10 Steps to Success for the Courageous Entrepreneur

The current economy is putting professionals in a position where they are contemplating venturing out on their own as small business owners. Here are 10 steps to success for the courageous entrepreneur that is about to start his/her own business?

“You can’t overestimate the need to plan and prepare. In most of the mistakes I’ve made, there has been this common theme of inadequate planning beforehand. You really can’t over-prepare in business!”Chris Corrigan

“You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal.” Zig Ziglar

Slow down to speed up!

1. Slow down to speed up! “When I started out in business, I spent a great deal of time researching every detail that might be pertinent to the deal I was interested in making. I still do the same today. People often comment on how quickly I operate, but the reason I can move quickly is that I’ve done the background work first, which no one usually sees. I prepare myself thoroughly, and then when it is time to move ahead, I am ready to sprint.” Donald Trump
2. Who are you going to be? Find a niche market that has a need that you can address better than anyone else in your market. A niche market that is being under-serviced can be a goldmine for a hard-working entrepreneur.
3. Read Michael Gerber great book The E-Myth Revisited and his other books. He stresses thinking and acting like a business person.  Have systems and processes in place as part of your business plan to keep you organized as you grow your business. http://www.e-myth.com/
4. Make a game plan. Do your homework to find best practices and write your Business Plan for your first three years. Determine a budget, CRM, bookkeeping, marketing plan and then put that plan into action. Over 90% of entrepreneurs do not start out with a 3 year plan and most of them fail as a result. 
5. Name your Company. Get your domain name before you register your business. Find a .com name that is available and brand yourself around that name. This will save you from confusing your target market and frustration later.  You want prospects to find you easily online.
6. Create a website and/or blog. Create an online hub that is part of your interactive web presence.
7. Engage online. Tap into Social media to interact with clients and prospects in your market. Configure your Twitter, Facebook Business Page, LinkedIN Business and personal profile. Find out where your target market “hangs out online” and become a part of that community. Listen at first and make positive comments on other people’s blogs.
8. Market your Company. Generate leads by personally introducing yourself and/or hire an outside sales/marketing person to represent your company to your target market in-person and online.
9. No one is in business by themselves. Even before you hire your first employee you need to think like a team player. Be the person that people want to see succeed. Network with non-competing professionals to learn about business opportunities, share best practices and work on your public speaking skills in a friendly environment. Share your dream, vision and game plan with your family, friends, Networking partners, vendors and suppliers. They will then become your CoDreamers and provide the support you need to be successful in life.
10. Manage expectations properly and plan on working very hard for the first year. Deliver results on time, on budget and with a smile. It is vital that you provide great friendly service and products the first time you are given the opportunity. This will help build a good reputation and lay a solid foundation from which to grow. Then you can focus on building a strong team and effective project coordination to gain customers for life!

Hope you found this helpful. Please, share your comments and/or add to this list. Thank you! @PamelaJMyers

Computer Repair, Server Maintenance and Business Continuity Experts!

Atlantic Data Team wants to take care of your Computer Network and Bulletproof your data so that you can enjoy complete peace of mind. Every facet of our business is based upon a proactive and preventive approach to Computer Network Optimization, Data Protection and Business Continuity.

 

Is your Data Protected?

 

Turn to the Computer Wellness and Data Security Specialists at Atlantic Data Team. We will restore your Computer Network to a healthy state and protect it from future harm. In addition to Computer Repair Services, we offer ongoing care and protection of PC’s, Laptops, Servers and BDR appliances. These proactive services reduce your downtime, data loss and money spent fixing computers that have been allowed to fail or that have been hacked by cyber-criminals.

The Atlantic Data Team’s mission statement is to maintain and protect healthy computer networks. We provide peace of mind with the most advanced Data Security and Business Continuity Solutions. We understand that documented Data Protection Measures, data back-up systems and disaster recovery planning are vital to those in highly regulated fields. Our clients are Small Business Owners, Law Firms and Medical office staffs that don’t want to spend their time dealing with computer problems, maintenance issues or researching IT solutions. That’s why they turn to the trusted professionals at Atlantic Data Team to keep them and their computers up and running.

Free Computer Wellness Visits are part of our proactive approach to supporting the Central Florida Business Community. During a visit to your location we complete a 27-Point Computer Problem Prevention Network Audit to assess your current Computer Network, systems and processes. We then can offer recommendations that will truly make a positive impact on your business and its bottom line.
Click Here to sign up for your FREE Computer Wellness Visit and see what advantages we can offer you.

Why is a firewall an important part of Data Security?

A firewall provides a technological barrier to prevent unauthorized or unwanted communications between computer networks or hosts.

Without a Firewall, hackers can achieve easy access to confidential files on your computer network when you connect to the Internet. It is like having an “Open-Door Policy” for hackers that may be identity thieves and of equal threat cyber-criminals that can implicate you in their malicious network activity.  Once these cyber-criminals have access to your computer, they can also install programs that do anything from send junk mail better known as spam or worse, cause your computer to attack another computer implementing you and your company in what is called a denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS attack) which is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users. They can also install code on your computer that destroys files or causes malfunctions.

Simply put: Having a firewall is similar to having all your windows and doors (access points) closed, locked and with an armed guard in place that will protect your computer network from malicious intruders.

Have your firewall installed and monitored by the Data Security Experts at Atlantic Data Team. Contact us for a FREE Security Audit 407-830-5993 or 386-677-4040.

Winter Garden Music Fest

Winter Garden Music Fest is a fun event for the whole Family. This FREE three day event begins Oct 1st 2010. Our own Jim Gentry of the Atlantic Data Team goes on stage at 10:15 pm on Friday night. Just minutes from downtown Orlando the outdoor music Celebration is held on Plant Street in beautiful Downtown Winter Garden. This is the events 5th year and has had over 30,000 attendees. Hope you can come join us!

Jim Gentry

In addition to the Jim Gentry Band http://www.myspace.com/jimgentry the Winter Garden Music Fest features dozens of live performers, great food and local vendors selling everything from handmade soaps to one-of-a-kind pieces of art. So we sure hope you can come out to support Jim and Winter Garden at this fun event!

For Directions and more information: http://www.wintergardenmusicfest.com/Directions.html

Join The Atlantic Data Team

Atlantic Data Team is on the look out for talented IT professionals that share our passion for supporting the Computer Networks and providing Disaster Recover Plans for Small Business owners in Central Florida. Our technicians must provide friendly and prompt computer repairs, IT Support and technical computer assistance to our hard working professional clients that must have their computers up and running.

About the Job
The position is a combination of on-site and remote computer network service work, with the majority being on-site at client location.

Must Have:

• Excellent communication Skills (Written and Verbal)
• Ability to work independently, reliable transportation and provide prompt professional service
• Ability to organize, execute and track work efforts.
• Proficiency in computer network troubleshooting, installation and repair is expected
• Ability to install and configure servers, PC’s, printers, scanners, other peripherals, and related equipment at customer sites.
• Capable of repairing and upgrade computer hardware both on site and at the home office.
• Knowledge of Networking Protocols and Services (VOIP, ISCSI, Telcom, LAN / WAN, Wireless) multiple ISP providers, Circuits, Sites
• Basic knowledge of SAN hardware (HP MSA, Xiotech, HP/Lefthand)/Connectivity (ISCSI, Fibre channel…)

Ready to Join the Atlantic Data Team? Please, send your cover letter and resume to Pamela.Myers@AtlanticDataTeam.com

Discover How Much Social Media is Growing in Real-Time…

And Is Therefore Worth a Small Business Owners’ Time. Gary Hayes put together a Flash app (which is in constant development) showing how active & dynamic the Social Web is right now. This is so innovative that we wanted to share it with our readers.

THE SOCIAL WEB COUNTER http://www.personalizemedia.com/the-count/

The Atlantic Data Team is making a concerted effort to be more active on Twitter. We are finding that a growing segment of our clients and target audience engages there and we want to be a part of the conversation.

Are You on Twitter? Facebook? LinkedIN?

Are you on Twitter?

We would love to engage in a meaningful exchange of ideas and Networking opportunities with you. Please, make a comment, share your Twitter name and other Social media information so that we can follow you and “Like” what you are doing.


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FREE offer for Central Florida Business’

As we face another Hurricane Season and increased regulations we all need to be proacive about the protection of our Computer Networks and the valuable information that they contain. Don’t you agree?

How important is the information on your Computers?

That is why the Atlantic Data Team is offering  12 (only 8 remaining) FREE Computer Problem Prevention Audits in the month of September to Central Florida Business Owners, Law Firms and other Professional Offices that want to make sure that their computers are optimized and Data is being backed up properly for quick Disaster Recovery.

Click here to sign up today!

• Pinpoint any exposure or risk to potential lapses in security, data backup, power outages, and system down-time.
• Review your current backup to make sure the data isn’t corrupt. It’s not uncommon for backups to fail, or for the data to be corrupt without any visible signs.
• Outline a powerful and comprehensive line of defense against even the most evasive and deadly computer viruses, hackers, and spam for your specific network.
• Recommend ways to speed up your computer network while cutting support costs.
• Outline an action plan for getting you 100% prepared for any unexpected disaster.

Most firms charge $297 to over $400 for this service alone, but we’ll do it for FREE.

Click Here to Sign up for your  FREE 27-Point Computer Network Problem Prevention Network Audit so that you can protect your company from data loss, downtime, and expensive data recovery and restoration costs. Or you can always feel free to call us at 407-830-5993 or 386-677-4040.

Hurricane Season Is Here! Are you ready?

Are You Prepared?

Federal forecasters were warning Floridians at the end of August that the remainder of what so far had been a ho-hum early season is likely to shape up to be a busy and horrible hurricane season for the Atlantic Coast of the USA.

With three major Storms currently in the Atlantic this week we can see that they were right and we need to make sure that we are prepared. Make sure your Data is being backed-up properly for quick Disaster Recovery with a FREE consultation with the experts at Atlantic Data Team - Click Here

“We’re to the period when you start to see these waves rolling off of Africa,” said Gerry Bell, lead seasonal forecaster for NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Everything is in place for a really active year.”

The record-breaking temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and a storm-friendly atmospheric environment has the potential to begin churning out storms by the bunch. In fact, Bell said “Atlantic Ocean temperatures are the highest they’ve been since 2005, a record-breaking year that produced the highest number of storms.” Another weather pattern on the opposite side of the globe also adds fuel to the tropics: La Niña, which is marked by cooling temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, typically tends to reduce wind shear, making it easier for storms in the Atlantic to form and strengthen.

In addition to buying bottled water and extra batteries… Are you making sure your Computers and vital Data they contain are being backedup properly?

How “Social Engineering” makes YOU click on a Virus

STOP! Don't take a chance...you might download a virus.

As serious as we are about malware protection at Atlantic Data Team, and as diligent as I am personally about recognizing (and avoiding) anything that is even remotely suspicious, this week I nearly fell prey to a very clever email that contained a link to a malicious website. The author of this email makes full use of “Social Engineering” to coax recipients into clicking on an attachment.

Wikipedia defines Social Engineering as “the act of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information”. Social Engineering can be (and is) done on the phone, in person, and (as we’ll discuss) via cleverly worded emails.

The subject line of the email read:
Parking Permit and/or Benefit Card Order Receipt – 829054

In the body of the email I found this:
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
Your Credit Card has been charged $40.00.
“GROSSMONT-CUYA PARKING” will appear on your credit card statement.

And this:
Please find attached invoice

The attached “invoice” was a link to a website. I nearly clicked it, but my antennae were twitching, and I stopped short and looked closer. That’s when I noticed the following:

1: There was no reference in the email to the last four digits of my credit card, which is common. That is a red flag.
2: The email came from someone at “rioroses.com”. If it truly came from a college, it should have ended in .edu, NOT .com. Red flag number two.
3: The email was sent to an unpublished email address of mine that I never use. Red flag number three. (explanation: this email address begins with “jgentry”. Spammers commonly create lists of all known last names + all first initials and then send to every single one of them @yourdomain.com. That means that “agentry”, “bgentry”, “cgentry”, etc. would all have gotten the same email.)
4: No other contact information (like a phone number or address) was in the email.

The Social Engineering involved in this email tried to take advantage of my natural fear of someone having erroneously or fraudulently charged my credit card. Many people would have clicked the “attached invoice” to find out what was charged. The attached link would then have the opportunity to download malicious software onto the user’s computer.

Lesson to be learned: Inspect ANY link in any email CAREFULLY. If you are the least bit unsure, DON’T CLICK IT. Ask someone knowledgeable about internet security to have a look for you. Our customers frequently ask us if certain things are safe to click. Being suspicious of emailed links, and looking for red flags like we’ve listed above, can save you a lot of aggravation and expense!

James Gentry
Atlantic Data Team

About ATLANTIC Data Team

ATLANTIC Data Team provides a comprehensive range of IT Infrastructure Management including Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning. With two offices in Florida – Altamonte Springs and Ormond Beach we provide Computer Repair and IT Support to business clients in the Fun Coast (Daytona, Deland, Volusia County, Flagler County) and Central Florida (Orlando, Winter Garden, Lake Mary, Sanford, Orange County, Seminole County) areas.

Correct and quick diagnosis when prospects are having an issue with their computers is what sets the Atlantic Data Team apart from other IT service providers. Once they become a client, their systems are watched and protected as part of a proactive philosophy to providing IT Support. The end result, clients that are enjoying healthy computer networks and a more enjoyable user experience.

In fact, it is our mission statement to have our clients enjoy a better user experience with their computers and provide peace of mind that everything is covered and taken care of by a team of IT professionals. Our clients who are small business owners, Law Firms, Office Managers and Medical office staffs DO NOT want to spend their time dealing with Computer problems and Maintenance. That’s why they turn to the trusted and affordable Atlantic Data Team to keep them and their computers up and running.

Data Backup and planning for quick Disaster Recovery is vital the business continuity plans of the professionals that we work with in the Fun Coast and Central Florida areas – which are vulnerable to Hurricanes. Every facet of our business is based upon a proactive and preventive approach to computer network optimization and data protection. This allows our clients to achieve their goals, because we provide a level of service to them that is far above our competitors.

Contact us at 407-830-5993 or 386-677-4040.