Microsoft targets Big Day to small businesses

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Microsoft Corporation will unveil new business solutions targeted to small businesses at The Big Day seminar 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the University Plaza Holiday Inn. |ret||ret||tab|

The free seminar "will demonstrate how to streamline applications, reduce costs and market your company efficiently and effectively," said Eric Brushaber, presenter with The Big Day team.|ret||ret||tab|

Microsoft founder Bill Gates defined The Big Day in a recent release as "Microsoft's approach to accelerating opportunities for small business owners in the global marketplace."|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield is one of many sites scheduled for the seminar in December, and other Missouri sites are in Columbia, Joplin and St. Joseph.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield market was selected because, "our research tells us that many small market businesses have the ability to increase their productivity and profitability, but have yet to deploy many available applications in their daily operations," Brushaber said. "The Big Day is coming to Springfield to provide useful technology knowledge and information that business owners can apply to become more competitive and profitable in today's marketplace."|ret||ret||tab|

This is the fourth year for The Big Day, and to date, more than 600 seminars have been presented. |ret||ret||tab|

It all started with research and analysis on the small business market by The Big Day's cofounder and senior director, Pat Hayes. |ret||ret||tab|

Hayes' research "found small businesses are under-utilizing the software already loaded on their computers and are not taking advantage of the latest technology available to them at large," Brushaber said.|ret||ret||tab|

"With this research in hand, (Hayes) piloted The Big Day through the Central United States, and the response was outstanding. Now the program is nationwide and in Canada, assisting small businesses in understanding and leveraging technology," Bru-shaber added. |ret||ret||tab|

"Everyone is talking about burning up the Internet with some new e-business strategy, but few really know how to take their ideas from concept to completion, and that is what The Big Day program is all about," Hayes said in a news release.|ret||ret||tab|

Microsoft is not the only sponsor of The Big Day. Co-sponsors include Compaq, SoftChoice, New Horizons and bCentral. |ret||ret||tab|

"The co-sponsors enable us to speak to the industry as a whole. They were recruited based on the needs of our audience and ensure that all questions at The Big Day can be answered by the individuals best suited to provide the appropriate information," Bru-shaber said.|ret||ret||tab|

For more information or to register, call 877-435-7638 or go to the Web site at |bold_on|www.msbigday.com.[[In-content Ad]]