Check back in the fall for more business advice on:

• Marketing
• Branding
• Small businesses
• Sustainability
• Social Media

Until then, you can get the occasional update by following me on Twitter and Facebook. Have a wonderful summer — and remember to keep doing well by doing good!

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Zoomerang
Why It’s a Gem: Traditional methods of market research get tossed out the browser window as the Internet offers cheaper, faster methods

Not so long ago, businesses had to shuck out tens of thousands of dollars to learn what their customers thought of their product or new idea. Not only that, but it could take months – even years – before they saw results.

In recent Ruby Tuesdays, we’ve seen how the Internet is making the marketplace a level playing field by introducing technologies that are affordable to businesses of all sizes. From legal documents to customer service, businesses have a wide array of options to replace the antiquated methods of the past. This week, we see how one company has helped revolutionize the way businesses do market research. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Ning
Why It’s a Gem: Creating an online community used to cost a small fortune; now it’s affordable for businesses of all sizes

Value. Unique selling proposition. Community/transparency. I refer to these three concepts as the Three Gems, the pillars on which any business must be built if it hopes to grow and survive.

When most people think of the third gem, the first brands that spring to mind are Twitter and Facebook – both wonderful tools, but they comprise only two pieces of the social-networking puzzle. Ning brings the picture one step closer to completion, with an affordable solution that has helped millions of small businesses build social networks that are big on community and small on cost. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Solexx/Adaptive Plastics
Why It’s a Gem: Solexx greenhouses are the epitome of sustainability made easy

Slow food. Organic. Local produce. Healthful, sustainable food is no longer a trend; it’s become part of the nation’s social conscience, with even the First Family raising their own victory garden.

With 20 years’ experience in the market, Adaptive Plastics is taking the next step by introducing a modular greenhouse that makes growing so simple even those of us with brown thumbs can raise a bumper crop – for a fraction of the price of store-bought organics.
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Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: LegalZoom
Why It’s a Gem: Affordable self-help legal services help small businesses get a jumpstart without the pricey overhead

One of the great things about technology is that it creates a level playing field. Just as Get Satisfaction helps small businesses get a handle on customer service, LegalZoom makes performing certain everyday legal tasks fast, efficient, and utterly affordable. Now even small entrepreneurs can jump in the game and play right alongside the big guys. And with the opportunity of the Great Recession upon us, the timing couldn’t be better.
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