Written by: Lakeisha Hammett

When it comes to your competition, keeping up with advances in technology may translate into a greater market share for your business.  Whether it’s processes or equipment that allows you to operate more efficiently or social media and QR codes that offer unlimited marketing potential, your success may depend on your ability to adapt and embrace technology.  Although many business owners are still unsure of the role of social media and the impact it can have when properly utilized, businesses are quickly becoming aware of the importance of QR codes in today’s mobile environment.  

Quick Response codes, commonly called QR codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that are rapidly gaining recognition due to their fast readability, large storage capacity, and ease to create.  Although a relatively new marketing vehicle, QR code usage is expanding.  According to a study by comScore, 14 million mobile users in the United States scanned a QR or bar code on their mobile devices in June 2011. QR codes may be found in magazine and newspaper advertisements, business cards, billboards, wrapped vehicles, brochures, emails and websites, just to name a few.  Simply put, QR codes can be anywhere (like the one on the right).  The following are five examples of ways your company can utilize a QR code:

1. website “hyperlink”
2. vCards and meCards
3. coupons and discounts
4. phone number
5. maps

Embracing new technology is often difficult, but today’s choices give birth to tomorrow’s successes and failures.  Although one of the most ingenious technological creations of our times, QR codes are not exempt from scammers and hackers as they pose the same dangers as websites and emails.  With that being said, opening QR codes from unknown sources is risky business, but many businesses and consumers feel that QR codes are here to stay so follow the rules and play fair.  

If you would like to “break-in the code,” visit your mobile device's app store or download a QR reader for your smartphone or tablet from the two websites listed below.

http://www.kaywa.com/
http://www.beetagg.com

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