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Celebrating Twitterville with Network Solutions.

Kenneth Yeung — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:38 +0000

One of the best books that I bought was Naked Conversations and it was written by technology evangelist Robert Scoble and Shel Israel. I was very honored to be a part of the latter’s new book and launch party last Sunday. As part of the celebration, Network Solutions was a sponsor and helped create a great event by making t-shirts that allowed attendees to promote that they were part of Twitterville and where people could follow them.

Get your copy of Twitterville on September 3. More photos from the event can be found here.

Photo credit: All photos shown here are courtesy of Kenneth Yeung.

Here are just some of the photos of the event:

Network Solutions provided these great bags that people could use to hold copies of Twitterville that they bought at the event.

Shashi Bellamkonda sporting the Network Solutions t-shirts that had the logo on the front and the “I’m going to Twitterville” on the back.

At the event, Network Solutions even got technology evangelist Robert Scoble to get his own customized t-shirt sporting his Twitter handle on the back.

Searching for Network Solutions at SES

Kenneth Yeung — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:00:17 +0000

As part of my journey exploring this wonderful World Wide Web, I happen to come across the Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference in San Jose. Previous events that I had been to centered around social media so it was a bit refreshing to listen in on something focused on search marketing. My synopsis of the event will come later but I wanted to point out that Network Solutions followed me there! To help promote the new redesigned website and the brand, they set up a booth in the exhibition hall to talk to potential and current customers. It was a pretty cool booth, very sleek and simple and seemed to have a decent amount of traffic stopping by to get to know the extensive array of products offered by the team and also to learn more about their “suite of marketing services” which they’ve dubbed nsMarketing.

Here are some other shots of Network Solutions at the SES conference.

Photo credit: all photos shown here were taken by Kenneth Yeung.

New York Unintentional Entrepreneurs Meet August 13th

Steve Fisher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:00:31 +0000

Have you heard of the Unintentional Entrepreneur? It is a new partnership between Outright and Network Solutions.

Outright and Network Solutions started the 5 city tour of the Unintentional Entrepreneur events to educate new business owners on bookkeeping basics, small business tax tips, getting started online and building your web site and brand and Effective and efficient marketing methods. The next event in in NY on August 13th.

Venue:
For Your Imagination
22 West 27th Street
(Between Broadway and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10001

You should also check out the blog, The Unintentional Entrepreneur to get great advice on growing your small business.

Pictures taken at Unintentional Entrepreneur Events in other cities

Smart Working Tools – Three Ways to Effectively Use Twitter for Business

Steve Fisher — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:00:42 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. I have written many articles on Twitter, Tools for Twitter and Resources to make you more effective. You see, it is not about me but about you. It is about you and how you can leverage Twitter for your business to make you more effective.

Recently, Twitter has finally started to show its business model and realizes that one way is to help companies and brands utilize Twitter for all sorts of things. Network Solutions in fact utilizes it for customer service and community outreach and has seem immeasurable success in using it along with providing a channel for customers to reach out. You can find us at NetSolCares.

The new Twitter Guide for Business, uses this explanation for businesses thinking about signing up but asking about what it does, what they can use it for and the value/return they could see from it:

Twitter is a communications platform that helps businesses and their customers do a number of useful things. As a business, you can use it to quickly share information with people interested in your company, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and other people who care about your company. As an individual user, you can use Twitter to tell a company (or anyone else) that you’ve had a great–or disappointing–experience with their business, offer product ideas, and learn about great offers.

I have found that there are three primary ways to effectively use Twitter for Business:

1.) Customer Service – This is probably what Twitter is known the best for in business circles with companies like Comcast, Dell, Starbucks, Zappos and Etsy to name a few using this channel to communicate with customers having issues or to thank them when there are positive mentions. Network Solutions has use NetSolCares to great success and I think about how many issues have been resolved or the customer put in touch with the right person because they reached out on Twitter and we listened.

2.) Community Outreach – This goes beyond customer service to informing people abou things that will help their business and engage the broader community. This can be done on the same channel as customer service and we use this channel to post blog headlines from our various blogs in addition to putting out notices to the community about changes or issues they might be experiencing (e.g. System Downtime on Friday for new Network Solutions brand switchover).

3.) Selling those that want to be sold to – This is a challenging on that Dell Outlet does extremely well. They have often said that they make $1 million a year off of Twitter. This is because they set up a specific Twitter channel/handle for selling Dell Products.

What Ways Has Your Business Used Twitter Effectively?

I know I mentioned the “Top 3″ but I want to start the conversation and hear from you how you are creatively using Twitter with your business and gather a longer list of best practices for everyone in a future post.

Network Solutions Brand Launch

Steve Fisher — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:00:29 +0000

Network Solutions Brand Launch

As most of you know, Network Solutions has gotten a MAJOR overhaul (as you can see in the home page screen shot below) and it goes way beyond a mere facelift. If you haven’t yet, go to www.networksolutions.com now and come back.

Changes include a repackaging of how Network Solutions is offering its solutions to customers and new pricing to reflect the feedback we have received. I the interest of full disclosure, my business and my non-profit are both Network Solutions customers. As a customer I am excited to see the improvements and it has fixed many problems that I myself have had challenges with in the past. In a nutshell, Network Solutions has been listening and this is the result.

Over the Next Two Weeks – Site Tours and Solution Overviews

Over the next two weeks on this blog we will be taking various parts of the site and giving you tours of the new interface along with new features that are useful and really cool. Along with the tours we will be interviewing product managers from around Network Solutions as they explain how their new service is bundled and the new features and new pricing that goes with this brand launch.

Stay Tuned….

New Look for Network Solutions and Scheduled Maintenance 7/31 at 10pm EDT

Steve Fisher — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:00:46 +0000

Most of you have heard by now that Network Solutions is getting an overhaul and is launching a new look on August 1. If you haven’t, well people have very hard at work over many months to get a new storefront and brand together that answers many customer requests and responds to their feedback. We are and have been listening and this will be reflected in the new Network Solutions come August 1, 2009. There is a preview here http://preview.networksolutions.com/ )

In preparation for the launch, the following notice is up on the account management system:

For those of you that can’t see the image it states:

Scheduled Maintenance:

“Please be aware that we will be performing scheduled system maintenance on Friday, July 31, starting at 10pm EDT, lasting approximately 7 hours. During that time you will not be able to access networksolutions.com or log-in to your Network Solutions account.

We value your business and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause”.

If you want to check out the information on your account system before the maintenance go to https://www.networksolutions.com/manage-it/index.jsp

Did you get the email on the new Network Solutions?
This past week as a customer of Network Solutions I got a great email introducing me to the new Network Solutions. It looks like the picture on the right. So you don’t have to read the fine print, it says:

In recent months, we’ve asked you to tell use how we can better serve your needs and improve the products and services that we provide. We’ve received an overwhelming amount of valuable feedback which is driving a reinvention of our company.

On August 1, 2009, much of the hard work we’ve been doing to improve your overall Network Solutions experience will be on full display. Here is what you can expect:

- Every need addressed. We’ve re-engineered and simplified our products and services to better meet your specific needs.

- Find what’s right for you. The new networksolutions.com has been restructured to give you control over how you browse—whether you’re an individual, business owner, designer or developer.

- Get the guidance you need, when you need it. We’ve developed more robust support and educational tools to help you start and grow your business online. Plus, we’ve enhanced our community websites so that you can freely interact and learn from others just like you.

If you want to see what is to come this weekend, check out the preview at http://preview.networksolutions.com/index.php

See you on the other side of the weekend with a new look and and a new and improved Network Solutions.

Roy Dunbar to speak at Dekalb Chamber Luncheon in Atlanta

Scott Lawrence — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:52:37 +0000

Roy Dunbar, CEO of Network Solutions® has enthusiastically agreed to speak to the members of the Dekalb Chamber luncheon on 8/3/09 at Atlanta Marriott Century Center. Details are below.

At the luncheon, Mr. Dunbar will address the newest information derived from the partnership with the University of Maryland and their Small Business Success Index. GrowSmartBusiness.com was created as a result of the enormous amount of data resulting from the study.

Small business owners often wear many hats to make their businesses thrive. This has proven especially challenging in the current state of the economy. The study focuses on how competitive small businesses believe they rate in six key areas of business. Mr. Dunbar will discuss not only what is being done by businesses within the technology field, but also within marketing, Capital management, Customer Service and other fields.

Atlanta Marriott Century Center
2000 Century Center Boulevard, NE
404-325-0000

The New Network Solutions – Brand Preview Today 6/29

Steve Fisher — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:40 +0000

Network Solutions is listening. Listening to our customers. Listening to YOU.

Change is here and today on Monday June 29, 2009 we would love for you to be a part of our sneak preview.

We are overhauling our brand and this not just a cosmetic change. We have heard loud and clear what you want and we are aligning our offerings to your needs regardless of what stage you are in the business life cycle.

Change We Have Been Waiting For

We’ve evolved the website structure and navigation to provide a more logical flow of information and a more customized experience so users can find what they are looking for. We’ve also reorganized and simplified our offerings to meet the specific needs of the customer.

OK, So how can I participate in this sneak preview of the new website and offer my feedback?
http://preview.networksolutions.com/

You can head there RIGHT NOW to see the preview.

Share your thoughts and get a SPECIAL OFFER as a “Thank You” for your feedback

In exchange for taking the time out of your day to offer your thoughts on how we are doing and input on how we can make the experience better, we will send you a coupon for a $35 credit towards the purchase of Network Solutions products and services, while supplies last*.

So head on RIGHT NOW. We look forward to hearing from you.

Photo Credit: Customers Rock

Network Solutions Brand Preview on Monday 6/29

Steve Fisher — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Network Solutions is listening. Listening to our customers. Listening to YOU.

Change is coming and on Monday June 29, 2009 we would love for you to be a part of our sneak preview.

Change We Have Been Waiting For

OK, So how can I participate in this sneak preview of the new website and offer my feedback?
http://preview.networksolutions.com/

You can head there on Monday 6/29 to see the preview.

Share your thoughts and get a SPECIAL OFFER as a “Thank You” for your feedback

So head on over there next week. We look forward to hearing from you.

Photo Credit: Customers Rock

Washingtonian Honors the 100 Top Tech Titans at the Smithsonian

Shashi Bellamkonda — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:05:53 +0000

On May 28th the 100 Washingtonian Top Tech Titans were honored at a reception held at the Freer Gallery of Art at the Smithsonian. I was honored to be on the Top Tech Titan’s list and to be there and meet the others on the list. Garrett M. Graff the list’s creator took into account several factors almost like his own Google Algorithm – recommendations, visibility, Community efforts etc. Thank you Garett Graf, Catherine Merill Williams and the other folks at the Washingtonian for the list and the event.

Debbie Weil Author of the The Corporate Blogging Book – a Tech Titan herself did a nice interview of Garrett on her Blog. Frank Gruber another Tech Titan posted the event recap here.

I had the great pleasure of once again meeting Nigel Morris – one of the members of General Atlantic and on the Board of Network Solutions. Nigel is also one of the co-founders of Capital One. In fact Network Solutions is represented by 4 people on the Washingtonian Tech Titan’s list.

Nigel Morris : Member of the Network Solutions’ Board of Directors

Raul Fernandez : Member of the Network Solutions’ Board of Directors

Jill Foster : Editor – WomenGrowBusiness.com and

Shashi Bellamkonda – Social Media Swami (me )

Another distinction in the list is that 5 of the fantastic contributors to WomenGrowBusiness ( a community blog for Women Entrepreneurs ) are on the list and I consider that a great honor for Network Solutions.

I saw several folks from last time and enjoyed a great conversation with them. Here is a list of a few of the people I met, its not exhaustive and I may have left off some good people so forgive and give me hell by commenting here if you are not listed
My good friends Shana Glickfield (dcconcierge.com) , Jen Consalvo, Leslie Ann, Nick O’Neil, Frank Gruber. I missed meeting Sanju Bansal whose name I hear all the time. Sid Banerjee – we almost said hello.

Eva Barboni Joetrippi.com

Pete Snyder Founder and CEO of NMS : New Media Strategies ( Another Washingtonian Tech Titan himself ). Of course his able employee Leslie Ann is like a Fairy God mother to the local community – she is young but can still have that title.

Ed Black President and CEO of CCIA ( Computers and Communications Industry Association) a Washingtonian Tech Titan himself. I had a great conversation with Heather Greenfield and Gina Steinhauser also with the CCIA. I must narrate this story. I was carrying a bag with all me cameras and equipment and Paul Bremer was taking a picture. Seeing me holding the bag Gina offered to hold it while the picture was being taken. I thought the courtesy was awesome particularly having read in that day’s Washington Post about how many commuters were ill- mannered and did not offer their seats to people who need them the most. Ed Black you have some great employees.

Paul Bremer from InflectionPoint Media connected me with another Washingtonian Tech Titan and CEO of Genius Rocket Mark Walsh. I met Linda Jeffries from the Newseum , Eliis Jeffries from the Washingtonian. Caroline McGurk of NBC Universal looks after the partner Sales for iVillage.com and i should connect her with Jill Foster for WomenGrowBusiness.com.

Dendy Young from McClean Capital is another Washingtonian Tech Titan I met. Nigel Morris introduced me to Alan. G Merten President of George Mason University . Jack Crupi CTO of Jack Be another Washingtonian Tech Titan spoke about how their company does “mash=ups” for enterprises. Shireen Mitchell at once saw the connection and wondered if Network Solutions could use them.

I spoke a long time with Haroon Mokhtarzada CEO of Webs.com and David Stegon of Bisnow snapped a shot of us two conversing. Pay back came for me with me taking a picture of David. I was thrilled to be on Bisnow the next day ( Thanks David). Craig Newmark mentioned some of the Tech Titans on his blog . Sacha Cohen from Rosetta Stone and of course MIKE RUCKI of http://www.onfrozenblog.com

Other folks who have blogged and written about this:

http://ctovision.com/2009/05/my-thoughts-on-the-washingtons-tech-titans-list/

http://www.debbieweil.com/blog/behind-washington-dc-top-100-tech-titans-list/

http://www.socialmedian.com/story/4897066/washingtonian-names-unites-dc-100-tech-titans

http://vimeo.com/4877975

http://newmediastrategies.net/pressroom/entry/washingtonian-magazine-names-new-media-strategies-ceo-pete-snyder-top-100-t/

Here are some of the pictures I took.