Archive for October, 2011

Five questions with McPhail Auto

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McPhail Auto Rogers customerWe know that businesses like to hear from other businesses about what they’re doing to better serve their customers. That’s why we created our “Five Questions with…” series on Redboard Biz. This week, we asked Rogers customer and entrepreneur Scott McPhail of McPhail Auto Service and Sales five questions about his business and the role technology plays in it.

1. Briefly describe your business and the value it provides for clients.

Established in 1993, McPhail Auto Service and Sales offers personalized, professional automotive repair at a reasonable cost with qualified technicians. We’re fully confident whether working on older model vehicles or modern, technically advanced vehicles.

2. What business challenges keep you up at night?

The constant challenge in the automotive repair industry is not purchasing equipment, tools, hardware, or software; it is educating the consumer about what is involved with proper maintenance as well as what equipment and training is needed to repair modern vehicles.

3. What role does technology play in your operation?

With the use of smartphones as well as Wi-Fi in the office and our waiting area, we are accessible to our customers wherever we are—in the shop or on the used car lot. We use Rogers Wi-Fi Calling so that we can make phone calls on our Wi-Fi network and not use wireless minutes. Wi-Fi Calling keeps me connected, even where cell signals are weak, at an affordable, fixed monthly cost.”

The technology transfers to the back shop, so that technicians repairing vehicles can access trade websites, order parts online and view work orders from the front office.

4. How do you stay up to date on technology and industry trends?

For several years, we were members of a US-based automotive management group that focused on best practices in auto servicing; the use of technology was one focus of this group. We also like to monitor how other businesses are successful using technology in their industries.

5. What one quote inspires or defines your business approach?

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us – we are dependent on him.

-Unknown

To learn more about McPhail Auto, read our case study.

Would you like to be profiled in our “Five questions with…” series? Send an email to redboardbiz.feedback@rci.rogers.com.

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Entrepreneurship, Transportation
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Share Your Know-How contest: Where do you go for inspiration?

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What inspires you? As part of our celebration of Small Business Week, we’re continuing our Share Your Know-How contest and giving you another chance to win a new BlackBerry Curve 9360.

Here’s this week’s question: Where do you go for inspiration on how to grow and run your business?

With so many resources out there, the abundance of information can be overwhelming at times. That’s why we’re turning to you – hardworking entrepreneurs and business owners – to get your insight. When we say “where do you go for inspiration,” we’re not necessarily talking about a physical location. We’re really talking about web sites or online resources that you find helpful or inspiring.

For a chance to win yourself a new BlackBerry, just leave us a comment on this week’s topic (100 words or less) to be entered into this week’s random draw.

A contest winner will be announced both here on RedBoard Biz and via our Twitter account, @RogersBiz.

UPDATE (November 1, 2011, 2:00 pm): The Share-Your-Know-How contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions and feedback. We’ll be announcing the winner of the BlackBerry Curve 9360 both here on our blog and on our Twitter account, @RogersBiz. The post will remain open for comments, so please continue to leave us comments on where you go for inspiration, however, any comments received after 2:00pm on November 1 will be ineligible for the draw for the BlackBerry. Also, remember there’s still one more chance to win. We’ll be holding another BlackBerry giveaway this week. Stay tuned!

UPDATE (November 1, 2011, 4:49 pm): Congratulations to Jason, our second winner in the Share Your Know-How contest! Jason, we’ll be sending you your new BlackBerry this week. Thanks to everyone who participated and make sure you check out our next contest for your final chance to win.

Miranda is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

Contest closes at 2:00 p.m. ET on November 1, 2011. Open to residents of Canada who are 18 years or older, excluding residents of Quebec. To enter, tell us in 100 words or less, in the comments section of this blog post, about where you go for inspiration.  Prize: Participants are eligible to win one (1) BlackBerry Curve 9360 valued at approximately $349.00 each. One entry/person. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. Mathematical skill-testing question to be correctly answered to win. No Purchase Necessary. Full rules here.

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Entrepreneurship, Trends, Wireless
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Rogers Technology Showcase visits Halifax

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This week we are visiting Halifax with the Rogers Technology Showcase – it was great to see so many of you out at the show.

We have had a fantastic time travelling across Canada with over fifty of our partners to show off the latest in technology trends for business. One of those partners is a Montreal-based company called Trellia. As one of IDC Canada’s “Ten Canadian Cloud Companies to Watch”, Trellia focuses on mobile device management to help businesses manage employee’s bringing their own device into work. Check out what Raffi Tchakmakjian, Trellia’s Vice President of Product Management had to say about the growing trend of “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) below.

Our final stop will be London on October 27th. 

As always, the show is free and we’d love to have you join us. To secure your spot, register in advance at www.rogerstechshowcase.com.

Allison Fitton is a regular contributor to RedBoardBiz. 

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Featured Video, Mobile, Security, Trends, Wireless
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Share your know-how: Small business week contest

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SMB AdviceIf you’re a small business, you probably already know that October 16 – 22 is Small Business Week. For 30 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has been organizing this special initiative to support and celebrate the achievements of the small and mid-size businesses. Throughout the week—and increasingly throughout October—organizations across Canada host events and launch programs that bring small businesses together to learn, network and have some fun.

Here at RedBoard Biz, we try to do our part throughout the year to help small businesses with tips, trends, tools and technology to help you better manage and grow your business. We also understand that sometimes you would rather hear from others like you—hardworking entrepreneurs who face challenges daily and find innovative ways to solve them. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our partner Research in Motion to bring you our “Share Your Know How” contest.

For the next three weeks, we’ll post a question and invite you to share your insight in a comment (100 words maximum).  You’ll be automatically entered in a draw to win a new BlackBerry Curve 9360. In addition to iconic features such as the BlackBerry keyboard and optical trackpad, this device comes with the new BlackBerry 7 OS software, making it a powerful communication tool for business.

A contest winner will be announced each week both here on RedBoard Biz and via our Twitter account, @RogersBiz. 

Ready to share your know-how with your peers? Here’s this week’s question:  What is the best business advice you have ever received?

UPDATE (October 20, 2011, 2:00 pm): The Share-Your-Know-How contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions and feedback. We’ll be announcing the winner of the BlackBerry Curve 9360 both here on our blog and on our Twitter account, @RogersBiz. The post will remain open for comments, so please continue to send us your best business advice, however, any comments received after 2:00pm on October 21 will be ineligible for the draw for the BlackBerry. Also, remember there’s still an other chance to win. We’ll be holding another BlackBerry giveaway next week. Stay tuned!

UPDATE (October 27, 2011, 9:48 am): Congratulations to Darren, our first winner in the Share Your Know-How contest! Darren, we’ll be sending you your new BlackBerry this week. Thanks to everyone who participated and make sure you check out this week’s contest for another chance to win.

Geoffrey Booth is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

Contest closes at 2:00 p.m. ET on October 21, 2010. Open to residents of Canada who are 18 years or older, excluding residents of Quebec. To enter, tell us in 100 words or less, in the comments section of this blog post, about the best business advice you’ve ever received.  Prize: Participants are eligible to win one (1) BlackBerry Curve 9360 valued at approximately $349.00 each. One entry/person. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. Mathematical skill-testing question to be correctly answered to win. No Purchase Necessary. Full rules here.

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Rogers Technology Showcase visits Winnipeg

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We’re over halfway through our 2011 Rogers Technology Showcase tour – it’s been a great road trip and we’ve enjoyed meeting with our existing customers and making new connections across the country.

One of our favourite parts of this tour is meeting partners who are bringing innovative solutions to our business customers – PositiveID is one of those companies. We had the chance to catch up with Mary-Ellen Harrison, Vice President, HealthID, PositiveID Corporation, to learn about wireless glucose monitoring and a new solution called iglucose. Check out what she had to say below.

Today we’re in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

The show is free and we’d love to have you join us today or at a future event. To secure your spot, register in at www.rogerstechshowcase.com.

Allison Fitton is a regular contributor to RedBoardBiz

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Globetrotters to road warriors – managing mobility costs while traveling

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Rogers International WiFi calling for businessFrom mileage and meals to accommodations and communications tools, travel costs can add up. As a small business, every dollar counts.

There are a few options out there to help you manage data and roaming costs. To decide which option you should go with, it’s best to evaluate when, where and how you are going to use your device(s).

To help you with your decision, here is some more information on two services that provide you with cost predictability:

 1.      International Wi-Fi Calling for Business

Many small businesses currently use Wi-Fi Calling – making calls over internet Wi-Fi network. This solution is now available to those traveling around the globe. Small businesses can maintain a seamless experience using International Wi-Fi Calling as you can make and receive calls with your existing mobile phone number when you enter a Wi-Fi zone.

As of this month, we have this service available to our small business customers who want to use their existing mobile number to operate their business while traveling.

You can find more info on this solution as well as other new voice roaming plans and the benefits here.

When should I use International Wi-Fi Calling for Business?

If you know that you are going to be in Wi-Fi hot spots while traveling, this is a good option as it allows you to leverage lower pricing for calls made over Wi-Fi. To leverage this service you will need a UMA-enabled device such as the new BlackBerry Curve 9360.

 2.      Data Roaming Options

When you travel internationally for business, it’s reassuring to know that you can use your smartphone to stay productive and connected to your office. To manage costs, you can purchase a voice and/or data offer that is specifically designed for occasional and regular travelers.

Last month, we launched Roaming Data Day and Week Passes which start at $5 per day. These passes include real-time usage alerts (up-to-date within five minutes) that are sent directly to your mobile device so you can monitor and control your data usage. For more info, check out our post on Roaming Data Passes.

When should I purchase a Data Roaming Option?

This is suitable if you are travelling internationally and know ahead of time that you will need to conduct data-intensive activities such as downloading or uploading files and/or streaming multimedia on your smart phone or tablet.

For more information on the best option for your business travel, feel free to connect with a Rogers Small Business Specialist over the phone at 1-800-850-4217 or find one in-store close to you at www.rogers.com/specialist.

As a small business, how do you manage your travel costs?

Allison Fitton is a regular contributor to RedBoardBiz

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Customer Experience, Travel, Trends, Wireless
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