Today, technology runs about every business.  It is the backbone of working, processing, understanding systems and filing away resources.  So why do we need more education regarding what types of technology to implement, why and how to utilize it correctly and what happens if we ignore the seriousness of the issues surrounding IT?

According to an article written by Judi Light Hopson, an eHow Contributor, it is important to “encourage new employees to help with marketing. Encourage them to hold seminars in the community. Help them rehearse presentations of what services are available. Create visual presentations and slide shows to educate business owners about help with software, repairing computers, creating programs from scratch or consulting work available to expand human resource programs.

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Facebook recently launched a new location-based feature. This means that you can let others know where you are, what you are doing and even what you think of the place you’re visiting. This is okay for your business as Facebook continues to show us opportunities to connect with more companies via the Internet. Your customers are most likely already on Facebook and by adding this feature you become more accessible to them, which in the end, can mean a better return for you and your business.

This is an article written by David Griner from the associatedcontent.com, who stated, “Facebook has 133 million users in the U.S. and 500 million worldwide. When you compare that to Foursquare’s 2 million user base, I think it’s safe to say that checking in just became a phenomenally bigger deal. Before you start setting up an official Place for your business, try it out as a user first. As I mentioned before, you’ll need an iPhone with the free, official Facebook app. Don’t have an iPhone? Borrow one from a friend next time you’re out and about.

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Posted By: Andy Willoughby

Social media is extremely important in today’s business world  especially if your an entrepreneur or aspiring to become one. Social media is used for networking, getting your business name out there for the public to search and therefor become familiar with.  According to www.entrepreneur.venturebeat.com there are 25 social media sites that are ranked as being most helpful for entrepreneurs.

A few of the most popular social media sites include: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

To view the complete list click here

First-time business owners must stay focused and  pay close attention to detail. Recently,  www.entrepreneur.com released 10 tips for first-time business owners.

1. Focus. Focus. Focus.
   Many first-time entrepreneurs feel the need to jump at every “opportunity” they come across. Opportunities are often wolves in sheep’s clothing. Avoid getting side-tracked. Juggling multiple ventures will spread you thin and limit both your effectiveness and productivity. Do one thing perfectly, not 10 things poorly. If you feel the need to jump onto another project, that might mean something about your original concept.
2. Know what you do. Do what you know.
   Don’t start a business simply because it seems sexy or boasts large hypothetical profit margins and returns. Do what you love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success. It’s not only important to create a profitable business, it’s also important that you’re happy managing and growing it day in and day out. If your heart isn’t in it, you will not be successful

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KANSAS CITY, MO–(Marketwire – 07/29/10) – Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan has allowed many people to start and manage home businesses. Many of Willoughby’s members expressed gratitude for the 3 Step Plan and reviewed how it offered them the chance to work around their personal schedules from home.

Visit 3 Step Plan: http://3stepplan.com

Janelle Duncan, 3 Step Plan member, said that she loves working with Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan for several reasons. “It is a great networking tool. I did not have to hunt down my friends, family and neighbors to build my business. Thanks to the 3 Step Plan, I have built a successful business, I have enthusiasm about my business and am confident in what I am doing,” said Duncan.

Ellie Jones said that she has been with the 3 Step Plan for more than six years. “It is a very simple system that puts members in touch with others who know that they want a home-based business. For those who decide that this is the business system for them, it will help them both professionally and financially,” said Jones.

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Visit 3 Step Plan: http://3stepplan.com

Janelle Duncan, 3 Step Plan member, said that she loves working with Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan for several reasons. “It is a great networking tool. I did not have to hunt down my friends, family and neighbors to build my business. Thanks to the 3 Step Plan, I have built a successful business, I have enthusiasm about my business and am confident in what I am doing,” said Duncan.

Ellie Jones said that she has been with the 3 Step Plan for more than six years. “It is a very simple system that puts members in touch with others who know that they want a home-based business. For those who decide that this is the business system for them, it will help them both professionally and financially,” said Jones.

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Here is an article from the USA Today about the growing use of social media among small businesses. More of them are choosing to utilize social media at the expense of traditional forms of advertising. Small businesses view it as an easy way to maintain contact with current customers while reaching out to new ones.

A new study by MerchantCircle found that more than half of nearly 10,000 respondents nationwide said they plan to create or maintain a social networking presence in the next three months. This number is the highest since the survey began a year ago and is up from 41% in the first three months this year.

More small businesses use Twitter, Facebook to promote

SAN FRANCISCO — A surge in social-media use by small businesses reflects a shift in how they operate and their comfort with increasingly easy-to-use technology.

In growing numbers, small-business owners are adopting social-networking services, location-based services, Twitter and online video to promote products and services, according to a new study by MerchantCircle, a social network for small businesses. It polled a fraction of its more than 1.3 million members.

The survey results are the strongest evidence yet that small businesses — which account for more than 90% of all U.S. companies and fuel the economy — are accelerating their use of social media at the expense of traditional media such as newspapers, the Yellow Pages and radio. Even e-mail messages have taken a beating.

Businesses with fewer than five employees “see Facebook and others as a way to reach targeted consumers” while saving marketing expenditures during a rough economy, says Darren Waddell, vice president of marketing at MerchantCircle.

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Here is an article from Entrepreneur Magazine written by Lisa Druxman about the difficult choices that entrepreneur moms have to make.

No matter what your stage in motherhood, it really is a full-time job. I don’t know a single stay-at-home mom who feels she has extra hours in the day. Now, add running a business to that never-ending job, and it’s easy to see how it’s a formula for becoming overwhelmed. Nevertheless, so many of us hit the trenches each day as both mom and entrepreneur. Personally, I’m on a never-ending journey to make the formula work.

You’ve heard it before. We all have the same 24 hours. So, if we are filling those hours with business and motherhood, something has to give. I asked women all over the country what they have given up in order to be a mom in business, and here’s a sampling of what they said:

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MSNBC featured Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan member success stories about creating and managing a home business. The 3 Step Plan allows members to find financial freedom while not having their lives consumed by work.

Rob and Denise Carver became members of the 3 Step Plan in 2007 after Rob was diagnosed with MS and was no longer able to work outside their home. With the 3 Step Plan, they took control of their finances and were able to work from home . “The 3 Step Plan is so simple and truly made for anyone to use. We started this almost three years ago and haven’t looked back,” said Denise Carver.

Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan is featured on retirementplantips.com. Members of the 3 Step Plan discuss how it benefits people of all ages and helps to achieve financial freedom by increasing wealth with their home business. Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby developed the 3 step plan to achieve three goals:

1. One family member creating income from a home-based business
2. Help overcome debt and live debt free
3. Learn to live life without financial problems