Company Profiles: Spotlight on Travel and Tech

With more and more businesses going global these days, and people constantly traveling or working from home, it’s becoming harder to get everyone in the same place, let alone the same conference room. With FreeConferenceCall.com, up to 1,000 people can connect with each other via audio, video or screen sharing at absolutely no cost. RewardExpert spoke with Vice President of Product Development, Jeff Erickson, about how the company’s services can help boost productivity, and how it stands apart from competitors.

In today’s ultra-competitive world, it’s becoming harder for companies to find good talent and candidates to find the right fit for their own skills. Hired is a career marketplace that matches tech talent with the world’s most innovative companies.

In today’s global business environment, it is imperative that colleges and other organizations communicate properly. One of the chief ways to communicate in the internet age is through video. “Without video, organizations risk losing relevance in today’s world. Video isn’t a fleeting trend – it’s at the heart of how we communicate every day,” said Tammy Jackson, vice president of marketing and communications at Sonic Foundry. Jackson spoke to RewardExpert about using Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite solution for colleges and organizations’ video needs.

There’s a statistic that’s commonly bandied about in the business world and it goes something like this: a happy customer will tell three people about their experience and a dissatisfied one will tell 15. While they may do so in person, in this day and age it’s more likely they’ll be broadcasting those praises or laments online—where even more of your potential customers will see them.

What’s a business owner to do? Trustpilot has the answer. It’s a powerful review platform that helps companies proactively collect reviews so they can better understand their customers as well as use the feedback to enhance the reputation of their business.

The Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) isn’t your typical museum. Located across from Central Park in upper Manhattan at the top of Museum Mile, it’s a great place for tourists and locals alike to experience one-of-a-kind exhibits and presentations. RewardExpert had the privilege of speaking with Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sheryl Levy, of the Museum of the City of New York, who said, “There’s always something to do here.”

Many people put all sorts of vital information online, from their credit card numbers to their addresses and even their social security numbers. But how do you protect that data, and prevent cyber thieves, internet advertising companies and others from accessing your information and profiting off of it? One of the companies offering such privacy protection services is Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Abine.

Rob Shavell, the CEO and co-founder of Abine, spoke to RewardExpert about the benefits of using his company and how it protects consumers against fraud. “Abine is a company that’s 100 percent dedicated to one thing, which is improving consumers’ privacy, and specifically their online privacy,” said Shavell.

When you go on a trip, it can be time-consuming to keep track of all of your plane tickets, hotel reservations, car rental programs, and rewards programs. But thanks to a company called TripIt from Concur, all of that information is conveniently available and ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Planning for a vacation leads to a more enjoyable trip. You can pick out the best restaurants, attractions, and hotels at your destination. But should you trust a random website with biased reviews for the success of your vacation? Absolutely not! This is where TripSavvy comes in. They pick qualified writers that are actually from the city you want to visit. Then those writers use their expertise to write about the best things to do their town. This local’s perspective gives you an insider’s point of view and improves your overall vacation experience.

Getting construction projects done on time and on-budget is a win-win for both clients and construction companies. But often times construction projects can get bogged down in red tape costing companies both time and money. Enter a software company called PlanGrid. The California-based startup offers cloud-based construction management software that aims to streamline the building process anytime, anywhere. “PlanGrid saves time, prevents rework and eliminates paper,” said a PlanGrid spokesperson, who talked to RewardExpert.com about the benefits of using the company.

Conversant is a marketing company that helps marketers connect with their ideal customers. They deliver targeted marketing to customers that benefit from seeing a client’s advertisements. This increases ad performance and the return on investment for a company’s marketing budget.

Dealspotr works with three distinct customer bases and offers them a safe place to do business with each other. Brands connect with influencers to help promote their products to consumers that want to buy. Influencers receive product and compensation for honest reviews of products and an opportunity to connect with new audiences. And consumers uncover valuable coupon codes that actually work and detailed reviews from influencers so they can make the right choice. It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.

You want to save for your goals, but you aren’t sure how to do it. Many full-service brokerage firms have minimums investment amounts that are above your budget or charge so much that it’s not worth it. Betterment offers investment accounts with no minimum balances and fees that are well below what others charge. And your investment accounts come with advanced features that are usually reserved only for the rich and wealthy. Read on to find out why Betterment will save you time and give you peace of mind as you work towards your financial goals.

The internet can be a dangerous place. Software developers and website creators are under constant attack from hackers, malware, and viruses. If they’re not careful, a project can be interrupted by these bad actors. StackPath provides a secure environment from Day 1 that allows developers to create without worry. And as a way of paying it forward, StackPath’s Propel program offers services, guidance, and networking opportunities free of charge to selected startups.

All parents dream of being able to send their kids to college to earn a degree and get a good job. But today’s job market demands a higher level of education than ever before and college costs are rising at 8% per year! If you don’t start saving now, your children could be saddled with student loan debt for years after graduating.

If you are interested in real estate investing, you need to visit BiggerPockets. They offer forums, online calculators, podcasts, and books full of the information you need to build a profitable real estate business. A majority of the real estate resources are free, so there’s nothing stopping you from increasingly our real estate knowledge.

In today’s 24/7 environment, your business needs a web presence. Kinsta offers next-level hosting solutions that will boost your website performance while providing service levels unmatched in the industry. Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or just launching your blog, Kinsta is the choice for stability, speed, and reliability.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Jackson, the Chief Marketing Officer at Kinsta, to discuss what sets them apart from the competition. I came away impressed with how they can offer such high levels of service at such affordable prices.

Working on a slow computer is absolutely frustrating. Actual Tools solves Microsoft Windows problems with software that improves the user experience and speeds up their daily tasks by unleashing hidden features of the Windows operating system.

Fake reviews plague many online websites. These reviews deceive potential customers and make it difficult for businesses to adjust to consumer feedback. Feefo’s solutions eliminate fake reviews because they focus on feedback from verified purchases. This improves the customer experience and builds trust in the business.

I spoke with Neil Mcilory, the Head of Product at Feefo, to learn about their solutions and they are making the web a safer place to shop.

The ATM was a revolutionary concept in the 1980s. Customers could make deposits and withdraw cash 24 hours a day, even on the weekends. Mitek’s remote deposit capture service saves consumers and businesses both time and money. Instead of driving to the ATM and, potentially, waiting in line, check deposits can be made from the comforts of home or without stepping away from the office.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Diamond, the SVP/GM of Payments for Mitek, to discuss the evolution of banking and what additional efficiencies are coming.

Whenever you travel, there is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the local community beyond the tourist dollars that you spend. Pack for a Purpose is an organization that coordinates travelers with local charities. The idea is simple, yet genius – fill your unused suitcase space with necessary supplies that will improve lives.

I spoke with Rebecca Rothney, founder of Pack for a Purpose, to hear her story. I learned of an ingenious idea how travelers can make a profound difference in the lives of many around the world.