BEM Technology, part of the BEM Group, provides "Hassle Free IT"

BĒM Interactive launches BĒM Technology today, the newest member of the BĒM Group of companies. While the division is new, the talent behind the division are well seasoned IT veterans.

Created, with small to mid-size businesses in mind, BĒM Technology provides “Hassle Free IT” to keep your business up and running 24/7.

We have partnered with respected industry veteran Todd Bartlett, who joins BĒM Technology as vice president and leads the BĒM Technology team. His successful 17-year track record, proven technical expertise, and distinction as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer allows us to hit the ground running with a responsive, managed IT approach.

Additional details on this exciting announcement are provided below. I invite you to be among the first to visit the new BĒM Technology website (www.BEMtechnology.com) to learn more and preview our current service promotions.



How does this affect the services BEM Interactive provides?
BĒM Interactive will continue to provide innovative design, reliable application development, and measurable digital marketing services all with a great level of customer service.

Together, BĒM Interactive and BĒM Technology offer a suite of full-service technology options—from interactive design and digital marketing to IT service and support.


What kinds of services does BĒM Technology offer?
Focused on providing “Hassle Free IT,” BĒM Technology provides IT managed services, network consulting, and support.

BĒM Technology specializes in proactive network monitoring to ensure high availability; network consulting, installation and support; system and security network audits; and PCI compliance consulting. As a Microsoft Partner we provide consulting, installation, and support for the Microsoft suite of products including Small Business Server, Office and SharePoint solutions.


Who is Todd Bartlett, the new vice president?
With a proven track record in IT and management, Todd leverages his experience, expertise and business portfolio in the role as vice president of BĒM Technology.

Todd has a 17-year track record running his own professional IT services firm in the Triad. For over 5 years, the BĒM Interactive team has had the pleasure of working with Todd on various joint projects. His responsiveness, depth of knowledge, and ability to understand the business owner’s perspective on issues has always been impressive.

In addition, Todd is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Certified Trainer. His ability to make complex technical issues understandable, and his reputation for providing top notch service make him well-suited to lead BĒM Technology’s day-to-day operations.


Where is BĒM Technology located?
Our offices on Galimore Dairy Road are home to BĒM Interactive, BĒM Technology and the BĒM Education Center.


Will current BĒM Interactive clients receive special pricing consideration for BĒM Technology services?
Absolutely. Current BĒM Interactive clients can contact their account manager to learn more.


Who do I contact to learn more about BĒM Technology?
Contact us at 336.854.0411, or visit us online at BEMtechnology.com.

BEM Interactive Web Site Gets a Makeover

For anyone that provides professional services, I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to work on your own business. It's always the "shoemaker with no shoes" syndrome.

It's often the case at BEM. Time to work on our own web site and interactive marketing initiatives always gets pushed to the side with clients' work taking the priority. And while frustrating, it's the way it should be. Clients should always come first.

So it is particularly exciting when the BEM team launches a makeover on our own web site. Take a look at our new site the team launched this week at BEMinteractive.com. It took a long time because we've been really, really busy serving clients needs, but it launched. And it looks fabulous.

Many thanks to all those on the BEM team for a job well done.

BEM Interactive Joins Google Analytics Authorized Consultant (GAAC) Program

GREENSBORO – BEM Interactive, an industry leader in interactive design, development and digital marketing, announces the company is now a Google Analytics™ Authorized Consultant, joining a group of organizations worldwide.

Google Analytics™ Authorized Consultants are organizations that demonstrate sophisticated expertise in Google Analytics™ web services, which report how website visitors search, navigate, and convert. To qualify, potential organizations undergo the application process and meet qualifications, including being able to provide comprehensive and complex Google Analytics™ case studies. BEM Interactive's Google Analytics™ consulting services include: implementation, assessment, customization, consultation, training, and ongoing support services.

“BEM Interactive is honored to have received this designation from Google,” says Malinda Pengelly, founder and president of BEM Interactive. “Becoming a Google Analytics™ Authorized Consultant represents our company’s steadfast commitment to providing exceptional interactive expertise.”

“In today’s online savvy business world, Google Analytics™ is instrumental in helping organizations understand and leverage data about their website visitors rather than simply collecting it,” adds Pengelly. “With the assistance of our Google Analytics™ in-house experts, our clients are seeing real returns, growing their businesses, and maximizing overall web effectiveness.”

About BEM Interactive
Founded in 1996 and based in Greensboro, NC, BEM Interactive provides award-winning interactive design, development and marketing to more than 350 clients, ranging from small start ups to Fortune 500 companies. Focused on delivering positive, measurable results for clients, BEM Interactive is known for innovative designs; reliable web development; comprehensive digital marketing solutions, including search, email, mobile, social marketing, and Google Analytics™ Services. The BEM Interactive Education Center, located at the company headquarters, offers seminars on Internet, marketing and technology topics critical to success in today’s increasingly online savvy business world.

Follow BEM Interactive on twitter!

We'll be dropping updates and info from our Twitter account - including random links and cool stuff we've found. Click here or on the adorable cat to follow BEM Interactive on twitter.

All I ever needed to know about Analytics I learned at....

Jeremy Shaffer's Web Analytics 101 Course this morning.
...well, almost everything, of course he left us hanging a bit until the next Course 102, Date/Time TBD.
Here's a couple of tidbits that I found pretty neat:
-Add a filter in Google Analytics to exclude your IP address from showing up as a visit on the site. That way your internal staff that are frequenting the site, won't skew the results.
-35-40% is an average bounce rate for most websites.
- You can set up goals based on a conversion point on your site's contact us form, whitepaper downloads, or at checkout for e-commerce sites.

Drop us a line if you're interested in signing up for the next course and I'll add you to the notification list for upcoming sessions.

(Oh! And in case you're wondering whether we ate this cake pictured above...we did not. However, we did enjoy yummy bagels and coffee from Panera)

Happy Birthday Debbie Bohl

450 Feet of Aluminum foil: $20
2 and half hours X 2 people spent foiling the cubicle: $250
Watching Debbie come in to a surprise birthday decoration this morning: Priceless!

Become a BEM Interactive Fan!

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Social Media Workshop

We had a great turnout at the Greensboro Chamber Tech Thursday workshop on Social Media marketing.

Many attendees have contacted us asking for the link to the "Did You Know" YouTube video. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

1st Annual BĒM Interactive Chili Cook-Off!

On February 19, 2009, BĒM Interactive held its 1st Annual "Chili Cook-off"! We encouraged all the staff members to bring in a chili (in different categories), and then voted at the end of our lunch for the best chili. (Click the picture for a larger view.)

It was a great success and very tasty & fun!

See Julie Ayres, 2009 Winner's "Best of Show" award-winning chili recipe below.

Be sure to look out for this event next year to see who wins!








BĒM Interactive's "Best of Show" Chili Recipe

Fixes approximate measurements for 1 gallon chili

Ingredients:
30 oz pinto beans, drained
30 oz kidney beans, drained
32 oz tomato sauce
32 oz chopped or diced tomatoes, drained
12-15 oz chopped green chilies, drained
1-2 lbs stew beef, cut into bite-sized cubes
½ package of taco seasoning mix
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
salt to taste
1 tsp of brown sugar or molasses (takes the edge off the “bitter” flavor) *optional

Directions:
- Coat the bottom of the crock pot with Olive Oil (keeps food from sticking).
- Brown the stew beef in a tablespoon of Olive Oil in a skillet.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to the crock pot or drain the juice off the beef and pour it into the crock pot.
- Except for the sugar/molasses, add the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot.
- Stir, set on low heat and cook for about 8 hours.
- Add the sugar after cooking otherwise your chili will stick to the bottom of the crock pot (like sugar-cured bacon sticks to your skillet).

Social Media Workshop at the Chamber

Social Media is at the top of the list when it comes to what's on companies minds these days. The topic surfaces when I'm talking with prospects as well as many of our existing clients. Most companies know they need to "get into the game" with social media; however, many executives find the strategy somewhat intimidating.

Comments I hear include:

• Which of the social media options should I use?
• I don't have enough time to actively participate.
• How can this impact the bottom line in a positive way?
• Who in my company should be involved?

And the number one issue with companies that want to engage a social media strategy is fear of loosing control.

BEM Interactive is doing a workshop on Social Media at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce this coming Thursday, March 19th at 8:30. The workshop is free and you can register online at the Greensboro Chamber web site. It will be a packed house and we'll have a great time exploring social media and other forms of alternative digital marketing. Hope you can join us.

BEM Web Design Team and North Carolina 2011

Last Monday afternoon the BEM web design team learned that the US Figure Skating Organization had selected Greensboro, North Carolina as the official site of the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships. As exciting as that news is, we were also thrilled that BEM Interactive was selected as the Interactive Agency for the event.


The new web site needed to be designed, created and published in 2 days ... in time for the Wednesday press conference. The team on this project did a fabulous job. A digital shoutout goes to Patrice, Kathryn, Julie and Morris for jumping in and delivering a great site in an unbelievable timeframe.

Be sure to check it out! The official page for the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

This event is a wonderful win for North Carolina and Greensboro. Many people have been working a long time to bring this event to NC. Among those that have lead this effort are Hill Carrow and Faryn Driscoll. Greensboro and North Carolina thank you !

Email Marketing Workshop at Chamber

"Email Marketing Workshop at the Greensboro Chamber Draws Thousands"

We have one of our most popular workshops of the Technology Thursday's series coming up this Thursday (Feb 19). We're not really expecting thousands, but we do have many, many small to mid-size businesses registered for this event. If you catch this post before the event, I hope you can join us.

I do several workshops at the chamber on subjects like Search and web marketing, SEO, PPC, Google Analytics and Email Marketing. It's a fabulous opportunity to help businesses and organizations in Greensboro and around The Triad area learn ways to get better results from their web sites.

If you miss this workshop, there are quite a few more great subjects in the Tech Thursday Series. You can find the full schedule at http://www.BEMinteractive.com/workshops.htm