The Conference Coach™ » small business

From Farm to Market: Audio and web conferencing in rural America

Conference Coach Alycia — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:15:42 +0000

Alycia Maier-Turner

Not far from Copper Conferencing‘s office in Broomfield, Colorado, are several farming communities. I recently found myself in and around Longmont, Colorado and several farms in the area. When one lives in suburbia or with close access to the conveniences of a large population center, one tends to forget that a very large portion of the United States is sparsely populated and that earning a living in those areas is often challenging — albeit very rewarding for those that are successful.

All over the rural America, there are many small and family-owned farms and ranches that are struggling to not only stay a float but also turn a profit. Some of these farms and ranches have turned to tourism and others have opened their livelihoods to arrangements where “guests” pay to work on the farm or ranch as part of a vacation. It’s almost ridiculous and at the same time somewhat disturbing that many small farmers and ranchers in America have already or are seriously considering a business model that includes such arrangements. Perhaps, though, it’s not so ridiculous but rather an evolution of farming and ranching in 21st century America.

“We don’t throw anything away that can be reused or recycled.”

Last summer I visited a local berry farm, as I have many times since their peppers are key to the some of the salsas I make and home can. In the course of my visit, I struck up a conversation with one of the owners, a lovely woman who indulged my questions with pleasant frankness. Her farm is a “you pick” farm that specializes in berries and other fruit but also grows a good amount of vegetables as well. They have a small farm market and education program which schools from all over the Denver metro area see fit to put on their curricula as field trips to the farm. Theirs is a successful venture that employs great business sense and technology to ensure best business practices. Often to communicate with their various suppliers, school liaisons, and so on they use audio conferencing. As she put it, using audio conferencing helps them cut costs traveling to meetings and the time they are off the farm which can translate into lost revenue.

Big business on 400 acres

Over the years, I’ve met many people who have wanted to live on “their own place” where the noise, crowds and neighbors were more manageable. One such person is an entrepreneur who runs a boutique business that buys and sells Barbie memorabilia. You may not think Barbie is big business, but she is. This woman started her online Barbie business in her garage and it grew to the point in just two years that she and her family were literally living with Barbie paraphernalia in every room of their home. Her big business decision was whether to buy or rent warehouse space or get a bigger living space. She opted for the latter and bought a parcel of land in the middle of America where property taxes and land costs are cheap and where she was able to turn a large shop into her warehouse for a fraction of the cost of renting or buying warehouse space in the Denver metro area. She regularly uses audio and web conferencing to communicate with business associates and sometimes family. Using web and audio conferencing has been a way for her to continue to grow her business, keep costs to a minimum and still stay connected to those suppliers, vendors and customers that help her make “the Barbie business” a big success.

Go or no go

The best time to start a small business or to keep one a float is now. There are so many great tools – both financial and technological – available that starting a small business now may be the best business decision you can make. Copper Conferencing started on a dining room table but now has two offices in different states with many fantastic employees. And one of the reasons we are able to continue to grow and thrive are our core competencies — web conferencing and audio conferencing services. We’re one tool that all businesses – large or small – should have in the business plan.

So as you look for ways to start your business, improve your bottom line or implement better business practices, let Copper Conferencing show you how audio and web conferencing can and will work in your business — regardless of size or location. For more information, contact a Conference Coach today.

Today’s Free Webinar is at 2pm ET

Conference Coach Jon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:41 +0000

Using Facebook to Attract Clients and Connect with Like-Minded People

Presented by: Marquesa Pettway
Date: Today! Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET

Today’s free 60-minute webinar presented by Marquesa Pettway provides participants a clear understanding of Facebook and ways to use it for personal and professional purposes. In this webinar, you will learn:

6 Ways to Create a Magnetic Profile
4 Strategies for setting up “The Critical Nugget for Client Attraction: The Facebook Group”
2 Strategies for increasing your business – the Fan Page that keeps you in front of your target audience

This is an hour well spent for anyone who wants to become more familiar with Facebook or for anyone not yet using Facebook.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Next Week’s Webinar: Using Facebook to Attract Clients and Connect with Like-Minded People

Conference Coach Jon — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:23 +0000

Using Facebook to Attract Clients and Connect with Like-Minded People

Presented by: Marquesa Pettway
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET

This free 60-minute webinar presented by Marquesa Pettway provides participants a clear understanding of Facebook and ways to use it for personal and professional purposes. In this webinar, you will learn:

6 Ways to Create a Magnetic Profile
4 Strategies for setting up “The Critical Nugget for Client Attraction: The Facebook Group”
2 Strategies for increasing your business – the Fan Page that keeps you in front of your target audience

This is an hour well spent for anyone who wants to become more familiar with Facebook or for anyone not yet using Facebook.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

October 27 at 2 pm – New Webinar

Conference Coach Jon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:00:52 +0000

Using Facebook to Attract Clients and Connect with Like-Minded People

Presented by: Marquesa Pettway
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET

Join Marquesa Pettway for a dynamic and educational free 60-minute webinar on how to use Facebook to expand your network and to enhance your business. In this webinar, you will learn:

6 Ways to Create a Magnetic Profile
4 Strategies for setting up “The Critical Nugget for Client Attraction: The Facebook Group”
2 Strategies for increasing your business – the Fan Page that keeps you in front of your target audience

This is an hour well spent for anyone who wants to become more familiar with Facebook or for anyone not yet using Facebook.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Today’s webinar begins at 9am PT/11am ET – Register Now

Conference Coach Jon — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:30:01 +0000

Free Webinar: Optimizing Your Email: Time Management / Enhanced Productivity Strategies for MS Outlook & Entourage Users

Presented by: Randy Dean
Date: Today – Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 11:00 am ET

Would you like to find an extra hour every day? In this free 60-minute webinar, Randy Dean shows several strategies and techniques on how MS Outlook can be a center point to an advanced personal productivity and time management system.

Randy helps you understand how the functions within Microsoft Outlook were designed for enhanced productivity. Randy’s Optimizing Your Outlook course covers fully integrating Outlook including:

Getting the most usability and functionality out of your Outlook
Setting up your “Tasks” function for prioritized project/client action
Getting your most important personal and professional projects integrated within your Task list
Utilizing key features in your Calendar to increase personal and professional effectiveness
“Clearing your mind of the clutter” by effectively using the Notes function
Enhancing the information capabilities of your Contacts function to enhance relationships and productivity

Learn how to:

Segregate your different e-mail types to mitigate junk/spam problems
Use embedded functions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Build an intelligent and structured folder system for efficient filing and management

Randy integrates plenty of humor and real-world application into this quick-hitting session, and you will be buzzing with ideas for enhancing your MS Outlook usage and expertise.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Next Free Webinar – October 1st at 11am ET – Learn to Optimize Your Email

Conference Coach Jon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:00:45 +0000

Free Webinar: Optimizing Your Email: Time Management / Enhanced Productivity Strategies for MS Outlook & Entourage Users

Presented by: Randy Dean
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 11:00 am ET

Attend this live business webinar presented by Randy Dean and learn new strategies and techniques on how MS Outlook can be a center point to an advanced personal productivity and time management system.

Randy helps you understand how the functions within Microsoft Outlook were designed for enhanced productivity. Randy’s Optimizing Your Outlook course covers fully integrating Outlook including:

Getting the most usability and functionality out of your Outlook
Setting up your “Tasks” function for prioritized project/client action
Getting your most important personal and professional projects integrated within your Task list
Utilizing key features in your Calendar to increase personal and professional effectiveness
“Clearing your mind of the clutter” by effectively using the Notes function
Enhancing the information capabilities of your Contacts function to enhance relationships and productivity

Learn how to:

Segregate your different e-mail types to mitigate junk/spam problems
Use embedded functions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Build an intelligent and structured folder system for efficient filing and management

Randy integrates plenty of humor and real-world application into this quick-hitting session, and you will be buzzing with ideas for enhancing your MS Outlook usage and expertise.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

New Webinar – October 1 at 11am ET

Conference Coach Jon — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:30:42 +0000

Free Webinar: Optimizing Your Email: Time Management / Enhanced Productivity Strategies for MS Outlook & Entourage Users

Presented by: Randy Dean
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time: 11:00 am ET

Randy helps you understand how the functions within Microsoft Outlook were designed for enhanced productivity. Randy’s Optimizing Your Outlook course covers fully integrating Outlook including:

Getting the most usability and functionality out of your Outlook
Setting up your “Tasks” function for prioritized project/client action
Getting your most important personal and professional projects integrated within your Task list
Utilizing key features in your Calendar to increase personal and professional effectiveness
“Clearing your mind of the clutter” by effectively using the Notes function
Enhancing the information capabilities of your Contacts function to enhance relationships and productivity

Learn how to:

Segregate your different e-mail types to mitigate junk/spam problems
Use embedded functions to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Build an intelligent and structured folder system for efficient filing and management

Randy integrates plenty of humor and real-world application into this quick-hitting session, and you will be buzzing with ideas for enhancing your MS Outlook usage and expertise.

Who Should Attend: Everyone

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Free Webinar Today! – Lorna Riley Presents Top Strategies to Sell in Turbulent Times

Conference Coach Jon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:00:40 +0000

Free Webinar: Selling Your Best in Turbulent Times

Presented by: Lorna Riley
Date: Today – Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Cost: Free — No Charge

Join Lorna Riley today for a free educational webinar and learn how to ramp up your revenue. You’ll come away with several strategies to:

* Help open doors to new business
* Move prospects past indifference and objections to Yes!
* Sales secrets of a billion-dollar producer – how he made it and kept it
* Techniques for managing multiple “A” priorities for the highest payoff
* How to turn failures, set-backs and disappointments into triumphs
* How to keep your energy up and stay actively calm during relentless turmoil

Lorna guides you through and engaging webinar about the in’s and out’s and do’s and don’ts of how to sell during turmoil to help you produce the best results. With years of experience in helping companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune-class, Lorna has helped people and organizations achieve off-the-chart results.

Who Should Attend: Sales professionals, Business Owners, Business Development professionals

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Next Free Webinar – Wednesday 9/23 at 2pm ET

Conference Coach Jon — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:00:54 +0000

Free Webinar: Selling Your Best in Turbulent Times

Presented by: Lorna Riley
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET

Do you know the best way to manage your business in turbulent times? Join Lorna Riley for an informative and inspiring webinar where you’ll ramp up your energy and learn how to ramp up your revenue. You’ll come away with several strategies to:

Who Should Attend: Sales professionals, Business Owners, Business Development professionals

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.

Free Webinar – 9/23 – Selling Your Best in Turbulent Times

Conference Coach Jon — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:28 +0000

Free Webinar: Selling Your Best in Turbulent Times

Presented by: Lorna Riley
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm ET

Ramp up your energy and learn how to ramp up your revenue. Join Lorna Riley for this 60-minute interactive free webinar and you’ll come away with several strategies to:

Lorna guides you through an engaging free webinar about the in’s and out’s and do’s and don’ts of how to sell during turmoil to help you produce the best results. With years of experience in helping companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune-class, Lorna has helped people and organizations achieve off-the-chart results.

Who Should Attend: Sales professionals, Business Owners, Business Development professionals

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting? Contact a Conference Coach today.