http://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/columnists/contributors/joe-stoddard.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1774470http://www.remodeling.hw.net/internet/develop-your-social-media-strategy.aspx?rssLink=Develop+Your+Social+Media+StrategyAn organized approach to your social media efforts will pay off. Plan a social media campaign that fits your company's mission/value statement and measure the results.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/office-technology/tech-success.aspx?rssLink=Tech+SuccessJoe Stoddard outlines how to make savvy software and technology decisions for your company.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/internet/come-blow-your-horns.aspx?rssLink=Come%2c+Blow+Your+HornsWith more consumers researching companies online and ranking their services through consumer-oriented social evaluation websites, it pays to be proactive in maintaining your online reputation.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/ultimate-word-of-mouth.aspx?rssLink=Ultimate+Word-of-MouthIt costs you nothing to use social networking sites such as Facebook to make people aware of your company.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/remodel-your-approach-to-social-networking.aspx?rssLink=Remodel+Your+Approach+to+Social+NetworkingSocial networking is here to stay, and it can be a useful networking tool for remodelers.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/office-technology/remote-access-options.aspx?rssLink=Remote+Access+OptionsMost remodeling companies don't need a full-blown virtual private network. Here are some remote-access options to get you online and enable you to get work done when you're not in the office.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/office-technology/feeling-free.aspx?rssLink=Feeling+FreeSoftware available for free can help business owners -- but mind the small print.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/office-technology/industry-specific-software-vs-generic-software.aspx?rssLink=Industry-Specific+Software+vs.+Generic+SoftwareJoe Stoddard details when it makes sense to invest in industry-specific software, and why.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/design/softplan-raises-the-bar.aspx?rssLink=SoftPlan+Raises+the+BarBack when I was selling my own remodeling jobs, my computer-generated presentation packages would often allow me to lock out the competition. Sometimes, they’d never even get to present their bids. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/computers/back-to-backup-basics.aspx?rssLink=Back+to+Backup+BasicsYou wouldn’t leave a roof uncovered with a thunderstorm in the forecast, so why aren’t you backing up your computer data? http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/mobile-musthaves.aspx?rssLink=Mobile+Must-havesArmed with a cell phone and a good laptop or Tablet PC, remodelers can slash overhead and respond to clients more quickly than ever before. But what's the best mobile computer for a remodeler? Here are a few things to look for:http://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/cell-phone-enhancers.aspx?rssLink=Cell+Phone+EnhancersOne high-tech tool practically every lead carpenter, salesperson, and project manager is an expert at using is a cell phone. The following productivity software and hardware will put any modern Smartphone to better use as a true project management tool:http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/dont-leave-home-without-it.aspx?rssLink=Don't+Leave+Home+Without+ItI recently did a complete Global Positioning System (GPS) unit roundup for our sister publication, TOOLS OF THE TRADE. I was amazed by how powerful and inexpensive these units have become — and how useful they would be for a remodeler or handyman trying to get from job to office to supply house and back as quickly as possible.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/online-photo-services.aspx?rssLink=Online+Photo+ServicesRemodelers are always looking for ways to say “thank you” to clients while at the same time promoting their own services. The current crop of online photo services offers a perfect solution.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/software/office-2007-delivers.aspx?rssLink=Office+2007+DeliversWhy shell out $150 to $700 per seat for Microsoft Office 2007 when there are a bunch of free “productivity suites” already available? For starters, it's the best “office system” there is. I've been using Office 2007 for six months and feel I've barely scratched the surface of what's possible with it.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/internet/joe-stoddard-its-a-myth.aspx?rssLink=Joe+Stoddard%3a+It's+a+MythIt's hard to believe, but what we now call the "dot-com boom" began 10 years ago -- an eternity in technology years. Yet remodelers still worry about the dangers of "working online."http://www.remodeling.hw.net/software/pc-to-go.aspx?rssLink=PC+to+GoWouldn't it be great if you could have a complete PC you could stick in your pocket?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/the-biggest-bang.aspx?rssLink=The+Biggest+BangJust as clients aim for the greatest possible ROI on their remodeling projects, remodelers looking to improve processes should seek technology solutions that provide the biggest bang for their buck.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/internet/joe-stoddard-cut-the-cord-on-your-landline.aspx?rssLink=Joe+Stoddard%3a+Cut+the+Cord+on+Your+LandlineA look at useful VOIP services.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/how-to/top-down-approach.aspx?rssLink=Top-Down+ApproachMany remodelers choose their technology solutions from the "bottom up," looking first at particular products or features and then thinking about how those features might be able to help them. A more effective approach is "top-down," which requires that you first establish what exactly you want to accomplish and why before moving on to figuring out how to achieve it.