The Internet today is more a way of life than an exception to the rule like it was a few years ago; everyone knows what it is and almost everyone uses it on a regular basis. While some people stop at checking their emails, using social networks to connect and interact with friends and acquaintances and playing online games, others use the web for just about their every single need. It’s their lifeline to the world around them and the world they live and work in; it’s not just a communication and management tool, but a method of continuous learning and knowledge improvement. With easy access to online tools, the Internet offers ways and means to revolutionize your life without going to too much trouble.

Online tools are great because:

• They’re cost-effective: Most organizations are moving to the cloud today where software is offered as a service rather than as a product. So you can pick and choose the services you need and pay only for them instead of having to pay for the entire product even though you’re going to use just the bare minimum of features. This makes software as a service structures both cost-effective and efficient. Also, when you outsource operations like administration or backup to the cloud using online tools, you save on infrastructural and manpower costs as well. Most online tools for basic operations like creating and editing documents, spreadsheets and pictures are free.
• They facilitate collaboration in real-time: With online tools, it’s easy for people on a project to collaborate their efforts in real-time, no matter how geographically diverse their locations are. They no longer have to wait for updates and revisions before they are able to do their part. Changes are visible as soon as they’re made, and feedback is almost instantaneous because many people can work on the same files across several computers.
• They prevent clutter and disorganization: When your software tool is online, you don’t have to waste hard disk space by installing it on your system. This translates to a huge amount of space on servers in organizations where every computer uses the tool. Also, when all files related to a project are stored in organized folders online, it becomes easier for people working on them to access and upload them quickly and efficiently. There is less clutter on each of the clients the software runs on because most of the application resides on the cloud server.
• They’re portable: With online tools, you’re not restricted to one particular computer in order to work on any project or task. You can access your files from any location as long as you’re connected to the Internet. This makes it easy to travel without a second thought and work from wherever you are with the same degree of efficiency.
• They’re customizable: And finally, online tools are great options for those who don’t use all the features of software applications because they allow you to access only the tools you need. This way, you not only reduce your expenditure, but also find it easier to navigate the tool and use just what you need. For example, instead of having to pay for the entire Office suite of programs, you could pay only to use Word and/or Excel for a certain period of time and renew your subscription with additional or less features every few months.

If you’ve never tried online tools, get started with one today – they simplify your work and personal life in more ways than one.

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To begin with, cloud computing is internet-based computing, usually performed through a third party vendor such as www.salesforce.com or Amazon’s SimpleDB (http://aws.amazon.com/simpledb). The goal of these services is to provide business applications online as well as replicate and store software and data in a number of locations (secure servers or data centers). All of this is meant to be done with minimal risk to the user through the displacement and obscuring of details like where and how data is replicated and stored. This all sounds great, but you can’t overlook the obvious concerns.

Privacy seems to be the main issue in any business where secure information is being handled by an outside source. And although they probably only touch a portion of your data, there is still a risk of that information being compromised. Legalities aside (issues of intellectual property often come with an ironclad NDA anyway), you want your data protected from outside discovery, theft, dissemination, or destruction. It never hurts to be aware of the integrity of any company you do business with, so don’t hesitate to investigate their security protocols. You need to be sure not only that they offer data protection and vulnerability management, but also that they have secure systems in place for identity management. After all, no one will be as careful with your property as you, but they are trying to run a business and will surely be inclined to offer you all possible assurances.

Another major concern is recovery. In the event of data loss at one source, backups must not only be secure, but have easy access in order to ensure that business continues to run smoothly. However, this is an issue that can be easily addressed by specifying how and how often you want your data to be replicated and stored. Generally speaking, cloud computing comes with a host of risks and rewards. But as more companies offer remote computing services, it will quickly become clear which ones can provide the type of support and level of security that your business needs to run smoothly and safely.

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For 2010, my buzz word is value. I’m including it in everything that I do, deliver, and offer. Some entrepreneurs just don’t understand the concept of value – especially, “internet marketers.” The term sends irritating shivers down my spine. The most successful entrepreneurs know that you can’t just spam, harass, and bully people into buying a product or service . . . you have to offer a value proposition.

What is a value proposition?

Simply put, it’s how you’re going to deliver value to the end user, client, customer, follower, fan, or prospect.

“Literally, what it is the customer gets for what s/he pays. The term is also used to describe some unique value a brand, company, product or service offers that its competitors don’t.”

via www.neubertweb.com/definitions.html

What if you don’t have customers? Maybe you’re a blogger? Well, the same principle applies, how are you going to give your readers value through your blog? It’s a very important question to ask because it extends to anyone wanting to gain anything from anybody. In order to “get” you must first “give.”

Why is a Value Proposition Important?

Back in 2002 I started hosting video game tournaments with inter-linked Playstation 2s and Xboxes (played on big movie projectors – your brain oozes from your ears with awesomeness!). My partner and I decided to make a full-fledged business out of it and decided to seek tournament sponsorship from the big 3; Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. In our sponsorship proposals we outlined our value proposition which was different for each company. We wanted Sony to be our primary sponsor so we emphasized more brand exposure, marketing real estate at event venues, and registration list sharing.

As you can see, a value proposition is important to the end-user to describe how you’re going to deliver value in return for something else. We offered value to Microsoft and Nintendo as well in different ways but, certainly not as much as Sony. In the end, we didn’t get the sponsorship we sought, but it was a great lesson in marketing and handling corporate America. Without a value proposition our proposals would have never gotten taken seriously. How can you expect anyone to take your business, brand, or blog seriously without offering some kind of value to them? When you find your value proposition that’s when you’ll find success.

People That Offer Great Value Propositions

There are plenty of people we all know who deliver strong value propositions online and off like; Chris Brogan, Darren Rowse, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, etc. (Interesting bunch isn’t it? Wonder what would happen if they all went out to dinner one day? . . . anyway . . . ) However, I want to introduce you to someone you may not know who I think is the very definition of value proposition (right beside my name in the dictionary, of course!).

Meet David Garland, show host & creator of The Rise to the Top. What I love about David is the fact that he really “gets” social media and knows how to maximize it for the benefit of his show, sponsors, followers, and fans.

You can see him regularly reaching out to his Twitter followers asking questions, running polls, and returning the love right back with their answers on his show. Don’t you get it? His value proposition is making his fans and followers valuable. How awesome is that? I’ll actually be interviewing David live in St.Louis next week for my show, “Inside the Success.”

How can you determine your value proposition?

Now that I’ve wet your appetite, what ways can you determine your value proposition? Here are a few thoughts;

• First, know who you are and what you have to offer. How can you give a man gold if you don’t know what’s in your pocket?
• Second, know what your prospects, potentials customers, site visitors, or blog readers want. You can do this simply by issuing polls and surveys. For a WordPress blogger try the WP-Polls plug-in, for entrepreneurs give Constant Contact a try.
• Third, think of creative ways to serve. Hold contests, live Q&A sessions via U-Stream, webinars, host tweet-ups, organize a Facebook Group (mine is for Christian Entrepreneurs), or, ask your followers how you can best help them solve their most pressing issues.

Whatever you do make sure you have the right mind-set of adding value to someone else’s life. You’ll only be successful in doing so. Trust me. Want some extra help on delivering excellent customer service? Read my article, “Customer Service is Dead and You Killed It.”

Follower Feedback – Question: How do you add value to the lives of your readers, followers, fans, & clients?

Not So Final Thought

A value proposition is your dedication to adding value to whatever it is you do. Whether you run a business, blog, or a combination of the two. Don’t make it just another “value statement” on to your about page. It’s got be something you decided to do and not tell anyone . . . just show them the value! It becomes your silent partner on the road to success. I didn’t write this blog post in hopes of ending your ever thirsting quest for knowledge of how to add value . . . but in starting it. Let’s chat in the comment section below. What are you doing now to add value to your blog, business, or brand? What’s working for you and what’s not? How can I help you figure this thing out? What other suggestions can we come up with to help others determine their value proposition?

Rod Kirby is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, the #1 Christian Entrepreneur’s blog-a-zine for small business, financial, marketing, and social media help. For resources to help you take your life, brand, blog, or business to the next level, check out the Best of The Success Center. You can also follow Rod’s rampage of terror on Twitter and find him misbehaving on Facebook.

If you’d be interested in guest posting at jtrigsby.com, you can drop me a line via the contact form or via email at jtrigsby [at] jtrigsby [dot] com.

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