First book in the “Small Biz Success Tips” series
4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers Cornell D. Green
Free Edition from communit.us/helpdesk  Copyright 2010 Cornell D. Green Published by the author.
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
4 Things You MUST Know about Small Business computers
CommunIT's Small Biz Success Tips - volume 1, number 1 Hello... and welcome to the first book in the “Small Biz Success Tips” series. In this book I share with you a few tips on using the computers you already own as components of Your Small Business Success. As the title says, we’ll cover four essential concepts for anyone looking to thrive and prosper in this 21st Century economy. Your “free time” is short, so these books won’t be very long. Each book is a “cut to the chase” quick reference, a "cheat sheet", if you will – the product of my nearly 18 years of providing professional computer support for businesses of all sizes, written to explain not how technology works, but how technology can go to work for Your Small Business.
So here it is - in a nutshell, the most important things you need to know about Small Business Computers: 1. 2. 3. 4.
They're workstations, not personal computers Their primary business value is the information you create and store on them They're only a part of Small Business technology They're the most under-valued business asset you already own
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
They're not personal computers: You use them at work. You use them for work. Although they are called “personal computers”, the computers you use for Your Small Business should be treated as business assets. These computers typically contain client contact information, financial data, sensitive business documentation and email correspondence, and often bookmarked websites with the username and password saved to your web browsers memory. You should restrict access to your most important business computer(s). Although it may be true that everyone who could access your computer is someone you trust, their activity may not be trustworthy. Often, a seemingly innocent action does the worst damage, especially if a child or a friend visits a bad website, or downloads infected software which makes your computer unstable. You should never install questionable software on your business computers. In fact, you really should never install any software that isn’t required for taking care of business. This may seem like an extreme policy, but consider this: bad websites and bogus software are the primary sources of the viruses and Trojans that infect computers every day, worldwide. The time you spend recovering from an infected computer is time taken way from taking care of Your Small Business. Repairing an infected computer, or replacing one corrupted beyond repair costs you time and money and, even worse, could cost you your identity, your professional reputation, or your economic well being. Your business computers are your number one tool for doing more with less, making you as productive as ten people - and hopefully as profitable. Treat them as you would a company vehicle: seriously, responsibly, professionally. They are NOT your home gaming, e-chat machines... even if they are in your home.
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
Their primary business value is Data: You don't use a computer because you're a geek - you use it because you've got work to get done! Your business doesn’t depend on what type of chip runs your computer, or who makes the hard drive. The unique information that you create and manage in the course of doing business is the essential, irreplaceable business asset that you have on your computers. This information is the stuff that is both the raw material and output of your efforts - the "secret sauce", the very essence of Your Small Business: • • • • •
trade secrets client contacts financial records email correspondence contracts, proposals, estimates
to mention just a few. Too often, we focus on the parts and programs, all of which easily (if not inexpensively) can be repaired or replaced. Computers are becoming more affordable each day. The operating system software (Windows/Mac OS), or particular applications can be reinstalled – the unique data you create cannot be. This is the data you must protect. Make sure you have some sort of regularly scheduled backup protecting the data you create and store on your computers. You should protect your data against both accidental damage or deletion, and the loss or failure of your entire computer. Your data IS Your Business – you can’t afford to lose it.
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
They’re only part of Your Small Business Technology solution: If you intend to compete in the 21st Century economy, you must stop telling yourself that you are “just” a Small Business, or “only” a struggling independent business man or woman. Even if you work alone, from home, you already have a pretty sophisticated technology infrastructure. If you are connected to the Internet, you probably have most or all of the following elements: • • • • • •
Wireless routers DSL or cable Internet connections External hard drives A printer, either directly connected to a computer, stand-alone network enabled or (increasingly) wireless accessible A smartphone or, at least, a phone capable of text messaging and some web browsing A web-based (free) email account
You’ve heard all the talk about how technology is supposed to provide you with great business advantages. If you’re like most, you stare at your computer (when it’s working) and wonder where all those advantages are. Just as the advantage of working in an office full of people is the power of the coordinated effort of many people with different skills, the great advantage of the technology you already own is to use them all in the most coordinated manner. When you consider the “technology” at your command, you must look beyond the PC or laptop you depend on most. Small Business Technology is much more than just the computer on your desk or in your lap - but computers are still the core of Your Small Business' Technology. Your business computers are the team leaders, activity schedulers and traffic cops, so make sure they are all properly managed and maintained. Your Small Business depends on it!
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4 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Computers
Small Biz Success Tips vol. 1, number 1
They are your most under-valued Small Business Assets: Trying to stay ahead? Need a competitive edge?
Nothing can boost your performance, improve your workflow, or enhance your ability to provide quality service to your clients like your own computers can: • • • • •
You already own them You use them daily They can do the work of many, swiftly and efficiently No other tool has the power to help you manage your time, manage your money, and manage your communications Most of what you need to succeed is already built-in, or freely available
You may not be able to increase your staff, but you can use your computer to enhance your performance and expand your capabilities – even if you work alone: • • • • •
Use email software to sort and prioritize your business correspondence. Use a calendar program to remind you of important appointments. Manage your budget and finances using free software Create templates for standard documents and forms. Create and manage word processor documents, spreadsheets and presentations online – using nothing but a web browser! You can do all this and more with the computer you already own. Nearly everything else you need is freely available for download or access from the Internet. This simple combination of a basic PC (or Mac) and a connection to the Internet allows Small Businesses and solo enterpreneurs to successfully compete with companies 10 to 100 times their size.
21st Century CommunIT Solutions troubleshoots computers and laptop problems, installs software and performs security scans. But that’s just the beginning. We specialize in working with solo entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, helping them get the greatest business value out of the computers and technology they already own. Call us today at 646-727-0212 for a free telephone consultation. Or click here to visit our website contact form. Start Success TODAY! 9 http://communit.us/helpdesk | cgreen@communit.us | 646-727-0212