As a small business owner, you know that any moment could be your next business opportunity. Therefore, you would never want to lose an opportunity because you were missing one of the key tools in your marketing arsenal.

Whether it’s checking in with the email marketing company you work with to make sure you’re staying in contact with your customers , or revamping your website, now is as good of time as any to take inventory of your marketing efforts. If you’re looking for a place to start, here are 10 marketing tools – some old-school and some new technologies – that you don’t want to be caught without.

1. Business cards: No matter what type of business you own, you need to be able to pass on your information so those you come in contact with will know where to find you.

2. Customized business forms: Whether it’s invoices and statements or sales transaction forms, including your logo on documents is an easy way to make a professional impression on the people you do business with.

3. Brochures: They provide an easy way to let those you meet know what you’re all about when time is short to explain.

4. Promotional items: Putting your logo on useful items given to your potential clients will keep your business front and center.

5. Special events: There’s no better way to introduce new people to your business or promote interaction with loyal customers than hosting a special event.

6. Websites: Make sure your website is up to date and accurate. Your business domain name should accurately reflect the name of your company. It may also be worth it to purchase similar domain names that you could envision your customers using to ensure they’ll be headed to the right place when they search for you on the Web.

7. Social media: Facebook and Twitter are free to use, and are an increasingly effective way to interact with customers and spread news about your company.

8. Email marketing: Keep your clients aware of new developments at your business by sending out a weekly or monthly newsletter.

9. Search engine marketing: Tailor your message to specific demographics using marketing directly related to where your clients are searching from and what they are searching for.

10. Marketing analytics: Analytics programs can tell you what type of marketing works best for you.

By taking stock of all the tools in your marketing arsenal, you can figure out how to improve your message and make sure you aren’t missing any opportunities to attract new business.

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New medicine approved by FDA to treat type 2 diabetes

(ARA) – Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) affects approximately 25.8 million Americans and an estimated 220 million people worldwide. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body either does not properly produce, or use, the hormone insulin.

Now there is good news for people with type 2 diabetes. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved TRADJENTA(TM) (linagliptin) tablets, a new prescription medication used along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

TRADJENTA (pronounced TRAD gen ta) can be used alone or with other commonly used medications for type 2 diabetes – metformin, sulfonylurea or pioglitazone. TRADJENTA lowered hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C) levels up to 0.7 percent (compared to placebo) in clinical trials.

A1C is measured in people with diabetes to provide an index of blood sugar control for the previous two to three months.

TRADJENTA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine). It has not been studied in combination with insulin.

“Many people with type 2 diabetes are not able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone and may also require one or more medications,” says Dr. John Gerich, professor of medicine, at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. “The FDA approval of TRADJENTA is exciting because there is only one dose to remember for patients, regardless of kidney or liver impairment. With TRADJENTA, physicians will have another option for managing type 2 diabetes, a potentially devastating condition.”

TRADJENTA is a tablet that can be taken once a day, with or without food. It lowers blood sugar by increasing incretin levels, which increase insulin levels after meals and throughout the day.

It was approved based on a clinical trial program which included approximately 4,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. Included in the program were placebo-controlled studies evaluating TRADJENTA alone and with other commonly-used medications for type 2 diabetes.

TRADJENTA lowered fasting plasma glucose (FPG) compared to placebo, when used as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, sulfonylurea or pioglitazone. FPG is used to determine glucose levels in a fasting state, usually upon waking up in the morning.

It also lowered two-hour post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels compared with placebo as monotherapy and when used in combination with metformin. PPG is used to determine glucose levels after meals, usually two hours after eating.

To learn more about TRADJENTA and for full prescribing information visit: www.TRADJENTA.com or call Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at (800) 542-6257.

Please report any unexpected effects or product problems to the Boehringer Ingelheim Drug Information Unit by calling (800) 542-6257.

What is TRADJENTA?

TRADJENTA is a prescription medicine that is used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. TRADJENTA is not for people with type 1 diabetes or for people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).

It is not known if TRADJENTA(TM) (linagliptin) tablets is safe and effective when used with insulin.

Important Safety Information

Who should not take TRADJENTA?
Do not take TRADJENTA if you are allergic to linagliptin or any of the ingredients in TRADJENTA.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to TRADJENTA are rash, raised red patches on your skin (hives), swelling of your face, lips, and throat that may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking TRADJENTA and call your doctor right away.

What should I tell my doctor before taking TRADJENTA?
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that can lower your blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. If you take TRADJENTA with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you take TRADJENTA. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heart beat, sweating, or feeling jittery.

Also tell your doctor if you take rifampin (Rifadin(R), Rimactane(R), Rifater(R), Rifamate(R)), an antibiotic that is used to treat tuberculosis.

TRADJENTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRADJENTA works.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

What are the possible side effects of TRADJENTA?
The most common side effects of TRADJENTA include stuffy or runny nose and sore throat.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.  Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call (800) FDA-1088.

NEWS FROM TOOLS-AND-THINGS .COM, Please Note
Do to tornados on April 16th 2011 we have a waiting list for furniture repairs and finishing, so please call (919-803-4425 for more detailed information on how long the list is or growing.
We repair and refinish furniture here in our small shop in west Raleigh NC, and I’ve been involved in working for over 25 years. We have never tried to get too big to do a good job for our customers. We ‘ve only posted one ad to promote the business in 14 years, most our business is word-of-mouth. We stay busy and we never take on more than we can handle. I work mostly a one man operation, with two part-time helpers.

We repair and refinish almost any kind of furniture, from wood to metal and modern to antique. We take our work very serious and aim for customer satifaction.
We repair tables, chair, beds and headboards, damaged by water or pet. Broken spindles,regluing joints, dowels, inside outside furniture, restoration of modern and antiques. We also strip off old finish for all natural look, fill and sand, polish and buff, hand strip and chemical strip, specialty paint finishes, hardware restoration. All types of top coats: Varnish, Lacquers, polys, shelac, oils, waxes, paints, stains.
We can get the job done and satisfy our customers at a great price! If you live in or arround Raleigh NC we can help you. including Cary NC, Apex NC, Garner NC, Holly Springs NC, Clayton NC, Fuquay-Varina NC and area’s within reasonable driving range.
BIRDHOUSES, FEEDERS, YARD DECOR & OUTSIDE FURNITURE.

All our birdhouses, bird-feeders and butterfly houses come with a 30 days return policy.

We are always adding new products so feel free to check back often. We want to make you a lifetime customer by giving you the best in products and services. We ship most orders 24-48 hrs if in stock items and after customer’s payment has processed.

Do to high gas prices, higher shipping rate and increases in shipping supplies, we try to ship the most economical way. Please call if you need to order or get more information on a product or service:919-324-8905

Please Note: That these handcrafted items are not massed produced they are handmade, one at a time, in our small shop here in Raleigh NC. Our wooden birdhouses and bird feeders are made from the very best woods and plywoods that can be used for outside products. We use waterproof glues and sealers to make sure our handi-crafts stay together in wet and harsh weather.

Our metal top bird houses and birdfeeders have extra thick and insulated tops to help from over heating. We use only woods that hold-up year round and is harmless to human and animals. We do use presure treated lumber for planters, garden art, and some pic-nic tables and they are all sealed or painted to prevent contact.

Do to the tornados in April this year we are still cleaning, repairing and rebuilding from the damage, untill we are completely finished with rebuilding we won’t add any more pictures of our new products, but feel free to call and inquire about our products and services. We only make our blue bird houses in the Fall Season at this time, do to early nesting of bluebirds in North Carolina in Spring.

At peak times (April-July, we may get orders that leave us temporary out of stock or I may have discontinued an item before taking it off our website. In this case call me. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your order to be filled and shipped if the products you order is out-of-stock..Look For Our New Bluebird Design Comming This Fall!

We invite you to shop our online store and our retail business with confidence. We adhere to a strict privacy that means your information will not be shared, sold. or otherwise distributed

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We pick-up in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs and some outside surrouning areas. If you have these items to be removed and it is out of our pick-up area you may still call us and we may be able to remove the item or find someone else to pick-up item. Please do not set your item out untill you have got a confirmation of pick-up form us. Do to high gas prices you must set-up a time for us to pick-up these items and confirm your address and what is to be picked up.

We also have these items checked for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free, or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time to remove your items at your convenience. Thank you; Tools-and-Things

Collaboration with professor to help increase stormwater control area success.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and N.C. State are combining forces to improve stormwater control in an area affecting N.C. State, Meredith College and the N.C. Museum of Art.

“By combining our resources with the renowned research capabilities of N.C. State University, we are developing innovative solutions for improving water quality – and in turn, helping to protect one of our state’s most valuable resources,” said Matt Lauffer, program manager for NCDOT’s Highway Stormwater Program, in a press release.

The project aims to benefit the House Creek watershed, an area that collects pollutants from cars and other ground sources when it rains. House Creek is one of several stormwater control projects NCDOT monitors annually. The construction is taking place near the intersection of Wade Ave. and Interstate 440.

Dr. Bill Hunt, assistant professor and extension specialist with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, will be working with NCDOT to develop methods to reduce the amount of pollutants.

Dr. Hunt has assisted since 2000 with the design, installation, and monitoring of over 90 stormwater best management practices (BMPs), including bioretention, stormwater wetlands, innovative wet ponds, green roofs and permeable pavement.

Julia Merchant, NCDOT communications officer, said this is not the first time NCDOT has partnered with N.C. State. Past collaborations involved, among others, breakthroughs with biodiesel research conducted by the University.

According to NCDOT, for the $300,000 House Creek project, funded through the Highway Stormwater Program, engineers will use stormwater filtration methods such as a bioretention basin, which will use sand to filter out pollutants in the water.

After installation of the stormwater control measures is completed, which will take approximately three weeks according to NCDOT, N.C. State researchers will continuously monitor the system’s effectiveness at improving the House Creek water quality.

SOURCE:Technicianonline.com

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Charities tapping into social networks for support


(ARA) – The way we talk with our friends, the way we date, eat, watch TV, even the way we vote has been transformed by the sudden and overwhelming popularity of social media technology. Our activities in the actual world are becoming ever more deeply intertwined with our activities in the virtual world.

In their ongoing efforts to find new supporters and strengthen bonds with the ones they already have, charities, too, are flocking to social media. Unlike letters in your mailbox or TV commercials, digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter give charities a chance to engage supporters in emotionally powerful ways – ways that not only encourage monetary giving, but turn supporters into full-blown advocates.  

Take the example of the humanitarian organization CARE. In 1946, CARE began sending boxes of food and essential supplies to a Europe reeling from Second World War. The program resonated with so many senders and receivers that the phrase “care package” became a common synonym for any gift parcels sent to far-away friends and relatives. Today the organization is trying to tap into fond memories of this legacy through social media. At www.CAREpackage.org, CARE invites donors to fill a digital CARE Package with money supporting CARE’s long-term poverty fighting programs focusing on girls’ education, maternal health, and economic empowerment for women through microfinance and small business training. Where it differs most from traditional online giving is through functions allowing social network friends to build packages together – all connected through Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. CARE Package “senders” are also invited to educate themselves and their friends on key issues, and as well offer tools to reach out to elected representatives.

CARE is not alone in using social networking to generate support. Applications like TwitChange generate interest and big money for charitable causes by auctioning the opportunity to be followed, mentioned or retweeted by their favorite celebrities on Twitter.

Even large corporate givers with a big presence in traditional marketing venues are moving into the social media space. General Mills and Merck have teamed up for an online charitable giving project called Join My Village. Simply by clicking on hyperlinks to videos, visitors to www.JoinMyVillage.com can steer donations from the two corporations to a microsavings program helping rural girls and women in Malawi. Because the site interfaces with Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy for users to invite their social networks to participate, increasing total donations, but also awareness of poverty issues around the globe.

How charitable giving through social networking will evolve during the next years, or even the next 10 months, is anyone’s guess. A decade ago, few people (if anyone) predicted the social network-based advocacy and giving that’s exploding in popularity today. What is certain is that changes in technology inevitably create new ways for charities and supporters to connect.

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Steps for catching up with old 401(k)s

(ARA) – The average American will hold 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 42, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010). When you start a new job, you probably remember to pack your personal items and update your contact information, but did you consider what to do with your 401(k) held at your previous employer? It’s easy to leave behind.

A recent Merrill Edge survey found that nearly half (46 percent) of mass affluent Americans plan to rely solely or heavily on retirement plans offered by their employer for their retirement savings, such as a 401(k) or 403(b). This makes it more important than ever to keep track of your retirement savings.

Having accounts in more than one place can make keeping tabs more difficult. Rolling over your balances into one account helps to ensure you can properly track and manage your savings to help you pursue your retirement goals. When it’s simpler to monitor your investments, you can make changes as needed.

“One of the biggest challenges facing Americans today is planning for their retirement,” says Dean Athanasia, mass affluent and small business executive at Bank of America. “Many people expect to retire later than they had planned a year ago. Rolling over old 401(k)s is one small step consumers can take to help make managing their retirement savings easier and their retirement goals more attainable.”

Rolling over your old 401(k)s isn’t as complicated as you might think. Merrill Edge, offering a wide array of investment solutions from Merrill Lynch and access to the banking services of Bank of America all in one place, has a three step process to help you keep things simple:

1. Locate your accounts: Collect statements and account numbers for all your 401(k)s. If you’re missing any account information, call your former employers or benefits providers for the information you need.

2. Consider your options: Review all of the rollover options available to you. There may be many options for retirement investing and saving, so consider the length of time you plan to invest and the level of risk that’s comfortable for you. You can use a retirement calculator, like the Retirement Evaluator available on merrilledge.com, to help you see where you stand today and help you determine whether you’re on track to meet your retirement goals.

3. Choose your investments: Finally, decide how you’d like to invest. IRAs typically offer more investing options than 401(k)s to help you reach your retirement goals. Many online tools, such as the Asset Allocator available on merrilledge.com, can help you make investment decisions. Or, consult your financial services provider to help you make investment choices for your unique situation.

Consolidating 401(k)s into a single IRA account can make it easier for you to track and manage your retirement assets now, as well as when you start to withdraw funds in retirement. The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you remember a few simple steps – collect your account information, evaluate the choices available to you, and select a roll over solution that is appropriate for you.

For more information on rolling over 401(k)s and retirement strategies visit merrilledge.com or speak with a Financial Solutions Advisor at the Merrill Edge Advisory center at (888) MER-EDGE (888-637-3343).

Investing in securities involves risks. Neither Merrill Edge nor its associates provide tax, accounting or legal advice. You should review any planned financial transactions or arrangements that may have tax, accounting or legal implications with your personal professional advisers. Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax. In addition, a 10 percent additional federal tax may apply to withdrawals taken prior to age 59 1/2.

Investment products:
* Are not FDIC insured
* Are not bank guaranteed
* May lose value

Merrill Edge is the marketing name for two businesses: Merrill Edge Advisory Center, which offers team-based advice and guidance brokerage services; and a self-directed online investing platform. Both are made available through Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S).

MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N. A. and affiliated banks, members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

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ARA) – If you’re a recent college graduate or a professional looking for work, you already know you need every advantage to compete for work in a marketplace where there are more applicants than opportunities. It pays to be in control of every variable you can, from picking the right suit and honing your interview skills to making sure you know what’s on your credit report before a potential employer looks at it.

If you’re applying for a job, it’s very likely that your potential employer will want to check your credit. More employers than ever are checking job applicants’ credit history. Sixty percent of employers now check applicants’ credit reports, according to a report in the Washington Times. That percentage has climbed nearly 20 percent in the past five years, according to the report.

Employer credit checks can be problematic for many people in this economy. If you’ve been out of work for a while, you may have fallen behind on your bills. And if you’re a recent college graduate, you probably have little credit history – perhaps a few credit cards with a running balance, but probably not a car or home loan that can help add depth to a credit history.

Reviewing your credit report for inaccuracies before an employer sees it is an important step for job seekers, experts agree. It will also help prepare you to address any credit-related concerns a potential employer might have.

As you’re reading want ads and scouring job websites, keep this information in mind:

* Obtaining a report and score, such as the PLUS score offered by CreditReport.com, can help you understand your credit status before a potential employer asks to check your credit. While such a score and report are not necessarily the ones a potential employer will obtain, they can give you a snapshot of your credit status.

* The basics of credit management remain the same, no matter what your situation: pay bills on time, maintain a good ratio of credit used to available credit, show a long history of timely payment, and be smart about the types of credit you use (loans, credit cards, etc.).

* Employers will not be able to check your credit until you give your consent, in writing, for them to do so. While you may expect that an employer would check your credit if you’re applying for a job in the financial services industry or another industry in which you’ll be directly working with money, be aware that a broad spectrum of employers are now checking credit for applicants at all job levels – even some you may not expect.

* If your credit history has some blemishes, you may want to consider adding a personal statement of explanation to your credit report – the major credit bureaus all allow you to do this. While credit experts agree that such statements usually have little impact on potential lenders, an employer may view your explanation differently.

Finally, hold your head high regardless of what’s on your credit report. In this economy, many people are facing financial hardship through no fault of their own. If you’re one of them, be honest and open with a potential employer, explaining your challenges and what you are doing to ensure you’ll be able to meet your financial responsibilities. If your credit history is good, consider it one more tool to demonstrate to potential employers that you are organized, responsible and a desirable worker

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(NAPSI)—With more than 500 million active users spending over 700 billion minutes a month on its site, Facebook has become a premier platform for socializing, sharing, searching and, now, shopping online. The emerging trend of selling and buying merchandise through Facebook and other social media platforms is here and it’s exploding. Booz & Company estimates that the dollar volume of goods sold through social media overall could increase sixfold, from $5 billion in 2010 to $30 billion in 2015. Businesses and consumers alike refer to this paradigm as “Social Commerce,” a fusion of social media and e-commerce that enables consumers to shop directly through their social networks.

Many stores are leveraging social networks to allow consumers to execute transactions in the comfort of their own Facebook pages, where attention is high and the user’s likes and dislikes are clear. The Social Commerce premise is that the focus is on people instead of products. There is a treasure trove of data based on users’ interests on their Facebook pages, and businesses can finally tailor the presentation of merchandise to offer a truly customized shopping experience. Businesses can now sell consumers exactly what they want, and consumers are reaping the benefits.

Social Commerce helps businesses offer consumers exclusive deals and special promotions while enabling them to connect with, listen to, understand and engage with their customers to improve the overall shopping experience. Furthermore, the information and content on Facebook is “shared,” meaning that friends can update each other on their recent online shopping sprees.

But in addition to benefits and opportunities, emerging communications channels always come with some new potential risks, and Social Commerce is no exception. The main concerns for consumers are security and privacy. Especially when phishing scams, identity theft and hackers are constantly in the headlines, consumers are more aware than ever of the need for online security and identity protection. With Social Commerce, cybercriminals are more likely to exploit the inherent trust that social networking sites enjoy. So how can consumers gain confidence in Social Commerce?

To know if a website, link and transaction are safe, the first thing to look for is an SSL Certificate, a technology that enables encryption when users connect to a website. When the lock icon appears in an Internet browser, this means SSL is in place, encrypting the site visitor’s information.

Symantec, the provider of VeriSign® SSL, has been working with a number of social commerce platform providers to offer enhanced security to organizations with a fan store on Facebook. When fans visit a fan store protected by VeriSign SSL, they will see the familiar “VeriSign Trusted” seal that more than 100,000 online businesses choose to show that their transactions are secure.

When consumers buy directly on their Facebook pages and see SSL, they know they can trust the businesses they “like” and that their transactions are protected with the most advanced and proven security technology.

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(NAPSI)-If you’re like most people, you’ve been hearing about the new electronic readers and may be wondering if you should buy one. Here are five reasons you may care to consider:

• Lots of choices. There are several types of e-readers available, so you can probably find one that fits your needs and lifestyle. The e-readers that are simplest and easiest to use are the ones designed just for reading, so you’re not distracted by other technologies.

• You can now read in color. Reading a recipe in a cookbook with photos in black and white, or reading a children’s book to your kids with the illustrations in black and white, just isn’t the same as enjoying them in full color. Luckily, some of the newer e-readers let you read in full color, so you can enjoy the complete reading experience.

• Portable library. Imagine being able to take all your books with you when you go out or on vacation. You can do this with an e-reader, which stores all your books so you have a portable library. In addition, they’re small and lightweight so you can easily carry them in your purse or luggage.

• Great gifts. An e-reader makes an excellent gift for friends and just about everyone in the family, young or old, who loves to read. And it’s a suitable gift for all occasions, including Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and for graduation. Consider giving an e-reader together with an e-book from the recipient’s favorite author.

• They’re affordable. The first e-readers were fairly expensive but nowadays you can find one for $160 and under. And the savings don’t stop there. The e-books themselves, which you buy through an online bookstore, typically cost under $10, much less than you’d probably pay for a new hardcover book. If you prefer to get your reading materials from the library, many now lend out e-books.

One new wireless color e-reader that’s considered simple, affordable and stylish is the Literati by The Sharper Image. With it, you can read and enjoy your e-books on a vibrant 7-inch color screen. When you’re ready for new reading material, you connect wirelessly to the built-in bookstore, where you can browse through millions of books and magazines before making your purchase. As a bonus, the e-reader includes 150 free books (all classics) and a stylish carrying case. You can find the e-reader at major retail stores and online at www.LiteratiReader.com.

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(NAPSI)—For small and medium-size businesses, e-mail is one of the primary ways to communicate and connect with customers, not to mention an important tool for storing and organizing information. Not all e-mail systems are created equal, though, and compromising on your e-mail system could put essential information at risk.

Here are the top 10 e-mail features your business needs to succeed:

1. Security—Viruses and spam can slow down e-mail, steal confidential information and use your computers to attack websites. Ensure that your information is safe with built-in anti-virus and anti-spam filters that are constantly updated.

2. Reliability—Growing businesses can’t afford downtime. Insist on 99.9 percent uptime with a financially backed guarantee.

3. Backup—Losing information due to a power outage or accident can be catastrophic to a business. Make sure your provider routinely backs up data to multiple geographic locations.

4. Support—Problems arise with any system. Confirm that you have round-the-clock phone support for your e-mail.

5. Storage—For many, e-mail is a default storage system. Look for systems with generous e-mail box sizes in the 20?25 GB range and the ability to send and store large attachments.

6. Compatibility with mobile devices—With more and more phones able to connect to e-mail, it’s important to ensure they’ll work well with your business e-mail system. Make sure your e-mail provider has support for Windows Phone, iPhone, Android and Blackberry, among others.

7. Web access from different browsers—Particularly if you travel, it’s important to make sure your e-mail system allows easy access from a PC, phone and a variety of Web browsers including Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and Chrome, so you have uninterrupted access.

8. Offline support—If you use Microsoft Outlook, make sure your provider has full support for its features, including offline access, so you can continue to be productive even without an Internet connection.

9. Control—It’s your e-mail, so even if you don’t manage servers in-house, confirm that your e-mail system gives you the ability to manage things like security settings, distribution groups and shared address book information over the Web.

10. Easy to use—For a tool you use every day, it has to include features that make your life easier. Look for the latest features, such as:

• Ability to sort e-mail the way you normally work-by date, sender or subject;

• Shared calendaring, so users can see their colleagues’ schedules to book meetings;

• The ability to include conference rooms and equipment when scheduling meetings;

• Shared mailboxes that multiple people can access and respond to, such as customer service e-mail accounts.

Free e-mail systems generally don’t provide the security and reliability needed for business e-mail, but Microsoft has recently made available new versions of Microsoft Exchange Server and Exchange Online, part of the Microsoft Online Services suite. Exchange Online is their hosted e-mail that offers secure, reliable e-mail for businesses for as little as $5 a month.

By making sure your e-mail makes the grade in these categories, you can have the confidence of knowing your system is secure and will run smoothly while you get on to the more important work of growing your business.

More information is available at www.microsoft.com/online/exchange-online.aspx.

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11 Ways to Save in 2011 (336) (NewsUSA) – If you occasionally struggle to balance your checkbook (or just want to be more frugal), a few simple changes can help you save. Coupon Mountain (www.couponmountain.com), the most trusted website for online coupons, discount codes and deals from major consumer brands, suggests the following tips: 1. Brew your own coffee. Home-brewed coffee costs about .12 cents a cup; buying your coffee will cost $1.50 to $3.50 a cup — you could end up saving between $500 and $1600 a year. 2. Drink filtered water. With filtered water, you will spend about 15 cents/gallon. Purchasing bottled water costs a lot more — about $10/gallon. 3. Use lower-wattage bulbs. Not only will less-powerful light bulbs lower your energy bills, they may also last longer. CFL bulbs can also save money long-term. 4. Shop online. Shopping online allows you to easily compare prices, plus you can use coupon codes from CouponMountain.com to gain additional savings. 5. Cancel your gym membership. Do bodyweight exercises from home to build up strength, or locate a recreation facility or park that offers free exercise equipment. 6. Invest in a vacuum sealer. Purchase your meats and veggies in bulk. A vacuum sealer will keep your foods fresher, longer. 7. Buy generic, store brand or discount. Generic brands will often use the same ingredients or materials. Shop discount stores to find name-brand items for less. 8. Shop out of season. Stores put summer and winter items on clearance at the end of the season — this is a good time to snap things up for next year. 9. Check your monthly bills and usage. Cancel all unwatched movie channels — or use sites like Hulu vs. cable. Use free VoIP like Skype or Google Voice for long distance calls. 10. Don’t overpay for cell phones. You probably rarely use all of your monthly cell-phone minutes, so reduce your plan. Unlimited texting is a good bet, though, because it’s very expensive to go over. 11. Get social to save. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter abound with discounts. Check out Facebook.com/couponmountain for savings tips, exclusive giveaways and more.

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