Real Estate Information

Company's customer data is compromised in iPad theft

Two iPads were stolen from online ticketing company Eventbrite, endangering customer data and emphasizing the security issues that come with mobile devices. "We know that having your personal data compromised is a violation of the trust you place in Eventbrite, and we offer you our deepest apologies," said CEO Kevin Hartz. The company remotely wiped data from the devices and has told its customers to be on the lookout for scam e-mails. The Huffington Post (9/30)

4 tips for saving money on card-processing fees

With news that Bank of America and other financial institutions plan to charge consumers a monthly fee to use their debit cards for purchases, merchants are looking for ways to reduce the costs that come with customer purchases, Diana Ransom writes. To save money, small businesses should try to negotiate card-processing fees, institute purchase minimums on credit cards and consider increasing prices, she writes. Entrepreneur.com (9/30)

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7 BBB tips for safe shopping online

If you're worried about getting scammed shopping online, you can always shop local, writes BBB's Vickie Sanders. But there are also ways to ensure you have a safe online shopping experience, including reviewing the company's privacy policy, checking a company's reliability report with BBB and keeping records of your purchasing activity. The Bakersfield Californian (10/1)

AMEX tips for keeping the cost of travel down

Business travel can be pricey, but savvy companies can keep costs down, according to American Express Global Business Travel. For example, companies should rely on their travel agency partners for booking trips and may be able to put the cost of unused tickets toward future trips. Keeping close tabs on travel expenses is key to managing them. BusinessNewsDaily.com (9/30)

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Virgin America uses social tools to foster trust

Airlines often leave consumers frustrated, but Virgin America is bucking that trend with its social business approach, which includes carefully monitoring and responding to feedback on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, writes Mark Fidelman. "Most brand messaging is diminished by indifference, and the superficiality eventually backfires. But Virgin stands out in its ability to maintain a positive altitude in the area of customer trust," said Yaacov Cohen of harmon.ie. The Business Insider (9/29)

How to get the most from the resources you spend on social media

Designating one person to head your company's social media efforts can help to improve your brand's outreach on social sites, David Clarke writes. Also, make sure every branch of your business is involved in your social media campaigns and tie your outreach efforts to hard metrics such as revenue. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (9/27)

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Bank of America to charge $5 monthly fee on debit cards

Bank of America plans to add a $5 monthly fee for some customers who shop with a debit card. The fee, which will start early next year, will apply to purchases made by debit cards and not to withdrawals from ATMs, mobile-phone transfers or online bill pay. Other lenders have instituted similar charges after a cap on debit-card transaction fees. The Washington Post (9/29), Reuters (9/29), USA TODAY/The Associated Press (9/30), Bloomberg (9/29), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/30)

Common travel scams and how to steer clear of them

Travel scams fleece Americans for more than $10 billion each year, according to BBB, and using a travel agency doesn't always offer protection. Consumers should be on the lookout for schemes such as deceptive pricing and timeshare scams, experts say. "Don't be pressured into buying when they tell you the offer is only good for next week. If it's a good deal today, it will be a good deal tomorrow," said John Breyault of the National Consumers League. FoxNews.com (9/28)

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Small businesses start to sell receivables for financing

Factoring -- a form of funding in which finance companies buy accounts receivables from businesses that need money -- has gained in popularity as bank loans have dried up. But factoring can also be more costly than other types of financing. "The key to a factoring or discounting decision is a complete analysis of all the financial implications of the decision. It's more complicated to analyze than a bank loan," said Bill Hettinger of the the Institute for Finance and Entrepreneurship. Bloomberg Businessweek (9/27)

4 ways to strengthen your business amid economic uncertainty

The economy is in trouble right now, but companies that take a wait-and-see approach risk getting left behind by those that pursue the opportunities that are available, writes Susan Schreter. Rather than staying on the sidelines, she recommends that companies look to build their customer bases, shore up their weaknesses and monitor customer payments. Fox Business Small Business Center (9/26)

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A plan for banks to regain consumers' trust

Research has shown that many consumers don't trust banks, and it will take an industrywide effort to reverse the trend, writes Jennifer Tescher of the Center for Financial Services Innovation. The center has come up with a four-part plan to build consumer confidence, such as by delivering consistent results and creating opportunities for members. "The financial services companies that will emerge from this challenging era as winners are those that reconnect with their values and communicate them to customers, not just with words but with deeds," she writes. U.S. Banker (9/2011)

Layaway revival shows value of giving customers more ways to pay

Customers may stay away from products they want if they don't like the payment options available to them, so consider adding new ones to attract more business, writes consultant Rafi Mohammed. For example, retailers such as Wal-Mart have resurrected layaway, a payment plan in which customers pay for products in installments, to attract customers who may not have access to credit. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (9/20)

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Internet services have a long way to go to build trust

Recent data-collection decisions by Facebook and OnStar have irked users by violating their trust, writes Michael Krigsman. Cloud services should remember to act transparently and that personal data belongs to users, he writes, and companies should read agreements to make sure they can trust services. Responding to criticism, OnStar dropped changes to its new privacy policy that would have allowed the company to track data about users who cancel the service. ZDNet (9/27), PC Magazine (9/27)

Safe Harbor 401(k)s don't carry tests that come with retirement plans

The last day to set up a Safe Harbor 401(k) this year is Saturday. Such plans allow businesses to skip the tests that come with traditional 401(k)s that small employers might fail. "The flexibility of the Safe Harbor 401(k) helps the small-business owner, and many employers can set up a 401(k) plan for a low monthly cost, depending on the size and complexity of the plan," said Janice Nearen-Bell of Paychex. BusinessNewsDaily.com (9/27)

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Why you need a Google+ presence now

Google+ offers many advantages for businesses such as the fact that, unlike Facebook, it is indexed by Google's search engine, Chris Brogan writes. The social network's Circles feature, which allows businesses to carefully target their communications, is another positive, he writes. While Google is still adding its business features, it's important to get in on the ground floor to make the most of the platform, Brogan writes. Entrepreneur.com (9/22)

Can't get capital from the bank? Try your customers

Businesses that can't secure traditional financing should consider turning to their customers for needed funds, Karen Axelton writes. Companies should offer tangible benefits to customers who contribute and explain how the money will help the business to grow, she writes. Crowdfunding websites such as Prosper.com can also allow companies to reach a wide range of potential investors. Grow Smart Biz (9/22)

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How to survive a data disaster

Businesses need to identify their most critical data to be prepared for crises, writes Jennifer Walzer of BUMI. "If disaster strikes, you want to make sure you can access the most critical data immediately," she writes. Companies make a number of mistakes when it comes to data protection, including failing to test their backups and not planning ahead, she adds. Small Business Trends (9/21)

Is a cash advance worth the risks?

For small-business owners unable to secure traditional financing, merchant cash advances can be tempting, but they also carry risks. Before taking an advance, experts recommend doing your research on the company, ensuring that you will be able to pay off the interest and considering the length of your business cycle. Inc.com (9/21)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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