Archive for the ‘Small Business’ Category

60 Minutes of Tips & Tricks in Adobe Photoshop

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Start Date: November 30th, 2011
Duration: 60 Minutes
Start Time: 3:00 PM EST (US)
Event Cost: $99; free with code ‘LOB10′

Microsoft Adobe Photoshop is a powerful graphics editing
program that allows users to create and manipulate images in a variety of
formats. However, if you’re not familiar with Photoshop’s menus, submenus,
settings, and palettes, the program’s features can be overwhelming and
frustrating. In this webinar you will learn how to easily manipulate, enhance
and transform images in just a few clicks. No matter your level of Photoshop
expertise, you can learn to become a more proficient, productive user without
the hassles of lengthy guides and complex tutorials!

Our tips and tricks webinar on November 30th will show you
how to reduce your frustrations and streamline your graphic creation and
manipulation. We will help you learn to select and apply the tools you need to
create a variety of effects that will take your images to the next level. From
layers and filters to masks and Actions, Photoshop offers a host of features
that will shorten your time spent on repetitive tasks while enhancing the
visual appeal of the images you produce.

After this 60 minute webinar, you’ll be able to:
• Expand use of layers, blending, filters, and other visual elements
• Understand the difference between various image formats and types
• Adjust the color of an image with quick and easy tips and tricks
• Differentiate RGB, CMYK, Pantone, and hexadecimal image modes
• Utilize layer and clipping masks to provide visual flair
• Set up Actions to eliminate repetitive clicks and move through formatting in
a snap
• Discover key differences between images used for print and those used for Web
• Delete selected areas of images in order to isolate only parts you need
• Organize images using layers and enhance them with layer effects
• Distinguish how to effectively implement layers and filters without overusing
them and muddying your graphics

If you’d like to learn more about how Abobe Photoshop and
its capabilities, register today and use the code ‘LOB10’ during checkout
attend for free!

10 Great Cloud Services for Small Business

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Cloud services are easy to use, cost-friendly, and allow for online collaboration between employees.  In fact, PCmag.com reported in March of 2010 that “seventy percent of Microsoft employees are doing something related to cloud computing; in a year, that figure will be ninety percent.” Cloud computing is shaping up an international, mobile work-force. 

Most of the technology needs of small businesses can be satisfied with a desktop operating system and browser combined with cloud-based offerings. One of the cloud’s greatest qualities is its flexibility. Cloud solutions can work for both large and small enterprises. 

Cloud-based solutions are usually subscription-based, although basic services are usually free. The merchants typically charge on a monthly or annual fee. The services listed below, recommended by pcmag.com, follow this payment model.

Storage and Backup
Egnyte Hybrid Cloud Solution
$19.98 – $69.98
A business of any size is concerned with file storage and backup. Egnyte’s Hybrid Cloud Solution offers online file storage, file sharing, and file backup.

Dropbox
$4.99 – $49.00
Dropbox is a cloud-based, automatic file-synchronization service that lets consumers share and store files in a virtual space. There is also a desktop download available which seamlessly links your documents to an online server.

Efficiency
Google Docs
Free
Online office suite Google Docs is efficient and allows for document collaboration from anywhere. It’s more compatible with Microsoft documents than other online services of its kind, making it a valuable tool for those small-businesses currently using Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Office Live Small Business
Free
Microsoft Office Live Small Business offers companies to the tools to successfully conduct business online: 500 MB of storage, 1 year of domain registration, web-site building tools, business apps and more. It’s a fantastic toolkit for businesses on a budget.  

Financial and Accounting Purposes
Outright.com
Free
Outright.com is an online bookkeeping service that fits small-business accounting needs, such as tracking bill obligations. It organizes all accounts into one place, complete with charts and graphs, so you can see where you’re money’s going.

Bill.com
$25, per month (1 user)
Bill.com automates small-business accounting by providing a service which organizes payment processing, customer invoicing and documents.

Collaboration and Communication
Salesforce.com
$65 to 250, per user per month
Salesforce.com provides a plethora of features like managing sales, marketing campaigns, and running reports.

Skype 4.0
free
Skype’s sleek new interface makes video calling better-looking than ever and is a handy tool for conducting business conferences on the go.

DimDim 5.5
$0.00 – $75.00
Save money on business trips and installed phone-system costs with Dimdim. Dimdim takes video conferencing to a user-friendly platform without sacrificing on features, such as an online schedule which reminds users of conference calls.

Virtual IT Tools
Meraki WiFi Stumbler
Free
Small businesses may not have the resources for an on-site IT staff. Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler is an online wireless network analyzer that’s simple enough for anyone at your business to use. It provides information on nearby wireless access points, channels and signal strength allowing you to maximize your wireless networks efficiency.