10 Tips on Using Facebook to Boost Business

10 Tips on Using Facebook to Boost Business.

Want to pick up some good ideas on how to make the most popular social media platform work for your business.  Check this article out.

Franchisors Face New State Taxes

Independent Coalition of Franchise Owners Group News | LinkedIn.   Read this informative article about how Iowa is imposing state income taxes on franchisors with franchise units in the state.  Other states may follow suit.

Could a Groupon Offer Hurt your Business?

Why Groupon Sucks for Small Businesses | PCWorld Busine ss  Center.   PC World BizFeed considers the downside of Groupon for small businesses.

CRM Software, Customer Relationship Management – Zoho CRM

CRM Software, Customer Relationship Management – Zoho CRM. Several franchisees have asked about CRM software that could be used by a The UPS Store franchisee to manage customer acquisition and retention. ZOHO CRM might be the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s FREE for up to three users, and has just undergone an interface facelift that’s getting good reviews. Check it out if you have an interest. Even the paid version starts at $12 a month.

QuickBooks Pro 2011 – $80 OFF TODAY ONLY

Today only, Staples is offering QuickBooks Pro 2011 for $149.00. That’s $80 off the normal price of $229 and $29 below the price if you purchase from MBE. Offer good today ONLY, 20 Sep, in store or on line. Visit http://www.staples.com/QuickBooks/cat_CL163507#filterList=[11692] for details.

A Password Manager that’s FREE and highly rated – LastPass

This password manager is worth checking out, especially for multiple center owners (MCO). ICFO doesn’t warranty LastPass, but if you struggle with multiple vendor and web site passwords for your Centers, this may be the right tool for you.  It’s worth a trip to their web site, and they have a FREE version.  Even if you decide to use the Premium version it only costs $1 a month.

www.lastpass.com

ONE MASTER PASSWORD
Stop remembering passwords!

Your LastPass master password is the only password you’ll ever need.

AUTOMATIC FORM FILLING
Automatically fill forms!

Set up multiple ‘profiles’ and automatically fill your personal information into web forms accurately and safely.

ONE CLICK LOGIN
Stop typing in passwords!

Easily log into your websites seamlessly with a single click of your mouse button.
SECURE YOUR DATA

Your sensitive data is encrypted on your PC. Only your LastPass password can unlock your data and only YOU have access to it.

Why Mandatory Paybacks Don’t Work – Employees and Policies

Why Mandatory Cash Paybacks Don’t Work – Employees and Policies.

How to put a Facebook badge on your 50Below website

Here are the steps you will need in order to add a Facebook Badge to your site.

1. Go to http://www.facebook.com/badges
2. Click on Page Badge
3. It will then prompt you to sign in under your store facebook account
4. Once you get in, click on “Other.”
5. This will then create a series of coding that you will need to copy and paste and send in an email to upslocal@50below.com
6. 50 Below will then add your badge to your homepage.

If you’re comfortable with it, you can add the HTML code to one of the editable frames on your website. A little experimenting will let you pick the best location for your Facebook badge.

I put mine in the main text frame of the home page by checking the box to use my own text. Add the text you want. Place the cursor at the end of the text and press Enter one time. Then click on the HTML indicators at the bottom of the text edit box.

At that point you can paste the HTML into the box and click on the small magnifying glass to see if you’ve done it correctly.

If you’re having trouble, simply call the 50Below folks or send them the HTML code.

The ROI of Social Media

Here are 10 interesting case studies about the ROI of Social Media. Are you using Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, 4Square or other social media sites?
Share your experience in the Forums on the ICFO website

http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/07/16/the-roi-of-social-media-10-case-studies/

Addressing USPS Five-Day Delivery Issue

Now is the time to act to protect your business and create awareness of the industry’s abilities to partner with the USPS.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has issued its non-binding advisory opinion, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) has issued its cost reduction estimate and now it goes to Congress to decide whether Saturday delivery of the mail is good for America and the USPS.   AMPC has given its opinion in a number of venues, including a testimony before the PRC, letters to Congressional leaders and to the Postmaster General.

The ICFO concurs with the AMPC position that five-day delivery can be a great opportunity for our industry – if it is done right.   Watch your email over the next several days for an ICFO communication spelling out the details of how to voice your opinion to your congressmen, Senators, and the USPS.