In the field of education, Marc Prensky used the phrase ‘digital native’ in an article that he wrote at the turn of this century. He used this phrase in reference to students who were born in a digital world and who have grown up not knowing anything different. Digital natives have spent their entire lives immersed in computers, MP3 players, video games, cell phones, and a host of other technological gadgets. [More]

Many people look at the start of the New Year as a new beginning; a chance to stop whatever bad or destructive habits they had gotten into in the last year and start fresh. It is often a time where we find it easier to imagine a greater place in the world for us, as well as a greater us taking a place in the world. [More]

Inside Self Storage conducted the 2011 Best of Business choice-opinion poll with their readers. USstoragesearch.com was named the "Best Website" in 2011. [More]

There are many old sayings that describe different avenues or paths to success in business, but there are two that apply especially well to the self storage industry: Knowledge is power and communication is the key to success. [More]

People go to college with the hopes of getting the education they need to survive in the real, every day
working world. While that piece of paper they get four to five years and thousands of dollars later will
help them get their foot in the door, it does not mean they know everything that they need to know. [More]

Legalities surround businesses at every step. For the self storage industry, especially with the advent of the popularity of realty TV series like "Storage Wars" and the changing legal landscape in many states, the ins and outs of lien sales are directly in the spotlight. That is one of the reasons Inside Self-Storage is putting on a three-part Legal Learning Series for 2011. [More]

People have always looked to the opinions of others when it comes to just about everything. We tend to feel that if we can get an opinion from someone that used the product or travelled to the destination than we are getting a true assessment of its value and a much clearer picture of how good it is relative to what commercials or advertising says. [More]

Treasure seekers are turning out in droves for self storage auctions across the country, mainly due to the hit A&E series “Storage Wars.” Numbers of attendees have exploded since the show premiered last fall. Feeling confident in handling large auctions and knowing the ins and outs of lien laws is on the minds of many self storage operators. [More]

The Internet is fast becoming a way for customers to search for self storage facilities, but the simple phone call is still the most prevalent way a customer gets information. Statistics show 93 percent of all renters call a facility first and their main question is what size units are available. During the few minutes a salesperson is on the phone, he must build a rapport with the customer and hopefully make the sale. But some employees interact better with customers in person. Mystery shopping is a way to evaluate phone sales and train staff in handling telephone communications with customers looking for self storage. [More]

During the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in New Orleans last week, self storage owners, operators, developers, suppliers, and other self storage industry members did more than just network and attend workshops. One group of attendees busied themselves raising money for the St. Bernard Project, to help with the ongoing needs of victims of Hurricane Katrina. [More]