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New Study Shows the Mobile Web Will Rule by 2015 [STATS]

Gretchen Glasscock — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:45:42 +0000

: Image by renatomitra via Flickr

New Study Shows the Mobile Web Will Rule by 2015 [STATS].

Morgan Stanley analysts have seen the future and it is definitely mobile.

Mashable, as always, has its finger on the pulse of the latest trends and predictions on the Net and digests Morgan Stanley’s dense, 87-page report for us:

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“Devices such as the Kindle, the iPhone () and other smartphones, web-enabled tablets, GPS systems, video games and wireless home appliances” are driving exponential growth of the mobile web. At some level, we all already knew this, but Morgan Stanley has now documented the trends, forecasting that by 2015 the mobile web will outpace the desktop Internet.

“The mobile wealth creation/destruction cycle is in its earliest stages. The proliferation of better devices and the availability of better data coverage are two trends driving growth; having better services and smaller, cheaper devices has led to a huge explosion in mobile technology that far outpaces the growth of any other computing cycle.”

Another factor, I believe, is driving growth of the mobile web is the proliferation of apps. You’ve heard it. Whatever you want to do, the common refrain is “There’s an app for that.”

Apps make the mobile web a more personal and integrated experience where you, the user. are in control of much of it. There’s a big difference between sitting in front of a screen and consuming media, and actually hurling yourself in the middle of the creation process which is what you’re doing when you tweet an event or take a photo and put it on Flickr. Even when you set up Mint or Bill Minder, or refer to First Aid or Kayak or Urban Spoon, you’re using immediate, personal and portable technology to put yourself in control. And who doesn’t like to be in control?

For the full story and other fascinating graphics and stats, go to New Study Shows the Mobile Web Will Rule by 2015 [STATS].

What You Can Learn From Janie’s Cakes: Focus On Quality

Gretchen Glasscock — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:51:39 +0000

To start up a business successfully, you definitely need to be a risk taker. It also helps if you have the nerves of a cat burglar and the daring of a trapeze artist. But, in the end, you only need to do a few things well. And you will need the concentration of an Indian fire walker to keep those things, and those things only, foremost in your mind and vision.

FOCUS on your core skill, service or product. Focus on quality. If you are making cakes, make the best ones. I was looking a few days ago at Janie’s Cakes and I had to look no further than her list of ingredients to know she would make some of the best cakes available:

Farm Fresh Eggs = Farm Fresh Flavor Others may use the term but at Janie’s Cakes we actually *use* farm fresh eggs in our cakes. In fact, Janie raises her own chickens (she has over 300 happy laying hens!) and collects the fresh eggs each morning to bake her cakes. You can tell the difference. It’s a fact, pampered farm-raised chickens lay tastier eggs than their cooped-up commercial counterparts! Try one of our cakes and taste real farm freshness.
Vanilla Flavoring vs. Pure Vanilla Extract Because of the high price of real vanilla extract most bakers use cheaper artificial vanilla flavoring in their products. Not at Janie’s Cakes. Janie uses only pure organic Madagascar vanilla extract from 100-year-old Nielsen-Massey® Vanillas. Vanilla is just one more important example of how Janie will not compromise the quality of her pound cakes because of the high cost of an essential ingredient. www.nielsenmassey.com
Quality Flour = Quality Pound Cakes The primary ingredient of any cake is flour. That’s why at Janie’s Cakes we use only the best unbleached flour available—King Arthur Special Flour®. Established in 1790, King Arthur® Flour is America’s oldest flour company. For over two centuries its products have remained free from chemical additives. It’s the only flour Janie will use in her pound cakes. www.kingarthurflour.com

The list goes on, but you get the idea. Any one who puts that much focus and effort into the ingredients…300 chickens laying eggs!…..you know that cake is going to be incredibly good!

If you write a blog, remember, “Content is King.” You can attract a sizable audience by being known for the quality and thoughtfulness of your content.

And there’s another tip you can pick up from Janie. She only sells 7 kinds of pound cakes and the sauces which are part of their ingredients. She has, in fact, streamlined and simplified her product line and created a system.

You can do the same thing if you write a blog:

Set up your Google or other reader to bring information to you instead of having to go out and track it down
Write your first draft
Gather any, graphics or links that will bolster, deepen, add insight or punch to content
Give it a quick round of final revisions and edits. Sometimes the story changes as you write it. Go with the flow.
Push the content live and you’re done! On to the next post.

A couple of other areas to maintain your Indian-walker-like focus:

FOCUS on marketing your service or product. Think “blowing your own horn”. Think “social media” and connecting with others and letting them in on a good thing….what you do and can do for them.

FOCUS on the numbers: they are like a treasure map which will show you the path to success.

And if you have a moment to spare, think about automating or outsourcing anything you don’t absolutely have to do yourself so you can focus on being the best in whatever field you’ve chosen.

It Takes Some Work, But It Can Be Done: How to Find a Job When There Are None Around

Gretchen Glasscock — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:28:35 +0000

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We can guarantee you one thing: there is a job out there someplace for you. It just may take a lot of work to find it. And you may have to go through a period of settling for less than you want or think you’re worth. But out of those forced decisions can come unforeseen opportunity.

For some advice on how to start looking, we like How to Find a Job when there are none around:

” If you cannot see something it does not mean it is not there; it only means that you have to try harder and perhaps with a different vision to find the unseen.
If you are in a layoff as a result of the economic downturn; then you will benefit from these tips on how to find a job when there is a hiring freeze everywhere and the companies are getting our of business left and right.

Network to Penetrate the Unpublished Job Market
Where all to look for jobs, when there are none being advertised? The answer is: Do your research and the answer shall come to you.

Read newspapers, trade magazines, journals, BLS website (this is the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and would be different statistics if you are not in US). What are the current industry trends? Where all is the funding money being channeled? These could towards the new solar development companies or other green-tech; there might be many unadvertised jobs here and all you have to do is first find out which ones could be the ones to apply for and how.
Research and find out which companies are showing good profits and sales increase in the tough economy; they could be the ones looking for hiring new employees since money is not a constraint with them.
Research to find which companies are launching new products and there is a possibility that the project teams could be expanding.
There could be some jobs that are recession proof, perhaps there could be the right job for you where you can channel or re-package your skills. (Read more at: Best Jobs to have during Recession )

Once you are ready with your research the next action step is finding the right contact to approach the position internally. Do not be put off if you do not see any advertised jobs on their online job boards. Some internal positions are not advertised and you can very well approach these jobs by smart networking.”

Use your Current Skills to Freelance
It won’t bring in the same money that you might be getting as a full-time job but when paying your bills and taking care of a family are the priorities then any additional income is welcome. Also make sure that you spend say about 40 percent of your “work” time in freelancing and rest of the time in networking with friends and ex-colleagues on any possible job openings leads and enhancing your skills.

Think About Relocating
Many good corporate jobs are moving overseas, there have been many reports during the last few months where companies in India and China have offered good positions to those laid off from Lehman and others affected from the Wall Street roller coaster debacles. Asian economies are growing and many companies are eager to absorb these globally experienced professionals.
An international experience would only enhance your portfolio and there is always a possibility to return to your native land when the going gets good.”

( For the entire post go to How to Find a Job when there are none around)

If Relocating Doesn’t Sound Like A Good Idea to You, Explore Your Transferable Skills

Ok. Perhaps moving to India or China is not your cup of tea. I mean, the recession might be over in 2009 or perhaps 2010 and there you are… in China! With a job, a home and moving expenses. See

Key to A Career Switch: Transferable Skills In Your CV/Resume:

Producing A Good CV When Changing Career , a British blog makes some excellent points about this which are themselves transferable to the job market globally:

“The key thing here is to consider the job(s) you have already done and to see if you can identify any skills you were able to obtain within these job(s) that could easily be transferable and be considered of value to your new chosen career and to focus upon them. What a well-tailored CV will do, however, is make the switch to our new career seem like a natural and logical progression to the person reading it.

Just remember there is a job out there for you. You just have to persist: network, put out the word with your friends and family and colleagues, be visible. We wish you the best. Please do share your experiences with us. Add to this post with your advice and experiences.

Biz Ingenuity In Tough Times: 10 Ways to Delegate Without Hiring Staff

Gretchen Glasscock — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:56:05 +0000

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Small Biz Survival: Presenting 11 ways to do more from OpenBeta OKC.

Last night, Becky McCray presented at OpenBeta event in Oklahoma City‘s for Internet professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. Becky’s topic, in her words: “Every growing small business runs into a crunch time, that time when the work is pouring in faster than you can afford to hire help to do it. How do you get out of a crunch without hiring?”

I’d like to share some of Becky’s ideas with you because, in these tough times, I think it helps to brainstorm about how a small business can cut back and still make it through to the end of the tunnel. Also, to ward off panic and possible discouragement, I think it helps to remember that all of us small business owners are in the same boat, battling the giant waves that are trying to wash over us. And, it is reassuring, I think, to be reminded that there is a support system out there, if we just focus on who they might be and call on each for help.

Becky’s was a lightning talk, of 20 slides, intended to be shown for only 15 seconds each. To see them go here. Her ideas were drawn from several of her previous blog posts, including 10 Ways to Delegate Without Hiring Staff which I’m sharing with you below:

Becky says :”If you are “it” in the business, who can you delegate to?

Family. This is where we all seem to start. Let the kids do age-appropriate tasks. Recruit extra family members to contribute. With family, it is especially important to match the person to the task, give extra support, and check back often. In other words, follow the rules for effective delegating.
Local professionals. Give up the bookkeeping, ad design, collections, and photocopying. Turn to your local accountant, printer, attorney, or office supply store. Look around your town for more resources. Ask them what else they can do for you.
Delivery. This is an advantage of being in a small town. Many businesses still deliver, cutting down your errand list. Also, in a small town, there’s probably “a guy with a truck” who can do some delivery driving at a low cost. Can’t get it delivered locally? Go online and let them ship direct to you.
Suppliers. Ask them to do more, like pre-cut materials, suggest items that require less prep work, or even loan you experts or temporary staff.
Nonprofit services. Check with your Small Business Development Center, Chamber of Commerce, economic developer, technology center, college, vo-tech, and public schools for free or low cost services. You might be surprised what you find.
Utility Companies and Cooperatives. Many offer special services for businesses and individuals, but you have to ask to find out.
Online service providers. You can arrange for almost every business service online. Make a special effort to find fellow small-town pros.
Interns. Allow students to help out for low pay or no pay. Start with your local college, high school and vo-tech, but don’t overlook the big state universities. Even if they are far away, they place students all over.
The Computer. Automate as many tasks as possible. If you answer customers emails, become an expert in cut and paste. Ask the nearest 14 year old expert for more ideas.
Customers. You probably have some raving fans out there who would love to be actively involved in the business, even for a short time. Match their skills against your list of tasks. Phone calls, deliveries, office work, prep work or even clean up may appeal to them.

That’s the first ten ideas from Becky. Now it’s up to you to share your ideas and your stories.

Reprinted with permission from Small Biz Survival, www.BeckyMcCray.com.