You may be familiar with, though not a customer of, ServerTastic, which is my service specialising in SSL Certificates and server software.  I am happy to report it has enjoyed exceptional growth.  Indeed, it now generates two-thirds of AGUK’s total revenue and is thus the driver in what is to be a change of overall company direction.

To increase ServerTastic’s fantastic growth and take it even further, time-intensive offerings, such as cloud services, under the AGUK umbrella will cease.  AGUK’s Blog, which regular readers have found helpful, will continue but in a more personalised form here.  Its new presentation enables me not only to comment on the latest internet technologies, but to share my experiences in running a business which, hopefully, start-ups will benefit from.  It will also carry video clips, as well as informative industry-related articles.  

These are the immediate changes, to be reflected in the near future on my updated website.  I will also be contacting all AGUK customers separately as to how the company’s new direction may affect you individually.  In the meantime, rest assured, there will be no interruption to the service you currently receive.

If this raises any questions, please let me know.  You can also follow me on twitter or connect with me via LinkedIn.

There are still a few places left on our Twitter Ninja Workshop. This is a fast-paced, practical Workshop by me for Twitter account holders who want to:

• make Twitter count in just 10 minutes a day
• increase Twitter followers and engage with them
• attract and improve retweets and click-throughs
• maximise Twitter effectiveness through online tools and techniques

The cost is just £25.00 per person. For more information and to book please click here.

Human error, it said, was the cause of making known the email addresses of over 1,000 crime victims.  Nevertheless, the alleged breach of the Data Protection Act is being looked into by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).  

Sending out emails where multiple recipients are involved is a dangerous practice, and yet still appears – as I have witnessed –  to be common practice where some businesses are concerned. 

When the sender of an email deliberately reveals recipient addresses, there is an assumption all parties have consented to such action.  If, however, no such consent has been given, there is a potential DPA breach.   Where the sender is opting to conceal addresses, there is the very real risk of human error causing a blunder - as happened with the Metropolitan Police Service.  

I have previously covered the risks of sending emails with multiple recipients.  Even where no human error is involved, standard email systems are not designed to transmit emails to multiple recipients.  Additionally, recipients not shown in the “To” field, may never receive their copy email as it may consequently be flagged up as spam and treated accordingly.

The ICO is increasingly taking DPA breaches extremely seriously.  Those deemed the most serious carry a hefty £500,000 fine.  My advice to avoid being guilty of the same email error as the Metropolitan Police Service is this:

Stop sending emails to multiple recipients

That’s it.  No big check list.  Just simple and straightforward.  Don’t do it.  There are much easier ways to send emails to multiple recipients.  Here are my recommendations:

• Create a Google Group.  This allows you to send an email to a single email address, forwarded individually to all recipients
• Use an Email Service Provider such as MailChimp or TinyLetter to similarly deliver your email individually
• Generate a private website to share the information with subscribers. Google Sites and Posterous provide such systems. 

In the interests of best practice, I hope you take up one of these recommendations.  If you have any queries about these options, or need assistance, please Contact Us or leave a comment below.

Why is there such inconsistency in the use of email addresses across social media websites?

In my line of work I connect with internet users across many platforms and social media websites.  It surprises me to see how many times someone linked with Twitter, for example, has a different email address from their LinkedIn or Facebook account.  Inexplicably, some social network users even have a specific address for each service.  If you are guilty of this inconsistency then take heed, it is costing you followers.  Let me explain why.

Many social media websites have a “Find Friends” service.  This often works by connecting to your own address book and linking your email contacts with accounts on the social media website. You will have noticed this facility when signing up to a social media network.  Usually you are first asked “Do you want us to search your address book for users?” before being directed to the “Find Friends” service.

So take advantage of this facility, but use the same address across social networks.  In this way it will be easier for users of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc., to find, follow, and make a connection with you when they in turn use the “Find Friends” service.

The advantage in address consistency applies equally to branding. If you have, for example, a brand name on Twitter, you will benefit by using it not just for general communications but order confirmations.  The likelihood is that your customers will save your details in their address book.  When they subsequently search for connections, your brand will then appear.

If you are a company employee and recognised mainly by your business email address, the same principles in consistency apply. Should you later change employers, update your email address on social network sites.

One last piece of advice.  Whenever you sign up to social media networks ensure you select any options (such as the Twitter setting) of “Allow contacts to find me using my email address.”  

If you want more tips on hot topics, subscribe to AGUK’s Newsletter or follow me on Twitter where you’ll also see details of my Workshop programme.  The next one is in March and will teach you how to become a Twitter Ninja in just 10 minutes a day. Click Here for details.

Are you a Twitter account holder?  If so, would “yes” be your answer to any of these questions:

• do you find it a challenge to make Twitter work for you?
• are you spending more time than you should on Twitter or, conversely, struggling to find the time to tweet?
• is it frustrating to find no-one clicking on your links?
• are you stuck with a number of followers that never increases?
• are you getting insufficient retweets?

These questions are prompted by approaches made to me at networking opportunities when I am asked for tips.  Solutions are down to learning Twitter techniques and I am, therefore, holding a special Twitter Workshop from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday 6 March at the Woodend Creative Workspace in Scarborough.

Depending on your answers to the above questions, this intensive two-hour Workshop may be of interest to you.  It is aimed at anyone with: (1) a Twitter account and (2) a working knowledge of Twitter wanting better results for less time and effort.  It will be fast-paced but fun, with exercises having a Ninja theme and me in the role of Sensei.

The theme of the Workshop and its purpose is to show you how you can become a Twitter Ninja in just 10 minutes a day.  I will teach you how to increase your followers and engage with them; improve your retweets and click-throughs; and benefit from a Twitter strategy that helps your business.  All you will need is a laptop (PC or Mac, with charger) that can connect to the Workshop’s WiFi network, and a willingness to learn new techniques through exercise participation. 

Workshop places must be pre-booked. The cost of the Standard Ticket for the two-hour group tuition is £25 with light refreshments included.  The Premium Ticket at £70 additionally covers an hour’s one-to-one tuition at advanced level, to be taken at a mutually agreed time to suit your schedule.  

For further details about this Workshop and the venue, please click here.

A common problem with meetings is agreeing on when and where. Emails go back and forth with suggestions and just when you think arrangements are sorted, suddenly someone is unavailable.

The advent of online solutions like Google Calendar has eased such administrative nightmares. As well as online sharing, there is often the ability to reveal your free/busy status. But there is still the hassle of checking everyone’s calendar and, into the mix, you may want to specify certain times when you are available.

There is, however, a definitive answer to the many online diary formats and permutations. Let me introduce you to Tungle. Why do I recommend it? Because it: (a) integrates automatically with your own diary so you don’t have to switch to another service (b) shows when you are free or busy, without revealing information you don’t wish to display, and (c) enables colleagues/clients/customers to schedule a meeting with you direct. Take a look at my Tungle page and use it to book any appointments with me.

Synchronising Tungle with your own diary prevents double bookings because it checks your calendar and updates your availability without compromising privacy. In other words your diary is kept private and only you can see meeting details.

Is Tungle good news? Yes, and there’s more. It’s free to use and installation and set up is simple. If you are a Google Apps customer you simply sign in with your Google Apps account. Tungle currently supports:

• Outlook 
• Google Calendar 
• iCal/Entourage 
• MobileMe 
• Lotus Notes 
• Blackberry 
• Windows Live 
• Yahoo! 
• Plancast 
• TripIt 
• Facebook

Should you encounter any difficulties with Tungle, remote set up is available via AGUK from £25.

This Workshop has been delivered. Please SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list for information about future Workshops.

Workshop date: 12 January 2012
Workshop time: 11.00-12.00
Networking lunch: 12.00-14.00
Venue: Novotel Hotel, Fishergate, York, YO10 4FD

In response to requests that I circulate details of my talks, seminars and workshops, here are details of a forthcoming event for your diary.

On 12 January at York’s Novotel Hotel, I shall be hosting a live workshop on “Using the Cloud.”  This event, from 11am to 12pm, is being held in association with The Business Network and is followed by their networking lunch from 12pm to 2pm.

The cloud and its benefits for companies is a hot topic.  Indeed, you may already have heard someone else talking about the cloud, detailing the latest magnificent technological advancements that are great for your business.  If, however, you remain unsure as to what the cloud is and does, then this is the workshop for you.

Attendees of any of my past seminars and workshops on a range of business related issues will be familiar with my style of presentation.  This workshop will be no different.  There will be no jargon or complicated scientific technology on the subject matter, and I will not be explaining the cloud to you.  Instead I will be showing you what it is and what it does through live demonstrations.  These include:

• Editing and working with documents online
• Collaborating on projects using online tools
• Online backup solutions
• Organising photographs and editing images online
• Working offline
• “Going Google” and understanding Google Apps

The overall aim of the workshop is to illustrate in a stimulating, practical way the benefits of what the cloud enables you and your business to achieve, and the benefits it can bring.

Workshop places are limited and must be booked in advance through organiser Claire Flatters.  The cost is £25, which includes a three-course lunch and networking session.  Claire’s contact details are:

• Email    -  [email protected]
• Mobile   -  07894 122488

Please make your booking as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.  Payment must be received before the event to secure your place

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Do you have a domain name due for renewal? Notifications from a company called the “Domain Renewal Group” are being sent out. They are cleverly worded and can resemble a bill, as per the example shown. Do not reply to any such communication and certainly do not send any money.  Instead, take my advice and file it in your bin or shredder.

Your domain(s), if due, will certainly have to be renewed but do this through the company you already use to manage your domains.

If you are in any doubt about any requests you receive from the Domain Renewal Group, or have any domain ownership/payment queries, you are welcome to contact us for advice.

Domain Management is one of the specialist services available from AGUK Solutions Limited, ensuring domains are always kept up to date and renewed in good time at a competitive rate.