For several years broadband providers have been seeking ways to profit more from control of the pipeline so that they could block competing applications and providers. Unless restrained, more and more will follow Time-Warner’s example. If consumers even think “net neutrality,” broadband providers and their political action committees (PACs) will scream about their infrastructure investments, etc. The behavior of the broadband providers, like Time-Warner, plays well into the regulatory capture phenomenon.

We believe there needs to be a level playing field. All are charged a flat fee for access regardless of quantity and content being delivered. If an individual pays for 10 Mb connectivity, then that’s what should be delivered; or, if one pays for 500 Gb/month data transfer - that is what should be delivered. Selective metering, blocking, packet shaping, etc. do not have a place.

The “path of least resistance” the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least resistance to forward motion by a given object or entity, among a set of alternative paths. The concept is often used to describe why an object or entity takes a given path. (Wikipedia entry) Using this metaphor to look for increased sales involves a 360-degree approach; you have your physical location, existing customers, potential customers, and your competitors.

Your physical location may be an actual “brick and mortar” or it could be your website. For a moment, “be the customer;” would you buy or do business with you? Is there unnecessary clutter that can be removed? Sometimes the easiest path is to refresh your image online and/or in your store.

Talk to your existing customers. What do they like or not like about your business? You have to be willing to take the negative feedback. Why do your customers come back to you? Of the customers that don’t come back; do you know why? One of the easiest things you may want to consider is a discount or rewards program for those repeat customers. If you make it easy for your customers to shop at your business and they’re rewarded for doing so, they will be back.

How are you attracting potential customers? Do you have folks that “just stop by” and not make a purchase? What will it take to close the deal? Customers want to make informed purchases. You may want to consider publishing a regular newsletter (online, print, or both) describing new products, providing tips, etc. An online newsletter or email newsletter may be the easiest means to attract potential customers.

What are your competitors doing? Getting to know your competitors better will help you make more tactical (short-term) and strategic (long-term) business decisions. You need to keep an open mind and assess your competitor’s business against the same criteria you would evaluate your own business. Try to understand their business model in an effort to ascertain their best practices. One of the easiest ways to obtain competitor information is to be “the secret shopper.” Visit your competitors and make a purchase. How does that experience compare to the experience you offer your customers.

The key points to remember are: (1) make sure you have a fresh face for existing and potential customers; (2) reward your existing customers for their repeat business; (3) evangelize your business to potential customers via newsletters or email; and, (4) understand what your competitors are doing.

Docstoc Series B Funding Press Release - Get more documents

Why is this important to you? Docstoc provides you with a foundation of professional documents that you can tailor to the needs of your business. As with anything of a legal and/or contractual nature, we advise you to consult an attorney.