Maintaining good relationships has always been the cornerstone of running a successful business. In the age of big data, however, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has evolved into a technology-driven industry. Using cutting-edge software applications available on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform, industry experts like MCA Connect can capture, track, and analyze CRM data into meaningful insights for your business. As a result, many enterprises are considering customer service implementation partnerships that save them money and help grow their business.

Building a Strong Basis for Collaboration

Partnerships are only effective when they are built upon a strong foundation. Providing each participant in the partnership with a well-defined role is a good way to ensure everyone feels part of a team with a common goal. At the same time, however, roles cannot be so restrictive that partners are not allowed the flexibility to expand as needs evolve. In this manner, any good partnership begins with a clear identification of stakeholder needs.

Before beginning any collaboration, businesses and their prospective partners should set clear expectations based on project goals. However, identifying the unique CRM needs for a particular organization can be a challenge. MCA Connect has resources available for business owners and managers overwhelmed by even this initial inquiry – and this is just one of the many benefits offered by a good customer service implementation partner.

The Role of an Implementation Partner

Generally, an implementation partner is a specialized organization that leverages sophisticated technological tools to improve a company’s engagement within a particular market. Customer service implementation partners can help companies maintain customer-centered content and engagement, which translates to long-term revenue growth. Additionally, taking on a customer service implementation partner like MCA Connect frees up valuable business resources so that companies can focus more time and money on improving their products, services, or internal operations.

Partnering with a company like MCA Connect allows enterprises to access the specialized knowledge and skills of CRM professionals without the challenges associated with hiring CRM professionals on their internal teams. However, companies seeking customer service implementation services or support must take care to find a partner that works for them.

Finding the Customer Service Implementation Partner that Works for Your Needs

Whether engaging with a partner or building a CRM system from scratch, companies must focus on both flexibility and functionality. CRM solutions must be easy for stakeholders to engage with – such as through online dashboards, reports, automatic feeds, and other features that are intuitive for new and experienced users alike. Furthermore, because modern CRM practices are designed to be responsive to the demands of the market, an effective CRM solution must be agile enough to shift with evolving customer needs.

A CRM solution can never adequately meet enterprise goals if it is not both functional and suitable to meet evolving needs. MCA Connect has mastered the suite of modern applications woven into the Microsoft Dynamics platform, including tools for sales, marketing, automation, customer service, and field service. This unified system offers the foundational functionality and security that organizations need for their CRM, and the experienced professionals at MCA Connect are able to leverage their knowledge in this space to identify the exact processes and programs necessary to optimize customer service and engagement. As a result, we are poised to offer the precise, yet flexible solutions companies are seeking in customer service implementation partnerships.

Nearly any organization that utilizes the Microsoft product quite can save valuable time, money, and resources by engaging with a partner that can support their CRM activities. However, many business owners are unaware of how working with a customer service implementation partner can help them achieve their goals. To get a better idea of how CRM professionals like the MCA Connect team can help your business, contact us today.

 

If your business operates a website, it’s important that you do everything in your power to ensure that the customers who visit your website have the support they need if and when problems arise online. But despite how important this is, many businesses fail to offer quality online support to those on their website or when other problems are brought up to them through an online medium.

To help you get through any issues in this area that your business might be struggling with, here are three tips for offering online support to your customers.

Get Yourself The Support You Need

Before you can offer your customers the support they need online, you first have to have the IT support that you need.

According to Jonathan Long, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, if you don’t have the ability to manage your website and other IT needs within your organization, you need to outsource this work to a third-party management system that can fulfill your needs. Ideally, you should work with a company that can offer you round-the-clock help when you need it. Without this, you may run into issues that you can’t fix for yourself or for your customers.

Make Support Easily And Instantly Accessible

The worst thing you can do for your customers when they’re having a hard time is to not be available to help them. Because of this, you should make it your top priority to make finding support easy as well as instantly accessible.

As a part of this, the staff of Inc.com advises that you make yourself accessible by always having someone available to address any complaints or issues your customers might bring up. This can be done by having always having an actual person available to chat with, speak to, or respond accordingly to your customers. By not requiring your customers to deal with automation, you’ll be able to offer them the specific solutions they need.

Improve Your Response Times On Social Media

While your customers might reach out to you through your website when they have simple problems they need to be fixed, many will choose to make their voices heard through social media instead.

In this type of situation, Alyssa Gregory, a contributor to The Balance Small Business, recommends that you do whatever you can to ensure that you respond to their comments in a timely manner. Even if you’re not sure how to best address the problem or would rather just ignore something negative being said about your business, being responsive will prove to be a positive trait for your online support.

If your company needs to be better at offering online support to your customer base, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you achieve this.

 

Ah, Apple, the company that brought us such terms as “smartphone” and “app”. Without Apple’s products, the world would look very different. While Apple can’t lay claim to inventing the microchip, they have a pretty solid claim as the company that brought smart phones and tablet computers to the mainstream.

Yes, the iPhone is now synonymous with smartphones, and yes, ‘iPad’ is now used as a generic term for a tablet PC. Apple took the market by storm and didn’t let up; after years of amazing releases, Apple has truly cemented themselves as leaders in consumer technology.

So what?

Maybe it’s just me, but with each new release, Apple products feel more and more predictable. Yes, they are amazing products, yes they are some of the best products available, but there’s no excitement. I remember seeing people camp overnight for the latest iPhone; now it seems Apple has lost some of its luster.

Same styling

One of my main gripes with Apple products is the styling. Yeah, I know what you are screaming at your screen “Apple products look the best, they have the best materials” Yep, Apple sure knows how to make a premium product, and with famed designers in their stable, it’s easy to appreciate Apple’s subtle design flair.

I mean, it was easy to appreciate a few years ago, now it seems like they are just pumping out the same designs. Look at the new iPhone 11 and tell me it doesn’t look the same as the iPhone 8. Sure, there are subtle upgrades in the design language, but for the layman, most of their products look the same.

Not enough upgrades

From a hardware point of view, Apple is a strange case. Their flagship laptops and devices are loaded with cutting edge technology, and if you tick all the boxes when buying, you are sure to get the fastest machine on the market. What about the entry-level machines? Here’s where apple starts to become a little boring.

There is no “entry-level” when it comes to Apple products. You either get the best one (lots of $$$), or you get the standard one, which is usually slightly underpowered and still costs a lot of money. If you are after bang for your buck, Apple’s line up seems boring compared to other tech companies.

Too many releases

Apple, like many other manufacturers, follows a pretty consistent release schedule. While this is great for consumers saving up their cash for the newest release, it has taken away the excitement of a new release. Gone are the days of huge keynote speeches and fans being whipped into a frenzy, replaced with a few generic TV ads, yawn.

It’s hard to get excited about a new iPhone when there is a new variant released every few months. With strange naming systems, it’s also harder to know where your product sits in Apple’s line up. With 2020 set see another crop of iPhone releases, it’s hard to imagine we will see anything revolutionary.

Apple is one of the greatest companies ever. Their vision and products changed our world forever and the company looks to be in a strong position moving forward. With cash stores that could literally last them a century and a devoted fanbase, Apple isn’t going anywhere. Perhaps the power and stability afforded to them from the success of their products have made Apple feel like they can rest on their laurels.

With a history of groundbreaking products, perhaps I am unfair on Apple. Maybe they can coast on what has worked before, but I hope they don’t. I hope for the day a new release will get me excited because, for now, I think Apple products are boring.

 

Introduction

When shopping online, a common problem that people come across is the payment methodology. There are times when the customers are on international basis, and they can’t really go through the hassle of switching between currencies. This can be a very tricky situation for the business to deal with. Does it really have that bad an impact on the business reputation?

It has been estimated that nearly 30% of the website users cancel their orders and leave their carts abandoned due to unavailability of the right payment method. This is a significant % considering the fact that these can really boost the company’s revenue. If the payment method is really that important, then why don’t businesses look forward to correcting it?

The big challenge?

The biggest challenge with going after additional payment methods is the additional costs associated to it. It might seem like a fairly straightforward option, but it is surely a complex one. The business needs to make themselves compatible with a variety of payment methods that calls for additional expenditure. Furthermore, the process is a very complex one as each payment method needs be customized with the appropriate APIs. This can altogether make it difficult for businesses to deal with the payment methods.

The best solution

Even after all these problems, the business has to go ahead with the decision and stop losing customers. The potential best solution for this problem is the new extension, Stripe Payment for Magento 2. The new tool makes sure that customers are presented with an easy and safe payment methodology. There are multiple payment methods at the service of the customers, that too at a relatively lower cost. The best part about this is that business will not have to worry about losing customers due to payment methods now.

The extension tool contains excellent security system that includes 3D secure system for the customers. There is an option of automatic invoicing which makes sure that customers are presented with time to time payment options. Even in case of refund or return, the tool has a very user friendly and simple system for customers. It makes the payment methods compatible with all the major debit and credit cards so that the customers don’t have to run around in search of the best payment method.

Advantages of the Magento 2 Stripe Extension

Some people might not believe this, but the tool is capable of managing more than a whopping 130 different currencies from around the world. It is up to the customers to choose their preferred currency and payment method before they go ahead with the transaction. The extension tool reduces the overall risk to comparatively low level to make sure that the customers find the overall process secured. The overall cost of processing is reduced by 1/4^th, which is very beneficial for businesses.

The extension tool has shown some great improvements in the conversion rates of customers. Businesses have noticed that customers don’t leave their carts unattended that often now. Moreover, the efficient system has also assisted in saving the time and efforts of the business management on a whole.

 

Freelancing is providing extended opportunities to students as well as skilled persons at different levels to earn a decent return. Other than seeking employment or in an attempt to supplement your current income, freelancing business will open incredible doors for you. Paper writing pros offer professional homework assistance to make your academic work easier.

Starting a freelance business depends on the skills you possess and the tools you need to run the business. The target runs from this business will also push you to pick one idea over another. Here are excellent business ideas you need to consider as a freelancer.

• Online Marketing

The internet has turned into one big market for products and services. The stiff competition witnessed online is requiring skilled marketers who can make digital marketing profitable for businesses. New opportunities and tricks are also emerging on a daily basis, calling for proactive approach to online marketing.

Online marketers who understand the internet tools and tricks are making a fortune from digital marketing. You may choose endorsement from brands or target to bring traffic to your website or platform. Influencers are also working as online marketers alongside social media managers. Videos and images are providing excellent marketing opportunities for entrepreneurs. The options are endless for online marketers.

• Writing

Writing is one of the most lucrative and popular freelancing ideas. It requires minimal resources since a computer and internet connection are all you need to begin a career as a writer. There are a lot of clients looking for skilled writers with the market growing by the day. It means that a good writer will always have an opportunity to make a living out of the skills.

The writing genre is so wide such that freelancers are spoilt of choice. You may choose to be a blogger and promote a particular niche. Another writing option for freelancers is to register onto a website where you will be picking gigs or clients will find you at the platform. Writers also pitch to clients online and on other platforms by developing an online platform. A skilled writer will always find a decent job to perform online.

• Tutoring

There is growing need for soft skills around the world. People want to know how to cook, play musical instruments, speak foreign languages, and possess different skills, among other capabilities. A skilled professional can share the knowledge by writing or preparing videos.

The videos are easy to prepare because the tools needed are now easily available. Innovative entrepreneurs are using phones to shoot world class videos and teach the much needed skills. The skills can be learnt by an audience around the world. The returns from tutoring are impressive.

The choice of a freelancing business idea will depend on the availability of tools and skills. Freelancing businesses are still competitive and require quality delivery of services. You must dedicate your time and skills in order to deliver the best services to your clients. Such commitment makes you a reliable freelancer.

 

Did you know that in 2018, 59.64% of people aged 18-29 years old own a laptop or notebook pc? Are you thinking of switching from PC to Mac?

In this article, you’ll learn all about what to expect when you make the switch. Read on to discover the top tips for making the switch to save yourself time wondering if a Mac is right for you.

Why Choose Switching From PC to Mac?

There are a variety of reasons why someone would choose going from Windows to Mac. Some feel that Macs are better for creative work or because they’re easy to maintain and update. Many PCs are more about economy and utility, while Macs can have a beautiful design.

Laptops

Once you’ve decided you’d like to make the switch, it’s time to choose between high-end professional systems, laptops, and home computers. If you’re thinking of starting a business, consider a professional system. There are 2 choices for laptops, the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. If you need more power when you’re on the go, the MacBook Pro is a great option.

The MacBook Pro is much more expensive than the MacBook Air since it has many more features. The MacBook Air is still great for watching shows, surfing the web, and some 4K video editing.

Home Computer

If you decide you’d like a home computer, the iMac is a great option. The display is 4k with a 21.5-inch display or a 27-inch 5k display. Although it’s expensive, it has several great features for the desktop. You also have expansion ports for more RAM.

Consider the Mac mini if you have peripherals and a monitor. This option is extremely affordable since it has limited hardware. You can speed up the RAM and processor, but you won’t get the same performance or powerful GPUs.

Professional Systems

Did you know that the Mac OS was created in 1984 to run the company’s Macintosh line of PCs? If you’re a professional looking to make the switch from PC to Mac, you can choose between the Mac Pro and iMac Pro. They come with high-end features like the Intel Zeon server-grade processors, lots of RAM, and Radeon Pro Vega GPUs.

Can You Use the Same Programs and Apps?

When you’re switching from Windows to Mac, it’s important to research compatibility to see if the same apps and programs will work on your Mac. Most software is compatible with both systems, but there are some industry-specific programs as well. Check the Apple App Store to see if the apps you currently use are available.

If the app isn’t available, then you must decide if making the switch is still worth it or not. Ensure that you find and keep apps that’ll keep your brain active and protected.

Tips for When You’re Making the Switch

When you’re ready to make the switch, keep in mind that there will be a learning curve. If you’re switching in a professional environment with staff, you’ll want to start the learning process before you receive the new computers. Any of those who are more nervous about the change, make yourself available to help them with the new information.

You’ll also want to transfer data from your PC to your Mac. This requires the Windows Migration Assistant to be completed. When that’s done, you can then download all the software necessary. The use of a Mac is different than what you’re used to for your PC. Mac computers don’t have a left and right button on their trackpad/mouse. To right-click you’ll need to hold down the command key while clicking on the mouse.

On a laptop, use the trackpad with 2 fingers to use the right-click feature. Once you’ve started using your Mac, you can check out https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-view-clipboard-history-on-mac to learn how to view your clipboard history.

Mac Features

Before you start purchasing products, check out what’s already available on your Mac. Safari is available for surfing the web. Instead of Excel, Apple has a feature called Numbers. While it’s not as strong as Excel, it’s an alternative. Another feature is what’s called Pages. This is an alternative to Word. Keynote is an alternative to PowerPoint.

When you’re first using your Mac, check out Finder. You can access it from your main desktop dock. You can organize files, photos, documents, and locate items when you lose them. You can also move your items to AirDrop or the iCloud Drive.

• Command + C is copy
• Command + V is paste
• Command + A is select all
• Command + W is close window
• Command + Q is quit the app

Since there’s no CTRL + ALT + DEL on an OS X, use CMD + ALT + ESC instead. If you’d like to update your Mac, click the Apple menu at the top of your desktop. This updates OS X, apps you installed, and iTunes. Certain apps can have their own updates.

Asking for Help

Before you make the switch, don’t be afraid to go to an Apple Store and ask the associates any questions you might have. Once you receive your Mac, you can bring it in and ask them any questions you have about the operations. Apple includes macOS for free with every Mac and comes with all updates which are free.

Your Guide to Switching From PC to Mac

When you’re switching from PC to Mac it can seem like a process, but it’s worth it in the end. Would you like to learn more about the latest technology? Check out our other articles.

Operating within the industrial sect of business may not trigger thoughts of internet popularity, but even the most hands-on operations benefit from a well-planned digital presence. You’ll have to get your hands out of the dirt and grease long enough to create an impression online.

Industrial, or not, you’re still running a business. Getting your operation into the public eye is expedited by a great online game. Learn what it takes to build a stellar website for your industrial business, and started getting what you deserve from today’s technology.

Plenty of communication opportunities

Your business website should serve as a mediator for communication between you and your target audience. You need to hear what people are seeing, experiencing, thinking, etc, so you can augment your production in such a way that it is more appealing to the right folks.

Get a feel for what communication looks like in industrial web design, and take a look at this page explaining power plant NOx reduction. There is a ton of engaging information on the page regarding the industry, and there are at least three clear ways to communicate with the business taking up space on the right side of the page.

Mobile optimization is a must

When you’re goal is to build a business website that makes an impact on the right individuals, you have to divert efforts towards mobile optimization. Mobile access to the web today is more frequent and dominating than ever before.

You will serve more than half the population of the web by making certain your digital content is built to display and function with ease on a range of mobile devices.

Design with simple navigation in mind

A good website is easy to navigate. Design with movement in mind, and never launch a page you haven’t crawled yourself. If you don’t have the skills to do the detailed digital work yourself, outsource the job to a professional firm specializing in web design.

Work social media into your design

Social media is a great tool for reaching the masses. Even though you may not see industrial business as a thrilling topic of conversation, there are people online who think it is.

Find your social media following. Set up a social media profile page for your operation, and lather your digital content with social media sharing icons. Begin stirring up interest, and go from there.

Make room for quality content

A good website has plenty to explore. It’s helpful to add a “Blog” section to your website. Fill your business blog with relevant posts to your industry, and you’ll draw readers who can benefit from what your operation has to offer them.

 

What The Nine University Reviews Are Saying About The Amazon FBA Course

Nine University offer a course which teaches those who take it about launching an Amazon FBA business. Amazon FBA is a business opportunity which many people around the world are taking on, which sees their business selling products online via Amazon, and which are then shipped and fulfilled by the global retail giant. This offers an array of benefits to business owners and it is easy to see why many are interested. The Nine University reviews online really highlight why so many are interested in this type of business, and why they are looking at using a course to give them the edge. So what exactly are these reviews saying about this course, and why do they love it so much? Let’s take a look.

Success Stories

There is a common worry that many have when they are promised the tools and the knowledge to make big money when they learn through an online course, that they won’t be one of the success stories that they have heard about and many are left disappointed. With Nine University however this does not appear to be the case and the reviews which you can see online feature story after story of people who have gone from making absolutely $0 online to making hundreds of thousands of dollars and more. Essentially what we can read into this is that this is a course that works.

Mentorship

The majority of reviews are from people who remark on how great their mentorship was from the team at Nine University, and how accessible they were. Very often we see these types of courses which simply feature pre-recorded videos and resources, and then students are left to their own devices. This certainly doesn’t look to be the case with Nine University because they have mentors who are always on hand to support the students.

Elite Level

What most people focused on in their reviews was how the course didn’t just help them to gain an understanding of what Amazon FBA was and how they could use it to launch a successful business. What this course has done for its students is taken them from knowing nothing, up to the elite level of Amazon FBA. This is not just about finding suppliers but finding the best level suppliers, how to sell at the elite level and not just becoming an also-ran.

Simplicity

A common phrase which you’ll find when looking through these reviews was ‘paralysis by analysis’ something which many felt when they were trying to get their head around Amazon’s FBA, prior to starting this course. This however is a course that does things differently, a course which simplifies things down to manageable chunks of information which are relevant and easily digestible. This is why people loved the course, the simplicity and the ease of learning which they felt as a result of the smart way that the course has been designed.

If you want to jump on the Amazon FBA train, this looks like the best place to start.

The average American is exposed to around 4,000-10,000 ads in a single day. In such a saturated market, finding eye-catching ways to make your business stand out is crucial.

A great way to do this is by giving your customers something fun to display. By designing snappy promotional stickers for your business, you can score some valuable attention from potential clients.

Read on for our top five ways to use promotional stickers to advertise your business.

How to Design Your Promotional Stickers

Your business’s promotional stickers don’t have to be purely informational like exhibit stickers. In fact, you’ll catch more attention if you include a colorful graphic, funny slogan, or other unique detail.

When you’re designing your promotional stickers, start with a graphic or logo that you think people will want to display. Die-cut stickers in fun shapes are always a good way to go. You’ll be getting loads of free advertising when potential clients decorate their belongings (or other places) with your stickers.

Don’t forget to also include your company’s name, as well as a website and/or your business address. That way, you’ll be featuring all the necessary information to help your business grow.

1. Give Away Free Promotional Stickers

One of the best (and most popular) ways to use promotional stickers is by giving them away. Again, you want your sticker to be something your clients will want to display, regardless of your business.

Bring free promotional stickers to trade shows and events for a cheap and effective giveaway at your booth. You can also leave a stack in your place of business for people to take as they please.

2. Send Promotional Stickers in the Mail

If you’re already sending out mailers to prospective customers, why not include free promotional stickers? This will help break the monotony of the traditional junk mail your customers receive, making your business stand out amongst all the others.

You’ll also get loads of free advertising when your customers stick the stickers around, wherever they are!

3. Decorate Your Storefront

If you’ve got a physical store you’re working with, use your promotional stickers to decorate your storefront. It will help draw attention to your place, and might even bring people in to get stickers of their own!

4. Include Stickers on Your Packages

Another great use for promotional stickers is to include them on any shipments of your product. Not only will this grab the attention of your recipient, but it might also capture the gaze of postal workers, truck drivers, and anyone else who might see your box.

5. Stick Promotional Stickers to Your Floor

A brilliant and unexpected way to feature promotional stickers in your place of business is by sticking them to the floor! That way, they’ll capture the attention of people walking around, while beautifying the place and adding some visual appeal! It’s a unique and creative way to generate interest in your business.

Promote Your Business With Stickers!

With all the marketing out there, now is a more important time than ever to find new and creative ways to promote your business. Now that you’ve got a few ideas for using promotional stickers, start knocking out some designs today!

For more advertising and marketing suggestions, check out our other blog entries.

There’s no doubt that one of the most difficult parts of managing a corporate culture is hosting corporate events. There are always so many different things to keep track of when hosting a corporate event.

You want to make sure that the event is not too stuffy, but also doesn’t cross a line into unprofessionalism either. You need event ideas that are fun, but also provide a certain purpose that will grow the company’s cause. Otherwise, the money that you invest in hosting the event is just put to waste.

For five great corporate event ideas, look no further than this article.

1. A Picnic Cookout with Music

One reason why your employees may not enjoy their job at your company is that they have to spend some of the best hours of the day inside! By taking your corporate event outside, you can help your employees get some of that sunshine that their otherwise-sedentary work-life so desperately requires!

Make sure that you get some great food (barbecue with some side vegan options is always a good choice) with great music. Schedule it on a day that’s forecasted to be pleasant, and make sure that you have a rain check day should the weather look a little hairy.

2. A Community Service Event

What better way to showcase your corporate culture in favor of progress than by giving back to the community which it serves? Although this is an untraditional corporate event idea, it certainly is a good one.

Not only can you do something that’s quite fun and different from the typical mundane corporate activity, but you’ll also reap the mental benefits and good karma of paying it forward.

Try scheduling your next corporate event at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. There’s always work to be done for willing hands.

3. A Rented Open Bar

Nothing gets a good conversation going quite like a good martini. Although this idea is certainly a popular one, that doesn’t mean that you can’t put a different spin on it to make it particularly exceptional!

It’s hard to go wrong with free alcohol and good music at a corporate event. Your employees will begin seeing those benefits that get taken out of their pay stubs! Pro tip: use www.paystubs.net to make your employee pay stubs.

4. A Team-Building Excursion

Any corporate event should be all about your team getting closer, so why not try a dedicated team building excursion?

Escape rooms are all the rage these days, and really require that your team work together in order to be successful. There also exists a ton of professional companies that host team-building activities.

5. Take it Back to School

Last but not least, try taking it back to school by partnering with a local educational institution. You can volunteer at a pre-collegiate school, like a high school or an elementary school, doing a small presentation about your industry to get kids interested in and motivated to work in it.

Or, you can try partnering with a local college. Not only is this great publicity and a great event, but it’s also a great way to recruit some high-quality candidates for your entry-level positions!

Corporate Event Ideas You Should Try

There you have it — five great corporate event ideas that you should try the next time your company needs to host an event.

For more business advice, be sure to check out the rest of the articles on the website!