Eco Invasion

Each ecosystem has its own balance of plants and animals established over long periods of time. When non-native species from other ecosystems are introduced this can devastate these environments by reducing biodiversity, altering genetic diversity and transmitting exotic diseases to the species already in the ecosystem. Hot zones for non-indigenous species have occurred in places such as Florida where aquatic habitats have been drained or modified to make way for development. Aquarium releases, government bio-control, planting fish for sport fishing and international trade also contribute the rise of invasive species. The most invasive species in the world is quite possibly humans. Tourism and trade brings ships, jets, supplies, people and alien species to every corner of the world faster and more frequently then would occur in nature.

http://www.eco-pros.com/invasive_non-native_species.htm

GM Foods

"In 2006, 252 million acres of transgenic crops were planted in 22 countries by 10.3 million farmers. The majority of these crops were herbicide- and insect-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and alfalfa. Other crops grown commercially or field-tested are a sweet potato resistant to a virus that could decimate most of the African harvest, rice with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes." Improved taste and quality, reduced maturation time of crops, increased crop nutrients and stress tolerance, improved resistance to disease, pests and herbicides are among the many benefits of genetically engineered food products.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml

Tech Essentials for Business

According to Entrepreneur.com there are ten tech essentials that every new businesses needs and while technology can be expensive, this article lists a number of ways to stretch your business dollar and not break the bank.

It is amazing to think at one time to run a business all you needed was a pen, paper, calculator and somewhere to put cash, now everything is being done electronically. Having a strong technology base can help to make a business more efficient and stronger than its competitors.

The top ten tech essentials are:

1. Desktop Computer

2. Broadband Connection

3. Laptop

4. Smartphone

5. Website

6. Accounting Software

7. Office Suite Software

8. Printer

9. Data Back Up

10. Internet Marketing

Check out the website below for more info.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneursstartupsmagazine/2009/june/202006.html

~Angela

Live Chat - The New Online Salesperson Helping Businesses

According to this article found on CNN.com, online sales chats are helping online businesses increase sales and rapport with their customers. They are even helping to seal the deal with those sometimes hard to sell sales.

Online web chats and IM's have been popular in the past, but this old technology has undergone a recent face lift and has emerged as the face and voice of many businesses personal salesperson, ready to help a customer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only thing about this salesperson is that you can not see them, shake their hand or look into their eyes and see if that deal they are giving you really is true.

Many online businesses have made online sales chat a part of their website or e-commerce site. These online salespeople can answer questions about products, find information on pricing and approach potential consumers by offering guidance and assistance. With the addition of online sales chat, some businesses have seen increases of sales of 10% in just a short amount of time.


~Angela

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/03/technology/live_chat.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2007100408

Tweet, Tweet!

Twitter, created in 2006, is a social networking site that allows users to send messages of 140 text characters (known as tweets) to one another and to people who are registered to receive one's updates. Originally created as just a social networking site to exchange quick snippets of ones daily activities, thoughts and ideas, Twitter has expanded its role by helping business owners. In this post the author describes ways that Twitter can be useful to a business including brand extension, team building, and fast sharing of information, news and ideas.

Check out these two articles about how Twitter has been helping businesses grow.

~Angela

http://www.whitepapersource.com/marketing/how-twitter-is-helping-businesses/

http://sweton.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/twitter-applications-helping-in-optimizing-your-business/

Smart Phone really is smart!

The smart phone is a Mobile device that allows the user to have access to a variety of different applications including email, Internet access, keyboard, music, texting, and of course making and receiving phone calls. Even though it is small it is mighty as well. Most people think of smart phones as mini computers because they share many of the same capabilities, but as you can see the smart phone is much, much smaller. A number of business owners are using their smart phones to conduct their business from any location. As you can see in this commercial from AT&T, as long as you have your smart phone you can move your office anywhere- even on a bus!

~Angela

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S14UYqBZcug

Coco-Luxe!

In this video Coco-Luxe owner, Stephanie Marcon, describes has she uses the technology of today to help her small business grow. Coco-Luxe is a small business the specializes in chocolates and confections. They have used numerous technologies to help expand their business and make working easier and more efficient. Stephanie has implemented computer programs to track expenses, track inventory and for sales and purchases. She uses graphic design software to create her unique packaging and to create custom works of art for her clients. She recently expanded to the word wide web by creating an e-commerce website so that people from all over the world can get her delicious treats delivered right to their front door. All I have to say is yum!

~Angela

http://www.bnet.com/2422-19516_23-256076.html#