Burning Bridges Some of you that are not youngsters probably have heard these words at some point or another. Typically it's used in sentences such as "Don't burn any bridges"...Basically what that means is to think before you do something because if you don't you won't be able to correct it. Now, don't get me wrong in my 40+ years I have "burned bridges" and even pulled a "Bridge on the River Kwai" (if you have never seen it great WW II movie), where I went well past the burning of the bridge. In hindsight I have never looked back as any that I burned and wished I could correct or made amends. That is not to say it is a good thing, burning any bridge is never a good thing in life or in business. Maybe if I had burned them in my earlier years [+]

Not sure what they are? Here is the easy definition from Wiki: A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. You may have already noticed that some places in your area have started using QR Codes, and if you have not noticed any then stand by because you will. QR Codes are starting to pick up alot in the U.S. but it will be some time before it catches on like it has in Japan and other countries. QR Codes put in simple terms is an instant identification, ad, opportunity, or anything else that you are trying to [+]

Paradigm Shifts for Techs: Customer Service - Part 4 By Derek Iannelli-Smith, IT Strategist, Progressive Integrations, Inc., The birds are singing, your coffee is just the right temperature, and your favorite song is playing on Last.FM. You are working in a software package and all of a sudden, the computer locks up, fades and the top-most window bar says, “Not responding” and it’s the 4th time that has happened today with this particular program. What are you thinking? Maybe you have felt like this guy did? Maybe one more applicable to us techs? It is one of those days at the IT shop, finally, able to catch up on some of the details in the inbox, and one of your fellow employees says, “Can you come here for a minute, my computer is acting weird, and I wanted you to see it before [+]

Paradigm Shift for Techs: Is text/support chat where it needs to be? by Derek R. Iannelli-Smith, 24May10 I fall for it all the time. I think, great, I will jump on this chat support and I will obtain immediate support. Sometimes it works well, but I would also add, that it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. As a Dell partner, the chat is a nice tease, but inevitably I get texted a phone number to call. I personally would prefer chats in that I can immediately log the correspondence and have the important info I need for accountability. However, I see this option still a long way off from where it needs to be. Here are some chat pet peeves (with vendors like AT&T, Comcast, Dell, HP, Cisco, etc) 1. After I have entered everything in, why does the bloke who finally [+]

Ran across this app and thought I would share. It is based on the Pomodoro Technique.  The concept is you work for 25 minutes straigt on one item. Don't answer the phone, email, message, or go off browsing the internet. When done you can see how much time you used and it will help you "stay on task".  If you are like me you typically have a dozen things going at once. It's very hard to actually "finish" any one thing when you are doing so many. With this little app you might just find you have more time available at the end of the day. The app is called Focus Booster and you can download it for free. Time to do this post "4 minutes" (got a bit sidetracked) Dan ACRBO [+]

Recently had a "potential" customer meet with me about doing what he referred to as a website. So I met with him went out things about his business and then he asked "So you do websites right?"...My answer was "no what I do is create a web presence"... Now some of you might think what in the heck is that, so i'm going to explain it to you. Anyone and I do mean just about anyone can create a website. My child created on in I think 8th grade. So yes when I say anyone I mean exactly that. Now a "web presence" is someone who can not only create a website but can make it so people can actually find the site. An example is if your domain name is "my business website" and someone goes to google and types in [+]

Paradigm Shifts for Techs: Educational Marketing by Derek R. Iannelli, IT Strategist, Progressive Integrations, Inc., We love our buzz words. This is the newest one I have grabbed onto and that is probably because I have been chewing a lot on Robin Robbins stuff lately. What is ‘educational marketing’? I will define it as: “The systematic, intentional, and customer service driven education of your current and prospective clients for loyalty and longevity by direct response.” First let me start off with, I am still learning and there are better guru’s on this topic than me (just type ‘educational marketing’ into Google). What does this have to do with the IT business and isn’t that what they pay me for? I sense this objection quite a bit when I try to talk with other techs and once I explain that it is a process, an [+]

Backups....You tell customers that word over and over again yet you still find people out there that do not backup their data properly. How many times have you told a customer about backing up their files? Sometimes you go as far as giving them a flash drive and explain how to use it or demonstrate it for them only to have them come back to you about lost data. I actually think people do not realize that it can happen to them. I can't count the amount of times I have had customers lose their data due to hardware damage and either they can't recover it or it's cost a small fortune to recover it. For that reason alone you need to get your customers on an online backup program. Yes, I know of the "great concern" about online backups and security/protection and [+]

Was reading an article today on the importance of "local listings". If you are not already doing it you need to set some time aside each day and review how you are using the Intenet to boost your business. If you are thinking the word "marketing" and Internet is not included in that thinking then you need to rethink your marketing plan. Out of all the advertising avenues you can take the Internet is the cheapest and can be the most profitable if used correctly. Here is a fact: "Over 75% of searches for local businesses & services occur online". Are you maximizing your online presence? Great read here [+]

The Association of Computer Repair Business Owners "www.Acrbo.com" has added a new site to it's portal for computer repair business owners. We are proud to announce it's newest site TechSupportQA.com "Technical Support and Questions & Answers". Unlike your typical forums, this site is simply for "Questions & Answers", no small talk, no chit-chat. The added benefit is you can provide "Video & Audio" to it vice just text. The site is TechSupportQA.com and stands for "Technical Support Questions & Answers". Unlike other sites that are your typical Q&A sites there is "NO" fee for this site. You gain points for each question, each answer and "best" answer. There are a lot of techs out there with great knowledge and enjoy sharing with others. This site rewards you for that. TechSupportQA: Question/Answer Video & Audio Ratings System SEO Optimized Customization Facebook/Twitter [+]