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Monday, February 26, 2007

An Outline of IT Audits: The Three Main Parts, Features and Benefits

There are three parts to IT audits: actual features; a written and detailed report; a set of vendor-neutral recommendations. You need to explain the three parts of IT audits carefully by focusing on benefits in order to sell them to clients.

IT Audits: Features of Your Audit

You need to complete the following steps as features of your IT audits:

1. Review the current network

2. Look at the configurations of PCs;

3. Look at the telco circuts;

4. Analyze and critique IT policies of the client;

5. Examine data security and data protection measures that are currently used;

6. Explain data loss risks to clients.

Change these features of IT audits into benefits such as the ability to understand what is already owned, awareness of the limitations of the items owned, a knowledge of weaknesses of systems and what could be done to get the most out of current systems and processes.

IT Audits: Written, Detailed Reports

Provide clients with a written report that includes a detailed and up-to-date assessment of inventory. This report give clients the following benefits: complete documentation for insurance; better ability to make good decisions about future purchases.

IT Audits: Provide a Set of Recommendations

As part of IT audits, you need to give clients a vendor-neutral series of recommendations named in order of possible risk and importance. The benefit of these recommendations to clients is that it protects them from being swayed to purchase products from non-technical sales representatives. This part of IT audits also helps clients understand their current IT investments and what they will need in the future.

IT Audits: The Three Parts, Features and Benefits

If you present the parts of IT audits to clients in a way that stresses features and benefits you will make the important point to them that IT audits are necessary and help them understand the reasons why they can help the future of a business.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Selling and Maintaining Computer Service Contracts

Computer service contracts are incredibly intricate and important parts of a business and need to be carefully maintained. Each computer service contract has to be sold with a good and consistent system, and each client needs follow up.

Go to each client with a prepared computer service contract. Base the amount of details you provide on the individual client; if the client likes computer service contracts that are detailed, provide as many details as you can, but if he/she prefers shorter versions, have that ready.

Computer Service Contracts: Time Block Contracts

This type of computer service contract involves a purchase of your time with the hope the client will renew the computer service agreement once the time expires. The basic information required in this type of computer service agreement is the following elements: the normal rate; the discount given for prepayment of the specified number of hours; the length of time the prepaid time block stands; the list of services that are included.

When clients sign time block computer service contracts, push them to use the time quickly. You want clients to realize how much IT affects their daily operations and show them that service contracts can be an essential item. This will encourage purchase of longer periods of time and year-long contracts.

When you have a client on a computer service contract, you want the client t use up time blocks consistently. If the client is not using these blocks up quickly, he/she is just a customer. Clients become customers when they renew their computer service contract time blocks or go to an annual contract.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Monday, February 19, 2007

The Benefits of Computer Service Contracts from a Client’s Perspective

Computer service contracts have real benefits for you and the long-term success of your business, but they are equally beneficial to each client. You need to make sure clients are aware of the benefits of computer service contracts if you are going to get them to sign on the dotted line.

If you clearly outline the benefits of computer service contracts to clients during sales calls, you can help get more clients signed on and add to the longevity and success of your business.

The Benefits of Computer Service Contracts for Clients

1. Dependability: Clients know with computer service contracts that you will be there for them in good times and bad. Computer service contracts are insurance policies offered at a premium.

2. Ownership of a part of you and your business: Clients on computer service contracts own a part of you and your business. They share you with other clients, but they can count on you as if you are a tech person on staff.

3. Peace of mind: Computer service contracts are a commitment you make to be there for clients for the long haul.

4. Hourly billing rates at a discount: You can waive some premiums, surcharges and fees and can offer clients on computer service contracts lower billing minimums.

5. Priority: Clients that sign onto computer service contracts get prioritized response time and scheduling precedence.

6. Access to your entire menu of virtual IT services and perks: Clients signed onto computer service contracts can use the whole range of your services and the perks that come along with them. They get access to different businesses in the area because of your relationships within the community.

Computer Service Contracts and Your Clients

Computer service contracts provide real value to loyal clients. You shouldn’t have to come up with pushy sales campaigns to get clients to agree to them if you really articulate the benefits they offer.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

Sunday, February 18, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit Put into Practice: Ivan Judd and Photocom NZ, Ltd.

Computer consultants throughout the world are using the practical advice and templates offered by the Computer Consulting Kit. The Computer Consulting Kit outlines tangible strategies for marketing and sales along with templates to help establish rates, handle administrative functions and develop critical service contracts that will attract and keep long-term, steady and high-paying clients.

The Computer Consulting Kit in Wakatane, New Zealand

Ivan Judd, owner of Photocom NZ, Ltd. in Wakatane New Zealand, like many other computer consultants has found himself sometimes in a rut while trying to juggle the many tasks of operating his business and deliver the best services to clients. With suggestions provided by the Computer Consulting Kit about marketing and how to build a trustworthy reputation with clients, he has been able to boost his presence in the community and offer high quality solutions.

Becoming a trusted member of the community, known for offering high quality IT solutions takes time, and by thinking creatively and diversifying techniques for sales and marketing, Ivan has advanced his business and improved the quality of his client relationships.

“Last year we received public acknowledgement that our company is the dominant IT service company in our area. The Computer Consulting Kit enabled me to look at specific solutions with a different perspective, instead of following our previous habit of running around ‘putting out brush fires.’ We were able to earn an additional $30,000 in revenue.”

The Bottom Line of the Computer Consulting Kit

Ivan Judd has learned how to build his reputation within his community with the help of the Computer Consulting Kit and its presentation of practical marketing strategies and organizational tips. Join the many computer consultants worldwide that are learning to make the most of their businesses with free tips and helpful templates and information in the Computer Consulting Kit.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Get the Pricing Strategy Right from the Beginning

You have to think about your pricing strategy from the beginning of your business. Once you set a pricing strategy for your services, you won’t be able to change it very easily.

Clients depend upon a reliable pricing structure and will resist if and when you decide to change it. You can’t change your pricing strategy dramatically or you may lose clients completely.

What Increases Should You Use?

If you increase more than five to fifteen percent, you will probably get really negative responses from clients. If you intend to make a significant change in your pricing strategy, you will probably have to think about replacing clients entirely.

If you really need to make a change in your pricing strategy in order to stay afloat, you will have to find new clients that are willing to be brought on at your new rate. You will also face probably $500 to $1,200 in client acquisition cost.

Start Right from the Beginning with Your Pricing Strategy

Instead of facing a great deal of costs, you are better off starting off with the right pricing strategy so you can pass along minor increases gently and keep clients for the long term.

The Main Idea of Pricing Strategy

Pricing strategy is a critical component from the very beginning of a consulting business and will affect the long-term success of your business. Choose your pricing strategy well from the beginning and avoid attracting the wrong type of clients.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit in Practice: Worldian Technology, LLC in Ohio

The Computer Consulting Kit offers practical advice for those in the IT services industry hoping to grow their businesses and revenue. Many professionals have used the Computer Consulting Kit as a road map to guide them through IT marketing and sales strategies, how to manage relationships with clients and how to juggle administrative tasks with billable work to best use their time.

The Computer Consulting Kit: Randy Hall of Worldian Technology, LLC

Randy Hall is the owner of Worldian Technology, LLC, a computer consulting business based in Medina Ohio. Before discovering the Computer Consulting Kit, like so many others in the IT field he found himself inundated with occasional customers and struggling to make ends meet.

“I was able to move 92% of my clients from being reactive ‘Break/Fix’ clients to full Managed Services clients. On the first of every month, our accounts receivable increases dramatically. Cash flow has never been better, I have never made more money and OUR CLIENTS HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER.”

“The Computer Consulting Kit got me started on the right road, and its advice helped me to identify and separate the losers from the winners and taught me how to move some of the borderline losers to the Winners’ Circle.”

The Bottom Line About the Computer Consulting Kit and Service Contracts

The Computer Consulting Kit offers advice for consultants like Randy Hall looking to eliminate the hassle of occasional, break/fix clients and fill their client roster with high-paying, steady service contract clients. Join the consultants worldwide that are unlocking the potential of their IT services businesses with the Computer Consulting Kit.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

Monday, February 12, 2007

Customer Expectations: Dealing with Issues of Cost and Time

Customer expectations can change quickly if you don’t pay attention to specific issues that can help you stay in control.

You Have to Avoid Cost Overruns

Increased costs are a great way to lower customer expectations. You should never surprise a client with increased costs; limit cost-related surprises to projects that come in under budget.

Don’t Underestimate

Customer expectations are founded on the sum of clients’ experiences with you. If you underestimate costs for each project, your clients will get used to paying less every time, and this will decrease your value with them and falsely raise customer expectations.

Be On Time to Manage Customer Expectations

Lateness makes a bad impression on customers. If you will be late or need to reschedule completely, make sure you call as much in advance as possible. In order to exceed customer expectations you have to communicate as clearly and as often as possible. Your client should not be your boss.

Stick to Deadlines

Missing deadlines is very bad for managing customer expectations. You need to convey a sense of absolute professionalism at all times, which means sticking to your obligations as planned in the beginning.

More About Customer Expectations

Managing customer expectations is important for computer consultants and allows you to provide the best service possible to clients at all times.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit in Practice: Robert Lewis and Plato Consulting

The Computer Consulting Kit provides important information, including business templates and strategies, for computer consultants worldwide looking to expand their IT services companies. Whether you are just starting your IT consulting business or have been developing it for years, the Computer Consulting Kit can help you with important issues such as time management, fee structures and how to sign up more clients on long-term service agreements to build more stable relationships, stay competitive and increase the longevity of the business.

The Computer Consulting Kit: How Robert Lewis Generates Leads and Builds Revenue

Robert Lewis is the owner of Plato Consulting, a business based in Cialfin, Kansas, USA. He is currently running his business part-time, and picked up the Computer Consulting Kit to get some ideas about transitioning into a full-time IT services company.

Reading the marketing, sales and time management strategies in the Computer Consulting Kit showed Robert that he was losing out on business because he was not approaching lead generation and customer acquisition in the most effective way.

Robert also used the tools in the Computer Consulting Kit to better organize his rate structures and make them consistent across all services to bring him more financially solvent and bring him one step closer to full time.

“After reading several pieces in the Computer Consulting Kit I realized that I was losing a substantial amount of revenue. Now that I have that issue under control the New Year's project is to start generating new leads and customers and hopefully by the year’s end I can begin doing my business full time and competing with some of the locally established computer service companies.

In 2006 I established a formal SLA and rates. Up to this point it was a hit-or-miss endeavor. After reading your program I knew exactly what I needed to do; I needed to start billing for ALL my services. I was missing a substantial part of my income, and to my surprise my service calls did NOT decrease when I started charging for everything, including phone support.”

The Bottom Line About the Computer Consulting Kit

If you are a computer consultant like Robert Lewis looking to get paid top rates for your skills and talents, attract high-paying clients and bring your business to the next level, look to the Computer Consulting Kit for tips and templates that can be your road map to success.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Include Business Case Studies as Part of a Comprehensive Marketing Package

Business case studies are critical to offering prospects a thorough set of marketing materials.

When Should You Use a Business Case Study with Prospects?

If you are selling your solutions to an IT manager, you may want to show him/her a business case study. Make sure your business case study displays benefits other companies have received when they worked with you. Business case studies should be relevant and on-point to have maximum effectiveness.

What’s in a Good Business Case Study?

1. A couple sentences providing background information on what the company does.

2. The length of time the company has been in business, its location, etc.

3. The name of the main decision maker for the company.

4. The problem you helped solve for the company.

5. A description of the solution you used to fix the problem.

6. The benefits you were able to offer to the client.

You need to make sure the business case study shows clearly what you did and also states the name and address of the contact person in the case study.

What Writing Skills Do you Need to Have to Create a Business Case Study?

You don’t need to be an expert writer to put together a credible, solid business case study. Just sit down with the subject of the study for five or ten minutes with a tape recorder and conduct an interview. Add the details of what you did, but use your client’s words to create the business study.

Business Case Studies and Marketing Collateral

Don’t use generic or prepared business case studies as part of your marketing collateral. Instead, showcase your uniqueness by talking about the work you do and its benefits to clients.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit: Harold L. Bates and Robotics 1

Computer consultants that want to get the most out of their businesses are quickly realizing the benefits of the Computer Consulting Kit.

During start-up, those looking to create a community presence and get new clients through targeted marketing techniques and lead generation might find the process overwhelming while juggling the many administrative duties, billable hours and the sales process. The Computer Consulting Kit provides clearly laid-out tips and templates for computer consultants to help make the time spent on activities involved with their businesses as efficient as possible.

The Computer Consulting Kit in Vestal, New York

Like so many other computer consultants, Harold L. Bates faced challenges when starting his computer consulting business, Robotics 1. He came from a full-time job with a predictable salary and was concerned about his ability to stay afloat at the beginning and make a profit.

He used the Computer Consulting Kit as a guidepost to help lead him through the first few months in business and was able to succeed and create a real future with high quality clients and a competitive spot in the industry:

“The Computer Consulting Kit helped me earn an extra $5,000 in revenue this past year. I started my business from zero on June 1st, 2006 and was able to match what I was making as a network administrator after three months of being in business for myself.

I am really proud of the fact that the prognosis looks good and I am going to be able to stay in business. The Computer Consulting Kit gave me a direction! It also gave me the key words to use when speaking with new clients. I am going to refer to it again an again as I gain more experience and presence in the marketplace.”

The Bottom Line About the Computer Consulting Kit

The templates and best practice tips provided by the Computer Consulting Kit has given Harold L. Bates and other IT and computer consultants the guidance needed to start a viable services business. Join the many consultants learning how to implement the techniques laid out by the Computer Consulting Kit into their businesses by clicking the link provided. You can also get free tips and other resources.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Monday, February 05, 2007

Business Partnerships and How to Avoid Complications

Business partnerships can enhance your business, but you have to be careful when you form them. The following are some tips for managing the pitfalls of business partnerships.

A List of Things to Think About with Business Partnerships

Form business partnerships with only non-competing companies. Carefully peruse business cards, marketing materials, websites and other items to make sure the company is truly non-competing.

Have a non-disclosure agreement and a non-compete document ready before you start any business partnerships. These items need to be reviewed by your attorney.

Get a real project commitment from your clients before you enter into business partnerships. You can’t risk forming business partnerships to manage a project and then finding out that the client wasn’t really serious about completing it.

Qualify the budget of your client, the timeline and the project’s importance before using a business partnership to manage it.

Talk about the relationship and the nature of all business partnerships with potential partners from the beginning. At the very least, you want to label the work to decide if it’s going to be done through an informal referral, if there will be revenue sharing, if the relationship will be master-subcontractor, who is going to be the go-to person on the account and who owns the account.

You can’t just count on your partner understanding the world of small business virtual IT. Work in some time for teaching and managing as part of business partnerships.

Be ready to manage relationships between clients and business partners. You will be responsible for protecting your partner and your client from uncomfortable situations that may arise.

Be ready to translate when you get involved with business partnerships. Your client and the partners may not be speaking the same business language so you will be responsible for helping them communicate. Coordination is your job as part of business partnerships.

Your Job is Virtual CIO

When getting involved in business partnerships, you will be the manager of all projects for your partners. Set clear guidelines and ensure the quality of the work being done through careful management and diligent monitoring.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Sunday, February 04, 2007

The Computer Consulting Kit and Oxford Computers

Professionals within the IT industry are implementing the concepts of the Computer Consulting Kit to improve their businesses and become true technology partners to clients. Thanks to the Computer Consulting Kit, consultants at all levels are becoming acquainted with their strengths and weaknesses and learning how to focus their energy to best serve the needs of small businesses and build partnerships with both clients and other specialists.

The Computer Consulting Kit: Stratos Parisiou and Oxford Computers

Stratos Parisiou is an IT consultant based in Broomall, Pennsylvania that has learned how to capitalize on the relationship between the client and the consultant. By viewing all his relationships with customers and clients as true partnerships, he has been able to build a positive reputation within his community and grow his business. By creating a clearly defined standard for all his relationships with clients and technology partners, Stratos has made his work more efficient and improved the quality of the solutions and services presented by his company, Oxford Computers.

“I have created partnerships that allow me to focus on my strong points and become a resource to my clients. When a client has a problem with networks, my experience allows me to maximize my productivity by spending as little time as needed to fix the problem.

When the problem is database related, I make a phone call to my database partner and meet her onsite. Again, I maximize productivity by spending as little time as possible to find a solution to the problem. After reading through the material in the Computer Consulting Kit and attending the conference calls, I have realized that I am spending too much time trying to learn unknown technologies at the elementary level. Now, I focus on the customer relationship and allow the specialists to do their work.”

The Bottom Line About the Computer Consulting Kit and Partnerships

Stratos Parisiou uses the clear concepts of the Computer Consulting Kit to get the most out of partnerships with clients and other technology providers and specialists. Many other computer consultants are following suit and adopting the best practices and principles of the Computer Consulting Kit to create highly sophisticated solutions and improve efficiency.

Created By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Saturday, February 03, 2007

IT Services: What Can You Provide as Part of Your Offering?

Providing IT services outsourcing has to involve knowledge of what your particular virtual IT business is going to offer. Analyzing the function of the IT department with which you are working and comparing it to your specific provisions is important. A careful analysis of these factors will allow you to delegate tasks; what will you provide in-house and what will you outsource or not offer at all?

Think About IT Services Outsourcing Functions

The following IT outsourcing items are commonly provided by virtual IT firms: architecture design; lab offerings; corporate security; data center help; help desk; network administration; network engineering; PC floor support; very basic PC support; procurement or purchasing assistance; project management functions; business unit technology help; development of software; training center; WAN engineering and some others.

IT Service Outsourcing Helps Businesses Compete

Small business owners typically use IT outsourcing because they want to match the advantages of Fortune 1000 companies. But many do not understand how to create a solution that is comparable and fits into a small business budget. Your IT services outsourcing analysis can help these small businesses see the light.

What Will You Offer On Your IT Service Outsourcing List?

When you determine what you’re going to offer as part of your IT service outsourcing offerings, you can create your business around the idea. This idea will become a critical part of your business plan and provide you with additional marketing materials. Your IT outsourcing services will be joined by an explanation of your features and benefits that will make sense to clients and prospects and clearly tell them what you do and what will be outsourced to other specialists.

Other Ideas About IT Services Outsourcing

You have to clearly define what you can accomplish for your business with IT services outsourcing. Offer services you can’t provide yourself by specialty contractors and don’t try to offer anything at all that can’t be covered by you or these people.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit