Verizon iPhone 4-on/off/on/tools ... or 5 for 4 G/LTE?

Garmin has become the noted company that would make Global Positioning System. Global Positioning System coming from Garmin always been one pet option for many. This company has made selection of Global Positioning System frameworks and one of them is the Garmin Forerunner 305. The Garmin 305 is actually outfitted with various advanced characteristics including high-sensitivity GPS recipient, brand new courses of study own, and robust PISMIRE cellular heart rate monitor for optimum performance many other features. Plain, these characteristics make your Garmin Forerunner 305 the single most worthy GPS for expert jocks, yet yet well suited for the inexpert and amateur photographer athletes

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Garmin 305 Forerunner Story

Just when you notion Garmin had cornered the market industry on powerful, affordable, along with effective wrist-mounted GPS equipment, here comes the Garmin Forerunner 305. The discharge of this device is often a major achievement from some sort of design and technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Garmin 305 Forerunner will be most accurate, most trusted wrist-mounted performance and GPS NAVIGATION tracking tool we've actually tested. Yes, it's of which good. While no device this compact are able to do everything (yet), the Garmin 305 Forerunner pushes the boundaries of what exactly is possible from something secured around your wrist. The Garmin 305 Forerunner contains wireless heart rate monitoring and it will also be connected to Garmin's instant bicycle speed and cadence sensor. If you can't need these features, find the lower-priced Forerunner 205.

GARMIN 305 - THE BEST WRIST-WORN TRAINING AND GPS DEVICE DEVICE

Just when you notion Garmin had cornered the market industry on powerful, affordable, along with effective wrist-mounted GPS equipment, here comes theGarmin 305 Heart Monitor. The release of the device is a major achievement at a design and technology point of view. This isn't just marketing-speak; the Garmin Forerunner GPS will be most accurate, most trusted wrist-mounted performance and GPS NAVIGATION tracking tool we've actually tested. Yes, it's of which good. While no device this compact are able to do everything (yet), the Garmin Forerunner Heart Monitor pushes the boundaries of what exactly is possible from something buckled around your wrist. The 305 model involves wireless heartrate monitoring and it will also be connected to Garmin's instant bicycle speed and cadence sensor.

Insurance policy coverage Gps forerunner 305 Wrist GPS isn't billed for a GPS navigation device, as well as have some rudimentary mapping, waypoint tagging, and routing capabilities. Along with marking locations along your current journey, you can zoom in or beyond a simple map that displays your present direction and path. Additionally , there is a "go to location" element that routes you to your starting location, so they can any location you possess defined. Once you possess defined several locations, you can save this information as a new route, allowing you to go the same path when you need it. As you'll see below, the 305's new "Courses" feature provides you with new levels of control over how you define your favorite works and rides.

Where to acquire GPS Forerunner 305

You possibly can buy Garmin 305 from many big retailers away or online like Amazon, Finest Buy, Target, Walmart and many others. But which one is a best? We have done be good enough, we find the best place to obtain It device is from Amazon. com. This giant online retailers give the best price which included ZERO COST Shipping (in US only) in this holiday season. click here to get Garmin forerunner 305 ideal price!

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Network security related business enterprises-stop gap measure to help you protect your network

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Today's business networks consist of numerous remote access connections from employees and outsourcing firms. Too often, the inherent security risks arising from these connections outside the network are overlooked. Continuous improvements have been made that can enhance security in today's network infrastructure; taking particular focus on the users accessing the network externally and monitoring access end- points are critical for businesses to protect their digital assets.

Installing the correct software for the specific needs of your IT infrastructure is essential to having the best security protection possible. Many companies install "off the shelf" security software and assume they are protected. Unfortunately, that is not the case due to the nature of today's network threats. Threats are diverse in nature, including the usual spam, spyware, viruses, trojans, worms, and the occasional possibility that a hacker has targeted your servers.

The proper security solution for your organization will neutralize virtually all of these threats to your network. Too often, with only a software package installed, network administrators spend a lot of their time at the perimeter of the network defending its integrity by manually fending off attacks and then manually patching the security breach.

Paying network administrators to defend the integrity of your network is an expensive proposition - much more so than installing the proper security solution that your network requires. Network administrators have many other responsibilities that need their attention. Part of their job is to make your business operate more efficiently - they can't focus on this if they have to manually defend the network infrastructure all the time.

Another threat that must be considered is the threat occurring from within the perimeter, in other words, an employee. Sensitive proprietary information is most often stolen by someone on the payroll. A proper network security solution must guard against these kinds of attacks also. Network administrators definitely have their role in this area by creating security policies and strictly enforcing them.

A smart strategy to give your network the protection it needs against the various security threats is a layered security approach. Layered security is a customized approach to your network's specific requirements utilizing both hardware and software solutions. Once the hardware and software is working simultaneously to protect your company, both are able to instantaneously update their capabilities to handle the latest in security threats.

Security software can be configured to update multiple times a day if the need be; hardware updates usually consist of firmware upgrades and an update wizard much like that present within the software application.

All-in-one Security Suites A multi-pronged strategy should be implemented to combat the multiple sources of security threats in today's corporate networks. Too often, the sources of these threats are overlapping with Trojans arriving in spam or spyware hidden within a software installation. Combating these threats requires the use of firewalls, anti-spyware, malware and anti-spam protection.

Recently, the trend in the software industry has been to combine these previously separate security applications into an all-encompassing security suite. Security applications standard on corporate networks are integrating into security suites that focus on a common goal. These security suites contain antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and firewall protection all packaged together in one application. Searching out the best stand-alone applications in each security risk category is still an option, but no longer a necessity.

The all-in-one security suite will save a company money in reduced software purchasing costs and time with the ease of integrated management of the various threat sources.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) A TPM is a standard developed by the Trusted Computing Group defining hardware specifications that generate encryption keys. TPM chips not only guard against intrusion attempts and software attacks but also physical theft of the device containing the chip. TPM chips work as a compliment to user authentication to enhance the authentication process.

Authentication describes all processes involved in determining whether a user granted access to the corporate network is, in fact, who that user claims to be. Authentication is most often granted through use of a password, but other techniques involve biometrics that uniquely identify a user by identifying a unique trait no other person has such as a fingerprint or characteristics of the eye cornea.

Today, TPM chips are often integrated into standard desktop and laptop motherboards. Intel began integrating TPM chips into its motherboards in 2003, as did other motherboard manufactures. Whether or not a motherboard has this chip will be contained within the specifications of that motherboard.

These chips encrypt data on the local level, providing enhanced security at a remote location such as the WiFi hotspot full of innocent looking computer-users who may be bored hackers with malicious intent. Microsoft's Ultimate and Enterprise versions of the Vista Operating System utilize this technology within the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature.

While Vista does provide support for TPM technology, the chips are not dependent upon any platform to function.

TPM has the same functionality on Linux as it does within the Windows operating system. There are even specifications from Trusted Computing Group for mobile devices such as PDAs and cell phones.

To use TPM enhanced security, network users only need to download the security policy to their desktop machine and run a setup wizard that will create a set of encryption keys for that computer. Following these simple steps significantly improves security for the remote computer user.

Admission Based on User Identity Establishing a user's identity depends upon successfully passing the authentication processes. As previously mentioned user authentication can involve much more than a user name and password. Besides the emerging biometrics technology for user authentication, smart cards and security tokens are another method that enhances the user name/password authentication process.

The use of smart cards or security tokens adds a hardware layer requirement to the authentication process. This creates a two-tier security requirement, one a secret password and the other a hardware requirement that the secure system must recognize before granting access.

Tokens and smart cards operate in essentially the same fashion but have a different appearance. Tokens take on the appearance of a flash drive and connection through a USB port while smart cards require special hardware, a smart card reader, that connects to the desktop or laptop computer. Smart cards often take on the appearance of an identification badge and may contain a photo of the employee.

However authentication is verified, once this happens a user should be granted access through a secure virtual network (VLAN) connection. A VLAN establishes connections to the remote user as if that person was a part of the internal network and allows for all VLAN users to be grouped together within distinct security policies.

Remote users connecting through a VLAN should only have access to essential network resources and how those resources can be copied or modified should be carefully monitored.

Specifications established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have resulted in what is known as the secure VLAN (S-VLAN) architecture. Also commonly referred to as tag-based VLAN, the standard is known as 802.1q. It enhances VLAN security by adding an extra tag within media access control (MAC) addresses that identify network adapter hardware within a network. This method will prevent unidentified MAC addresses from accessing the network.

Network Segmentation This concept, working hand-in-hand with VLAN connections, determines what resources a user can access remotely using policy enforcement points (PEPs) to enforce the security policy throughout the network segments. Furthermore, the VLAN, or S-VLAN, can be treated as a separate segment with its own PEP requirements.

PEP works with a user's authentication to enforce the network security policy. All users connecting to the network must be guaranteed by the PEP that they meet the security policy requirements contained within the PEP. The PEP determines what network resources a user can access, and how these resources can be modified.

The PEP for VLAN connections should be enhanced from what the same user can do with the resources internally. This can be accomplished through network segmentation simply be defining the VLAN connections as a separate segment and enforcing a uniform security policy across that segment. Defining a policy in this manner can also define what internal network segments the client can access from a remote location.

Keeping VLAN connections as a separate segment also isolates security breaches to that segment if one were to occur. This keeps the security breach from spreading throughout the corporate network. Enhancing network security even further, a VLAN segment could be handled by it's own virtualized environment, thus isolating all remote connections within the corporate network.

Centralized Security Policy Management Technology hardware and software targeting the different facets of security threats create multiple software platforms that all must be separately managed. If done incorrectly, this can create a daunting task for network administration and can increase staffing costs due to the increased time requirements to manage the technologies (whether they be hardware and/or software).

Integrated security software suites centralize the security policy by combining all security threat attacks into one application, thus requiring only one management console for administration purposes.

Depending on the type of business you're in a security policy should be used corporate-wide that is all-encompassing for the entire network. Administrators and management can define the security policy separately, but one overriding definition of the policy needs to be maintained so that it is uniform across the corporate network. This ensures there are no other security procedures working against the centralized policy and limiting what the policy was defined to implement.

Not only does a centralized security policy become easier to manage, but it also reduces strain on network resources. Multiple security policies defined by different applications focusing on one security threat can aggregately hog much more bandwidth than a centralized security policy contained within an all-encompassing security suite. With all the threats coming from the Web, ease of management and application is essential to maintaining any corporate security policy.

Frequently asked Questions:

1. I trust my employees. Why should I enhance network security?

Even the most trusted employees can pose a risk of a network security breach. It is important that employees follow established company security standards. Enhancing security will guard against lapsing employees and the occasional disgruntled employee seeking to cause damage to the network.

2. Do these innovations really create a secure environment for remote access?

Yes they do. These enhancements not only greatly enhance a secure VLAN connection but they also use widely accepted standards that are often integrated into common hardware and software. It's there, your company only needs to start using the technology.

3. My company is happy with using separate software, that way each application can focus on a separate security threat. Why should I consider an all-in-one security suite?

Many of the popular software applications commonly used by businesses have expanded their focus to identify all security threats. This includes solutions from both software and hardware appliance technology manufacturers. Many of these firms saw the need to consolidate security early on and purchased smaller software firms to gain that knowledge their firm was lacking. A security suite at the application level, will make management much easier and your IT staff will thank you for it.

4. Do I need to add a hardware requirement to the authentication process?

Requiring the use of security tokens or smart cards should be considered for employees accessing the company network from a remote site. Particularly if that employee needs to access sensitive company information while on the road, a simple flash drive secure token prevents a thief from accessing that sensitive data on a stolen laptop.

5. With all this concern about WiFi hotspots should employees be required not to use these locations to connect to the company network?

WiFi hotspots have sprung up nationwide and present the easiest method for your remote employees to access the Internet. Unfortunately, hotspots can also be full of bored, unemployed hackers who have nothing better to do than find a way to intercept a busy employee's transmissions at the next table. That's not to say employees on the road should avoid hotspots. That would severely limit them from accessing the network at all. With technologies like S-VLAN and secure authentication in place, a business can implement technologies to reduce threats both now and in the future.

Implementing the latest network security technologies is a high priority for IT Management. In today's network environment with many users accessing your digital assets remotely, it's critical to get your network security correct during the planning phase of the integration process.

Obviously, it should be noted that most large companies have multiple operating systems running (Windows, Mac O/S, etc) and that for many of these companies all-in-one security suites face certain challenges in a mixed operating system environment.

That is why I stress that you consider having layered security (both hardware and software) and don't simply rely on software applications to protect your digital assets. As technology changes so do the opportunities for security breaches.

As these security threats become more sophisticated, hardware and software developers will continue to innovate and it's essential businesses keep up with, and implement these technologies.

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Monetizing social networks

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Social Networks are the key to viral grow and monetization of your business on the Web. To understand why, it is important we understand the work of David Reed. Reed's Law in its simplest terms, states that the value of large networks, particularly social networks, can actually scale exponentially with the size of the network. The justification for this claim resonates with the large number of possible sub-groups among the network. As network benefits grow based on the combinations of these sub-groups and the total number of many-to-many possible connections, we move beyond the one-to-one possibilities contemplated in Metcalf's Law, thus the value of the network increases as does the growth in the networks second derivative. For those of you not versed in Calculus, the first derivative is the rate of change; the second derivative is the rate of change of the rate of change. The second derivative is key to understanding how our monetization efforts are progressing, it provides us a benchmark. When a network is reaching a point of diminishing returns (the point at which the second derivative slows) it is an early indicator that problems are on the horizon. Very little has been written on this topic, but I can assure you that a company's ability to monetize any particular network or sub-component of a network is directly proportional to the applicable underlining second derivative.

Suppose your firm's revenue model is based on advertising and on average, you made a penny a click in the early years, but as your network reached critical mass you were able to drive your revenue incrementally to .05 cents a click. As your network's second derivative slows and reaches an inflection point (the point in which the second derivative turns negative), It is clear your average revenue per click will trend back down toward the .01 cent level as you experience the pain of the Negative Network Effect. In order to continue to increase the value of your network, you must find new ways to monetize your network, reigniting the positive network effect. So how do we design a business model that maximizes the network effect? Let's take a look at the process.

Monetizing Network Effects on the Web ideally requires a dynamic Web 2.0 business model with multiple revenue streams, significant growth potential, and the strong balance of revenue, expense, and capital outlay. In order to maximize your Return on Investment (ROI), you must understand the interdependencies of revenues, costs, and capital investment on your Network Model. First, let's examine some of the most common Web 2.0 revenue models.

Advertising based - Perhaps the most successful and popular business model. Well know companies like Google and Yahoo give away search and sell a wide variety of advertising options to monetize their networks.

Subscription based - Very successful model where users pay a fixed fee at regular intervals. Fees can vary by type of account such as basic or premium service level or by options such as advertising or no advertising, etc.

Syndication or Licensing - A growing model as technologies such as RSS feeds (Real Simple Syndication) and content distributors grow. The user typical pays a fee to use or resell the product. The fee charged is often driven by the type of user, i.e. non-profit, business, individual, etc.

Unit based - The user simply pays a unit price for your product or services. If you buy a book or CD on Amazon, you are making a unit based purchase.

Transaction fee -This model has the user pay a fixed fee per transaction or a percentage of the sale. If you selling anything on Amazon or eBay, you will pay a percentage transaction fee based on the sales price.

Revenue Share - A popular model when distributing items requiring large inventories like DVDs, CDs, etc. In this model, the distributor may pay the content originator a small upfront fee and then share a percentage of the actual product sales. This model helps keep the initial acquisition costs low and allows time for your network to develop and reach critical mass.

Cross-network - A new and innovative model that involves strategies such as freemiums and n-sided networks. Freemium is a term that was coined by the combining of the words Free and Premium. The idea is to give something away and acquire a lot of clients or users, then offer premium value added services to monetize this base. The concept has been used extremely effectively by firms such as Adobe, Flickr, LoopNet, MySpace, and many others. Cross-network strategies simply target complimentary but different user bases. The classic example is the demand for gaming software titles when new gaming hardware platforms are released.

Now that we know how we can generate our revenues, we must understand our Critical Cost Drivers (CCD) and how these CCD will respond as our network expands. For each cost driver, we must understand the nature of the cost- is the cost fixed, semi-fixed, variable, one-time, or recurring in nature. This understanding allows us to construct a Cost of Support (CoS) model. The CoS model identifies the relationship of each of our costs to a base unit of revenue growth in relation to a fixed, but sliding network point. The fixed network point continuously moves as your revenues move along a J-curve or similar benchmark. The J-curve is typically most appropriate as businesses initially start to spend significant money on personnel, infrastructure, inventory, systems, and marketing during the start up phase. As your network starts to grow, revenues expand in relation to costs and the curve starts to decline at a slower pace, then flatten, and eventually start to climb. Understanding these interrelationships will assist you in maximizing your networks ROI.

Once we have identified our sources of revenues, our cost, and the relationships of our underlying costs to those revenues, we must model the appropriate J-curve to ensure our CoS model is accurate. In order to do this, we start by taking a look at our revenue positioning strategy. The typical strategies include one or more of the following:

o Loss Leader - Your network utilizes multiple streams of income that individually are not all profitable, but the losers drive traffic and subsequent purchases of other profitable products and services.

o Single Product or Service - Your network relies on a single revenue stream derived by one product or service.

o Multiple Product or Service - Your network receives multiple revenues from at least two products or services.

o Interdependent Product or Service - Your network promotes one set of products or services to drive demand from another set of products or services.

Your revenue positioning strategy will dictate your anticipated timing of revenues and thus the necessary underling CoS structure. Armed with this knowledge, we can adjust our modeling based on our revenue tracking metrics. These metrics may be things like average revenue per search query, average revenue per page view, average revenue per subscriber, or some similar metric. I have simplified this for ease of communication, but in actual application, we must use complex algorithms to differentiate the "life-time" value of different types of network participants, users, or customers. These calculations are based on the relationships between the numbers and type of network members and their interaction as frequent contributors, active members, influencers, etc., it stands to reason for instance, that an active blogger offers significantly more life-time value than an inactive member. Also, a particular user's distance from an already established high life-time value user can significantly impact the value of that individual user. When I am referring to distance from one user to another, I am really talking about degrees of separation. In the late1960s, Stanley Milgram investigate what became coined "small world phenomenon." He conducted an experiment were he attempted to find connections or links between people by asked random individuals in Nebraska to deliver letters to particular individuals in Massachusetts. The basic rules were to give the letter to someone you knew who in return would give it to someone they knew and so on and so on with the objective being to get the letter delivered with the fewest connections.

Through numerous tests, Milgram found that, on average, it took five or six connections to get each letter delivered. This study provided the basis of the theory of "six degrees of separation." In the past, the initiator likely would not know anyone past the first or second connection, but with our online connections, we literally can jump the network and direct connect to the targeted party, via our existing network relationship. Analyzing and understanding these relationships and degrees or distance from our highest life-time valued is critical to maximizing the monetization of your network. As you can see, the monetization of networks is a complex task, part science, part art, part trial and error. However, by applying these fundamental strategies to your business, you greatly increase the odds of maximizing your network ROI.

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Social networking-can assist your company going?

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Twitter. Facebook. YouTube. If I said these words to you years ago you would have looked at me like I was crazy! The aforementioned are websites used to fuel the social networking phenomenon. In case you are not aware of how social networking sites function, people use these sites to form associations with others that share the same personal or professional interests. Millions of people are using these sites to keep in touch with their families and friends.

Now companies are jumping on the bandwagon and incorporating social networking sites into their marketing campaigns. Although, social networking is relatively new, it is gaining status as a new way for companies to effectively market their products and services because of the following:  


  Interactive
  Cost effective
  Ability to market 24/7

Interactive

The main purpose of a marketing campaign is to promote your product or service to your target market. What better way to reach your target market than on their own turf? Years ago the typical marketing campaign would have consisted of direct mail, print advertising, and if you could afford it TV or radio ads. One thing all of the aforementioned mediums fail to do is to encourage participation.

Social networking sites enable you to instantaneously connect with your target market and receive feedback regarding your product and service. Regardless of what social networking site your company decides to join, all of them will enable you to foster a closer relationship with your customers-the degree in which this is accomplished rests solely upon your company. Consumers are already doing what they intended to do on these-connect with family and friends-you (companies) are the new kid on the block so it is up to you how you want others to perceive your brand.

An organization's objectives for how to incorporate social networking into their marketing campaigns often differ.   For example, Beth Bridges, Membership Director of Clovis Chamber of Commerce states that, "Our objective in using social networking is to create a trusted community and to increase awareness of their events within the community. We also use social networking sites to have more personal interaction with members who we might not see at regular networking activities and reach more of the younger business owners in the community who are using social media much more extensively to promote themselves and their businesses." 

It is a safe bet that the majority of companies that are new to social networking may be tempted to mention their product every five minutes on these sites-it is in your best interest not to do so. I realize that many organizations's main objective for using social networking sites is to promote their product. I am not telling you to abandon your objective-just alter the method in how you choose to do so.

People use products and services for different reasons and you will never know any of them if you do not take the time to foster a relationship with your target market. Many have been conditioned into thinking that companies could care less about their customers so it is up to your company to prove them wrong. Those who successfully do will reap the benefit of loyal customers. These customers will then share your product or service with their family and friends. It is more effective if you let your target market promote your product for you.

Word of mouth continues to be an important factor in whether consumers and businesses purchase a product or service. Many people consult with family and friends before purchasing a product or service they have never used. People are always asking others for advice on products and services on Twitter. Not too long ago, I went on Twitter to get feedback on software I was considering purchasing and got a response within seconds. This person not only commented about the software I was considering purchasing but recommended alternative software that was cheaper and more robust. Everyone desires to feel confident about the purchases that they make and although they may conduct some research of a product or service (i.e. Consumer Reports) it does not carry as much weight as family or friends.

Cultivating a relationship will enable you to stay ahead of the competition-provided you are listening to your target market. Social networking sites allow you the ability to gauge if you are effectively promoting your product or service to your target market. Based upon conversations in the forums you have the ability to find out what needs are not being met and create a service to meet that need. Social networking enables you to discover opportunities.

For example, you own a coffee shop near a college campus and have established an account on a social networking site. Students are complaining about not having a place to study during final exams and how they love your coffee because it not only tastes great, but helps them stay awake. How could you use this information? A savvy marketer would find out when final exams take place and expand their hours in order to meet the needs of their customers. It is a win-win situation for all involved. The students have a place to study while drinking your excellent coffee and you have the opportunity to increase your profits while further developing your customers' loyalty to your coffee shop. This opportunity was brought to you by social networking. If your company had not taken the time to interact with your target market using social networking sites your company would have missed out on a golden opportunity to fulfill a need not being met by other coffee shops.

Armed with the knowledge of who you are trying to target, you will be able to determine which of the most popular social networking sites your target market will be found chatting with their family and friends. Although all social networking sites enable you to be interactive, the degree to which you are able to do so is based upon the application you choose. Some of the most popular sites companies are using to advertise their product are as follows:

-Twitter: This is an online micro blog website that integrates with your computer, cell phone and other online social networking sites. Twitter simply asks you, "What are you doing?" You are able to share your thoughts (also known as "tweets") provided they are under 140 character restriction. People can choose to "follow" you based upon your tweets.

-Facebook: This website allows users to create customized profiles sharing information, photos, videos etc. and has applications that are designed specifically to their site. Facebook users can see only the profiles of confirmed friends and the people in their networks. Friends can look at each others pages and comment on their "wall" (this is a spot where comments can be viewed by others.

-MySpace: This website allows you to stay in touch with friends and meet new people. You have the ability to add new friends based upon the information posted on your space.

-YouTube: A popular site that allows users to upload and store videos to be shared for private or public viewing.

-Brazen Careerist: An online site comprised of Generation-Y (ages18 to 30) that displays blogs written by the community that generates thought provoking discussions.

All of the aforementioned sites will enable you to interact with your target market. Some companies make the mistake of becoming apart of as many social networking sites as possible. As with all things in life-quality will always win out over quantity. Meaning, it is better to invest your time building your relationship with your target market on fewer social networking sites if it means that you are able to truly listen to what is being said and share your industry expertise with those on the site. Joining numerous social networking communities and contributing nothing to them will leave people with the impression that your only there to promote your name and could care less about getting to know them-an impression no business can afford to leave.

Cost effective

Companies are always looking to save money and often zero in on marketing expenses (which is the wrong move to make, but that's another article!). Social networking can be implemented into your organization's marketing campaign because it is free. There is absolutely no reason why companies should not be incorporating social networking into their campaigns. The only investment required from companies is their time. After all if you are not willing to learn more about your target market and how using your product or service benefits them-then why should they (your target market) buy your brand?

Social networking sites save time and are cost effective for both companies and their customers. Companies can use social networking sites to gain instantaneous feedback regarding product launches. You can gauge the success of your launch based upon the comments you see shared online. Some companies are even starting to handle their customer complaints on social networking sites. This is a great medium to handle your complaints. People want their issues resolved accurately and quickly-what better way to do so than on their terms? Your customers are more at ease because they are doing something they already enjoy networking with those who share similar interests, family, friends, etc. It is more expensive for companies to attract customers than to retain them, so it is imperative that companies maintain a delicate balance.

Twitter is one of the most popular social networking sites for businesses. Zappos, the world's largest online shoe retailer, is an excellent example of how companies should use social networking sites. Zappos is constantly being recognized for providing quality customer service. Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, along with his employees use Twitter to interact with customers, handle service issues and monitoring comments being made about their company. Comcast and Dell also have customer service people on Twitter who search for and address complaints online. Companies are always searching for fast, accurate, and cost effective methods used to monitor their brand and social networking sites enable you to accomplish these goals.

Ability to market 24/7

In today's fast paced world there are many people who do not log online during "normal" business hours. In fact, many times people log on these sites during unconventional business hours to connect with family and friends (i.e. friends and family overseas). Social networking sites enable you to continuously market your product or service even when you are not online. The time you have spent in cultivating your relationship with your target market will be evident. Companies who have built great relationships with their customers can rest assure that their customers will continue to "spread the word" about your product or service when your not online.

The aforementioned reasons demonstrate why social networking is an effective marketing technique. Some companies feel that social networking is even more effective than "traditional" marketing techniques (i.e. print advertising, direct mail, etc.).  Holly Homer, Founder and Editor of BurbMom.net which is a website for moms in the North Dallas/Fort Worth area rely solely on social networking sites. "We started out with an advertising budget of zero.  I wanted to see how far we could get by just doing free things. Our website has been online for 3 months and last month we had over 4800 hits-over 60% of those were local.  One hundred local moms have joined our online social network.  We have not spent a dime on advertising. I really don't think we could have accomplished this much in this short of time through traditional advertising with money."

Bridges said, "Social networking is absolutely more effective in reaching people who are using social media than the traditional tools-they are going to pay more attention to a message, email, or posting from you if you have established a relationship with them. By following you (or linking to you, joining your group, etc.) they are asking you to keep them informed, unlike a random postcard mailing or newspaper ad."

Companies cannot afford to dismiss social networking just because it is a relatively new marketing technique. Companies that do not engage in social networking are missing out on opportunities to interact with their customers while simultaneously saving money. Social networking requires your organization's time and energy to cultivate relationships with your target market that will go along way in fostering loyalty to your brand. In today's economy, social networking is the one investment you can expect to see a return.

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