Contest: small business, big book review

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Rogers RedBoard Biz Book contest: The Lean Startup by Eric ReisHere at RedBoard Biz, we’ve decided to help our community of readers by discussing significant books for small businesses. In this post, we’ve recommended one of our favourite business books, and we want to hear about yours!

All you have to do is recommend –  in 100 words or less - your all-time favourite book for small business advice, tips or technology (a reason why would be great too!), and we will pick 5 winners at random to receive a copy of one of our favourite business books: Eric Ries’ The Lean Startup. Here’s a short summary of the book:

Our recommendation: The Lean Startup

Every small business can benefit from the tools that knowledge, technology and innovation provide.

The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses, by Eric Reis, is a book of ideas about how to create a more successful entrepreneurial business, and  what can be learned from successful businesses to improve virtually everything we do.

The book provides powerful tools for companies to improve the speed and efficiency of their innovation process through minimum products, validated learning, innovation accounting and actionable metrics.

Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs in companies of all sizes a way to test their vision continuously, adapt, and adjust before it’s too late. The author provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in an age when companies need to innovate more than ever.

Tell us your favorite book about small business for a chance to win a copy of Eric Reis’ The Lean Startup.

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

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

UPDATE (April 6, 2011, 12:00 pm): The Small Business, Big Book contest is now over. Thanks to those who shared their favourite books with us. We’ll be contacting the winners early next week. The post will remain open for comments, so please continue to leave us your recommendations on your favourite business books, however, any comments received after 12:00 pm on April 6 will be ineligible for a prize.

Contest closes at 12:00 noon ET on April 6, 2012. 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 your favourite business book.  Prize: Participants are eligible to win one copy of The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses valued at approximately $39.00. 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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Small business stats round-up

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We all know that small businesses are pretty important to the Canadian economy, but their contribution is often underestimated. That’s why we’re bringing you this round up of small biz stats from Industry Canada—so that we all gain a proper appreciation for the role they play in our country.

Did you know:

  • There are over one million small businesses that have employees (excludes self-employed entrepreneurs).
  • Small businesses contribute slightly more than 30 percent to Canada’s GDP.
  • 98 percent of businesses in Canada have fewer than 100 employees.
  • As of 2010, small businesses employed approximately 5 million people in Canada, or 48 of the private sector labour force.
  • Small businesses created about 15,000 jobs in Canada in 2010.
  • Approximately 16 percent of workers were self-employed in 2010.
  • Small businesses account for over two thirds of employment in non-institutional health care, forestry, construction, accommodation and food, and other services.
  • About 86 percent of Canadian exporters are small businesses. In 2009, small businesses were responsible for $68 billion of exports (approx. 25 percent of Canada’s total).

All these numbers add up to a very large engine driving our economy and making Canada a great place to work and live. In fact, a recent Connected for Business magazine article referenced a study that showed Canada leading the world in things like business confidence and affordable start-up costs.

So if you own or work for a small business, stand up tall! And thanks from Rogers for your contribution.

If you want to dig deeper into Canadian small business statistics, check out Industry Canada’s Key Small Business Statistics (July 2011).

Do you have any small business stats you can share with Redboard Biz readers?

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Entrepreneurship, General, Startup
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Blackberry Innovation Forum 2012

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BlackBerry Innovation ForumWhile there are a growing number of mobile device platforms for business, BlackBerry remains one of the strongest players in the Canadian market. If you are looking to find out what is new for business from BlackBerry, check out the BlackBerry Innovation Forum, a free, one-day session covering the top trends in enterprise mobility, mobile device management, and exciting new features on BlackBerry tablets and smartphones.

Why should you attend?

Sessions at the BlackBerry Innovation Forum will feature ways to leverage BlackBerry mobile applications, insights and best practices to effectively manage mobility within your business. You’ll also get an in-depth look at the new features of the Blackberry PlayBook – including built-in email, calendar, and documents on-the-go.

As well, you can catch a Rogers presentation on the benefits of wireless solutions for mobile workers, including fleet optimization, mobile forms and Wi-Fi calling. Learn about mobile business applications and machine-to-machine solutions for the Blackberry platform and how they can help your business grow through new revenue streams, enhanced productivity and better customer service.

Blackberry Innovation Forum is coming to a city near you:

Visit http://www.blackberryinnovation.com/ca/ to register for any of the following dates:

March 6th  – Toronto (Event Full)
March 6th – Vancouver
March 7th – Ottawa
March 8th – Edmonton
March 8th – Halifax
March 9th – Calgary
March 19th – Montreal
March 20th – Toronto

Which BlackBerry mobile applications for business are you using?

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz 

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Trends
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Celebrating Connected for Business magazine

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Connected for Business magazine from RogersMarking the first anniversary of Connected for Business – a Rogers magazine exclusively for business customers and enthusiasts – we’ll be featuring articles, interviews and how-to tips, here on RedBoard Biz. Providing original up-to-date content on the latest technology news, advice and innovations to help your business grow, Connected for Business is a great source for keeping up with what’s current.  And the best part? It’s free!

In the winter 2012 issue, there’s a great article about how – Canada is one of the best countries to be an entrepreneur.   According to the article, a recent Ernst & Young report indicated that Canada is a leader in things like:

  • business confidence
  • affordable start-up costs
  • education programs, and
  • new business registrations

To read the full article, or the rest of the winter edition of Connected for Biz, head over to http://connectedforbusiness.ca/digitalmagazine.

Note that the virtual magazine is best viewed from your PC, or on your iPhone or iPad using the mobile optimized version which can be found here.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Introducing the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note

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Samsung Note from RogersPerfect for business, the Samsung Galaxy Note is an all-in-one Android smartphone with a 5.3 inch HD screen that offers the convenience of a tablet and a phone.

What are the benefits for business professionals? 

You can easily access files while travelling or on-the-go without having to worry about the security of your data. The Samsung Galaxy Note offers an easy-to-deploy, reliable VPN solution and provides ActiveSync for secure access to professional resources. ActiveSync allows you to synchronize and update your emails, contacts, calendar and notes to your device.

This brand new device is also equipped with a Webex app for meetings on-the- go and is preloaded with Polaris Office to create and edit your presentations and business documents using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ever find yourself in a meeting without a pen? Combining the large, rich display of a tablet and the portability of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note lets you take notes or jot down that great idea with the S Pen; the world’s most advanced pen input technology.

What about security?

Never worry about security; the Samsung Galaxy Note is equipped with new security solutions that cover all data including contacts, email and email attachments and provides security capabilities to ensure that mobile workers enjoy an up-to-date and reliable experience.

Reserve your Samsung Galaxy Note now through the Rogers Reservation System, for more information visit our website or contact your Rogers Representative.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Product news, Wireless
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Are you ready for Android in your business?

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Rogers RedBoard Biz asks: Is Android ready for business? A few weeks ago we brought you some tips to boost security on your iPhone. In doing so, we acknowledged a growing trend toward “the consumerization of IT”— the use of personal devices, especially those once thought of as consumer products, in a business environment. Along with iPhones, Android devices are flooding into businesses small and large, and IT administrators are being asked to support a “bring your own device” policy.

For those in charge of IT, security and device management are critical concerns.  As Android has boosted its profile in business, it has also been closing the gap with its competitors in terms of the security and management features it offers. Some of these are native to the operating system, such as device lock, password protection and data encryption. Others must be provided through third-party apps and solutions.  The result is that businesses are letting their employees use the device of their choice without feeling that they are putting their data and systems at risk.

If you’re considering supporting Android devices in your business (or if you’ve already embraced them), there are some steps you should take to play it safe. We provide a few key suggestions here and link you to some additional resources.

1. Stop ‘just saying no’ to personal devices. Chances are someone you work with is already using one. The last thing you want is a rogue experience at your company. An informed IT department is the best way to ensure your business is secure. Seek reliable advice on how to manage personal devices at work.

2. Use Google apps to manage Android security policies. Google Apps Device Policy Administration can help you enforce security policies such as locking idle devices, setting password requirements and wiping lost or stolen devices.

3. Adopt mobile device management (MDM). These solutions enable businesses to monitor, manage and support Android and other devices, usually through a centralized console that enables remote access and updates. There are many MDM products on the market, including Juniper, MobileIron and Trellia. Do your research, and look for an integrated solution instead of many different tools.

Want to learn more?

Are you using Android for business? What security features have you implemented?

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Security, Trends, Wireless
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Mark Your Calendar: Small Business Guide to Toronto Social Media Week 2012

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One of the best ways to learn business tips is from others who have had success. That’s why we’re excited about this year’s Toronto Social Media Week – it’s packed with events where local businesses and thought leaders will share success stories and best practices for leveraging social media tools and tactics.

For the second year, Social Media Week Toronto is returning to the city. This event is comprised of a number of sessions at locations across Toronto. The sessions began on Monday but run until Friday, February 17th.  It’s free to attend and to save you research time, we have recommended a few sessions taking place that are relevant for small business.

Whether it’s an hour or an afternoon, we encourage you to take some time to check this event out. You can see a full listing of events here.

If you are not located in Toronto, keep an eye out for Social Media Week events across Canada as different cities, including Vancouver, host events throughout the year.

Wednesday February 15th

 What You Really Must Know to Succeed in Social Media Marketing

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: MaRS Auditorium, Lower Concourse

 

Tweeting a Business Beat

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Location: Globe and Mail headquarters

Thursday February 17th

 Leveraging Social Media in the B2B Sales Process

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: The Foundery

Where do you go for advice on social media for business?

Allison is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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A smart way to keep your team connected wherever they are

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Samsung Galaxy S II and BlackBerry Bold from RogersOur small business customers tell us how difficult it can be to balance keeping their team connected with the need to keep an eye on costs. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new SmartTeam Unlimited sharing plan designed to keep you and your team connected to each other and your customers.

What is it?

The SmartTeam Unlimited voice and data sharing plan gives each team member unlimited local calling and unlimited extreme text messaging so you can talk and text as much as you need to without worrying about using additional minutes.

Plus, you get unlimited Canada-wide team calling so no matter where you are in the country, you can talk to your team as much as you need and not pay any long distance charges.  It’s the ultimate plan for businesses with team members located around thecountry.

The plan has your wireless Internet and download needs covered as well with 2 GB of shared data.

How much does it cost?

The SmartTeam Unlimited voice & data plan starts at $70.47 per line for two lines including all monthly fees.  You can add up to 3 additional lines for just $37.97/mth each.  If you need long distance coverage, you can also add unlimited Canada-wide long distance calling to any line for just $10/month.

How much time do you spend each week talking to colleagues on your phone? What feature would you use the most in your small business?

Alex is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Customer Experience, Mobile, Wireless
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Stay on top of business and industry trends with the Rogers Business Series App for iPhone

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Rogers Business Series iPhone appAs part of our ongoing efforts to help you gain insight and information from the latest industry news, we have launched the Rogers Business Series App for iPhone. Whether it’s saving time, cutting costs or increasing productivity we all have our reasons for using apps. For the small business on the go, an essential tool is the Rogers Business Series app.

The app was designed specifically for business customers to help you gain insight, information and tips quickly from the latest industry news. To ensure quality content, Rogers partnered with PROFIT to provide you with daily updates and weekly videos on:

  • Business news, leadership tips and strategies from PROFIT’s Editor-in-Chief, Ian Portsmouth
  • Articles and features including: succession planning, business funding, setting up an advisory board and much more

To download the app, visit www.rogers.com/businessseriesapp or search for “Rogers Business Series” in Apple’s App store.

Allison is regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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What is HTML5 and what does it mean for business?

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Rogers and HTML5The demise of the downloadable mobile application could be on its way.  Specifically, the need for downloading clunky plug-ins or device specific apps could be replaced entirely with browser-based apps in the future.  These apps are one benefit of the open-source Internet language called HTML5 — the newest version of the Hyper Text Markup Language that makes up the web pages we see on the Internet.

What are the benefits for business?

This new technology will allow companies to create applications as inexpensively and quickly as creating a website is today. Businesses will be able to offer rich, interactive experiences across many online and mobile platforms, including BlackBerry, Android and iOS. With HTML5 businesses can add advanced drawings, animations, video, audio elements and information capture forms to their websites further engaging customers and gathering customer insights.

In the past, your web browser was just for viewing text and images. Then, a number of new technologies, with names like Java, AJAX and Flash, enabled video and advanced interactivity. HTML5 eliminates the need for Flash by supporting game-like sharing, 3D graphics, video and enhanced ads within supported web browsers. All of this on smartphones, tablets and desktops, resulting in a richer browser experience that works and looks the same across all platforms.

In the future, some industry watchers say that apps as we know them (written for specific operating systems like iOS or Android) will probably be replaced with HTML5 apps. Unlike Flash, these apps are easier and cheaper to produce, can be updated like a traditional website, and will eliminate the need to constantly download updated app versions. Accessing HTML5-based content still mostly requires the user to be online, as these pages live on the web – but eventually HTML5 could enable completely interactive content to any device without an internet connection.

Possibly one of the most useful benefits of HTML5 – the new software will improve your site’s SEO (search engine optimization). The new, more semantic HTML5 will allow search engines to better index your web pages and include more detailed information to yield higher quality search results.

All of the major players — Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and RIM — have built-in support for this new technology in their latest devices and browsers, and it is catching on quickly among different types of online media.

To summarize, the new technology will enhance the online business-to-customer relationship with a better bottom line, faster time to market, shorter app approval process, and far more engaging interactive experience on ANY device of their choice.

For more information on HTML 5 and how to get it, visit:

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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