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Welcome to Cbeyond Front Range

Thanks for visiting the Cbeyond Front Range website, where you'll find everything you need, from product information to highlighted success stories from small business owners like you.

We're committed to the local community in the Front Range region, whether it’s by supporting events like BolderBOULDER 10k and Fans on the Field, or through our commitment to local associations like the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.

So browse around, give us your input and when you’re ready, reach out to us. We'll be here to help!

Click here to meet Scott Weber, Vice President and General Manager of Cbeyond in the Front Range.

Small Business Success Story: Raw Urth Designs

After just one week at a blacksmithing camp in New Mexico, founders Amy and Stefan Sasick set out to combine their then-untested metal working skills with their landscaping background to create an authentic brand of products: Raw Urth Designs.

The Sasicks now devote their business to designing unique, custom steel accents and a number of standard production pieces, such as range hoods and exterior fire features. Raw Urth is also set apart by its founders’ dedication to creating an eco-friendly work environment. Amazingly, all of their steel comes from post-consumer American waste such as junked cars and old appliances. From a single forge and one antique anvil, the Sasicks’ passion for design and metal working has become a fully fledged company which has gained customers and recognition around the country.

READ MORE...

7 Tips to Network Effectively

It’s often said that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. As a small business owner, it’s important to network to market your business and the face behind it—you. It’s also a great way to build a referral network—a group of people that will send business your way, and vice versa. Check out these 7 tips on how to network effectively.

1) Have an elevator pitch ready. An elevator pitch is an overview of your product or service that gets the point across in the time it would take to ride in an elevator. Don’t get caught off guard or launch into a 5-minute monologue about your company. Rather, have a few short sentences prepared that describe your business. Have several pitches prepared that highlight different things based on your audience.

2) Have a goal. Why are you networking? Are you trying to gain more business? Do you need to hire new talent? Or are you simply looking to build up a network of people that you can go to for ideas and mentorship? Have a firm idea of what you’re aiming for so that you’re on the same page with the people you meet.

3) Join networking groups—both online and off. In-person networking adds a personal touch and truly puts a personality behind your business. Check out meetup.com or do a quick Google search to find interest-based groups that meet on a regular basis. In addition, online networking presents the opportunity to get your message out to the world with minimal cost and effort. Become a member of groups that pertain to your business on LinkedIn and Facebook and join the conversations that are always happening online.

4) Be interested in the person, not the opportunity. It’s always exciting when you meet someone that you just know can be a great resource for you. However, no one likes to be used. When you speak with someone, show interest in them as a person, not just what they can offer you. Relate to personal stories and build a connection about something that isn’t work related. Everyone wants to help out a friend and a genuinely good person. Build a positive connection first, and the business will follow.

5) Be a good listener. It’s never pleasant to meet someone who only talks about themselves. Ask those that you meet questions—and then be quiet until you hear the answer. When they’re done speaking, ask follow up questions that are related to the topic to show that you are genuinely listening.

6) Follow up. Don’t be a flake. Make sure you follow up within 48 hours of meeting someone. A friendly email, quick phone call, or a personal hand written note on your business’ letterhead reiterating a topic you discussed is all that’s needed for the first contact. Close with a question so you give them a reason to continue the conversation.

7) Return the favor. If you end up getting referrals and business as a result of networking, return the favor and send some business back their way. A relationship is a two-way street. In the end, you want to form a long-lasting, productive relationship.

HIPAA Compliant? Here Are Five Questions to Ask Your Cloud Services Provider

Healthcare providers have invested a lot of time and resources into meeting privacy and security laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Demands on IT resources will continue to grow in preparation for a complete conversion to electronic health records (EHR) by 2015.
As a small or mid-sized healthcare provider, you’re in the business of caring for people, not hardware and software. Dealing with everyday IT workloads plus current and impending HIPAA regulations can strain your already overtaxed resources.
Cloud services can offer a viable alternative to tackling complex technology issues in-house. By outsourcing the management of your IT infrastructure, you free up manpower and budget dollars to focus on patient care instead of equipment.
Some cloud computing providers are experts in maintaining a secure infrastructure. They can offer auditable security that is very difficult to achieve in a small hospital or medical practice. If you know the right questions to ask, you can reap the benefits of the cloud while taking HIPAA regulations into consideration.
Read the Five questions to ask a potential Cloud Services provider here.

Cbeyond Small Business Expert: Win over your Customers in 140 Characters or Less

Tue January 31, 3:41 pm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JyIfL1j4Hw

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:

The growth of social media has provided easily-accessible, widespread avenues to discuss the good and bad of businesses. As a result, it has become more critical for companies to monitor social media sites to check the pulse of their customers.

In doing so, businesses can identify problems faster and show they are responsive and mindful to resolving issues their customers face. Ultimately, how a business responds publicly through social media can carry a great impact than any other marketing effort.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals the social media tools every business should use to monitor and respond to social media activity, and shares tips to help businesses craft the perfect response to change customer perception online.

Cbeyond Small Business Expert: Communicate more Effectively

Tue January 24, 12:57 pm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sDB8j4ou-8

Cbeyond SMB Expert Tips:

Communication is a foundation of effective leadership in today’s business environment. While many business leaders view these tactics as second-nature, it can be difficult with the rigors of the day to ensure you are asking the right questions, listening in a fully-focused manner and synchronizing your gestures with your meaning in every conversation. Unfortunately, one misinterpreted word or action can create unintended headaches.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals the four most common communication pitfalls that plague even the most successful leaders, and shares practical tactics to ensure communication at all levels is functional, intelligent and seamless.

Cbeyond Small Business Expert: “Urgent” Strategies to Prevent Work Procrastination

Tue January 17, 1:54 pm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhRUcXAqJk

Professionals face a daily challenge to separate “urgent” tasks from “important” ones. While “urgent” matters are more deadline driven and require immediate attention, “important” ones can be delayed if necessary. However, the longer someone puts off an “important” matter, the greater the risk it will become “urgent”, creating a potential nightmare backup of time-sensitive materials for any individual to manage.

Author, radio host and small business expert Mark Deo reveals four proactive planning tips business professionals should consider to remain productive, schedule more efficiently and avoid “urgent” pitfalls.