12 Inspiring Quotes from Thomas Edison

Here at are a few of Datavo's favorite quotes by Thomas Edison, one of the fathers of the telephone.

• I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

• Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

• Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

• Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.

• Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

• Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.

• Maturity is often more absurd than youth and very frequently is most unjust to youth.

• Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.

• Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That's not the place to become discouraged.

• The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.

• Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.

• If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.

7 Reasons to Choose Datavo's Hosted Phone Solution - myDatavo

There are many reasons to choose Datavo's Hosted Phone Solution - myDatavo, but we think the following are the top 7 reasons why.

1. Calls are cheaper - No matter what type of business you run, call costs for on Datavo's Hosted Phone Solution will be significantly cheaper than with an analog telephone line.

2. Phone equipment is cheaper - The only thing necessary to purchase when using our hosted phone solution are VoIP phones, and an internet connection (which we can provide to you as well). This allows business to bypass the large costs associated with purchasing an onsite phone system. We will provide you with an interface to make any changes via your internet connection.

3. Easy to add additional services - If you need to add an additional line all that you need to do is purchase a new VoIP phone, call us for an additional line and plug in the phone.

4. Less maintenance - Any IT support, maintenance or upgrades are handled by us here at Datavo, allowing you to cut costs with your employees. Also if you choose to add an auto-attendant you will not longer need a receptionist.

5. Easy to unify your communications - We make is simple for you to unify your communications by combing your contacts and Voicemails all in one easy to use interface.

6. Perfect for telecommuters - With our call jump feature and mobile smartphone apps, you can now take your work telephone line with you wherever you go on your Andriod or iPhone.

7. Provides innovative features - Auto Attendant, myDatavo Assitant, Call Manager, Visual Voicemail, Call Jump, Phone Remote, Music on Hold and Voicemail Fusion are just a few of the available features available to myDatavo customers.

For more information on myDatavo, visit our website www.datavo.com or contact us at 1.877.7DATAVO.

11 Ways to Avoid the Flu at Work

Here at Datavo, we've been watching the news and flu season is in full effect with one of the worse outbreaks in recent history. Some states have called in a state of emergency due to number of people affected by the virus.

Here are some ways that you can avoid getting the flu at work.

• Get a flu vaccination.

• Always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available especially after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.

• Keep your hands away from your face especially your nose, eyes and mouth as this is how germs spread easily.

• Make sure to keep commonly touched surfaces sanitized, such as doorknobs, telephones, keyboards, etc.

• Do not use your coworkers phones, offices, desks or other work tools unless necessary. If you must make sure to clean it first.

• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms do not go to work, stay home. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. 

• Make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise, diet and rest.

• Do not share drinks or personal items.

• Stay hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water. 

• Take vitamins, especially vitamin C or zinc.

6 Notable Ways to be Likeable

Likability will help you leaps and bounds in your job, business, personal relationships and just life in general. Here at Datavo we decided to put a list of important essentials together for you to incorporate into your work and life to be more likable.

1. Listen

Listening is the foundation of any good communication. Successful business leaders listen to their customers to find what challenges they are facing. They listen to colleagues and employees and accept new ideas. 

2. Team Player

There is no I in team and no matter what size your business is you interact with other people everyday. Encouraging innovation, letting others shine, and following others rules for working in a team will help you become more likable with your employees and coworkers.

3. Adaptability

With technology changing the face of the marketplace faster than anytime previous, leaders must be flexible in all areas of their business. Being stubborn and against change will see you left behind.

4. Authenticity

Be who you say you are. People want authentic people to succeed and are more willing to help them to do so. There used to be a much larger divide between a persons public life and private life but social media has blurred the line. Being authentic makes it much easier to merge your personal and professional life online.

5. Be Grateful

Likable leaders are always grateful for the people that work under them and contribute to their success. Showing appreciation and saying thank you to customers, employees, colleagues, mentors, and others will keep you appreciated, humble and well liked. 

6. Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated

When you give people the same courtesy and respect that you expect from them, you will receive more respect and admiration from employes, collegues, friends and family. When people feel respected they are more willing to work with you.  

Feel free to leave out any notable ways you know of to be likable.

11 Flagrant Sales Mistakes to Avoid

Most people are in sales, whether it’s really part of their job title or description  Even if you don’t sell services or products, marketing yourself and ideas is a must. 

Avoiding these kinds of errors will help you increase sales as well as open additional doorways.

1. Not Knowing Your Product

You must learn the product your are selling inside and out. People will not want to purchase anything you are selling if you are not able to answer the questions they have about it. 

2. Not Listening and Assuming

Make sure you are listening to the customer when they are talking, so that you will understand their wants and be able to supply the product that will fit their needs. Your sales will come much easier by just taking a minute and understanding what the customer is saying.

3. Forgetting to Turn Off Your Mobile Devices

It is best practice to give your potential customers your undivided attention. Your phone going off constantly will cause a distraction and make the customer feel like you are not their main concern.

4. Having a Bad Attitude

No one wants to buy anything for a Debbie Downer or a person that acts like you are hasseling them when you make a request. 

5. Having Poor Communications Skills

Make sure when you are speaking to a potential client you use eye contact, don't mumble or use one word answers. It puts people off.

6. Poor Personal Presentation

Image and first impressions are important to a lot of people especially in the sales world. Make sure your clothes are clean and ironed, your hair is combed, and you smell nice.

7. Breaking Commitments/ Not Following Up

If you promise to do something for a potential client such as calling them back at a certain time, make sure you do it. 

8. Not Being Present

Make sure that you are fully alert and your mind is not elsewhere.

9. Focusing on Price

Having competitive pricing is important in the long run. But using only this as a ploy means nothing if your competitor undercuts you. 

10. Not Closing the Sale

It is very important to have a good rapport and personable relationship with potential clients. You must not let this stop you from why you came to them in the first place. Make sure you are clear that they have agreed to proceed.

11. Not Asking for a Referral

Word of mouth is the best advertising, its free and it comes with from a trusted source. Make sure to ask each of your clients for at least three people that could also benefit from what you have to offer them.

Datavo loves to hear what you think, feel free to leave any sales mistakes you know of in the comments.

6 Google Chrome Apps to Help Your Productivity

Google Chrome is one of those things that amazes people once they find out how much functionality it really has.

My favorite part about it is the apps. There are so many available in the web store and most are free. No matter what you need to do, most likely you can find an app that can help you with it. Today, I want to review six of the ones that will help most with your productivity during the day.

1. Hootsuite - This app allows you to control all of your social media in one simple dashboard. It also allows you to track traffic, schedule messages and monitor conversations using the app.

2. Awesome Screenshot - With this app you can grab a still from any page you are searching in your browser. It is easy to use and is more transferable than notes or copy & paste. (I used this app for the screenshots in this blog)

3. Large Document - This app allows you to share large documents over 10mb that would usually bounce back to you due to size. It is much simpler than any of the external sharing sites such as Dropbox or YouSendIt. It actually converts your file to a url so there is not login info required.

4. Stay Focused - If you are an Internet browsing addict this app is for you. It allows you to set times for certain websites so that you do not spend too much time browsing. You can put a cap on the sites you select so you can limit the amount of time you waste during the day.

5. Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer - This allows you to view any PDF or PowerPoint file by just clicking on the link. No need to download large files or launch any other applications to view them.

6. Google Calendar Checker - This apps shows a countdown until your next engagement on our calendar. It is easy to use and you can link any of your calendars together so that you are never late or miss a meeting.

Feel free to leave any apps that you may know of in the comments.

20 Great Motivational Quotes to Start Your Day

Do you find yourself needing motivation? Datavo has collected a few motivational quotes to get the fire inside you burning so that you can be great. 

Leonardo da Vinci

• “Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else.” - Leonardo da Vinci

• "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot

• “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” - Mark Twain

• "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' " - Muhammad Ali

• “A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” - Richard Branson

• “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” - André Gide

• “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill

Albert Einstein

• “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” - Albert Einstein

• “We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them.” - Jean Jacques Rousseau 

• “It matters not the number of years in your life. It is the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln 

• “Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself.” - Cicero

• “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” - Michael Jordan 

• “No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess” - Newton 

• “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” - Albert Einstein 

Nelson Mandela

• “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.” - E. M. Forster 

• “When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.” - Nelson Mandela

• “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” - Thomas Edison

• “When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts.” -Larry Ellison 

• “All that counts in life is intention.” - Andrea Bocell

• “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” - Emerson

Feel free to leave any quotes you think we left out in the comments.

24 Important Questions Business Leaders Should Ask Themselves

Datavo knows that in today's market you have to be flexible and ready to move ahead so that your business can continue to be successful. 

If you look at our businesses today, they are all components of an enterprising network of relationships with partners, clients, and suppliers that mold the way we take care of business. With the rising expectations and demands of consumers, small and large business are showing up in all places around the globe. These business conditions can present both pros and cons to an owner.

So when contemplating what methods make your business' run efficiently, make sure these 20 questions are included.

1. What is the purpose for your business existing?
2. Who is your target customer?
3. What are your competitors up to?
4. Has your business adequately changed with the times?
5. Do you have the right leaders employed?
6. How does your business handle change?
7. Are your business practices outdated?
8. Are there better ways to integrate your different business processes, to make them work easier?
9. Are you able to reduce your expenses, without hurting your product?
10. Are you able to automate repetitive actions?
11. Are your systems so slow they are affecting your response time to customers?
12. Do you embrace new technology?
13. Do you ensure that your data is backed daily, in case of a system failure?
14. Is the information on your website current?
15. Are your Customer Service Representatives trained with current business information?
16. If you systems were to go down, do you know how to fix or restart it?
17. Does corporate management share the same goals as the IT department?
18. Are you making the right decisions with the IT and Operations departments?
19. Are you securing your networks properly from outside threats?
20. What part of your budget is for maintenance as opposed to new product development?
21. Do you have the right employees?
22. Are your employees happy?
23. Are you using your employees to the best of their abilities?
24. Do you ask your employees what feedback they are getting from customers on the business?

Feel free to leave any that you think we left off in the comments. 

10 Tips for Better Organizing Your Workspace

Is your desk or office cluttered? Do you have a hard time finding things when you need them? Here at Datavo, we know how important it is to keep your work space organized so that you can maximize your efficiency and become a more productive employee. 

Organizing your office does not have to be a daunting task, it can be done efficiently and in little time. Once your space is organized it can be maintained with minimal upkeep. To get started, just follow these simple tips. 

1. De-clutter. Go through everything in your office and get rid of anything that you do not use. This goes for equipment, furniture, supplies, files, decorations, etc. 

2. Put everything in its place. Go around your office and collect things that are out of place and put them where they go.

3. Keep things you need close. Make sure that things you use frequently are easily accessible and within arms reach. Things that you use less can be put away or in storage.

4. Clear & organize your desk. Remove everything from your desk, only keep items that you must use everyday. Use desktop organizers such as paper trays and paper clip holders to keep things in place.

5. Organize your drawers. Keep like items together. Sticky pads with notepads, stamps with envelopes, etc. Make a separate drawer for your own personal items. 

6. Seperate your inboxes. If you work directly with many people, create a tray, folder or inbox for each.

7. Don't accumulate piles. Once you are fully organized you will hopefully stop having piles of paper sitting around. Go through your existing ones and either file them away or toss them.

8. Read, Sort, Shread. Read all mail the same day it is received; decide whether you will need to act on it, file it, delegate or shread it.

9. Clean your desk. Before you leave each day, do quick clean up of you desk. Put everything back in its place so that you have a clean start each and every day. 

10. File at least once a week. When you let your filing pile up it can become daunting. By setting a specific  time aside each week, it will ensure you stay on top of it. 

Feel free to leave any tips in the comments you think we may have left out. 

Top 5 Tips for Successful Sales Agents

Your sales success can be the result of superb marketing or excellent selling finesse. With the majority of things in business, the more information you know the higher you can reach on the sales ladder. Datavo has put together a list of five tips to help you along your way.

1. Listen. Always let your prospective clients state their needs before you attempt to sale them anything. By finding out that their needs you are better situated to understand and meet the requirements they are requesting. Also, people like to feel like they are being heard so it will help you gain their trust and approval.

2. Set the Stage for Good Rapport. First impressions can be a deal breaker and is not always based on only words. People judge you by your appearance, manners, demeanor, and even your sense of humor. Make sure you always come across as warm and accessible. People are more willing to purchase something from someone that they like.

3. Be Adaptable. Each of your buyer has a different set of priorities and reason for their purchases, so you should always be prepared to adapt your sales pitch according to the immediate needs of your current client. Some people are purchasing a necessity, some opportunity, and others just because. Being able to decipher what type of buyer you have on your hands and adapting your script to fit them will ultimately lead you to more sales.

4. Be Convincing. A good sales agent does not take NO for an answer. Using the following moves to sway your customers can inevitably lead to more closed sales. Always have a product that is relevant and of good quality. Make sure you are pitching your product at the right time and for the right price. Always be easy to deal with. Believe in the product you sell so that you come off as sincere and convincing.

5. Do Not Buy Your Sales. Customers always want to feel like they are getting the best deal possible so it it necessary to sometimes give them a bit of leeway to help negotiations such as free voicemail, extra features etc. Try to only do this when necessary, as cutting prices is not a good long time strategy and does not help. You must always remember that you are in this field to make money and neither you or the business will survive for very long without making a realistic profit.

Please feel free to add any tips to the comments that I may have left off.

9 Tips to Effective Time Management

TIME MANAGEMENT... can be a scary word for some people. It's a skill that no one teaches you in a class but something you really need to learn.

Are you habitually late or extremely punctual? Are you able to effectively complete your work on time? Do you manage your time efficiently? Can your boss count on you to meet your deadlines?

Datavo knows a lot of you answered no to some of these questions, so I put a short list of tips together to help you manage your time a little easier.

1. Keep a calendar. Using a calendar is the most essential step to time management. I like to use Google Calendar as it allows integration with my mobile phone and other devices so that I can always access my calendar on the go.

2. Create a daily agenda. Your day will run smoother if it is planned. You can do this at the end of each work day or in the morning before you start any of your tasks. Make a list and try to stick to it. 

3. Always complete your most important tasks first.  Prioritize your tasks on your agenda by importance because things come up and you can't always get everything done. If you will feel less anxious at the end of the day if you know you got your priorities taken care of.

4. Place a time limit for each daily task.  Next to each task on your list right a time limit for how long it will take or what time of the day you would like to be finished. This will keep your day running smoother and keep you from dragging your feet as you complete your work. 

5. Meet your deadlines.  Always make sure you know and meet all of your deadlines. Make sure to add them to your calendar and so you are always aware of when they are due. 

6. Keep focused.  Multi-tasking is only good for some people. Most people get things done faster by focusing on one thing at a time. Keeping to the task at hand will make you more efficient. Try to block out any distractions such as your phone ringing, emails, and text messages so that you can concentrate. 

7. Set a schedule to check your email.  It can be time consuming to check your email every time you receive one. Don't take more than a day to answer anything, but you don't drop everything you're doing immediately. 

8. Leave a few minutes in between tasks.  Don't schedule your tasks too closely together. Make sure to leave 5-10 minutes between each task just in case you run over. This will help you start your next task without being rushed.

9. Clear off your desk and make your work area clean.  Having a work space that is cluttered and unorganized can clutter you mind and make you work at a slower pace. Also it makes things difficult to find which will also add more time to your day.

If you have any other tips that may help people, feel free to leave them in the comments section!

5 Ways to Keep Happy Customers

Are your customers HAPPY or are they SAD? Having happy customers means you have a successful business. Happy customers means they spread the word to other people and give you the chance to make those people happy customers.

Here at Datavo, we know keeping your customers happy can be tough at times so we put together this list to help you out. Here are our Top 5:

1. Motivate Your Staff - Happiness is contagious, so when customers contact your business and are greeted by happy people they in turn will have some of the joy rub off on them. Always remind your staff to smile when making or receiving calls. Make sure they keep their voice and tone at a soothing level. Make sure to remind them that the customers are the ones who make it possible for them to get paid so keeping them happy means keeping their pockets happy.

2. Listen and Understand What People Need - People never like to feel as if they are being rushed or not listened to. Always make sure that you fully grasp the issue the customer may have so that you can come up with the most cost effective, time saving solution for your customer's needs. If necessary repeat back any pertinent information so that you can confirm it was heard correctly.

3. Engage and Individualize - Make your customers feel special. People do not like to feel like they are only numbers, customize and individualize each interaction as much as possible. It will leave your customer feeling respected and appreciated.

4. The KISS Principle - "Keep it Simple, Stupid". Making things overly complicated can confuse not only your customers but your staff as well. It has been proven that keeping things simple rather than complex makes everything run smoother.

5. Always Have a Solution - If a customer is unhappy give them something to make up for it. It doesn't have to be big (or anything that cost your business money) but your generosity will be remembered. Make sure that you have an end result that makes you and the customer happy. Sometimes this may be hard but if everything was easy we wouldn't need this list.

How do you keep your customers happy? Leave some tips in the comments.

10 Tips for Proper Business Telephone Etiquette

First impressions are said to be what people remember you by. This can be said about phone calls as well. Since callers are not able to see you face to face, they use your telephone speaking voice to form certain judgments and opinions about you. Not only do they hear what you are saying they judge the tone of how you are saying it too. To ensure people always have a great impression of you, Datavo has put together some tips to make your telephone speaking voice a winner.


1. Greet Clients Professionally - Always make sure to answer all calls professionally with a short greeting. Make sure to practice the greeting before answering the phone so that you make sure you sound clear and professional.

2. Answer Phone By Fourth Ring - Whether you are in the office or out, make sure you or your voicemail picks up by the fourth ring. It is very unprofessional for you line to just ring and ring.

3. Speak Clearly - Remember people are not able to see you and watch you lips as you talk when on the phone. Make sure that you enunciate properly while keeping a positive professional tone.

4. Be Prepared - Always have paper and pen ready to write down any information you need to remember about the call. Also, write down the person the name of the person whom you are speaking so that you can remember it and use it during the conversation. It makes the caller feel like you are listening.

5. No Eating or Drinking - Eating and drinking while on the phone with someone sounds very unprofessional. Only eat and drink when not making any calls, preferably on your break.

6. Stay Focused - Always pay attention to what you client is telling you. Don't let outside distractions get in your way. If someone approaches you while you are on the phone politely wave them away until you are finished with your current call.

7. Always Ask a Customer Before Placing Them on Hold - With phone systems these days once a caller gets to you they could have been on hold for a number of minutes and may not appreciate being placed on hold again. Once they are placed on hold try not to leave them for more than 30 seconds so they do not become upset and hang up.

8. Address All Callers Formally - When in doubt, always address people formally. Never call an unfamiliar person by their first name. Use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss when your know their last name. If you do not know their last name Sir or Ma'am are sufficient.

9. Listen - Listen to what the caller is saying to you. Whether you are taking a message or fixing a problem. This will help you to understand their problem and find the best solution to what needs to done. A good habit to learn also, is to repeat the information back to the caller when taking a message down.

10. Remain Patient and Helpful - Always remain patient and helpful, even when dealing with irate customers. You want people to feel like you are emphatic to their issues and are willing to help them. If you are not able to calm the person down make sure to forward them to the proper person who can. Never respond back in a negative or angry way.