“Companies in trouble never give customers a heads-up that they are near the end.” That’s what salespeople for Richmond-based Estes Express Lines are being told to tell customers of competing trucking firm YRC Worldwide.
Wall Street Journal
Dealers swipe orphaned customers
Auto dealers around the country are trying to pick up customers orphaned by the major shakeup of the auto industry. With an estimated 3,000 closed or closing in the past two years, many people who have been buying cars from the same dealership for decades have found themselves looking for a new home when their… Read more »
Beware of Twitter squatters
Earlier this month we ran a series on how local businesses are using social media. In some cases, the tools are effective and cheap ways to reach targeted customers. But they can also allow any rouge individual to speak on behalf of the company. And in that sense, the battle for public opinion keeps getting… Read more »
Get start-up cash from Google
If you are looking for cash to launch or grow your business, try Google. Google is soliciting business plans at their new Google Ventures site. They have committed $100 million worth of venture capital for the first year. The internet search giant is looking primarily for companies in the consumer Internet, software, hardware, clean-tech, bio-tech, and… Read more »
Fast computers making fast money
Chesterfield-based computer Velocity Micro continues to increase sales during difficult times. The company, which specializes in making ultra-fast gaming PC’s, saw sales increase 24% this past holiday season between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Spokesman Josh Covington said the momentum carried through the fourth quarter and continued into January and Febuary. Their lowest price PC… Read more »