Author: Content Curator

Google Hangouts is a free-to-use conference call service I recommend. It’s one of the most straightforward call services to set up and takes minutes to get started with—all users need is a Gmail account, which is effectively most people.

On the other hand, it doesn’t provide free users with any form of customer support, and there’s no call recording feature. These are drawbacks to keep in mind. Let’s go deeper into Google Hangouts and its features and offerings.

Google Hangouts Pros and Cons
Pros

Easy to use
Google calendar integration
Free
Intuitive interface

Cons

No call recording
No customer support

Try Google Hangouts

Compare the Best Conference Call Services
After researching and reviewing conference call service providers, we’ve identified the best options for a variety of needs and use cases.
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How Google Hangouts Compares to the Best Conf… Read More

Webex is a feature-rich video conferencing solution that lets you take your online meetings to new heights. It’s accessible, as you can start using it for free today with fullscreen video options for any device. While yes, there are widely known solutions out there like Zoom, Webex ensures your online calling, messaging, and meetings happen seamlessly. In fact, it lets you host meetings that are longer than Zoom. And you can have up to 100 people join you for free. Convinced yet? Here’s a closer look at everything Webex has to offer.

Webex Pros and Cons
Pros

Cloud recording storage: If your team relies on recording meetings and conferences, you can easily do so with Webex’s cloud recording storage feature on the Starter plan.
Mobile screen sharing: Webex allows you to share your screen anywhere you are and on any device of your choosing. All you have to do is download the app and log in.
Virtual backgrounds: With Webex you don’t have to worry about creating the perfect background. You can use one of its virtual backgrounds to host your meetings and call it a day.
Polling and chat notes: Need to poll your audience or take notes as you go? Webex makes it seamlessly easy to do that in real time.
File transfer: Transferring files and collaborating on projects is made easy with Webex’s built-in file sharing tool.
Meeting length: If you choose to go with the free Webex plan, it allows you to host up to 100 people much like Zoom, except instead of offering you just… Read More

Microsoft Dynamics CRM gives you everything an enterprise business needs when it comes to customer relationship management software. It has excellent marketing and analytics features, though it lacks some of the basics.

This software is made for people who already know Microsoft and don’t mind spending the extra time to get to know the platform. It focuses more on numbers and analytics, so you always know where you stand with your customers.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM isn’t right for everyone, but it can work for many businesses that need a solid customer connection solution to grow their business. Let’s look at how this CRM can help you build trust with customers and increase your sales.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Pros and Cons
Pros

Very customizable
Consistently adds new features
Plenty of marketing options

Cons

Steep learning curve
Lacks some basic features
Only has a few integrations

Get Microsoft Dynamics

Compare the Best CRM Software
After looking through scores of different CRM solutions, Quicksprout has picked out the eight best for a variety of needs and use cases.
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Sales dashboards are visual representations of your sales data.

In theory, sales metrics are relatively straightforward—reps are either selling or they’re not. But as a sales manager or executive, you know that sales is actually much more complex than this.

Businesses rely on data for strategic decision-making, and sales data is arguably the most important. Looking at raw data isn’t very useful, which is why sales dashboards are so helpful.

These tools make it easy to track your most important sales metrics and KPIs in real-time, without manual number-crunching. By visualizing your sales data, it’s much easier to analyze overall sales performance.

What to Expect When Building a Sales Dashboard

Sales dashboards might seem a bit intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner or you’ve never been through this process before. Fortunately, the entire process of building a sales dashboard can be summarized in five simple steps:

Choose Your Sales Dashboard Software
Determine How the Dashboard Will Be Used
Create a New Dashboard
Customize Your Dashboard’s Visual Settings
Analyze the Reports

The Good

Creating a sales dashboard is easy. You don’t need to have any technical knowledge, coding skills, and you won’t have to crunch any numbers on your own.

Modern business software, sales tools, and CRM software typically come with pre-built dashboards you can customize to fit your needs. It’s just a matter of connecting y… Read More

Firing employees is part of running a business. Yet, many managers are hesitant to fire employees for both legal and personal reasons alike.

Some employers fear wrongful termination lawsuits, while others are just too stubborn to cut the dead weight from the operation. The truth is that firing someone is never easy—but it’s often necessary.

Regardless of the scenario, this guide will teach you how to fire people with ease. Whether you need to fire a single person or lay off an entire department, you’ll be a pro if you follow these tips and best practices.

What it Means to Fire Employees

There are two types of employment termination—voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary termination occurs when the employee decides to leave their job by quitting, resigning, or retiring. Involuntary termination is a choice made by the employer.

Firing an employee is just one form of involuntary employment termination, and it occurs when the employee is at fault.

The Basics of Firing Employees

Let’s take a closer look at the core components of firing an employee.

Understand the Differences Between Fired, Laid Off, and Furloughed

Some employers incorrectly fire employees because they don’t understand their options. Classifying the difference between being fired, laid off, and furloughed comes down to two things—employment status and who is at fault.

When someone gets fired, it means they did something wrong. The decision could… Read More