How do businesses in NW Minnesota use Broadband?

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IMPACT 20/20 recently released a report that looks at how businesses in Northwest Minnesota are using broadband. Actually it’s an in-depth look at how businesses are successfully using broadband as the study sought out businesses that were making good use of technology. The report draws some high level conclusions:

There were several findings that emerged from the study.  Chief among them were the following:

  • Social media tools—especially Facebook and YouTube—can be an extremely effective means of growing  the customer base of a business.
  • Businesses who use broadband tools are increasing their customers, increasing the scope of their  market, increasing their efficiency, and increasing their profits.
  • The cost‐benefit ratio of using broadband appears to be very high in terms of the amount of time and  money invested and the perceived return on investment.
  • The importance of broadband to business success will not diminish in the future; if anything, its  importance will increase.

They look at the impact broadband has had on the individual businesses…

IMPACT 2020

The report also drills down to details by showcasing three companies from the area: Weave Got  Maille, Lake of the Woods Outdoorsman and Stittsworth Meats.

  • Weave Got  Maille manufactures  jewelry‐making supplies. Owner Edie Ramstad says her website and Facebook and her more valuable tools. Business began in 2012 and took off almost immediately She keeps her site and Page updated. Exposure through Social Media has led the entertainment business to her cyber doors. The Broadway show Jersey Boys and HBO cult hit Game of Thrones are both customers.
  • Lake of the Woods Outdoorsman owner Jean‐Paul Tessier has become a YouTube video star. He has expanded his services from hunting and fishing guide to promoter of the Lake of the Woods area. He has 800 YouTube subscribers and his videos are viewed 2,000 to 10,000 per week. Such traffic has allowed his to sell sponsorship on his website, which means added revenue. Jean-Paul says his secret to success has been to be real and genuine.
  • Stittsworth Meats has taken Facebook by storm. They have more than 11,000 Facebook friends. Owner, Mikes Sittsworth, credit Facebook with 50 percent of recent growth. Mike’s success has come from thinking like a customer and sharing posts he thinks are interesting – not pushing a sales agenda. One campaign that worked well for them was a competition for $200; the winner was the person who shared the Page with the most friends.

Below is a list of tools mentioned by businesses surveys by Impact 20/20. I thought it might spur entrepreneurs in other parts of Minnesota. The original report includes a nice glossary of terms, including many of the following. I have linked to a website where is makes sense…

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