eBizBlog

Would you care to introduce yourself, explain who you are and why you're posting instead of Rob and Sheena? A blog is all about authenticity, transparency and a passionate voice. You're running zero for three, and I'm likely to look elsewhere.

Sure, I'll introduce myself to you. My name is Kyle and I am filling in temporarily for Rob and Sheena. I, myself, am a small business owner and I share some of the obstacles and issues in operating a business as many other SME's which I will try to provide some insight into in future blogs (in addition to other wealths of knowledge such as those that Sheena and Rob were able to blog in the past).

I am new to the "blog scene" and have previously offered consulting and advising towards e-business to clients and peers verbally.

This blog was intended to be strictly informative, but your constructive criticism offered is appreciated and I look forward in improving my blogs to attain your satisfaction.

- Kyle

"Filling in temporarily for Rob and Sheena". Does that mean they are coming back? I bloody well hope so. Everybody else is completely useless at that place. SO do you actually own a business or do you just philosophize about owning businesses. What is your business name??What exactly is your service??

"Filling in temporarily" meaning that I will be here until a permanent employee has been staffed here. My office hours are Mon-Thurs, 9-5. Please feel free to drop by, call the office line (604.775.7532) or you can email me.


I actually do own a businesses and a national automotive club. Although I won't state my business as it may be viewed to some people as means to advertise, I am in the field of providing a full range computing services (consulting, networking, web development, etc).

Hi there. I don't think we should be too hard on the new guy before he's had a chance to prove himself. He's in an unfortunate position – replacing two highly competent, trained-up people who had established excellent relationships with the community they were hired to serve. Rob and Sheena had become experts, and it was close to a miracle that for 3 years the government paid them to talk to us. Also, they are nice people-reasonable human beings-and were well liked.

So, it's not Skippy's fault. He's just the guy who lucked into a potentially good job. Besides, I understand there's a local newspaper story in development on this whole thing, so there's probably gonna be a lot of heat coming down.

I will say this: I wouldn't have taken this job, precisely because I know I don't know enough to feel confident I could teach others. And when I say that, I say it as someone who has used computers since 1975, who has written about technology for close to 20 years, who co-founded a Web company in December 1993, was Webmaster of an ISP in the mid-90s, have done multimedia productions for Science World and the Vancouver Museum, sold about US$50,000 on eBay and about $3,000 on Amazon, have had Google Ads, AND for the last four months I have been writing 15,000 words a month about Canadian business and tech - learning at an accelerated rate - and I know I'm only now coming up to speed on the topic. Frankly, I used to get lots of ideas from this blog and the other resources here.

Where Skippy (and I only call him that because, if he's the guy I saw behind the desk, well, I have shirts older than him. Maybe I'm a slob, though) got off to the wrong start was not giving a bit of a profile. He could've introduced himself, described his business experiences and income levels without naming his company (anyone who wanted to could've just Googled him anyway) in a much more appropriate way.

[Warning: sarcasm ahead]

HOWEVER, contact mangement software as a topic?

1. The last time I thought about that I was riding a dinosaur to work.

2. Contact software? You mean like in my $200 cell phone/PDA/email device/web browser with picture caller ID?

3. Maximizer? The company whose stock I lost a 4-figure sum on more than 6 years ago because Victor Li ran it into the ground?

4. Databases? Wow. I used to make those in the 1980s. I must get some Bananarama LPs again...

5. Now that you've brought us up to date on contact databases, any chance of a piece on Windows 95? I hear it's going to be great. Microsoft even paid the Stones to do the commercial. I can hardly wait to see it.

6. Hey, how about an e-mail tutorial? I think it's going to be big. Some day hundreds of messages a week will be exchanged that way.

7. I have more bon mots, but you get the idea.

Thanks for your opinions 'grouchomarks.' It made me smile. It's funny that you would call me Skippy, because my grandfather and his friends at the senior's home nickname me that.

Ok, ok, all joking aside. I do really appreciate your feedback since I am new at blogging and yes, I am in an unfortunate position as per the circumstances, but I do hope that this doesn't still overshadow your opinion of my knowledge of the industry. I will write up a proper profile for your reference.

From what you have stated about your background you seem like a knowledgeable and experienced person. The purpose of the ebizblog is to provide businesses with information about conducting business online and using technology towards their advantage to further their business. If you would like to offer any exerpts from your articles or would like to offer any information that can better the business of your peers, then by all means, feel more than welcome to e-mail me, and I'll ensure to quote you as the reference.

So, on to your gripe with contact management as a valid blog topic. Well, sir, I feel sorry that this blog didn't live up to your expectations, but please keep in mind that the ebizblog serves the general population. Meaning, some people are aware of contact management options and some aren't. Even then so, people whom are aware of contact management may not have efficient implementations of it and may require more knowledge about it. Answering questions at the eBC center I've come across many questions in regards to managing contacts and distribution groups, which indicates that this topic would still be valid, even in a high-tech world of today.

Not promomting Maximizer in any way, but rather clearing the air: Maximizer may have had its downs years ago, but today it's one of the leaders in contact management solutions.

Databases are used daily in many forms. They are still valuable tools, especially for the rest of the people in the general public whom aren't familiar with them.

I could bring you up to date with Windows 95, but unfortunately that is more of a software discussion rather than doing business online.

Maybe you have and I don't recall who you may be, but next you are in the Small Business Center, please feel free to introduce yourself. One of my job descriptions is to maintain the ebizblog and provide informaiton for all business. I intend to continue this, but as always, your contructive criticism is appreciated.

Thank you,
Kyle

I hate to break up your little tea party you two, but I have to put in my 2 cents worth.

Could you please put aside your, hmmmm...shall I say egos or testosterone? just for a minute!

Contact databases are alive and well in the non-techie world. They serve many a purpose for many a business not the least of which are managing email marketing campaigns, recording communications between employees, and between customers and employees.

I always want point people towards online databases. But who are they, where are they, how are they. And small business is the target here.

Any suggestions?

Hi Lara,

A couple options include QuickBase, Intranets and Alpha 5.

I've had experience implementing QuickBase and Intranet's solutions in the past and I've liked both. They are both fairly simple to setup and maintain. Pricing wise, Intranet's solution is a bit more economical, but by no means lacking in features/functions. Client support for both solutions is very good.