Street Speculator

The SPEC’s found a website geared toward the UNHAPPY CONSUMER. BadServiceZipCodes.com is a website site that allows its visitors to spread the word about unsatisfactory service received from various business sectors and even government agencies.

The focus of this site is local service. We would imagine that is why the ZipCode is highlighted. The site also has a feature where you select “up-to-5″ ZipCodes and have an alert forwarded to your email address whenever an alert is submitted to the site for that/those particular ZipCodes.

The most fascinating feature of this website is the “State Assistance” pages. There is a page for each state in the union (50). On each page is the name, address, phone number(s), and other contact information for agencies regulating specific industries and professions (Ex. Doctors, Lawyers, Contractors, Banks, Credit Card companies, Hotels, Retail Stores, Internet companies, etc….). This is especially helpful for those without the financial means to hire an attorney in today’s economic times.

You can also login using your Facebook ID, and then subsequently share your submitted complaint with your Facebook friends.

For advertisers, this site provides an ad model not familiar to the internet. They use EXCLUSIVE ad placement. That is correct. There is no CPC (Cost-per-Click), CPM (Cost-per-Measurement), etc… The price of ad placement is equal to or lower than the typical internet ad models. But this EXCLUSIVITY should provide any advertiser a great platform of exposure.

The SPEC’s recommend the site as a good resource for consumers. If you are “TIRED OF THE BS”, then go to BadServiceZipCodes.com.

The Business World constantly wonders if, how, and when “Social Media” networks will become “Profitably Monetized”.  Facebook and Twitter are the two main culprits of conversation.

Facebook generates revenue from advertising. There is some speculation as whether the company is profitable however. Twitter has millions and millions of users. But, Twitter generates no revenue whatsoever. Twitter runs solely off of Venture Capital money.

Both platforms have created what the SPEC’s call a SECONDARY MARKET ECONOMY, whose sole purpose is to provide products and services which are utilized by users and members of both mediums.

Facebook users have a choice of various “Applications” to use when visiting the website. These applications are developed by companies not affiliated by Facebook. The fee for developing Facebook Applications range from $900 to over $10,000. Many applications contain revenue models (Advertising, Product sales), separate from the Facebook ad platform. A few Facebook Application developer companies include but are not limited to:

Multi Programming Solutions, LTD 

Zynga

The Twitter business model has created companies whom design the popular and Viral “backgrounds” seen on so many Twitter company pages. It is argued that a nice looking Twitter background will generate more followers than that of the “plain look.” A Twitter background developer include:

TwitterBackgrounds.com

These companies are just a few of those who currently exist. As the popularity of Twitter and Facebook grows globally day-by-day, many more innovative companies providing products and services for these platforms will appear as well.

These are the words spoken by former Bank of America (Symbol: BAC) Chairman Hugh McColl.

Entrepreneurs take notice. These words are profound, powerful, prophetic, etc… Now we know why BofA’s predecessor, Nations Bank had grown to become one of the largest, if not the largest consumer bank on the globe. Look at the mindset of its leadership team.

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After listening to Mr. McColl’s entire statement (Video below), the SPEC’s became magnetically attached to the “Mind of a Dynasty” builder. In essence, most companies goal is to one day become a Global Empire.

The SPEC’s always wondered why companies such as Oracle (Symbol: ORCL), Cisco (Symbol: CSCO), and Google (Symbol: GOOG) have grown within the past 5 years through acquisitions instead of ORGANICALLY! Growth through acquisitions did not seem to be neither Innovative nor Entrepreneurial.

However, when your competitor constantly nips at your heels, Acquisitive Growth may be the only solution. That or Insolvency.

One reason the SPEC’s didn’t like the acquisitive growth concept is because of possible culture clash and laziness. It appeared to be a “sign-of-weakness”, or on the surface a sign of diminishing company growth and ideas. So the problem was solved by bringing in outsiders. However, with the speed of technological advances, an acquisition could add years to a company’s existence.

To all budding Entrepreneurs: Always strive for growth. You should have a monthly and annual growth outlook. Never be satisfied. Develop a Shark mentality and always strive to be #1 in your industry.

Get Moving and Good Luck!!

Sincerely,

StreetSpeculators

In the world of free-markets and entrepreneurship, there always comes a time when the indestructible Big Kid on the Block looses its dominance to rising stars.

For example look at Yahoo (Symbol: YHOO) and Microsoft (Symbol: MSFT). Both companies were in existence and had web browser technology available before Google (Symbol: GOOG) was created in a garage. Now they cannot decide on who wants to purchase and who is willing to be acquired. Now, look at who’s the king of search, Globally!!

Blockbuster (Symbol: BBI) was the king of the video rental market. Then came along Netflix (Symbol: NFLX) who 1st gave the consumer a “No Late Fee” policy. This marketing strategy was amazing as Netflix is probably the U.S. Postal Services’ largest customer while Blockbuster is becoming a DINOSAUR.

The Adobe (Symbol: ADBE) Premiere Pro software is the standard when it comes to Flash video editing. I believe it has been the dominant player in this area for the past 4 to 9 years, maybe longer. However, the SPEC’s have discovered a company we believe is based out of India, which has software to allow even the novice video creator look like a Pro.

TOUFEE: www.toufee.com, is a company whose site allows and provides the tools to create great flash video products. The company has its own platform which provides backgrounds, uploading of images and videos, text features, etc….. Once you create the video, Toufee then allows you to forward the video for publication to YouTube. However, the best feature is that Toufee also converts the video to other formats (.flv, mov, avi, etc..). This conversion feature is great for those with video players on their website.

The video conversion feature is simple. Toufee sends the user a email after a video if published to YouTube from its site. The email includes instructions for the designer/creator as to how to convert into a different format. The conversion process takes under 4 to 5 minutes, where Toufee will subsequently email the converted video to the author as well.

Most important is the Price & Customer Service. Toufee charges an annual fee for its service which allows the ability to create an unlimited amount of videos. I believe the highest annual price on the site is $199.95. Toufee also has random 1/2 price offers.

Toufee also has a “Support” feature. This is used to report any errors or bugs occuring whenever creating or editing a video. The SPEC’s have also used Support to ask technical questions about the product. The response time of the Toufee team has always been under 1 hour. Each response provided by the company was clear and solved all problems we encountered.

Any current or budding “Web Video” designers cannot go wrong using Toufee.

No time like the present to start a Business. The one problem you will face, as do most Start-Ups is Capital, or lack thereof. No problem! You can always seek out Investment Groups, Angels, Venture Capitalists, and even Friends & Family.

However if you are like many of the SPEC’s, you would want to go at it alone, with no baggage or 2nd and 3rd voices. There is a new web portal whose sole purpose is to bring together Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses, and Service Providers. GetAFreelancer.com

Get-A-Freelancer allows those needing Business Services: Web Design, Facebook Application and Connect design, Video Services, iPhone Application creation, Mobile Web design, etc…. to post their needs for the highest or in a Start-Ups case, lowest bidder. The person or business entity would place their proposed project needs on the site, which also allows you to name your price or budgeted range.

Those providing the necessary services would subsequently make contact, including their offering price. Many often lower the price to be competitive with other bidders in order to win the contract. This is a win-win situation for the Entrepereneur.

The service providers on Get-A-Freelancer.com are from all over the world. Ironically, the SPEC’s have noticed that those outside of the U.S. seem to provide the most cost-effective solutions along with great customer service. Our message to you: KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN.

So, if you are a start-up, 1st put together a small business plan. 2nd, register on getafreelancer.com. 3rd, place your project on the site. Another benefit is that you can put separate bids for different project features and functions.

HINT: If your intent is to start a website, use DRUPAL which is one of the best Content Management Service site design systems out there. Get-A-Freelancer has Drupal designers. DRUPAL gives the owner total control over the addition and removal of all content on his/her website, including advertising.

If you intend to have advertising on your website, use the OpenX advertising platform. OpenX allows you to sell and serve advertising on your site based on website visitor location, IP address, country, city, etc…

SPEC’s