Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Location Advice on Location Episode 5, Buy or Lease

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in southern California. This week Location Advice on Location considers the question of ownership vs leasehold. If you are an occupant that currently leases, should you consider owning. Please watch the short video clip and learn the three reasons that most companies consider before owning.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Location Advice on Location Episode 4

I provide Location Advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Today Location Advice on Location visits the Katella Center in the city of Orange, California. What makes the Katella Center diffferent from an industrial property? Watch this short video clip and discover why.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Location Advice on Location Episode 3




I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Today, Location Advice on Location travels to Anaheim, California and the home of a local manufacturing company WinDor...a manufacturer of custom vinyl windows and doors. WinDor is closely held and expanded into approximately 75,000 square feet in three buildings. As we discussed in Episode 1 of Location Advice on Location, the expansion has created some inefficiencies in the operation that WinDor has hired us to solve. Please watch the video and understand how the "higher and better use" of the real estate can factor in to WinDor's exit strategy.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Location Advice on Location-Episode 2-Home Based Businesses

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Today Location Advice on Location is at the studio of Business Brandings in Orange, California. Business Brandings is a typical home based business that is experienceing exponential growth...and the resulting growing pains. Follow Allen Buchanan as he tours the home office of Business Brandings with its owner, Carla Buchanan.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Location Advice on Location Episode 1

I provide location adviceto owners and occupants of manufacturing buildings in Southern California. The above video clip which is "location advice on location" is an example of why fast growing companies become inefficient in their locations. Please leave a comment and certainly if you believe that the owners of RLH Fiber Optic Link could use my help, forward this to them and provide me with an introduction. I can save them money and help them become more efficient.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

O.C. eateries where business gets done | business, people, restaurants - Business - The Orange County Register



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of manufacturing and distribution buildings in Southern California. I also meet a ton of people through my networking group, BNI. My friend and colleague, Jan Norman, of the Orange County Register recently asked me where my "go-to" lunch/breakfast spot is in Orange County. Jan accumulated answers from several Orange County business people to compile the list. My favorite...Mimi's cafe on 17th and 55 freeway. Another favorite is a Mimi's spin off...the Lazy Dog in Orange.






You can read the entire article (and see if your restaurant made the list) by clicking on the link below:






Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Going Global: Choosing a Location - - CFO.com


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of manufacturing and distribution buildings in Southern California. But what if you are a domestically based business with an off shore customer base, manufacturing presence, or a desire to open an off shore location? In this article penned by Bill Hite - CFO Magazine, are some great points for considering a location abroad.

"A publicly traded software company took a common approach when it first decided to expand into Europe: it located in the United Kingdom with the expectation of managing all European operations from there. The company hired 12 people over eight years there before finally deciding to pull the plug on this operation, which generated disppointing revenue and market share, along with unnecessary costs such as company cars and personal assistants. So what went wrong?"

You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

Going Global: Choosing a Location - - CFO.com

Friday, June 17, 2011

Opus Adds Fullerton Thrift in Growth Bid | Orange County Business Journal


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Commercial bankers and CRE brokers are excellent referral partners and I keep an eye on the local banking front. According to the Orange County Business Journal,

"Opus Bank has made its first local acquisition as it seeks to become a regional bank on the West Coast.

Opus, which has its executive headquarters in Irvine, last week agreed to buy 84-year-old Fullerton Community Bank.

It is paying $50 million in cash to shareholders of RMG Capital Corp., the parent company of Fullerton Community." You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

Opus Adds Fullerton Thrift in Growth Bid Orange County Business Journal

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Orange County Company Celebrates 35 Years in Business


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Congratulations to Dedola Global Logistics!

According to Jan Norman of The Orange County Register, "Most companies just have a party when they celebrate milestone years such as the 35th anniversary of their founding.

Dedola Global Logistics in Los Alamitos has a different idea. It is challenging its customers and you to a language contest. The person to identify the most of 11 languages spoken on this YouTube video, called “Language of Logistics” will win an Apple iPad 2."

You can read the entire article and enter the contest by clicking on the link below:

O.C. firm celebrates 35th anniversary with contest - Jan Norman on Small Business - The Orange County Register

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

New Augmented Reality Marketing Tools Coming Fast


I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. I have used augmented reality programs for over two years...although I didn't know that is what they were called. I just thought that they were cool apps that made my practice of CRE a bit earsier. This article, penned by Cheril Hendry, explains how augmented reality may change CRE forever.

"A few months ago we got our hands on a new Augmented Reality (AR) marketing tool for smart phones that could prove useful for our commercial real estate clients. Rofo, a commercial real estate search tool, and Junaio, an augmented reality browser, joined together to create the first commercial real estate augmented reality mobile application. You can view a one minute video of it here, but basically it allows anyone to point their smart phone at a building and see any real estate space available, including photos, space size, costs and more. In one click you can also email the listing broker or landlord. Bye-bye real estate signage..." You can read the entire article by clicking the link below.

New Augmented Reality Marketing Tools Coming Fast

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Kilroy Realty Announces Acquisition of Bellevue and San Diego Office Buildings



I provide location advice to owners and ocupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. One of the owners, that I have represented since 1997, is making quite an acquisition push this year. Kilroy Realty is a real estate investment trust that went public in January 1997 with the acquisition of the La Palma Business Center, some of the Kilroy family assets, and a business park in Garden Grove, California. I had the priviledge of representing KRC in their purchase of La Palma Business Center in Anaheim, California and a subsequently represented KRC on their Brea, California Industrial complex which was purchased in 1997 as well. The Kilroy Realty team including, John Kilroy Jr., Jeff Hawken, Joe Hanen, John Fucci, Jim Axtell, and Daisy Liu, among others have treated me very well over the years and I am proud to have share in their success! You can read about their recent acquisition by clicking on the link below.

Kilroy Realty Announces Acquisition of Bellevue and San Diego Office Buildings Business Wire

Monday, June 13, 2011

Versatile Packagers Announces Customizable Warehouse Management System



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of manufacturing and warehouse buildings in Southern California. As the economy has softened, many distributors a looking at alternatives to save money and create efficiencies. The article below outlines how a Tampa, Florida company is helping its customers. According to Bob Vande Weghe, President of Versatile Packagers, "We are also a virtual warehouse for many of our customers, and that not only promotes convenience, but also saves money. We allow all customers to monitor their products' inventory at all times." A full copy of the article can be viewed by clicking the link below:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/versatile-packagers-announces-customizable-warehouse-management-system-122500368.html


Thursday, May 26, 2011

CT Realty Investors Sells Building and Senior Note Portfolio



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. I have had the pleaure to transact several deals with the CT Realty folks. The article below highlights some of their recent successes! You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

CT Realty Investors Sells Building and Senior Note Portfolio

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Largest Buffalo Wild Wings opening in O.C. | wings, buffalo, largest - The Orange County Register



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. I also enjoy my networking group, SoCal BNI. Buffalo Wild Wings and SoCal BNI have a great relationship! Many chapters meet at these locations as well as many BNI trainings are conducted at the venues. If you have not had the pleasure of BWWs, check out their new location in Brea, California! You can read about the chain's latest store location by clicking on the link below:

Largest Buffalo Wild Wings opening in O.C. | wings, buffalo, largest - The Orange County Register

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Double-digit gains seen for 3PLs in 2011 – DC Velocity



I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. A recent article tracked the business increase in 3PLs and found the results quite promising. You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

Double-digit gains seen for 3PLs in 2011 – DC Velocity

Monday, May 23, 2011

Next Space Closes Angel Round for $625,000



Next Space Closes Angel Round for $625,000

I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. I was intrigued by this article by Joseph Wise entitled, "Next Space Closes Angel Round for $625,000". This concept, called co working, is very popular in the densely populated cities in Europe and I wonder if it will catch on here? Someone is betting heavily that it will. The article is re printed below or you can click the link below to be directed to the article.

May 21, 2011
By Joseph Wise


So how ingenious is a business model that is centered around asking work at home types to pay for the the right to go to work? It’s smart enough to lure 625k of Angel round investment, that’s how much.

You heard that right. Professionals who have likely dreamed of telecommuting from the first day they ever stepped into the “real world” and who have somehow managed to fulfill that dream, are craving a central meeting place where they can gather with peers, collaborate creatively, give and receive advice, and generally act the way they would had they never achieved their work from home dream in the first place. And they are willing to pay for the privilege. The reason? It’s simple boredom.

Welcome to the life and times of the “Stir Crazy 300+”, as in there are 300-500 million people currently working from home, and for obvious reasons the number is growing all at a steady clip. Next Space’s idea is pretty simple: provide a place for these folks to go when they just can’t stand to look at the same four walls for a minute longer.

While many telecommuters find refuge in coffee houses across America and around the world (are you seeing familiar faces every time you hit Starbucks?), as working from home becomes more and more common, it seems the natural time to address some needs which the wireless Coffee Shops don’t address. At least that’s Next Space’s bet.

So why Next Space? Equipment for one thing. Not very convenient to pack up the laptop and head to Fedex/Kinkos every time you need to print, is it? Add to that wishlist redundant wireless, fax, conference room and you get the feel for what Next Space is selling.

The company has 3 locations throughout California and has recently reached 400 members (individuals and small businesses). Membership packages range from $150-$2500 based on the number of employees participating. The company intends to use the recent Angel round funding for expansion and targeting relationships with larger companies that can conceivably cut overhead by simply reducing square footage.

1800 E. Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Ana, California Virtual Tour

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. One of our owners, TA Realty has this beautiful corporate headquarters location available for lease or sale. The building is located within the Enterprize Zone and has great freeway access. Check it out!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Lee and Associates expands into South Carolina



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Lee and Associate's expansion into South Carolina will increase our footprint in the southeast.

Lee & Associates has added Greenville-based Bentley Commercial LLC to its list of regional offices. Bentley Commercial principals Martha Flora, Kevin Bentley and Laurens Nicholson will join Randall Bentley in the new Lee & Associates office.

The firm now has 43 offices nationwide and said it plans to open in additional markets through 2011. Most recently, the firm established offices in Indianapolis last fall and in Kansas City last month.

"Greenville has a population of 1.3 million and growing, has been established as a hub for many important industries, and is a valuable access artery to and from the Port of Charleston," noted Edward J. Indvik, chairman of the Lee Advisory Board and vice chairman of Lee & Associates Investment Services Group. "These factors make the Greenville office an invaluable complement to our Atlanta office and will allow us to continue our expansion in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and the rest of the Southeast."

Randall Bentley formed Bentley Commercial in 2005. His real estate experience began as the owner and manager of his own Century 21 affiliate office for 10 years. He then joined a local commercial real estate firm specializing in industrial properties, and prior to forming Bentley Commercial he joined NAI Earle Furman, eventually becoming the company’s chief operating officer.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Behind Chevron's feel-good, misleading ad campaign


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California.

Much has been made of the large oil companies, the taxes they pay (or don't), and the amount of re-investment in our economy. This article from the Los Angeles Times takes a look at the claims and disputes some of the ad slogans.

You can read the entire article by clicking the link below:

Behind Chevron's feel-good, misleading ad campaign

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Mandated wage hikes hurt low-wage workers - Opinion - The Orange County Register

I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Jerry Schumacher provides some editorial perspective on how minimum wage hikes as contemplated by California AB 10 will actually hurt small business.

According to Mr. Schumacher...

"I started U.S. Technical, a small business located in Fullerton 17 years ago. We currently employ over 20 people prior to 2010 we were at 38 employees. I know how an increase in the minimum wage impacts an employer. If labor costs increase, and continue to increase, then employers will have to recalibrate their labor costs and their budgets and try and stay competitive with not only the rest of the national market but in the world market."

You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below.

Mandated wage hikes hurt low-wage workers - Opinion - The Orange County Register

Friday, May 13, 2011

Editorial: Keeping profit overseas to keep it at all - Opinion - The Orange County Register



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California.

In a recent article by the Orange County Register, the tax impact of corporate relocation was examined and the findings noted.

We have made the case for years that when taxes are raised on corporations, there are predictable consequences:

First, companies pass on added costs to customers, who actually pay the bill in higher prices.

Second, increased taxes create incentives for companies to minimize what they pay. They might economize on operating expenses, and risk losing customers. They might lobby politicians for new tax "loopholes" to keep what otherwise would be lost in higher taxes, but that risks public backlash.

And, as the Register story pointed out, businesses will shop for more tax-friendly venues. High California taxes drive businesses out of state. High U.S. taxes drive them overseas.

You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

Editorial: Keeping profit overseas to keep it at all - Opinion - The Orange County Register

Monday, May 2, 2011

How to make your building stand out when selling or leasing | Smart Business



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Here are three great tips to follow before placing your building on the market. You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

How to make your building stand out when selling or leasing Smart Business

Monday, April 25, 2011

Businesses liking their chances with Facebook



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. "Location Advice" has had its own business page since 2009. Is your business "liking" Facebook? This article can be viewed in its entirety by clicking the link below.

Businesses liking their chances with Facebook

Monday, April 18, 2011

Orange County office market poised for a comeback

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in southern California. The industrial market in Orange county heated up in 2010. We are now seeing a similar trend in the office market. You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below.

Orange County office market poised for a comeback

Market heats up for industry - Redlands Daily Facts

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. The Redland's industrial market was dramatically over built in the peak of 2008. We are now starting to see some significant activity in this sub market thanks to large, well heeled investors and occupant activity. You can read about a couple of these acquisitions by clicking on the link below.

Market heats up for industry - Redlands Daily Facts

Saturday, April 16, 2011

California Pushes Standard Software Models for Solar PV | DanaBlankenhorn

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. The energy conservation of this measure are beneficial. The regulatory measures...not so much. You can read the balance of the article by clicking on the link below:

California Pushes Standard Software Models for Solar PV | DanaBlankenhorn

Friday, April 15, 2011

Why Companies Move

I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings. This short video highlights one of the prevailing factors that motivate a company to move locations. I hope that you enjoy the clip! Please leave a comment

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Carmakers resist new fed fuel rules | detnews.com | The Detroit News

A close review of this article reveals that California has already enacted many of the stringent requirements that Detroit is now resisting. Interesting that Detroit was much more agreeable when the Federal coffers were opened. You can read the entire article by clicking the link below.

Carmakers resist new fed fuel rules | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Harry & David files for bankruptcy - Business - The Orange County Register

As we get several great jobs reports from around the county, there continues to be fallout in the retail segment. I certainly hope that people start spending money again really soon! You can read the entire Orange County Register article by clicking the link below.

Harry & David files for bankruptcy - Business - The Orange County Register

California legislature passes renewable portfolio standard : Clean Energy Authority

California has always been forward thinking in terms of renewable resources and energy conservation. The latest bill, if passed by the legislature will continue the string. You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below.

California legislature passes renewable portfolio standard : Clean Energy Authority

55 West apartment tower sells to Boston TA Associates - OrlandoSentinel.com

Great news for our client TA Realty! We have enjoyed our relationship with the TA folks for many years. 55 West apartment tower sells to Boston TA Associates - OrlandoSentinel.com

Facebook, Google, Zynga, Twitter Help California Recover

Facebook, Google, Zynga, Twitter Help California Recover

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Orange County Industrial Best Since 2007



I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. My friend and colleague Art Barrett of Art Barrett and Associatates penned this recap of the Orange County, California industrial market. Art's recap has the market stabilizing at 6.5% vacancy. Many in our industry have felt the surge in activity since the doldrums of 2008 and 2009. You can read the entire recap below.

Overview:


After a steady three-year decline, the Orange County, California industrial market appears finally to have stabilized. The fourth quarter closed out 2010 showing healthy net absorption – the third straight quarter with absorption in the plus column.

The last year with three quarters of positive absorption was 2006. The Q4 reduction of 428,916 sq. ft. of available space was the most since Q2 2007.

The year-end vacancy rate settled at 6.5%, down 0.1% from its Q2 peak and less than its 7.6% 10-year high in 2002. Total available space finished the year at 10.5%, a full percentage point less than Q1 which was the last of 13 straight quarters of increasing availability. During that time, 8.5 million sq. ft. of industrial users scaled back or shuttered their businesses.

In early 2010, improvement in the industrial market still seemed far on the horizon. But following a dismal Q1 in which tenants vacated more than 1 million sq. ft., absorption turned positive in Q2. After Lee & Associates’ previous Q3 report on buildings larger than 10,000 sq. ft. went to press, the data was adjusted. The reconciled totals showed 220,669 sq. ft. of positive absorption in Q3. The trend gained strength in Q4.

All told, the 18 million sq. ft. leased in 2010 was the most since 2004.

The year-end data is more evidence that confidence in the economy is returning. Unemployment has leveled off and economists at Chapman University and Cal State Fullerton forecast modest Orange County job growth in 2011.

Storm clouds on the horizon:


Lee & Associates industrial specialists, however, believe perhaps a record volume of so-called “blend and extend” leases of existing tenants since 2008 may dampen absorption particularly of large buildings for the next few years until the extended leases run their terms. Small users who signed early renewals in multi-tenant buildings, however, have greater flexibility with a landlord to expand within their project.

However, despite the seeming high rate of vacancies many available small and mid-size buildings are obsolete and poorly located, limiting choices for ideal facilities.

Four of the county’s five industrial markets improved in 2010:



--The Airport market, with 25% of Orange County’s 294-million sq.-ft. industrial base, was the top performer in Q4 with 397,214 sq. ft. coming out of available inventory. Its vacancy rate fell 0.5% to 7.3%.

--Absorption in North County – the largest market with about 85 million sq. ft. – was down for the year but only slightly and closed with a 6.1% vacancy rate.

--Central County finished the year with absorption in the black for the year, posting three straight quarters of absorption gains and ending 2010 with vacancy at 5.8% or 3.8 million sq. ft.

--West County’s 24.4 million sq. ft. of space was 4.9% vacant, a 0.9% improvement over 2009.

--Still struggling is the South County with 44.8 million sq. ft. and vacancy at 8% -- up 0.4% for the year.

Market Forecast:


Even though lease rates haven’t quite leveled off – with asking rents plunging 29% since March 2008 and 12% last year – the deals of 2009 for quality space are gone. The market for available buildings for sale also is expected to tighten.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Saving 50 manufacturing jobs in Orange County


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Jan Norman of the Orange County Register recently wrote about one of our clients, IAC Industries in Brea, California. IAC has been in Brea for over 20 years and was seriously contemplating moving to Colorado Springs and taking over 50 high paying manufacturing jobs along with them. You can read the article by clicking here.

We are pleased to report that IAC will be staying in California as we negotiated a lease extension for the company. IAC's landlord was very compliant in renewing IAC and made the decision that to replace the tenant was more costly than reducing their rent an avoiding the costs of originating a new lease.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Orange County, California receiving out of state companies


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Jan Norman of the Orange County Register recently wrote about several out of state firms that have moved into Orange County, California. I was fortunate to have provided advice to one such company, Drake Controls from Houston Texas. The article was featured on Saturday January 15, 2011 and you can read the entire article by clicking here.

Monday, January 17, 2011

A National Industrial Market Review by Region


I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. My friend and colleague, Duke Long asked me to participate in a recent podcast which reviews, by market, the industrial activity currently and our predictions for the next few months. I was flattered to be asked and was surrounded by a great deal of talent. You can listen to the entire podcast by clicking here.

Some of the participants and highlights:


What’s happening on-the-ground in the Industrial lease market? Mike Manning of LoopNet and Duke Long of the Duke Long Agency, gathered industrial brokers from Orlando, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Jersey and Los Angeles to find out what is happening in their markets. What are the factors that are driving asking rents? What is happening to supply?

Read excerpts of the podcast script below or listen to their ‘in-the-trenches’ perspective.



Overview of LoopNet’s Marketplace Activity

MIKE MANNING: What we’re seeing overall in the LoopNet marketplace in the industrial lease sector is price declines more or less across the board, but with some differences across the market. So we’re seeing our sharpest price declines in Phoenix, San Antonio, Orlando and Miami which are down 8-9% versus the prior year November in terms of average asking price per square foot, whereas on the other end of the spectrum Chicago is holding flat, is actually up slightly, and Philadelphia is close to flat along with Atlanta and Houston. So I will be curious to hear about the differences in perspective from the brokers on the call as to what’s going on in their markets and what’s accounting for the different levels of pricing pressure that they are seeing.

We’re also seeing differences in the change of supply and demand in the market across different geographies, with Houston showing up as having a fairly sharp decline in supply although an increase in demand. However, I think that’s different from John’s experience personally, and so I’m going to be interested in hearing about that. New York is also showing some declines in terms of demand but the supply is up, whereas at the other end of the spectrum Detroit, Orlando and Philadelphia are all seeing significant increases in demand which we’re measuring by search activity on the site.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

2011 will be THE year for Social Media and Small Business

I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. I have used social media as a marketing tool since the middle of 2008. Several early adopters have blazed the SMM trail but it appears as though social media will "take hold" this year and become a main stream medium according to this Fox News post and Russell Rothstein.

"This year (2010) was a learning curve year for small businesses delving into social networks, but next year will mark an increased push into that realm, according to a survey by SaleSpider, the small- and medium-sized business social network. In the past, social networking had always been about social and now it's increasingly about business networking," said Russell Rothstein, CEO of SaleSpider. "Small businesses are going to spend more and more time on social networking." According to SaleSpider, which polled 384 small and medium business owners, 75 percent plan to make social networking a larger part of their marketing mix in 2011, while two-thirds said social networking has already served to boost sales and revenue. The survey also found that nearly half of the small businesses that reported social networks have already boosted sales are using social networking in multiple business development and sales capacities including identifying requests for proposals, networking with new and existing customers, and promoting their own business. In fact, 40 percent of the small businesses that think social networking is boosting sales said the sales increase was "significant." The big trend is all about doing business on the social networks," said Rothstein, noting small business owners aren't going to use social networks to post what they are doing on a personal level. He said small business owners plan to use social networks as a venue to network, as well as a lead generator for new business. While an increased push into social networking doesn't mean small business owners are going to open their purse strings, it does mean that small business owners will dedicate more time to their social networking strategy, said Rothstein. "Social networking is not a costly pursuit, it's a time purist," he said. According to Rothstein, small business owners don't have to spend their entire day online. He said social networking efforts can be done during the work day in small intervals, and that small business owners only need to spend about twenty hours a month on it. Indeed, 83 percent of survey respondents said they will devote 11 percent or more of their marketing resources on social networking in the New Year.

Mobile Apps to get more interest:

With smart phones proliferating and new tablet devices like the iPad gaining in popularity, it's not surprising that next year will mark an increased focus on mobile social networking by small businesses, according to SaleSpider. The survey found that 53 percent of respondents are using or plan to use social networking sites from their mobile devices via a mobile app. In addition to using a mobile app to access social networks, small business owners are expected to increase their usage of mobile apps that help run their business whether it's an app to manage contracts or an app to input sales data on the go.

More education needed:

Social networking will be a main focus for small businesses in 2011, but it doesn't mean that more education isn't needed. People know how to use a social network, but Rothstein said they may not know how to use it effectively to boost their business. He said small business owners should avoid engaging in social networks from a personal perspective and keep the profile and pictures professional. At the end of the day, Rothstein said, small business owners just have to take the leap. "Engage. Everyone is jumping into it, so you might as well jump into it," said Rothstein."

Monday, January 3, 2011

Top Issues for California Businesses in 2011

I provide location advice for owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Jan Norman of the Orange County Resgister recounts the top issues for Orange County Businesses this year. You can read the entire article by clicking here.