A new publication from IDEA  “(a nonprofit organization that recognizes the Internet’s potential to transform the learning process by making information accessible and engaging)”.  Published in July 2008 this report pulls together the key findings from surveys which consulted “three different subject groups - nonprofit organizations and cities, web designers and firms, and the general public”.

A very interesting report - well worth reading and then looking at your own website with the findings in mind.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

For those of you who sell to  customers in the United States this recent article from the latest Advertising Age uses data from the U.S. to provide a indepth look at the changing consumer profile.  It includes the rapidly growing aging market and also  the regional differences as well as the new diverse youth market.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

Exhausting and exhilerating are two words that come to mind, but so worth the effort.

We had over 370 indepth conversations with expo goers and also other expo participants.  There was much interest shown in our free services and databases, including Press Display which shows newspapers from around the world with the same layout on the screen as they have in print, and Business Source Complete and Abi Inform.  We thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, and letting you know just what Wellington City Libraries can do for your business.

If you are interested in following up on our conversations, we would love to hear from you or you can email us at prosearch@wcc.govt.nz

These links will take you through to the Business Source Complete database, one of our online databases. You will be prompted first for your library card details before viewing the articles.

Fanbook
Coster, Helen
Forbes 28 January 2008 p 62

This article looks at how small businesses can use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook to connect with customers and potential customers.

Keys to Direct Marketing Success
Bayham, Alan
Home Business Magazine May/June 2008 pp 42-45

The writer offers advice on the use of direct marketing strategies for home-based businesses to to attract customers, and generating growth in the long-term. The advice includes how to develop loyal customers.

Making Inspiration routine
Lafley, A.G. & Charan, Ram
Inc June 2008, pp 98-101

Discusses market segmentation and looking for the underserved market. Gives tips on how to generate important new ideas and design processes, by hiring creative people.

SMBS feed on social networking input to grow
Schwartz, Karen D
eWeek 21 January 2008 p43

Another article discussing the importance on the use of social networking sites for anyone involved in business. The results were based on a study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity. The use of these sites in business-to-business connections is stressed, as is the use (47%) use of these sites to connect with potential clients.

Universal search is coming
Melburg, Caroline
Home Business Magazine May/June 2008 p 66

Another article from this useful magazine giving an overview of how search engines work, so you know the importance of keywords and phrases as well as meta tags when formulating your website. The article also suggests the usefulness of a blog in “search engine optimization”. Sounds like the article is well worth reading.

A 360-degree view of your customers
Bland, Vikki
New Zealand Business March 2008, pp 58-62

This recent NZ article looks at the growth of customer relationship management (CRM). The importance of the need to integrate CRM with a company’s online networks is stressed.

How a Fortune-500 process can help your firm reduce errors
Sherman, Peter and Sherman,
Peggy Journal of Financial Planning July 2007 suppl pp 10-12

Although Six Sigma management tool is often more closely associated with large Fortune 500 companies, this article discusses how beneficial it could be for small and medium-sized companies.

People management is the online magazine of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (UK).   Free to access, it’s a great place to keep up to date with HR issues.

It is also available fulltext through our Business Source Complete database at www.mygateway.info

Just to let you know that we will be at Stand 148b at the Wellington Small Business Expo which takes place on 25-27 June 2008. 

We have a limited number of passes to give away so if you would like a 3 day free pass please email me at prosearch@wcc.govt.nz or ring me Marilyn Domney 801 4059. 

Come and see us there.

Eiu Executive Briefing  is a collaboration between Harvard Business School and the Economist.  The homepage is free with links available to a number of publications, but full access to the site requires registration.

There is some interesting material here including a link to a 2008 fulltext pdf on talent management entitled People for Growth The talent challenge in emerging markets.

Thanks to Intute

BusinessWeek takes a look at how businesses are making use of the microblogging platform for marketing and promotion as well as how it’s being used to deliver up-to-the-minute news on events such as the recent earthquake in China. The article discusses the future of the application, its large development community, and its potential viability.

Thanks to iLibrarian

Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities have published this 2008 pocket book of key figures on European business and according to a press release “summarises the main features of European business in a concise and simple manner.”    It is available free as a 152 page pdf.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

Sorry for the lack of recent posts - it has been busy here.  The following China business blog (written in english, by an independent business consultancy, based in London) is searchable by category and provides valuable business links.  A good site for anyone interested in doing business in China.

 Thanks to Intute

The following although written for U.S.  companies will provide ample information for any NZ companies wishing to start doing business with China.  Doing business in China: A country commercial guide for U.S. companies