Today The Wall Street Journal and VentureSource unveiled a list of the top 50 venture-backed companies in the U.S. with the greatest potential. Undeniably a list…]]> The Daily Start-Up: Which Company Will Be The Next Big Thing? 2010-03-09T16:39:00+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/huffingtonpost-3-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/huffingtonpost-3-10 Let’s hear it for the new dorks. It wasn’t too long ago that being a dork meant you weren’t cool. Oh how times have changed. A new generation of geeky entrepreneurs are setting the standards for business and the world…]]> "The New Dork": Geek Anthem Spoofs Jay-Z (VIDEO) 2010-03-09T15:36:31+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mashable-3-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mashable-3-10 Remember the Pantless Knights of “I’m on a Mac” fame? Well, they’re back today with a new vid titled “The New Dork,” a parody of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’s “Empire State of Mind” that pays tribute to social media adherents…]]> Social Media Dorks Get an Anthem [VIDEO] 2010-03-09T15:28:49+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/techcrunch-3-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/techcrunch-3-10 The music video below is pure viral marketing, but we’ll bite ’cause it’s got a catchy tune.  ”Entrepreneur State of Mind” is a remake of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind”, but with references to Facebook,…]]> Now You’re The New Dork (Video) 2010-03-08T15:12:57+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mediabistro-3-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mediabistro-3-10 Sorry, there are no ninjas in this video. But there is a fun meme based on the Jay-Z joint feat. Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”, and it is called “The New Dork: Entrepreneur State of Mind.”

Notice the hipster…]]> The New Dork: How Young Grasshoppers Become Super Ninjas 2010-03-08T14:54:06+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mightybrand-3-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mightybrand-3-10 This post is part of our series where we talk to real companies (and other organizations) around the world to find out how they’re leveraging social media, how it has impacted their business, and what lessons they’ve learned. Today we’re…]]> Real Companies Using Social Media: Grasshopper Empowers Entrepreneurs to Succeed 2010-03-05T17:54:00+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/generationbig-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/generationbig-2-10 I met and connected with a great, BIG person today — entrepreneur Ileana Kane — who turned us on to this video. Turn on your computer’s audio, turn up the volume, and check it out. Wondering what it means to…]]> A Must-See Video: Entrepreneurs Can Change the World 2010-02-25T18:46:12+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ashoka-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ashoka-2-10 Grasshopper is a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs get started and succeed. Their flagship product is a phone system designed for entrepreneurs.

To help inspire people to start a business and live their dreams last year they created a…]]> Grasshopper Raises $20,000 for Ashoka with Great Video 2010-02-25T17:41:50+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/youthventure-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/youthventure-2-10 What if I told you the video you just watched above enabled Youth Venture to get a $20,000 donation? That’s right the video created by Grasshopper to inspire and encourage entrepreneurs to make their ideas a reality, went viral…]]> “Entrepreneurs Can Change the World” Video Helps Charity 2010-02-24T18:35:26+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/denisegriffitts-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/denisegriffitts-2-10 One thing we always recommend during a web development project is that the client consider obtaining a toll free number.

Having a toll free number on your website while offering credibility, also offers the opportunity to not publish to…]]> Does Your Small or Online Business Have a Toll Free Number? 2010-02-22T18:45:32+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/fuelyourventure-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/fuelyourventure-2-10 From communication to collaboration, finance management to time keeping, the responsibilities of any entrepreneur can be time-consuming to say the least. But they don’t have to be – or rather the tedious tasks can be made easier when given the…]]> 12 Useful Resources for Entrepreneurs 2010-02-17T21:08:14+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/thoughtpick-2-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/thoughtpick-2-10 The Grasshopper campaign is unique for various aspects, whether it’s the method they chose to contact their audience or how they did it. All in all, it’s a campaign that achieved it’s goals and exceeded them by taking a…]]> Learn Social Media by Example: Chocolate Grasshoppers! 2010-02-12T19:42:03+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/networksolutions-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/networksolutions-1-10 So here you are, an entrepreneur with a brilliant idea, laptop in hand, ready and excited to make a million dollars this year. But where do you start?

If you have ever started a business, you know there are a…]]> Jonathan Kay : Two Things Every Business Must Have 2010-01-25T18:44:20+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/consumerist-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/consumerist-1-10 This commercial, for virtual phone system grasshopper.com, is meant to resist being zapped away by your DVR fast-forward button.

Since the mascot stays at the center of the screen, the ad wizards figure, its image will stand out…]]> This Ad Was Built To Be DVR-Proof 2010-01-21T23:27:55+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/walletpop-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/walletpop-1-10 A new video ad for Grasshopper is designed to penetrate your shopping consciousness even while you fast-forward through commercials. Take it as a rather feeble attempt to counter the behavior that is going to have a huge, and…]]> The Latest TV Ad Tactic to Compensate for Fast-Forwarding 2010-01-21T23:12:11+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/econsultancy-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/econsultancy-1-10 For all the obvious reasons, television networks are desperate to find a solution to the dreaded practice of commercial fast forwarding. And now, Grasshopper has proposed a solution. The phone systems company has released a new ad designed to…]]> Can Grasshopper combat the scurge of ad skipping? Unlikely. 2010-01-20T17:05:32+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/other8hours-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/other8hours-1-10 In the new book, “The Other 8 hours”, Grasshopper customer Robert Pagliarini shows us how we can get more time, get more money and get a life simply by better utilizing the time we aren’t working or sleeping. Here is…]]> Grasshopper Featured in New Book, "The Other 8 Hours" 2010-01-19T16:24:48+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/abcnews-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/abcnews-1-10 The competition for jobs is intensifying as companies are reluctant to hire new workers, leaving millions of unemployed Americans chasing fewer job openings.

There were nearly 6.4 unemployed workers, on average, for each available job at the end of November,…]]> Job Openings Drop as Hiring Remains Elusive 2010-01-19T15:44:52+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/adgabber-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/adgabber-1-10 It’s no secret people use and love their DVRs. And, according to Grasshopper, 70 percent of TV watchers fast forward through commercials. They also claim those who do fast forward through commercial pay more attention to the center of the…]]> Grasshopper Commercial Aims to Combat Ad Skipping 2010-01-19T15:27:35+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/nashvilletech-1-10 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/nashvilletech-1-10 We take the Nashville Tech Feed on the road for the first time, recording “live to bits” from the inaugural Social Fresh Nashville conference.

This event, the second event under the Social Fresh banner, was held at the Millennium Maxwell…]]> Nashville Tech Feed #5 – Pseudo-Live from SocialFresh Nashville 2010-01-19T15:15:45+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/bizmore-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/bizmore-12-09 Growing a business is a great joy for any business owner — that is, until the roadblocks and pitfalls of growth pains start fracturing your team, direction and viability. Siamak Taghaddos, co-founder and CEO of Grasshopper, knows the path of…]]> 3 Biggest Challenges Startups Face -- and How to Fix Them 2010-01-05T18:06:29+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/zdnet-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/zdnet-12-09 Brand loyalists don’t just buy your product and pledge allegiance to your brand, they’ll also help you market it to others and grow your influence even when you’re not aware of it. Having an army of brand loyalists will also…]]> How to Build an Army of Brand Loyalists 2010-01-05T17:49:22+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/sohowife-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/sohowife-12-09 After a complete rebrand, Grasshopper.com created a viral video and corresponding direct mail’esque campaign to get the word out about their company. The video below promotes the Grasshopper Entrepreneur Movement versus their actual service. Such a cool concept, because I…]]> Best Ad of 2009: Creating a Creative Campaign that Reaches the Right People 2009-12-31T15:01:21+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/nfib-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/nfib-12-09 The recession dominated business news in 2009. But sprinkled among the doom-and-gloom are small business success stories. You could be one of them in 2010.

Sound optimistic? “Sure, the recession has had a devastating effect on some,” says Gene Marks…]]> 10 Ways to Boost Profitability in 2010 2009-12-21T22:32:19+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneurthearts-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneurthearts-12-09 Winning in life, or at whatever you want most to achieve, is easier to accomplish if everyone involved has the same opportunity and motivation to do the same. I am always looking for ways to create these kinds of winning…]]> The 10 Rules to Creating a Win-Win-Winning Partnership 2009-12-21T22:23:04+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/lesseverything-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/lesseverything-12-09 David Hauser of Grasshopper.com speaks on “How to build a company beyond the start-up stage”. Grasshopper.com is a virtual phone system designed for entrepreneurs. Follow David on Twitter at @DH. Also Grasshopper labs just released David Hauser of Grasshopper.com at LessConf 2009 2009-12-17T15:32:39+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marcomwriter-12-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marcomwriter-12-09 When Grasshopper became a Mashable Open Web Awards finalist in the Online Voting Round One for their Chocolate Grasshopper social media campaign (see Marcom Writer posts about the campaign here and here), the team…]]> Grasshopper Engages People in Order to Build a Global Brand 2009-12-17T15:13:44+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/web20show-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/web20show-11-09 I spoke with David Hauser, Co-Founder and CTO of Grasshopper as well as Jonathan Kay, aka the Ambassador of Buzz, to talk about their business and how they are helping entrepreneurs succeed.

We talked about:

• Their re-branding process and…]]> Episode 61 – Grasshopper / David Hauser 2009-12-07T21:35:49+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/yourhiddenpotential-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/yourhiddenpotential-11-09 A serial entrepreneur, David was born in New York City and was fortunate to have spent his formative years living and attending school in Manhattan. Staring his education at a progressive school in Greenwich Village, where he learned to think…]]> YHP Interviews David Hauser – Co- Founder of Grasshopper(Formely GotVMail) 2009-12-07T21:16:15+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/wordofmouthmarketing-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/wordofmouthmarketing-11-09 The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) today announced the winners of the 2009 WOMMY Awards at the conclusion of WOMMA’s 4th Annual Summit. The WOMMYs celebrate the people, agencies, and brands behind the most innovative and effective…]]> Word of Mouth Marketing Association Announces 2009 WOMMY Award Winners 2009-11-30T18:16:18+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/under30ceo-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/under30ceo-11-09 Tell us a little about Grasshopper. Where did it come from and where is it today?

  We started in 2003 as GotVMail Communications and re-branded as Grasshopper in May of this year. Our virtual phone system is used by…]]> Tips for Inspiration and Creativity from the Founder of Grasshopper.com 2009-11-30T17:17:26+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/voipplanet-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/voipplanet-11-09 Grasshopper Group, LLC, headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, was founded by two entrepreneurs in 2003 as GotVMail Communications—after they identified the market need for a phone system that other entrepreneurs could use without breaking their meager startup budgets.

  In 2009, the…]]> Grasshopper: Business phone in five minutes. 2009-11-10T19:09:09+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/readwriteweb-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/readwriteweb-11-09 If you have discussed social media with small-business owners, you almost always get two questions:

    1. How do I manage all these social networks without going nuts?
    2. Are any tools out there that can help me…]]> Sponsor Post: 10 Killer Tools for Small-Business Success 2009-11-10T16:14:53+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ventureneer-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ventureneer-11-09 Nothing is so inspiring to aspiring entrepreneurs as the enthusiasm and insight of a successful entrepreneur. Serial entrepreneur, David Hauser, is just such an inspiration. He will offer his insights about success and entrepreneurial daring-do in a free half-hour webinar…]]> Keeping It Fresh: Ventureneer Interviews David Hauser of Grasshopper 2009-11-09T19:10:19+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ducttapemarketing-11-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/ducttapemarketing-11-09 When the FedEx envelope containing chocolate-covered grasshoppers arrived for our founder, Brent Frei, we applauded GotVMail-turned-Grasshopper for a well executed, world class viral marketing campaign. The flattery of being selected one of the 5,000 “influentials” and the creativity of the…]]> How Grasshopper Used Crowdsourcing to Find 5,000 Influencers 2009-11-05T15:50:15+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/blogtalkradio-10-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/blogtalkradio-10-09 Host Name: Barry J. Moltz

  Show Name: #60 The Halloween Show: What Really Terrifies You In Your Small Business

  Date / Length: 10/30/2009 10:00 AM - 30 min

  Description: Ok, now what keeps you up at night? We will talk…]]> #60 The Halloween Show: What Really Terrifies You In Your Small Business 2009-10-30T17:15:51+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mixergy-10-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mixergy-10-09 In 2003, Siamak Taghaddos and his friend, David Hauser, launched a voicemail service. Within 2 months, the entrepreneurs were profitable. By the end of their first year, they did $423,504 in sales. By their 3rd year, they did $8.8 million.

  …]]> How Being Scrappy Made Grasshopper Profitable Within 2 Months – with Siamak Taghaddos 2009-10-27T16:34:33+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/livecrunch-10-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/livecrunch-10-09 So now that most entrepreneurs and businesses are familiar with Google Voice let me tell you what you are missing out.

  I have been with Grasshopper for over a year now, formally well known as GotVMail.
  As an entrepreneur…]]> Grasshopper vs. Google Voice 2009-10-09T17:55:33+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marketing-sherpa-09-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marketing-sherpa-09-09 We’re excited to introduce the inductees to MarketingSherpa’s fifth annual Viral Marketing Hall of Fame.

  See how seven marketers planned and executed campaigns that built their own buzz and pushed KPIs higher and higher. Includes screenshots, campaign summaries, and Sherpa…]]> Grasshopper makes it into MarketingSherpa's Viral Hall of Fame 2009 2009-09-23T21:04:34+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/webaward-09-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/webaward-09-09 The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 13th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. More than 2,000 sites from 45 countries were adjudicated in 96 industry categories during this year’s competition. Entries were judged…]]> Grasshopper wins 2009 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development 2009-09-16T21:30:30+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/small-business-trends-radio-09-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/small-business-trends-radio-09-09 It happened one day.  An invasion of some 5,000 FedEx packages began arriving, one by one, at their intended destinations – without warning and without notice.  Mysterious boxes were curiously being opened all across the country within a two-day period. …]]> Creative Marketing: Hop Outside the Box with Chocolate Grasshoppers 2009-09-08T21:31:28+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/upstarts-09-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/upstarts-09-09 They’re young, they’re brash, they’re smart, and they’re 77 million strong. Maybe you are one, maybe you want to partner with them, compete with them, or just get a good look at their playbook. You came to the right place.…]]> Co-founders Siamak & David featured in new book, "Upstarts" 2009-09-03T15:24:32+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/web-worker-daily-08-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/web-worker-daily-08-09 With all of the fancy technologies we use today, it’s easy for web workers to overlook the importance of the telephone. I communicate with my two colleagues at our home offices by email and IM, and through our project management…]]> Grasshopper: A Business-Oriented Virtual Phone System 2009-08-27T19:57:59+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/goinnovate-08-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/goinnovate-08-09 David Hauser is Co-Founder & CTO of Grasshopper – the virtual phone system designed to Empower Entrepreneurs and make running a small business easier than ever. David oversees the strategic direction and operations of Grasshopper and serves as the…]]> David Hauser, CTO of Grasshopper - Innovator Interview 2009-08-18T16:48:40+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxboston-08-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxboston-08-09 In this latest Job Shop segment, we’re highlighting an innovative Boston-based company that offers a special service for entrepreneurs.

  At just 20 years old, David Hauser co-founded Grasshopper. And today, the company is growing and thriving, bringing in more than…]]> Job Shop: Grasshopper 2009-08-10T20:30:44+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/msn-08-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/msn-08-09 Remember when the economy was booming and small businesses had all the customers they could handle? Well, the recession has pretty much put a stop to that, and small-business owners are being forced to come up with new strategies and…]]> Drumming Up Business 2009-08-10T19:36:21+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/search-engine-watch-08-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/search-engine-watch-08-09 Since 1997, Search Engine Watch (SEW) has been keeping marketers and site owners informed about the world of search engine marketing through daily news and expert advice. Combined with Search Engine Strategies (SES), the leading international conference series, SEW and…]]> Grasshopper named a finalist for SEW Award in Best Social Media Marketing Campaign 2009-08-03T19:41:01+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/forbes-07-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/forbes-07-09 I may not be a college hunk, but I’ve got a lot in common with one.

  A few months ago I wrote about an entrepreneur who saved a bunch of money by switching to a Voice over Internet Protocol phone…]]> The Case For Renting Your Phone System 2009-07-30T21:42:35+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/fast-company-07-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/fast-company-07-09 Thanks to an introduction from Grasshopper’s Ambassador of Buzz (yes that’s his actual job title) Jonathan , I was able to connect with David Hauser, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Grasshopper.com to talk about employee incentives and corporate culture—two…]]> How One Grasshopper is Boosting Employee Morale 2009-07-27T16:15:04+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxboston-07-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxboston-07-09 With the struggling economy and a high unemployment rate Americans are thinking twice when it comes to their careers and futures. Some believe now is a great time to start a business. Recently, we talked to an entrepreneur who came…]]> Advice for Entrepreneurs 2009-07-20T21:14:44+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/daily-news-07-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/daily-news-07-09 What does it take to set up an office in your home? Is a budget of $1,000 or less realistic if you’ll need the latest technology?

  Using that budget (and assuming a modest amount for a desk and a chair),…]]> Aspiring entrepreneurs: Here's how to set up shop for less than $1,000 2009-07-20T20:23:18+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/wallstreet-journal-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/wallstreet-journal-06-09 Before venture capital ever comes into play, there must first be an individual with an idea and the determination to make it a reality.

  Entrepreneurship requires inspiration.

  Grasshopper Inc., a company that provides call-forwarding and answering services for small businesses,…]]> How Chocolate Covered Grasshoppers Inspire Entrepreneurs 2009-06-25T19:15:59+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marketingprofs-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/marketingprofs-06-09 Quick Read

  Few entrepreneurs have made it big by playing it safe. It’s practically the mantra of the breed: You take risks, you deal with surprises, you believe in yourself, and you become an inspiration to others when you succeed.…]]> Generating Serious B2B Buzz With Dead Bugs… and Video 2009-06-23T18:17:42+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneur-07-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneur-07-09 Portraying a professional image can make or break a college startup. Luckily, with new apps and other small-scale resources making their way to the economical entrepreneur’s desktop, these three college startups are finding more ways to make a good impression…]]> Looking Fly on the Cheap 2009-06-22T18:29:43+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mashable-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mashable-06-09 What would you do if you received a FedEx package with a bag of chocolate covered grasshoppers and a link to a video. Most likely, you’d think why the heck did I just get chocolate covered grasshoppers in the mail?…]]> Dead Grasshoppers Give Life to Social Media Marketing Campaign 2009-06-15T14:06:50+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/peter-shankman-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/peter-shankman-06-09 What happens on a slow day at the HARO HQ…
                                                           …]]> Slow Day at HARO: Meagan Eats a Grasshopper 2009-06-11T17:08:30+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/examiner-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/examiner-06-09 Okay, so what in the world does a bug have to do with business and being an Entrepreneur?  Simply put, it’s a brand.  The guys at Grasshopper decided it was time to really set in stone their brand identity, and…]]> Grasshopper is the place for Entrepreneurs to grow 2009-06-10T17:09:10+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/gregg-fraley-06-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/gregg-fraley-06-09 We should all be bending over backwards to help Entrepreneurs in these troubled times.  Watch this video and get a fresh perspective on what it means to be an Entrepreneur.

  Send the video link to every young person you…]]> Grasshopper: Inspiring Entrepreneurs, Creating E-People 2009-06-08T17:49:45+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/cbs-wbtv-05-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/cbs-wbtv-05-09 WBTV CBS anchors talk about the chocolate covered grasshoppers we FedEx’d them.                                                         …]]> Grasshopper on CBS 3 News 2009-05-22T15:27:14+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mass-high-tech-05-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/mass-high-tech-05-09 As a journalist, I am the recipient of occasional promotional objects that raise an eyebrow — cell phones with odd keypads, tie-dyed tee-shirts and the like. And who can forget the anti-virus software company that sent out condoms as a…]]> GotVMail takes marketing leap to become Grasshopper 2009-05-22T15:07:45+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/venture-voice-05-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/venture-voice-05-09 “Dial 1 for sales, dial 2 for support…” Ten years ago it cost over $10,000 to get a phone system with the advanced options we’re used to hearing when we call big companies. Having a professional-sounding phone system was a…]]> VV Show #58 - Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser of Grasshopper 2009-05-20T19:03:19+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/small-business-trends-05-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/small-business-trends-05-09 A few days ago, Lisa Barone wrote an article about the need to tell your story about your business, using social media tools.

  One of the examples she mentioned was the re-branding of virtual switchboard and voice mail services…]]> Chocolate Covered Grasshoppers: An Example of a Viral Re-Brand 2009-05-18T20:52:51+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxnewsny http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/foxnewsny Fox News NY features Grasshopper and eats the grasshoppers too!
                                                           …]]> Grasshopper on Fox NY 2009-05-15T22:10:28+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/brandflakesforbreakfast http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/brandflakesforbreakfast WOW. This is how you do a brand launch. GotVMail just rebranded their service as Grasshopper (read about why here.)

  Grasshopper provides an “advanced” phone number for entrepreneurs.
  They needed to do three things: Identify their audience, create an…]]> How to launch a brand to entrepreneurs 2009-05-15T21:46:18+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/networkworld-5-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/networkworld-5-09 Object-oriented public relations gimmicks are usually lame, but every so often one jumps up and grabs my attention in a good way. This arrived via FedEx moments ago:

  “Yes, these are real grasshoppers,” says the fine print on the front…]]> OK, I'll bite ... but I won't eat a grasshopper 2009-05-15T21:16:53+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneur-5-09 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/entrepreneur-5-09 “Join the entrepreneur movement. Stimulate the economy. Spread the word.”

  That’s the description for a sleekly designed video released by the newly re-branded Grasshopper (formerly gotvmail), a company that provides advanced business phone solutions for entrepreneurs.

  The music is composed…]]> Video: Entrepreneurs Can Change the World 2009-05-10T19:00:26+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/closet-entrepreneur http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/closet-entrepreneur I usually don’t post things that I receive through email, but I really like this inspirational video that Siamak Taghaddos helped put together.

  Mr. Taghaddos is setting out to inspire entrepreneurs to heal the economy and change the world, and…]]> Entrepreneurs, Help Heal the Economy! 2009-05-07T18:57:02+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-globalentrepreneur http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-globalentrepreneur Just because you’re a start-up company, that doesn’t mean you have to sound like one on the phone. A new service called Grasshopper (formerly gotvmail) provides an easy-to-use phone system, specifically geared toward entrepreneurs.

  Knowing that small business employees are…]]> A New Way to Answer the Phone 2009-05-06T18:20:36+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-youngupstarts-video http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-youngupstarts-video Change the world, that is.
  Watch this inspiring video about entrepreneurs commissioned by virtual communications service provider Grasshopper, formerly known as GotVMail (I previously wrote about them here). The music is from noted composer Carly Comando, better known for…]]> Yes, Entrepreneurs Can 2009-05-05T14:29:26+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-foxnews http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-foxnews Fox News stops by the new Grasshopper office to capture 25,000 chocolate covered grasshoppers being packaged to be sent to some influential entrepreneurs.                                   …]]> Grasshopper FedEx's what?! 2009-05-02T15:12:53+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology-pricing http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology-pricing Tempted to cut prices? You’re not alone. With slumping sales, many businesses have been quick to offer discounts. “Cutting prices is by far the easiest marketing technique you can use,” says Frank Luby, a partner in Simon-Kucher & Partners, a…]]> Pricing: How Low Can You Really Go? Businesses reexamine their prices 2009-03-01T20:56:24+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-msnbc-entrepreneur http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-msnbc-entrepreneur When it comes to viral video marketing, the big boys are using it as a cheap way to reach younger and more web-savvy audiences. But when you’re a small business owner, sometimes 30 seconds, a camcorder and a twisted mind…]]> Make Your Business the Next Economic Epidemic 2009-01-02T17:01:14+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-young-upstarts http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-young-upstarts Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser met while attending the entrepreneur program at Babson College, located near Boston. Iranian-born (but Boston-raised) Siamak and Manhattan native David had each been involved in previous startup ventures, and were frustrated by the lack of…]]> You've GotVMail - Concentrating On A Specific Market Bring Rewards 2009-01-01T18:57:44+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-adweek http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-adweek It was a busy year at AdFreak, Adweek’s daily blog, as we separated the wheat from the chaff, and then wrote mostly about the chaff. Gathered here are the highlights and lowlights from among the 1,450 items we posted between…]]> Year of the Freak 2008-12-31T23:11:27+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-workforce http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-workforce ...GotVMail, a Boston-based tech company that provides phone services, offers amenities reminiscent of small startups from the dot-com era. The company spends $1,000 a month having fresh fruit and healthy snacks delivered to the office, and employees receive free financial…]]> Benefits on a Shoestring Budget 2008-12-24T20:04:59+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-network-world http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-network-world It’s hard enough to run an effective code review when everyone is in the same room. But when developers work at home, contribute to open-source projects, or telecommute from outsourced suppliers, the challenges are intensified. Making a code review work…]]> Doing spot-on code reviews with remote teams 2008-12-23T20:02:29+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-cio http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-cio December 22, 2008 - CIO - Everyone admits that doing a code review is expensive. It takes time, particularly when everyone is in a mad rush to get the software project finished and thrown over to the software testing department.…]]> 5 Reasons for Software Developers to Do Code Reviews (Even If You Think They're a Waste of Time) 2008-12-22T19:51:00+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology-viral-video http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology-viral-video Want to make a big impression with a tiny ad budget? Try creating videos customers will forward to each other. Here are three case studies of small businesses that have used viral video to market their products.

  Actor Gary Busey…]]> Viral Video Helps Market Products 2008-12-01T19:27:33+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-gear-diary http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-gear-diary Are you a small business (or know someone who is) looking for an affordable voicemail / PBX system? When I first started Schulz Consulting a good 15 years ago I spent a LOT of time trying to find the perfect…]]> GotVMail Introduces $9.99 Monthly Pricing for Unlimited Voice Mail Extensions 2008-11-06T19:12:58+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-msnbc http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-msnbc I received an e-mail recently from a telecommunications company touting how they are cutting prices to help small businesses struggling in the current economy.

  Now, I’ve covered business long enough to know that few, if any, business owners change their…]]> Should You Cut Prices in a Bad Economy? 2008-10-15T19:03:38+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-smartmoney http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-smartmoney Small-business owners, you deserve a moment in the spotlight. In this regular column, we highlight entrepreneurs from all over the U.S. who can answer the question: “What makes you stand out from the crowd?” We know you’re proud of your…]]> Stand Out: GotVMail, A Phone System for Entrepreneurs 2008-09-26T18:23:07+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-techcrunch http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-techcrunch Great news - we decided to give Google Chrome comic books to the top two bidders (with their permission) in our auction for charity. Those bids, for $1,600 and $1,575, respectively, will be donated to Donors Choose, an innovative not-for-profit…]]> Google Chrome Comic Books Fetch $3,175 For Charity 2008-09-22T18:15:40+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/boston_herald http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/boston_herald With a plan in hand, they set out to make it happen. They borrowed what they could through conventional means but stopped short of looking for investors. Instead, they made deals with vendors. “We looked at our vendors as partners,”…]]> Company makes vendors their partners 2008-09-17T19:48:27+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-ama http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-ama When the co-founders of GotVMail Communications LLC were considering ways to promote their advanced virtual phone system to a wider audience of entrepreneurs in the spring 2008, they turned to an unlikely marketing resource: Oscar-winning Hollywood maverick Gary Busey.

  The…]]> Going Viral with Gary Busey: A Case Study in Social Media Innovation 2008-09-03T18:09:36+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-marketing-profs http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-marketing-profs Quick Read:

  Gary Busey has a way of generating publicity, whether it’s directing his own press interviews or making friends on the red carpet at the Oscars. Typically, however, it’s not the kind of publicity most companies want connected to…]]> How a Telecommunications Company Enlisted the Quirkiness of an Offbeat Celebrity to Build Brand Awareness 2008-09-02T16:59:31+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-deliver http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-deliver Siamak Taghaddos was strapped in his airplane seat on a shuttle from Boston to New York when he lowered the tray table in front of him. Instead of the traditional putty-colored surface he expected, the tray top revealed a colorful,…]]> The Upright Position 2008-08-21T16:54:11+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-portfolio http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-portfolio Gary Busey, the actor offers creative excuses for skipping work (“I had to stay home because I ate my kid’s homework”) and advice on starting your own business (“Being a successful entrepreneur is 80 percent hard work and 50 percent…]]> Gary Busey's Wild Pitch 2008-07-18T16:36:42+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-wall-street-journal http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-wall-street-journal A few months ago Jessie Snider, 23, began to feel the pinch of the rising cost of gasoline, food and, well, everything. Then she realized the $75 to $80 she was spending each week on lunch was really cutting into…]]> Bagging Lunch: The Inflation Effect 2008-07-15T16:09:19+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-aol-money http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-aol-money Darren Shafae operates Paper-Check.Com, which is a proofreading business. Without web-based technologies, his business would probably be far smaller.

  “I have taken the best of ideas I have seen, and refined them to meet our needs and improve work flow…]]> Entrepreneur's Journal: Virtualizing your business 2008-06-29T14:40:45+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-reuters http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-reuters CHICAGO (Reuters.com)—It started as a lark. Warren Werbitt, founder and chief executive of Montreal-based printing company Pazazz, thought it would be fun to send an irreverent video bemoaning the public perception of the printing industry as an outdated business to…]]> Building brand buzz when you're small 2008-06-27T14:21:21+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-small-business-success-mag http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-small-business-success-mag A lot of business can be conducted over the internet, but phones aren’t going away any time soon. “For many of our businesses, their phone system is their lifeline. It’s the first thing that their customer interacts with,” says Erik…]]> Making Virtual a Reality 2008-06-02T02:27:46+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-NECN http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-NECN (Scot Yount, NECN: ) - The computerized world we all live in has given lots of business people new freedom. There’s no need to be tied to the office—or even have an office. But, how do you “sound” like you…]]> GotVMail? Check it out... 2008-04-12T02:21:14+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-foxbusiness http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-foxbusiness Siamak Taghaddos, GotVMail’s co-founder and CEO, talks with Alexis Glick, anchor of the Fox Business Network’s Money for Breakfast program, about how GotVMail can “Help make Small Business Sound Big”, the history of how GotVMail was founded, and how GotVMail’s…]]> The Entrepreneurs Phone System 2008-04-10T02:04:41+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-seattle-24-x-7 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-seattle-24-x-7 When entrepreneur Stephen Schramke founded Bainbridge Island, Wa., data mining firm, Logic361, he knew the algorithm he had developed for saving companies up to 40% of their Google Adwords advertising costs would spread as wildly as the blackberry bushes outside…]]> GotVMail Ringing In Virtual Phone Success for Web Entrepreneurs 2008-02-03T01:55:08+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-businessweek-online-02-2008 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-businessweek-online-02-2008 There are things in life that just work as promised. Refrigerators. Clock radios. Flattery. Children’s Motrin. FEMA. Velcro. Blue jeans. Big Macs. Seinfeld. Jack Daniel’s.

  These things make me happy. They consistently do their job. They do not inconvenience me.…]]> Worthwhile Small Business Technologies 2008-02-02T01:40:35+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-boston-business-journal-08 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-boston-business-journal-08 When Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser got together at Babson College to launch a startup aimed at providing very small businesses and entrepreneurs with a voice-mail service, they knew their chosen market had traditionally proven an elusive target.

  “We’re going…]]> GotVMail: Making a connection 2008-01-05T01:15:04+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-black-enterprise http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-black-enterprise You’ve been thinking about it for a while now. Yeah, I’m talking to you, the aspiring event planner. You too, would-be financial consultant. And that goes double for you public relations “wanna be.” In fact this message is for anyone…]]> 2008: The Year of the International Solopreneur 2007-12-17T19:12:27+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-outsourcing-center http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-outsourcing-center One of the beauties of the Internet is that anyone with a good idea can start a company and still keep their day job until the company starts generating enough revenue to replace the needed paycheck. That was Warren Sager’s…]]> Online Retailer Outsources Voice Mail Because Customers Still Want to Use the Phone 2007-12-01T18:50:58+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-inc-technology The choices for business telephone services have exploded in the past few years. What’s more, some of these choices represent completely new product categories that did not even exist until recently.

  If you are baffled by all the choices, trust…]]> A Wealth of Telecom Choices - A virtual smorgasbord of telecommunications selections these days means entrepreneurs have to choose what is best for business. 2007-11-30T18:32:26+00:00 http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-small-business-trends http://grasshopper.com/inthenews/recent-coverage-small-business-trends The telecommunications area is changing so quickly it is outrunning the capacity of the small business community to stay knowledgeable. As I talk with business owners, I get a sense of some confusion due to the wide variety of options.…]]> How GotVMail Gave Us a Combined Phone Presence Across 150 Miles - From Our Desks 2007-11-27T17:29:19+00:00