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CompuConsult
is a Calgary based IT Services Company for small & medium
sized businesses. We make our clients' computer networks reliable, secure and more efficient while reducing costs. |
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René Sloos: |
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"Many (business-to-business)
IT-vendors have blind spots when it comes to their prospects
and customers. There is often a lack of sufficient contact,
feedback, and understanding to achieve the desired alignment with
their clientele."
by René Sloos - CompuConsult President: "Today's executives must make more informed investment decisions to increase selling productivity. Even deciding on where to focus can be very challenging." The major issue for any executive in our current, customer-centric market is determining the right territory coverage model and resource levels to remain both competitive and profitable. In the high growth, product-centric market of the past, business leaders could afford to guess. In the more mature, margin-sensitive market of today, they have to get it right. René Sloos: "If your company is considering an investment in Information Technologies (IT), I feel your pain. It's a pretty difficult task to understand exactly what you are buying. In fact, a large part of my work over the last year has been: helping companies filter through marketing hype and technical jargon in order to make sound decisions." Buying hard- and software is tough business. After all, how are companies supposed to tell the difference between two "J2EE-compliant commerce platforms that support XML-based integration with leading ERP, CRM, and SCM applications"? More importantly: why would they care? René Sloos: "My recommendation for all companies is to avoid the techno-trap and eliminate any focus on jargon. If you understand the underlying processes of how your business generates revenue or how it can potentially become more efficient, then you've completed 90 percent of the decision-making process. The remaining 10 percent comes by forcing prospective vendors to answer the following (tough) questions:" |
* Can you provide a case study? Working examples are the clearest way to understand the capabilities of any given technology or service. In fact, this question is probably the most effective in the selection process. A couple of things to look for are relevance and references: First, the case should speak clearly to the objective you are trying to achieve; second, the vendor should be willing to bridge a conversation between you and companies currently using the technology. * Can you walk me through an implementation? Some of the darker secrets of the software industry revolve around implementation costs. For some types of technology, customization and deployment costs can exceed license fees by sevenfold. I recommend that you force vendors to outline an implementation timeline before licensing any technology. It's an effective way to uncover product gaps and areas requiring customization. * How will this improve my business? This is a real challenge for most product oriented sales-representatives. Their explanations should be clear, supported by measured results, and relevant to your companies needs. If you start to sense too much 'product-spin', show the vendor the door. There should be a basic value proposition in how a product or service will improve the operations and profitability of a business. René Sloos: "In the end, it all comes down to trust. Recently, we asked our clients about their main concerns regarding IT supporting their business. 62% cited reliability and up-time, 56% cited security, while 52% cited performance." "But the most significant outcome was: 89% mentioned TRUST as the defining factor. In the IT sector, people want to know about your integrity. Are you just a widget supplier, or are you providing valuable business solutions? That's the real issue." CompuConsult
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NATURE
IS NEVER FINISHED The Prestige Landscape Group is involved in hundreds of projects for clients large and small on numerous locations in and around Calgary. Maybe yours too! Whether it's a commercial - or a residential project, we'll do what it takes to get it done. On time, on budget. We're very 'down to earth'! Prestige is unique. Unique in doing what we do? Of course not. There are many landscapers around, providing exactly the same services. But that's not the point. Our customers are used to a very personal way of communication. We listen, we advise, we help. You probably know this saying: "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it". And 'making it personal' is part of our success. Contact us today for your next landscaping project! Prestige
Landscape Group Ltd 4207
- 80 Avenue N.E. 280-5400 > phone |
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Secure Sure, but what exactly is a 'firewall'? René Sloos: "It's a device that connects your computer network to the Internet but... it allows only specific data to go in and out. You could compare it to a border crossing, where it will be determined if your crossing is legitimate." Okay, we'll buy it and we're done! René Sloos: "Not really. To protect your computer from unwelcome traffic you need 'the right one'. Don't buy one of those consumer 'thingies' to secure your company network. And even when you buy the right one, it needs to be 'configured' correctly. Why? "You'd be amazed how often we find a firewall which isn’t configured correctly, and that's like putting a big lock on your front door, but inviting the crooks by leaving the keys in!” Oops, never knew that... "A firewall can also help to connect branch offices to the headquarters, and give all employees access to the same data. Newer firewalls can even help you to prevent SpyWare from getting into your network." SpyWare? That sounds eh... "Those are programs that get installed on your computer without your permission or knowledge, and monitor your on-line activities. They enable pop-up advertising or send your confidential information to some really bad guys, usually resulting in identity theft." Scary... it makes me aware we need an IT-professional to install our firewall. René Sloos: "Exactly. Next month more about this!"
CompuConsult
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Efficient René Sloos: "More and more, we live in an “always on” society. Today, people expect immediate responses, answers and solutions. And of course, you want to provide excellent customer service. My motto: give people what they want as much as you can but... not if it is effecting your productivity! (= bottom line.)"
Email is great, but can be very, very distracting. Have you ever started the morning with a ten item to do list, to find out at the end of the morning that you didn’t get any of the items done because the emails you received send you off in different directions? René Sloos: "If you need an answer right away perhaps you should consider using the phone? The main difference between a phone call and an email is that a call requires two parties to communicate at the same time (synchronous communication) while an email allows for asynchronous communication. The only exception to this is a voice mail which from a communication point of view is similar to email." "I see mobile email device users (Blackberries and such) pickup their device with every single notification. I see people open emails the moment it arrives. The question is: “Does this instant reading of incoming emails increase our productivity, or is the urge to know who is communicating with us driving this behavior? Yes, we humans are curious..." Turn off that little notification box in Microsoft Outlook. How annoying would it be if everytime Canada Post received an envelope for you, the mail-man stuck his nose in your ear to tell you that: “you have new mail”! Once a day is enough, right? René Sloos: "So, if you need to get hold of me right away, no problem. I make sure I'm available by phone. And I won't allow email to 'make my day'." In conclusion: if you want to get something done, disable the email notifications on your desktop and your portable email devices. Do not reply immediately to email messages as the other party might now expect you always to send an instant answer. Like the mail- man... checking once a day, is quite sufficient. It’s not the tool that will make you more productive but it’s the way you use it! CompuConsult |
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Profitable A recent survey of 10,000 Internet users between the ages of 7 and 18 revealed that 47 percent have received e-mails with links to X-rated Web sites, and 21 percent open and read spam e-mails. René Sloos: "As with any email user, kids are just as susceptible as adults to being bombarded by spam advertising inappropriate products and services, such as Viagra and pornographic materials." "Although 89 percent of the kids surveyed responded that they have heard of spam, nearly one-in-three do not know whether spam is good or bad for them, and 22 percent of respondents said that their parents have never talked to them about spam." Parents are often unaware of what their children encounter online, and CompuConsult notes that it is important that parents educate their children about the dangers of spam, and how they can avoid being exposed to offensive content or becoming innocent victims of online fraud. René Sloos: "Having three children myself, makes me very much aware of the luring Spam dangers. My wife, Ellen and I are doing everything to tell our kids to use their computer responsibly. But hey... kids are kids."
"It's our conclusion that only good education for parents as well as their children is the key to avoid internet related behavior disasters." "As an IT company, we feel responsible and feel the need to share our knowledge on this topic with our clients and prospects. This summer we will organize a special kids event, where specific education on this topic will be provided. We will offer a 'fun learning experience' for kids, and parents will receive instructions on how to secure their kids' computer and how to monitor their behavior." So what has this got to do with 'More Profitable'? Think about your childrens' future... More about this in our next e-Magazine! CompuConsult |
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CompuConsult
CompuConsult On Site
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Finally, an affordable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution that works. In today's complex business world, competitive advantage is harder to achieve - and even more difficult to maintain - than it has ever been before. In a time of instant global communication and information, the ability to develop a deep understanding of your customers and your markets is critical. Success ultimately depends on whether your organization can respond with speed, knowledge, and confidence to the ever-shifting needs of your customers, and the ever-changing strategies of your competitors.
Contact us for a free demo! CompuConsult Inc. |
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Thank you for your interest in CompuConsult Inc. If you would rather not receive our e-Magazine, send an email to e-Magazine@compuconsult.com and type "no thanks" in the subject line. |
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