Welcome Back!
Here’s what you need to know as a small business owner and a Connected Commerce Council (3C) member to help your business maintain access to the latest digital platforms, tools and marketplaces.
YOUR HELP – 3C Digital Tools Survey
3C has commissioned Deloitte to study the effect the use of digital tools has on the performance of small businesses. We would like to work with some of you to develop case studies that can provide insights into how SMBs may use different digital tools and to what effect on performance. To do this, we have worked with Deloitte to develop a brief survey that can help us identify which of you may be able to help us so that we can move forward with this work. The survey is very brief, it should only take around five minutes, and you will be able to find it here: https://deloitte.survey.fm/3c-members-survey.
Here are 5 things you should know for this week:
1. Best Social Media Practices for Small Businesses
Getting your small business off the ground is no easy feat, but social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Yelp can help the process by drawing in new customers. Click here for some tips to enhance your social media presence from David Kline of the Motley Fool.
2. Sen. Josh Hawley Introduces Data Protection Bill
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) announced this week that he will introduce the Do Not Track Act, a bill that would allow consumers to block online companies from collecting data beyond what is necessary for their online services. The bill will create an online version of the “Do Not Call List,” and impose penalties on companies who violate the rules of the list.
3. How to Succeed Using Technology in Your Small Business
Running a small business is no easy challenge and technology can help them improve productivity, marketing, financials, and even collaboration and customer service. Mastercard’s, Amnah Ajmal, executive vice president of Core Products offered this advice to small business owners. Watch her interview and listen to her advice here.
4. Protect Your Small Business from Cyber Attacks
As the world grows increasingly dependent on the internet, protecting your small business from cyber attacks is more important now than ever before. Roughly 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, and 60% of small businesses who suffer such an attack go out of business within six months of the incident. Security Boulevard has some tips for small businesses interested in protecting themselves and their customers from cyber attacks.
5. When Evaluating California Data Regulation, Don’t Forget the Thousands of US Firms No Longer Operating in the EU
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is set to become law, and many are concerned about its effect on small businesses, particularly after seeing what has happened in Europe with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
3C Member Spotlight:
Dina Ayoub, Founder of Dee’s Fine Art
Redmond, WA
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Starting her career in the tech industry, Dina Ayoub knows the importance of digital tools in the business world. Dina moved from her native Egypt to Washington State, where she worked as a program manager at Microsoft for more than six years. However, Dina felt compelled to explore her creative side and after a decade in the tech industry, she left to become an artist. Dina utilized her experience to launch her own entrepreneurial venture, Dee’s Fine Art. She uses professional grade materials to create oil and acrylic paintings, as well as jewelry, to foster a personal creative outlet and provide works of art to her clients.
Read more.
