I have had my current computer for over 3 years. I had my previous computer for four years before selling it to a college student who still uses it two years later.
Using a computer for six years should be a somewhat rare occurrence but it is not. Data loss is all too frequent and is estimated to cost $2,900 per incident. Ouch! This is foolish when the problem could have been solved for under $300. Even more, hard drives have been failing at an increasing rate as we depend more and more on our computers – sometimes as high as 15% in a single year!
Especially in this economy, fully depreciating (and then some!) our assets is a high priority but so should avoiding a catastrophe.
I encourage this attempt at cost savings as long as you are managing your risk well.
Doing so includes:
- Automated data backups with multiple versions
Examples: Mozy for Mac, Carbonite for Windows, Bacula for Linux
- Routine and scheduled Hard Disk replacements & reuse the old drive
Example: Within the estimated life of the Hard Drive, often called MTTF, or every three years
- Contingency planning for downtime
Example: Have a secondary computer or shared computer just in case. (more…)
These days, it’s hard to remain calm if you’re trying to make a living.
If you’re in business for yourself, hell, even if you work for what you once considered a sound company, it’s pretty scary when all you read in The Wall Street Journal or see on CNN is a barrage of stories about layoffs, people walking away from their homes, corporate losses and the declining stock market.
For small and mid-size business owners, the times require careful financial planning, aggressive marketing and good financing (if you can find it).
Meditation helps, too. I do a lot of that these days and reflect on these truths: What comes must eventually go. What falls must arise. All is impermanent.
Another morale booster, particularly for small business owners and entrepreneurs, is reaching out to peers for advice on how to weather this storm. Recently, in search for some assurance of my own, I went to the Small Business Leadership Summit in New York, held by Moran Media Group. (more…)
I am on a free hotspot as I write this.
I had client meetings with others in Pasadena, Philly, Seattle, West LA, and Florida this week. All without driving anywhere past my nearest EZ Lube, Starbucks, or Coffee Shop.
You are feeling the pain of this economy and so am I. Even $50 a month saved can make a significant difference if used effectively.
I am in the business of helping make others successful so here is what I do to remain competitive as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I coach, train, and support others as they walk down this journey toward competitive advantage with technology.
Vons, EZ Lube, Hospitals, & Apple Stores: Unexpected Resources
Once you commit to mobilize your office, remaining connected on the go becomes a much higher priority. It used to be that this lifestyle required a cellular card for your computer that could run up to $100 or more per month.
Not so today where you can actually reduce costs by getting out of the office.
(more…)
I am in Starbucks as I write this.
I had client meetings with others in Pasadena, Philly, Seattle, West LA, and Florida this week. All without driving anywhere past my nearest Starbucks or Public Library.
You are feeling the pain of this economy and so am I. Even $50 a month saved can make a significant difference if used effectively.
I am in the business of helping make others successful so here is what I do to remain competitive as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I coach, train, and support others as they walk down this journey toward competitive advantage with technology.
An Email Revolution
Email and text based communications are becoming the most critical forms of communication today. This can cause an overwhelming deluge if not managed well. I will offer a few suggestions based on what I have found to be successful. (more…)
I am in Starbucks as I write this.
I had client meetings with others in Pasadena, Philly, Seattle, West LA, and Florida this week. All without driving anywhere past my nearest Starbucks or Public Library.
You are feeling the pain of this economy and so am I. Even $50 a month saved can make a significant difference if used effectively.
I am in the business of helping make others successful so here is what I do to remain competitive as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I coach, train, and support others as they walk down this journey toward competitive advantage with technology.
Working In The Cloud
The Internet is quickly becoming the new railway of business. Many business activities rely heavily on it and this is just reality. Resisting it is like resisting the use of credit cards. You can do it but it will cost you much more than its worth. For example, I won’t even shop in a store that doesn’t accept Visa or Mastercard. (more…)
I am in the San Marino Public Library as I write this.
I had client meetings with others in Pasadena, Philly, Seattle, West LA, and Florida this week. All without driving anywhere past my nearest Starbucks or Public Library.
You are feeling the pain of this economy and so am I. Even $50 a month saved can make a significant difference if used effectively.
I am in the business of helping make others successful so here is what I do to remain competitive as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I coach, train, and support others as they walk down this journey toward competitive advantage with technology.
Local Public Libraries
Long the domain of the academics, Public Libraries offer a tremendous opportunity for small businesses looking to improve their tech savvy and efficacy. My local library provides quite a few business savvy amenities thanks to taxpayers like myself:
- Private meeting rooms complete with data/power equipped table, 4 chairs, whiteboards and Internet access. In fact, 98.9% of Public Libraries have Internet Access which is becoming the new railway of commerce. This opens up the use of web phone, collaboration, and communication services within the private and quite rooms. I have even recorded Podcasts in these rooms with great success. (more…)
I am in Starbucks as I write this.
I had client meetings with others in Pasadena, Philly, Seattle, West LA, and Florida this week. All without driving anywhere past my nearest Starbucks or Public Library.
You are feeling the pain of this economy and so am I. Even $50 a month saved can make a significant difference if used effectively.
I am in the business of helping make others successful so here is what I do to remain competitive as a small business owner and entrepreneur. I coach, train, and support others as they walk down this journey toward competitive advantage with technology.
AT&T Wifi @ Starbucks
Most Starbucks offer wifi. This service used to cost $40 and more per month via T-Mobile which made it a luxury for only the most mobile professionals. Since switching to AT&T, the tables have turned so you can use this service FOR FREE! Just buy something once every 30 days with a registered Starbucks card and you get at least 2 hours free wifi every day – even the days you don’t buy anything! (more…)
