The Cloud and Mobile Demystified: Good For Your Business?

The Cloud and Mobile Demystified: Good For YOUR Business?John Foley, Jr. | Grow Socially | 2012

Presented by John Foley, Jr.CEO, interlinkONE and Grow Socially

The Cloud and MobileDemystified: GoodFor YOUR Business?Tuesday, October 9th 2012


First… THANK YOU!

• For Being Here!

• For Being Willing to Learn and Engage!

• For Liking My Boston Accent!


Today’s Overview

• Brief Introduction

• The Communications Landscape: Untethered!

• The Cloud: What You Need to Know

• Mobile: Technologies & Strategies to Grow Your Business

• Final Thoughts and Questions


Brief Introduction


Intro: John Foley, Jr.

• Grow Socially– Online Marketing/Social

Media– Plan, Manage, Execute and

Measure– Booth 1072

• interlinkONE– Enterprise Marketing

Management Software– Plan, build, manage,

execute and measure all marketing activities

– Booth 1071

I love Mar(H)keting!


Keep Your Phone On!

• Feel free to Tweet, Post, Update, Email, take notes, photos, and more!

@JohnFoleyJr#GraphExpo


Let’s Connect Later!

• Visit us at Booth 1071 and 1072!

• We are in the Marketing Pavilion.


Books to Help You Grow Your Business

Printers – Business Transformation

Mailers, Fulfillment providers– Business Transformation

All Businesses – Untethered Marketing: Mobile and the Cloud


Get Involved!

• Grab your handout card! I want feedback!

I hope you’ll participate!!


Ready to Get Involved?

• POLL Question #1:

How many mobile devices (smartphones/tablets) are currently owned by your

household?View Results: http://ilnk.me/GRResult1

http://ilnk.me/GRResult1



The Communications Landscape: Untethered!


The Way We Communicate is Changing

• “Kitchen Table Effect”

• Generational Differences


Hardware Is Driving Changes


Our Phones Continue to Get “Smarter”

• Better Cameras• Bigger Screens• Easier Navigation• NFC


Apps Are Driving Changes


eBooks & eReaders: As Common as Gerber


This Untethered Approach = Big Data

• “The sheer volume of data created by U.S. companies alone each year is enough to fill ten thousand Libraries of Congress.”

– SAP CEO Bill McDermott, May 2012.

Infographic:“Data: Every Minute of the Day!”

Source: Mashable

Source URL: http://ilnk.me/11e89


What Does this Mean For Business?

• Companies Need Better Ways:– Store Data– Search Data– Mine Data for Valuable Sales & Marketing Insights– Reach the Mobile Audience– Satisfy the needs of the “On-the-Go” Consumer


The Cloud:What You Need to Know


Defining the Cloud

• “Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network.”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing


Video About the Cloud

• Possible Videos to Use:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eq3Sj1GGs8

• Or..

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTNgV0O_oTg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eq3Sj1GGs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eq3Sj1GGs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTNgV0O_oTg


Practical Ways we Use the Cloud Each Day

File Storage and Sharing

Uploading Pictures

SAAS: Campaigns, QR Codes, Web-to-Print

Taking Notes at Conferences

Email: Work & Personal


Defining The Cloud: Illustration


What Does the Cloud Mean to Your Business?

• For a moment, think for about assets such as:– Databases– Servers– Software Applications– Intranets

• Where do they currently reside for your business?


Illustration: Without the Cloud

• Let’s say you needed a place to live.

• You could either:– Build a house– Rent an apartment


If you built the house…

• You would need to:– Prepare and know ahead of

time how much you plan to grow – how many kids, how many rooms, how many pets.

– Be prepared to handle all maintenance.

– On the plus side, you could customize it as much as you want.


But if you rented an apartment…

• You would have flexibility:– Start with one unit... then expand

or downsize easily.

– No need to worry about maintenance.

– Benefit from the infrastructure that the builder created.

– Just pay your rent and utilities – for what you need.


Let’s connect that illustration to the cloud

You have the choice:• Building Your Own House:

– Buy your own servers– Hire an IT team to keep them up, perform regular

maintenance, & be in charge of security.

• Rent an Apartment– Rent space on servers in massive data center– Reduce the amount of IT resources you need to own– Focus on your core competencies!


Why Are Companies Moving to the Cloud?

Reasons listed in CompTIA July 2012 survey:

• 50% because of a desire to cut costs• 44% because IT says it’s a better option• 43% because it reduces capital expenditures• 42% because it enables modernization

of legacy IT systems.

Source: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2890-cloud-computing-robust-growth.html

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2890-cloud-computing-robust-growth.html


Long-Term Approach – with Benefits

Source: http://mashable.com/2011/12/11/cloud-computing-business-infographic/

http://mashable.com/2011/12/11/cloud-computing-business-infographic/


Wait! Are there any potential drawbacks?

• Fear of Unavailability: If it goes down, you’re more helpless than if you have own the equipment.

• Data Ownership and Data Exchange: If your cloud provider goes out of business, what happens?

• Giving up Some Control: Allowing other people/companies to have authority to handle your data.


How Your Business Could Benefit: Example 1

• Software Solutions: SAAS Models

– Campaign Management– Order Fulfillment / Inventory Management– Mobile Solutions: Websites, QR Codes– Digital Asset Management

• Those all require data, up-time, scalability… and the Cloud can deliver that affordably through SAAS.



• Improve Customer Service

– Use a Cloud/SAAS-based CRM system

– Allow reps to access key data anywhere, anytime.

– Provide online forums that contain text, images, videos, PDFs, training documents, and more. Store it in the Cloud and make it easy for your customers to access it.



• Grow At Your Own Pace

– Transforming your business into a provider of many marketing services means you will hold more data, and need hardware and services.

– Rather than investing into your own equipment with everything you might need some day, take advantage of the Cloud to expand as you Grow...

– … and get Started quickly and affordably!


Final Thoughts on the Cloud

• It may not be right for every application that your business needs right now. But there are many benefits:

• Saves Time

• Reduces Cost/Investment

• Less Glitches to Worry About

• Better/Fancier Technology

• Mobilization

• Consumers Are Trending There

• Social Network Data is There

• No Need for Hardware Hiccups

• Reduce IT Expenses

• Grow at your own Pace

Top 10 Benefits


Mobile: Technologies & Strategies to Grow Your Business


Ready to Get Involved?

• POLL Question #2:

Which mobile solutions has your company utilized/provided?

View Results: http://ilnk.me/GRResult2




Mobile is Shaking up Marketing!

• Mobile Devices (Smartphones, Tablets)

• QR Codes

• Near Field Communication (NFC)

• SMS/Texting

• Augmented Reality


Smartphone Sales

• In 2012, 657 million smartphones predicted to be sold, up from 459 million in 2011 (JP Morgan)


Smartphone Adoption

50% Smartphone Adoption in the U.S.


Smartphone Domination on Web Browsing

Source: Morgan Stanley


Big Brands Are Moving Forward with Mobile

June 6th, 2012, http://www.dmnews.com/walmartcom-ceo-mobile-is-the-future/article/244569/

“We have to embrace these changes. What we have to do is provide anytime, anywhere access. The customer

is demanding that.”


• Let’s chat about how you can effectively integrate mobile for your organization and other customers!

Now…


HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT: QR CODES & THE MOBILE WEB


Proprietary vs. Non-Proprietary


How Can They Be Used?

• Let’s look at some QR Code solutions in action!


PURL, QR Code: Registration Page


GURL, QR Code: Registration Page


For Self-Promotional Efforts


To Promote Product Launches


To Drive Sales

• Mailer for buying tools online

• Included two response mechanisms


Appointment/Scheduling


Fundraising/Donations


Tip: Shorten the URL!


Tip: Provide Clear Directions

http://qreateandtrack.com/2011/07/27/how-much-space-around-a-qr-code/directions_image_qrcode/


Tip: Important! Include Padding

http://qreateandtrack.com/2011/07/27/how-much-space-around-a-qr-code/colored_qrcode/


Tip: Mobilize the Website


Tip: Test, Track, Measure


What To Look for In a Creator

• Can you change the URL?• Does the solution shorten the URL?• Bulk-Upload Capability• Measurement and Tracking?


Creating QR Codes for PURLs

• Upload Your Mailing List• Generate the PURLs• Export the list, including the PURL

http://www.theQRToolKit.com


Huge Key: Provide a Mobile Website!

= Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23844524@N03/5002051362/


Mobile Website Goals

• Quick Loading Time

• Easy to Read

• Simple Interaction

• But Still RelevantAnd Useful!


Key Thoughts Before Building

• Treat the needs of the “on-the-go” user differently than those of a desktop/laptop browser.

– On-the-go or in a rush– Extremely interested in the offer –

help them take immediate action.


Tip: Include Forms to Capture Data

• Simplify Forms: Limit Use of Open-Ended Questions, # of fields in general.


Final Thoughts

• QR Codes can work successfully – but you must follow best practices

• Mobile websites must be simple, but they can also be a great way to capture leads, generate sales, and more.


HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT: SMS/TEXT-MESSAGING


Why Talk About SMS?

• “It takes 90 minutes for the average person to respond to an email. It takes 90 seconds for the average person to respond to a text message.”

Source: Mobile Marketing Association


SMS/Texting: Plenty of Uses!

• Text-to-e-Mail campaigns• Subscription text alerts• Voting/Polling• Mobile fan clubs• Premium SMS sweepstakes• Corporate marketing

Over 90% of texts from SMS

messaging campaigns are

read by recipients, generating average

response rates of 15%-30% or

more!Source: Mobile Marketing Association


SMS/Text: Example 1

• Users were encouraged to opt-in to receive weather-related mobile notifications based on their ZIP code.

• Helped ACE to build their database too!


SMS/Text: Example 2


Adding SMS to Your List of Services

• Need ability to send outbound messages

• Need ability to use Shortcodes to accept SMS Responses

• Understand SMS/Opt-In Rules: It’s key to start building the mobile/SMS database now!


HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT: AUGMENTED REALITY


Augmented Reality Becoming Accessible

Source: Juniper Research


Interactive Print & Mail: Layar

Watch the video: http://ilnk.me/LayarVideo

http://ilnk.me/LayarVideo


Using Layar to Augment Reality


Getting Started with AR

• Start experiencing it yourself – download the Apps, test, play, & get inspired!

• Check out Kevin Keane’s list of AR apps

• Augment your own material.

• Start talking about it to clients!


HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT: NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION


NFC: Lots of Potential Uses!

• “Near field communication, or NFC, allows for simplified transactions, data exchange, and connections with a touch”.


Tap To Connect!


Getting Started with NFC

• Check if you have a phone that is NFC-enabled

• Sign up for news sites and Google Alerts that mention and highlight NFC campaigns

• Start mentioning it to your clients!


MOBILE PAYMENTS


Square

• Easily accept credit cards from mobile devices

• 2.75% per swipe – no other fees


Custom Apps


Mobile Payments & You

• Ideas for putting Square to use:– Sales at conferences, trade shows, Chamber of Commerce

events, etc.

– Point of sale jobs at the shop

– Big benefit: demonstrates to customers that you are paying attention to and moving forward with new technologies!


SELLING MOBILE SOLUTIONS


How Do You Make $ on QR Codes?

• Help Customers in Their Mobile Strategy

• Custom QR Code Design

• Mobile Website Creation

• Build a Database!

• Reporting, Analyzing, Strategy

• Put it in a Campaign!


Before You Start Selling…

• Is your website mobile-optimized?

• Smartphones for demos

• Understand limitations & advantages.

• Add “mobile marketing” to your business strategy and marketing plans!


How you can promote it

• On your website

• On your social networks

• QR Codes on print

• Email efforts

• Webinar Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63299638@N00/2847937438/


Sales Opportunity #1

• QR Codes need mobile sites! There are plenty without.



• Any printed piece/mailing with a URL that may reach the growing mobile audience.



• Any customer that has a website that is not mobile-optimized.


Final Thoughts on Mobile

• Smartphones and Tablets are Disruptors… and they are here to stay!

• QR Codes are best way today to integrate print, mail, and and mobile.

• Think outside the box with NFC, Augmented Reality, and SMS.

• Start talking about mobile to your customers today!


Final Thoughtsand Questions


These Are Game-Changers: We Must Adapt


Build an Untethered Marketing Strategy

• Take stock of current investments (active or planned) in hardware and software.

• Aggressively investigate options for utilizing Cloud/SAAS before investing.

• Start taking steps to reach the growing mobile audience in your own marketing efforts!

• Become the Mobile Services Provider to your clients.


Untethered Education

• Continue to stay up-to-speed on Technology.

• Sources:– Mashable.com– MobileMarketer.com– iFlyMobi.com


Final Thought

• If you want your organization to move forward successfully and to thrive, you must be:

An Agent of Change


Q & A / Contact Me!: http://ilink.me/JR

iFlyMobi.com

QR Code


Have More Questions?

•Visit http://interlinkONE.com

http://interlinkone.com/


THANK YOU!

The Cloud and Mobile Demystified: Good For Your Business?

Business

growing mobile

registration

driving changesthe

qr code

qr codes

2012 final

moving forward

field communication