Web Conferencing for Today’s Small Business
According to a Habeas Email Survey commissioned by Ipsos, Web conferencing as a method of communication is forecasted to rise from 2% to over 12% in five years. Web conferencing offers many benefits such as reducing travel expenses (consider the time spent driving to the airport, the time wasted at the airport, the cost of airline tickets, etc.) as well increasing company productivity (less time away means more time at the office). For small business owners, the benefits are even greater as it allows them to chase growth at a time when such activities might not be considered at all.
Since business development is essential to any business’s survival and success, Quote Stork Solutions, a website dedicated to consulting small and home-based businesses, suggests taking calculated growth risks. And they feel that their model of Build, Reduce, Grow allows smaller companies to do just that.
One of their most interesting campaigns involves:
1. Reducing expenses by test-driving web conferencing software for Free. They recommend trying out software with their existing, solid client base and employees and suggest using it for systems training in order to become familiar with the software.
2. Growing customer lists by taking carefully calculates marketing risks. Quote Stork encourages its small and home-based businesses to investigate direct marketing techniques like those developed by gurus Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer. This non traditional marketing method is likely ignored by key competitors and since it is cost effective, it can provide the small business owner with something of an edge.
3. Thirdly, Quote Stork advises hosting a web conference for those prospects who responded positively to the direct marketing campaign. Now that the user is familiar with the software, they can host a value-add or “mass pitch” web conference. For example, a plumber seeking to expand his territory might take half an hour to illustrate proper piping techniques and some of the most common errors typically made do-it-yourselfers or local handymen.
The recommended software by Citrix Online allows users to share control of their desktop as well as broadcast themselves over the internet. With so many Fortune 500 companies now using this technology, it allows small businesses to project themselves to their clients in a more professional manner. This not only improves reputation and perception, but it proves to prospects just how serious the small business owner is about meting and exceeding customer’s expectations.
With the dismal headlines in the media these days, small businesses especially need to concentrate on growth initiatives. With dwindling budgets and the prospect of sales drying up, web conferencing offers a cost-effective way for small businesses to expand their reach when it comes to business development.
Filed under: Business