Formally published as a section in Inc. Magazine in 1997 (over a decade) and then later in Fast Company for 2 years, Tech Sourcebook featured reviews on new technology and related products designed for growing SMB businesses.

It was one of the first sponsored content sections on a regular basis in a major Business Magazine. It arose out of the desire to publish more info on appropriate new products and solutions without using the edit pages to do so. We offered a 125 word text box plus a picture on a page combined with edit on a complimentary product category with an adjacent sponsors ad page.

It evolved to a combination of both Product Roundups and Educational Guides. The Product Roundup were written on product categories such as: Display Technology/Printers; Mobile wireless; Security; Utilities and E-Learning; Storage /Backup and Financial software; Input devices –scanners and cameras; Mac Product; Business Software; Work At Home/Media Rooms; CEA Product Review, and Annual Product Review. The Educational Guide were more solution driven on subjects like Mobile and Wireless; Convergence/CRM; Small Office Technology; Collaboration/Networking Tools; Presentations; Networking and Business Security. We would tie them into Major Conferences and Trade shows.

They appeared in the magazine every month and online (with links to the all the products mentioned back to the Vendors website)

The effort was measured in readership (the sections ranked among the top 3 best read sections in the magazine) and the leads (# of hits on the links back to the websites made everyone happy).

We began creating one page 300 words summaries of vendors white papers….so they could be read and used. All sponsored content with the words on the top of the page “Advertised content” to meet the rules.

For over the decade these Controlled Communications sections appeared there was not one single complaint from a reader or sponsor.

Through the continuation of Tech Sourcebook online as a regular feature of my blog, I want to continue offering my perspective and others on key technologies, and the solutions and emerging products that will help you grow, explore, and expand your horizons.