Great America Networks Conferencing Blog

The Swine Flu outbreak and the Conferencing Industry

News about the Swine Flu is spreading all over the Internet at an incredible pace. The social networking site Twitter at one point even seemed overrun with it. It is important news of course, but with the easy spread of information on the Internet, it is easy for false rumors and unwarranted fears to spread as well.

It doesn't take a deep knowledge of the WebConferencing industry to realize that anything that reduces travel actually benefits our industry. This fact did not go unnoticed as I have seen a half-dozen posts from conferencing companies pointing out the benefits of using their service to help prevent the spread of swine flu or something to that effect.

I refused to do the same. I as an alternative want to commend and join Ken Molay from The Webinar Wire in telling people not to panic or sensationalize such a potentially dangerous event in an effort to drive more business to your own website and service.

The benefits of WebConferencing are easily apparent and don't need to be spelled out in this particular post. Reducing travel is always good for many reasons, but as of now the complete removal of travel is not required to prevent the spread of disease. Let's all hope the usage of conferencing services remains a choice for business, and not a necessity.

I hope when you choose, you choose Great America Networks Conferencing of course, but hopefully it will always remain a choice for all and this terrible event will fall to the wayside so business can continue as usual.

 Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Skype: anth.russo
Twitter: @AnthonyRusso

Additional revenue stream for your business

The economy is tough right now. Every day there seems to be another few thousand people being laid off. More businesses are having to file Bankruptcy. What do you do in a bad economy to have your business survive? It's a 2 part answer. Cut expenses and increase revenue!

We at Great America Networks Conferencing are looked to for help. People know that conferencing is a great way to reduce expenses. The hard economic times that are befalling on most industries is actually enabling our industry to boom. Now is the time for you to take advantage of that.

While you are already using conferencing to reduce expenses, Great America Networks Conferencing lets you use it to add an additional revenue stream to your business with our Partner Program. By partnering with Great America Networks Conferencing you will be able to promote and sell our products.

This is a huge opportunity for you to not only help your business weather the tough economic time, but to get into the industry that is only going up!

But I don't know how to sell conferencing?

We will provide all the basic training you might need. It's not rocket science at all here. Preventing travel expense is a really easy sell today. We will take care of everything as far as demonstrating the product and customer training and support. We will even brand the entire package with your company name and domain.

It couldn't be easier. Look over our program and contact us for more information on how to get started and bringing an entirely new revenue stream to your business.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Skype: anth.russo
Twitter: @AnthonyRusso

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays - Track Santa

We at Great America Networks Conferencing want to wish all our clients and all who visit us a happy and healthy holiday season.

There is one person that despite all the technology available will never cut down on his travel this night. For those of you celebrating Christmas and with young children in the house like myself, you are aware Santa is making his rounds tonight. Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) can track Santa with your little ones at the link below.

Track Santa Here

My granddaughter is loving to check every hour or two as he gets closer to our area of the world.

Happy Holidays to all.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Skype: anth.russo
Twitter: @AnthonyRusso

Make sure you get out and Vote!

It's Election day here in the USA. I just returned from the polls and cast my Vote for President, other offices and local issues. The crowd was much larger than last year, which is to be expected with a Presidential election, but even more than other Presidential elections.

No matter which way you are voting, you must admit that it is good to see the larger turnout at the polls. This historic election did motivate many people, and no matter which way you feel about the candidates, you have to admire that. Go make yourself a part of it if you haven't already.

For those of you undecided with your Presidential choice, there are other offices and local issues to still vote for. There is always a reason to vote. The right is something that America stands for, and everyone should exercise that right.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

I just finished watching the Presidential debate with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. This one was in a Town Hall style. It is an interesting choice for a debate that usually would be held much more formally with the Presidential candidates standing behind podiums.

Why do they have a debate in this format?

This is a chance for the candidates to look more like real people, rather than politicians. There is a friendly casualness that is present which you just lose once you put a podium in front of a person. The ability to connect with your audience is crucial to a speaker, and there is no better way than looking like you are accessible.

Are you accessible when you give a presentation? Do you put yourself in front of your audience with an easy to use system. If you are reaching out to clients, how easy is it for them to get to your information? How easy is it for them to talk to you in a 2-way conversation?

Having a platform that you can be confident will be accessible to most anyone you want to reach is an essential business communication tool. Great America Networks Conferencing can provide you with all you need in the form of TeleConferencing, WebConferencing, and VideoConferencing. We even give you the tools to manage it all, and provide the full training and support you want to make sure you look your best at all times. And these extras are always free of charge.

Let us bring your message to the widest range of people, and show that you are accessible to your clients, employees, or any audience you are really trying to reach. Call us today.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

How will your business survive the financial crisis?

This is a crucial time in the history of America. The economy appears to be on the verge of possible recession, or depression. Companies that have been staples of the global economic market are going through times of incredible change and potential fallout. There is one tried and true way to weather times like these in business. Reduce expenses and save wherever you can!

The luxury of extravagant spending on travel, training, and recruiting practices is not viable in this economy. Only the necessary expenses must be allowed, and then in the most efficient ways.

Can that trip be turned into a WebConference and still present the same information. For the personal touch, make it a VideoConference and connect with your client. Should we bring in the entire Board of Directors to the corporate HQ for our quarterly report, or is there a better way? Do all of the regional managers need to take the time off to attend a 3-day training event, or can we make it happen more efficiently by bringing the information to them, instead of them to the information?

Allow Great America Networks Conferencing to help you streamline your expenses and continue to provide the top level of personal service that you and your clients have come to expect as being mandatory. In tough economic times, there are those companies that will adapt and survive, and those that wont. Which company are you?

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

Confidence in a Hosted WebConference Solution

As the remnants of Hurricane Ike went through my location, we were fortunate. We did not have heavy rains in my area, but the winds were over 70+ mph. A lot of downed trees meant a lot of people with no power or other services. I know it did not compare to what a lot of the country went through, but it did affect me and my business.

My power stood on but my Internet Service went out about 6:30PM Sunday Evening. My ISP told me that about 25,000 people in my area of the state were without service and they were working on it. My main concern was a WebConference that I had scheduled for Noon on Monday. As I telecommute, I was hoping my service would be restored by then.

Monday came and no service, or ETA from my ISP on when it would occur. If I had to have information on my actual computer or download software to run my WebConference, then I was pretty much stuck. Luckily I of course use QuickVisuals.

My Presentation and all my content was stored in the Online library. I also did not need any software to run the meeting as sharing a PowerPoint presentation can be done from any computer connected to the Internet. I had the option to go to my local library and use their computer connected to the Internet to conduct my presentation. Is it the optimal setting? No, but when an important meeting is on the line, it is good to know I have that kind of flexibility.

Let us give you the freedom to conduct your WebConferences from wherever you might be. Also have the ability to share multimedia and all your PowerPoint animations and "flashiness" in a simple intuitive tool. 

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

Hurricane Ike affecting travel across the country

As we all watch and pray for the safety of those in the Galveston/Houston area of Texas as Ike approaches, we move on with our lives and business around the country. As Continental airlines starts suspending flights to the Houston area, it is only a matter of time before other airlines are forced to follow suit.

Unexpected delays are going to happen in any travel occasionally. Hopefully Ike will only be causing delays, and low damage without injuring any people. If your flight is suddenly altered though for a business meeting, an alternative must be found quickly!

At Great America Networks Conferencing we can have you active with a VideoConferencing account in under an hour if necessary and your meeting can still occur. Be confident that you are able to have all involved join your meeting with our multi-platform solution that doesn't require a download.

If you need a solution ASAP, call us immediately. We'll get behind you and make sure your meeting happens smoothly.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

Major advancement in scientific technology yesterday

Yesterday, the Large Hadron Collider was started up. All initial observations prove to be successful according to this post by CERN. It is a great day for the advancement of science and understanding of our own universe and where it has come from.

A true example of the power of collaboration as this project that has been years in the making and is the product of multiple countries and communities working together for a common goal. I'm sure there were a lot of conference calls and WebConferences over this time.

What could your company accomplish with better communication and collaboration tools. It's easier and more cost effective than you might think. Let us show you how.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo

The Olympics. Are you International? Should you be?

As I watched the Olympics over the weekend and saw Michael Phelps take his second Gold in Beijing, it made me realize I know people in China and a lot of other countries! I follow them on Twitter, or am connected on LinkedIn to them, or other Web 2.0 means. I have many contacts throughout the world for both business and as friends that I did not have the last time I watched the Olympics. It is making this Summer Games that much better for me.

As Nicole Cooke, of Great Britain  won in Cycling, I thought of the contacts I have in the UK and how they must have been pulling for her. 8 Years ago, or even 4 years ago I didn't honestly care much about the other countries because I didn't know anyone there. Now I do.

This is the world we live in now. This is where business takes place...everywhere! Are you connected? Is your business really reaching everyone it can reach? Conferencing and collaboration makes your business reach places that were too costly, too time-consuming, or just to hard to reach a few years ago. Now is the time to expand, and we can help you. With full International support for our WebConferencing, and VideoConferencing service, and toll-free TeleConferencing access to China, the UK, and many other International locations, let us help you reach that client that wasn't accessible before. Call us today.

Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
Skype: anth.russo