While Facebook users expect exclusive content, discounts, promotions and updates from the companies they “like” on the site, marketers see the action of “liking” in a slightly different way.

The “Variance in the Social Brand Experience” study from the CMO Council and social CRM firm Lithium asked both marketers and consumers what it meant when a customer “likes” or engages online with a brand.

Fifty-seven percent of marketers thought a “like” meant the content on the site was agreeable, and 41 percent thought it meant customers wanted to be heard. Only 33 percent of marketers said they thought customers were looking for incentives or rewards for their “like.” read more »

Consumers shopping in some New England stores this past holiday season may have spotted Quick Response codes in some unusual places. Research from mobile marketing and technology firm Nellymoser Inc. found that of more than 700 stores canvassed in the Boston area, 23 contained at least one QR code, a type of two-dimensional bar code.

Retailers use 2-D bar codes to enable consumers to view mobile web-based content with their smartphones. Consumers click to open a free scanning app, point the phone at the code, and the web content appears on the phone’s screen. read more »

Amy’s Decade Chocolates in Bremerton nearly doubled its space last summer, taking over the vacant space next door. The expanded space hosts the production facility for caramel and fudge (complete with a new stove), a mailing station and storage.

“We couldn’t keep up with production with the stove we had. read more »

Kim McKoy considers herself an early adopter of technology, and has been keeping up with new trends for 30 years. Building websites since 1994, she can do a little bit of everything — from making mobile applications and creating video to helping other professionals self-publish ebooks.

“I’m such a huge fan of technology. I believe it can help you be productive but a lot of people are afraid to use it because they think it will take a lot of their time,” she said.

McKoy recently relaunched her 6-year-old business read more »

The positive effects of laughter on a person’s health have long been documented, but finding a reason to laugh out loud is not always an easy task for many people. No matter, says Belfair resident Sharon MacIntyre — it’s perfectly fine to laugh for no reason, and the health benefits are just as great.

MacIntyre, who retired last year as the longtime director for the nonprofit Resident Councils of Washington, is a certified laughter leader. Not quite ready to spend all her free time skiing, volunteering or socializing, MacIntyre decided to ease into real retirement by starting her own business called Laughter Enrichment. Even before she was ready to go full-swing last summer, she was already getting requests from retirement facilities and other groups for laughter yoga. read more »

It’s been said that women working behind the scenes in certain jobs are the glue that holds an office or organization together. It takes a certain personality to be able to juggle the many tasks — and do it well. These are some of the local women who are not usually in the spotlight but are always there to make someone else’s job go smoothly.

Jonikka Mollinet has worked as the office manager at the Stafford Suites assisted living center in Port Orchard for 13 years. Her hats include payroll and human resources. Rental agreements for residents, background checks for employees and serving as the receptionist twice a week and the backup for the executive director are among her duties. Her favorite part is giving facility tours. read more »

Jeanneé Reneé Brown has been a hairstylist and aesthetician for more than four decades, living and breathing her Jeanneé Reneé Salon business since 1971. And while she’s changed some things through the years, she is just as passionate about beauty as she was in those early days. And now, Brown hopes to rekindle that passion in new ways, not only expanding her style makeover service but also doing more education and inspiring other women.

“I went through some personal challenges the last two years and that’s probably one of the best things that happened to me,” she said. “I found myself again; 2012 is the year for me of getting back in the saddle and getting a hold of why I do what I know best.” read more »

At 67 years old, Chico Towing is one of Kitsap’s oldest businesses and for third-generation owner Stacey Tucker, that brings both pride and responsibility. She said each generation has added a different personality, but the values such as customer service have remained consistent.

“The day-to-day business has changed dramatically but the underlying principles have not changed,” she said. “I feel responsible for honoring the values and respecting the legacy.” read more »

Many local women love making sure nobody leaves their business grumpy. Who would, when presented with all the tempting choices like chocolate, cookies or other goodies?

Lisa Dunlap grew up with an entrepreneur father and started working in retail when she was 14. In her heart, she knew she wanted her own shop — and when she came to Bainbridge Island 11 years ago and couldn’t find a candy store, she knew her time had come. For several years, Dunlap planned her candy shop, which she later called Bon Bon. She talked to candy store owners in other areas, researched products, and waited for her youngest child, then a kindergartener, to grow a little older. read more »