December 2008
In this issue:
| ? |
Expense Deduction |
| ? |
Case for Wireless Peripherals |
| ? |
Holiday E-Mail Marketing |
| ? |
Survive an Open-Plan Office |
| ? |
Is Your Data Protected |
| ? |
Make a Referral |
| ? |
Just for Laughs |
|
|
|
Best wishes for a Super Holiday Season!
Is My Data Protected?
Recent Southern California fires and earthquakes have prompted many of our customers to question, Is my data protected? Not sure email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We can do a quick audit of your current setup and make recommendations as needed. Want more info:
Backup & Disaster Recovery
We’re Thankful You’re A Customer And Hope You’ll Help Us Find More Just Like You
Know anyone struggling with their technology? We can help. To thank you for the trust you have put in us we will send you a special gift for each referral you make to us. This months free gift is a $100 gift card to South Coast Surf Shops.
Make a Referral Here
Just for Laughs
Open your presents at Christmastime, but be thankful year round for the gifts
you receive.
--Lorinda Ruth Lowen
|
| 2008 Expense Deduction Benefits
Benefit from the new the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and current Internal Revenue Code Section 179 tax deduction for software/hardware/support/membership purchases by December 31, 2008. In addition to providing stimulus payments to individuals, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provides incentives to businesses. These incentives include a special 50-percent depreciation allowance for 2008 purchases and an increase in the small business expensing limitation for tax years beginning in 2008. Under Section 179, a qualifying business can expense up to $250,000 of section 179 property purchased by the taxpayer in a tax year beginning in 2008.
Please check with your tax preparer or advisor for how your organization can specifically benefit from these programs. More information on the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and Section 179, please go to this link on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179227,00.html
|
|
The Case for Wireless Peripherals
by Christopher Elliott
reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center
 'Fess up. It took awhile for many of you to really believe how much more productive you could be with wireless networking, didn't it?
I'm here now to make a case for how wireless peripherals — that is, wireless mice, keyboards, printers, monitors, and so on — can also make your business more efficient, more productive, and, to boot, a more desirable place to work.
I'll start by asking if you or any of your employees have workstations cluttered with cables and cords? Wireless peripherals, instead of the wired version, can simplify and boost the appearance of your workspaces by getting rid of those meandering streams of wires contributing to the clutter.
Add to that the increased flexibility and unrestricted movement your workers will have. And to that, the ability to go mobile with more than just a laptop. And to that, the head start your business will be getting on the not-too-distant future, when wired devices and peripherals are outmoded.
"We've surveyed our clients and found that they become more productive when they're unwired," says Ralph Bard, manager of technical services for Willow Computing Technologies, a consulting and integration firm in Raleigh, N.C. "I believe it will become the norm in the future."
You don't need to wait for tomorrow.
Here are five steps to take right now to make sure the devices and peripherals in your office are ready for the day when your employees count on having more than just a wireless network.
|
|
E-Mail Marketing for the Holidays
Creative e-mail marketing tactics to increase holiday sales.
 by Gail Goodman
Ready for the holidays? You still have plenty of time to purchase all your gifts. You can even do your shopping as late as December 24, if you dare. But when it comes to holiday communication from your business, now's the time to take action.
Sending holiday e-mail campaigns is an excellent way for you to stay connected with your customers, clients, investors and anyone else on your list. And we have some creative ways you can incorporate e-mail marketing into your holiday communication plan, whether you're looking to boost sales or just spread some holiday cheer.
E-Mails That Get Prospects to Buy
Perhaps the most obvious use of holiday-themed e-mail marketing is to encourage sales. You may already have plans to send holiday promotions to your customers to entice them to buy your products.
Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your communication mix:
|
|
8 Tips to Survive in an Open-Plan Office
reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center
 While many workers would probably prefer a private office with a door, open-plan seating arrangements are common in businesses worldwide. And the benefits of “cubicle farms” are clear: they’re cost-efficient, improve communication and collaboration between employees, and can increase productivity.
However, the open-plan office worker may find it difficult to concentrate in this environment – with phones ringing, colleagues talking and walking around, and office equipment running, the number of distractions can be overwhelming.
Here are a few tips you and your colleagues can use to help make the most of the open office and improve the environment for everyone.
1. Keep the noise level down. Don't use speaker phone or play any kind of sound on your PC without asking others whether it will bother them. In fact, it’s better to use earphones to listen to podcasts, music or videos, and if you must use speaker phone or conduct a lot of conference calls, try to find a meeting room or other enclosed space. Remember that others can hear your phone conversations, so try to keep your voice down.
Read more tips
|
|
