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.

5 Tips for Creating Hard to Hack Passwords

From the Data Security experts at Atlantic Data Team here are  5 Tips for Creating Hard to Hack Passwords.

 

Could someone easily guess your password?

 

1. Use Passwords that are not based on any personal information or  a word from the dictionary. Therefore, Do not use any part of your name, childs name, pets name, company name or a word from the dictionary properly or backwards.

Why? Intruders do research to gain information about individual users. Facebook is one source they are using and therefore the information shared on social media sites should never be a part of a password. Because, these devious intruders will attempt to gain access by trying password combinations related to the users family, personal interests, or other key personal information. They will often gain access to a company’s systems by stealing, or cracking these types of passwords and the account names, and then they will pose as that user.

These hackers also use sophisticated software to rapidly enter random dictionary words until they hack their way into your computer and it can take only minutes!

Examples of easily hacked passwords include:

• Samson2
• drowssap (password backwards)
• t1mjones
• N1keisbest

2. Use Passwords that have at least 6 characters and longer if possible.

3. Use Passwords that contains a mix of upper and lower case letters.

4. Use Passwords that include special characters, numerals, and punctuation.

5. Atlantic Data Team also recommends using a password based on a mnemonic, such as an easily remembered phrase or key words of a song. For example, take the first letter of each word in a phrase or song, then add a few special characters or numbers to it. For example, “It was’t me it was’t me” can become “I:w)miwM”. “Just do it” can become “j1D2i$”.

Examples of strong passwords include:

• De8#vu
• 5sD$oiP
• Qz89TI!
• j2T@w&M

Bonus tip: Do Not Use PASSWORD as your password.

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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