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UPCOMING:
How do you use new technologies 06 to improve your business? Entrepreneurs talk about software and tech improving their work and efficiency
AUG
ServiceMeetup
AUG
Savvy Networking with Ease
SEPT
Ignite Edmonton Festival
12
9-10
Learn from industry leaders about how technology can help your business Where: Jobber (#400 10520 Jasper Ave.) When: 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free. Tickets at servicemeetup.com
Learn how to boost your internal and external networking Where: Advanced Technology Centre (9650 20 Ave.) When: 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $75. Tickets at styleforsuccess.com/training
Explores intersections between culture, business, generations and teams Where: Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Ave.) Admission: $599. Tickets at igniteedmontonfestival.com
For more great events, visit capitalideasedmonton.com/edmontonevents.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY: JOSH SPURRELL
Josh Spurrell, president of Spurrell & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants (spurrell.ca) uses new technologies to make things easier for both employees and clients. “Our firm has made significant investments in infrastructure to facilitate remote access, remote collaboration and remote monitoring for employees. This allows our employees to work just as efficiently outside of the office as they can at the office. We also utilize several cloud technologies to ensure our clients can sign documents, authorize all cash disbursements, access all of their business records, and essentially run their business from their smartphone.” “The real estate industry is typically one of the first businesses to embrace new technology. In so many ways it makes our job easier and more efficient. Older technology such as digital photos and our national website enable us to reach millions of customers in mere minutes with quality information. We have recently begun accepting electronic signatures that help us greatly in maximizing the time of our agents. We can reach around the world and obtain valid signatures on contracts with ease.” — Les Phillips, associate broker at Remax Excellence — lesphillips.ca “I use new technologies to be more efficient with myself and my client’s work. Technology has also progressed to help ease the time to find an effective solution to a problem.” — Kevin MacDonald, business consultant at L6S Business Consulting Inc.— L6SBC.ca “There’s such a huge flood of tech development that I only adopt new tech that provides a significant improvement in my productivity or reach. This means that I am cautious to take on new tech and like to get reviews from early adopters that I trust before investing the time and money myself.” — Lauren Sergy, owner of Up Front Communication, laurensergy.com
“We are constantly searching for and evaluating new technologies to automate highly repetitive, low skill tasks. Our current automated processes allow us to make over 40 different versions of our video games for different platforms with just a few clicks.” — Trent Oster, president of Beamdog — beamdog.com “I love the cloud. As a business coach, I have to share files and store information that the clients are working on so that we can keep track of where we are at and what we are doing. I use Dropbox and to a lesser degree Google Drive to store and share files. Another great time saving technology is Skype. I meet with my clients and it saves me several travel hours a week.” — Laurie McNaughton, business and executive coach at Action Coach — actioncoach.com/lauriemcnaughton “There are only two ways technology can help a business: improve efficiency, or improve effectiveness. We guide our clients to measure all of their ideas and reject any technology investments that do not clearly achieve one of these two outcomes.” — Lindsay Dodd, CEO of Savvia — savvia.com
These answers were in response to a question posed by Marnie Stretch, Top 100 ProAdvisor and owner of ThinkQuickBooks (thinkquickbooks.com) as part of our Community Question series. Here’s what she’s using to improve her business: “Just last week, I learned that RBC will now accept a snapshot of a cheque for deposit, right from their app. It’s fantastic that we have so many ways to be mobile. Gone are the days of being tied to a desk doing data entry. I can now work and more efficiently manage the data of my clients anywhere there’s an Internet signal, whether it be Alberta, Quebec, or California. My favourite tool is definitely QuickBooks Online Accountant.” If you’ve got something you’d like to ask Capital Ideas members, you can submit your own question at capitalideasedmonton.com/ask
Roundup: Recent posts from Capital Ideas members From “6 essentials of a high converting landing page” by Peter Hart, director at Rapid Boost Marketing (rapidboostmarketing.com): “If your landing pages are solving problems and answering questions, at the same time attractive, have the correct content, and the right elements, you can convince your visitors to make a purchase.”
From “Why You Should Target ‘A Players’ Right Now” by Jason Bekdashe, principal of TransparentC (transparentc.ca): “They’re not even actively mining their relationships for potential work. The trick is to get their attention, and employer branding is a key piece to this.”
From “Building a Great Workplace” by Ted Kouri, principal at Incite Marketing (incitemarketing.ca): “I believe it’s the not so easily seen operating principles and beliefs that truly drive us. There are three key lessons we’ve learned that are critical to how we operate and are important reasons why Incite is a great place to work.”
Find the full posts on these members’ LinkedIn profiles or at their website. We’ll curate a selection every Friday in our LinkedIn group, Capital Ideas Alberta. To bring yours to our attention, email it to hello@ capitalideasedmonton. com or post to LinkedIn with the hashtag #capitalideas.
“We designed an innovative state-of-art online communication platform to maximize businesses productivity. We focused on ensuring any business has the flexibility to customize communication and the access to the expertise to overcome the challenges of executing on strategy, development of vision and focus on their business objectives to prosper in today’s economic times. The platform allows for faster, more engaged focus with interactive communication.” — Lisa Patrick, CEO of Convention Business Travel — conventionbusinesstravel.com “With our business, the internet allows us to connect and service our clients faster and more efficiently. We can receive funds immediately and we can update our accounting online. The drivers can find locations easier through mapping on the phones. We are able to go anywhere in the world and still be connected to our business. The technology in our vehicles make the customers experience the ultimate.” — Suzan Burtic, president of Legends Limousine — legendslimousine.ca
CAPITAL QUESTION: Why do you think it’s important for businesses to give back to the community? There are many reasons entrepreneurs choose to support their community ranging from very broad business goals to personal passions and connections, which is why Wellington Holbrook, executive vice-president of ATB Business, is curious to hear from you: Why does your business give back to the community? You can answer the question in two ways: • Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re a member, or • Visit capitalideasedmonton.com We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on August 5.
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