From the category archives:

MK business tools

Selecting a smartphone

September 14, 2011   in   MK business tools

So you’re ready to take the plunge and join the millions of other smartphone users. But how do you choose among the variety of phones and operating platforms on the market? This article provides tips that will help you choose the right smartphone for your needs.

Look at market share: As of July 2011, these smartphone platforms have the largest market share in the U.S.:

    • Google, Android (41.8%)
    • Apple, iPhone (27%)
    • RIM, BlackBerry (21.7%)
    • Microsoft, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone (5.7%)

Of these platforms, Google Android and Apple iPhone market share are increasing, while RIM BlackBerry and Microsoft market share are decreasing.*

Find out what platforms your cell phone company offer: If you’re planning on staying with the same company, you’re going to be limited by the platforms your company offers. While most companies offer Android, BlackBerry, and Microsoft smartphones, only a few offer the Apple iPhone.

If you’re thinking of switching cell phone companies, make sure the company you choose offers excellent coverage in the areas you frequent. Though they would like you to think otherwise, not all cell phone companies’ coverage and the signal strength in their coverage areas is equal. All web-based applications (including Main Street Software’s Avenue) perform best with a strong signal. Do the research, look at companies’ websites, and ask your friends and colleagues who they use and if they’re happy. Remember to ask specifically about how their smartphone applications perform with a particular cell phone service.

Figure out what you want from your smartphone: If you want your phone to do everything under the sun, you’re going to want a good selection of applications (apps). App developers are going to put their efforts toward the platforms that have the most market share, so to get the widest variety of choices in terms of apps, you may want to stick with the platforms with the most market share.

If you’re only going to use your smartphone for basic tasks such as calling, texting, checking your email, and occasionally checking the weather, pretty much any smartphone will fit your needs. If you’re planning on using any web-based apps (including Avenue), you’re going to need a phone that can provide good performance. Remember that smartphones are actually mini computers. Faster processor speed translates into better performance (provided the cell phone signal is strong).

Do your homework: There are many online sites for researching smartphones. One we particularly like is phonescoop.com. This website provides the latest news about all types of phones, allowing you to get the latest information, compare phones, and get ratings.

Ask other smartphone users: Every body has an opinion. And while your husband’s mother’s best friend’s next door neighbor may not want the same things from their phone as you do, important information can be gained from doing a little casual asking around. You may uncover that one quirky feature that could end up being the deal breaker for you, or find out about an app you just can’t live without. Figuring out which platforms have it may help you narrow down your choices.

Try it out: Before you buy your smartphone, find out what the company’s return policy is. Most companies offer exchanges on phones within the first couple of weeks of purchasing. Make sure you have time to devote to using your phone extensively within the return period so that if you don’t like it, you can return it and get something else.

*Statistical information provided by the following article: comScore Reports July 2011 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

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Selling Mary Kay products can be the perfect career choice, especially for people who prefer flexible hours and enjoy connecting with customers. But to move your business from a sideline hobby to a profitable career requires attention to some key factors. This article provides fundamental guidelines that can make the difference between success and failure, from why Mary Kay products are a good choice to effective customer service techniques.

Your business success starts with the company and products you represent.
When you choose selling Mary Kay products as a career, you are choosing a reputable, high-quality product line from a stable, ethical, and successful company. Mary Kay has been providing high quality skin care and cosmetic products since 1963, and is a well-respected global leader in direct sales. Mary Kay as a company and Mary Kay executives have been directly involved with the Direct Selling Association (DSA), an established trade association that requires its member companies to follow best business practices and adhere to a strict code of ethics. And Mary Kay products stand on solid scientific research in collaboration with dermatologists and medical experts worldwide.

Selling products you use and love makes your job easier and much more fun!
Unless you’re a good actor, it’s hard to fake enthusiasm. But it’s easy to be genuine and passionate about products you use and love. If you have been using Mary Kay products for any time, you’re an excellent candidate for a successful career selling Mary Kay. Your knowledge and experience with the products as well as your passion for them is infectious, and will give your customers confidence that they’re buying tried and true products.

Treat your business with professionalism right from the start.
Success as an Independent Beauty Consultant requires you to keep track of myriad details regarding customers, inventory, time, and money. Computers have streamlined such tasks, and a professional-level software program that tracks the details for you is worth its weight in gold. Find out what software tools are available, especially programs that are designed for the Mary Kay industry. Then pick the right one, not the cheapest. Look at the reputation of the company, the software features, the frequency of upgrades and improvements, and customer service. A professional business management software program with excellent customer support puts a winning team on your side right from the start.

Get to know your customers as individuals.
Find out when their birthday and anniversary is. Pay attention to their likes and dislikes, what products they buy and how often. Then keep track of all these details meticulously in your software program. Personal service is one of the reasons customers like to buy from you rather than a department store, and the key to great personal service is anticipating your customers’ needs before they know they have them.

Manage your inventory effectively.
Besides your customers, your Mary Kay inventory is the next most important aspect of your business. Carry too much and you’ll tie up too much money on your shelf. But carrying too little means you may not have what your customers need when they need them. If you’re tracking your customers’ buying preferences, you’ll notice trends. This helps you set the right inventory levels and decide which products to stock. A good software program should allow you to look at your inventory and your customers’ product usage and give you the exact information you need.

Automate as many aspects of your business as you can.
You make money by servicing your customers, not by figuring out what you should be doing with your time or counting the products on your shelf over and over again. Notice the amount of time you spend on each aspect of your business and look for ways to streamline by using your computer and mobile device. Does the Mary Kay software program you chose have a calendar feature? Does it sync with a PDA? Can you generate invoices electronically? How can you better use web tools? Let your computer and PDA do their job so that you can concentrate on what you do best: interact with your customers.

Follow up with leads and customers.
You never know when you’ll meet a potential customer. Carry your marketing material with you and develop a way of recording information about each meeting or interaction. Remembering and recounting details about your first meeting and all subsequent interactions with a person tells them they are important to you, and indicates your dedication to customer service right from the start. Follow up on samples and, later, purchases to see how they like your products. Send them birthday cards and offer special discounts during their birthday month. From lead to customer, show them they are special. Chances are, they don’t get that kind of treatment from a department store.

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Avenue for BlackBerry smartphonesYou asked and we are delivering. Main Street Software, Inc. is excited to launch its new handheld application, Avenue! Avenue represents a direct approach; direct from your computer to your handheld. That’s right. Our applications don’t need an Internet connection to load.

Avenue is a stand-alone application for the handheld installations we offer. The latest in our line of handheld applications is Avenue for the BlackBerry. You’ll enjoy all the features we have offered previously for the Palm and Windows Mobile, plus you can dial direct from any phone number field.

Visit our website for more information and to order your copy!

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Springtime to LuAnn means carnations!This is the time of the year that we start booking Boulevard training sessions for springtime. If you are on the waiting list for a repeat visit, you will be contacted. If you can’t wait, or we haven’t been to your city yet, contact us now for first choice of dates.

If you are interested in hosting a training session,  just arrange for a location, help market the event, and we’ll do the rest! National Sales Director or large area events are given priority, but tend to fill quickly, so book them now. LuAnn and our Customer Service Representatives love seeing our customers for a face-to-face learning experience that changes how every attendee uses their Boulevard software.

You just never know what LuAnn will cover in each of these sessions – or what tips and tricks she’ll share from her 26+ years of Mary Kay experience. This is training like you cannot imagine so don’t miss out! Contact our trainings coordinator to see if we can visit your city in the spring of 2010.

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There’s no better time than the holidays to show your Mary Kay customers you’re thinking of them and appreciate their loyalty. Why not let Main Street Software help you with our postcard design and mailing service? Our postcards can promote your holiday open house, current or upcoming sale, or simply thank your customers for being part of a successful year.

Work with our designers to customize a postcard or series of postcards that are perfect for your Mary Kay business. Provide us with your mailing list and we’ll send them out for you. Just imagine what can happen when we work together to boost your sales!

Sample Custom Holiday Postcard

You can also view the birthday/anniversary postcards we have in stock to offer. These are great for your customers, team members/unit, family, and friends!

Already have cards you’d like to use? We’ll save you time by sending them for you.

Contact us today to begin the design process for your unique holiday postcard. You’ll love what we have to offer.

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Stamps.com saves you time

Stamps.com offers the ease of printing postage from home plus a $100 bonus offer!

It’s true! Ship, mail, and promote your beauty products right from your PC. Plus, no more worries about having the right postage on hand when rates change. Since you’re printing exactly what you need, you don’t have to worry about stamp denominations.

Make it easy on yourself and use Stamps.com for your business needs! Sign up for Stamps.com on our website.

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In tough times, we all need a pick me up. Your customers are no exception.  How about a special postcard to your customers reminding them that they are important; or celebrate your Mary Kay anniversary? How about offering them your own stimulus package to stimulate your business.

Why not have us custom design a postcard for you? Use this as an opportunity to do something special for your customers which will stimulate your economy. What a great way to end the seminar year! Learn more about our postcard service and view samples.

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