Ask The Technology Therapist Blog

SCORE February Workshops

2007-02-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday February 20th and today Saturday February 24th I had the pleasure of speaking for SCORE-NYC. Tuesday’s seminar discussed web marketing and today’s seminar discussed building a web site. I decided to write an informal blog on these events to help connect the attendees, but also to remind other visitors about the importance of seeking out information.

Every time I give a seminar I am reminded how much information is out there. Every one is trying to gain as much knowledge as possible but my advice to those just starting a business or running a business is: understand that anything takes time and patience. It takes time to absorb and collect knowledge, and patience to eliminate frustration.

During both workshops we discussed issues that are not always covered in the handouts. Over the next few months I willl be using your questions as blog entries, and so I would like to thank you all. Please feel free to comment below and ask more questions, or submit them directly to me by clicking here. Also if you would like a copy of the handouts please click here and tell me which handouts you would like, and I will forward them on to you.

I would also like to thank anyone who attended for adding web sites and books to the discussion. Below are a few that I mentioned that may not have been on the notes. And again please add more by clicking the comment below. I have also added some new sites and books that I think you will all enjoy.

Web sites
W3c.org
Searchenginewatch.com
Websitesthatsuck.com
adwords.Google.com Intermedia.net
Hostsave.com now Gate.com

Books
Search Engine Optimization an Hour a Day
The Big Red Fez
Words that Sell
Blogging for Business

Internet Explorer vs. Firefox - The Ultimate Browser!

2007-01-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Browsing on The Internet - we all do it. For many of us it is like driving on the local freeway; but what kind of car do you prefer to drive? Driving on the web prompts the same question; yet instead of a Honda or a Chevy, your choices are Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Yes, there are more choices than Microsoft and Mozilla, just as there are more car options than Honda and Chevy - but I think you understand where I am going with this discussion.

Which browser do you use, Firefox or IE? I asked a few different people and here is what they had to say:

“I choose Fire Fox because I like the tab browsing and the password save feature.”
  Tom – Mac User, Graphic Designer
“I choose Internet Explorer mostly out of habit.”
  Carly – PC User, Administrative Assistant

“I have both on my computer but use IE more often it seems to load faster.”
  Kim – PC User, Operations
"Our corporate standard is Internet Explorer because it works with all our applications, however, we here in the IT department prefer FireFox."
  Donna & Bruce - IT Department
“I love Firefox because when it crashes it restores the session I’m in.”
  Ramon Ray-Technology EvangelistSmallbiztechnology.com
"I understand the sexiness of Firefox's "speed". The Thunderbird email option is also easy enough to manage. What still compells me to trust Internet Explorer, is the fact that you are still forced to 'allow' something into your computer system, rather than simply not even having a door for any website you happen to visit. The web is a wonderful and scary place. I'm still working with IE as a preferred browser."

  Thomas Vesque - Vesque Partners Inc.

As you can see, the reviews are mixed, and everyone has a different opinion. Personally, I use them both. I use Internet Explorer for listening to my Satellite Radio because the plug-in is already installed; Firefox prompts me to install it. I use Firefox for certain sites because it saves my passwords. When we work on web pages for clients we test it in both IE and Firefox and sometimes we find what works for one browser, does not always work for the other. So be sure to look at your web site in more than one web browser.

Overall, you should use what you like and are comfortable with (not what others tell you to use), but be knowledgeable of the features for both to make an informed decision. Click here to see a comparison.

Let us know your opinion leave a comment – which do you prefer IE or Firefox?

Where Business & Pleasure Meet – The Gathering Place

2007-01-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Where does business come from - networking, advertising or word-of-mouth?
Business comes from all three, but how about enjoying a cocktail, some luscious hors d'oeuvres and setting up tables on a Tuesday night for businesses to display their goods and services?

Alexander Achilleos and Jan Goldstoff have created a place where business meets pleasure at The Gathering Place. This monthly event focuses on a theme, inviting companies they endorse and work with to showcase their talents. On Tuesday, January 9th, along with nine other merchants, I was one of the selected vendors to have a table displaying cds, booklets, as well as our emarketing and web design services.

Throughout the evening there were over 100 people who came to the restaurant; enjoying the tasty morsels and walking the room to see what there was to buy. I purchased a few items myself helping to support my fellow exhibitors. It was inspiring listening to local business people discussing their hobbies, and their reasoning for attending this gathering, on a chilly January evening. This was not a typical networking or marketing event, it was a social event. I began to wonder, have we forgotten about the social side of business - going out to an event with no agenda and just seeing what comes our way? Are we relying too much on technology, Googling what we need instead of actually picking up the phone to ask a friend?

Social networking and Web 2.0 are all the rage, using the web to create communities… In creating this community online are we dismissing our actual community? The Gathering Place reminded me that people still want to meet people in real life – not just online. Now as the Technology Therapist I have not abandoned my passion for using technology to market and gain new business, but as in life, there needs to be a balance. Do you find balance in your business? Combining work and fun - it is possible and I am glad I was a part of this wonderful event.

Click here to see the list of exhibitors and details of the event.

Tell me your thoughts – click comments below to read or add a comment of your own.

Feedback = Success

2007-01-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

My husband, who I adore, knows me very well he is my best friend, but he can’t seem to pick out presents for me. Every year two-three weeks before Christmas I send him a list of things I like, tell him the right sizes and colors. I explain to him that I don’t want everything on the list he can choose what he likes. This is to give him some guidance so I am happy, and he feels relieved that he found something I will enjoy. I realized over time that without providing him with specific details of what I am looking for we did not always envision the same idea. Specific feedback and exact examples of my taste and preferences made gift giving more exciting for both of us. This annual ritual made me think about small businesses, and our relationships with the companies we hire to help us market and design ideas for our businesses.

When you work with a marketing company or design firm, print or web, you need to know what you’re looking for; your company’s goals and objectives. But it can not stop there you have to be part of the process, offering feedback to the people you work with explaining how you want things to work and what directed you toward those decisions. Every company has a personality and the market they want to focus on has characteristics, both items need to be fulfilled. It is my opinion that your web site should represent your company’s personality but it has to work for your audience. This same tactic is true for your marketing strategy.

Frequently, companies need to have multiple people involved in the design and marketing process and that is a wonderful idea. However, make sure you meet internally before you hire an outside firm. Discuss who will be the point person and make sure you’re all on the same page as far as look, feel and approach. Having too many opinions can spoil the process as well as increase the cost.

Successful web sites, logos and marketing campaigns come from company’s who are part of the process. Yes, you are hiring an expert and they will bring skills and ideas to the table but they can’t read your mind. You need to tell them what you like, what you don’t like and why. Listen when they offer guidance and be prepared to be part of the process.

My 2006 Christmas was very enjoyable. My husband picked out some great gifts and I was surprised by what he chose, but very happy because it was my taste and my size!

Share with us your thoughts and ideas about this blog – click comments

How Do You Protect Your PDA & Laptop if it is Lost or Stolen?

2006-12-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday November 29th I attended the NY Business Expo and I had the opportunity to speak at one of the afternoon workshops entitled Benefit from a Smarter Computer Connection. The workshop discussed how to protect your wireless devices if they were lost or stolen. Here are some interesting statistics you might want to be aware of:

According to Symantec, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds in the USA -- and 97% of them are never recovered.
600,000 laptops stolen in the USA alone in the year 2004
In most cases a PDA will carry more vital data than the computers they pulled data from. PDA theft is twice as high as mobile PC theft. 15 to 20% of PDA’s are stolen each year.

The key to successfully securing your pda or laptop, which as you know contains a great deal of information on your business, is to plan for what could happen. Your plan should include these three items: backing-up, software and hardware.

Backing up this will allow you to retrieve data that was lost or on your stolen machine quickly helping elevating some of the stress of losing your device.

The software you need to consider installing to protect your stolen or lost device is encryption software. Review the slides for other software options and let me know your thoughts by commenting below. Click here

Taking the Time to Make a Change

2006-11-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

I left work just after 5pm on November 7th, with the intention to make the time to go and vote. I know for many of us this just seems like our civic duty, but in my mind I realized I can't complain about things if I don't make an effort to help change them. When I arrived at the polling location I was surprised to find it very easy to get in and get out - no lines at all. In my mind I had thought that this was going to be a chore and when I actually did go, it was easy to get in and out. On my drive home I realized how important my actions were, and how I should be doing the same thing in my business. Making the time to create change, just like I made the time to leave early and vote.

Running a business is never an easy thing to do and I am always looking for a balance between my multiple personalities; the manager, the worker and the entrepreneur. (This is an emyth reference you should read it if you haven't) Celebrating nine years in business and growing into a second location with new staff has made me realize how time plays a role in my successes and failures. Taking the time to plan, implement and change. Sounds easy, but to anyone who has tried to do it - it’s a struggle to stay focused and on a path, keeping in mind that in the end it will make us, the company, stronger.

During this last quarter of 2006 we have been very busy with new web sites and new software training projects, and I see how my clients are trying to make a difference trying to foster change in their organizations. I applaud all of you who make the commitment and effort to move forward and as 2007 approaches, faster than I would like, I hope to inspire you along with my team to find the time; no make the time, to change and grow our companies for the better.

How do you make time to change and grow your business? Share your comments with us.

Beware the Technical Support Specialist for Your Cell Phone / PDA Service

2006-10-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

Maria called me in tears the other night upset that after two hours on the phone with a technical support export for Verizon that she had lost her entire calendar. Maria’s calendar was used to keep track of her entire life; every appointment for her two children and other social events. Now if you ask Verizon they will tell you that it is not their fault Maria lost all her data, and technically they are right. Companies like Cingular, T-Mobile and Verizon are only concerned with making your phone work. Having your all-in-one device work, that is their sole objective; they need to make sure it syncs but are not concerned with what can happen during the sync. Some technical support representatives may warn you that you may loose data during this process, but some do not even think to bring it up. If it is not on the technical support script they read, they may not even know that this is an issue. Therefore, if you have an all-in-one smart-phone like a Blackberry or Treo here are a few things you can do to keep this from happening to you.

First, start by truly understanding how your sync program works. Does your PDA over ride the computer when there is a conflicting appointment or item? Or is it the other way around? Take the time to learn what items are syncing, for example are you updating your calendar, contacts, tasks, email or all of these items? Are they all syncing to the same desktop application or different software products? For instance, some people may have their calendar and contacts synced with ACT and email synced with Microsoft Outlook.

Second, don’t go it alone. Ask a family friend who has a true grasp on this process or hirer someone you trust to help you out. You can even ask them about the items in point one to see if they truly understand.

Three, backup your information to a third location like a flash drive or external hard drive. If you are having major PDA device issues before you call technical support create a backup. Backup the data on each of the applications you synchronize with. For my readers who may have concerns now and don’t have time to create a backup because you may need some help with this process, print your information out. A print copy will at least allow you to feel for the short term you have something if your technical expert makes a mistake.

Four, learn how to use the backup. Once you created the backup of all your information be sure you know how to restore it if you ever need it.

Five, ask your cell phone technical support representative some of these questions:

Is what you’re asking me to try to fix on my phone effect my synchronization software?
Will I loose any data if I have not backed up my phone recently?
I am concerned that the changes you ask me to make will cause a loss of data – how can I avoid this?
Can you walk me through backing up my information, before we start making changes?

I have seen too many of my clients deal with this problem, with all of the wireless companies out there. You may get lucky and work with a support expert that does know what they are talking about, but you may not, and you need to be prepared. Remember the cell phone companies are only focused on making your phone work. They may not be aware of, systems you have set-up or even support those systems. Being an informed consumer will help eliminate the frustration you may feel when working with technology.

Everyone can use a little Technology Therapy ® please pass this on to friends who may need this therapy session, and please feel free to vent with me. Post your good and bad experiences here and help others avoid this issue in their life.

Co-Marketing: Partnerships that Really Pay

2006-09-26T10:57:00.000-06:00

Marketing your business how do you do it? Through advertising, networking – what’s your formula for success? Want to know mine?

As many of you may know we have shifted the focus of our business over the past year from providing not only software training but helping customers use technology to market more effectively; essentially focusing on the tools needed to launch emarketing campaigns. I have always had a passion for marketing and I have applied my passion to my company and given advice to others over the years.

One of the most cost effective ways to market is to join forces with the companies that you find to complement and market co-operatively. Tide does it with Wal-Mart. Why not you? Sometimes small businesses get so wrapped up in their individual goals that they forget the resources they have, and the partner they work with daily.

On Monday September 25, 2006 I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal, and had it not been for a partnership I have had for years I would never have been interviewed. Ramon Ray creator of www.smallbiztechnology.com gave my name to the reporter. Ramon and I have supported each other for years realizing we are talking to the same audience and two voices are stronger than one.

Who do you partner with? Are you talking to the same people? Sit-down with your partner, combine your resources and target your audience together. Here are a few ideas:

Co-operative Campaign: A great way to start is by creating a post card or email marketing campaign that introduces your service to your partners list of clients and vice-versa.
Link exchanges: so many people have forgotten about this, but putting your link on their site and theirs on yours can help you both on the web.
Write an article together: if you and your partner company are experts in different areas, author an article together or create a joint seminar. We have done this with great success and wonderful return.

Now look at your formula for marketing success would co-marketing help your business grow and reach more people?

Share your story with us - how have relationships helped your business get to a new level? Post a comment here or email me directly to be considered as a guest for an upcoming radio show on technology success stories.

Eliminate a Computer Pain - Keep Software Together

2006-01-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

In business we talk about planning and organizing so much, but how often do we practice what we preach? Organizing is so important for businesses we have folders on our desks with details about projects we are working on. We have folders in our email to keep our correspondence from getting misplaced. But when it comes to organizing the software CD’s that are installed on our computers, most people fall short.

Do you have all your software cd-roms in one place? Do you even know where they are? I’ll bet the cd’s are in a box “somewhere”!

So many technical experts discuss backing up your computer and I will stress that is important; but understand that only data is usually backed up. If your computer crashes you will need to re-install the software that works with your data. For example, Microsoft Word documents are backed up, but without Microsoft Word installed you can not read what is in the document.

Make some time; very soon, to take all your computer software cd’s, including your cd for your operating system (i.e. Windows Xp) and organize them. Put them all together in one place. Buy a cd-holder or do what I do find a small storage box. And if you want to make sure you never loose your cd’s you could even put them in a fire-safe box. This is a great idea for home businesses.

So remember backing up is only one step to protecting your computer system. Organizing your software cd’s and protecting them will make a disaster less painful.

This is Jennifer Shaheen The technology Therapist with your Technology Tip of the week!

Are You a Walking Contradiction?

2006-09-05T09:10:00.000-06:00

Technology! Everyone has a love-hate relationship, there are days where I feel the same way, but as a small business I could not accomplish as much as I do in a given day without it. The push and pull we feel with technology is the same push and pull we feel as our business grows with other areas like; marketing, staff resources and time.

When you look at your business are you contradicting your growth strategies or the message you send to your staff? Here is an example that happened to me recently. I had a meeting with a long standing client who expressed the concerns they had about being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This particular client is in an international business. They compete with the big guys by placing service above all else there are no voice mail systems for this client even on the weekends. Impressed by there commitment to service we discussed how technology can play a key role in their success. The partners in the firm take turns being on call over the weekend, always answering their cell phones no matter what time. Again impressive! One of their biggest issues is that many clients are sending more and more emails to report information instead of calling. I recommend they consider getting each partner a blackberry to eliminate the frustration of needing to be near a computer when a major weekend project occurs. One of the partners said to me; "I don't think I want to be that accessible". What message is he sending?

This idea made me think about other situations I have seen working with so many small businesses across the country. How many of us are sending that same message saying here we are ready to serve you no matter what time it is, then when we need them, we get no answer. This is true in large companies as well as small, but since most of my audience is small business I thought I'd ask you all to stop and think about this question. Are you contradicting your own goals?

Here is a common goal: "I want to create a system using my computer that will really allow me to grow and organize my business more effectively." Wonderful, technology can be very helpful in this area. One of the first things we do with our clients is talk about how they approach their business off the computer. Do they have any systems in this area? We discuss their objectives, the software that will fit their needs and time to accomplish these goals. The first 2 are always the easy part of the conversation. Time to learn and commit to using the system is where the contradictions begin for many people. I wish I could make it happen instantly for you and for me, but if you want to grow and get organized using your computer, time is a major investment.

So as we all get out of our summer heads and begin to re-focus for the 4th quarter of 2006 think about what your goals are and where you want to be at the end of this year. Commit to eliminating the contradictions in your business and commit to your successes!

Share your story with us - how has technology helped your business get to a new level? Post a comment here or email me directly to be considered as a guest for an upcoming radio show on technology success stories.

To Mac or To PC

2006-08-01T09:14:00.000-06:00

This will probably be the blog that stirs up the most controversy but here goes.

Over the past few months Apple has started to air these new commercials with 2 men one older and one younger. The younger image represents a Mac while the older represents the PC, they just stand there comparing the problems that are prone to PC and not MAC. I sat and watched one of these commercials and began to get a bit concerned about the generalities Apple spoke about and how it confuses the general consumer.

The commercial that got me a little riled up has the older gentlemen freezing up implying that PC’s are the only computers that freeze. Not true. My husband, who I have spoken about in other blogs, who works on a MAC every day saw this commercial and laughed aloud with me. Do Mac’s freeze up? Sure they do as a matter of fact just this morning my husband called and said: “Jenn, when people ask if Mac’s freeze and cause problems tell them here is the message my computer gave me today. "The computer was restarted after MAC OS X quit unexpectedly. Click report to see more details or send to Apple."

What is the point of this blog? Great question! To Mac or To PC, well they are both computers therefore each one has its pros and cons. Deciding which will work better with your business should be something you discuss with an expert. If you speak to someone who loves MAC they will tell you Macintoch is the way to go and PC lovers will stay the same.

I say start with what you need the computer to do for you and what software you may want to use on the computer. Apple computers don’t support some CRM software (ie ACT) and PC’s don’t support some MAC only applications (ie Final Cut Pro). So it simply boils down to what software programs do you need to be able to fully run and use.

I know you are curious about which I prefer/use. Well I honestly use both. I love my PC for managing my everyday business needs and my contact management software, but I love my Mac for my fun stuff like creating DVD’s through iDVD. I have my MAC networked with my PCs so that I can share files in my office.

Before you start to believe what the advertisers tell you. Talk to someone who isn’t so biased and look at technology from a different point of view so you can choose what works for you!

Please tell me how you feel about this. Do you agree? Do you have a story you can share? Help us all grow by sharing your thoughts and comments

5 Tips to Creating the Remote Office

2006-08-29T11:09:00.000-06:00

I did it I took the leap and made myself completely mobile. Over the next month we will be announcing our expansion into another market and the opening of our new office. During this process I needed to be extremely mobile with access to the Internet at all times and constant access to my files. Over the past few weeks I really needed to feel like I was working in my main office no matter where I happened to be.

How have I done it you ask? Here are the items that have made my life easier.

Hosted Exchange with a Blackberry Enterprise Server
Cell Phone / Blackberry
Sony Vaio Laptop
Verizon’s broadband access card
Log-me in remote software
Coffee (the un-official gadget)

Hosted Exchange: This is a service I have been using for almost 3 years; this allows my company the full functionality of a Microsoft Exchange server for about 1/3 the cost. I can share my calendar and contacts, plus view all my email sent and received no matter what computer I work on. This system links to my blackberry wirelessly; that means when I schedule something on my Outlook desktop it appears on my handheld without using the sync cable. In case you are wondering most small businesses use POP email accounts. (Click here for a link to see the difference between exchange & pop email)

Cell phone / Blackberry: Having an all-in-one smart phone makes staying connected easier, you can choose the style that works best with your business but getting emails on a hand-held devices keeps me updated. [ I do however want to point out that I turn it off in meetings. Don’t loose focus in client meetings the email will be there when you get done.] Remind people that your blackberry is there to help you stay in touch, but you do not read it every second of the day. If I am focusing on a project I close my email and turn the blackberry to quiet. This device has helped me find out if our designers have completed projects or if a client needs help. I can make use of my time on the road and not feel the anxiety of wondering if the email I was expecting has arrived. Did I mention that while I am away if I add an appointment to my blackberry everyone in my office can see a real-time view of the calendar due to the combination of the hosted exchange with my blackberry – very exciting.

Laptop: Mine just happens to be a Sony Vaio it is actually the second Vaio I have owned. I chose this particular brand and model because it had excellent processing speed and RAM, along with the extras like additional firewire plugs and usb connections. I even have a slot for reading the memory card from my digital camera (these features are becoming pretty common on laptops now). My favorite thing about my Vaio is that it is light-weight to carry along with the 3 other books and files that seem to way down my bag.

Verizon’s broadband access card: Yes my laptop came with wireless but finding hot-spots outside of New York is not easy so I took the plunge and invested in a broadband wireless card. Now I can sit in a parking lot or a client’s office and not have to worry about whether I can get internet or not – I can. The cost for this service is not inexpensive, but over the past year I have wasted more time trying to find a wireless hotspot that I could connect to when I really needed one. It is worth it, to me at least, just to be able to email out the proposal or check a web site with out the stress of wondering if I can find a connection.

Log-me in remote software: Remote access to desktop computers is not a new concept; corporations do this by using services like Citrix and small business alike need to use this technology. One of the more popular brands out there is Go To My PC and I think they are fantastic; however I opted to use Log-me In software. I decided to use them because I have a paid account and I could add an additional computer for free. I did this because occasionally I need something from my home computer and did not want to pay for an additional computer. Either software application works well try them both and see which works better for you.

Coffee (the un-official gadget): like most people, not all, I can’t truly get going with out my coffee and I’d like to say thank you to Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts for always being there to re-charge my battery.

There are so many great technologies out there that can help you be comfortable when you travel. I have touched on the 5 that have really made a difference to me over the past few weeks. Tell me some of your favorite technologies that help you stay in-touch when you’re on the go.

Choosing the Right Smart Phone

2006-07-18T06:51:00.000-06:00

Organizing our lives in business has become a priority for many of my clients. The wireless companies are capitalizing on this desire by offering so many options for all in one phones / pdas. All in one Palm Pilots like the Treo, all in one Pocket PC like the Motorola Q, and of course who can forget the all in one blackberry like the 7130c. But to make the choice on which phone to choose depends on more than just which one is cool. You need to be aware of a few different areas:

1. Usability
2. Compatibility
3. Features

Usability: is the device simple to use? Can you move around with ease? Are your fingers too big or too small for the keyboard? Does the system feel comfortable for you? Does the system work to enhance your business?

These questions seem like simple questions, but many of my clients have complained about these very items. Many of my male clients do not like the Treo because they find the keyboard to be too small. Other clients have not been happy with the blackberry because they came from a palm, and liked being able to tap on the screen or use the stylus pen to write. It is important that you be prepared to adapt and change if the device is what you want, however find one that will make the migration a little easier on you.

Compatibility: Will your new device work with the software on your computer? For example, will it sync with Outlook, ACT or Entourage? Do you need to sync with a server? Does the device support the ability to talk to your company’s server?

ACT for Palm is a separate piece of software that allows ACT users to work on a version of ACT for Palm, but if you buy a new Palm Treo this software will not work on your Treo. You will have the ability to sync using ACT for Palm sync but it is not same. It is no surprise that Macintosh computers prefer the Palm device to the Pocket PC.

Features: This is the area that seems to cause the majority of my clients the most anxiety. What features were you using on your phone? Did you download ring tones? Were you using third party software like zagat.com’s mobile addition? Did you have a mobile service for finding addresses or maps? If you are switching devices will the features for setting up and retrieving email be different?

In setting up a clients new Motorola Q last week, I found that the new version of the Windows Operating system did not support downloading ring tones with ease but they did support making your own ring tones. Is that easier? Depends on the user's personal comfort level with technology?

On another occasion I had a client make a jump from blackberry to a Palm Treo and then back to blackberry because he did not like the way the email feature worked.

Switching back and forth can be costly, investing your time and money in a new device and finding out it is not what you thought it would be. The biggest complaint I hear is that "the salesperson did not warn me about these issues!" That is very normal with technology changing as rapidly as it is and many sales people can not keep up. Or do not get proper training, and just don't think to ask you these questions. As business people it is our responsibility to make purchasing decisions based on understanding about our lives and our businesses. If you don't know where to start then talk to a technical advisor you trust, invest a small fee to pay for some advice on what you want. You may find a half-hour investment will save you hours, rather days of pain and anxiety over what will and will not work for you and your business.

Please tell me how you feel about this. Do you agree? Do you have a story you can share? Help us all grow by sharing your thoughts and comments

Are You REALLY Prepared for Change?

2006-07-10T21:41:00.000-06:00

Small Businesses all over this country use AOL to run their businesses when they start. Many of them even try to secure an AOL email address that has their name in it. But for some of these businesses as they grow they have been advised to transition to something more professional.

AOL is a useful service for chatting with friends or creating a personal email account to communicate with friends or family, but it has limitations when you are trying to run a business. However, that is not my purpose in today’s blog. My purpose today is to discuss change.

If you have made the decision to change from AOL to using another email program you need to keep in mind that it will not look and act exactly like AOL! No matter what type of technology you use change means adapting, moving on, and accepting what will be different. If you are not prepared to be open and adapt then you should not change.

Blackberry vs Palm well everyone has an opinion, but if you start on a Blackberry and transition to using a Palm Pilot with email remember that it will take you some time to get use to the differences. If you are not willing to stop and learn; maybe even read the manual then you need to ask yourself if you are ready for change.

Technology frustrates so many people and there are days where I am right there with you; but if you start off not understanding that change means adapting to something new then every step of the way you will feel nothing but pain. And many times you will just give-up and go back to what you are comfortable with. So before you make any serious changes to new technologies stop and analyze the change and decide if you are ready. Your success depends on it.

Tell me how you feel about this. Do you agree? Do you have a story you can share? Help us all grow by sharing your thoughts and comments

Do blogs really make a difference?

2006-05-22T22:33:00.000-06:00

Do blogs really make a difference? They make a difference to the person writing them. They give us all a voice and even if only one person is affected than we made a difference.

Blogs have had a major impact on giving everyday Americans a voice; a place to speak their mind and get things off their chest. Blogs allow you to tell your story, your point of view - uncensored. Blogs can also allow your readers to provide you with feedback - uncensored.

Politics has been greatly affected in this country by bloggers and as blogs become increasingly popular the blogosphere is continuing to grow.

I feel blogs have opened some people’s eyes to new ideas; but is that beneficial to us? Well I remember in some philosophy class somewhere in my past or maybe it was history that questioning is good and it gets us involved and invested in the decisions we make in our lives. However, one thing that is important that few people ever ask me are blogs or bloggers telling you the truth? Consider the creditability of the person who is writing the blog. If anyone can write a blog than you need to be a little more critical of what you read! It feels like a circle but it brings us back to questioning. Blogging for many of us has become a way to start researching ideas and forming opinions. Taking more time to review the standard media and ask if we are getting the whole story. Bloggers are people like you and me just searching for the truth.

Jean Rohe a graduate of the New School used her commencement address to make a difference to a few thousand people and the blogosphere has allowed her to reach beyond the walls of Madison Square Garden and out to the world.

I am still trying to find out if blogs make a difference in business for my readers, but today this blog gave me hope in the world around me, and pride that one young woman, agree with her or not, had the courage to share her voice with the world when the opportunity presented itself.

Tell me what you think…the floor or rather the blog is open to you for your opinions.

3 Low-cost Marketing Ideas!

2006-06-13T09:22:00.000-06:00

Marketing Yeah!!! For many of us this word can evoke feelings of excitement, or general concern about what it will cost. I understand both sides, as I am constantly looking for ideas, preferably new ideas. Today I’d like to talk about a few ideas that came from our readers, and from me to help open up your mind to what’s out there to help you grow your business.

Myspace.com: This site has been all over the news because the youth of America have been using this as a way to socialize. It is no surprise that advertisers are all over this idea! A web site focused on the most sought after demographics in the country "kids between 14-24" possibly older or younger (though MySpace rules are for over 14). MySpace can be a great place for you to reach the youth market, if that is your target audience! We have recommended it to many of clients who have products geared toward a younger market, and to our independent music artists as a way to create an online community and get a viral buzz about there unsigned music. Did I mention it was free to create a myspace page!

Social networking is not just for kids it can be for small businesses or marketers to gain knowledge and contacts. Some of the most popular sites are Ryze.com, Linkedin.com and FastCompany.com company of friends. These groups have made an impact on many businesses I have known through the years. Adrian Miller, a great sales trainer is involved with the New York chapter.

Squidoo is an interesting site that Nancy Shenker a fantastic marketer introduced me to and if you don’t want to blog maybe you’ll want to Squidoo. As defined by their web site Squidoo's goal as a platform is to bring the power of recommendation to search. You can create a page, known as a lens and make recommendations. You earn a return on your recommendations which can be used to help your business, or you can use it to help fundraising for a charitable organization. Squidoo was started by the Original Squid, Seth Godin who I have to say is one of my favorite authors and original thinkers.

Tell me some of your favorite sites or just leave a comment about what you’ve read so far, your feedback as you can see means so much to me.

This is Jennifer Shaheen the Technology Therapist with a your technology tip of the week!

How Do We Remember it All?

2006-06-05T18:39:00.000-06:00

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at a monthly meeting of SCORE councelors; If you are not familiar with this organization, they are a wonderful association that helps small businesses through counceling and workshops. Workshops that I am pleased to be a leader of several times a year. My presentation to the councelors was on the technologies that can help small businesses market and grow their companies over the Internet. The presentation ranged from Search Engine Optimization , Pay-Per-Click advertising , to Email Marketing , and Affiliate Programs and finished with Blogging and Podcasting. It was an hour packed full of information . When the session was all over , they were happy to be more aware of what is available out there. After the presentation I had lunch with one of the councelors who expressed his enjoyment over the presentation; however he reminded me that all this great information is difficult to retain. How do we remember it all?

This question comes up very frequently in my line of work. Whether I am expalining how to use Microsoft Outlook, or discussing all the details behind launching an eCommerce web site, people wonder how do I remember it all. It is not much different than many of my clients - it is my job, rather my passion to understand the technologies that help make me a better marketer and a more proficient worker. I am in awe of people who work in the financial industry, personally that is an area that baffles me at times, and if I don't stop and really concentrate on what my advisor is explaining I feel like a kid who was just introduced to algebra for the first time.

Real Estate is another industry so many details to understand. Lawyers, accountants, in every occupation there are so many things to understand. That's why we are taught as entreprenuers to Focus. So my focus is on technologies that help small to mid sized businesses market their company and stay efficient.

Now with that in mind - how do I remember all this information? I talk about the technologies I have learned about and of course I try them first hand. I find a project to work on to try out the technology and ask myself, "What do my clients want to know? How will they approach this new program?" Second I teach what I learn. That is my big secret. I have found teaching has made it easier to remember what I learn. When you teach other people about what you know , you repeat the information over and over and it increases the retention. Practice makes perfect - right! I am also known to make punch lists that have the main points I need to remember, training materials and of course speaking and writing about what I have learned. How do you remember the details of your industry? Take those tricks and skills and begin applying them to areas you're not as comfortable with and you will see your retention grow.

Teach co-workers and if you are a sole proprieter try to find opportunities to explain your knowledge to people you network with. Look for reciprical relationships with other sole proprieters therefore you can help each other. And remember if you are not an expert in a specific area try to reach out to those who are , you will find many times they have information or advice that will save you time and money.

I will have a new checklist for web sites for you soon thanks to my friends at SCORE who have inspired me to write out a few checklists on the technologies mentioned above. If you have any feedback or want to know about anything mentioned in this blog please leave a comment or contact me directly by emailing ask@technologytherapy.com

Run Your Business Like a Casino

2006-05-08T19:21:00.000-06:00

My husband is a history geek, so when I turn on my cable box the history channel is the first thing I see. Recently something caught my interest, a program about casinos. The show was illustrating how much detail casino's store on their customers through the "players card". This made me think how much do I know about my customers? I keep track of the date I met someone, where I met my clients, or who they were referred by, and birthdays when I can I get them. I wonder is that really enough?

I consider myself a power networker and I do collect more data than I listed above, but I am wondering does it really strengthen my relationship with my customer? Understanding and learning about your customers is not just about the superficial information. It’s about anticipating what they need, how they want to work, and looking for the pain they experience in their business. Knowing if they have grown or downsized and why. Are you looking for this information? Have you asked for it? When was the last time you called each person in your database to see how they are doing? Where their business is and how you can support their decisions? Now we're thinking like a casino.

Collecting information is not enough, you have to use it. In my ACT database I can tell you which of my customers refers the most business to me. We review each client’s information before we pick up the phone and call them. We always ask about family, hobbies and how their business is doing. We schedule follow ups 3-4 times a year with clients to see if our involvement had a long term impact on their organization. We call just to network and see how we can help bring our clients business.

Running your business like a casino is a great goal, but remember it is a process. You need to train yourself and your staff to make the effort to dig deeper. You need to make the time to show your clients you care. Offer your clients rewards for choosing your company over and over again. Here are some ideas; discount pricing, gift certificates for books, or send over a basket of goodies just because. People are at the heart of every business and we all want to feel special. In a world full of impersonal voice mail systems and emails making someone feel special will be appreciated and talked about for years. After all isn’t that the best marketing tactic of all?

Get Inspired!

2006-04-13T14:14:00.000-06:00

I get inspired by all types of things watching people, reading articles or newsletters and even by just gazing out the window. I spend at least 60% of my day reading email, and today I realized how just reading my email is affecting the growth of my company.

I have been feeling less creative and inspired than normal. Today at lunch
I stopped and read a short article in my MCC newspaper, and I realized why. I am overloaded by reading just email. I am checking my blackberry every few minutes for a new update about projects I am involved with. Even now, I am writing this blog on my blackberry. Some people call this being available. Some days I feel that is true and other days I find it stumps my company’s growth. Now, I ask you the same question is your email causing you to feel overwhelmed? Do you feel the stress of being available all the time?

On any given day I receive between 15 – 75 emails , that does not even
include spam. Thank you to the techies for the spam filters!! Important
emails about web sites we are working on and updates from my team. So being
out of touch is not an option for me. But I feel that as a business owner I
need to spend at least 30 minutes a day to find time to be inspired. Taking the time to read news about my industry, read a new book or take part in a tele-class or a web class. If I don’t take the time out I will find my sales dropping and my client relationships lacking. Coffee at Luna’s, a great book, really explained this to me, and the article I read at lunch reminded me. You need to stop and absorb your business, and your life, so you can grow and move forward. If you can’t be away from your blackberry or email for an extended period of time; find the 30 minutes to be email free and see ho w it affects your productivity.

Celebrating Failure

2006-03-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Failure is an ugly word to hear. Saying it to myself right now just evokes feelings of sadness, anger and frustration. Why? Aren’t we taught that if we fail than there is a lesson to be learned in the end? My mind has been so wrapped up with this whole concept, since earlier in the day when I heard a radio show discussing Donald Trump’s successes and failures. The callers were mainly just harping on his failures.

I am putting it out there and maybe this will inspire you as well. Guess what, I have failed. I say it with pride, I am celebrating my failure. Would it be nice to say you have succeeded at everything you have ever done? Would you appreciate it as much? Would you ever learn to grow as a person or a business owner if everything was a success? I truly doubt it since failure is part of being a success.

Athletes celebrate their failure it encourages them to; try harder, be better and stay focused. Many of us in the business world put so much focus on success, but celebrating failure now that takes courage. To be able to actually look back at what has failed and dissect all of it’s pieces is a opportunity. What went wrong? Was it a bad idea or just bad timing? Did communication play a factor?

Celebrating failure is not about placing blame. It’s over, when it’s all said and done you can’t turn back the hands of time. All of the should’ve, would’ve could’ve in the world won’t do you any good. Look back at it with the mental focus of examining, learning and planning to avoid the same mistakes twice.

Making decisions about growing a business is never easy. That’s why we, entrepreneurs, are called the risk takers. Calculate and plan as much as possible but it can still need a leap of faith.

So if your next big idea does not succeed don’t sweep it under the carpet celebrate it! And remember success and failure do go hand-in hand. In the long run it makes us all stronger, wiser and much more successful!

Securing Email Attachments

2006-02-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

First I want to confirm that everyone is aware that email is not a secure way to communicate with people. You should never put social security or credit card numbers in an email. That being clarified. What do you do if you need to get documents to people in a secure manner via email?

Thanks to a program called
Attach Plus you can do just that. So if you’re an accountant, lawyer, financial advisor or a business owner and want to protect your information you may want to check out this software. It is easy to use and integrates well with Outlook and other programs.

How it works is that the application allows you to send a password protected PDF document via email. You can set up a password with your client so they can each have their own.

The best thing about this program is that it is inexpensive. I am utilizing the book marking feature to easily add multiple documents to one PDF and change the order.

So keep your information safe and secure. And let me know about programs that you think are helping your business.

This is Jennifer Shaheen The Technology Therapist with your technology tip of the week.

Understanding Google Search Indexing

2006-02-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

So many of my clients ask me about being found in Google with out paying for placement. This is referred to as being found naturally or organically. Being found in Google or other search engines is not as simple as putting up a web site. You have to think about how search engines work. They crawl through sites indexing the pages looking at the frequency of words, links and how often the site is updated. This is a rather simple explanation, I will begin to clarify how this process works. Search engines like Google have rules about how they work and what they consider to be fair. Google stands by their principles and last week according to an article I found on newsfactormagazine, Google Delisted a major company from their search index. ( View the story )

My purpose in sharing this story with you, is to encourage you to explore how you can be found in Google, however be aware of those organizations that say they can get you to the top. Ask them about the rules. Talk to their past clients about how they work. Search the news archives for stories on their company. Take a little time to understand how it works.

We all want to be found on the web but it is important to understand what goes into this process.

If you have had any experience with this area please share your comments.

Finding the Perfect Fit!

2006-01-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

I was shopping for shoes to go with my New Year’s Eve dress last month. How I love to find cute shoes, but they need to be comfortable. As I glanced around, I found myself envious of some of the women around me who seemed to walk effortlessly in shoes over 2 inches. If your one of those women – wow! As for me I have to find something a little lower. I am one of those women that by the end of the night I’m still on the dance floor but my shoes are tucked under the table.

I have come to terms with the fact that I will never be comfortable in extremely high heals. They are just not for me. This realization made me think about how so many people force themselves into things that just aren’t comfortable. There are some Jimmy Choo shoes I’d love to wear, but I can’t do it! It’s just not the right fit for me.

Are you finding the right fit for you and your company? You see finding the right shoes is not that different from finding the right PDA (personal digital assistant), Web Designer or CRM (customer relationship management) application to use for you and your business. You need to ask yourself some of the same questions.

What’s the occasion or purpose?

When choosing the right shoes to buy, knowing the occasion makes a big difference in your choice. Different shoes go with different events. You decide the look you want, the outfit the shoes need to go with and how you want to feel. The shoes need to match the outfit.

Technology decisions are no different. What is the purpose? What kind of look do you want your application to have? How do you want to feel as you work? Does this application connect with the other items in your pipeline?

Take your time to look for something that will be comfortable for you. If your working with a consultant that is trying to push you into something, step back. Technologies like shoes come in different designers, sizes, shapes and colors. If you are only being told about one designer you’re missing out. Many times it just takes a trip to a different store to find the perfect shoes to go with your outfit. Talk to someone else, search the web, or ask other people in your industry. You may be surprised to find that the technology you seek is not found in all stores. Just like the perfect pair of shoes may be found at a remote boutique, or in a friends closet. Search for the right technology. Find the right fit!