focusinterview.
with Linda Bryant from Photography by Linda
ChrisBryant Now before I begin this month’s article ... and before I get dozens of emails ... yes, this month I am interviewing my husband! And it’s for two very good reasons. The first is that he is a great businessman in Taree - and has been for over a decade. The second is that I had a tight deadline, so I was able to do it quickly! So here is my interview with Chris Bryant, owner of Noeledge Systems.
Business ou've been in business now for 13 years. What are some of the biggest trends you've noticed? Showing my age now, my first computer was a Dick Smith VZ200; it only had 8 k of RAM and a tape drive to save programs onto. Now they have 16 Mb of Ram, and we save to the cloud! Over the years I have seen the floppy disk come and go, simple graphics to amazing near real simulations, lugable computers to tablets. I think the biggest changes have been in the last few years. The massive growth of Apple with iTunes and iPods/iPhones, introduction of tablets, remote support and the cloud. We are adapting the cloud very fast and don’t even know it; in most cases when you backup your iPhone, it is backing up to the cloud, or using your Windows phone/tablet and saving your pictures using a Windows account. And on a local level? On a local level I see people and business embracing new technology. Taree and District people are happy to touch/try and feel the new technology and eager to learn how to best use it. The biggest local change was moving from dial up to ADSL broadband a few years ago. We will see that change again once the NBN is completed. What makes you different from other computer stores? Most computer stores are either focused on retail or business. We focus on both, and it is these synergies that make us different. Our retail has a large range of stock, the latest notebooks, desktops and accessories with a full service centre that we are warranty agents for: Toshiba, Canon, ASI and Oki. We are part of the Leading Edge Computers buying group of 140 stores around Australia, and this allows us to stay competitive with the big end of town. Our business division focuses on small to large business, from single trades to multi site nursing homes. These staff need additional skill sets to manage 42 manning-great lakes focus.
large servers and different types of networks. We have a highly qualified team of service engineers and remote access to most of these large organisations to be able to give fast, prompt service.
The other is just hard work. I know the hours I have put in over the years – and still do now – into the business. If you want the best results, then it is about hard work. Long nights, long days and working your way up the chain. The world’s best atheletes didn’t win because they were lucky; they trained for days and years to get there.
Because technology is so fast moving, what do you do to stay up to date with the new trends? Reading, watching and listening. e, Yo u can sit ther What are some exciting I read a lot of the industry d an es ur fig n ru new things coming up for magazines and websites. We analyze sometimes over e or Noeledge systems? Hmmmm, have a lot of product Webing your product ra I don’t want to give too much nars and product training that ur w venture. If yo ne t, away here. We have some we do directly with suppliers. s righ head says it feel .” great ideas that we want to kick There are a number of confergo a it ve gi then off with in 2014, like a showences that we get to, and we room and store upgrade. get to see a number of products and talk directly with suppliers. I A huge range of new products to have been lucky to be on the Steerplay with, like 3D printers. Just imagine ing Committee for the Leading Edge if you’re buying a new kitchen and the Computer group for a number of years, and this kitchen company gives you a scale replica of your gives the business great insight on new trends and kitchen. The plumber might need a special plastic a direct voice with suppliers. fitting that he could make himself. The Microsoft Kinect
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In business, what do you believe makes the difference between those who struggle and those who excel? I think there are two differences – being a ‘do-er’ and just plain hard work. You can sit there run figures and sometimes over analyze your product range or new venture. If your head says it feels right, then give it a go. Sometimes it might not work, you might not get the returns you expected, and other times it pays off. I have made my mistakes over the years, lost money, but each time I make the business better and learn while moving forward, always improving our service and systems. You would never know if you didn’t try it. I love Nike’s advertising: ‘Just Do It’.
you see on the Xbox allows you to play games by moving your hands. This technology is coming to business and schools. Doctors will be able to use this technology by operating a computer during surgery without touching the computer. In business it will connect with your projector or large screen, and you can move objects around with your hands. No more laser pointers or mouses! Thinner, lighter, faster with all day battery powered notebooks and tablets are just around the corner! I am excited about new technology and love leading the Noeledge team in implementing these new systems into their homes and businesses. Thanks Chris.