Computer Consultants Partnering Strategies

Let’s face it… it is truly impossible for ANY computer consultant to know everything there is to know about anything and everything IT related. It’s truly impossible.

Computer consultants are only human beings… they’re not gigabyte- or terabyte-sized hard drives. So in order for computer consultant to effectively and profitably deliver the COMPLETE small business IT solution, it becomes necessary to partner with out non-competing computer consultant and technology providers.

Clients appreciate this too… because it shows a form of both modest and honesty. And after all, why should your small business IT clients pay on their nickel for you to train on things that you’re not an expert on?!?

That’s why computer consultant partnering works out so well… because computer consultant partnering is a win-win-win for all 3 parties involved:

1) Your computer consultant business
2) Your partner’s non-competing technology provider business
3) Your client’s business

Need help partnering with other computer consultants? Discover how thousands of computer consultants get more steady, high-paying consulting clients by partnering with other computer consultants.

Added by Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

IT Consultancy Business Longevity Secrets

Do you own an IT consultancy business? Would you like to know some really important, PROVEN business longevity secrets?

The key to longevity as an IT consultancy business is stability.

All too often, IT consultancy businesses put themselves into very dangerous situations by either

a) having too much of their revenue coming from one or two high-concentrated sources (i.e. really big consultancy clients)
b) not having a backlog of future projects that are just about ready to start
c) not having any recurring revenue arrangements, such as support contracts

Without one or more of these issues solved, it becomes very difficult for an IT consultancy business to accurately forecast revenue, cash flow, and profits. And it becomes nearly impossible to make rational hiring decisions

But now that you know this, your IT consultancy business doesn’t have to risk suffering the same pain.

If you own an IT Consultancy business, you really need to discover how thousands of IT Consultancy firms, from all over the World, get more steady, high-paying IT Consultancy clients.





Posted for Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Forensic Computer Consulting Isn't Just about Solving Crimes

If you own a forensic computer consulting business, you may be tempted to think that your company can survive solely based its technical capabilities to solve crimes.

However, I’m here to warn all forensic computer consulting business owners that solid IT skills are not nearly enough to build a stable consulting business.

To have a successful forensic computer consulting business, you need some stability and predictability… so you can zero-in on your client acquisition costs and make sound staffing decisions.

Don’t let a crime be perpetrated against your forensic computer consulting firm.

Make sure you know how to win over the best, steady, high-paying consulting clients in your area.

Sign-up to listen to these free forensic computer consulting business tips.

Submitted by Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Own a Computer Training Business?

Does your computer training business constantly struggle to fill its classroom schedule, week after week? Would you like a relatively easy way to add some very high margin revenue to your bottom line?

Then look no further than consulting opportunities with your existing computer training business customer base.

Seriously, these folks already know, like and trust your computer training business.

So why not take your relationship to the next level, and build something more long-term, more meaningful, and a heck of a lot more profitable?!?

Discover how you can get steady consulting clients with more long-term stability and predictability for your computer training business.

Posted on behalf of Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Services Business Secrets

Does your computer services business have enough steady, high-paying clients?

If not, then listen up. Because what you’re about to learn about can make a massive difference in your effectiveness at finding the best, steady, high-paying computer services clients in your area.

Why? Because most computer services businesses are looking for prospects, customers, and clients in ALL the wrong places.

You see, for your computer services business to be as successful and CONSISTENLY profitable as possible, it’s not enough just to look for any old for prospects, customers, and clients.

Your computer services business needs the RIGHT kinds of prospects, customers, and clients.

If you’d like to learn how thousands of computer services firms, from all over the world, get more steady, high-paying consulting clients, go right now and sign-up to listen to these free computer services business tips.

Posted on behalf of Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Customer Reviews

Computer Consulting 101 Customer Reviews...

"...very useful... excellent ideas... strategic little things that I would have probably never thought of. Very good stuff!"

"Joshua and Jennifer, Thank you for all you guys are doing. Much of the marketing information that I have gleaned from the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has been very useful. We are continually reusing the excellent ideas you have presented with fairly good success. Many of the ideas you have presented were strategic little things that I would have probably never thought of. Very good stuff!"

- Jason Harrison, Harrison Technology Consulting, Nashville, North Carolina
... in the computer services business since 1990

You can get the same tools that Jason is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com


"Since starting out last month, I've gone from billing 0 hours/month to billing over 80 hours/month!!!"

"The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has helped grow my business. Just since starting out last month, I've gone from billing 0 hours/month to billing over 80 hours/month!!! I truly believe that it was the model documents, the marketing advice, and the networking advice that has helped make this happen. You've got a customer for life in me. Sincerely,

- Phil Blende, President/Co-Founder, ITEK Solutions, Redlands, California


You can get the same tools that Phil is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com


"...made me very aware of the key metrics that needto be tracked for overall profitability"

"The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has helped me identify key business decisions that are appropriate for this business space. It also has made me very aware of the key metrics that need to be tracked to determine overall profitability."

- Matt Lindell, Vision Technology Partners Chicago, Illinois

You can get the same tools that Matt is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com


"...really helped us to get our business affairs in order...and expand in a focused manner"

"The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit really helped us to get our business affairs in order. The implementation of our service agreement program really provided us the opportunity to expand in a focused manner on the market we were going after. It is amazing how much more billable time you can get when you are not learning new lines of business and new software packages all the time! There are many nuggets of knowledge in the program that we are able to use over and over. Thanks for the great work and we look forward to more!"

- Ron Trotto, Try Catch Consulting, New Hartford, Connecticut

Want the same tools that Ron is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com?


"Joshua is really the only one who knows what the problems are for a business like mine... and he never disappoints."

"I've heard business and marketing advice from quite a few different people who say they know what's best for a company like mine. The reality though, is that someone like Joshua who has 'been there and done that' is really the only one who knows what the problems are for a business like mine. Joshua never disappoints."

- Jeffrey Sherman, Warever Computing (est'd 1989) Los Angeles, California

Arm yourself with the same tools that Jeffrey's talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com


"...very clear, concise guidance on what to put in placein order to attract clientele"

"The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit is a great jump start to a professional image and gives very clear, concise guidance on what to put in place in order to attract clientele seeking routine computer consulting services."

- Thomas L. Forrester, Red Pepr Computing Solutions, Middleton, Wisconsin

Give yourself the same competitive that Thomas has now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Computer Consulting 101 on SCORE List of Small Biz Power Links

Did you know that Computer Consulting 101 is listed on the SCORE List of Small Biz Power Links?

In case you don’t know who SCORE is, here’s the skinny on SCORE and why Computer Consulting 101 is so proud to be listed on the SCORE List of Small Biz Power Links.

From SCORE’s Web site page for the media:

“SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. More than 10,500 volunteer counselors provide individual counseling and business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. SCORE has assisted more than 7 million Americans with online and face-to-face small business counseling. The SCORE Association was formed in 1964.”

To get access to the SCORE List of Small Biz Power Links, that Computer Consulting 101 is proudly listed on, go see http://www.score.org/small_biz_power_links.html#a_9

Posted for Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Ideas for Helping Your Customers Choose YOUR Firm

Need help explaining to potential customers, why they should hire YOUR computer consulting firm?

Help frame the comparison in their minds by educating your prospects.

Use these Computer Consulting 101 ideas for helping your potential customers (i.e. your future customers) choose your consulting firm.

Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 1 of 2)
By Joshua Feinberg

More Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 2 of 2)
By Joshua Feinberg

More Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit Reviews and Opinions

Want to know what about computer consulting business owners are saying about the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit in their own personal reviews and opinions?

"...it's turned a losing proposition into a serious winner!"

"Dear Joshua, The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has turned my reseller/consulting business, with the emphasis on 'reseller', into much more of a consultative approach... where we actually get 'paid' to pick the products, which we then 'sell' to the customer... in addition to being 'paid' to develop and supply a service agreement, with even more revenue. The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has turned a losing proposition into a serious winner! Thanks,"

- Walter M. Erla, WME Information Systems Wayne, New Jersey

Learn how you too can turn a losing proposition into a serious winner right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/


"The advice we've received from you is enabling us to take our business to the next level and has saved us literally years of expensive trial and error."

"Dear Joshua and Jennifer, I had to write and tell you how excited I continue to be about the advice we have gained from the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit. The business my husband and I own and operate, The Uptime Group, Inc., performs small business IT consulting services with an emphasis on Linux and open source technology.

Because of your training in the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit, I got up the gumption to ask a prominent local organization if I could champion a sponsored educational seminar. AND THE ORGANIZATION SAID YES! This seminar allowed us to educate small business owners on our technology solution, while we position ourselves as the experts in the local area. The advice we have received from you is enabling us to take our business to the next level and has saved us literally years of expensive trial and error. Regards,"

- Patty Laushman, The Uptime Group, Inc., Lakewood, Colorado

P.S. The templates for contracts and other tools were more than worth the price of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit. We have used those extensively in our business, after of course, having our attorney review them.

Get your hands on the same training and templates that Patty's raving about at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/



"...helped us greatly and has saved us a vast amount of time... invaluable"

"Dear Joshua, The Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit has helped us realize we have no real business value unless we have recurring revenue. Just the idea of catering to Sweet Spot Clients(tm) was worth the entire price of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit."

- Spencer Smith, Xavier Technologies Oshkosh, Wisconsin


Learn how Spencer's gotten his company more recurring revenue at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/


"We can now forecast, budget, and grow at a steady pace."

"Dear Joshua, Since getting the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit, we have changed our focus from one-shot-deal, sub-$200-clients to contract-only clients. We can now forecast, budget, and grow at a steady pace. And we are no longer on the downward death spiral (that we'd been on before we got the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit)!"

- Joe Timmons, PC Help Express, Mount Sterling, Ohio

Give yourself the competitive advantge that Joe has with the ability to forecast, budget, and grow at a steady pace at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Latest Computer Consulting Casualty: IDG Drops Boston Macworld

It’s always sad to see familiar faces, companies, and organizations disappear from the computer consulting industry.

But what about when an entire trade show, long popular with Apple-niched computer consulting business owners, drops off the face of the earth?

Last month, IDG decided to pull the drop on its annual Boston Macworld trade show.

You can read about why the whole Macintosh computer consulting World just got a little sadder from this article in The Boston Globe:
IDG drops Boston Macworld (Once-popular trade show falls victim to Apple's decision to end its participation)

RIP Boston Macworld.

Posted on behalf of Joshua Feinberg for the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Secrets to Getting More Bigger and Better Clients

How Your Computer Consulting Firm Can Get More New Bigger And Better Consulting Clients

Would you like to know EXACTLY how you can get more new bigger and better small business IT clients for your computer consulting business?

The opportunities to get these new clients exist, no matter where you're located. It's true... even computer consulting businesses that are in sparsely-populated rural areas are getting bigger and better new consulting clients. It's happening all over the place, at record paces, it seems.

If you know where to look and how to structure your computer consulting engagements, you'll know EXACTLY how to get these bigger and better small business clients on YOUR company's steady clients list.

Stop settling for mediocrity in your computer consulting business and get the new bigger and better consulting clients that you deserve!

Take a step forward by getting your roadmap to bigger and better new clients with your Computer Consulting Kit.

The Computer Consulting Kit shows you how you can generate more highly-targeted computer consulting leads, how you can w ork smarter withbetter qualifying tools, how you can master the sales call process and transition your leads from free to FEE, how to structure your first project with new customers, and how to turn those one-shot-deal customers into long-term, steady high-paying clients for life.

Show everyone in your circle of friends, family and business associates that you've got your head on straight, and that YOU are in charge of YOUR company's future.

You can take that step toward bigger and better new computer consulting clients... you can do it. We know you can.

Imagine how good it'll feel knowing that you have the luxury of being able to fire your pain-in-the-butt one-shot-deal consulting customers (that verbally abuse you and pay late) because you've picked up SO many bigger and better new consulting clients.

Imagine what these bigger and better new clients can do for your self-confidence. And imagine what these new clients can do for growing your bottom line!

"Joshua, Your course and forms are fantastic! Because of your templates and the professionalism of the consulting structure, I have been awarded the contract for a HUGE systems upgrade and 2 year ongoing service agreement. Thank you,"

- Robert C. Morrison Sr., Onsight Ontime Consulting Services, Scottsdale, Arizona

So if you want to give yourself those same competitive advantages that Robert, as well as computer consulting firms in all 50 United States, 8 Canadian provinces, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and some 31+ other nations around the globe have with getting more bigger and better new computer consulting clients, NOW's the time to start working on improving your business.

The best part? Thanks to our immediate, secure down. Load facility, you can even get started working on this within the next 10 minutes at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Remember too that you're fully protected by our famous 90 day Satisfaction Guarantee. Here's how it works. By ordering your Computer Consulting Kit today, you will be protected by our exclusive revenue-generating guarantee. "You'll make or save AT LEAST 10 times your purchase price, or we'll buy back your Computer Consulting Kit. And write you a check for $100.00... just for giving the Computer Consulting Kit a fair shot."

If you don't get AT LEAST that much new revenue, or save AT LEAST that much in prevented mistakes, or some combination of the two, just show us 5 strategies that you tried and we will refund the money you paid for your Computer Consulting Kit.

Plain and simple, we want you to succeed!

So go start working on getting YOUR computer consulting business more bigger and better new consulting clients now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Here's to getting YOU more bigger and better new computer consulting clients!

Uploaded on behalf of Joshua Feinberg of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit Reviews and Opinions

============================

"...paid for itself in just one day..."

- "Being a typical cynical IT business owner, I was doubtful that any program could help us solve our various IT sales and marketing challenges. However, I still read Joshua Feinberg's basic prospecting report. And just by reading this report, I realized that Mr. Feinberg knew exactly what he was talking about. I then went on to order his complete Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit. We immediately put it into action at our company. Within 10 days, we already have a noticeable difference in our business. Now I will even go on record to say that this package paid for itself in just one day."

George Baldonado,
President & CEO, Oasis Technology, Inc. Camarillo, California

You can get the same tools that George is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

============================

"it's allowed us to increase sales by almost 450%over the last two quarters"

"I've been in the computer business for about five years and I knew that there was a way that things could be done better and certainly more organized. I just never had an idea on how to start on that. Thankfully, since coming across your products truly by accident, it's allowed me to take some of the points you have captured, along with the knowledge that I've already gleaned while being in the industry and allowed us to increase sales by almost 450% over the last two quarters. The opportunity has really proved to be valuable in the sense of leaving the stuff behind that didn't work and moving on to something that does work. Thank you."
- Charles Bryon McLeod, PC Paramedix, Portland, Oregon and Hampton Roads, Virginia

You can get the same tools that Charles is talking about right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

============================

And You Think YOUR Computer Consulting Clients Are the Biggest SOB’s?!?

Have you ever met what you thought was THE computer consulting client from hell?

Well guess again.

Check out what happened when Christine Conlon, owner of Endeavour Enterprise in the Rochester, New York area, sold a large computer consulting contract to a local school district.

Computer consultant contracts defended
Attorney says $721,100 worth of work for schools rightly awarded
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Note: I'm not taking sides here, but you should think about situations like this the next time you wonder if the grass is "greener" when selling a $25,000 LAN to a local small business... or trying to land a multi six-figure project with a government agency or school district.

Posted by Joshua Feinberg for the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit : Is it worth it?

If you're considering the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit, you may be wondering when you can benefit from these training tools… i.e. what level of computer consulting experience do you need to have to get value from the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit?

Since it's one of the more commonly-heard questions here at Computer Consulting 101 ("When can you benefit"), let me go ahead and address this for you.

About 1/3 of Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit owners are total complete beginners to computer consulting. In many cases, these folks are still working a "day job"… most of the time in some corporate IT position… and are learning the Computer Consulting 101 way of doing things in preparation for when they make a career transition to entrepreneurship.

Sometimes, these beginners do some moonlighting while they still have the safety blanket of a paycheck, but this needn't be a prerequisite for getting good solid value out of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit.

Another third of Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit owners have anywhere from two to ten years experience in the field. But many times, when these computer consulting business owners launched, they were more concerned with getting "any" revenue, rather than the "smart", high-profit revenue.

The final third of Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit owners are what we consider computer consulting "veterans"… because these folks have been in the consulting business for a minimum of 10+ years. Why do they invest in Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit training resources when they've been in the business for so long?

Really simple… because these folks value their time at roughly $100 an hour (or more)… so it's really easy to pick up a few tips that can make a HUGE impact on their business' profitability.

Because when you think about someone already billing out $85,000 per systems engineer… when 2-3 little refinements can help them squeeze another 2-3 hours a week in billable productivity… they're looking at a $10,000-$15,000 service revenue improvement rather quickly.

So if you're wondering "WHEN" is the right time for you to get started with your Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit, it's any time you want to grow your business with more steady, high-paying clients.

To learn more about how you can grow your business and get free online access to "5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business" (a $49.00 value), just visit the Web site below to get your complimentary guest pass at
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Posted by Joshua Feinberg for the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Two New Computer Consulting 101 Articles from Joshua Feinberg

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. Part 1 Part 2

Computer Consulting Profit Secrets You’ll learn 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.


Posted by Joshua Feinberg for the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

RegularGuy Computer Consulting and the Fonality IP-PBX

Does your computer consulting business sell and service IP based phone systems?

Here’s an interesting press release that I came across that talks about Fonality, who makes IP-PBX systems for small businesses (SMB’s) and some its resellers like

RegularGuy Computer Consulting… a Washington state-based technology provider to small and medium size businesses (SMBs) in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Assemble Communications, an international communications company, with offices in North Carolina, Texas, South Africa and Singapore, providing data and voice services to residential and SMB customers.

NTouch (Austin, Texas), that provides telecommunications and IT products and services for SMBs through computer resellers and IT service providers.

US Network Management (West Palm Beach, Florida), a telecommunications and computer consulting company that provides networking and communications solutions to SMBs.

Full press release
Resellers Increase Revenues & Customer Loyalty, Expand Business Offerings with PBXtra IP-PBX

Posted by Joshua Feinberg for the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Articles by Joshua Feinberg

Do you own a computer consulting business? Then here are some additional articles from Joshua Feinberg, co-founder of Computer Consulting 101.

Small Business Computer Consulting Freeloaders… and How to Avoid Them
Learn what your small business computer consulting company can do to protect itself against freeloaders and other time and financial leaches.

Before you bet your company on Microsoft Small Business Server, learn how to maximize your Small Business Server (SBS) consulting profits.
Small Business Server Business Tips

Or are you an owner or manager of a small business that needs to hire a computer consulting firm? Then don’t miss:
Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 1 of 2) by Joshua Feinberg and More Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 2 of 2) by Joshua Feinberg

How to Get More Steady Long-Term Computer Consulting Clients

Do most of your customers only call you when something breaks? And then expect you to drop EVERYTHING and run right over?

If this describes your current state of affairs, it may be difficult to see the forest through the trees. But there IS a better way... a MUCH better way in fact.

It's all about getting your consulting firm more steady, longer-term clients... that value the ongoing relationship with your firm, see your firm as an extension of their business, and are more-than-willing to sign-on for a long-term, virtual IT, service contract arrangement.

And that's why I'm always happy to see computer consultants that stand up for themselves, while taking on a more professional and assertive role, to get those ultra-critical service contracts signed with local small businesses.

I got a message a few weeks back from a small computer consulting firm in southern Michigan. The owner, Greg Brewer, wanted to give us a heads-up on how his company,
that provides virtual IT services for local small businesses, has been able to get more steady longer-term clients. Why don't I just let Greg tell you in his own words...

"Dear Joshua, The Computer Consulting Kit really helped us frame what we were offering to our clients. It also helped us avoid many of the pitfalls that you point out. And the service contract section really helped get longer-term great clients, rather than one-shot-deal customers."
- Greg Brewer, Vowire, Brighton, Michigan

Greg makes a couple of key points that I don't want you to miss:

1) He talks about how "The Computer Consulting Kit really helped us frame what we were offering to our clients."

This is really important because SO many consulting firms just kind of drift around, aimlessly, without having a real plan, vision or framework. And then wonder why the don't have time to get their business more predictable or stable. Owning a consulting business requires that you have a plan, a vision, and a framework. If you don't have one, you can simply get this field-tested, PROVEN plan right here now at
http://www.computerconsultingkit.net/pa/p.cgi/d16105

2) Greg points out how he's been able to avoid various pitfalls. This is key because small business computer consulting is VERY different than most other kinds of small businesses. And when your time is worth $100/hour (or more), you can't afford to waste time on the ultra-common mistakes... ESPECIALLY when there IS a better way at http://www.computerconsultingkit.net/pa/p.cgi/d16105

3) And finally Greg talks about how he's been able to side-step one-shot-deal customers, in favor of "longer- term great clients"... because of the service contract knowledge he now has from
http://www.computerconsultingkit.net/pa/p.cgi/d16105

If you're sick and tired of the one-shot-deal customers, and the ingrates, and the deadbeats, and the cheapskates, and the time-vampires, then it's time for you to stand-up and do something about it.

Learn how YOU can get more steady, high-paying clients, just like Greg has, as well as computer consulting business owners in all 50 United States, 8 Canadian provinces, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and some 31+ other nations around the globe.

And the best part... Thanks to our immediate, secure download facility, you can even get started within the next 10 minutes learning how you can get more steady, high-paying
clients at http://www.computerconsultingkit.net/pa/p.cgi/d16105

Also, remember that you're fully protected by our famous 90 day satisfaction guarantee. Here's how it works. By ordering your Computer Consulting Kit today, you will be protected by our exclusive revenue-generating guarantee. "You'll make or save AT LEAST 10 times your purchase price, or we'll buy back your Kit. And write you a check for $100.00... just for giving the Kit a fair shot."

If you don't get AT LEAST that much new revenue, or save AT LEAST that much in prevented mistakes, or some combination of the two, just show us 5 strategies that you tried and we will refund the money you paid for your Computer Consulting Kit.

So stop wasting your precious time on one-shot-deal customers. And START learning how you can zero-in on, with laser-precision, the best, steady, high-paying clients in your area at http://www.computerconsultingkit.net/pa/p.cgi/d16105

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg

Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit (tm)

Computer Consulting 101 Reveals Hidden Danger

There’s a hidden danger lurking in your computer consulting business… and the scary part, you probably don’t even know it’s there. Computer Consulting 101 wants to warn you about this hidden danger, so you don’t fall into the same trap.

So what is it you ask?

It’s the hidden danger of you and your computer consulting business falling in love with the technology… the gadgetry… the geekdom… at the expense of growing your computer consulting client base. It’s not rocket science… it’s Computer Consulting 101.

The problem and the biggest hidden danger is when you view your computer consulting firm’s primary mission as that of a technology company and view your clients more with scorn, contempt, or a distant second priority. If your company fits that definition, it’s not a bad thing… IF you want to be an ISV, OEM, ISP, or ASP. It’s an entirely different business model… that doesn’t require intense hand-holding.

However, the computer consulting business IS based 150% on the quality of your personal relationships with your prospects, customers, clients, partners, and contractors. That’s your #1 priority. And it’s what we’ve been evangelizing here at Computer Consulting 101 for years.

Many computer consulting business owners unfortunately ignore or forget about the advice of Computer Consulting 101, succumb to this hidden danger and fall in love with the technology. These same consulting companies usually also view their small business customers and clients as a distant, back-burner second priority.

However, if you get lost in this hidden danger, you will doom your computer consulting firm to “clueless geek” status… and at very best, mediocrity. .

So it’s crucial, no MISSION CRITICAL, that you understand one VERY important underlying principle here: Recruiting and retaining your small business customers, clients, and partners must be your number one priority. Keeping up with IT, certifications, platforms, and operating systems should NEVER get in the way of the relationship building with the folks that pay the bills. And if it does, your firm has unfortunately gotten seduced by the sirens and sucked into this vortex, or downward “death” spiral if you will… the hidden danger that could even be the demise of your consulting firm.

Bottom Line for us here at Computer Consulting 101. We don’t want to see you get seduced by the hardware, OS’s, NOS’s, or applications. Fall-in-love with the customer, client, and partner business opportunities surrounding how you solve business and IT problems. That’s the real mission of a computer consulting company. And as far as we’re concerned at Computer Consulting 101, it’s the only way to go.

For more details on the Computer Consulting 101 remedy to this hidden danger, see
Computer Consulting 101

Joshua Feinberg Explains Virtual IT

Does your computer consulting firm go around, marketing itself as “virtual IT”?

If you do, that’s great… however, most computer consulting firms just give lip service to the term “virtual IT” and really don’t exactly know what it means.

Over the years, thousands of computer consulting business owners have heard the Joshua Feinberg “gospel” on virtual IT and have attempted to make virtual IT work in their companies. But a lot seems to get lost in translation… kind of like when you play the “telephone” game as children.

So just to make sure everyone’s on the same page with the Joshua Feinberg definition of virtual IT, let’s take a few minutes and regroup.

Virtual IT is the basic idea allows your computer consulting company to serve as an extension of your clients’ organizations. Your firm essentially becomes your clients’ outsourced IT department… like a shared resource.

As the owner of a virtual IT service provider, you will most likely become your clients’ de facto CIO (chief information officer), CTO (chief technology officer), or IT manager.

And just as if you were CIO, CTO or IT manager for a typical small or medium-sized enterprise, your Joshua Feinberg style virtual IT package needs to have deliver on anything and everything IT-related such as

• help desk
• desktop support
• network administration
• engineering
• security
• training
• procurement
• asset management
  

Because if your company truly wants to embrace the idea behind the Joshua Feinberg virtual IT concept, you cannot leave your clients “wanting” for any unfulfilled IT needs… and you can’t leave money on the table for anything IT-related.

So if you really want to call your company a virtual IT service provider, please do us all a favor and get IT right!

Joshua Feinberg Virtual IT Computer Consulting Training
see http://www.computer-consulting-101.com/

Computer Consulting 101 in the Media

If you're looking for information on Computer Consulting 101, you may want to know about some of the publications where the company and its principals have been interviewed or featured.

If so, here's a Web page that lists out some of the more well-known magazines, Web sites, newsletters, and newspapers where Computer Consulting 101 or its founders have been interviewed or mentioned.

Computer Consulting 101 Tips for Lower Support Costs

Here at Computer Consulting 101, we often see that small business owners want lower computer support costs. But since this presents an inherent conflict (i.e. you want to be billing out MORE consulting services, while they want you to billing out LESS), you need to get really good at conserving your clients’ budgets for the projects that yield the fastest, most positive bottom line business benefits.

This often involves a “delayed gratification” philosophy where you sacrifice some early “easy” billable hour opportunities, in favor of doing the “right” thing and building up much, much greater lifetime client loyalty.

So given all this, what can you do to keep costs down? And what are some of our favorite Computer Consulting 101 tips for lower support costs?

When in doubt about a tricky problem, reboot first.

Tell your small business clients that before they consider an issue a real computer support problem and call your firm, they should always reboot first. They’ll need to exit out of whatever files and programs they’re working on. Then they’ll need to run through a Shutdown and Restart sequence to reboot their PC’s.

If you suspect the problem involves something hardware-related, such as a network card, modem, mouse, keyboard or sound card, tell your clients to go one step further. They’ll want to Shutdown their PC’s. Turn the power off for a minute or so and then power their PC’s back up again.

This simple step can go a very long way toward lower computer support costs and it’s one of our favorite cost-savings tips here at Computer Consulting 101.

And it’s also a great way to make sure that you don’t burn through your clients’ IT budgets on easily preventable billables… so they’ll money left over in their budgets for the ROI-exploding projects that really WOW them into lifetime client loyalty.

Joshua Feinberg
Computer Consulting 101

Computer Reseller? Weigh the Pros and Cons

Is your computer consulting business a “pure” consulting business? (meaning that you only sell consulting services?)

Or is your computer consulting business a “hybrid”, where you blend your firm’s consulting services with the more traditional computer reseller role?

If your firm still is a computer reseller, here’s an interesting article that you really ought to read on Computer Reseller Business Tips.

Best,

Joshua Feinberg

Computer Consulting 101: When can you benefit?

A lot of people write into Computer Consulting 101 from time-to-time wondering if the training tools can help them, at the level that they're at.

Many times some of the biggest skeptics are those folks who "know it all". I'm sure you don't have to look too far in your circle of friends or family members, or business associates, to find a few "know it alls".

But in case you happen to be one of these computer consulting business owners who thinks you know it "all", this article helps to answer the question When can you benefit from Computer Consulting 101.

Free Computer Consulting Training Seminar: Tonight!

re: Free Computer Consulting Training on how to Overcome Small Business IT Sales Objections

Do You Want to Learn How You Can Overcome the Most Common Small Business IT Sales Objections?

Join us on Wednesday evening, April 27th (tonight) at 9PM Eastern

In less than one hour, Joshua Feinberg will spoon-feed you tips on how you can overcome the most common small business IT sales objections and close more big sales.

The only catch? This free teleseminar is limited to the first 50 registrants only. First come, first served. No exceptions! So don't delay. Sign up now before you miss out at
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask042705/

Since this teleseminar is not being recorded, be sure to rearrange your schedule… so you can attend the live teleseminar and learn how you can overcome the most common small business IT sales objections and close more big sales.
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask042705/

Computer Consulting and Health Care with HIPAA

Does your computer consulting company have clients in health care?

Are you located in the U.S.?

If so, you’re probably aware that the deadline for HIPAA compliance has now passed for your health care computer consulting clients.

What does that mean for your computer consulting company?

According to one article on Small Business Computing, there are a lot of small health care companies that still have NOT fully complied with HIPAA.

Sincere a failure to comply can have HUGE fines, this is HUGE opportunity for you to reach out to any health care providers in your area… to see if your computer consulting company can provide any last-minute, post-deadline emergency IT-related assistance.

And don’t delay… because your phone call could be “just what the doctor ordered”!

Joshua Feinberg
Computer Consulting Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Raise Your Computer Consulting Rates

You know what today is?
It’s Time to Raise Your Computer Consulting Rates

Your hourly computer consulting rates can make an enormous difference on your bottom line.

Most computer consulting firms tend to charge WAY too little for their expertise and services.

Because of the crazy gas prices and overall inflation (see Inflation Surge Is Biggest in Five Months) , now’s a great time for you to go back and review

• Your hourly billing rates for your computer consulting services
• Your minimum charges for on-site computer consulting services
• Your minimum charges for off-site phone support and remote support computer consulting services

Stop giving away your computer consulting services.

And start charging the computer consulting hourly billing rates that your firm deserves AND needs to survive and thrive.

Best regards,

Joshua Feinberg, author

Computer Consulting Kit

http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Overcoming Objections for Computer Consulting

Do you ever run into sales resistance when selling your computer consulting services?

Could you use some help with overcoming objections for computer consulting?

If so, then don’t miss this article on Overcoming Objections.


You’ll learn all about:

• Why Overcoming Objections is SO Crucial
  
• Overcoming Objections : Apathy
  
• Using Network Reliability to Overcoming Objections
  
• Fear of Catastrophic Data Loss and Overcoming Objections
  

Best regards,

Joshua Feinberg

How Computer Consultants Can Safely Hire Security Subcontractors

Does your computer consulting business need to bring in subcontractors from time-to-time to supplement your “bench” of technical expertise?

Do you often bring in security experts, but wonder if you’re really taking the most sound precautions for protecting your clients and your computer consulting business from independent security subcontractors?

If so, then don’t miss this article I came across from SearchSecurity.com that talks about “Six essential security policies for outsourcing” by Kevin Beaver, CISSP.

While this article was clearly written from the standpoint of a LAN manager or IT director in a corporate IT environment, owners of computer consulting businesses can glean quite a bit on security best practices that must be adopted… if you need to protect your clients and your computer consulting business from independent security subcontractors.

And if you need help locating independent contractors and learning how to structure the relationship and paperwork for partners and subcontractors, be sure to review the partnering and subcontracting modules of the Computer Consulting Kit.

Best regards,

Joshua Feinberg, author
Computer Consulting Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Are Your Small Business Customers Clueless About Backups?

Are many of your small business prospects, customers, and clients in grave danger with their computer backup procedures?

Do you often have trouble getting non-technical small business owners and managers to recognize the importance of sound data backup procedures?

If so, then I have “gift” for you. Here’s an article for small businesses on data backups that you can reprint in your own newsletter

It’s called, “Computer Data Backups: Test Now or Cry Later”.

The only requirements for reprinting:

1) Your reprint must include the full bio-box at the end and a direct hyperlink back to http://www.PCSupportTips.com

2) It must carry the copyright notice at the end, "Copyright MMI-MMV, PCSupportTips.com, All Worldwide Rights Reserved."

3) The article cannot be altered in any way, shape or form.
4) You cannot sell the article. It can only be reprinted in free newsletters.

So if you need to be selling more computer data backup solutions to your small business prospects, customers, and clients, and you’ve been meeting some sales resistance, be sure to start by EDUCATING your small business contacts with the information in Computer Data Backups: Test Now or Cry Later.

To pickup the article, just visit
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Computer-Data-Backups:-Test-Now-or-Cry-Later&id=20978

Here’s to selling more data protection services!

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg
http://www.PCSupportTips.com

Microsoft Small Business Server History

When that news came out about Novell trying to more agressively challenge Microsoft in the Small Business Server space (see Novell Takes Aim at Microsoft Small Business Server), it got me thinking about the whole history of Microsoft Small Business Server.

If you sell and support Microsoft Small Business Server, here's a quick crash course on Microsoft Small Business Server History.

Best regards,

Joshua Feinberg

Novell Takes Aim at Microsoft Small Business Server

Yahoo! News - Novell Takes Aim at Microsoft Small Business Server

I've been hearing about this one for years.
Of course Novell wants to take aim at Microsoft's SBS.
But will they pull it off?
It's always good to keep the SBS program managers and product managers on their toes with some healthy competition. But Novell has had SO many false starts in this area, will the critical small business VARs really take them seriously?!?

Perhaps the long-time NetWare supporters will...

But can Novell really win, or win back, the VARs that pledge allegiance to Microsoft SBS after brushing their teeth each morning. (Yes, they are THAT loyal.)

Respectfully submitted,

Joshua Feinberg
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

When You Start a Computer Consulting Business

Are you looking to start a computer consulting business?

If so, then you should go check out this article on
Get Advice When You Start a Computer Consulting Business

Best regards,

Joshua Feinberg

Avoiding the Computer Consulting Moochers

Have you ever wasted a whole bunch of time (and money) because of computer consulting moochers? You know those small business owners who are professional leaches, cheapskates, time vampires and moochers?

Over the past few weeks, many computer consulting business owners have written in to ask for advice on how to handle prospects that have unrealistic expectations of what professional computer consulting services should cost.

What it boils down to is...

You need to be able to convince prospects that hiring your firm is an INVESTMENT (not an expense) in their business.

In other words...

The tangible benefits of what your firm delivers must FAR outweigh the costs.

Think about it.

Would you make an investment in YOUR company if you didn't see how the benefits were greater than the costs?!?

Now because you're selling a highly specialized professional computer consulting service (i.e. "You, Incorporated"), your value proposition will be different than your computer consulting business competitor down the street.

However, you can DRAMATICALLY tip the scales in YOUR favor by paying attention to one REALLY universal way to avoid the computer consulting moochers.

Simply, look for small businesses that are used to paying for other professional B2B services... such as accounting services, legal services, PR services, marketing consulting, etc.

That means this kind of small business is already used to INVESTING in highly skilled $100+/hour professional services. The notion of having a professional services firm on a retainer arrangement, say $1,000/month or more, is NOT a foreign concept.

Remember, it's MUCH, MUCH easier to go after QUALIFIED leads and prospects than it is to try to talk an UN-QUALIFIED lead or prospect into needing something that the lead or prospect doesn't perceive to need.

And don't forget, that right in your local area, there are already TONS of leads and prospects for you that have REAL IT needs, are used to paying for professional services, and have at least semi-realistic expectations about the price-tag on professional computer consulting services.

So don't waste your time on those suffering from sticker shock. Don't waste your time on professional computer consulting moochers and tightwads.

Focus on those small businesses that are accustomed to paying for other professional B2B services.

To learn how you can develop an effective plan for reaching these small businesses, how to take them through the sales cycle, and how to move these small businesses from one-time-customer to long-term steady, high-paying client, be sure to take advantage of the free one hour computer consulting business training at
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

...so you can concentrate your resources on those small businesses that DO have realistic expectations and desperately need your computer consulting services.

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg, author
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Free Computer Consulting Training Seminar

Re: 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business

It’s really busy here today, so not much time to write.

But I wanted to call your attention to a great free resource that we have available to anyone in the computer consulting business... or anyone that wants to get into the computer consulting business.

It’s called 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business... a free one-hour pre-recorded audio training seminar.

And you can get immediate online access to it when you sign up at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

You’re going to learn how to

Find steady, high-paying clients
** Generate great leads
** Get paid for virtually all of your consulting time
** Easily command higher hourly billing rates
** Build lifetime client loyalty
** And much more!

So go sign-up now, while it’s still available free of charge at
5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg

Why John Gafford the Computer Consultant Got Fired Tonight by Trump

Tonight, John M. Gafford, a computer consultant business owner and principal of Pattern Recognition in Tampa, Florida, got fired on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice.

So why exactly did Gafford got fired? For not aiming high enough… he left too much money on the table.

On this week’s The Apprentice show, each team was raising money for a pediatric AIDS foundation. To raise funds, each team had access to five well-known recording artists… including such HUGE names as Lil Kim, Moby, Simple Plan, Bare Naked Ladies, and Gene Simmons (KISS).

Gafford’s team essentially lost, because Gafford, supposedly a master negotiator, simply didn’t ask for big enough “experience” donations. (The opposing team got two of the artists to donate a “week on the road” experience for the charity auction.) In other words, the artists’ donations, that Gafford proposed and packaged, were simply not as big as the opposing team’s artist donations.

So Gafford’s "crime": he left too much money on the table.

Now knowing the computer consultant business model where Gafford comes from, there is a very striking parallel.

Imagine Gafford going in to sell a group medical practice on upgrading their office management system.

Gafford would walk out with a big smile on his face, because he got a new client signed up for say a $13,000 sale of semi-customized software and integration services.

HOWEVER, and this is a HUGE however…

The previous integrator this medical office had used had a $2,500 a month support contract in place with this medical office… valued in excess of $50,000 a year in total service revenue, including spin-off projects. But Gafford wouldn’t have known this, simply because wouldn’t have asked. (I don’t mean to pick on Gafford here. Maybe he has more vision with his business and maximizing the size of an account opportunity than he did for this exercise on Trump’s hit TV show.)

So while Gafford would be victorious in that he closed a $13,000 sale for a substantial project, he would’ve missed the point on the six-figure lifetime value of the client.

Of course, this situation is purely a hypothetical. But I see it happen often enough with computer consultant business owners like Gafford, that it’s worth pointing out.

You need to do your homework and let the other party do the talking AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When meeting with a new client, whether it be Gene Simmons, Richard Simmons, or Simmons Mattresses, your job during the pre-sales phase is to ASK OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS that get your prospect to open up… and most importantly give you the vital clues and ammunition you need to close as big of an IT services sale as possible.

After all, anyone can sell a server or software application… and sure it’s “valuable” to a computer consultant business.

BUT, it takes virtual IT sales mastery for a computer consultant business owner to sell the long-term outsourced IT relationship.

So hopefully Gafford doesn’t do this in his own computer consultant business at Pattern Recognition in Tampa, Florida… otherwise he’s leaving a LOT of money on the table.

And hopefully, you don’t do this either in your computer consultant business.

Because when it comes to maximizing the profitability of a computer consultant business, leaving big money on the table is just plain silly.

Make sure YOU see the forest through the trees… unless you too want to get fired by the Trumps of the World.

So to John Gafford and all the John Gaffords out there in the computer consultant business World: Don’t leave money on the table!

Best of luck to Gafford in his future endeavors

Respectfully submitted,

Joshua Feinberg for
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Computer Consultant Prospecting Tips

Are Computer Consultant Prospects Lying to You? Here’s how to tell…

Have you ever had small business prospects tell you that they don’t need service contracts... because THEIR computers only break down once in a while?!?

Since this always sounds a little fishy to me, let’s break this down and figure out what’s REALLY going on.

Possibility (A): These small businesses have AWESOME in-house IT departments or fabulous, gold-medal-quality computer consultants.

Possibility (B): These small businesses are either too small to afford professional IT help, or just frankly don’t care very much about IT or having a relationship with a computer consultant business.

Possibility (C): These small businesses are “bluffing” or “lying” to you. (Remember, don’t burn your bridges though. Because these days even the Pinocchio’s of the World consume a LOT of IT services.)

Now that you understand what’s really going on here, with possibilities, (A), (B), and (C), you’ll be better prepared to handle this “I don't need a computer consultant service contract” objection.

But it gets better….

There’s a way for you to not even hear this service contract objection most of the time.
(No, we haven’t started including ear plugs with the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit .)

But, better targeting (with your marketing) and better qualifying of leads early on in the sale cycle, will almost always flush this crap out of your sales funnel, BEFORE the wannabe’s and liars start clogging things up.

Oh... and one more thing to be aware of...

Have you asked how this small business gets their IT support today? Or how it’s gotten IT support in the past?

Was support provided by ... ?

(a) a “freebie” source (son, daughter, spouse, cousin, etc.)... essentially a “volunteer”

(b) an internal guru (whose hourly cost for IT problems can also be remarkably low)

(c) a moonlighter with ridiculously cheap billing rates(because the moonlighter doesn’t understand his/her true expenses)

(d) professional services firm (VAR, integrator, computer consultant business, etc.)

Now if this particular small company is used to turning to IT support sources like (d)... probably a direct competitor... that’s actually GOOD, sometimes even GREAT news, as far as service contracts are concerned.

Why you ask?

Because someone else already did the “heavy lifting” with training this small business to expect to pay REAL money for professional services.

Now the other extreme...

If your prospect is used to bartering pizza or donuts for computer consultant support [option (a)], you’re going to have a MUCH more difficult time selling that all-so important computer consultant service contract.

Either way, if you need to build a more stable client base, you need to get your hands on the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

So you can start working on improving your targeted marketing, lead qualifying, and service contract sales process today.

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg
Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Could a Computer Consultant be Trump's Next Apprentice?

Re: will John Gafford the Computer Consultant Be Trump's Next Apprentice?

For better or worse, computer consultants that tune into NBC’s hit reality TV show “The Apprentice” now have “one of their own” competing for Donald Trump’s highly coveted “job”.

John M. Gafford, a principal of Pattern Recognition, Inc. in Tampa, Florida has as of last evening already made The Apprentice “Top 10”, while 8 of his original 18 Apprentice competitors have received the now trademarked distinction of “YOU’RE FIRED!”

So the real question… does Gafford have what it takes to be Trump’s next apprentice? Or will his take-no-prisoners style rub too many, the wrong way… including “The Donald”?

Or will Gafford’s “life” at Pattern Recognition in Tampa just get back to “normal”... selling software, applications and networking services… like Web conferencing and medical office management systems?

Now bear in mind Gafford’s consulting firm Pattern Recognition (“PRI”), founded in 2003, is still a very new company. But regardless of whether Gafford ends up running one of Trump’s companies, or goes back to pitching IT consulting services in Tampa, any of his competitors in the Tampa/St. Pete area should take note: throughout the competition Gafford has come through as a tough fighter.

And regardless of how you feel about his style, either as a member of the “street smarts” Apprentice team “Net Worth” or as a principal in Pattern Recognition in Tampa, Florida, don’t underestimate John Gafford the computer consultant business owner. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Finally, as a side note, we of course are wondering what advice John Gafford would offer to computer consultants in extremely competitive bid situations… because it’s hard to imagine a competitive-bid IT project that would ever rival the extremely competitive situation faced under the microscope on “The Apprentice”. Of course, if we do hear from Gafford, we will be happy to share his thoughts here in the Computer Consulting Blog.


Joshua Feinberg
Computer Consulting Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

More background on Gafford can be found at

• The Apprentice Blog
• The Aprentice Site on Yahoo
• His company's Web site for Pattern Recognition, Inc
  
  

Computer Consultant Service Agreements

Re: how computer consultants get more of their clients onto service agreements

Would you like to get more of your small business prospects and customers onto your consulting firm’s service agreements?

Are you tired of only hearing from many of your customers only when there’s an emergency?

If so, then you DEFINITELY need to be working harder, MUCH harder, at getting most of your prospects and customers to sign on for long-term service agreements.

Now normally, I'm the first one to tell you to stop working so hard and start working SMARTER. BUT this is different... WAY different.

Because without having clients on long-term service agreements, you'll have NO stability in your business. It's almost like you're starting completely from scratch EVERY single month.

While that kind of lame "I don't care" cop-out may be OK if consulting is your hobby, taking such a laid-back approach to this is certainly NO WAY to run a growing computer consultant business.

...Certainly not if you have employees that you’re financially responsible for.

...Certainly not if you have family members that you’re financially responsible for.

...And certainly not if you want to be in business next month, next quarter, next year... you get the idea....

So let's stop pretending that computer consultant service agreements are optional.

Because nothing could be further from the truth.

Ever want to be able to retire? Or sell your company?

Without service agreements, your “asset” won’t have much value.

What are you going to sell someone?

A list of 40-50 businesses that MIGHT call your computer consultant firm once in a blue moon?!?

C'mon. Let's get real.

If you're having trouble getting small businesses to sign on for your firm's service agreements, here's a few words of advice.

First, most of the small businesses that are strongly opposed to signing a service agreement are usually too small to need one in the first place.

What do I mean? You didn't qualify your prospect or customer properly.

If this sounds way too familiar, you probably skipped one of the most important steps of the whole sales process.

To make sure you know how to properly qualify small businesses, so you can DRAMATICALLY improve your service agreement sales batting average, you MUST get familiar with the kind of sales call preparation tools that are discussed
in the Sales Call/Initial Consultation module of the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit. See http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Remember, you’re generally wasting your time trying to sell service agreements to small businesses that are too small.

What’s too small? Usually, less than 5 PC’s and less than $1M annual revenue (or your local currency equivalent).

Once you brush those “crumbs” to the side of the road, for your more clueless “starving” computer consultant competitors, you’ll free up EXTREMELY valuable time that you'll need to concentrate on the RIGHT kinds of small businesses.

...the filet mignon and caviar of small business IT consulting

Small companies that have a LOT of PC’s...

...And that “get” the importance of system uptime

...And that “fear” system downtime

These are the small businesses that know how important IT is to their business. (You're not wasting time trying to convince them to use computers.)

These are the companies that need long-term partners... basically an outsourced IT department for a few hours a week (i.e. computer consultant virtual IT)

But remember these two extremely important issues:

1) It all begins with highly-targeted, highly-qualified leads.

2) You MUST be prepared to pounce on these opportunities when they’re in front of you.

You don’t want to be fumbling around for a week or two trying to come up with your service agreement program. Figuring out your value-added services, payment terms, bundled services, and paperwork.

And that's where the Ultimate Service Agreement module, its 10 related sample document templates, and 70-minute audio FAQs program can be your lifesaver... and literally save you weeks of trying to reinvent the wheel.
See http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

So you know EXACTLY what to do get to get more of your small business prospects and customers onto your firm’s computer consultant service agreement.

My challenge for you to start on TODAY:

Retire your “fire extinguisher”, cherry-picking customers.

And starting running your computer consultant company more like a professional that’s in it for the long-haul.

Don’t forget... You don’t have to be in this alone. These tools are available, for immediate download, to lead you by the hand at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Small Business Server Tips

Does your computer consulting business work with Microsoft® Small Business Server?

If so, then you definitely should stop by and visit this new site we’re putting together called Small Business Server Tips .

Although the site build out is still very much in the early stages, on Small Business Server Tips you can already find tips about Network Applications, Systems Configurations, Service Packs (SP's), Systems Integrators, and Computer Resellers.

Recommended Reading:

Small Business Server Tips

Computer Consultants Secrets

re: Computer Consultants Secrets.com

Here's a new site for Computer Consultants Secrets that has some helpful articles.

It includes topics like Computer Consultants Business tips and articles for Independent Computer Consultants. So you want to learn some of these computer consultants secrets for yourself, go check out http://www.computerconsultantssecrets.com

Best wishes for growing your computer consultant business!

Joshua Feinberg

Your Computer Consulting Business vs. Microsoft's Partner Agenda

This week's CRN cover story by Barbara Darrow reports, "The big question among partners at all levels of Microsoft's year-old Next Generation Partner Program is whether or not they can actually profit from selling and implementing Microsoft software."

See CRN Reality Check: Next Generation Gap

So at the end of the day, if you plan to continue to sell Microsoft software into your local SMB market, you must learn how to put your computer consulting company's financial interests first.

In other words, it's more critical than ever that you focus on seeking out the "Sweet Spot of Small Business Computer Consulting".

To learn more about how your computer consulting business can dramatically increase its profitability by focusing on the "Sweet Spot of Small Business Computer Consulting", go ahead right now and listen to the free training recording on 5 Easy Ways to
Grow Your Computer Consulting Business at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com .

Best wishes for great computer consulting success,

Joshua Feinberg, author
Computer Consulting Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

How Computer Consultants Close More Sales

Re: how computer consultants can keep competitors away their best prospects.. and close more sales

Have you ever lost a project that you bid on to a competitor (i.e. another computer consultant)?

C’mon... be honest.

Listen, it’s no big deal to just lose a computer consulting project or two, a few times a year. No one, not even me, has a 100% batting average :-)

But what happens when we’re not talking about losing one or two projects a year? What happens when you’re losing one or two computer consulting projects a month that way? Non-sense you say?

Have you ever taken time to follow-up on EVERY computer consulting proposal or price quote you’ve put out there to your small business prospects?

While a significant percentage of your computer consulting prospects (perhaps 1/4 to 1/3) may be professional procrastinators and decide to do nothing...

The vast majority of your prospects will end up hiring someone’s computer consulting company to do the job. But do you know why someone else’s computer consultant company is getting that job instead of your firm?

One very simple reason...

Your computer consultant competitor cared enough to follow-up!

It's really that simple. Whether it was a phone call, an e-mail, a personal note, an impromptu visit...

Your competitor happened to be in the right place, at the right time... when your computer consulting prospect’s server went down for the 3rd time this month.

Now why didn’t your prospect, that you haven’t spoken to in 6 months, remember how hard you worked on that computer consulting proposal?

And why didn’t your computer consulting prospect remember to call you?

Like they say: Out of sight, out of mind. You snooze, you lose.

So if you want to make sure that your more assertive computer consultant competitors don’t steal away your best computer consulting prospects, make sure that YOUR computer consulting firm has at least a decent follow-up process. And for that matter a decent overall sales process.

To help you get a better grasp on the entire computer consultants sales process, from generating qualified computer consulting leads all the way through to signing up steady clients on computer consultant service agreements, be sure to take advantage of the tools in the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit.

(It's like the next best thing to having me out there in the field with you, going out on computer consultants sales calls.)

And by the way, if you don’t yet own the Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit and you order yours today, I will be happy to share with you MY personal list of 29 Reasons to Stay in Touch. So you too can have a better, more thorough follow-up process, WITHOUT alienating the prospect.

Remember, you CAN’T just keep calling and asking, "Are you ready to buy yet?"

To get my checklist of 29 VALUE-ADDED reasons for you to stay in touch with your best computer consulting prospects and influencers over an extended period of time, just put a note in the comments field of your Order Form requesting a copy of “29 Reasons to Stay in Touch” http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

(But fair warning: I don't want too many people getting their hands on this checklist, because it will lessen its value. So we can only honor this offer of parting with “29 Reasons to Stay in Touch” for the next 10 computer consultants to order.)

So you won’t have to worry anymore about losing your best computer consultant prospects to your computer consulting competitors.

Here’s to YOUR great computer consulting success!

Joshua Feinberg, author
Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Computer Consulting Secrets

Here's a cool new resource on computer consulting secrets that I think you'll really enjoy.
Check it out when you get a moment.

Computer Consulting Secrets

Computer Consultants and IT Certifications

If you want to get into small business computer consulting and you're not yet certified, don't delay on account of having no certifications.

Otherwise, six weeks, six months or even more can pass...

and yes, you will have some pretty impressive certificates to hang on your office wall
(which clients most likely won't even visit)

...and you'll pick up some equally impressive-sounding initials to attach after the last-name comma on your business card.

But you still won't have any paying clients.

And let's call it as it is
...without paying clients, you don't have a business.


So, my advice, while you work on selling and servicing your first few clients, put some time aside to at least get an entry-level certification... which can be a great confidence booster if nothing else.

But by all means, don't let a lack of certifications hold you back from getting started in computer consulting.

In small business computer consulting, good "people" skills, solid technical skills and great references often count for MUCH more than just an impressive sounding credential on your business card.

So if you'd like to get out of the making-excuses business, and actually start profiting more fully from small business computer consulting, you should definitely get my step-by-step roadmap and start today. As a good starting point, be sure to listen to 5 Easy Way sto Grow Your Computer Consulting Business (a free 1 hour training audio) available online right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com

Best regards,
Joshua Feinberg
author of Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/

Reminder: Free Computer Consulting Teleseminar Tonight

Free Computer Consulting Teleseminar Tonight

http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

Just in case you missed this yesterday...
We're filling up fast and I don't want you to miss out.

The call's tonight (Thursday, February 17th) @ 9pm Eastern.

Topic: How You Can Find More Steady, High-Paying Clients

For: Small Business Computer Consultants, Network Integrators, Resellers and Solution Providers

Date: Thursday evening, February 17th

Time: 9pm Eastern (that's 8pm Central/7pm Mountain/6pm Pacific)

Cost: Complimentary Preview Call (It's just a regular phone call to our telephone bridge line vendor in Minnesota.)

Where: Attend from the comfort of your home or office

The only catch: the call's limited to the first 50 registrants, first-come, first-served.

So lock-in your seat now, while space is still available, at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

We hope to see you on the call TONIGHT (Thursday, February 17th) at 9pm Eastern!

Best wishes for tremendous success in your consultingbusiness,

Joshua Feinberg, Computer Consulting Kit

PS: If you already own the Computer Consulting 101Professional Kit, or most of its contents, this call may be a good review for you. However, this preview call is PRIMARILY intended for those consultants who have not yet invested in our premium business development resource kit... and need some additional sampling time and pre-sales guidance. http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

PPS: Do you need more steady, high-paying clients? Then join me at 9pm Eastern tonight for an information-packed teleseminar. Reserve your place now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

Free Computer Consulting Teleseminar

Free Computer Consulting Teleseminar...

this Thursday evening, 2/17 at 9pm Eastern

How You Can Find More Steady, High-Paying Computer Consulting Clients

Do you want to learn how you can get more steady, high-paying computer consulting clients? If so, then please clear your calendar and join us this Thursday evening, February 17th at 9pm Eastern for a free 60-minute teleseminar, where I'll reveal howyou can get more steady, high-paying computer consultingclients.

The only catch? Our phone bridge capacity maxes out at 50 registrants (first-come, first-served). So if you want to attend, just turn up your PC speakers, visit this page and lock-in your reservation right now.

http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

We hope to see you on the call this Thursday evening, February 17th at 9pm Eastern!

Best wishes for tremendous success in your consultingbusiness,

Joshua Feinberg, Computer Consulting Kit

PS: If you already own the Computer Consulting 101Professional Kit, or most of its contents, this call may be a good review for you. However, this preview call is PRIMARILY intended for those consultants who have not yet inve.sted in our premium business development resource kit... and need some additional sampling time and pre-sales guidance.

http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

PPS: Remember, our phone bridge capacity maxes out at 50 callers.

So register right now at http://www.computerconsultingkit.com/ask021705/

PPPS: You can even tell a friend about this free special event by clicking on the little envelope icon in the bottom right hand corner of this post.

Computer Consulting for Micro Small Businesses

(i.e. computer consulting for small businesses with less than 10 PC's)

We get a LOT of questions every week from both computer consultants and "prospective" computer consultants.

Many want to know where the best opportunities are in small business computer consulting. A lot of these folks too are worried about whether they're even "qualified" to be a small business computer consultant.

The inevitable question... can you be a computer consultant for small businesses, even if you're not yet certified?

YES! Absolutely! In most cases, you can be a VERY successful computer consultant to small businesses WITHOUT being certified.

But a lot of this depends on your target prospect or client size.

Here's what I mean...

Computer Consulting for micro-small businesses
(<10>ACTIVELY work on up-sizing your average client size to the next level.

Micro-small business prospects often don't value and don't want to pay the higher hourly billing rates of certified consultants.

If you're just starting out, and you're not yet certified, micro-small businesses can be a great place to get some real-World experience and some critical reference accounts.

Many larger computer consulting firms even retain micro-small business client accounts expressly for the purpose of training or "breaking in" rookie junior system engineers and technicians.

To learn more about the different levels of small business computer consulting, be sure to listen to 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business (a free 1 hour training audio) available exclusively at
http://www.ComputerConsultingKit.com

Best wishes,

Joshua Feinberg, author of Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit
http://www.ComputerConsultingKit.com