14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is putting its money where the Office Live website is, literally. The Redmond Company has announced the debut of an initiative designed to spread both knowledge and wealth, following a partnership with MasterCard.
"Knowing that most small businesses often have limited resources, Microsoft Office Live is joining with MasterCard Worldwide to sponsor the free Microsoft Office Live Seminar Series, featuring expert advice and insights on topics critical to small-business success. Microsoft Office Live is a set of Internet-based services and tools to help small businesses establish a professional Web presence and promote their business online," Microsoft revealed.
According to the Redmond Company, the free Office Live Seminar Series will enable entrepreneurs to access knowledge from various business leaders via interactive Web sessions on Microsoft's website. Marketing on a budget, starting a new business, and franchising will no longer represent unknown and unfamiliar business territory for those that will participate in the seminars.
"Entrepreneurs can also access on-demand archives and podcasts from previous Microsoft Office Live webcasts. Past speakers include Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and co-founder of FranklinCovey; Jack Canfield, co-founder and co-creator of the successful "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series; and Marshall Goldsmith, whose book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" was a No. 1 business bestseller on Amazon.com," added Microsoft.
And to further sweeten the deal, MasterCard will offer a $100,000 cash prize through the "Run Your Business, LIVE Your LIFE" sweepstakes. Small-business owners that will use the MasterCard BusinessCard or Debit MasterCard BusinessCard between May 1 and June 30, 2007 will automatically enter the competition. The prize money will go half to them and half to their business.