FREE REPORT:
"Are You Making These Security Mistakes With Your Data?" |
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One of the most valuable assets any company has is its data. Without it, invoices can't go out, clients can't be serviced, and operations fall apart.
Yet MOST businesses are at high risk for losing their data because they are not taking simple, preventative steps to protect it. If you want to know if you're at risk, get and read this free report TODAY.
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Networking Tip
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Theresa Carater
StayNTouch Marketing
Relationship Marketing
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Quite often I'm asked, "Theresa - why not simply follow up with new networking contacts by sending an email? That's what everyone else does these days."
How often the answer is contained within the question.
The fact that e veryone else sends email is one reason sending personalized note cards is even more effective than ever. Talk about standing out from the crowd!
Little wonder that following the SendOutCards habits will distinguish you as a truly rare and valuable individual.
Once you've sent your initial handwritten note, then by all means, continue to keep in touch using email as one of several options. I'm just saying that - the impression you'll make with the handwritten note absolutely blows email right out of the water.
When you've taken the time to write a brief, handwritten, personal note; addressed and stamped and mailed - giving the impression that that took some thought, effort and time - all of that will be greatly appreciated by the recipient, your new networking contact.
Relatively little effort; huge potential payoff.
Remember, if you want to get all the Referrals you can handle, SendOutCards!
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By Lisa Gullette, CreatiVisibility, March 31, 2008
Trade Shows, Chamber of Commerce Expos, vendor exhibits at conventions or conferences. These shows are all growing in popularity to advance a company in a business market niche. This type of business showcasing can be an affordable, personable marketing opportunity to draw potential customers from a target-rich environment.
Your visual presence at an expo is important and the graphics and message are not where you should cut corners, but they need not be a huge recurring expense. Your expo booth gives a first and lasting impression that cannot be regained with a sales pitch. Your graphics must dress your display to impress.
Common and affordable options are portable, re-usable, pop-up banner/panel displays. Graphic panels are assembled as a part of the display structure with each piece set up next to the other to create a mural. These are called flexible graphic display systems. You have options for the printing of the graphics including inkjet banner printing, silk-screen printing, electrostatic transfers and photographic prints. Select a non-glare laminate in a luster or matte finish to protect your graphics from the lights. Laminates are available where you get your graphic printed or at the display company where you purchase your display system.
Extend the life of your flexible graphic display system by properly storing and shipping it so it is protected from scratches, dents, or extreme elements. Graphic systems can be ordered with a storage container that works well in transit and doubles as a stand or podium in your booth.
Your graphic panels should include eye-catching graphics and only a few large bold messages. This text should show your business name and support your business benefits and services. The overall graphic display concept should be designed to offer longevity. Do not use dates or graphics that will be specific to only one audience. Specials and new products or services can be highlighted within your booth with a smaller easel poster or retractable stand. Place examples, samples or photos of your business on tables set up in a "U" shape with your display graphics across the back and get your potential client to cross into your booth to reach your free promotional items.
Collect business cards in exchange for your brochures and promotional items and engage your prospective client in a game that makes sense for your attendee to play, if you are offering a prize. Converse with your booth attendees and find out if they are interested in your service or merchandise before you offer your sales pitch or free promotional item. Pass out your full brochure to those who speak to you, but leave less expensive handouts and business cards for those who are only passing through.
Trade show graphics are the center of attention and play an important role in effective marketing. To be taken seriously and professionally your booth has to illustrate that you ARE professional and experienced. There are ways to cut costs without cutting back on graphics. CreatiVisibility is experienced in finding ways to meet your display budget and can mold your message into simple, effective graphics and text.
For more information about CreatiVisibility and how it can help you effectively set your marketing message and create professional graphics for your display, contact us through the Web: www.CreatiVisibility.com
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Networking in the Area
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PC MedEvac Hours of Operation
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At our Shoppe location located at 139 East Chatham, Suite 100, Downtown Cary, our hours of operation are:
Monday thru Friday:
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
We suggest you always call first as technicians may be out of the shoppe for field work or emergency calls.
919.369.7800
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I Have A Dirty Secret
I have a dirty secret to confess -
I don't clean my computer as often as I should. Yes, I've shaken the crumbs out of the keyboard from time to time just like everyone else, but that could hardly constitute as a "cleaning."
With Spring in the air, I thought this would be a good opportunity to remind everyone (myself included) to clean out those dirty PCs. After all, you should do this every 3 to 4 months. And, it's not just for sanitation purposes.
The electromagnetic field put off by your computer attracts dirt. Just take a look at the back of your PC near the fan vent. Pretty gross, huh?
It's Not Just Dirty - It's Dangerous!
The dust clogging those vents will cause your CPU to heat up-and heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Yep, that dirt and dust can end up shutting down your PC and costing you real money!
Cleaning your PC can also prevent the spread of germs. Keyboards are breeding grounds for all kinds of infectious and nasty critters and multiple studies have proven there are more germs on the average keyboard than the average toilet!
Now that I've completely put you off your lunch, let me give you a general overview of how to clean your computer
A Warning Before You Start Scrubbing
Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto ANY part of your computer. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component. You NEVER want to get any of the components inside the computer wet and you don't want to spray cleaner directly onto a computer screen!
Also, when vacuuming the dust INSIDE your computer, make sure you use one that was designed specifically for the job and not the one in your closet. Standard vacuums create static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. Instead, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job.
You will also need:
1. A screwdriver to open the computer case; just be very careful not to unplug, unscrew, or knock anything out of place!
2. A can of compressed air.
3. A computer-approved cleaning liquid such as rubbing alcohol or mild cleaning agent like dish liquid diluted down.
4. Cotton swabs (Q-tips).
5. A lint-free cotton cloth.
Tip: Wiping down the outside of your computer tower with a solution of one half vinegar and one half water will minimize static.
Before you begin, turn off your computer.
I like to start by sucking out all the dirt, hair, and dust with a vacuum. Do an extra good job around any ventilation locations as they will help to keep a steady airflow thereby keeping your internal components cooler.
When cleaning the fan, I suggest you hold the fan or place something inbetween the fanblades to prevent them from spinning. Avoid spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning it with your vacuum since it may cause damage to some models.
Compressed air is great for getting all the crumbs, dust, and dirt out of your keyboard, but be sure to also wipe down the keys and surface of the keyboard (that nasty cold or flu might still be hiding out on it)!
When cleaning the monitor, use a lint-free cloth (like the one you use to clean your eyeglasses). Paper towels, dryer sheets, and other cloths may scratch the monitor. Also, never use Windex or a commercial cleaning product, and never spray anything directly onto the screen. Instead, lightly spray a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water onto your cloth and wipe it down.
Want Us To Clean Your Computer For FREE?
Want us to do the dirty work? Then call us for any job during the month of April and we will clean up to 5 PCs and/or 1 server in your office - FREE!
No more grime, germs, or dust bunnies-we'll get rid of them all as part of our Spring-cleaning special!
Just call the office for any repair, installation, upgrade, or project, and we'll make sure your computers shine!
Call us: 919.369.7801
E-mail us: service@pcmedevac.com
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Warning: If You Meet These 3 Criteria, You Are Getting Ripped Off By The Phone Company!
If you are a business owner that is spending $100 or more per month on long distance phone calls and you need advanced phone features like voice mail over e-mail, find me/follow me, and call reporting, then I can virtually guarantee that, right now, you are paying the phone company way too much for your phone service.
Here's how I know
Until recent years, businesses only had one option for phone service - "Ma Bell." Yep, they had the perfect business model; or should I say monopoly! If you wanted phone service, you had to take whatever they were selling, good or bad because there were no other options - until now.
Thanks to major advancements in Internet communications, a new phone service alternative has arrived - and it's rapidly overtaking traditional phone service. What is it? Voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP.
Simply put, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over the Internet with the same features, functions, and clarity of traditional phone service, but without the heavy costs and hidden fees.
So Why Is VoIP So Much Cheaper Than Traditional Phone Service? VoIP is cheaper than traditional phone service for 3 main reasons:
1. VoIP phone calls are much cheaper to make because the call is connected using the Internet rather than traditional phone lines.
This means you pay one monthly fee for all the calls you want to make regardless of the time of day or location. Plus, VoIP phone equipment costs less to maintain than traditional phone systems. This is because IP phones use the same wiring that the computer system does, leaving you only one set of wiring to maintain.
2. You get unlimited long distance. I have yet to find a VoIP service provider that does not include unlimited long distance (if you are thinking about switching to VoIP, make sure this feature is included).
Some VoIP providers even include fixed rate international add-ons, which can produce a windfall of savings for multinational businesses.
3. Moves, adds, and changes to your service are FREE. As you know, the phone company loves to ding your wallet every time you add or change a line.
Plus, the company that sold you the phone system charges for any type of "service call" that requires a technician to move, add, or make changes to your system.
With VoIP, most moves and changes are software-based so they can easily be performed by you or your current IT support person. Same holds true when adding extensions.
If you want to know if VoIP is right for you, give us a call! We can answer any question you have, conduct a price comparison, and help you get set up with a VoIP provider!
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Is It Legal For Employers To Monitor Your Computer?
Courts have ruled that an employer's monitoring of its employees' e-mails and other computer related activities during work hours and/or on company-owned equipment, Internet, and e-mail accounts is not illegal.
Companies typically monitor employees' online usage for the following reasons:
1. To avoid claims based on sexual, racial, ethnic, and other forms of harassment.
2. To protect against an employee sending or posting confidential information.
3. To reduce exposure to intellectual property infringement claims.
4. To decrease the likelihood that an embarrassing message attributed to the employer will be sent.
5. To guard against computer viruses.
6. To improve productivity.
It is recommended that employers create an AUP (acceptable use policy) that outlines what is and isn't acceptable use of electronic media and communications.
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November 1st Deadline for Data Protection Programs
Important Guidelines for Business
By Sheyenne Kreamer
Triangle Solutions Alliance (TSAI)
It's no secret that identity theft has become big business for thieves across the country. In fact, it now ranks as a more profitable venture than drug trafficking! The media reminds us daily of the number of individuals who are having their lives turned upside down by identity theft: everything from people being arrested for crimes they didn't commit, to the loss of life savings, and even the tampering of medical records, sometimes creating life-threatening situations.
In an effort to discourage this disturbing crime, multiple laws have been enacted to protect the consumer such as FACTA, Gramm, Leach, Bliley and the NC Identity Theft Protection Act. These new laws require businesses of all sizes to add several layers of protection of any non-public information they may possess. In addition, regardless of size, businesses have been given a compliance deadline of November 1, 2008.
Compliance and the Small Business Owner
If you are a small business owner with limited resources and limited time, this compliance date can turn into a looming force. One of the reasons is that even with all the data that is available in regards to identity theft, it can be hard to find good information to help business owners understand the barrage of new laws that have been enacted.
I am not an attorney. In fact, I would recommend that you contact your attorney to get a full understanding of the new laws and get the specifics of how each of these data protection laws apply to your business to be certain that you have the correct data protection program in place.
Data Protection Guidelines for Business
There are, however, some general guidelines that all businesses and organizations, large and small, should be implementing as a core strategy for risk reduction. Key elements include the following:
- Physical Security of Printed Data - having plenty of locks, paper shredders and employee procedures for the proper handling of data
- Electronic Security - having up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection on all computers. Utilizing encryption software to protect all sensitive data being stored on computers, as well as sensitive information being emailed
- Written Policies and Procedures - outlining the specifics of how each person in your business handles sensitive data, and their respective responsibilities
- Mandatory Training - all employees and contractors must be trained in these policies and procedures after they are approved by the Board of Directors or a senior person in management
- Reviewing Your Vendors & Service Providers - part of every data protection program should include a review of the data protection practices of the service providers you use
Additional Resources More details can be found about these strategies through a free publication from the Federal Trade Commission called "Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business". Some companies are implementing additional security measures for themselves and their employees which include providing identity theft protection plans for employees and educational seminars for customers and vendors.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation, or if you would like an emailed copy of the FTC publication, contact Sheyenne Kreamer at Triangle Solutions Alliance at 919-863-4362 or Sheyenne@trianglesolutionsalliance.com
Don't let November of 2008 catch you off guard! Put a plan of action in place now to get your company in compliance with the new identity theft laws.
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We hope you enjoy our monthly newsletter and will forward it to anyone you think would benefit from our service by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on "forward email"
Sincerely,
Matt Carter
PC MedEvac
919.369.7801
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