Computer Consulting: Diversify Your Clients by Joshua Feinberg
Make sure that you never get to the point that any one computer consulting client has control over you. None of them should have such supreme leverage over you that you couldn’t afford to either lose them because of something that’s either out of your control or because you want to let them go. ... If you have one particular computer consulting client that is your bread and butter, meaning that that’s the one who’s actually paying the bills, what you probably have is a part-time job. ... Take a long, hard look at what you’ve done for this one client.

Establishing Criteria for Clients in the Computer Consulting Business by Joshua Feinberg
In the computer consulting business there are several ways you can best qualify clients to ensure you get the best accounts to help grow your business. Proximity The first thing to make sure of when looking for clients for your computer consulting business is that they are close to you, at... Client Size Your best client targets in the computer consulting business will be those with 10 to 50 PC's. ... Any prospect you target should be making IT a business priority, and how entrenched he is in the IT world will determine whether or not he will make a good future client.

Three Things to Totally Achieve the Service Factor by Stuart Crawford
There is an alarming trend in the IT service organizations in today’s service world. It is the lack of quality services provided by small business computer service and network organizations. Could it be the shortage of skilled computer technicians? Or is it really the inability for the leaders... An information technology consultant with the ability to see the opportunities of their client’s needs will entrench themselves into their client’s business for a long period of time. ... The three things that all small business computer support companies need to master are: - Anticipate your...

PC Hardware: How Ego Can Cost Your Clients by Joshua Feinberg
Your clients might be tempted to outfit their top managers and producers with the latest and greatest PC hardware. After all, a CFO or senior account manager has a tremendous amount riding on his or her daily performance and productivity. But they need to consider better ways to spend their money. ... If a client’s CFO spends most of a typical day crunching numbers in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and communicating via e-mail in Microsoft Outlook, he or she really has only very basic PC hardware requirements.

Small Business Networking: Suggesting Dedicated Servers to Clients by Joshua Feinberg
PC-based servers and LANs may be relatively mature technologies. However, small businesses need your firm’s expertise, more than ever. For these businesses, you'll need to select, configure, customize, secure and maintain the right small business networking tools for their unique needs. ... Convincing the Client They Need Small Business Networking Clients come to you because they need a reliable, yet cost-effective small business networking solution. ... Real Small Business Networking Solutions Begin with Real Servers How many times have you taken on a new small business client who...

Why Stick With Email Clients Like Outlook? by Iulia Pascanu
Trying to figure out a stream in banning one email client or another is no easy job. As soon as somebody rises up saying Outlook is bad, somebody else comes saying it's good and the other one is bad. And the story goes on and on. On one hand, email clients like Outlook Express and (even more) MS... What email client allows you to use more options on the agenda, bell ringers, flag wavers and contact managing tips than MS Outlook? ... This should count when choosing an email client. ... That means I would never question about Microsoft Outlook being or not a good email client if it comes...

Surviving the RFP: How To Answer The "How Will You Work With Us" Question by Laura Schweiker
The very survival of your agency rests in your success in winning new business. Yet everyone hates receiving RFPs. Why? Because they require a huge investment in time and energy – and most often you don’t make the first cut, let alone win the business. ... If you show them your client service extranet, they will not only see your commitment to client service, they will see precisely how you plan to organize their work. ... After all, every agency will claim superior strategic thinking and more powerful creative – claims that are very difficult to substantiate without actually showing your...

Cisco CCNA Certification Exam Tutorial: Keep Your Most Important Appointment by Chris Bryant
Imagine this. You have an appointment with a client to work on a server or router install. A few minutes before you're scheduled to be there, you decide there's something really good on TV you'd like to watch. Or you decide to go to the gym, or play a game, or do anything else except go see the... Even if you weren't going to get fired for not showing up, it's certainly unfair to the client. ... You would never blow off an appointment to meet a client to get some important work done. ... Because when it comes to your study time, you're the client.

IT Consultants: Recommend Clients Buy Video Monitors Along with PCs by Joshua Feinberg
Although there are really no major compatibility issues to consider between PCs and monitors, most PC vendors offer good deals on monitors purchased at the same time as desktop PCs. In this article, we'll assume you are IT consultants who recommend brand name PC products to your clients. ... That means, if a client’s monitor needs replacement during the on-site warranty period, the PC vendor usually will arrange to cross-ship a replacement monitor. ... • Save money on freight costs -- If the PC vendor supplies return shipping labels, your client won’t have to pay for return freight.

IT Service Agreements: The Offer is About Timing by Joshua Feinberg
The best time to offer IT service agreements to clients is immediately following emergency service calls. Since you've just rescued a client, you are in their best graces, and they are at their highest point of liking you, knowing you and trusting you, three critical elements that make up a good... The thing to do if this happens is to take a lot of notes on the client's business and suggest an IT audit. ... An IT service agreement will create a long-term client relationship because they have stepped beyond being a transaction-oriented customer.