Looking for a new Laptop

If you are thinking of purchasing a new laptop, here is a great report that I found that can help you walk through the process. A couple of things to remember:

NAR offers discounts through their Member Benefits site. Dell, Lenovo and others participate. Check here for offerings.

Consider a Netbook if you are looking for lightweight and only need a device to reply to email and surf on the web. It is inexpensive and quite fun!

MakeUseOf.com – Laptop Buying Guide

Favorite Apps on my Blackberry

If you own a Blackberry then you’re probably appreciative of the amazing ease of use as a business tool. The keyboard makes sending and answering emails very easy. The ability to sync with your contact management system keeps your calendar, contacts and email at your fingertips.

Make sure your downalod the BlackBerry App World™ onto your Blackbery where most apps are found. http://appworld.blackberry.com

Here are some other apps to consider to make your blackberry an even more effective tool. Google offers a great collection of mobile applications, including Google Maps, Gmail, Docs, and Sync. Deciding which one to include here was a tough call–until I realized just how useful Google Mobile Updater can be. This tool allows you to install a variety of Google apps–including all the ones I just mentioned–to your phone, and notifies you when new products or updates to your existing apps are available. Go to m.google.com on your computer.

Put in your cell phone number and a text message will be sent to your BB. Click on the link and download the applications. The brand new version has a voice to text search on google. You can say “flight delays at JFK” and it will bring you to a web site to help you.

Social Media. Take your updates on the road with you. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Linkedin all have apps.

Facebook http://facebook.com/blackBerry

Twitter – Two popular ones are twitterberry and Ubertwitter.

http://orangatame.com/products/twitterberry/

http://www.ubertwitter.com

LinkedIn mobile is available for your Blackberry, Search profiles, send messages, receive updates from your network, and invite to connect. How to get it:

Go to m.linkedin.com on your phone’s web browser.

Flickr on your blackberry – Flickr Photo Uploader for BlackBerry smartphones

Last but not least.

Use your Blackberry as a Tethered Modem. http://www.junefabrics.com has a great app to do that. Plug your BB into the sync cord, and use PDANET for blackberries to dial your laptop into the internet.

Property Manager? Some great software advice

I was recently asked to review a post from a website called SoftwareAdvice.com

The post is titled:

Six Things Property Management Software Makes Easy

If you’re like most property managers, your work day is stuck in the 20th century. Rent checks are collected through a metal drop box. Brochures sit idly by outside of your office. Your web site consists of one page with a phone number, e-mail address and a few photos. Enough paperwork is collecting in your office to create a fire hazard.

I want to point out six things that property managers can really master in the 21st century, thanks to the latest property management software systems.

Here is the rest of the post . . . enjoy! Click here for Six Things Property Management Software Makes Easy

By Popular Demand – My Recent Quote

Whenever I speak to a group, I like to end the class with a quote that is relevant and something that has impacted me. My latest has created quite a following. I get asked for a copy at almost every class. So here it is for you to enjoy. You may have already read the author before . . . “anonymous.”

Thinking of Using Social Media in your Business?

As I speak around the country I am finding divided camps. People are either embracing Social Media, or they sit in my audience with their hands folded across their chest, so I guess, they haven’t been convinced that it is a good use of time. So let me put my first comment in writing, nice and big . . .

If you don’t have a strong business plan or model now Social Media will not help you

You need systems or an assistant. This post is not to tell you how to do that. (soon though). This post is to give you some new stats on who is using these tools and why you need to figure out how it fits in.

Facebook experienced the largest growth. People are enjoying catching up with friends, family and clients. Their increase was the largest. Check out some of the sites you may have never even heard of on the list. Last year, this list was entirely different.

This is why we need to engage on Social Media

Older users continue showing up on Facebook and social networking sites. Facebook saw an increase in visitors who are 55 and older, a whopping 108 percent in September 2009 compared with September 2008.  Overall U.S. visits to social networking Web sites from users who are 55 and older have increased 77 percent year over year. Visits from users 18 to 24 to social networking sites have decreased 33 percent year over year.

If we don’t keep up with the trends in Social Media now, will we be ready for what tools the first time buyers of tomorrow are using?