Monthly Archives: April 2012

Bongo’s Techie Friday: Galaxy Nexus, Google’s UNLOCKED smartphone

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Galaxy Nexus smartphone unlockedTired of wandering eBay, hoping to get a good deal on an unlocked smartphone? The search is over with Google’s new Galaxy Nexus smartphone, now available UNLOCKED for a great price! For just a fraction of what any other unlocked smartphone can cost you, you’ll get an Android 4.0-powered GSM phone that works with more than 200 providers around the world. Other specs include a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 16 GB Internal Storage, 1 GB RAM, Micro USB slot, 2 Microphones, 5 MP Continuous auto-focus camera with LED flash, and much, much more. Only available in the USA, so use your Bongo US address to ship internationally to more than 220 countries and territories. Step into the future, techies.

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5 Reasons to Consider Multiple Distribution Centers

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There are many factors that can affect your business model and the changes that may or may not be of good use to the productivity of your company.  Multi-channel Merchant has written a great synopsis about the benefits of having multiple distribution centers.

 

5 Main Reasons to Consider Multiple Distribution Centers:

1.) Number of SKU’s

2.) Order Numbers

3.) Order Weight

4.) Top Sellers

5.) Technology

 

For a more detailed explanation on each point, read the entire article here and learn the best practices to enable a multiple distribution center solution.

 

Want access to more best practices and business tips? 

Follow us on Twitter @BongoMerchant

 

 

Bongo’s Techie Friday: GPS Homing Device for key chains

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GPS homing device key chainAlways forget where you leave your car when you go shopping? Or do you simply want to remember where your hotel is when traveling? This GPS homing device for key chains is a perfect fit into your daily life. Soccer moms and travelers alike will find this compact device useful: Simply push the button to mark the location you want to remember and listo. The GPS homing device will mark the distance (and direction) of your starting point. When you want to go back, simply push the second button and use your key chain as a digital compass to return. It is water resistant, too! Product dimensions: 0.75″ L x 2″ W x 3″ H. Weight: 0.25 lbs. Key chain ring and 2 AAA batteries (required) not included.

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5 Steps to Manage and Decrease Shipping Costs

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When you are doing a great deal of shipping, it can be hard to manage all the costs.  Small fees come and its very easy to just let it slide because the dollar amount is minimal.  However, in order to keep a good handle on the bottom line, it is a good idea to re-evaluate your shipping operation and use these 5 tips from Multichannel Merchant to potentially cut back on costs:

 

1.)  Know your Shipping Contract

2.) Regularly Review your Shipping Contract

3.)  Beware of Surcharges

4.)  Understand What you  Ship

5.)  Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate

 

Read the detailed article here:

http://multichannelmerchant.com/opsandfulfillment/shipping/shipping-costs-0413jt9/

 

Bongo’s Cool Pick of the Week: Hidden Litter Box Plant

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Hidden Litter Box PlantRejoice cat lovers – a hidden litter box that looks just like a real clay pot and decorative plant! In addition to decorating your space, the Hidden Litter Box has a filter and is a vented design, allowing it to breathe and keep odors at bay. Large size means one litter box for all your kittens. Product dimensions: 19 x 19 x 14 inches. Approx. shipping weight: 6.2 lbs

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Twitter Tips for Small Business

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Twitter is a great tool for business when leveraged correctly.  It provides an opportunity for a true conversation between businesses and consumers.  On a basic level, there are preliminary preparations…..set up a Twitter handle, understand the functionality of tweets, and learn the lingo: mentions, re-tweets, etc.

The next steps will be the actions you take to engage customers with your Twitter account.

 

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your Tweets:

1.) SEEK AND FIND.  Seek out businesses that are similar to yours and listen to what they are saying.  You can use search.twitter.com to find and follow competitors and relevant subscription opportunities.  This is also a great time to evaluate current #hashtags so you can them as well.

2.  SAVE THE FORMALITIES.  Twitter is not the place to be too formal.  You are already urged to be concise with the 140-character limit, but make sure that you are not alienating potential customers with tweets that don’t allow for any creativity and panache.

3.  INTERACT FREQUENTLY.  1 of the main points to remember about Twitter is that it is an ongoing conversation.  There aren’t necessarily any hard and fast rules about frequency of posts, however you want to be online enough to become a relevant source of information that customers will follow and interact with.  Make sure to retweet, answer questions, post articles of significance, and show interest in your followers too.

4.  TWITTER IN REAL LIFE.  Treat Twitter as the viable Marketing tool that it has become.  Include your Twitter handle on your advertising, business cards, and blog.  Let customers know that it’s worth their time to follow you and your business on Twitter because you can’t wait to connect with them.  The presence of your Twitter information should convey this message and once customers follow your brand, they will know it’s true!

 

 

As a business, how do you leverage your presence on Twitter?

Tweet us your tips and ideas @BongoMerchant and/or @BongoUS

 

Bongo’s Techie Friday: Fisher Price Kid-Tough Video Camera

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Fisher Price Kid-Tough Video Camera

Who said techies have to be a certain age? Entertain the little one in your life with the Fisher Price Kid-Tough Video Camera! Easy-to-use navigation and controls allows your child to record video. Thanks to its SD card slot, you may expand the video camera’s 5 MB internal memory. Kid-tough equals resistant to falls and throws–as any kid toy should be! Available in different colors (blue and pink). High quality, 1.4″ color TFT screen. Recommended for kids ages 3-7. Requires 4 AA batteries and 3.5mm A/V cable needed for TV connection (not included).

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Tax Day 2012 Tips

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Tax Day is fast approaching; April 17, 2012 to be exact.  It’s important to make sure that your business is on par with current tax code so you can file accordingly.

At BongoUS, we thought it helpful to compile a few great articles to shed some light on common filing snafus and potential tax credits your accountant might not have shown you!

 

Entrpreneur.com’s 4 Last Minute Ways to Save on your Taxes:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223134

 

CBSMoneywatch.com’s The Hidden Cost of Telecommuters:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57404945/beware-of-hidden-taxes-for-telecommuters/

 

FoxBusiness.com’s How the New Form 1009-K Works for Small Businesses

http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/finance-accounting/2012/03/23/how-new-form-10-k-works-for-small-business-owners/

 

 

Bongo’s Cool Pick of the Week: Aquaglide Multisport, Inflatable Windsurfer And Sailboat

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Aquaglide Multisport, Inflatable Windsurfer And SailboatLooking for new inflatable toys as the summer heat and lazy beach days approach? Get the Aquaglide Multisport, Inflatable Windsurfer And Sailboat! As its name suggest, this flotation device allows you to slowly get started on windsurfing (standing), go out for a sailboat ride (sitting) or even attach it to a boat and go tubing (laying down)! Best of all, it supports up to 400 lbs., with enough surface area for a couple of adults or kids. 11 1/2′-tall aluminum mast, its 33′ sq. PVC sail, with three fiberglass battens as reinforcements. Includes carry bag and foot pump to inflate the device. Sailboat may move to speeds of up to 10 mph. Product weight: 60 lbs.

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