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Entrepreneur.com offers tips on 2008 New Year Resolutions

Found these tips on Entrepreneur.com business blog.

"If your only New Year's resolutions involve working out and cutting back on your coffee intake, you should check out Rhonda Abram's list of resolutions for entrepreneurial companies for 2008. Abrams, president of The Planning Shop, a publisher of books for entrepreneurs, says she's optimistic about 2008, despite the likelihood of an unsettled economy. Here are a few of the resolutions she shares in this USA Today article:

• Evaluate what you did right. See how you can continue or increase your commitment to the positive ways you currently run your business.
• Treat your employees right. If you have high turnover and dispirited employees, resolve to change the way you hire, manage and reward your staff.
• Get your financial information organized. If you're using a word processing or spreadsheet program, get a good, easy financial accounting program. "

Posted by Kristin Edelhauser

Entrepreneur.com Business Blog

What Happened to CompUSA

I remember when CompUSA opened their first New Jersey location. I entered the store with great excitement and fear. I wondered at the time what computer superstores would do to the business computer services market.

At the time I had a two person company that supplied the same products and services as CompUSA. We felt threatened by CompUSA, especially as they expanded their service offerings. As the years went by other super-stores ventured into the computer services market, but not with a great deal of success. As you read below, it turns out that local companies like SWK have the advantage in offering computer services.

   

New Year Virus Alert - Storm Worm

Most business have taken necessary steps to protect their systems from computer viruses. Here is one that can be particularly difficult and worth watching out for. It is hitting around now.

The Channel Wire December 27, 2007
Storm Worm Entices With New Year's Spam

By Stefanie Hoffman

The Storm Worm loves the holidays. Security researchers have found that the Storm virus is ringing in the New Year with a fresh wave of attacks. This time, the notorious botnet is recruiting new members with a greeting spam. Subject lines include: "A fresh New Year" "As the New Year..." "As you embrace another New Year" "Blasting New Year" "Happy 2008" "It's the new year" "Joyous new year" "New Hope and New Beginnings" "New Year Ecard" "New Year Postcard" "Opportunities for the New Year" "Happy New Year to You" "Happy New Year to (email address)" "Lots of greetings on the New Year" "New Year Wishes for You."

See more here CRN Blog  or here Symantec Security.

The e-mails then attempt to direct users to a malicious Web site called uhavepostcard.com. A blog post by anti-virus firm F-secure warns that while the site remains free of exploits (for now), the spam will likely be a precurser to a New Year's Eve-themed Storm attack.

New Technology Trends for 2008 from Mckinsey & Company

Cnet.com, the popular website that covers a wide range of technology topics, just published an instructive report on 2008 Technology Trends authored by Mckinsey & Company the consulting firm that serves 70% of the fortune 500 hundred companies.

The report discuss and supports a concept that we at SWK embrace, "Technology alone is rarely the key to unlocking economic value: companies create real wealth when they combine technology with new ways of doing business."

"Through our work and research, we have identified eight technology-enabled trends that will help shape businesses and the economy in coming years."

2008 Investments in Technology

With much apparent uncertainty in the 2008 economic outlook, what are smart business owners planning in terms of IT investments for 2008?

Successful business owners put a priority to building their IT systems.

Multitasking, Blessing or a Curse?

Have your high tech devices made you into multitasker? Do you thrive on the challenge and stimulation of multitasking? Are you more productive working this way? Or is it just an apparency?

Some argue that multi-tasking reduces real productivity and leads to mistakes. Others view it as an essential skill in the fast paced business world we live in. Both are probably right. Finding a balance that works for you is the key.

Is it time for you to upgrade to Microsoft Vista and Office 2007?

Microsoft's new Windows operating system Vista and their productivity suite Office 2007 were introduced earlier this year with all the fanfare you would expect from Microsoft.

Several months later the question remains, is Vista and Office 2007 good for businesses? The jury is still out.

Web 2.0? Small Businesses Say No Thanks!

Web 2.0 is all the buzz among the "latest and greatest" tech community. But, on the on-line guide to Small-Business Technology, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com Lauren Simmonds reports a different story:

"It's no secret that lots of companies want to sell to the small business market — including other small businesses. After all, 24.7 million such companies make a sizable piece of financial pie. If your income depends on selling to this market, a recent study conducted by Bredin Business Information shows that when it comes to obtaining business-management information, small businesses just say no to Web 2.0.

"When it comes to Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, marketers think, 'Oh, this is cool, therefore I must do it,'" Stu Richards, CEO of Bredin Business Information, said. "But small business owners are so time-starved, they're not just going to do something because of the buzz." See the article here

CRN (Computer Resseller News) Announces 10 Best Products of 2007

CRN is an excellent source of information. It is primarily targeted to the industry, companies and individuals who are providing technology solutions, but the publication has many articles relevant to end users.

This years 10 Best Products of the Year is a great listing of notable hardware and software.

Not Worried About Security, You Are In The Minority

AT&T has announced that although the majority of small businesses secure their computer systems, one-fourth (24 percent) are unconcerned about computer and online data security, and one in 10 (10 percent) has taken no action to secure their data, according to a survey conducted by AT&T Inc.