As reported by Steve Royal

• Which should I use to start my business: DBA or LLC?
• Can I begin marketing my business concept without losing my unemployment?
• Is there an advantage to include your spouse's name in your business?
• Can anyone in RPCN help support web site design?
• Where should I go for a web address (domain name)?
• What can I do about people who don't return phone calls or answer emails?
• What is a good CRM (Contact Resource Management) system?
• What are the steps in starting a consulting business?
• How do you find key contacts?
• How do I go about finding my first client?
• How important is a business plan?
• Can I charge different prices for different clients for the same work?
• How do I get people to switch from their current company to my company?
  

As reported by Steve Royal

• What are these "NOD-32" pop-ups that I'm getting?
• How do I import email from Mailwasher PRO to Outlook?
• What am I supposed to do with the Skype program that came installed on my new netbook?
• Why am I getting an error message when importing my Google calendar into Thunderbird/Lightening?
• Why hasn't my computer run a Windows automatic update on its own since February?
• What are V-cards?
• Why won't my PDF file (3 Mb) send?
• Does a computer continue working even after the screen goes blank?
• Why can't I access Internet Explorer on my netbook?
• What are the advantages of using Gmail vs. Outlook?
• Why can't I get my Gmail calendar to work properly?
• Is there a downside to using Google Chrome?
• Will RPCN have a workshop on the I-pad?
• What is a .tiff file?
• Why won't one of my spam emails be deleted?
• Can I move my Roadrunner mail to another server?
• What backup system should I use?
  

As reported by Steve Royal

• How can I break into the financial advising field?
• What do I do if a client wants me to have employee and indemnification insurance?
• Hint: Check out 99designs.com for advice on creative design.
• What are the differences between an LLC and an S-Corp?
• If you had the opportunity for certification as a consultant, how would you benefit?
• How do I get large companies to pay what they owe me?
• How complex should my business plan be when first starting my business?
• How do I locate new clients?
• How do I locate good business investors?
• Should I use a payroll service or do it myself in QuickBooks for my business?
• How much should I charge for my business services?
• How should I reconnect with old leads?
• How do I balance my consulting business with my full-time job?
• How do I find a good accountant and a good lawyer?
• Can there be a legal issue with RPCN members providing referrals for other members?
• How do I distinguish between personal branding and company branding?
  

As reported by Steve Royal

• Why can't I see the file extensions on my computer?
• Why did my external drive disappear from the drive display?
• When printing from my Epson printer, why is my document sent to FAX  instead of "print"?
• Why is my Facebook page behaving strangely?
• How do I "retire" a URL used by Google?
• How do I use the "sync up" apps on my Droid?
• Why doesn't the ribbon work in Excel in 2010?
• How do I import and send pictures when they take up very large files?
• Should I use Carbonite or something else to back up my computer?
• What uses might I have for Skype?
• Why has my HP printer stopped printing?
• When my computer tells me to do an "appropriate review of your security system," what should I do?
• Why don't emails in my Outlook outbox get sent?
• What technology can I use to help teach others?
• Where is a good place to get pictures mounted on foam backing?
• What should I do about lost or missing emails?
• At what camera resolution should I take pictures?

As reported by Barbara Moore

• What businesses use Facebook pages?
• How do you set up a Facebook page?
• Does Facebook have a list of ads or features that one can pay for?
• How can you link to your web site from your Facebook page?
• Can you sell advertising on your business page?
• Does LinkedIn have individual and business pages like Facebook?
• Can you send people from a Facebook business page to YouTube?
• What do corporations have to say about the use of Facebook?

Contributed by Ruth Balkin, Balkin Information Services

Social Media Examiner is a free online magazine designed to help businesses discover how to best use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find leads, increase sales and generate more brand awareness. The online articles will help you to master your communication on these new media. Browse articles online or get updates per mail or through RSS feed. Also look at 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report - How Marketers Are Using Social Media to Grow Their Businesses. This information can be very usefully in understanding this kind of communication and boosting your international marketing plan from your desktop!  www.socialmediaexaminer.com   (from www.fita.org)

As reported by Bob Lurz

• How do I deal with a consulting agreement that requires liability insurance?
• Which is better--an LLC or buying liability insurance?
• How do I get in front of my target market?
• How do I deal with intellectual property management such as non-disclosure agreements?
• Do I need a patent lawyer with my new idea or is there another route?
• What ideas does this group have for my presentation on the advantages of non-Microsoft-based systems?
• Should I fill out my business forms online or get a lawyer?
• What is a good radio station for up-to-date road conditions and problems when driving to a meeting or a client?
• What should I do about banking for my business?
• How do I do online marketing?
• How do I gain visibility?
• Should I consider full-time employment?

As reported by Steve Royal

• What are the advantages of the Chrome browser over Explorer or Firefox?
• Why does Office 2010 refuse to start after installation?
• Why can't I make sub-level folders in Gmail?
• Why can't I receive meeting confirmations when using the Google calendar function and Gmail?
• What operational changes should I be aware of when upgrading from Office 2003 to Office 2010?
• How can I get rid of an annoying side-panel in Word 2003?
• Why do I have to use an analog phone line for use with my 56K modem?
• How do I tell whether my phone line is analog or digital?
• What should I do if I can't find the WiFi Internet signal that is supposed to be there?
• Why am I blocked out of LinkedIn at work?
• How can I use Facebook for my business?
• What are some options to my Blackberry smartphone?
• How do Microsoft Office and Open Office compare?
• Why has my download speed suddenly decreased dramatically?
• Do bookmarks work in Word?

If you have a technical question or just want to learn and have fun, you can attend the next Technical Forum on February 4, 2011. See Events for details.

As reported by Bob Lurz

• What holiday gifts are appropriate for the people in my office area?
• Are electronic holiday cards appropriate for my clients?
• Can I personalize Christmas letters in Outlook?
• What are some good ways to facilitate international communications?
• What kind of disclaimer should I put in proposals in case I can’t find the information for my clients?
• What kind of business statistics will help drive my business?
• How do I calculate percentages fory information?
• Is it a common practice to provide intial consultations for free?
• How do I deal with cultural transformation?
• How do I develop my true competitive advantage?

As reported by Steve Royal

• Why does Windows 7 choose not to back up one particular file?   
• Why won’t my FAX machine connect to its destination properly?
• Why does a new page in Word start with the cursor half-way down the page?
• Why won’t my computer send email or install upgrades?
• How should I prepare my netbook for a trip?
• Can I put my regular Skype account on my netbook?
• Should I replace my old printer and, if so, with what?
• Hint: Barnes & Noble is selling a cool e-reader called a “Nook.”
• Hint: Radio Shack will give you money for your old cell phone.
• What is Norton Anti-Virus for Netbooks?
• How can consultants us social media to increase business?
• Where can I find a person to create a theme for my web site in Drupal?
• Is anyone having trouble recommending people in LinkedIn?