Small Business Computer Consulting

Starting a computer business is an exciting and scary adventure.  Extensive planning is necessary when starting a computer business.  One of the first steps when starting a computer business is to select a business structure.

Each kind of structure offers advantages and disadvantages.  Choose the structure that best fits your particular business.

Business Structures

Selecting a business structure is a vital component to starting a computer business.  Prospective owners should consider a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability corporation.  One deciding factor will be taxes.  The IRS, local government, and the federal government will treat businesses differently based on their legal structure.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship makes starting a computer business relatively easy.  All that is needed is a business license.  One person typically owns it.  However, liability can become an issue.  If a sole proprietorship is sued, the owner’s personal assets are at risk.  All debts become his responsibility, as well. 

Partnership

A partnership is the association of two or more people working as co-owners of a business.  If two or more people are starting a computer business together, this may be a viable option.  An Article of Partnership will need to be drafted.  It should state the names of the partners and the responsibilities of each.

Often, the talents of more than one partner will improve a business.  However, should one partner suddenly leave town, the other partner is legally liable for all debt. 

Corporation

A corporation is organized through the government of the state where a business is located.  Incorporation papers and capital stock are issued in the company.  One huge advantage to a corporation is the limited liability in case of a lawsuit.

It is also easy to sell the business through the transfer of stocks.  Before starting a computer business, consider the start-up expenses as well as the double taxation a corporation incurs.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The limited liability company is a fairly new business structure.  An LLC has the tax advantages of a partnership but the limited personal liability of a corporation.  Selecting an LLC may be the right fit when starting a computer business. 

Before starting a computer business, consult an attorney or accountant to determine which business structure will best suit the company’s needs. Be familiar with all structures.  It is possible that the need may arise to change the business structure in the future.

The Bottom Line about Starting a Computer Business

In this article, you’ve learned more about starting a computer business. To learn more about starting a computer business, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Small business networking is the ability to meet and connect with other people resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship.  Small business networking is vital for the growth and success of a business.  Consider these tips to improve your small business networking.

Tips for Improving Small Business Networking

Set a Goal for New Contacts

Each year a small business owner should determine his goals and objectives.  One of these goals should be making a certain number of new contacts.  Small business networking is a growing and changing process.  Even one new member in the network is a good and attainable goal. 

Utilize Business Cards

A professional looking business card is a must for every individual involved in small business networking.  More importantly, be ready to pass out business cards at every opportunity.  A business owner never knows when he might meet a new and promising contact.

Use Follow-up After Every Small Business Networking Opportunity

After meeting a new prospect, be sure to follow-up.  A phone call, e-mail, or letter will remind the contact of you and your business.  It can make a powerful impression.

Remember That Small Business Networking is a Two-Way Street

Small business networking involves give and take.  Be open to helping other network members when they need it.  Eventually, they will help you in return.  This kind of relationship is what makes small business networking so successful.

Mail Flyers or Brochures To People You Know

Be respectful when dealing with people you already know.  Everyone knows what it feels like to be approached by a pushy salesperson.  Instead of continuously accosting those you know, consider mailing a flyer about your business to everyone you know.  It is a low-key approach that may yield better results.

The Bottom Line about Small Business Networking

Small business networking is a fundamental element of operating a business.  Use professional business cards, make new contacts, follow-up, help other members, and respect family and friends.  Following these helpful tips will improve your networking opportunities.

In this article, you’ve learned about a small business networking. To learn more about a small business networking, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Know How To Bill and What to Charge

Without knowing how to bill and what to charge, you’re going to lose a lot of money that’s really yours. If you get your billing and pricing wrong as a computer consultant, you’ll send a bad message to people that you’re trying to quote for business.

You’ll be screaming that you’re a rank amateur rather than a skilled computer consultant. It could take you years to recover from this. A lot of times you would need to scrap existing clients and completely start over because certain clients you brought in at the wrong level.

Perform IT Audits

If you know how to do them right it’s an incredibly powerful technique. You get paid to write proposals and do needs assessment work. If you don’t know how to do this you’re going to wind up doing a lot of exploratory work for free. You can actually get paid for your initial consultation time for doing the technology assessments and the IT audits.

Build Local Partnerships

You’ll need partnerships as your computer consultant business evolves. These will get you some of your best clients along the way. If you don’t have good local partnerships, you can almost guarantee that you’ll lose clients along the way with this as well. You need to learn how to find these key players and how to negotiate with them.

Exceed Client Expectations

If you want to get paid the big bucks as a small business computer consultant, your clients will expect a lot from you. Your clients’ idea of perfection may be different from yours. You need to learn the magic words you need to know to avoid a lot of the stress and intense pressure. You want to come out smelling like a rose to exceed their expectations.

Maximize your Utilization Rate and Profitability

Making as much of your work-week billable as possible and eliminate a lot of the non billable, time-draining non revenue draining computer consultant activities.  It’s all about delivering small business virtual IT services and how to build a stable business; how to get clients for life.
 
The Bottom Line about becoming a Computer Consultant

In this article, you’ve been introduced to becoming a computer consultant. To learn more about becoming a computer consultant, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Small business network members understand and depend on networking benefits.  You can start a small business network with a little research and creativity.  All that is required for a successful small business network is a few strong business relationships.

Forming a Small Business Network

Starting a small business network may seem like a daunting task.  However, it is a relatively simple process that only improves with time.  As the network grows, so does your business.

A business owner is faced with two options.  You can join a professional organization or you can form your own small business network.

Joining a Professional Organization

One way of forming a small business network is to join one or two professional organizations.  For starters, find an organization that specializes in your industry.

You can learn a lot from other entrepreneurs that are working in your field of interest.  You should also decide what you wish to achieve from joining the small business network.  Do you simply want to make business contacts?

Are you interested in attending seminars or lectures that relate to your business?  Determine your goals before selecting a professional organization.

Forming Your Own Small Business Network

Some entrepreneurs do not have the time to invest in attending professional organization meetings.  These individuals should consider forming their own small business network.  This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.  The most common is to utilize Internet mailing lists to form relationships.

Instead of a face-to-face meeting with these individuals, you will communicate via e-mail.  This can be a valuable tool.  You will be sharing ideas, problems, and solutions with other entrepreneurs who are not considered your competition! 

Do It Today

No matter how you choose to start a small business network, the most important point is that you start one!  Networking allows a business to form long lasting relationships that impact the success of your business.

Every time you contact a network member, you are improving the odds of receiving referrals.  The community is exposed to the valuable services and products your business offers.
  
The Bottom Line about a Small Business Network

In this article, you’ve learned about a small business network. To learn more about a small business network, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

When it comes to computer consulting with micro businesses, look at the margins issue.  You will always have a certain amount of hours that you’re forced to eat because you can’t bill for it. When you have a larger base of computer consulting clients to spread it over, a loss is a lot easier to swallow.

"Eating" a Loss is Easier with Big Clients Than Small Ones

For example, if you have a customer that’s billing $2,000 a year with you and you’re forced to eat a $500 job, you’ve sacrificed 25 percent of your billing for that customer.  If you have someone that’s billing $10,000 a year with you and you’re forced to sacrifice a $500 job once a year, that’s no big deal.

That’s a very small percentage. The bigger the client, the more you can afford to do things like that.

Are Micro Business Distracting You From Finding "Sweet Spot" Clients?

Is computer consulting for micro businesses taking away valuable time from cultivating more lucrative business? Only you can answer that question.

You have to make sure that you have enough time to go after the solid B2B small businesses where there’s at least 10 systems, a real server and they can afford at least $5,000 to $10,000 in IT services a year on an ongoing basis. 

Focus On The Larger Computer Consulting Clients

Phase out your dependence on micro small businesses. As you start taking on additional larger clients, you’re going to find you have to make tough decisions anyway. 

The Bottom Line about Computer Consulting

In this article, you’ve learned about computer consulting. To learn more about computer consulting, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

From a customer service perspective, what can you do to sell more monitoring and managed services?  What would it be worth to a computer consulting client if you could predict and prevent a major problem before it occurred? 

For example, if someone incurred $1,700 in billing last quarter due to some virus-related problems, is there something that you could offer them, a solution that you could give them going forward that could have prevented this? 

What’s The Best Service Choice?

Is it a matter of upgrading them to more complete virus protection?  Is it a matter of giving them more thorough end user or internal guru training? 

You should be looking at your service tickets and your invoices proactively so you can make some of those suggestions. That’s phenomenal customer service because you’re anticipating your computer consulting clients’ needs.

You and Your Computer Consulting Staff Should Be Proactive

The same way that when people are married for a long time, they start anticipating their spouse’s needs, these client relationships evolve over time. You should be able to spot these a mile away as long as you know what you’re looking for.

Also, reward your technical staff for spotting and passing along some of these additional opportunities for you to follow up on. Also compensate your account managers and your technical staff based on their customer satisfaction ratings. These essentially become their report cards.

The Bottom Line about Computer Consulting

In this article, you’ve learned about computer consulting. To learn more about computer consulting, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Small business computer consultants should be aware of the reasons why they are being hired.  Small business computer consultants who understand their client’s needs are able to market their abilities.  If chosen for a job, the small business computer consultants can then follow through by providing a superior product.

Why People Hire Small Business Computer Consultants

Consultants Have the Ability to Remain Objective

Small business computer consultants are able to look at a project objectively.  Often large organizations are very political.  Retaining a consultant provides an unbiased opinion.  By maintaining an unbiased position, small business computer consultants will build a trusting relationship.

Consultants Offer a New Viewpoint

So many companies are stuck in a rut.  They have been operating in the same fashion for so long, new ideas are few and far between.  Small business computer consultants can offer a fresh viewpoint.  They can review current issues and consider what has worked for similar companies.  This allows for innovative ideas to solve many of the old problems.

Consultants are a Wealth of Knowledge.

This is one of the biggest reasons companies hire small business computer consultants.  Companies or individuals lack the knowledge or expertise in the field.  Often, it is easier to hire an outside source rather than learning a new skill.

Typically, the consultant is highly respected because of his experience.  Be honest and upfront about issues that concern you.  Even if the solution is not what the client wants to hear, you want to offer the most valuable answer. 

Consultants are Cost-Effective

Hiring small business computer consultants is cost-effective.  It is often less expensive to employ a consultant than to find new ways to handle recurring problems.  Companies also trust the consultant to provide an added value to their business.

Understanding why customers will hire small business computer consultants is very important. It assists in determining the services and products you will offer.  It makes advertising and marketing an easier task.  It allows you to be the expert you claim.

The Bottom Line about Small Business Computer Consultants

In this article, you’ve learned about small business computer consultants. To learn more about small business computer consultants, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

PC repair businesses provide services that are irregular in nature.  The use of incentives will drive customers to your pc repair businesses.  In fact, some incentives will even bring repeat customers back to your pc repair businesses. 

Incentives

Sales are just one kind of incentive.  Other incentives you can utilize in your pc repair businesses are free gifts, coupons or rebates, and sweepstakes or contests.

These incentives do not have to be expensive.  However, in order to be successful, an incentive must be perceived as valuable to your customer. 

Free Gifts

Many pc repair businesses might offer free gifts as an incentive for customers to use their service.  Gift certificates to local restaurants or shops are one suggestion.  Another inexpensive enticement might be a magazine subscription for one year.  The idea is for customers to experience your superior customer service so they will call on you again.

Coupons or Rebates

Coupons or rebates are enticing to many consumers.  PC repair businesses can offer a $10 off coupon upon the first service visit.  This will drive repeat customers.  Referrals are an important aspect of operating a business, as well.  Give coupons to customers who refer you to neighbors or friends. 

Sweepstakes or Contests

Contests will bring customers to your pc repair businesses.  A few ideas that will attract customers might be a free lunch, movie tickets, a grocery certificate, or even a free hour of repair work.  You determine when the drawing occurs.

Depending on your customer flow, it can happen weekly, monthly or even bi-monthly.  Again, a contest can be an inexpensive means for driving customers.

Don’t Forget the Most Important Incentive

Whether using contests, free gifts, sales or coupons, the use of incentives will bring customers to your pc repair businesses.  A note of caution is advised, however.

A strong reliance on these incentives could have a negative impact on your company.  Be sure to show your customers the service they deserve.  This will bring them back to your pc repair businesses even when the incentives are gone. 
          
The Bottom Line about PC Repair Businesses 

In this article, you’ve learned about PC repair businesses. To learn more about PC repair businesses, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

PC repair businesses are extremely competitive.  Marketing should be the number one focus for any pc repair businesses.  Create a marketing and advertising plan that will promote you as the best of the pc repair businesses to call.

Many different options are available.  Decide on the course of action that will best suit your needs.

Marketing Options

Marketing your work among pc repair businesses is imperative.  If your target audience doesn’t know you exist, you won’t receive any business!  Marketing can be relegated to an advertising firm.  If you have the budget to use this service, it will allow you to devote more time to other aspects of your business.

Most start-up businesses, however, have a small advertising budget.  Consider a few of these options to market your pc repair businesses.

Press Releases

Several websites are available for writing and/or distributing your press release.  Press releases will allow you to get your name and business out to the right target audience.  What better advertising could there be than reading about your pc repair businesses on the front page of the newspaper!

Print Advertising

Print advertising encompasses newspapers, yellow pages or magazines. Neighborhood magazines or newsletters are an excellent source to consider.  They create the feeling of a friendly, neighborhood business.  This is appealing to many customers.

Consider special discounts or services that can be offered to just your neighborhood customers.  This will increase word of mouth and repeat business.  Many of the neighborhood publications allow flyer inserts, as well.  This may be a worthwhile investment.

Radio and TV Advertising

Radio or TV spots can be very costly but may be worth the money.  These spots are more likely to reach your target audience.  You do not know who is reading a newspaper or magazine.

However, a radio station or a television station will be able to assist you in playing your ad at the optimum time.  Keep your spots short and to the point.  Anything too fancy or quirky may be lost on the listener or viewer.

Monitor Your ROI

Your work in pc repair businesses is sure to grow when marketing your business.  However, be sure to track all of your marketing.  When accepting a new job, ask the customer how he heard of you.  You can then determine if any changes need to be made to your marketing strategy.

The Bottom Line about PC Repair Businesses 

In this article, you’ve learned about PC repair businesses. To learn more about PC repair businesses, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

From a customer service perspective, you can ask your computer consulting clients three questions that will explode the growth of your company. 

Question Number One:

“How Can We Improve the Level of Service That We Provide Your Company?”

Ask your computer consulting clients this question on a regular basis; at least a couple times a year. You will be amazed at the type of suggestions they give you.

They will tell you some things you’ll be able to implement without charging them another nickel or penny more because they’re simple no-brainer kind of things. For example, “Could you send us an email reminder the day before you’re coming in?” Obviously you don’t have to charge for something like that.

Some of the others may say, “It would be great if you could guarantee this kind of response time” or  “It would be great if you could also take over finding someone who can help us with our PBXs.” 

You’re going to get some ideas, some of which are going to make sense for you, some won’t. Some of them may require a little more legwork and some of them may be great opportunities for additional revenue.

Question Number Two:

“Is There Anything Else IT-related That Your Company Needs Help With?”

Question Number Three:

“Do You Know Anyone Else Such as Business Associates, Friends, Family Members in the Greater Area That Could Use Some Help With Their Computer-related Problems?”

Help Your Computer Consulting Clients Help You

Spend a minute or two to tell your computer consulting clients what they should look out for. If they happen to be on the phone with a vendor or supplier or family member and they’re complaining and moaning that everything’s running slowly or that the LAN’s down again or email’s not working or the server crashed.

Get your computer consulting clients trained to listen for those clues and let you know that there’s an opportunity out there. If they’re a long-term client of yours and they’re happy with you, they should be more than happy to recommend you.  All you need to do is ask and train them to be looking for these clues.

The Bottom Line about Computer Consulting

In this article, you’ve learned about computer consulting. To learn more about computer consulting, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.