How is GPS Technology Impacting Today’s Businesses

While consumer applications of GPS technology usually dominate the headlines, it’s the business applications that have transformed the ability of organizations to compete, whether they are small businesses or multinational corporations.

Once, you may have paid several hundred dollars for a single GPS unit to provide directions and traffic reports. Today, emboldened by decreasing costs and increasing power, GPS comes with everything from smartphones to route plan systems.



In fact, GPS has become so ubiquitous in business software, it sometimes goes unnoticed. From advanced shipping and delivery routing to just-in-time inventory systems, GPS is now often more of a component of business software than a separate application. Route planner GPS systems are also a staple of the latest tech developments.

Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings

Most businesses recognize the intrinsic efficiency that comes with GPS technology and route planner optimizers. Planned routes, easy changes, and detailed directions save time and fuel.

UPS famously saved 10 million gallons of gas from 2004-2014 simply by optimizing their delivery routes so drivers didn’t have to turn left as often. That small change reduced vehicle idling time, and the routes were more efficient. That’s a lot of money saved, not to mention the decreased vehicle emissions.

7 Easy Ways to Get Your Small Business Up and Running

If you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business and being your own boss, you may be daunted by the amount of red tape and hassle it takes to begin your own venture. You may not want to deal with filling out the paperwork, renting out a business space, hiring employees, and other expensive steps that are necessary for some new companies. If you’re not sure your business idea is going to be a hit, it’s tricky to take that risk. It can also be expensive. Instead, try one of these easy, inexpensive small business ideas to start creating income.

1. Start Blogging

One easy way to go into business for yourself is by starting a blog. While not every blogger is making money, there are ways to generate revenue from blogging. Creating a blog is simple and most of the time, free. You simply need to find a unique topic and begin to post information about it. Using services like Google AdWords can help you make money.

2. Refinish Antiques

The next idea is to take on antique furniture and household items. Start by scanning online ads for free or low-cost pieces of furniture. Another route to get free stuff is to drive around and look for items placed on the curb or near dumpsters. You may not always find an antique treasure, but you can still clean the piece up and paint it for a fresh look. Then, you can resell the item at a profit. Eventually, you can work your way up to finding true antiques at markets and auctions.

3. Selling Produce

If you’re still not sure about the type of business idea that would be perfect for you, try looking at your backyard. With a spacious plot of land, you can start your own produce business. This works best when you plan it out over the fall or winter, so you can start planting your crops as soon as spring begins. Focus on popular items or rare items that can grow well in your climate. You could sell your goods at farmer’s markets or at roadside stands throughout the summer and fall.

4 Etiquette to Keep in Mind When Attending an Online Business Meeting

Years of practice and experience will likely have already taught you the correct etiquette and customs to use during meetings to make them successful. Online conferences through video software are a relatively new phenomenon, but one that has been proven to be so useful and productive that it has already dominated the workplace in just a few short years. While many of the same basic principles apply to these online meetings, there are still some pieces of etiquette to keep in mind that work differently when talking online. It is a good idea to pick up these habits early so that they become second nature and don’t negatively affect you in the future. Here are just a few things to keep in mind during your next meeting:

Be Prepared

You are expected to be well prepared for an in-person talk, so an online meeting shouldn’t be any different. Not only should you prepare your agenda and any important points you want to make, but your presentation if you need one. A great advantage of using cloud based conferencing is that you can include video clips in your presentation to make it more interesting and memorable. When it comes time for the meeting, ensure you are dressed appropriately (don’t be tempted to wear your pyjamas and bunny slippers just because you are in your own home), your room is prepared (nothing embarrassing visible in the background) and give yourself a few minutes to check your internet connection and technical specifications. Inc.Com recommends that if you are the event host, be sure to send out the invites and access codes (which are needed to access the meeting, particularly if the participant isn’t using the same piece of software) at least a day in advance. There is nothing worse than a scheduled talk being held up because one person can’t gain access or hasn’t set their camera and microphone properly. If you take all of these steps, your meetings will start on time and run smoothly.

Introduce Yourself

Remote working has opened up many business opportunities than were ever possible before. But if you are used to only doing business with your direct colleagues, you might feel as if you are constantly talking to a group of strangers. You can solve this by taking some time before the meeting to introduce yourself and giving every other person on the call an opportunity to do the same. The robust nature of corporate video communications systems such as BlueJeans mean it is easy to stay in touch with people after the conference, so you can also get to know them on a one-to-one basis, developing both personal and working relationships.