Backup and New Computer - Part 2

November is Technology Month at Changing Lanes

Back Up Options

Imagine you just had a wonderful weekend and sneak into the office to finish a project early Monday morning. You open the door and surprise, mayhem has beat you to work:

            a) Your office has burned to the ground; or

            b) Your office has been broken into and your computer work station is missing; or

            c) Your computer is dead, just won't come to life; or

            d) Your hard drive is missing or destroyed.  

While all of these are sound fictional, somewhere these happen to companies every day. Getting back to work will take time; keeping your data safe is one you can manage. 

When I talk about taxing issues, the IRS uses the words "exclusively and regularly" to allow business use of the home. The word regularly refers to more frequently than occasionally and that is what I often see people do - backup occasionally.  

Here are some ideas to keep your data safe and secure regularly:

1. CVD/CD/Blu-ray are a static method of storage and each DVD can hold about 8.5GB. This requires someone to sit and manage this by putting the discs in and out of the machine. Very good option for media (music, audible books) that doesn't change but you want to save. Just make sure you take the time to label the discs as this will save you time in the future.
2. Flash Drives have been available for a long time and both Sandisk and CES have ones that actually have a button and software that will allow you to auto back up. The 32GB is now averaging $50. Easy to configure and slips in your pocket for offsite storage. How to back up to a flash drive
3. Online file storage solutions are becoming more popular. Mozy and Dropbox are two places for individuals and small businesses. Dropbox starts with a 2-GB storage, free. To store up to 50GB, will cost you $9.99/month. Many ways to tweak this will help keep your data safe, offsite and up to date. Some restrictions on files and file size but very useful for most office files and a couple hundred photos. Others include Carbonite, Crashplan and Jungle disk. Online tools
4. External hard drives with backup software. LaCie and Seagate are popular external drives and supporting software like Acronis True Image, Time Machine or the Windows backup tool available on Windows machines are all affordable. On the External Drive, don't skimp on space - think lots of gigabytes (GB).
5. Network Attached Storage (NAS device) is a freestanding device separate from your computer and can be accessed by other computers in your office.  You will most likely want to have a professional set this up for your office.

If you have mission critical data, you would be best to talk to a professional to help you set up the system; monitor the system, and keep your data safe. Having a plan that fits your lifestyle is the key to regularly keeping mayhem out of your office.  

Linda Fayerweather MBA EA

419.897.0528

Linda@ChangingLanes.biz 

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Right Computer for the Right Job - Part 2

Last week I shared a story about a client of mine who's outdated and slow computers for his front office staff were actually costing him over 25 hours a month of lost work time. But would upgrading to new computers actually cut down on lost time?
  

Yes, but only if you buy the right computer for the job. The problem with my client is that he bought very basic business computers. He didn't think about what those computers would be used for and at the time, it was all he could afford. Unfortunately the computers became obsolete faster than his growing business and ever since have been costing him money in the way of lost time.

 So how do you pick out the right computer? Before even looking at computers the first step is to write down exactly what you out of a computer. Let's use my client for example. He needs two types of computers. 1) One type for his data entry employees and 2) One type for his marketing employee.

 For the data entry computers, those are pretty straight forward. 

• Latest Operating System: In this case Windows 7.
• A good CPU and enough Ram to run Windows 7 and the latest data entry/office software for at least the next three years.
• 19" monitor but preferably 21" or 22".
• Enough USB ports for an external hard drive (for backups), mouse, keyboard, and flash drive OR an eSata port.

Now lets look at the wish list for the marketing computer.Latest Operating System: In this case Windows 7.

• Dual Monitors to increase work space and productivity.
• Working with large file graphic design, needs to store and open large files.
• Will do some light video editing.
• A good CPU that can process graphics and video editing efficiently for at least the next three years.
• Enough Ram to run Windows 7 and the latest Graphic and Video Software with the ability to upgrade to more Ram.
• Enough USB ports for an external hard drive (for backups), mouse, keyboard, and flash drive.
• eStata port for external hard drive to store video.

As you can see the marketing computer has a few more requirements than the data entry computers. But how can we translate those requirements to an actual computer? Next week from these wish lists we will design a computer for a the data entry computers and the marketing computers.
 

Copyright 2011 Jeff Mendelsohn
Liquid Mechanix Studio, LLC
 www.liquidmechanix.com
419.297.3364 

Did You Back Up??

"I never met a hard drive that didn't want to crash."  --Linda Fayerweather  

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Sometimes, practical tips are just what is needed in this busy season. I talk about Lean Office, Lean Management and two big "take-aways" of lean are:
• The customer IS why you are in business
• Waste is the ultimate profit stealer


So, two of the biggest times wasters that don't add to the customer experience are Looking for Something and Fixing Something that should have been Done Correctly the First Time.


This leads to two tasks we really need do before the New Year if we are not already and making sure we have a system in place going forward.
1. Back up our computers.
2. Create an Internet Password Journal that doesn't rely on our memories.


These two jobs can save countless hours. I actually create a clone of my hard drive so that when a crash occurs, I will be able to plug in a drive that is ready to go with all my data and programs.


Although most of my passwords are stored in a database, I also keep an old fashioned written record. I use a simple spiral journal that was actually designed for this to make sure I capture everything. I can't tell you how many times I refer to it in a week. Here is a link to one: Internet Journal.


Create a schedule so you are backing up regularly and do try to restore a file occasionally to make sure the backups are working .


Happy Holidays and time spent now will save in the future as I've never met a hard drive that didn't want to crash. . .eventually.


Copyright 2010 Linda Fayerweather MBA EA
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Consider working with a coach or a MasterMind Team to make 2011 the year of your dreams!




Put Your Plan in Action!
Who said, "If you want to eat an elephant, do it one bite at a time"? Whoever it was is a genius! I've recently discovered a piece of software that takes your marketing initiatives and delivers them into bite-sized chunks which you can do daily. The product is called Marketing Mentor ToolBox. Although it's designed for small marketing firms like mine, the product is so good that I'm recommending it to you. It works with your Calendar and keeps your marketing projects top-of-mind. What's better yet, the "to dos" should take you 5-15 minutes a day. Here is a smattering of the bite-sized pieces:


Daily:      Social Media Break
                 Prospecting - Research/Calling/Doing
Weekly:  Attend a Networking Event
                 Proposal Follow-Ups
Monthly: Monthly Recap


By actively working your calendar, you should be able to create a banner year for yourself. Let's toast to new year that's filled with unlimited possibilities! Enjoy!!


Copyright 2010 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz

Backups, Giveaways and Introductions

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Monday Morning Motivators – August 27, 2007
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com

"Entrepreneurship is a state of mind, a can-do attitude, a capacity to focus on a vision and work toward it."
-- Barry Rogstad

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Table of Contents
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1. Backup Plans – Linda Fayerweather
2. Giveaways - Rebecca Booth
3. The Ingredients of a Good Introduction - John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print

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1. Backup Plans
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This weekend while driving to West Virginia I discovered two technologies that I rely on were temperamental in the mountains. First, my GPS would get lost – yes, it would occasionally say “on the way to your destination some roads will not be available – us a map”. Next, my cell phone’s network forgot to follow me! I do carry maps of all the States even though I’ve never driven west of Chicago, but cell phone usage has caused the demise of the old fashioned phone booth.

Look around your business and take note of where you need a backup plan for ongoing commerce. Start here with:
Computer backups – something, external hard drive, zip drive, flash drive and stored off site.
Succession of business – what if the owner is lost, stolen or gone to her great reward? A plan will be helpful, no critical.
Natural disaster plan – I’m only 45 miles from Findlay Ohio which has had national noted floods this week.
Employee illnesses – cross training is vital, and absolutely essential to small businesses.
Personal Paper Location – does someone know where your will and other documents area?

Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz


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2. Giveaways
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Did you know...80% of take-home gifts (from a user group, seminar or trade show) are given away instead of kept by the recipient? Next time you're shopping for that incentive, provide a choice. Not only do your prospects and customers leave with what they like, the chances are better that they'll keep your giveaway around this time!

Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com

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3. The Ingredients of a Good Introduction
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The recommended sequence for your introduction is your name, your business or profession, a brief description of your business or profession, a Memory Hook, and a benefit statement. Don't give people a laundry list of everything you do. You can discuss all the various areas when you get the appointment to meet with them.

Copyright 2007 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com

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4. To Do This Week
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Set up a password notebook – hard copy and securely stored.