Stature Software

Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Foursquare Not So Square After All

March 10th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Business, Small Business | No Comments »

There has been a lot of talk about Foursquare lately. People are saying how the new location-based social network is going to change the world; how it’s redefining what it means to be just a Joe Shmoe establishment; how it’s pioneering a “deeper connection” between patrons and place. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Me? I’ve been on the fence. I’ve seen my friends Foursquare “check-ins” and have wondered…. what’s the point? Do people really want to know where I am having lunch or getting coffee?

Yesterday, I discovered that the answer is yes. While my average Twitter and Facebook followers could care less about my whereabouts… businesses care.

In fact businesses care so much, Foursquare has created a new dashboard that will soon be rolling out to business owners across the country.

The dashboard is still an alpha product… but word is that it will be able to make the distinction between staff and customers, and track check-ins on a daily, weekly, 30/60/90-day or all-time basis.

The new Foursquare business data will also include:

-Total check-ins

-Unique visitors

-Male-to-female ratio

-Social media-sharing (i.e. showing how many users are sending their checkins to Twitter.)

-Top visitors

-Check-in time breakdown

Foursquare reps have also confirmed the possibility of correlating check-ins with weather patterns, a feature that may prove beneficial to businesses that offer rainy day incentives.

I think this all sounds very innovative… and it will certainly help put some small businesses on the map (emphasis on the word some). I don’t see Foursquare doing much for companies like Stature Software, or even big businesses like McDonald’s or Wal-Mart.

I mean, c’mon, why would you ever want people to know that you’re shopping at Wal-Mart?

We’ll have to see where all of this goes at Foursquare. My gut says though that it’s a flash in the pan.

 Tags: foursquare business dashboard, foursquare location, location social network

Website Plans to Predict the Future in Business

February 24th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Business, Small Business | No Comments »

One Boston-area start-up is going where no website has gone before – to the future.

Recorded Future gives business-minded users a look at who-what-where-and-when down the road.

Sounds abstract, doesn’t it?

The concept is simple really. Recorded Future has Google-like search capabilities and a simple interface to a tightly constrained set of data: occurrences that are expected or predicted to happen tomorrow and beyond.

The site presents three input boxes – what, who/where, and when – and then aggregates results by searching across blogs, news outlets, and social media sites.

Who will use this site?

Businesses – large and small say the founders of Recorded Future.

“Recorded Future allows financial analysts, intelligence analysts, and predictors to organize and aggregate future observations with ease,” the company explains on its YouTube Channel. Recorded Future also boasts (on its LinkedIn company profile) that its customers include “top government agencies and trading firms in the world.”

The website hasn’t officially launched yet and word is the company is trying to keep a low-profile while it raises more venture capital.

Unfortunately, time (and money) will tell whether or not Recorded Future is a boon or bust.  It isn’t everyday you see a business-based website that offers a look at the future. That is, one that doesn’t have a talking soothsayer on its homepage.

One final thought – a quote from Recorded Future’s website that really hits the nail on the head:

“What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens.” – late British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

 Tags: boston start up, business predictions, business website, recorded future

iPhone VoiceOver: Greatest Tip Ever? Yep.

December 21st, 2009 by Gregory Silvano Posted in Business, Technology | 1 Comment »

I switched from the Blackberry (8830) to the iPhone in January 2009 and other than AT&T’s coverage, I’m a big fan.  I know every screen, every option, every setting.

This weekend I stumbled on something I consider the best feature yet on the iPhone.  I haven’t seen this tip on any of the “Best iPhone Tips and Tricks” lists, but it really should be.

The scenario: you’re driving and get an important email.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have your iPhone read the email to you?  It can – all you have to do is “triple click” the home button!

To set this up, go to Settings, General, Accessibility.  At the bottom of the screen you’ll see a “Triple-click Home” option.  Set it to “VoiceOver”.  Done.

 

 Tags: iPhone, VoiceOver

Facebook Is Growing …. Businesses?

December 16th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | No Comments »

Facebook.

The very site people use to read mindless status updates, view photos, watch posted YouTube videos, and play FarmVille is now being called a potential business builder.

Neilsen, a company many television executives rely on for measuring market share, has entered the social network fray with a little product called Brand Lift.

As the Wall Street Journal first reported back in September, Brand Lift will measure the impact of ads on Facebook through polls that the site will show its users who have seen the ads.  Facebook will then compare the users’ responses to those of other people who didn’t see the ads and package the data for advertisers.

I have personally seen these polls, and while I never respond, they do pique my curiosity enough for me to take a look at the ad. I’ve never actually clicked on the link though.

Still, considering that people love taking polls, this could be a very solid way to measure whether or not ads on Facebook really perform.  The site itself has grown into a behemoth; +300 million active users with 50% of those users returning to the site everyday, sometimes several times a day.

So the million dollar question is … can Facebook fan pages help grow a business?

The answer from Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is a resounding yes.

“Brands have found significant success with Facebook fan pages, which are free to create. But adding paid advertisements through Facebook’s ‘Engagement Ads’ product can enhance those brand pages significantly,” Sandberg explained during an event at New York Advertising Week.

If you read between the lines, this means that Facebook will also get paid.

With Twitter grabbing the most attention from marketers these days,  Facebook could use the money – or so it says.

As for its potential to grow business, I’ll say this much.

As an avid Facebook user, I may eventually resent getting peppered with advertisements and polls. The site is intended to help people connect and socialize – and that’s how I want to use it.

I understand the drive to make money, but in my opinion Facebook may be walking a fine line.

The users will ultimately have the final say here. Peeved Facebookers tend to revolt.

 Tags: business growth, facebook advertising, facebook business

Businesses Help Consumers Shop With A Purpose

December 9th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | 1 Comment »

In a time when everyone is trying to make a buck, I’d like to tip my hat to a Website that’s trying to do the opposite – spread the wealth.

I’m talking about We-Care.com. This dynamic site creates customized co-branded marketplaces allowing people to shop online as they would normally do with a percentage of what they spend going to a nonprofit, school, or association of their choice.

What’s impressive is the wide range of businesses that participate – roughly 800 merchants, ranging from big box stores to small business start ups.

Given that this is the holiday season, and I choose NOT to shop in crowded stores unless forced,  I have taken full advantage of this site.

My cause: The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF).

Founded in their daughter’s name by Bill and Victoria Strong, GSF is on a dedicated mission to raise awareness and funds to help cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the #1 genetic killer of children under 2.

GSF branded their own marketplace using We-Care’s infrastructure. It’s called ShopToEndSMA – and it’s an online shopper’s dream.

Book a trip on Air France. They’ll make a .5% donation.

Order holiday cards at the CardStore (5% donation).

Reserve a stay at the Marriott (1% donation).

Upgrade your computer software at Adobe (4%).

Buy an iPhone at the Apple Store (.5% donation) and then subscribe to AT&T’s 3G network (donation percentage may vary).

… And the list goes on and on.

Look, money is tight.

Most of us don’t have the funds to donate to a cause of our choice. But sites like We-Care and ShopToEndSMA –  and all of the wonderful businesses they’ve partnered with – allow us to give effortlessly.

They literally take the sting out of spending money.

I commend businesses, large and small, for stepping up to the plate during this rough economic time.

While others are hoarding, the partners at We-Care are sharing.

How refreshing.

 Tags: business philanthropy, online donation, online shopping stores, social responsibility business