Water, water, everywhere,
      And not a drop to drink.
                That file you want – I’m sure it’s here, 
              But where?  I just can’t think!
                            - Average Office Worker

 Can you relate…?

• We have way too many file cabinets – and not enough space for people!
• I know I had that document here yesterday, but somehow now it’s gone.
• Review this document, note your approval, and then pass it back to me – asap!
• It’s in the file room downstairs; but don’t look in the bottom drawers – that’s private.
• I don’t need that document now, but if it’s ever tossed, you’re in big trouble!

Taming the “paper dragon” is critical to doing business efficiently and productively.  Even as companies go “paperless”, more paper is generated today than ever before.  Why?  Mostly because there’s so much more information to manage, but also due to operational needs, customer preferences and, in some cases, legal requirements for paper.

Consider the impact and calculate the costs…

• Paper files are doubling every 3.5 years
• 7.5 % of documents are lost; 3% of are misfiled
• The average document is handled 4 to 6 times, by different individuals.
• 90% of these documents are handled without any management review
• 50-70% of documents are kept beyond legal retention requirements

So, what’s a business to do?

Managing your paper documents efficiently requires knowing how to best collect, classify, retain, individually find, and share them.  For documents converted to (or already in) an electronic format, the same needs apply:  capture, index, store, retrieve and document sharing/routing.  Now add to this mix the desire to directly access images from within your business applications, plus OCR (optical character recognition), plus image annotation...

We feel your pain.

Many of our clients have asked how to best address the problems related to paper documents, often from a variety of different perspectives:  departmental needs, document types, workflow requirements and technical environments.  Can one document imaging product do it all?  In my next blog, we’ll address some of these problems more specifically and whether a one-size-fits-all approach can really work.

Want to know/see more? 

On April 13^th from 11:00-1:00, we will hold an Executive Briefing to discuss Document Imaging.  We’ll also show how using a “flexible framework” approach to document imaging can allow customized solutions for variety of different business document problems.   Better yet?  We’ll feed you lunch…. on us.

Where:     Pinnacle, 4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy Ste320, Mishawaka, IN  46545

When:   April 13^th, 11:00-1:00   (Lunch provided)

Cost:   $0

Please RSVP at http://pinnacledev.eventbrite.com  or call us at (574) 235-8100 to register.

The St. Joe Valley Metronet is a high speed data network that connects dozens of South Bend businesses, hospitals and colleges.  What makes it unique is that it’s a ringed network made of dark fibers that allows data to keep moving even if there is a break or cut in the cable. 

What can St. Joe Valley Metronet do for my business?

• Help achieve speeds of 10gps or higher
• Provide bandwidth that is almost 6,000 times faster than T-1
• Back up business data in a matter of minutes (versus hours)
• Update information instantly across networks (Connect seamlessly, as if you were in the same building)
• Unlimited local access can be extended to facilities through-out the world via local high speed Internet access points.
• Allow for quality real-time video conferencing
• Website video streaming has never been easier.

In other words?  Crazy fast internet, great return on investment (ROI), and essentially no downtime.

The service area for the Metronet continues to expand as it’s been growing over the last few years.  You can find more information and continued updates on the St. Joe Valley Metronet at http://www.stjoevalleymetronet.org.

Really it’s cliché’ to say “we value our customers” or “we pride ourselves on superior customer service”…  Blah. Blah. Blah.   I’m sure the same information is on your competitor’s web site.  How are you insuring that you’re truly putting your customers first?

What controls can you put in place?  How can technology help raise the bar of the experience your clients have with your organization while saving time, improving security, and monitoring your business processes?

Microsoft 4.0 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can help.  What can it do for me?

• No more “information everywhere”.  CRM software can consolidate all your customer information into one shared database.

• Security for your sales leads and contacts.  If you have salespeople on the road with valuable leads only on their laptops, you may be at risk of those leads going with them if they choose to leave the company.  CRM centralizes this information from anywhere in the world.

• No more duplicate entry.  With Pinnacle’s PinConnect tool, we can have your customer data synchronized with your accounting system, push A/R information into CRM, and talk to just about any other system you have to get the information you need where you need it.
• Manage tasks and business processes.  Your business most likely has several processes, how a lead converts into a customer, how warranty or customer service calls are logged, how proposals are created, etc…  CRM has built in “workflow” tools to help you track the progress of critical functions and can send you automated alerts when/if they’re not happening.
• Information accessible 24/7 from anywhere.   You can access your CRM data from anywhere in the world via the web to update meeting notes, add leads, you name it.
• Business Intelligence.  Once your data is consolidated, you can get the information you need to make day to day decisions to help effectively manage your operation and improve service with scores of built in reports.
• And there’s more.  Really, the opportunities to customize CRM to your specific needs are nearly endless.  This is not your old spreadsheet telling you your customer’s birthday… this is a platform that can lead to web portals for your clients, multiple systems working together, an employee management tool, sales funnel reporting, and more…

Want to see it in action? 

On February 25th from 11:00-1:00, we will cover some CRM basics, but more importantly, give you practical examples of how businesses are actually using this software to build sales, improve service, and more…  Better yet?  We’ll feed you lunch…. on us.

Where:     Pinnacle, 4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy Ste320, Mishawaka, IN  46545

When:   February 25th, 11:00-1:00   (Lunch provided)

Cost:   $0

Please RSVP at http://pinnaclecrm.eventbrite.com or call us at (574) 235-8100 to register.

Can I really use Facebook or Twitter for my business?  How do I even get started in the process to learn some basics?  Can social media be an effective tool in achieving successful communications with my target audience?

Join a group of other business leaders for six months to dive in and learn real tools to launch your social media strategy.  (Limited to 12 organizations)

What Can You expect?

• Learn practical ways to leverage Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other tools to create your social media strategy.
• Review examples of how some companies are using social media well (or, in some cases, not well at all).
• You will learn from each other, as a variety of different local businesses will discuss what’s working for them, what they’re learning, questions they’re asking, and more!
• This experience will be dynamic.  You control the agenda based on feedback from month to month and the specific needs in the group.  We will be customizing the content according to your desires.
• Great food!  Thanks to LaSalle Grill offering to host for these 6 meetings, we will enjoy some really fine dining along the way!

First Social Media Coaching Network Meeting:

Date:  February 18, 2009

Time:  11am – 1pm

Place:  LaSalle Grill– Colfax Suite

Price: (6) Luncheons Only:  $395   (Alternatively, for those organizations already participating in our ongoing, personalized Social Media Coaching services, the cost to attend these luncheons is free).   

Want Personalized Coaching?

We are offering a variety of options for Social Media Coaching specific to your organization’s needs.  Depending on your goals, they range from “just get me started” to a “strategically optimized” social media plan tied to your business initiatives.

We are looking forward to learning and working with this great group of organizations!  February 18 is coming fast, so if you’re interested in filling one of our remaining spots on our Social Media Coaching network, please call or email our Social Media Consultant, Michelle Hillaert at:

574-235-8100 x327
mhillaert@pinnacleofindiana.com