Podcasting allows you to record and syndicate your own radio show. You may also want to listen to podcasts from your favorite consultants. This new technology makes it affordable for anyone to put their voice out on the web. Podcasting does not fall under any FCC regulations and allows anyone to use this great technology to create a viral buzz about their company, and services. If you’re thinking about podcasting Audio Acrobat offers the tool and the ability to syndicate.

You can also search for podcasts and list your own in some great online directories.

http://ipodder.com

http://digitalpodcast.com

http://podcastalley.com

What are your marketing goals? Maybe podcasting will help your company increase its visibility on the web.

This is Jennifer Shaheen, The Technology Therapist, with your technology tip of the week.

- Tina

Instant messenger is a great way to communicate for any business. You can use it to ask quick questions while on a conference call, or even to stay in contact with partner companies. Whether you have employees located in one location or all over the world instant messenger is a great tool.

Many of the instant messaging services out there are free to use. You do need to sign-up with the provider. Here are some of the popular options:

• AOL’s service is AIM.
• Microsoft is Windows Messenger.
• Yahoo Messenger

Here is something else to think about! You can even get mobile versions of these services to stay in contact while you are out of the office. Some phones and PDA’s come pre-installed with many of the popular services mentioned above, or you can add them to your device if needed.

This is Jennifer Shaheen, The Technology Therapist, with your technology tip of the week.

I’d like to say I can recall everyone I have ever met at a networking event, but how can anyone recall someone they may have met 5 months ago? Networking for me has been about 4 keys to success listening, asking, giving and recording. As The Technology Therapist I find that recording is the one piece many networkers neglect.

Recording means a few different things to me. It means keeping a database of everyone I have ever met at an event. But just adding in their general information is not going to help you when you need them or they need you. Take your data recording to the next level. Make a place in your database to keep track of the following items:

1. The event you met them at

2. The date you met them

3. The Industry they fall into

4. Possible synergies / relationship to clients / resource for clients

5. General notes from your conversation

If you’re imputing business cards a day or two after the event, this information should be easy to recall. Many networkers also write on the cards at the event to help jar their memory when they do finally add it to their database. I recommend you create fields that fit your needs, or start by using the few I’ve mentioned above. And if you’re really looking to step-up your networking skills with this key I recommend carrying a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with all the data you recorded. I give people information or leads in person, rather than sending it when you get back to the office. My notes tell me which people in my database are open to introductions and which are not.

In 2006 try to take your networking to the next level and astonish people with your memory. It will be our secret that it’s really just your database.

This is Jennifer Shaheen, The Technology Therapist, with your technology tip of the week.