March 2009, or Thereabouts

I watch the economy tank. I listen to the promise that we have touched bottom more than once. It's time for me to be cheerful and to entertain you with techie tips and my next occasional newsletter!

I present myself as the "Computer Wizard." I am the technical person with social skills who brings productivity improvement to your 2 to 25 computers, servers, software, hardware, and Internet applications in your office network, old or new.

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Keep the old stuff working. That seems to be the popular cost cutting thought. Microsoft will sort out Vista, Version 7, and XP. Meanwhile, there is work to be done and businesses to run. It's time to do more with less.

Wiping an old PC clean and reloading everything, removes accumulating problems. Yes, you need to locate all your program CDs and backup your data first. Think of them as money.

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Restore Points take you back in time. In Windows, go to Start, Help and Support, and look for "Undo changes with System Restore." This feature can often take you back to before the virus attack. Your data will be safe and the problem will be gone. Check this feature out before you need it. Panic can be such a distraction. Service wins. To cheer myself up on a day offering slim prospects, I go out to a diner for breakfast. I am called "Hon" as I am poured coffee. A hot breakfast brightens my morning. I know a lot of diners, and the ones that do best do it with service and a smile. Nearly anyone can make coffee.

The little guy beats the big guy on service every time. Try it. Make cheerful conversations, listen, and follow up to confirm that you met everyone's expectations.

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Remote maintenance can simplify help. Sign up for a free account on LogMeIn.com, and tell me your access codes when you want a second look.

Viruses can be a challenge to clean remotely because as long as they are running and can access the Internet, they can reproduce themselves. I have better luck using a second copy of Windows from a CD or by placing the infected drive into a second computer where the CD drive would be. Sometimes, you are still stuck with wiping the hard drive and starting over. That, you can't do remotely.

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Business Social Networking means joining linkedin.com and plaxo.com and searching out old business connections. In these times, you don't know when you might need them. When things are slow, use the time as an investment. Learn one new skill. Join Toastmasters.org and practice how to better present yourself. Update your business website. Take a class. Get another degree. Learn the advanced equations inside Excel spreadsheets. Figure out how to do more with your Blackberry.

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Relationships matter. Review your client and prospects lists. Who have you not seen for a while? What are their issues today? A friendly voice is reassuring. Maybe they need a service you don't offer? Call them up and provide a referral. A good referral makes everybody happy.

Now is a great time to make a referral.

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