How Software Outsourcing Can Make Money!

“Outsourcing and globalization of manufacturing allows companies to reduce costs, benefits consumers with lower cost goods and services, causes economic expansion that reduces unemployment, and increases productivity and job creation.”
~~ Larry Elder — “The Larry Elder Show”

How Software Outsourcing Can Make Money

Software outsourcing, even on a routine basis, can make money. Many people incorrectly believe outsourcing is a short term solution when a immediate fix is necessary and that it can not be a long term way of conducting business while still enjoying profitability. Outsourcing is a great concept in the software industry for a pair of highly important reasons. One of the most significant reasons is the software industry is continuously developing and software outsourcing to independent contractors or alternate software firms gives companies an increased flexibility that is not feasible when they rely merely on their in-house software personnel. Being able to offer customers a wider scope of skills is beneficial to the company. This can be achieved via software outsourcing to individuals or firms with unique talent sets. An additional key component to the idea of software outsourcing being profitable is the effect of virtually increasing your manpower through this process. This article will examine these two components in greater detail to clear up how software outsourcing can make money.

Extraordinary Flexibility Because Of Software Outsourcing

One way software outsourcing helps companies to make more money is by increasing their flexibility. This is notably important in the software industry where there is a continuing education process which must be followed in order to remain up to date with the most current software, technology and trends in the industry. Maintaining an in-house staff of employees who were up to date on all of the most current issues in the industry would be time consuming and costly not to mention exceptionally strenuous, if not unachievable. Employees would spend much more time in training then they would spend accomplishing their actual jobs which would conclude in the inability to meet deadlines. It may also conclude in missed opportunities if there are currently no in-house employees experienced enough to accomplish specific tasks.

One way to sidestep these pitfalls is to rely on outsourcing to fill in the gaps when there are project needs beyond the abilities of the in-house employees. This allows a company to keep their customers happy by being able to fulfill their needs. When this happens the company is much more likely to see future work orders from the customer than they were if they floundered on prior tasks.

The flexibility software outsourcing provides also allows companies to be able to afford the luxury of permitting their staff members to participate in extremely important training classes. This is an very important issue because while training and ongoing schooling does make staff members much more marketable, it also costs the company in terms of productivity because the staff members are not making money throughout the time of their training. That said, if companies are outsourcing various portions of their software labor while some of their in-house staff members are in training classes, the company gets the advantage of more experienced staff members without having to pass on potentially money-making endeavors in the staff member’s absence.

“The other part of outsourcing is this: it simply says where the work can be done outside better than it can be done inside, we should do it.”
~~ Alphonso Jackson — Secretary of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

Increased Manpower By Way Of Software Outsourcing

In addition to the flexibility issues discussed above, software outsourcing has the additional reward of essentially increasing a company’s manpower making them extra appealing to prospective customers. While there are many times going to be a few prospective customers who are drawn to the appeal of a smaller company, the overwhelming bulk would favor working with a bigger company that has the manpower needed to fulfill all of their intricate needs. Software outsourcing gives a smaller company the luxury of having industry experts at their beck and call without having to keep these individuals on the staff continuously or permanently.

Increased manpower by way of software outsourcing is also profitable when companies desire to try to obtain larger projects. A company may spend years working on smaller projects because they do not possess the manpower to sufficiently finish bigger projects. Even so, realizing how to correctly make use of software outsourcing gives many smaller companies the confidence they require to start searching for more elaborate projects. This is valuable because these bigger projects will conclude in a higher rate of profitability.

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Don’t Ask Your Copywriter To Do Your Social Media

I’m always talking about communication.

Anybody who has seen my website will know that I help to give brands a voice, to take inanimate companies and give them a real sense of personality. After all, people love to buy things from other people, not faceless organisations.

And so it would be only natural to think that I had a particular interest in or affinity with social media. Entire platforms dedicated to communication, where businesses can just chat with their potential customers – you would think that I would enjoy that a whole lot.

I don’t. The truth is I shudder when a company asks me to ‘do’ their social media.

But it’s a problem with the question, not the platform.

Copywriting Sets The Foundation of Social Media

Like any copywriter, I have to get along with social media. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are important brand-building opportunities.

Some of my copywriting clients have asked me to write Tweets and Facebook posts for them, which I’m always happy to do. I can identify the right balance of posts across a month, covering different areas of the business, capitalising on hashtags and so on. I can also make sure that any mailers or website copy that I’ve written is cross-linked to encourage more traffic.

But that’s not the task that clients want. That’s just the start.

As a copywriter, I can sell things to people with words. I can give your brand a voice.

But for all of the metaphors and creative angles on what I do, I can’t actually bring your brand to life. The only person that can do that is, well, someone alive.

Match Social Media Copywriting With Somebody Social

Whenever a client asks me to ‘do’ their Twitter or Facebook, I tell them no – all I can do is help with it.

I can figure out a strategy that works. I can make sure that your social media fits into your overall communications. I can even write the ongoing posts that mean you don’t have to sit thinking of something clever to say at 3am.

I can make your conversations with customers an extension of your other marketing, taking an active role in building brand equity and – indirectly – driving sales. But if you’re going to be on social media, you need to be way more social than that.

Any business that cares about sales will at least attempt to drive them through social media, and I wouldn’t be much of a copywriter if I wasn’t willing to play a part in that. I can be a social media copywriter. What I am not is a social media manager – that’s a customer services employee that engages your customers and deals with incoming queries.

That’s the other half of the task. One never works properly without the other.

So sure, let me make a start. I’d love to help. But any business that really cares about its customers will make sure that when they get in touch on Facebook or Twitter, there’s a real person worth talking to on the other end of the line.

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Top 5 Small Businesses Android Apps That Boost Productivity

In the competitive world of booming economy, new and small businesses are searching for affordable yet effective ways to boost revenues. Android apps provide good options to such businesses to increase productivity as well as to its increase market share. Let’s take a look at the top 5 small business android apps that boost productivity:

Package Tracker Pro

This is a paid app that allows you to easily track your shipping packages. It caters to a host of shipping carriers like Aramex, Brazilian Post, Canada Post, City Link, DHL USA to name a few. The app offers package as well as parcel tracking along with tracking notifications and alerts via ringtones, email or LED. Besides, the app lets you to sync tracking list between the sync site and phone thus saving time on tracking. You can even email information, customize your carrier list and display package route map (if available). It has garnered a user rating of 4.6 as it is a highly customizable and intuitive app.

Cloud Print

This free app from Android allows you to print files from your Android device to your printer. Follow the configuration video to install Google Cloud Print Service on your computer. Not only this but you can share your printers with your friends, mail or sms printing, it offers an internal browser for file management, allows printing of webpages, and lets you print from the clipboard. Moreover, using the cloud print app you can print to any printer connected with Google Chrome along with sms and contact list printing. With an in-built feedback button in the app users can quickly report any operational issues to the developers. The app has a user rating of 4.6 as it is easy to install and offers free plus quick printing.

Documents ToGo

The free version of this app lets you view Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents while its paid version allows you to access Google docs and Adobe. The paid version has more features like it gives you the ability to edit, create and view Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. It also allows you to view PDF documents. It comes with an array of abilities like it permits desktop app for bi-directional synchronization with your device’s USB cable. You can easily move files from your windows PC to your Android device using their free desktop app. With a user rating of 4.2 the app helps to boost productivity by giving the functionality of a portable office.

PocketCloud Remote RDP/VNC

The app has a paid as well as free version depending on your usage. The app will let you access files and run apps on distant Windows or Mac computers from anyplace. The apps offer superior connectivity options, fast performance not only on Wi-Fi but on 3G/4G networks too and unparalleled security and reliability. It has been named as the best cloud mobile app for Android tablets by PCWorld. The app is easy to set-up and use and it comes with marked stability that lets you access your home computer from anywhere in the world. With a user rating of 4.5, the app provides easy to operate screen tools and has minimal lag.

Box

This is a free app that will permit you to easily access, share and edit documents and stay in-touch with your team members, from any device. It helps to build quick presentations, register comments and view updates from co-workers. As per statistics 92% of the Fortune 500 companies use Box for easy and secure data sharing. The app offers a safe platform to access, edit and manage files directly on your Android phone or tablet. It lets save content in it from other apps as well as save files to your SD card. It offers an interactive platform where you can invite your colleagues to share data and leave their comments. You can quickly search for content you wish for with Box. With a user rating of 4.4 this is just a zero-complaint Android app.

To sum it up

Android apps are a must have for every small business as they help to build relationships and loyalty with the customers. These productivity apps help you to connect with on-the-go customers and help to generate repeat business avenues. Android apps are the best and most affordable ways that small business can use to reach out to their consumers.

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Online Games – An Emerging Market

At least sixty percent of today’s young people turn to online games when they want to pass the time. Social Networking sites like Facebook and Orkut have completely revolutionized this niche and young people are hooked to it! One has only got to see how popular games like “FarmVille” are on Facebook to understand this.

Social Networking

There are online games where you have the option of spending money and playing and there are free games as well. There are also games which have both free versions as well as versions you have to subscribe for. Now contrary to what you might think, people aren’t exactly hesitating parting with their money to play online games.

Games which involve role playing have come up with yet another “payment mode”. Yes, I’m talking about what is known as “credits”. Earlier you could get credits for these games by progressing from level to level, but marketers are now monetizing the entire process. You can now purchase credits with real money!

In fact, social networking sites have majorly cashed in on this. There are about one hundred and forty games on Facebook and each of these games accept Facebook Credits. This form of currency basically allows enthusiastic gamers to purchase special items or weapons or something along those lines, to help them move ahead faster in the game. So whether you’re looking to buy points, avatars, pets or even homes, you can definitely count on Facebook credits!

Spoilt For Choice?

Now the question is, if you are new to the world of online gaming, then which games should you play? Of course word of mouth publicity is still the best form of publicity and you would tend to play a game that your friends highly recommend. Apart from that though, you can choose to visit sites which publish unbiased game reviews, so you can take your pick. Like onlinegamebuddy.com for example.

This site not only offers reviews, but now has its very own game – called Slime Army. This is a game which only experienced gamers should play. You can master it with ten hours of intense mental exertion and by overcoming each of the thirty six levels in the game. What you have to do is match a few slimes – three to be exact- of the same color and use this to fight the forces of evil of the Dark Alliance. Now if you’re a good player and can match more than three slimes of the same color, then you can basically enhance the strength of your character.

Neat, isn’t it? But this doesn’t mean that everyone is rushing to play online games and parting with their hard earned money to purchase credits. It is to cater to this market that sites like Facebook still have free games which are accessible to all. There are many free online games, one such example is Emusicon pinball- it has been developed by Sony Ericsson. So are you game for some online games today?

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