QR Codes: A How-To Guide For Business Use

Are you capitalizing on the latest little bit of free Techie gadgetry that's all the rage? We’re talking about QR codes, which are one of the easiest (and cheapest) marketing tricks a business can take advantage of.

Click here for eight more low cost social media tips we posted a few weeks ago and sit back to bask in the warmth of a new piece of technology fun that doesn't cost a thing!

What is a QR Code?

QR stands for Quick Response and was created by the automotive industry to help track vehicles during the manufacturing process. A QR Code is a barcode that stores a web address of your choosing.

If you scan the one above, you'll go to our Facebook page where we just posted some fun photos from our Halloween costume competition. There are apps available in both the Android and the iPhone that let you scan a QR code to quickly go to a website.

Note: To scan the code, you’ll need an app like QR Scanner [iTunes link] for the iPhone and iPod touch, or ShopSavvy for Android devices.

Marketing uses for QR Codes:

·    QR Codes are being used at some grocery stores and restaurants to give you recipes and nutritional information about the food you're buying.

·    To give you access to coupons, both in-store and on the internet.

·    On business cards, signs and brochures. A simple little barcode allows you to give the info you need to on the card or sign and, with a single click, also help the person to visit the webpage of your choice.

·    On clothing labels (Macy's and other retailers are already using this) to tell you about that item and others you may like in the store.

·    On anything with packaging, to push people to a website, Facebook or review page.

Can I get a QR Code of my very own?

Of course! There are tons of free spots to generate a QR code. Bit.ly and Social Oomph are two of the easiest.

To use Bit.ly:

·    Visit bit.ly, write or paste in a URL address, click “Shorten,” and add .qr to the end of the generated bit.ly link (like so: http://bit.ly/tm90xj.qr).

·    Copy the modified link into a new browser window to view the QR code.

·    Once you see the code on your screen, you can print it out, send to your friends via e-mail, post on your blog, etc.

To use Social Oomph:

·    You need to sign up for a free account, whereas for Bit.ly, you could sign in with Twitter (but it still asks for your email address).

·    Once you're signed in, l00k at the left navigation bar - "Shorten URL" is the fourth choice from the top.

·    Click the Shorten URL shortcut and type or paste the address in to the "Long URL" box and click the Shorten button.

·    There's a box that says QR Code - copy the link out of there and follow all the same steps as above in the Bit.ly example.

From Wikipedia: Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is termed hardlinking or object hyperlinking. Click here for more details than you probably want on how to work QR Codes. :-)

UPDATE: In the last few weeks since we wrote this post, viruses have targeted QR Codes here and there. That doesn't mean they aren't safe but, just like email, watch where you click. More details here on how to avoid viruses.

Does this give you any new marketing ideas for your business marketing or advertising efforts? Are you already using QR Codes? What has your experience been?

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Important Federal Tax Developments for 2011

The last few years have been extremely busy in terms of education for your accountants.

During the third quarter of 2011, there were many important federal tax developments -- enough to keep the team at BCWS hopping to stay on the front lines in terms of education.

Here are highlights of some of the most important updates:

Federal taxes

President Obama unveiled a number of tax proposals and revenue raisers in September as part of his proposed American Jobs Act.

• The Act proposes to extend and enhance the 2011 employee-side payroll tax cut
• Expand tax credits for hiring military veterans
• Extend 100 percent bonus depreciation
• The Jobs act proposes NOT to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for higher income taxpayers.

 

Worker classification

The IRS unveiled the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP) in September. The VCSP is open to employers that currently treat their workers as independent contractors and that want to prospectively treat the workers as employees. The VCSP provides a reduced penalty framework and audit protection to qualified employers.

Cell phones

• The IRS announced that employer-provided cell phones, provided primarily for noncompensatory business reasons, will not be treated as taxable compensation to employees and that personal use is nontaxable.
• Likewise, employer reimbursements to employees who use their personal cell phones for business will not be taxable.

Exempt organizations

The IRS issued final regulations to implement redesigned Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. The final regulations reflect proposed regulations and provide for the elimination of the advance ruling process for new Code Sec. 501(c)(3) organizations.

Health care reform

• The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the individual coverage mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
• In Thomas More Law Center v. Obama, CA-6, June 29, 2011, the Sixth Circuit found the health care reform law was a reasonable exercise of Congress’ authority to regulate commerce.
• However, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the individual mandate in the PPACA in August.
• The Eleventh Circuit found that Congress cannot require individuals to enter into contracts with insurance providers.

 

Tax collection

The IRS increased its enforcement revenue in fiscal year (FY) 2010, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported in August. FY 2010 gross collections included approximately $1.2 trillion from individual taxes, $800 billion from employment taxes and $300 billion from corporate taxes.

The information here was culled from various issues of the CCH Federal Tax Weekly. For a complete resource for all the Federal Tax Developments for 2011, click here or here.

If you have any questions about these updates, or any tax questions, please contact our office.

 

BCWS would like to connect with you!
Please come join us at:

 

Our BCWS Blog or Our Website

On Facebook

BCWS’s Company Profile on LinkedIn
On Twitter

More money saving tips for small business

If you're the owner or manager of a small business, you've undoubtedly felt the pain of this economy's ever-so-slow recovery. Demand for your products or services may have dwindled and when revenues are down, businesses need to adjust by tightening their belts. But reducing expenses is a balancing act. Cut costs that make a significant contribution to your income, and you may find revenues declining further. Trim expenses that are "fat" - unnecessary because they don't bolster the bottom line - and your firm can become leaner and better able to compete.

Here are a few suggestions for targeting and trimming some of these "fat" expenses.

• Scale back on utilities. Take a hard look at your phone system. Do most of your employees use cell phones? If so, perhaps you can reduce the number of phone lines or dispense with that expensive in-office system entirely. Is your electric bill going through the roof? Try installing motion sensor lights in some areas, and turn off lights in unused spaces. Consider switching to laptop computers instead of desktop models that consume significantly more energy.
• Exploit the Internet. Use the World Wide Web for everything you can, from teleconferencing to market research to buying discount office supplies. Look for deals on office items on Craigslist and eBay. Find free business forms online, everything from purchase order templates to marketing brochures.
• Bolster your procurement practices. Force vendors to compete by getting multiple bids, and ask suppliers to match the lowest prices.
• Lease that unused office space. If you have space that's, well, taking up space, consider subletting to another company or asking your landlord for a price reduction.
• Buy in bulk. Everything from office supplies to lunchroom goodies can be purchased at a discount in larger quantities.
• Dump the company car. If your company owns a vehicle, it may be time to rethink whether it's really needed. Gas, insurance, car payments, and other costs can go away if the car isn't on the company books.
• Review your insurance policies. It may be time to discuss discounts or umbrella plans with your insurance agent. Shopping around can be a good idea as well. After all, insurance companies are feeling the effects of the down economy too, and may be willing to work with you to retain your patronage.

If you'd like to discuss additional ideas for reducing business costs, give us a call.