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I blogged in January about how social networking played a huge role in getting funds and Red Cross relief to the people of Haiti after the earthquake. It seems that social media tools like Twitter, Facebook and some Google applications have proven to be equally as influential for the Chileans this past week as well. The difference? Chile's population at 16.7 million (less than the New York metropolitan area) ranks
4th worldwide in terms of social media penetration amongst its home and work Internet audience. As of January 2010, 89% of the people there with regular Internet access use social networks. As a result, Chilean's are more able to help
each other than solely depending on the outside world for aid.
According to USAToday.com, since Saturday's quake, "traditional media here have focused on hard news-death tolls, rescue efforts, government announcements and images of lootings-while social-networking tools... have been at the forefront of transmitting highly localized information."
Twitter messages stating "urgent" and offering free transportation or information about a lost loved one have been flooding the site. One user posted a link to a website with a list of supermarkets that remain open in the central-south region. The most popular topics involve finding family and friends, food and water and ways to receive and offer transportation.
While phone lines are jammed and the city is in chaos, one simple message on Facebook can reach hundreds of people, saving time and distress for many family members and friends. Internet-savvy Chilean's have been able to use Google's people finder (an application launched after the Haiti earthquake), adding more than 35,000 posts by Monday morning after the quake.
So what does this mean for Chile? A quicker recovery from the destruction, perhaps. No doubt the quake in Haiti seems more devastating because of the higher concentration of people in the city of Port Au Prince and the even higher death toll. But another thing that will contribute to Haiti's slower recovery is the people not having the resources to help themselves. Their vulnerability and lack of communication technology from within the city puts them at the complete mercy of the outside world for help.
The people of Chile will hopefully be able to aid in helping each other in bringing their country out of the depth of destruction simply by being able to better communicate with each other and the world around them. Pretty cool, right? My colleagues and I have written a number of blogs on the importance of social media, the perils of social media and what the future may hold for social media. No matter what your opinion is, one thing's for certain after Saturday's disaster: it keeps us connected in more ways than ever before and when other forms of communication fail, most people are grateful to have another vehicle to stay in touch with those around them.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
Work email up and running? Check. IM with co-workers, status: available? Check. Blackberry next to me forwarding office calls so I don't miss a client's call? Check. At home with a fever and sore throat? Check. I am one of the many people who are working from home today because Unified360 understands and supports the importance of being able to work remotely.
Working from home is quickly a growing segment of professionals and entrepreneurs. 21% of Americans work from home on a daily basis, and over 35% of employees work from home, even after they leave the office. Having the ability to work remotely offers the benefits of saving time and expenses by avoiding frustrating and lengthy commutes, flexibility, and being able to answer a sales call in your pajamas! (just kidding). My benefit today is that I myself have hardly ever called in sick, whether it was from school as a child or at work in my adulthood. I was always worried about all the work I would miss and have to catch up on, therefore I would push myself to present, no matter what the excuse should be. My thought process was simple: never miss school or work and be successful. Unfortunately, I usually ended up making myself sicker than before. With the ability to work remotely from home, I can still accomplish what I need to in order to be successful at work without feeling the pressure of going into the office when I feel like my head could very well explode. I can take care of work and myself and not skip a beat.
Work- from- home programs are becoming standard practices for many companies. In fact over 40% of private sector businesses have some form of telecommuter policies in place at their company. It used to be thought that if you let your employees work from home they would use that time to grocery shop instead of actually work. However, studies show that working from home increases productivity, produces happier employees, lessens turn over and lessens the amount of time and money that is spent on recruiting. If given the opportunity, many employees will view working remotely as a reward or benefit, and in turn end up working harder and more productively because they want to give back to the company who trusts them.
Unified360 has many different solutions to offer companies who desire to allow their employees the ability to work from home. Please contact us today to learn more about this great benefit! Don't worry... I'll answer my phone and return my emails, because had I not told you, you wouldn't even know I wasn't at the office!
Amber Leatherwood, Account Manager
Unified360
I hate to say this, but more often than not first impressions are generated by ones appearance. Imagine going out on the town with your friends or going on a first date with someone special. As you get ready you put on your favorite jeans. You're about to leave, check yourself in the mirror, and then you realize it... your favorite, perfectly worn-in jeans have a hole in them. Frustration and anger takes over because they fit you perfectly and give you a certain sense of comfort. Even though you hate to do it, you change them.
You're probably thinking, "How does an old pair of jeans have any relevance to business?" Well, it all goes back to appearance being the biggest part of a first impression. The outer-shell of your business is what draws in your clients. You wouldn't own a restaurant without having the name of the restaurant out front, would you? Unfortunately, the corporate world is full of business owners who resist the need to update or change for the good of their company. The key to making your business successful is being susceptible to change. Times are changing and you should work to keep up!
One of the fastest growing changes in the world as we speak is, of course, technology. Technology is driving businesses worldwide to become more successful than they ever imagined. Businesses can have one office, be located in ten or more different cities, and have their employees working remotely from home through the ease of technology. Instead of clients calling your office phone and getting your voicemail if you're busy, now those calls can be forward to your cell phone! Or even better, you can have your voicemail sent to your email! Have you ever missed an important email while not at your computer? Well thanks to changing technology, you can receive emails via your cell phone. My point is, technology can help you be more efficient not only for your employees but most importantly, your clients.
I get it... you're comfortable with your old phone system just like you are with your old jeans. Why would you want to start all over again wearing in a new pair? Similarly, you don't want to go through the trouble of learning to use what you think is "complicated" technology. The problem with this is, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, you need to put on a new pair of pants. Your business needs to update its communications solution. The great part is that thanks to VoIP, you can establish change without burning a hole in your pocket. It actually saves you money and increases your ROI. That's like finding another great pair of jeans on sale! There's definitely no excuse for you not to make the change. Even if you're hesitant to leave your comfort zone, we at Unified360 urge you to take that first step towards an upgrade. After all, isn't your business worth it?
Felicia Cienfuegos, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
Blogging has taken the world by storm in 2009! We began our company blog, Full Circle Feed, in May of this year and have seen it evolve into a great communication mechanism for our company. We have captured a variety of audiences with posts ranging from VOIP to social media to one liners to start a new year! Full Circle Feed has become a successful blog with great content and readership because of all of you!
When planning for 2010, the goals for Full Circle stand at the top of our list. While it has been a success in 2009, I am reminded of a quote my dad has hanging on the wall in his office: "If you always do what you always done, you will always get what you always got". At Unified360, we have embraced the success, but always plan to do even more! You will see many changes coming to Full Circle Feed in 2010! Here is a sneak peek:
- 1. Content: We pride ourselves in keeping content all over the board to increase readership, but we will be placing a strong focus on technology and unified communications. You will see more themed blog posts with useful information you can take home and use in your businesses.
- 2. Authors: While we LOVE the fact that we have great authors, we will be expanding this area as well. You will see information posted from many of our employees, business partners and current clients.
- 3. Dialogue: What is a good blog with a bit of dialogue? Look for quick responses to your comments and questions from our authors! This has been the case in 2009; however, look for it to be even better in 2010.
We are always open to suggestions and comments on Full Circle Feed so please always feel free to contact me directly or post a comment on a blog! We appreciate your partnership and look forward to growing it in 2010!
Happy New Year!
Kimberly Kelly, Director of Marketing
Unified360
Is technology driving your business? If not, then you may need to reconsider.
For example, take the proliferations of cell phone technologies within the last fifteen years. Who would have thought in 1995 that cell phone technology would be where it is at today? Remember the standard plain old telephone that each household depended upon for communication. Who would have imagined everyone carrying the same thing in his or her pockets today? Take a look at the revolution in personal computing. Would you have imagined in 1995 that everyone today will have a laptop or desktop capable of more processing speed than the standard main frame of those days?
Seeing the evolution of personal communication brings one question to my mind: Why are most companies today still using the same technology for their business telephone systems as fifteen years ago?
Paul Tran, Chief Technology Officer
Unified360
It's a common term that we've all heard at one time or another. In many call centers and other environments companies use an outsourced provider to provide their dialing capabilities, reach their customers, bridge them to a call center, communicate a message, make an appointment or schedule a reminder.
As technology goes, this one is fairly old. It made sense in the late 90's or even just a few years ago. During that time frame it was just too cost prohibitive to bring in enough lines, bandwidth, and dialer technology for it to make any financial sense. So the Hosted Dialer companies were born in an era when bandwidth was 40% higher, and the termination costs were north of 5 cents per minute.
As technology goes, companies are now realizing that getting this technology embedded into their organization is driving real savings back to the company, and improving efficiencies. By deploying SIP trunking across bandwidth that is much less expensive than in years past, companies are realizing savings of 40% or better. The ability to get Sub 2 cents per minute and advanced dialer solutions that offer other benefits such as soft phone integration are starting a new trend in the dialer market.
Unified360 manages several of these deployments and has strong experience in the implementation and dialer technology. Anybody reading this should refer back to some of our Blogs on "SIP" that may also provide more information on the bandwidth prospective. No matter what, we keep dialing for dollars... but let's do it at a cost of pennies!!
Jeff Rothell, COO
Unified360
"This was the game Lawrence Taylor changed the game of football forever. The game where Redskins quarterback, Joe Theismann played his last quarter of football, and the game that made the outside linebacker the second-highest paid position in the NFL. Because you see, the first thing you buy when you have a lot of money is a house. The second thing you write a check for is the insurance. "
This quote is from a movie I saw this weekend called The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock. I highly recommend it to everyone reading this. It was heartwarming, touching, and it perfectly portrayed a message of hope and selfless love.
In case some of you are in the dark about what the movie is about, let me enlighten you. Leigh Ann is the stereotypical southern socialite living in Memphis, Tennessee. She's got the house, the car, and the big hair. She runs across Michael, or "Big Mike" one winter evening and, seeing him freezing with no place to go, takes him under her wing. What started off as one night of charity turned into Michael becoming a part of the family.
Another major part that contributed to this movie was how Michael became a top-notch football player in the process. He went from knowing nothing to getting a scholarship pick to the best football programs in the SEC and, eventually, drafted into the NFL. This touching true story really makes you stop and think about what's valuable in life, and in business.
Michael was recruited so hard because he was the insurance. After Lawrence Taylor's career ending sack of Joe Theismann in 1985, it became apparent that you can't put all your eggs in one basket without the safety net. Michael could lay out the opposing team with swift swoop of his burly body. No one had a chance of getting past him. However, he didn't start off so easily. Michael was terrible at first. He didn't know what to do and he didn't want to hit anybody; the gentle giant. Leigh Anne was the one who had to convince the coach to give him a second look and adjust his tactics. Once Michael began to think of his teammates as family, and how it was his job to protect that family, he was unstoppable.
I realize this blog has turned into somewhat of a movie review, but I think the message is relevant in all of our lives. We all invest in something, personally or professionally. If you're a business owner, who is your insurance? Who are the people that protect your blind side and allow you to be successful? Have you even noticed them yet? Do you take the time to appreciate them? I think it's not necessarily what you invest in but who you invest in that's more important. With the right people, your team, your family, your business, will be successful. Take a closer look at those around you. Take the time to see who's there. You might be surprised, with a little bit of coaching, they could be the insurance that protects you for life.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
In the worst economic times since the Great Depression, many Americans today are in fear for their jobs and their livelihood. CEO's, business owners, CFO's, and other executives are worried about their bottom line, and we are living in a time of worry, fear, and uncertainty. Many American's today have never lived in a time where such economic issues and fears have been the main focus of their lives. However, it does not have to be such gloom and doom! As business executives look to reduce cost and keep the same productivity, the answer does not have to be to cut personnel. Instead, businesses have different alternatives to cost reductions; example: Unified360!
Unified360 offers businesses a way to cut costs, improve efficiencies, and increase revenue by examining and utilizing a cost that is not going anywhere- their communications! Instead of cutting people, companies can save on their phone, internet and network costs, which can be equivalent to several employees' yearly salaries. Without costing someone their job, your company can be increasing revenue! Just this month alone, Unified360 is helping a client save $15,000 a month in their telecom expenses, a savings of $180,000 a year!
Times such as these require creativity and practicality instead of reactions to fear! Unified360 is the answer for many companies' bottom line, because our answer yields savings as well as an increase in revenue. Who doesn't want that? As a business owner, are you utilizing your costs instead of just trying to cut them? Let Unified360 work with you to be the best economic solution!
Amber Leatherwood, Account Manager
Unified360
For those of you who refuse to join the Twitter world because you think it's pointless, stupid, or it's simply the "fear of the unknown" that keeps you away, I suggest you adjust your thinking; stat. Twitter is the newest and fastest growing information network on the internet right now. It's growing at such a pace that Google and Microsoft are taking notice and including Tweets in their search results.
For the average person, Twitter is a way for information to come to you. Long gone are the days of searching for information by weeding through articles and websites. With one look at the "trending topics" or by following your most trusted news source on Twitter, the news has found you instead. Not only do you get directed to general news stories, but YOU have the chance to personally respond to, and generate breaking news as it happens.
Take the Fort Hood massacre for example. Before any T.V. station or newspaper broke the story, news of what was happening was already on Twitter. How, you ask? People were tweeting from inside Fort Hood as the events were happening around them. Those who were under lockdown for the next several hours were able to share their thoughts and fears and receive comforting messages and updated information through Twitter. There were several Twitter profiles created specifically for news about the shooting. I personally follow @FtHoodShooting to get hourly updates on news about the event, and I don't have to search through tons of other stories to get it.
For business owners, Twitter is a way to brand yourself and get your name out to an audience you haven't reached before. Tweet about the latest updates within your company, post a link to your blog or a Twitpic from last week's office party... The more you utilize it as a marketing tool, the more you will see an increase in web traffic and brand recognition. For those of you who are concerned that Twitter will replace all of the hard work you put into blogs, press releases, etc... no need to worry. 140 characters does not a story make. Post a link to your article with a catchy tagline and drive Tweeters to your site. Remember, it's all about simplifying things and making news more accessible.
Facebook and LinkedIn are two other social networking sites that are now working with Twitter to allow peoples Tweets to show up on their profiles. A smart move if you ask me. Though the connection to Facebook was inevitable, the partnership with LinkedIn has secured Twitter's role as a network for professional conversation.
So, back to my original point; if you're not on Twitter, make the move now! It's up to you to keep up with advances in information technology and this one is taking off, rapidly. As with everything, there is a learning curve. I'm still learning new things about Twitter everyday. But take the time to study it and use it to your advantage. You won't regret it.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
Follow Unified360 on Twitter!
Everyone at some point in life enters into a contract with someone else. It may be as simple as accepting a credit card with its microscopic terms and conditions, a pre-printed form where only the blanks need to be filled in, or a document prepared specifically for the matter by an attorney. In either case, as long as the 3 cardinal rules of creating a contract exist - an offer, its acceptance, and mutual consideration- you are now bound by a contract. But, what happens if you want to get out of the contract and terminate the transaction it covers? Believe it or not, whether big or small, a contract is not as important at the outset of a relationship. It is far more important when you want to terminate the relationship or the other party has breached your agreement. That is one of the biggest reasons for having a contract in the first place. Most contracts go into the drawer never to be looked at again. But, once circumstances change and you want to terminate the agreement, the agreement inevitably comes out of the drawer and you scour it to see what can be done.
There are a number of reasons why a party may want to terminate a contract. These can include the ending of its term, the relationship is not as beneficial as hoped, or there was a breach of the contract by one party not performing its obligations as promised. When terminating a contract, use the contract itself as the first step in starting the procedure for termination. First, determine whether there is any provision that discusses the termination of the contract, including the reasons for doing so. Most contracts contain a termination clause that states the basic procedure for termination. If there is a termination provision, review what responsibilities you have with respect to termination and then act in accordance with these responsibilities. This might include something where you can terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice to the other party.
Second, find the reasons in the contract that support the termination. This could be something as simple as the term of the agreement has expired and you do not wish to renew. Also, it could be that performance was not met as outlined in the agreement, such as the other party did not provide the necessary resources to satisfy its obligations under the contract. Be thorough in your reading of the agreement and the facts that have surrounded the contract. Anything can be support for a clean termination.
Most terminations are done in writing even if this is not required by the contract. You should maintain a paper trail about the time frame and reasoning for ending the agreement. While email is convenient, a termination is best-prepared and sent by regular mail with a delivery receipt for confirmation. You do not want any question about whether or when notice was given. You should keep your correspondence professional and courteous. You should stay with the facts and provide as much support as possible to demonstrate lack of performance or breach by the other party.
In the event that the contract does not contain a termination provision, review the contract for a rescission provision. A rescission provision usually permits either party to cancel the contract without penalty. If this provision exists, you should abide by the terms of the provision that outline how to rescind the agreement. As with termination, check to see if there is a notice that specifies how to provide formal notification of the rescission. If so, follow it closely.
Here are a few rules of thumb when you want to terminate a contract:
- Do not terminate unless it's serious. A termination on the basis of a breach that is not sufficiently serious can be invalid. Your other party may be entitled to treat your invalid termination as a "repudiation" of the contract. By purporting to terminate, you are clearly stating that you no longer intend to perform your side of the bargain because you regard the contract as over. If the termination is invalid, the tables are turned and the other party may be entitled to decide whether or not to accept the repudiation or sue you for damages for wrongful termination. Ouch!
- Do not prejudice your right to terminate the agreement. Your right to terminate may be lost if you take any steps that suggest to the other party that the contract has been affirmed. You must ensure that nothing is done or said that inadvertently affirms the contract.
- What are the consequences of termination? Termination does not affect rights that have already accrued to either party. Terms regulating the rights and liabilities of the parties following termination continue to apply to you. The contract may also specify that particular clauses survive termination.
- Finally, you should consider other consequences of termination, such as whether or not intellectual property licenses and any other rights between the parties to the contract will survive.
And now for the sales pitch. If you feel there will be any backlash such as a lawsuit for initiating termination, you may want to consult an attorney prior to sending the notice of termination. Consult with your chosen legal beagle regarding your reasons for the termination in accordance with the contract and your supporting information. Depending on your situation, you may still personally send the notice of termination, or your attorney may send it on your behalf in an attempt to mitigate any backlash and show the other side that you have moved on.
Matt Hutchins
General Counsel a/k/a Legal Beagle
Unified360
"Shoot a lawyer, and save a tree"