
With some companies offering mainly ecommerce store options for your business and others offering digital payment options, UK-based Powa may be one of the unique companies to offer them both. The company recently raised $80 million in a new round of venture capital funding, the Wall Street Journal reports.
6 Signs You Need a Mobile Website — Now
The mobile world is here, having arrived in 2014. It has been marked by the fact that there are now more Americans using mobile devices than desktops. Plus, the majority of consumers research products and services on their mobile devices before making a purchase, whether that purchase is ultimately in store or online.
Content Marketing
Wix, Bigstock Offer Hi-Res Stock Photography for Content Managers
A partnership between a growing website design platform a large stock photography provider is aimed at giving small businesses better content for their websites. It’s imperative today that any business website pop with eye-catching imagery. But those photos and graphics can sometimes cost a pretty penny.
7 Hot Trends Defining Your New Content Strategy
Content marketing is an essential component in buyer engagement, social media, lead generation and online marketing. In fact, the power your content carries is growing by the day as new tactics and trends propel content development to new heights in brand publishing. Blogging is not enough. Social media is not enough.
Finance
Xero Wants You To Fall In Love — With Managing Your Money
Money management is one of the most important responsibilities small business owners must take care of. Without the proper management of our money, we won’t know what products are profitable, which customers owe us money and how much we owe the IRS – among other things. The tool you use to manage your money is important.
Small Businesses Seeking Capital See Decrease in Big Bank Loans
After a positive run for much of the year, small business loans from big banks dropped in October for the first time in seven months. Small business loan approval rates from big banks to small businesses dropped from 20.6 percent in September to 20.4 percent in October, according to the October Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.
Viral Marketing
You Can Still Get Free Website Traffic — Here’s How!
These days we are witnessing quite a logical trend – traffic is getting more expensive. The concept of free website traffic is slowly going away for a few reasons: SEO, the major source of free reliable traffic, is getting riskier and less reliable. PPC is becoming a preferred, safer and quicker traffic source.
How Fangirls Made #AlexFromTarget an Internet Star
When marketing online or off, it helps to have a fanatic group that can spread the word for you. But, as the story of an unusual new meme demonstrates, it can often be hard to predict exactly where that fanatic support may come from. Take the case of a young man named Alex Lee, who works checkout at a Target outside Dallas.
Research
Survey: 58 Percent of Small Business Owners Expect Growth
Fifty-eight percent of small business owners expect growth soon. That’s based on the CAN Capital Small Business Health Index (PDF) completed recently with the help of Survey Monkey. CAN Capitol Inc. offers small to medium sized businesses a technology platform evaluating small business risk in order to assist these businesses in gaining access to capital.
Women-Run Businesses Make More Money — Or Do They?
U.S. Businesses run by men are 3.5 times more likely to cross the $1 million threshold then businesses run by women, a 2014 study (PDF) by Ernst & Young concluded. And women owned business have only a 2 percent chance of ever hitting the $1 million mark, concluded the same study. So it’s interesting to hear a contrarian view.
Small Biz Spotlight
Spotlight: Military Wife Finds Niche with Digital Photo Service
Being a military spouse can be tough. It often involves moving to new cities on a regular basis, making finding employment especially difficult. That was the case for Vista Bartholomew. But instead of working odd jobs at each new location, she came up with a creative solution. Combining her passion for photography and her entrepreneurial spirit, Bartholomew created VistaPix Media.
Management
What Not to Do When Sending Business Holiday Cards
As the holiday season approaches, businesses across the country are trying to decide whether to send out holiday cards. Many regard this tradition as an essential part of business etiquette and networking. For others, it may seem like a waste of time or money. But sending out holiday cards can be a productive use of resources, as long as it’s done effectively and appropriately.
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Winter has arrived in all of its blustery fury and, as the classic song goes, “Baby, it’s cold outside!” Keep the chills away with five simple tips for staying healthy until spring arrives: 1. Wash Your Hands Regularly According to the Centers for Disease Control, you should wet them with running water and soaping up for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying with a clean towel.
Startup
How Dumb and Dumber Predicted a New Thriving Industry
In the 1994 film “Dumb and Dumber”, Jeff Daniels’ character starts a mobile dog grooming business called Mutt Cutts. The business features a utility van made to look like a sheepdog. At the time, the business idea seemed to match the movie’s name. But in the 20 years since, the pet care industry has experienced massive growth.
Technology Trends
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7000 Returns With Better Chip
Dell has re-introduced the Venue 11 Pro 7000 tablet but this time with a new processor that offers a more mainstream performance but with the lower power level required of a tablet. Intel has just released the Core M processor, part of its Broadwell series of processors generally used for laptops and laptop/tablet hybrids. But this is a different kind of processor, reports CNET.
iPad Users Get Refund on Office 365
Some iPad users may be in line for a refund from Microsoft, of all places. Microsoft recently changed its pay structure on its mobile Office app. The company had previously required an annual subscription to Office 365 from iPad users who wanted to do any editing or other work within Office using a special iPad Office app.
Uber and Spotify Team Up to Bring Your Music Playlist to Your Next Ride
If you’re a fan of Uber and Spotify, your rides just got a whole lot smoother! Soon you’ll be able to travel in style by choosing the soundtrack for your Uber ride.
Need a New Shade of Lipstick? Just Print Some with the Mink 3D Printer
If you’re a cosmetics manufacturer, it’s unrealistic to manufacture millions of shades of makeup for exactly what each consumer would want. But what if you give the consumer the tools for mass customization? Mass customization is an idea that is attractive.
The Acer Aspire Switch 12 Is Actually Five Devices in One
Acer says there’s little the new Aspire Switch 12 can’t do. In fact, the new 12.5-inch device is being touted as a 5-in-1 portable … well, everything! The Switch 12 is a follow-up to the original Switch from Acer — the Switch 10. But the Switch 12 is more than just an over-sized tablet.
Weekly news roundup photo via Shutterstock
Oooh, lots of posts here, several which I haven’t read. Thanks.
My favourite of the ones I’ve read is the 3D make-up printer. Interesting.