In Small Biz News

The latest headlines in Small Biz News:

How to Protect Your Company's Data

The New Small Biz Website

Is the Health-Car Law Hurting Small Business? (video)

 Why Relationship Marketing is Important for Business

Guide to the New Facebook Pages Timeline

If you haven't already previewed or updated your Business Page to the new timeline, you'll have until March 30 to customize and preview it.

I've put together a quick Guide for finding your way around the areas of the new Timeline.

Get the Guide on my site: Get the New Facebook Timeline Guide 

P.S. Take the quick poll above. Are you using Google+?

In Small Biz News

Top headlines in Small Business News this week:

Google Privacy: 5 Things the Tech Giant Does With Your Data
  
iPad Is Still the King of Tablets, But Kindle Fire and Others Are Catching Up

Accounting tools for a growing business

The best credit card for your small business 

Don't Forget About Your Website

Facebook Pages Getting a Facelift

If you have a personal Facebook, you've already seen the new timeline. Facebook pages will get a similar update by March 30, 2012.

These changes will impact how you interact and maintain your page. I'll help you sift through the information and tell you how to customize your Page using the new layout in an upcoming post.

One thing you can always be certain of using Facebook - there will be changes! One day you'll log in to do what you always do and find things have moved around. It's a given in this social environment.

We'll learn together how to use these changes to our advantage!

Small Biz Tool: Evernote

Evernote is a great tool for so many things. Use it to take notes, sync files across your devices, save Webpages, capture inspiration, and share ideas. It's a great tool for sorting and keeping track of all kinds of things for business or personal use. It's available for your desktop, mobile device or smartphone.

PRODUCTIVITY:
I'm going to use it to streamline some of my processes to save time, both personally and professionally -- notes, pictures, snapshots, websites, recipes -- the list is endless.

MEMORY-JOGGER:
I don't know what it is about getting older that doesn't allow me to remember as much as I used to; I used to be so good at that! Maybe it's just because I take life at an easier pace now that I'm an empty-nester, or it could be that I just don't try to remember every little thing any more. I've gotten into a pretty good habit of intentionally "purging" information long before it reaches my brain or writing it down so I don't have to remember it until I need it.

I'm going to start using Evernote for this -- little things that need to be done around the house, garden calendar reminders, phone calls that I need to make, or that bright idea I had while I was driving. That way I won't have a bunch of disorganized lists and post-its lying around.

WRITING/BLOGGING:
I also do quite a lot of writing for all areas of my work. When an idea hits me, I can just make a note of it and get a jump start on my next writing project. That way, regardless of where I start my writing, I’m always sure to have a copy in Evernote, available to work on whenever I’m ready and wherever I am.

WEB:

I've use the Evernote Web Clipper for saving bits of information I like to share with you, my fellow small business owners, as well as clipping recipes or gardening/birding info for my other businesses. It lets me save anything I find interesting that I see on the Web. No more bookmarks, tabs or open browser windows. Woohoo! Now if I decide I want to switch browsers, I don't have to figure out or hope all my bookmarks can be imported. See something you like, clip it and you’ll have it forever. The Web Clipper is optimized for whatever browser you use.

RESEARCH/COMPARISON SHOPPING:
I have a friend who recently purchased a new vehicle. As my vehicle is aging, car replacement has been at the forefront of my mind too. It's a big purchase decision and I plan to use Evernote for comparison shopping and research. I can clip reviews, prices, features and pictures. All my research and info is in one place, fully searchable.

MEETING NEW PEOPLE:
Here's another great idea - if I attend a conference, trade show or networking event, and want to remember who I've met AND remember their name, I can snap a picture with my phone along with their name tag (or their business card) and now I have a virtual, visual rolodex. Pretty neat! Evernote automatically makes text in images searchable.

TRAVEL:
I'll be able to keep all my itineraries, air and hotel confirms, location addresses and any other details about my trip in Evernote.
 

STUDENTS:

It's great for note-taking or capturing images of whiteboards for studying later. Many schools are already using it.

Do you use this tool? Share the ways it makes your life easier by commenting below.

Ciao for now, Paula