Use of Web Conferencing for Growth Initiatives
The fastest growth area in the communication arena over the next five years is expected to be web conferencing. In fact, professional expect to see growth in the 500% range. This is according to an Ipsos-commissioned e-mail survey and much of the reason for this growth can be traced to the cost-reducing benefits (e.g. travel expenses) and productivity gains (i.e. less time in airports equals more time in the office). Small businesses can expect to gain most as it allows them to pursue growth initiatives at a time when such activities might seem taboo or prohibitive.
See, growth is vital to a business’s longevity and success. With that in mind, Quote Stork Solutions, a website dedicated to advising small and home-based businesses, advises its clients to pursue only calculated initiatives. Their model of Build, Reduce, and Grow, recommends building a large business presence, reducing expenses to increase profit margin, and growing the customer base.
Currently, Quote Stork has an interesting approach when it comes to web conferencing:
1. Reducing expenses by test-driving web conferencing software for Free. They recommend trying out software with their existing, solid client base and employees and suggest using it for systems training in order to become familiar with the software.
2. Growing the Customer Base. Take the calculated risk of growing the book through out-of-the-box marketing methods. They encourage their clients to come up with alternate marketing plans, such as direct marketing in the style of Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer. Since a lot of other small businesses don’t consider this direct method, Quote Stork feels that this will give the small business owner a cost-effective advantage.
3. Finally, Quote Stork encourages hosting a pitch meeting for all of the interested direct-marketing respondents. Now that the user is comfortable and familiar with the software, he or she can professionally demonstrate the company’s area of expertise and professionalism. For example, a chiropractor hoping to increase her client roster could invite prospects to attend a web conference about different types of subluxation and how treated conditions can enhance a patient’s standard of living.
Quote Stork promotes Citrix Online’s system when it comes to web conferencing. Citrix offers two options and both give the user the option to broadcast and share desktop operations with conference attendees. With a lot of blue chip companies opting for web conferences over traditional, central meetings, many small businesses dismiss the possibilities as too costly. Instead, Quote Stork suggests this cost-effective conference alternative benefits the small business by showing customers just how committed they are to customer service.
With the dismal headlines in the media these days, small businesses especially need to concentrate on growth initiatives. With dwindling budgets and the prospect of sales drying up, web conferencing offers a cost-effective way for small businesses to expand their reach when it comes to business development.




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