Computer Consulting Business Strategies for 2006

A lot of computer consulting business owners just kind of drift along ** HOPING ** that their phones will ring often enough to keep them busy.

That’s called the “wishful thinking” way of running a computer consulting business… because it’s largely about keeping your fingers crossed and burying your head in the sand.

Think about ISVs and tech icons that our industry basically “worships”… Microsoft, Red Hat, HP, and Google to name a few.

Do you really think that they got to where they are by the seat of their pants?!?
C’mon… get real.

And if you want to get the new year off to the right start, your computer consulting business needs a plan of attack.

To help you get started, go check out this checklist of six things you can start working on right now to help you have your best year ever in computer consulting.

Joshua Feinberg Computer Consulting 101 Tips

Trying to get your hands on more Joshua Feinberg, Computer Consulting 101 business secrets?

Here’s a list of some of Joshua’s most widely circulated tips and hints on growing a computer consulting business:

• Computer Consulting and Virtual IT: Most computer consulting companies are making a huge mistake when it comes to their small business engagements, because these computer consulting business owners fall-in-love with the technology, at the expense of the business opportunities. In order for your computer consulting company to flourish, make sure that you understand the concept of virtual IT and build virtual IT into every major business decision for your computer consulting company.
• Computer Consulting Profit Secrets: In this article, we'll look at 7 profit secrets and strategies you can use in your computer consulting business, to ensure that you are able to balance your clients’ small business IT needs against your own computer consulting company’s profitability challenges.
• How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company: While many small companies only call in a local computer consulting business when something computer-related breaks, there's a lot to be gained by forging a proactive, long-term relationship with a local computer consulting business in your area.
• How to Become a Computer Consultant: The decision to become a computer consultant is not one that should be made lightly. However, for hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs around the globe, the decision to become a computer consultant can be a great business opportunity.
• IT Marketing: Ways to Grow Awareness of Your Company: IT Marketing involves letting potential customers know what their problems are and how you can fix them. Holding seminars and offering white papers are great ways to perform IT marketing.
• Overcoming Small Business Networks Sales Objections: Learn how you can overcome the most common sales objections heard when selling networks to small business prospects, customers, and clients.
• Small Business Computer Consulting Freeloaders... and How to Avoid Them: Own a small business computer consulting company? Ever run across freeloaders that essentially want to steal your small business computer consulting services? This article helps you avoid small business computer consulting freeloaders.
• Small Business Server Business Tips: Before you go ahead and bet YOUR company on Microsoft Small Business Server, consider the following three Small Business Server Business Tips… so you can maximize your Small Business Server consulting profits.
  

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Linux Server for Small Business Technology

Many small business technology providers and consultants are already big supporters of Linux servers. But a Linux server for the masses just became closer to reality with the FileEngine System.

Just like its Linux roots, the FileEngine System strips out a lot of extraneous features and applications that aren’t needed for very basic small business technology implementations.

Compared to a traditional Microsoft Small Business Server installation, where the small business client buys a server like a Dell PowerEdge as well as client access licenses, with the FileEngine System you’re actually making a lease payment that includes:

Hardware
Configuration
Integration
Monitoring
Maintenance

Because FileEngine System runs on a Linux based server, there are no per-seat costs and no need to worry about running short of needed software licenses.

The basic FileEngine System configuration starts at $235/month, based on a 36 month lease.
So if you’ve been waffling back and forth between recommending Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) vs. a Linux server, go check out Lauren Simonds' excellent article (“A Kinder, Gentler Linux Server?”) on the FileEngine System Linux server on the Small Business Computing web site. (link provided above)

CompTIA Trying to Save VARs from Extinction

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has found that a lot of computer resellers, you know VARs, are having a hard time making the switch from computer reseller to solution provider.

Who would’ve thunk?!?

The handwriting has been on the walls since the technology bubble collapsed in early 2001 and then 9/11.

There is just simply NO PROFIT MARGIN left in reselling computer products as a traditional VAR or computer reseller.

The trouble is however, and I guess this is what CompTIA is out to “fix”, just like we do here at Computer Consulting 101, there a LOT of stubborn, naïve computer resellers and VARs who **THINK** they can outsmart and out-market 800 pound gorillas like Best Buy, Costco, WalMart, CDW and Dell.

So I really can’t say one way or the other whether CompTIA will succeed in its efforts to save the masses of VARs from extinction, but at least they’re trying.

Go check out this article by Pedro Pereira (“CompTIA Guides VARs Through Transformation”) on the Channel Insider Web site (link above).

Computer Data Backups… Ignorance Doesn’t Equal Bliss

When it comes to computer data backups, do your small business prospects, customers and clients just plain take stupid risks?

Do they really have ANY idea just how dangerous it can be to ignore the need for vigilance over computer data backups?

Unless your small business prospects, customers and clients have in-house IT departments, there’s a good chance that they’re playing Russian roulette with the future of their companies because of lax attention over computer data backups.

However your job, as your clients’ virtual IT department is to make sure that ALL bases are being covered with respect to computer data backups.

In this article, on Computer Data Backups: Test Now or Cry Later, you’ll learn why ignorance doesn’t equal bliss (it equals more like naivety) when it comes to computer data backups.

Small Business Server Business Tips

Does your computer consulting business sell and support Microsoft Small Business Server, more commonly known as Microsoft SBS?

If so, have you really thought through ALL the of the business issues surrounding your company’s involvement with selling and supporting Microsoft Small Business Server?

Don’t get me wrong… Microsoft Small Business Server (or SBS) is a great platform for using in your computer consulting business. However, it’s real important that you know exactly where Microsoft Small Business Server fits into your business… and just as important where it doesn’t.

In this article on Small Business Server Business Tips, you’ll learn about how to make sure you look out for YOUR company’s interest first (and foremost)… so you don’t the same mistakes thousands of computer consultants make when selling and supporting Microsoft Small Business Server.

Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part II)

A lot of non-technical small business owners and managers make some pretty big mistakes when hiring a computer consulting vendor… because they don’t know the right questions to ask.

To help make sure your small business doesn’t experience this same pain when hiring a computer consulting firm, Computer Consulting 101 has put together a series of hiring tips to use when evaluating computer services vendors.

And if you happen to own or manage a computer consulting company, these same Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips will help make sure that you’re prepared to not only address the “tough” questions… but you’ll also learn how you can educate prospects (and gain HUGE credibility points) on what to look for when hiring a computer consulting vendor.

Don't fall into the ultra-common trap of hiring an independent computer consultant or computer consulting firm that isn't a good fit for your business. Use these Computer Consulting 101 hiring and screening questions as the basis for making a more informed hiring decision for your computer consulting vendor. And if you have any doubts, don't be afraid to seek out a second opinion with another computer consulting company.

Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Advice

A lot of non-technical small business owners have absolutely no idea what questions to ask when hiring a computer consulting firm.

So regardless of whether you own or manage a small business and need some tips and advice on hiring a computer consulting business…

Or perhaps you own a computer consulting business and want some tips on how to educate your prospects, to advance your selling position and frame the sales discussion in favor of your firm….

Don’t miss these Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips

In this first of this two-part series on Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips, you’ll learn why small business owners and managers find that computer consulting companies are so difficult to hire, as well as four basic issues that you must confront when searching for a new computer consulting vendor.

Overcoming Small Business Networks Sales Objections

Want to sell more small business networks? Then you must be prepared to overcome the most come sales objections that you’ll hear among non-technical small business owners.

For example, do you know how to deal with apathy?

How about concerns over network reliability?

And how should catastrophic data loss factor into your discussions?

This article provides tips and hints so you can be more effective at overcoming the most common sales objections heard when selling networks to small business prospects, customers, and clients.

Joshua Feinberg, Computer Consulting 101 co-founder backgrounder

Want to learn more about Joshua Feinberg, co-founder of Computer Consulting 101?

There’s a pretty comprehensive backgrounder on the brains behind Computer Consulting 101 on the Family Business Strategies Web site.

For example the backgrounder answers:

• How Joshua Feinberg got his start training other computer consulting business owners
  
• Which magazine publisher told Joshua Feinberg that advertisers won’t support articles and more generally content focused on small business computer consulting, small business computer resellers, and small business solution providers
  
• Why Microsoft stepped in to support Joshua Feinberg’s editorial message and why they later backed off those efforts
  
• How Joshua Feinberg and Computer Consulting 101 stepped up to the plate at a time when big magazine publishers and software vendors were retreating in a panic after the tech bubble burst and 9/11
  
• Where Joshua Feinberg’s Computer Consulting 101 training resources are in use
  
• And much, much more

Computer Consulting and Virtual IT

Most computer consulting companies are making a huge mistake when it comes to their small business engagements... because these computer consulting business owners fall-in-love with the technology, at the expense of the business opportunities.

And even those computer consulting firms that **say** they’re all about virtual IT, they really just give virtual IT lip service. In other words, if your computer consulting company wants to really be a virtual IT organization, you MUST walk the walk and talk the talk!

In order for your computer consulting company to flourish, make sure that you understand the concept of virtual IT and build virtual IT into every major business decision for your computer consulting company.
Joshua Feinberg explains how to do so in this must-read article on Computer Consulting and Virtual IT.

Computer Consulting Profit Secrets

In this article, Joshua Feinberg shows you 7 field-tested, PROVEN profit secrets and strategies you can use in your computer consulting business, to ensure that you are able to balance your clients’ small business IT needs against your own computer consulting company’s profitability challenges.

Hint: Most computer consulting companies really only look at profitability as an AFTERTHOUGHT… which as you can probably imagine… is just plain ass-backwards.

Don’t fall into this same trap. Make sure you consider your computer consulting firm’s profitability PROACTIVELY with these field-tested, PROVEN Computer Consulting 101 profit secrets.

Novell Linux Success Shows Big Open Source Opportunity

While Novell NetWare may have lost some momentum in recent years with small business computer consulting firms and their small business clients, Novell’s Linux business is to doing very well.

And that’s great news for computer consulting firms that want a viable open source alternative, besides Red Hat, to Microsoft Small Business Server.

Even though Novell as a whole didn’t have such a great quarter, Novell Linux product and service business is up 30% from the same quarter last year… and up an incredible 400% from the same time just two years ago.

Novell also sounds like they’re preparing to pump some bucks into the channel to accelerate this forward momentum.

So if your computer consulting business works with Open Source, this definitely is worth checking out.

This Microsoft Small Business Server Flaw is No HOAX

In other Microsoft Small Business Server news this week, several hundred solicitors (lawyers) in Dublin, Ireland experienced some major e-mail downtime because of some improperly configured Small Business Server settings.

A solicitor replied to an e-mail, sent by a local publishing company, and inadvertently triggered a chain reaction that caused the solicitor’s Small Business Server to e-mail the reply to the entire database… literally tens of thousands of times.

According to the solution provider’s news release, “over 500,000 emails clogged up the inbox’s of the solicitors, crashing mail servers, as well as causing huge embarrassment to these firms.” (source: Enclave Technologies)

The solution provider Enclave Technologies installed some necessary patches to correct the problem But overall, this is a HUGE reminder of just how important it is for you to help your clients stay CONSTANTLY vigilant over patching Microsoft Small Business Server systems for ANY vulnerabilities. Stay on your toes!

For Value Added Resellers (VARs) Only

Do you own or manage a value added reseller (VAR) business?

In the 1990’s, lots of computer resellers thrived as valued added resellers, or VARs as its often abbreviated. However, today the comfy profit margins on sales of most hardware, software, and peripherals items are largely a distant memory. Today these profit margins can be more accurately described as anemic or anorexic.

So what’s a value added reseller (VAR) business to do to survive?

Real simple… move up the value-chain to a true computer services provider… one that actively and selectively goes after the best, steady, high-paying consulting clients in its local market.

To be a successful, profitable, and stable value added reseller, you can’t afford to wait for the phone to ring. You MUST be very proactive in your marketing and business development activities.

Anything short of this could very easily DOOM your value added reseller (VAR) business to obsolescence, extinction, and insolvency.

Discover how thousands of value added reseller businesses (VARs) and consulting firms, from all over the world, get more steady, high-paying consulting clients for their value added reseller businesses.

Subject: Value Added Reseller (VAR) Business Tips

Posted by Joshua Feinberg for Computer Consulting 101

Joshua Feinberg Small Business Server Product Review on WindowsITPro

Looking for more information from Joshua Feinberg.? Check out this Joshua Feinberg product review on Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS).

Small Business Server Overhaul
[June 1999]
SBS 4.5 enhancements show Microsoft's responsiveness to reader feedback, focus group results, newsgroup posts, and technical support calls. SBS 4.5 makes huge strides forward in terms of installation flexibility, ease of deployment, remote administration, and proactive management.

Get all the details in the early preview Small Business Server Product Review on Microsoft Small Business Server 4.5.