VerusNova

Total Organizer - a freeware tool to store your personal information divided into folder tree structure and tags. Calendar, organizer, to-do list, notebook and contact manager software (PIM).

ScreenSteps - takes the drudgery out of creating visual, step-by-step software tutorials/guides. With ScreenSteps you can communicate software instructions clearly and quickly.

To Do list software is very subjective to how you work and what fits into your style…
I have tried many todo list apps including: Voo2do, Todoist, Toodledo, and even DontForgetTheMilk…..

VitaList is still my favorite. I had temporarily abandoned it to try some others, but I keep coming back.

It integrates with my Google Calendar (iCal); it sends me email and SMS reminders; I can group actions by project and context; it has a mobile web version; and it is color-coded

Vitalist is perfect for anyone needing to get things done. Easily organize your actions and projects online. From grocery lists to business projects, track it all with Vitalist.
New iPhone Version at iPhone.Vitalist.com

PS - Nozbe looks real good too…but would not be free for how I would use it. I may give it a whirl though to see if it is better suited for my purposes.

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Web Form Factory is an open source web form generator which automatically generates the necessary back-end code to tie your form to a database. By generating the backend code for you, WFF saves you time… time you could spend doing more creative stuff.

You can generate a database form, or an email form. Just create the HTML file in Photoshop, or other software and then use this service.

Nourish is a new site that will convert any RSS feed to an Email newsletters for free.

Nourish is a next generation newsletter service which allows you to take any RSS feed from content you publish (like a blog), and convert it into an automated email newsletter your readers can subscribe to.

Nourish allows you to manage as many campaigns as you want. Each campaign represents a different newsletter that your readers can subscribe to. Managing a large list of subscribers is effortless. The opt-out process, as well as subscribing/unsubscribing to individual campaigns can be completely automated. While many of your readers may not be familiar with RSS, almost all of them are familiar with email. Expand your subscriber base by delivering your content in a format familiar to them.

Using widgets on your current website or blog that are tied back to your Paypal account is about the simplest way to sell something I have seen. This is especially a great tool if you have one or two products that you sell regularly.

Create your own online store with the PayPal storefront. Upload products, set prices, and start selling on your website or blog.
There is a great FAQ that will get you up and running in just a few minutes.

PS - At this time, the PayPal Storefront is not available for MySpace.

Here is a new service I recently looked at and will likely use in my business - PayCycle.

Here are some features/benefits:

• Do payroll online in minutes
• Pay employees & payroll taxes
• Instant checks, direct deposit & W-2s
• No desktop software hassles
• No tax tables to update
• Low monthly fee
• Now even include Nanny/Homecare Payroll

PayCycle Works with QuickBooks & Peachtree. There is an online demo - give it a try.
If you are looking for an easy payroll software - sign up for the 30 day trial you won’t be sorry.

You can do payroll online in minutes. Our built-in payroll calculator instantly creates your paychecks. Do paycheck printing on your own printer, directly from our website. Or use our free direct deposit.

BONUS:
For VerusNova Readers: FREE 30 Day Trial + 10% Off! Learn More

Test Everything lets you enter a URL and test any given site in many categories such as SEO, pagerank, text and images, etc.

Get Great Tickets on StubHub.com!

Acuity Scheduling - easy to use online appointment scheduling

DimDim - free shared desktop web meetings

Yugma - An easy-to-use, affordable shared desktop web collaboration service that works on Windows, Mac and Linux

Dropsend - Easy file transfer; Send large files of up to 1GB; free plan available

Wrike - An integrated online project management solution that helps you manage projects, teams and businesses

SpringNote - online notebook and mini-Wiki

Sky-Click - Setup your Free Click to Call Center

iHound - track devices by alerting you when your USB digital device is connected to another computer

Doodlekit - an online FREE website builder that helps you build a personal or business website.

NanoScan - Scan your PC for viruses, spyware, Trojans, etc. right from your homepage.

Web Album Generator - a software program that creates all the HTML, JPEG thumbnails, and CSS for your online photo albums

Linkrr - a tool that changes your non-clickable multiple links to clickables

I have compiled a list of “success snippets” from various sources and on occasion my own experiences and advice I received.
I believe that these are essential to becoming a successful business owner and entrepreneur. Some are related to each other — to be sure — but each has something significant to impart.

1. Take that first step; take action
2. Learn to take the “No”s with the “Yes”s
3. Stay true to your mission (statement)
4. Ask for what you want
5. Find a way to differentiate what you do or your products
6. Treat others with respect, always
7. Trust your instincts
8. Sell yourself first, no one will buy from you if they don’t like you (period)
9. Start small — Dream big
10. Ensure your business model is scalable
11. Choose your company name wisely
12. The single most important business activity is - Networking
13. You must believe in (and use if applicable) what you are selling/offering
14. Know your customers
15. Listen to your customers — give them what they want
16. Word-of-Mouth is still the best advertising method
17. Reinvest most of your earnings into the business
18. Don’t try to do it all by yourself; Find and hire experts
19. Get a mentor
20. Understand and apply the basic principles of money management
21. Be Persistent
22. Study other successful people
23. Invest in yourself - get more skills, education, and knowledge
24. Learn something new everyday
25. Know the difference between risk, and calculated risk (i.e. research beats luck)
26. There are riches in niches - find an unfulfilled desire or a problem in that niche and solve it
27. Focus on your core offerings - don’t spread yourself too thin
28. Communicate thoroughly, clearly, and frequently with team members, employees, and customers
29. Choose your partners wisely
30. It’s not just about the work - Play, Have Fun
31. Surround yourself with the best people
32. Never underestimate the power of a good idea
33. The only way to conduct business - is ethically
34. You are your brand!
35. Always aim for the win-win
36. Do what you love
37. Don’t second guess those tough decisions
38. Do what you say you are going to do
39. The trend is your friend
40. Study other businesses and learn how they make money
41. Identify spin-off opportunities
42. Don’t let your expenses outrun your income
43. Adapt or die
44. Identify mistakes early and change course
45. You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, so - Listen twice as much as you speak
46. Establish rapport upfront
47. Seek continuous incremental improvement (kaizen)
48. Be willing to make mistakes; be willing to fail
49. Always have a backup plan
50. Follow-up is the key to great customer relations
51. The world is Flat
52. When speaking: make eye contact; use their name; smile
53. Quash instant-gratification: don’t let short-term rewards distract you from your long-term goals
54. Pay attention to the details
55. Sell more by removing people’s obstacles
56. If something works, do more of it (and vice versa)
57. It’s cheaper to keep a current customer than acquire a new one
58. Under-promise and Over-deliver
59. Give something back
60. Believe in yourself!

BONUS:
Read The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris

==> Click here for your Free eBook - Million Dollar Habits

Time is the most precious resource for any consultant or sole proprietor. The CardScan Small Office / Home Office Solution helps you spend less time locating contact information and reaching out to contacts – and more time cultivating the relationships that lead to initial sales and continuing business.

CardScan is a small desktop device that quickly and accurately reads the printed information from business cards, email or internet contact data into the fields of a powerfully searchable, highly compatible contact database.

Turn your business cards into digital contacts. Find out Which CardScan business card reader is right for you!

Here are 15 sites I found useful in the past few weeks:

Qrimp is smart on-demand software that simplifies the automation of business processes - and make Web Apps in a Snap!

Net Tools is a comprehensive (and free) set of host monitoring, network scanning, security, administration tools and much more, all with a highly intuitive user interface.

The port forwarding tester is a utility used to identify your external IP address and detect open ports on your connection.

blist is the world’s easiest database

ShipGooder - search for rates from FedEx®, UPS®, DHL®, Purolator®, the U.S. Postal Service®, Canada Post® and local carriers.

Spot Merchant - Create an e-commerce business with this professional and easy to use web2.0 store

Tersus is a Visual Programming Platform for creating rich web applications without any coding

Helperoo is an email support system with small in mind.

Rondee - Free scheduled conference calls -really

Google Sites makes creating a team site as easy as editing a document. Use Google Sites to centralize all types of information.

OStatic - determined to be the most comprehensive web destination for information and insight on Open Source Software and Services

Wuala - Share files with you friends, privately. All files encrypted. No file size limits. No traffic limits. Free.

Jungle Disk is an application that lets you store files and backup data securely to Amazon.com’s S3 ™ Storage Service (15 cents/gigabyte)

MyFabrik - Manage all media files in one location

Apatar - Combine your on-premise data sources with the web without coding. Feed data from/to APIs, and mashup building tools.

MyFax.com allows you to send and receive faxes using email, the web or a handheld device. Plus, there is NO setup fee, NO hardware or software to download and each customer receives a FREE toll-free number upon sign up! These benefits, coupled with the low cost of just $10 per month, make MyFax.com a successful industry leader!

For VerusNova readers –> Special Offer: Buy 2 Months Get the 3rd FREE

Rogomo - Find experts, or be one and earn cash

YouTube video fast search at: http://www.yvoschaap.com/youtube/

Currency Converter for the traveler or arbitrage mogul.

FilePub - free file hosting up to 20GB files.

SlyDial - send someone a voicemail without ringing their phone; good for ex’s, and to leave that message with the boss so you can say “I called you but you didn’t pick up.”

Get your own Toll Free or Local Number with voicemail for as low as $9.99 per month

Why would any small or medium business spend tens of thousands of dollars on a PBX when they can spend $10/month with companies like RingCentral?

The rich menu of business features of RingCentral Online is unmatched in the industry and provides advanced functions unavailable in even the most expensive PBXs, including:

Toll Free Numbers
Local Numbers
Voicemail
Internet Fax
Virtual PBX
Extensions
Dial-by-name Directory
Call Forwarding
Answering Rules
Call Screening
Call Controller+SoftPhone
Message Alerts
Music on Hold
Click-to-Call Out
Click-to-Call Me
Outlook Integration
Call Logs
Calling Card
Recorded Greetings
Unified Messaging
Auto Attendant

PsPrint is a different kind of online printing company. By combining the very best in web technologies with state-of-the-art production facilities, PsPrint is able to deliver online printing convenience combined with competitive prices and consistent quality.

But we’re more than just an online printing company. With our expert Mailing Services, PsPrint is also your direct mail partner, with the marketing solutions you need to make your promotional mailings a success. They focus on small business.

PsPrint offers many options:

• Professional Mailing Services at PsPrint
  
• Free Online Design Tool - Design It! At PsPrint
  
• Full Color Booklets & Catalogs from PsPrint
  
• Full Color Postcard Printing, Brochures, Stickers, Calendars and More!
  

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I was surprised recently to realize many of our clients thought we were a bigger company than we are (we have 4 employees and a few 1099). I never purposefully misled anyone in this regard so I was curious where the impression came from…After asking a few of my long-time customers some questions I realized that most of that impression came from the systems and processes we put in place early on.

So - How can you take a 4 person company and make it seem like a much larger corporation? Even better - can it be done for free? (hint: yes.) Leveraging technology can help you not only make you seem bigger to your customers and potential customers, but can streamline your business processes. Maybe you can actually stop working before dinner tonight?

Here are the four open source and/or free apps I use (and simply couldn’t do without)…

[1] Website

Every company can create a great website even if you less artistic talent then an aardvark (like me). A few good Wordpress templates and creative commons graphics, maybe a photo or two of you own and you’re up. The great thing about Wordpress is that once you customize your template you can post via email, Blackberry, or 3rd party software. You can have different types of users (ie.e permissions) so that many can contribute and you don’t need to rely on one person for all content. Also, with a good Spam protection plug-in (e.g. Akismet) you can have users and clients post messages for an even more informative site. We have tabs on our site for support, marketing, technical information, and client-specific access to documents. It acts as our central portal for anything related to our company for both customers and the general public.

[2] Receptionist

I still can’t believe how good Asterisk PBX is for the price. basically if you purchase a linux server and possibly a interface card or two, sign-up for a VOIP subscription service you can have a $20,000 PBX for about $1000 plus $30/month. It is completely customizable and includes conference calling, voicemail, call forwarding, multiple-IVR, etc. We use a particular incarnation of Asterisk called TRIXBOX. This includes a nice GUI interface (FreePBX) to make it easy to configure, SugarCRM integrated with Asterisk contacts, and a few other items. Basically all you need to do is create a CD from the ISO image, load it in the server and follow the directions. You should have your PBX running in an afternoon. We use the very nice XLite software phone from Counterpath, but you can also buy VOIP phones or uses ATA converters. We have our extensions roll over to our cell phones after 5-6 rings (follow me), we have a separate menu for the support hotline and we get full monthly reports detailing calls received and made for the month. This software really makes everyone think we have some swanky office in downtown instead of my friend’s basement. We also found a female with a great speaking voice on craigslist and paid her $20 to record the few messages we needed for our PBX and mail the WAV files to us. Awesome!

[3] Help Desk

HelpStream (formerly PathWorks) is an online Support and Trouble Ticket application that was started by some Ex-IBM, PeopleSoft, Remedy executives. The best thing about this online application is that it has most of the features you find in a full-featured trouble ticket and support desk application without the setup or maintenance required. If you don’t want branding and don’t mind some unobtrusive ads, you can even use it for free.

Helpstream can be used for customer service, IT help desk, bug tracking, and a wide variety of other case tracking and user self service requirements. It’s a powerful, affordable, easy–to–use solution for fixing technical issues faster. Helpstream customers include organizations of all sizes, in a variety of industries.

I like the FAQ and KnowledgeBase feature that lets my customers search for solutions themselves Before they call me. (Although you need to train/incentivize them to do so I learned.) Once a ticket is submitted I get an email to my corporate distribution list which sends it to all the agents and also sends us SMS messages so we know we have a request. Then based on agreements with our customers on response time - we login and work the issue. I looked at some of the other OpenSource ticketing solutions like OTRS, but found that for the effort - HelpStream was our best bet.

[4] Customer and Partner Collaboration

Knowledge Tree is an open source knowledge-base and document management application. It can be used to collaboratively work on manuscripts, proposals, or marketing materials, etc. I use it to create project specific file cabinets and keep all pertinent files where anyone can access them easily. Examples of documents included: Current project plan; meeting minutes; Visio diagrams; technical guides and brochures; purchase orders, etc. It automatically sends out notifications and has user rights that allow lots of granularity of control. We use this mostly to prevent spending time emailing updates to everyone and remembering who is supposed to get what document. It avoids managing our FTP server (the old way we did it), and it makes us look more professional since we can brand the site. There is a link to this server on our Wordpress Website.

Auctomatic is a tool for managing your eBay business. Use Auctomatic to track your inventory, pictures, and auction templates, and track the traffic on your auctions so you can optimize your listing strategy.
This site is FREE while in Beta (no word on pricing afterwards)…

Features include:

Auctions –

* Import templates from Selling Manager and Turbolister
* Free scheduled listing capability for your auctions
* Auction statistics to see which are your popular items
* WYSIWYG text editor and HTML template functionality
* Use an unlimited number of eBay ID’s to list from

Inventory Management –

* Import from Selling Manager, Vendio, Marketworks, Channeladvisor and Inkfrog with one click.
* Upload inventory from CSV files.
* Organize and edit products

Pictures —

* Unlimited free picture uploads and storage
* Bulk upload zip archives

In my search for an easy to use web-based employee time & expense tracking system, I ended going with Zed Office. Originally I was looking for something more on the “Free” side - but QuickBooks integration was mandatory and so I settled for a very reasonable price of $5 per user per month. But the great thing is that the first 5 employees are free - and I have 5! How lucky…until my business expands — still worth the cost.

If you want to know the other potential choices I investigated for time & expense management (all worthy choices) - here they are:

SantexQ - nice interface and full featured; Free; very project oriented. Includes task management as well as time tracking. No expense tracking that I saw…

Time59 - very good choice at only $20 per year and includes invoicing as well. I probably would have went with this service but did not see QuickBooks integration as a feature.

PayMo - very simple and easy to use, free and commercial versions available.

OK - hopefully these tools will prevent a full out attack of the PM’s from Dilbert-ville…

Liquid Planner (currently in beta) - is the best new online PM tool I’ve seen. Many of the online PM tools focus around collaboration (as does this one) but come off more like a task-planner and calendar than a true PM tool (think, Zoho Planner). Liquid Planner has a nice GANTT chart and other “traditional” PM aspects on top of the great collaboration tools.
Cost: (free during beta) else, $25/mo per user - first user is free.

5pm Web - This is another good one; lots of customization options, a great file/document repository feature, and easy to use. Also includes GANTT + collaboration.
Cost: $14/mo for up to 5 users and 10 projects (a great price!)

Project 2 Manage - More of a team organizaer and task list, but it is pretty well done and also…
Cost: Free

Task-a-Do - This is more of a collaborative writing PM tool. It tracks who edited and contributed, and where the document is in the pipeline. If you write a lot of proposals or other group writing projects - take a look at this one. It is very simplistic but gets the job done.
Cost: Free