Business on Sonia Cuff

5 tips for success with modern collaboration tools

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:30:17 +0000

I see so many people running to a technology because other people said it was good. That�s how our trusted referral society works, but it�s rarely the tech that solves the problem � it�s how you use it.

Modern collaboration tools are the hot topic right now, whether you prefer Slack or Microsoft Teams.

So I wrote my thoughts on the 5 tips to ensure success with tools like those, and published them on our company website:

Making the sale before you�ve met the client � why your social presence matters.

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 04:23:18 +0000

I�ve been daydreaming about replacing my home theatre speakers, since our ageing amplifier died. The sleek, silver Sony box was impressive in its day but that was over 18 years ago. Now we�ve got all the wireless and internet connected things, I�m spoilt for choice. I�ve done some online research but I�m not a detailed, melancholic personality type. An instore demonstration of the Bose and Sonos systems has me convinced that Sonos is the way to go. But I�m still unsure about handing over that amount of money right now for some nicer sounds. Ultimately, my purchasing transaction is likely to be handled by someone in a retail store � hopefully someone who treats us better than the last guy we dealt with.

Graduating from Computer Troubleshooters

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 04:48:49 +0000

The email subject read: The biggest announcement since Apple removed the headphone jack.

How do you break it to a group of friends that you�re leaving them, after 12 years?
We were just honest.

After 12 years of trading, Tony & I announced that we would be graduating from the international Computer Troubleshooters franchise, effective 1 Oct.

I use the word graduating intentionally. The Computer Troubleshooters group has been with us since we started our own business in a new country, pre-kids, without the support of our corporate technical peers and hoping that we could make this work financially to be our primary source of income. We�ve learnt so much in that time about business, about tech and about each other.

Why the I.T. guy hates the Cloud

Mon, 30 May 2016 04:51:11 +0000

For small businesses, Cloud solutions seem to deliver innovation, productivity and profitability with ease.

You don�t have to sit around and wait for the �I.T. guy� to install something on a server, then install something else on your computer. It�s all enabled by just signing up to a service in your web browser and entering your credit card number. The secure access, reliability and backups are all handled behind the scenes.

When business & IT collide.

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 06:32:21 +0000

I had the pleasure of showing a team the features of their new CRM software. Have I lost you yet with how boring that sentence is? Fortunately the reality was far from boring.

To me�� the CRM system is a plugin to a Joomla website. There are some bits I can configure & some bits I can�t (especially as I�m not the Joomla site admin nor do I ever ever want to be.
To the business owner�� the system means no more monthly fees to a Cloud CRM system. This one off purchase will last her for at least 3 years and will handle the growth she is expecting. It�s also one place to see how her sales pipeline is looking & to get instant access to the conversations had with & information that�s been provided to her customers & prospective customers.
To the team members�� this is a �central console�, one place to get a picture of what they have on the go and what others are working on too.

Customer Service � you are doing it right!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 06:57:52 +0000

Wow, another chance to write a non-ranty blog post! I love it!

With Miss 7 at home on school holidays, I�ve been running some errands with her in tow. Today I had two great examples of customer service from the most unlikely of places � the Family Assistance Office and Westpac bank!

1 � Insider tips from the Family Assistance Office

After submitting a Medicare refund claim in person, I popped across the room to talk to someone about a Family Assistance claim I�d submitted a month ago. The actual submit process was great � it was all done online and, �as I�m already a client, they�ve got all of my details on file already. No need to visit a service centre. But while I was in the neighbourhood, I just thought I�d check up on it. Robyn at Strathpine confirmed that it was in the system waiting for someone at their end to action it, and I didn�t need to do anything else. She said if I hadn�t heard within 2 weeks, to phone them. And then she leaned forward and gave me an inside tip �Phone the call centre & leave your mobile number for a callback, don�t sit on hold in the queue. Don�t let your phone leave your side for the next 24-48hrs. When you see a Blocked number calling, answer it. Our number is always blocked & we don�t call back a second time if you miss us. That will save you having to come back in here on the school holidays with your daughter.�

Vodafail by another name: 3 Mobile demands payment during overseas trip.

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:02:13 +0000

Brace yourselves � this is a rant.

In my opinion, mobile phone companies are right down their with real estate agents and used car salesmen. But let me lay out the facts and you can decided for yourself.

After receiving a wedding invitataion, we decided to pack up the kids and head to Wellington for a 10 day holiday. We�re self-employed with clients who rely on us, so by �holiday� I mean �time away from the office�. We accept that our lifestyle means our phones come with us and so does the laptop. Then again, we didn�t have to get annual leave approved.

Customer service according to your bank

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:26:41 +0000

I�ve had two reasons on two seperate days to�actually step foot inside a bank branch. This is most unusual, being an electronic payment kind of girl. The customer service I received has been rattling around in my brain as a blog post and refuses to let me get any sleep until I unleash it. I don�t think it�s going to sway your opinion about banks in general, but from a customer service point of view it is kind of interesting to put it under a microscope and analyse it.Branch�1: The cheque and the change of PIN number

To the cloud .. or not? (A personal account)

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:32:26 +0000

This isn�t intended as a comprehensive argument on how to evaluate if Cloud Computing is right for you or not. �I�ve written it to show where we use Cloud Computing in our own business, and where we don�t. �As most of my readers aren�t IT Providers, you may find something relevant in this, or you may not. �But I�m a firm believer in recommending the best solution to a client for their individual needs, so our own decision on Cloud Computing has been based on our current business needs.

Technology considerations for your new startup business

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:34:54 +0000

If you�re thinking about starting a business (congratulations!!), then technology might be the very last consideration on your mind.� With a long list of tasks in front of you (like getting a logo and stationery designed, finding an office, and working out your marketing plan), you may just requisition your home computer to start running your new business.��Let�s�look at some of your very first technology decisions.

New computer or your home PC?�� For a while, your home computer may be adequate to handle the necessities of your business.� However, if your computer time is conflicting with the children�s need to surf the internet for their homework, it may be time to consider a dedicated business computer.� Study any system specifications carefully and check the manufacturer�s websites.� Many �cheap� retail deals are superseded models, cannot be upgraded easily or may not connect to a bigger computer network, which will all be important as you grow.� Also, talk to your accountant about any tax benefits that may be gained from leasing instead of purchasing your IT assets.

Planning the survival of your business

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:38:43 +0000

If your technology stopped working, would your business stop functioning too? Is your business totally reliant on the information stored on your computer systems or could you continue to deliver 95% of your products and services and catch up on the computer work later? No matter which end of this scale your business is at, you will fare much better during a major technology outage if you plan in advance, before it happens. This month we take some of the mystery out of Business Continuity Planning.

Office 2010 � great new features!

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:40:19 +0000

Written for the Computer Troubleshooters franchise for distribution to our global client base:

Microsoft�s release of Office 2010 has been somewhat overshadowed by the recent Apple iPad release, however the new version of Office has some fantastic improvements that are worth shouting about. This month, we highlight a few of the features that will make your life easier.

Work better together�� Do you e-mail files for people to review, managing revision numbers and tracking editing changes? Or do you use technology like Google Apps for internet-based sharing and collaboration? With Office 2010, your document can now be shared easily on the internet and edited by multiple people at the same time (for real-time co-authoring). This feature alone may change how teams work together internally and how businesses work with their customers.

The 5 things YOU must know about your business�s computers

Mon, 31 May 2010 08:41:44 +0000

If someone else is responsible for the technology in your business, it can feel fantastic that you don�t have to worry about that part of your business operation.� But whether that person is an employee, a freelance computer guy or a larger I.T. support company, the responsibility for this part of your�business still ultimately lies with you.� Here�s�a list of�what all business owners should know about their own computers:1. Administrator passwords�� Local administrator accounts� have full access to make changes to your computers.� If you have a server, there may also be a �domain administrator� account.� Make sure you have a record of these account passwords in a safe place.� If your business provides laptops and mobile phones to your staff, also keep a record of any passwords or PIN numbers that are used to secure these mobile devices (e.g. are prompted for when the device is turned on).� This may seem a bit over the top, but it only takes a disgruntled employee or an issue with your support provider and you can find yourself locked out of your own systems, at the mercy of someone else who knows the passwords when you don�t.� I�ve actually seen I.T. companies refuse to release administrator passwords.� Remember, your information is your property, not theirs.

The trials & tribulations of a digital certificate file (aka why you should listen to your husband)

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:46:51 +0000

I should have listened to my husband.

Armed with my shiny new copy of Windows 7, I was keen to install it onto my laptop to see if the claims were true that this new operating system would give my laptop a new lease of life.� �Remember to take an image* of it first�, called hubby.� I logically thought this through and reasoned that all of my important files were in My Documents which is synchronised to our server, therefore there was nothing else on the laptop that I needed to keep.� I even thought about my digital certificate file from the ATO, and remembered that I�d previously made a backup copy of this file on another location on our server.� So, with all of my bases covered, I began to format my hard disk.

Windows Updates? Why bother?

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:49:55 +0000

So many people I know are cynical about Microsoft�s �Windows Updates� .. that is, if they even know it exists.� Valiant attempts by Microsoft to make these updates deploy automatically (to your internet-connected PC) have hit some snags � the installations don�t always work and sometimes they can even break the functionality of corporate applications.� To ease the headache for system administrators, Microsoft�instituted �Patch Tuesday� .. being the 2nd Tuesday of every month when all the newest, tested updates would be sent out.� This lets systems administrators know when they will be hit and gives them a chance to test the latest updates in a lab against their corporate software programs, before releasing�them into the bigger corporate network.

Dear Mr Bank Manager (aka the ballad of the self-employed)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:53:46 +0000

On most days I love being self-employed.� I like the control I have over how my business operates.� Whilst we�re still only a �micro business� (read: no other �team members� but us), it could be classed by some as a job.� However, I get to set my own salary, my own hours, my own work location, what products & services I offer, how I market & advertise and which customers I will (or won�t) deal with.