And to get the latest security updates delivered directly to your computer, visit the Security At Home website here: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/default.mspx.
Friday, January 30, 2009
WORM ATTACK – is your PC secure?
There’s been a fair bit of noise in the press lately on the latest worm attacking Windows XP, called the Conficker virus. This spreads through low-security networks, memory sticks and PCs without current security updates. If your PC is set to update automatically you should be OK, but if it’s not, you should download the patch. You can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0D5F9B6E-9265-44B9-A376-2067B73D6A03&displaylang=en
Seven Strategies To Help You Keep The Customers You Have
When times get tough, a lot of small business owners focus their efforts on getting new customers. While that's a good strategy -- you should never stop marketing -- it's important to remember that acquiring a new customer is expensive. On the other hand, keeping those customers you already have may not cost so much. Make sure you aren't alienating your current customers while trying to secure new ones.
- Communicate Often – Communicate regularly with your customers and remind them of your value, so they'll think of you first. Easily create and send high-impact, professional-looking email communications in no time at all. Review, and learn from, your email results with revealing, easy-to-read reports that show you who opened your emails, what links they clicked on, and more. Build and segment your list of email addresses, so that you can send focused, tailored emails that get results.
- Provide a Progress Report – Show your customer or client the work you’ve been doing and the results you’ve achieved. By giving him/her something s/he can read and react to, questions are answered and suspicions are erased. What’s more, the customer may realize s/he needs you to do additional work.
- Meet Face-to-Face – If most of your dealings are done over the phone, make a point of holding face-to-face meetings periodically. Meeting in person says you are interested in his/her business and it gives you an opportunity to literally see things that you can help address
- Avoid Jargon – Every business has its own verbal shorthand. When speaking with a customer use terms s/he can readily understand. S/he feels more comfortable and sense you’re working with him/her as a team.
- Ask for Feedback – Never assume the customer is satisfied. Throughout the work process, ask how your customer feels about what you’re doing and show him/her by word and deed the comments are taken seriously.
- Tune your Offering – As proud as you may be about your product, remember it’s being made for the customer. Make certain you know exactly what s/he wants, when it’s needed and more. Avoid the kind of surprises that no one likes.
- Be Open to Change – For any number of reasons customers change processes, be it terms and conditions, purchase orders, accounts payable or just about anything. Customers know s/he is valued if you show a willingness to work with him/her as much as you want him/her to work with you.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Technology Coach now has a partnership with Constant Contact® so we can offer you state-of-the-art Email Marketing and Newsletter services!
Looking for a tool to build customer loyalty, increase referrals, and promote repeat business? As budgets tighten and customers become more selective about where to spend their dollars it's important to keep yourself in front of your target audience. In fact, history shows that gaining market share while your competitors are cutting back, locks in those gains for years to come. The result for the aggressive marketer in tough times is nothing less than market domination as the markets pick up again. And this all translates to good news for you! We've teamed up with constant Contact, the leading email marketing service, focused exclusively on small-business needs. That means we can bring you a proven, powerful and cost-effective way to stay in touch--and stay connected with--your customers and prospects. |
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Sign up for constant contact today and receive a FREE no obligation 60 day trial.
Contact The Technology Coach before February 28th and ask about our email marketing special, 3 hours of one-on-one email marketing training for you and your staff for only $199.*
Package includes one 3 (three) hour on-site visit, contact import and template customization, coaching on content creation and email address database growth and fully documented leave behind instructions.
The difference between Updates and Upgrades
In IT, you often hear terms that can be confusing to someone outside the IT world so here's an important one and some clarification.
Updates refer to a specific application or operating system (Quickbooks or Windows for example) and are a recommended patch that "fix" something that is broken in that operating system or application. This includes service packs and high priority critical updates.
We get notification of updates usually via email or often a pop up in the bottom of the screen near the clock "Critical update waiting" for example is a common message.
While these updates are important, it's often recommended that a certified IT technician perform the update, typically because these updates can and often do resolve one problem (perhaps one you didn't even know about yet) but break something else.
It's important that your IT technician is backing up, installing the update and then testing it thoroughly before asking you to "OK" that all is functional.
Some programs require updates as often as once a week (Microsoft Security udpates) and some as little as once a quarter (Quickbooks payroll updates) but for the safety, longevity and security of your IT systems, these updates are critical.
Updates usually change version numbers of programs only slightly, say, Version 1.2 to Version 1.3.
So long as backups are completed and tested, I am strong supporter of staying current with updates that are designated "high priority security patch" or "critical security patch." Keep in mind that the patches must come from a trusted source your IT department verifies.
Patching is best handled by your qualified IT professionals since they clearly understand the system backup and testing procedures as well. Additionally, they will deploy patches in a staged fashion ensuring not all systems get the same updates at the same time, to further ensure the availability of your network systems.
Upgrades, on the other hand, refer to moving up to the next version of a program or operating system. An example would be from Windows XP to Vista.
Don't confuse Software upgrades with hardware upgrades, which include purchasing actual physical parts or entire computer systems and installing or setting them up.
Upgrades are not always a good idea, sometimes it pays to wait until the new version's record of accomplishment is more established. Some might say, wait until the first few patches are released, to make sure they've "worked the bugs out"
In fact, many experienced people choose to wait weeks or even months before upgrading to a newer version, such is the case with many businesses and their reluctance to Windows Vista.
It is common to see IT departments recommend upgrades "every other release" depending on the application and it's use within the organization.
At the technology coach we recommended the following strategy:
* Updates - Backup, Apply and test all updates and patches within a short period of time.
* Upgrades - Unless those upgrades offer a significant advantage over your current version, delay until necessary.
Updates refer to a specific application or operating system (Quickbooks or Windows for example) and are a recommended patch that "fix" something that is broken in that operating system or application. This includes service packs and high priority critical updates.
We get notification of updates usually via email or often a pop up in the bottom of the screen near the clock "Critical update waiting" for example is a common message.
While these updates are important, it's often recommended that a certified IT technician perform the update, typically because these updates can and often do resolve one problem (perhaps one you didn't even know about yet) but break something else.
It's important that your IT technician is backing up, installing the update and then testing it thoroughly before asking you to "OK" that all is functional.
Some programs require updates as often as once a week (Microsoft Security udpates) and some as little as once a quarter (Quickbooks payroll updates) but for the safety, longevity and security of your IT systems, these updates are critical.
Updates usually change version numbers of programs only slightly, say, Version 1.2 to Version 1.3.
So long as backups are completed and tested, I am strong supporter of staying current with updates that are designated "high priority security patch" or "critical security patch." Keep in mind that the patches must come from a trusted source your IT department verifies.
Patching is best handled by your qualified IT professionals since they clearly understand the system backup and testing procedures as well. Additionally, they will deploy patches in a staged fashion ensuring not all systems get the same updates at the same time, to further ensure the availability of your network systems.
Upgrades, on the other hand, refer to moving up to the next version of a program or operating system. An example would be from Windows XP to Vista.
Don't confuse Software upgrades with hardware upgrades, which include purchasing actual physical parts or entire computer systems and installing or setting them up.
Upgrades are not always a good idea, sometimes it pays to wait until the new version's record of accomplishment is more established. Some might say, wait until the first few patches are released, to make sure they've "worked the bugs out"
In fact, many experienced people choose to wait weeks or even months before upgrading to a newer version, such is the case with many businesses and their reluctance to Windows Vista.
It is common to see IT departments recommend upgrades "every other release" depending on the application and it's use within the organization.
At the technology coach we recommended the following strategy:
* Updates - Backup, Apply and test all updates and patches within a short period of time.
* Upgrades - Unless those upgrades offer a significant advantage over your current version, delay until necessary.
The Technology Coach invited to participate in the Microsoft Partner Research Panel (MSPRP).
Today we at The Technology Coach received a much sought after invitation from the Microsoft Partner Program of which we are part to become a member of a select few to sit on the Microsoft Partner Research Panel (MSPRP).
This panel presents a chance for a limited number of Microsoft Partners to have their voices heard through ongoing research studies with Microsoft. The insights and suggestions of this vital Partner community help shape products and programs which are critical to our mutual success.
The panel is composed of Microsoft Partners who have agreed to participate in a research program which asks their opinions via surveys at least once a month.
I hope chosen to become a member of this new, vital part of the MSPP. And my membership in the Partner Research Panel will be a powerful way to present your thoughts and opinions to the management and staff of Microsoft.
Please join me in welcoming this powerful new tool to our arsenal and continue to provide your feedback and opinions as small business owners so that this information may be passed along to Microsoft directly
This panel presents a chance for a limited number of Microsoft Partners to have their voices heard through ongoing research studies with Microsoft. The insights and suggestions of this vital Partner community help shape products and programs which are critical to our mutual success.
The panel is composed of Microsoft Partners who have agreed to participate in a research program which asks their opinions via surveys at least once a month.
I hope chosen to become a member of this new, vital part of the MSPP. And my membership in the Partner Research Panel will be a powerful way to present your thoughts and opinions to the management and staff of Microsoft.
Please join me in welcoming this powerful new tool to our arsenal and continue to provide your feedback and opinions as small business owners so that this information may be passed along to Microsoft directly
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How a Business Technology Partner Can Help Your Company
While many small companies only pick up the phone to their local computer repair company when something computer-related breaks, there’s a lot to be gained by forging a proactive, long-term relationship with a local Business Technology Partner in your area before things go wrong.
Is a computer repair and service technician the right person to call for Business Technology advice?
If you have a specific computer-related failure that needs to be repaired, a computer service person is generally the first person most small business owners think to call for.
However, if computer-systems and information technology (IT) are important to the smooth operation of day to day operations in your company then outsourcing your computer-related service needs to a local business technology partner is often a much better solution than just piecemeal, ad-hoc usage of a computer repair person.
Hiring a Business Technology Partner
Many Business Technology Partners choose to specialize and end up becoming extremely valuable to their particular area or niche. In many cases, these kinds of Business Technology Partners can know almost as much about your industry and competitive challenges as you do.
So to help your company grow and to make sure it’s not being short-sighted with its computer-related needs, consider getting advice from a Business Technology Partner.
Sometimes small companies already have an idea of what their computer-related needs are when they enlist the help of an outside Business Technology Partner. There are several advantages to bringing in an outside Business Technology Partner, as opposed to trying to limp along with someone internally who just wears the “hat” of the occasional computer person.
One of the most important reasons to bring in a Business Technology Partner though is that a computer consultant is someone who is an expert in his or her field. This means you can have access to an expert for a fraction of the cost it would take to hire that caliber of professional on a full time basis.
In almost all cases, a computer consultant like this can troubleshoot problem much faster and much more effectively than your internal employees.
A Fresh Computer Consultant Perspective
A Technology Coach or Business Technology Partner can also being in a fresh perspective to your company.
It’s often really helpful to have a fresh set of eyes to look at your company and its IT infrastructure. Over time, non-technical small business owners and managers have a tendency to see the same things within their own companies. A good Computer Consultant or Business Technology Partner brings a new and fresh perspective into your situation and can help you truly visualize the forest through the trees.
How Business Technology Partners Help
A good Business Technology Partner or computer consultant is prepared to do any number of things to help your company make the most out of any business or technology challenge it faces. This may include personal coaching, training for small and large groups of employees, and leading strategy-planning meetings with key people… almost as if that computer consultant were your part-time chief information officer (CIO).
The best computer consultants will not enter into your company with a preset plan, but rather will tailor a plan according to the specific needs of your company. A good Business Technology Partner will have computer consultants on their staff who can quickly find out what the needs of your company are and then come up with cost-effective solutions.
To find out more about the benefits of working with a qualified Business Technology Partner rather than just a computer repair person, pickup the phone today and Call The Technology Coach.
Is a computer repair and service technician the right person to call for Business Technology advice?
If you have a specific computer-related failure that needs to be repaired, a computer service person is generally the first person most small business owners think to call for.
However, if computer-systems and information technology (IT) are important to the smooth operation of day to day operations in your company then outsourcing your computer-related service needs to a local business technology partner is often a much better solution than just piecemeal, ad-hoc usage of a computer repair person.
Hiring a Business Technology Partner
Many Business Technology Partners choose to specialize and end up becoming extremely valuable to their particular area or niche. In many cases, these kinds of Business Technology Partners can know almost as much about your industry and competitive challenges as you do.
So to help your company grow and to make sure it’s not being short-sighted with its computer-related needs, consider getting advice from a Business Technology Partner.
Sometimes small companies already have an idea of what their computer-related needs are when they enlist the help of an outside Business Technology Partner. There are several advantages to bringing in an outside Business Technology Partner, as opposed to trying to limp along with someone internally who just wears the “hat” of the occasional computer person.
One of the most important reasons to bring in a Business Technology Partner though is that a computer consultant is someone who is an expert in his or her field. This means you can have access to an expert for a fraction of the cost it would take to hire that caliber of professional on a full time basis.
In almost all cases, a computer consultant like this can troubleshoot problem much faster and much more effectively than your internal employees.
A Fresh Computer Consultant Perspective
A Technology Coach or Business Technology Partner can also being in a fresh perspective to your company.
It’s often really helpful to have a fresh set of eyes to look at your company and its IT infrastructure. Over time, non-technical small business owners and managers have a tendency to see the same things within their own companies. A good Computer Consultant or Business Technology Partner brings a new and fresh perspective into your situation and can help you truly visualize the forest through the trees.
How Business Technology Partners Help
A good Business Technology Partner or computer consultant is prepared to do any number of things to help your company make the most out of any business or technology challenge it faces. This may include personal coaching, training for small and large groups of employees, and leading strategy-planning meetings with key people… almost as if that computer consultant were your part-time chief information officer (CIO).
The best computer consultants will not enter into your company with a preset plan, but rather will tailor a plan according to the specific needs of your company. A good Business Technology Partner will have computer consultants on their staff who can quickly find out what the needs of your company are and then come up with cost-effective solutions.
To find out more about the benefits of working with a qualified Business Technology Partner rather than just a computer repair person, pickup the phone today and Call The Technology Coach.
Small Business Technology: Highlights of the 2009 Federal Budget
Ottawa has pledged a two-year, 100 per cent capital cost allowance rate for investment in computers.
The 2009 Federal Budget proposes a temporary 100-percent CCA rate for eligible computers and software (described in CCA Class 50) acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 2011.
As this enhanced rate will not be subject to the rule that generally only allows half the CCA write-off otherwise available in the year the asset is first available for use, businesses can fully deduct the cost of eligible computers and the system’s software in the first year that CCA deductions are available.
This temporary measure will allow taxpayers to fully expense their investment in computers in one year.
"It will also contribute to boosting Canada's productivity through the faster adoption of newer technology," according to the budget document.
The capital cost allowance system determines how much of the cost of a capital asset a business may deduct each year for tax purposes.
The measure will cost an estimated $340 million in 2009 and $355 million in 2010.
As a small business technology advisor I see this as a welcome relief of an otherwise costly venture and encourage all of my small business clients who were considering replaceing equipment in the next 1-3 years to do so sooner rather than later to take full advantage of the tax savings.
To find out how your business can benefit from both the adoption of new technology and the cost savings the new taxation rules contact The Technology Coach today!
The 2009 Federal Budget proposes a temporary 100-percent CCA rate for eligible computers and software (described in CCA Class 50) acquired after January 27, 2009 and before February 2011.
As this enhanced rate will not be subject to the rule that generally only allows half the CCA write-off otherwise available in the year the asset is first available for use, businesses can fully deduct the cost of eligible computers and the system’s software in the first year that CCA deductions are available.
This temporary measure will allow taxpayers to fully expense their investment in computers in one year.
"It will also contribute to boosting Canada's productivity through the faster adoption of newer technology," according to the budget document.
The capital cost allowance system determines how much of the cost of a capital asset a business may deduct each year for tax purposes.
The measure will cost an estimated $340 million in 2009 and $355 million in 2010.
As a small business technology advisor I see this as a welcome relief of an otherwise costly venture and encourage all of my small business clients who were considering replaceing equipment in the next 1-3 years to do so sooner rather than later to take full advantage of the tax savings.
To find out how your business can benefit from both the adoption of new technology and the cost savings the new taxation rules contact The Technology Coach today!
Customer Testimonials
Lindsay Karabanow has endorsed your work as Owner at The Technology Coach.
"I've called on Scott several times in the past when my technology was presenting more problems than solutions. Scott - how can I put this - made it go! I'm sure there are many of you out there who can relate...
I really do appreciate his depth of knowledge, quick response time and availability. He has helped me with many issues, both big and small."
Recommendation:
Service Category: IT Consultant
Year first hired: 2007 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Expert, Good Value, High Integrity
"I've called on Scott several times in the past when my technology was presenting more problems than solutions. Scott - how can I put this - made it go! I'm sure there are many of you out there who can relate...
I really do appreciate his depth of knowledge, quick response time and availability. He has helped me with many issues, both big and small."
Recommendation:
Service Category: IT Consultant
Year first hired: 2007 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Expert, Good Value, High Integrity
Lindsay C. Karabanow
Sales Representative
Remax Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage
Cell: 416.809.6245
http://lckTorontoRealEstate.blogspot.com/
http://www.TorontoRealEstateToday.com
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