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Technology


Go get Educated and stop worrying about others!

May 31, 2009
Posted under Business
3
remarks



worry-faceI was speaking with Loretta Marston of Optima Business Consulting the other day, she had attended the first Learn About Web conference held here in the Tri-Cities, WA, and has joined myself and others in creating the Biz411 Group, a group of Small Business Owners who are dedicated to educating others while generating some money for charity.

We were talking a bit about why some Owners or key people might choose to shy away from these events and she had mentioned a conversation with a local business owner who mentioned that the idea of coming to a show like this was appealing, but that it may show a weakness to other potential clients or a boss, if they came.

I really hadn’t thought about it this way, and I understand the concern. Having said that, there is another way to look at this.

Conferences are nothing more than ongoing education. You will hear plenty you may already know, the goal here is to get up to date on concepts you may not understand as well. Or you might be provided some information to help you make decisions about your business future.

I proudly tell my customers about the additional conferences I attend, because they also know that with technology, every facet of business changes at the speed of light. Your boss knows this as well. Explaining to your boss that the investment of the trip to the conference will prove one of two things, you know everything you need to know, or they made a wise investment that will enable you to make them more efficient!

I have been to conferences that taught me very little, and some that I have learned a lot from. The key is to read the details about what the conference is geared to provide. What is its target market, what are the key conversation points, and is there enough there for it to be sensible for you.

What about competitors? They might be there!

Yeah? So what? You should be worried about them being there while your sitting in the office. Everyone wants a competitive edge, its only the fool who thinks they have it already. A very key issue in business, its not about what you know.. you are EXPECTED to know how to do your job, its about how you build and sustain relationships. If you’re not as good as or better than your competitor at that, no amount of knowledge will save you.

Conferences are designed to help you build and keep relationships by providing you the education you need to make them happy.

Focus on YOU, not on THEM.

I educate people and learn from them, yes, even my competitors!

Buying a computer? Spend the money, save the hassle!

November 22, 2008
Posted under Offbeat
3
remarks



As I was recently reminded by a person who follows me on twitter, it is easy to go to your local electronics store when your looking for that new computer and say to yourself, “Self! How can I save money on a new machine?” and that answer may lead you down a path to the machine that is “On Sale” or “Less Expensive”.

Then you will say to yourself.. why does this guy keep using quotes?

Well folks, I have been the owner of a computer business for just under 4 years and would you like to guess which machines I see most often? You got it.. that inexpensive machine. I don’t even need to state the brand names, if you got it for under $500, there is a GREAT chance you already know what I am talking about.

The computer companies have to get pricing down to sell quantity, and they accomplish this with lessor parts and poor warranties to back them up. If you’re buying a $500-$800 computer, you’re really just getting a one maybe two year loaner with the right to spend more later.

But you could fix it, right?

Well, sure you can, but let me ask you this? Is it in your best interest?

If you spent $500 on a computer and it has a bad hard-drive (the most likely issue to occur with any computer failure is the hard-drive or power supply) you will have to pay a technician a fee to “hopefully” retrive your data, purchase a new hard drive, reinstall your Operating System, then restore all of your programs and old data.

This could easily be a $200-$400 fix depending on your computer company (please find a reputable A+ Certified technician). That’s less than a new computer, but no guarantee that you won’t face failure of the other inexpensive parts shortly thereafter.

Now, yes, I have favorite brands, and I deal HP products, but the rule still follows. you’re going to have better luck with having a computer 3-4 years if you make a solid investment now. Don’t ever buy leading edge, but one step below that is helpful.