beemerboy

Alright computer bods, i need you help and opinions

as part of my "my company is going to the wall" contingency plan
i am starting a venture of my own, hopefully supplying computer support and application training to home users and local businesses. (i am sick to death of commuting now!)

what kind of things would YOU like to see from such a company/individual???

its a difficult question for me to answer myself, but ideally some people on here who do not work directly in IT, might have some suggestions.

ps my temporary website is: http://www.dwc1.dsl.pipex.com to get the ball rolling...

thanks in advance

Dazza

edited to make site link work....lol



[Edited by beemerboy - 5/30/2003 12:36:18 PM]

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

First thing would be to get a working website

Dave.

beemerboy

thx dave.....lol

darlodge

I have a friend who has recently started his own business in the same field as you. I’ll try and get as much info from him.

Either way here are my comments

1. Is there any way you could get a valid reference from someone. This way you could then advertise that references are available. This might put some home users at ease as they might think they are going to be taken for a ride


2. On your website it lists your mobile number as you main contact number 24hrs a day. If I were looking for a support person to fix a problems and there were 2 adverts side by side both displaying the same information and I knew both could fix it, I would always choose the advert with a geographical number (i.e. 01903)

Well that's my idea's I'll have a chat with my mate when he gets back from holiday and let you know any info/pointers he can give you.

All the best with the venture

Darren

beemerboy

thanks darlodge, much appreciated, yep i can get references
and also, did think about the phone number, with a cost aspect to the customer as well.

thats a great help....

BB

darlodge

Just had another thought.

I would have thought that with the growing availability of ADSL and Broadband, some people might want information on this.

Example:
Someone rings you to supply and fit a CD-ROM. You can tell them how much it would be. Before they leave you can ask whether they have broadband in their home already, if they don’t have it already, take their postcode and say that you will do some research and get back to them. Check availability and if there are in an enabled area get some details on different providers that can supply into their area. Then pass this on the customer and tell them to contact you when they have decided whether they want it or not. When they come back to you can assist them with filling in the forms (should they need it) and then sell wireless networking to them

Then, as they are always connected to the 'net they need some decent antivirus and decent firewall software (McAfee?). Can you see where I am going?

BTW, this is coming from someone who works directly in IT but it gives you an idea of what people are looking for.

Darren

[Edited by darlodge - 5/30/2003 1:40:10 PM]

Foot_Tapper

One service i think would be good, would be a restore.
If a client messes up, by installing or deleting something they shouldnt have; and requires a clean build.
How about using imaging software, ghost, powerquest etc.
Can rebuild their pc in 10 mins, very cost effective for you.
Saves hours reloading drivers, apps, games etc etc

beemerboy

Good work FT, Norton Ghost, theres a blast from the past from my Thomson Financial support days!!!

right, its cheap as sliced potatos as well. i'm off to get a copy.
should pay for itself in 2 minutes flat LOL

cheers

Dazza

Foot_Tapper

Just to add, if your going to use it..
look into what all the switches do .
Bootable cd's, that'll run ghost(or whatever) and image the pc for you with no interaction.(although this could be bl**dy dangerous)

[Edited by Foot_Tapper - 5/30/2003 5:24:15 PM]

mj

...from kazza no doubt - you can't pay for it, your just starting out

Someone mentioned a good idea about supplying/offering anti virus software. Why not guarantee a sale by popping a trojan/worm in there while you are setting up their broadband ?

Let them get set up on e-mail and then wait for replies from their contacts ( with AV )to come flooding it telling them they have a virus - they'll shat their keks - cue......

" Doris, whats the number for that lad that set the interweb thingy up ? " - anti virus at 9 o' clock thursday night - blank cheque.

On a less serious note, I would target the older/feared to death of computers brigade - and don't pull peoples trousers off when it comes to payment, If you win someone over with a couple of easy freebies they will always come back, and hopefully recommend you to freinds and family, a lot of "cheaper" customers will be more cost effective/finacially viable than a handull of "juicy" ones.

I help a few friends/codgers out with their puters' ( beleive me, if I can be of assistance they are definateley PC cabbages ). I enjoy helping more than anything, I dont get paid but theres always a box of stella in it for my trouble.

Why not print a few flyers off and drop em' in houses locally - there's rakes of people about that want to get a PC, but I would say they need a bit of prompting, I always think the older generation prefer the more personal/local touch, which is what you are offering - yes?

Out of interest, what do you profess at - websites,apps,hardware,etc

whatever you do, good luck.

BTW, what I know about computers can be written on the back of a stamp

Foot_Tapper

Learn all about the main suppliers warranties, when they run out.
Whats covered.
Lists of their phone numbers for quick reference.
Its surprising the stupid questions they ask Mr/Mrs average
computer user, just to evade a call out.
Have you tried this etc.
A good way to enhance your rep in front of a customer..
call the helpline with them present (obviously you have covered all the fault possibilites beforehand). After they try to fob you off, explain what you do and the "whateveritis" is faulty; and what are they going to do about it. If you know you are 100% correct, stand your ground with them.
Loads of browny points for this

MattW

Can you build pc's? - You can put together a computer much cheaper than pcworld and the like by buying the components off the net.

Add £100 labour - best couple of hours work you'll ever do!!

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

It always cracks me up when people say build a PC in a couple of hours. I cannot remember the last time I ever had a PC built 100% perfectly in that time. Saying that, I know of very, very few other's that do PC building work to my standard


Typo......

[Edited by Mr Footlong - 5/31/2003 8:07:52 PM]

Foot_Tapper

lol, nor me

MattW

2 hours - without OS is reasonable.???

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

All I can suggest is "knock on doors"

All local companies whatever their occupation, drop in a card, tweak here, advice there, all ads up.

M8 of mine just walked from 80K year 3day week small network support, so it is possible. (Married rich woman, which is why he was able to walk).

The other thing I'd advise, is don't forget to charge & by that I mean don't run cheap, just to get the business.

G'luck

Foot_Tapper

Yea Mattw, that seem reasonable to me if you have a box of bits to start with.
But i think an hour should see you putting the last screws on the case. If you have the right environment to work in.