Video conferencing transmits and receives images and voice in real-time. Web conferencing adds another dimension –- it allows you to share documents and applications.

Telepresence takes video and web conferencing to new levels. A telepresence conference room includes ultra-high-definition video cameras, large screens displaying life-size images, and spatially discrete audio to create an "in person" experience. Facial expressions for crucial business discussions and negotiations can be discerned across the "virtual table." Telepresence solutions can be deployed to support your business’ needs from one-on-one conferencing in private offices to stadium seating for larger meetings.

All these solutions allow you to communicate as if you were face-to-face with customers anywhere in the world. Time and money that would be spent on traveling can be used to conduct meetings. You can share documents, make presentations and conduct meetings on short notice. For example, without leaving your office you can collaborate with employees who work from home or from other company locations. You can get detailed information on video and web conferencing at: www.google.com and www.wikipedia.org. The web conferencing solution for My Own Business, Inc. is www.WebEx.com from Cisco Systems, Inc.

Social networking is not your traditional marketing platform. It is however becoming a more widely used medium for all types of businesses to reach out to their existing customers and find new ones. Although this type of marketing is free of cost, it requires steady and consistent time in participation, keeping current, interaction and generating interest. However if you commit to putting in the time you can find a niche market through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and others. You don’t need to join all of them. Plan a strategy, build a fan base....create relationships. Don’t over promote or spam and make use of custom tools to keep your fans/customers engaged.

Here are some more ways we can contribute to a greener work environment without costing much.

Video or Conference Call: Web or phone conferencing is not only green but can save you money and time.

Park the car: Leave the car in the garage--car pool or bike when you can.

Combine deliveries and errands: Save some miles by bundling trips.

Keep sharing your ideas and suggestions with us on what you have done to go green in business. Please email them to mobiblog@myownbusiness.org.

We welcome your questions to be answered in this Newsletter feature! Here is our Q and A for this edition:

Question: I am looking at retiring from the military and taking over the family business...it is already established. Is this course only for start up businesses?

Answer: The MOBI course can be of greater value to someone already operating a business because they have more to lose: their investment is already at risk. As Warren Buffett has said, rule one for success is "Don’t Make Mistakes!" The MOBI course is used by operating entrepreneurs to pinpoint where mistakes could be made, or have already been made, in all sixteen key business disciplines. So MOBI becomes an operator’s roadmap to pinpoint potential potholes in the road and also furnish governing tools such as cash flow projections.