Month: September 2008

Well I downloaded Google Chrome on Tuesday and have taken it for a run. Yawn, it is just another browser you’ll download and then discard. I personally found it highly unexciting and too simple in design. Simple can be good, but Google Chrome is not even classic in design.

The one thing that I did like was the ability to drag a URL directly from the address bar into a bar spot for a super easy bookmark. However, I found the inability to nail down the bookmarks to a side bar location like I do with IE 7 annoying to say the least.

Will Google Chrome be more than a novelty? Probably not. Of course there are some people who like anything new and will try it and swear by it, but I am still sticking with IE 7. I like the polish and finesse of IE 7.

You might be thinking, she doesn’t like it because it’s new. No, I am not adverse to change, but I have to tell you for as much time as I am online, I need a workhorse browser, one that makes things easy for me. I want bookmarks and favorites where I want them, I want a slim control profile, I want secure browsing sure, but I want one that is easy to use too.

I am writing this post on Tuesday to publish on Friday and I am hoping that by then the Google Chrome link will be active for you to check it out.

Matt Cutts of Google just mentioned on his blog that Google is releasing a new browser called Google Chrome. Matt had not even taken the new application for a spin yet so that’s alone is big news!

When Google does anything it can be big, not always though, remember click to call, how about AdWords radio ads or AdWords print ads. Even better how about Google Friend Connect? Google Chrome may be another ringer or it may be another winner. Either way I just bet if you read the EULA that your browsing history gets reported to Google.

I’ll check out the link on Wednesday. If it looks good I’ll do an extra post this week to review the application.

Well holding your breath and throwing a fit does not work when it comes to making a client pay you for services. With the economy really pinching some businesses, creative ways to keep connections with slow paying customers is important and can build or burn a relationship.

Things happen to all of us, but not being paid on time is something that no one wants to happen to them. So what do you do when a client does not pay on time? Here are a few suggestions that I can recommend. Leave me a comment below if you have others that have worked for you.

1. Get proactive. Don’t wait until a client owes you a significant amount. Set credit limits for new accounts and stick to them. This way if you don’t get paid, it is not for a huge chunk of cash that you were really counting on to keep your own business afloat.
2. Institute easy payment options. I have found for slow payers that the ability to have them authorize us to auto bill their credit card for services on the due date has really slowed my collection issues.
3. Don’t offer credit quite so quickly to new clients. Have them pay up front for the first services, then slowly allow credit. If they go beyond your due date, stop services and ask for payment before continuing.
4. Be flexible. Things happen to people that they had not expected. Sometimes this does delay how quickly you get payment. But that being said, you don’t have to extend credit to someone in the future who has had a habit of slow paying. Move to auto billing for that client or choose to not do further business with that client once you get paid. Be open to listen, but don’t be a softie. People who are in financial trouble are struggling and you do not want to be taken down for a dive by them.

Got other words of wisdom to share on this topic? Leave me a comment below. For me, this last several months has been the first time in nearly eight years where I have over 4 clients who are possibly going to be bad debts. The economy is really squeezing some businesses so get proactive and don’t be one of them!