I trust you’re having a great week thus far.  Last week I talked in reference to getting the website redesigned.  It took a few hours between getting on the phone with the hosting provider and getting the domain “pointed” to my server coupled with creating and matching the content into what Post 8951 wanted.  Once that was done, I can now focus on the mobile application development process. 

I am an unabashed Apple fan if for nothing else but three things-simplicity, security, flexibility, and continuity.  The Apple ecosystem is EXTREMELY hard to hack into.  I also learned to appreciated the Apple system after upgrading the old computer to Windows 10 (back in 2014) and it was rendered useless for nearly three months. 

The flexibility position comes in that the Apple computer right out of the gate has a host of abilities that the normal Windows based unit doesn’t have.  You get what you pay for and you’ll pay more for an Apple but it’ll be worth it.  Additionally, when I bought it, I did purchase software to have a Windows “virtual machine” running inside of my Mac. 

Lastly, the continuity aspect deals with connecting the iPhone to the Mac.  I can leave one device and pick up on another. 

That said, Apple has had its share of difficulties.  Financially speaking, one thing that has contributed is the smartphone market maturing and Apple has had to find new ways to keep generating revenue.  This has extended into the mobile app realm.

Typically, I can create an app without a problem and simply add it to my personal developer account.  However, I was hit with the notice that Apple essentially stated that the app appeared to be for an organization and I needed to submit proof that I’m the owner of it.  Once that was done, then the app would be approved for release.  Obviously since I said last time that I just recently joined, I’m just a member.  Therefore, I had to find out a little more and to help prevent you from having any difficulty, here’s the steps involved.

If you are working for a non-profit as I am, you will need follow these steps:

1. This is not necessary, but I’d recommend having an official email address that is tied to the organization’s website.  This way, it’s easy to see it’s “official.”
2. Ensure the organization has a DUNS number.  If they do not, start here as this will take the longest to establish.  Here is where you will need to go: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html  It took me three days to receive an email notification.  However, for things to matriculate it can take 7-10 business days overall. 
3. You may need to update your information.  I tried a number of times and ended up calling in.  That said, here’s the link that you’ll want to go for: https://iupdate.dnb.com/
4. Once you get this done, you will need to register https://developer.apple.com//contact/membership-fee-waiver/. 
   1. They’ll ask for your information such as your DUNS number and tax number as well.

Once you give them this information, it should go through without a problem at all (I’m still waiting for the DUNS number to update).

Given that the app has already been submitted for Apple and is sitting in my personnel account, I have one of two choices:

1. Transfer the app from one account to another which will take about two days.
2. Resubmit the app once the new account is established. 

Since I’m just waiting at this point for DUNS, I am personally leaning towards a transfer but given it may take more time (I’ve been at this for roughly a month), I may just do a resubmission. 

One thing that will need to be done is to add account access to this new mobile app.  There’s a variety of roles but I will need one that can submit the mobile app for. 

All that said above, Google has had NO difficulty but I’m waiting on releasing the mobile app for them so that everyone can use it at the same time. 

As I’ve said sporadically in the recent past, I’ve been getting a bunch of upgrades to my software package done.  Here’s a link and I’m going to discuss more next time.  Here’s the link to request an app built for free:

Request Free App

This is going to be a bit of a meandering topic but the past few weeks have been difficult to say the least.  I’ve been working for months (literally) to get the app building software upgraded but prior to that here’s some other stuff…..

I recently decided to become a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars.  I totally forgot that after getting back from Iraq in 2003 that I was a member for one year (I never attended a meeting).  The rationale for doing joining now-connect with those who have a similar experience.  The veterans spanning wars from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan have a number number of differences but the one thing we have in common: honorably serving the United States while in the Armed Forces in a war zone.

Upon joining, I noticed a number of things that were “out of date” and I wanted to help bring things up to date.  I sat in one meeting and quickly saw what all could be done.  I wanted to shoot for the “low hanging fruit” that would allow me to contribute immediately.  I also wanted to do something that I feel that would be unique.  So why not start at the website?  Here’s the old version of the website below. 

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20181227194106/http://westyorkvfw8951.org/

 

I primarily work with WordPress as the content management system to build a website and this one I couldn’t determine what it was built with.  What was apparent to were a few things:

1. The website is not mobile friendly.  I tried looking at it on my mobile device and it was extremely difficult to look at.
2. There was “dated” information.
3. There were a number of broken links. 
4. The website went down at least three times in two weeks. 

I did some more background research after noticing that this Post while having a great, welcoming members is “old.”  If you have a few minutes to see what the problems are with the VFW as a whole, take look at the video below.

 

 

So with that in mind, it was pretty much a unanimous vote and take a look at the redesigned version of the website:

 

www.westyorkvfw8951.org

 

So you’ll see the site has a more modern design and it is now mobile responsive.  With that I’ll leave it and next time I’ll talk about the Apple approval process.    

One thing-capitalize on mobile devices.  there was a forecast by Statista that mobile devices what number more than 5 billion in 2019. Check out your smart phone usage statistics. On my iPhone last week alone, I averaged more in five hours a day using it with the screen open.  What is your business doing to take advantage of usage such as that?  Are you prioritizing using mobile and deemphasizing the traditional desktop?

At the very least, you should have a mobile responsive website. What is that you may ask? It is a website that reformats itself what is viewed on a mobile device?  If not, you are at a definitive disadvantage.  This quote provided by sweor.com says, “nearly 8 in 10 customers would stop engaging with content that doesn’t display well on their device.” 

Further compounding things from the same article it also says, “According to Google, 61% of users are unlikely to return to a site on mobile if they had trouble accessing it and 40% visit a competitor’s site instead.”  Are you willing to send four of 10 customers to a competitor? 

What’s one of the best ways to make sure people comeback? Be personal. Integrating information so that the customer feels like they are your best friend is a great way to maintain a good relationship. I myself I'm slowly trying best. I am a very quiet, guarded person.  Although I have a long way to go, I’m working at giving tidbits of my life story into these narratives. 

So with that, I’m imploring you whether you’d like to have my services or not take at least two things away from this session:

1. Use a mobile website at a minimum.
2. Be personal in your approach with your people. 

As always, I’m going to give you much more when you get in contact with me today using the contact button at the right. 

The title may seem strange but it’ll make a ton of sense in a moment.  What are your thoughts when it comes to today’s subject line and their technology usage?  A general rule of thumb is the younger one is, the more likely they are to use technology.  Personally speaking, I got my first smartphone with trepidation (an iPhone 4) back in 2011.  Since that point, I’ve personally dropped land line service and have had three kids who are totally comfortable with using it.  I use mine for practically EVERYTHING today.     

 

That said, are you “keeping up with the times” by offering a mobile app for your business?  Last year, only 42% of businesses had a mobile app.  With the millennial generation showing increased buying power, businesses would be wise to embrace this technology as they are using it on a regular basis.  However, it’s going to be done in a thoughtful way. 

 

However, one of the key considerations is building it for the right reason.  What are you building for: client acquisition and/or client retention? 

 

The best thing is probably focusing in on clients you are looking to retain for repeat business.  Some things that you can do to encourage repeat interactions/transactions:

Proactively communicate discounts and new products

 

Your market that you serve: what is their age range?  Are they “older” (subjective as I get closer to 40 yet 20 years ago I thought that was old) or the younger crowd?  The more youth you have the more technology you’ll want to incorporate. 

Today’s workforce getting made up more by millennials on a regular basis is one that is referred to as “digital natives” vice those who are older that are considered digital immigrants.  The digital natives are individuals who have been bought up surrounded by technology. Digital migrants on the other hand are those who have had to adapt to technology.  What are some ways to enhance training other than by doing things in an online format?

It is very prevalent to use some sort of presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. If somebody would take the time to record this PowerPoint, it could then be uploaded to a video service such as YouTube. From there, one could convert the video to an MP3 file. Let's not forget, the original PowerPoint presentation. Print some handouts and hand them to the employees.

Another use of the video for Visual learners is the use of explanation video. Let's just say that we own a pizza shop as our sample. What you could do is go to the various processes used to create a pizza from start to finish.  Aside from the food preparation is Health inspection preparation as well. Perhaps you have seen the health inspection violations in your local area. Is not unusual for somebody to receive a violation for “lacking proper knowledge.”  Incorporating a video for employees to look at and then even bequest upon can help remedy this. 

Another thing that could be done in conjunction with the video two and handsome learning is to provide a forum. Again, our pizza shop example: create a Facebook group that is private for the employees that allows them to discuss anything that is going on not just limited to training but for things that can be looked upon to improve within the shop this also helps the workers take more responsibility as a now feel they have a vested interest within the operations of the shop this will also allow workers to create and receive more areas of feedback to make them more productive. Now the owner if they do not wish to do this due to being a digital migrant, can delegate this to one of the staff members who is a digital native. 

These are just some of the ideas that can be used to help make your business more successful.  I’m looking forward to helping you out, all that you need to do is get in contact with me via the contact button and I’ll get you started right away.