Question for business owners or soon to be business owners

[Cambridge PC Support]

I think someone mentioned being in the office to answer phones.... Well the same result can be accomplished by forwarding calls to you cell while you are on site.

not for me though

a) I refuse to take phone calls while I'm with a customer - I think it's rude

b) I refuse to answer work phone calls while I'm driving - not even on hands free - I get in a flap, and certainly can't write details down for obvious reasons

 

[CPU]

As a side note to hiring people... the first person you hire should be someone that you could see using as a manager of your business down the road. I would say that your first emplooyee should be a very expereinced individual with business and technical skills.... someone that you would pick as a partner if were going into business with them.

Not always financially feasible for the first employee but this is a very good point to think of them in this way.

 

[CPU]

not for me though

a) I refuse to take phone calls while I'm with a customer - I think it's rude

b) I refuse to answer work phone calls while I'm driving - not even on hands free - I get in a flap, and certainly can't write details down for obvious reasons

That was another users post but I agree their time is their time.

 

[NeutronTech]

Not always financially feasible for the first employee but this is a very good point to think of them in this way.

If you can afford to pay for a non skilled employee, then it isn't too far of a jump to hire a skilled employee. That skilled employee will be able to pay for themselves if you are busy enough to need an employee in the first place. The unskilled employee is going to hinder your ability to hired a skilled tech later.

This is just going to go back and forth. You asked for guidance and help in growing your business. Your idea is a bad idea and instead of taking the advice given you are trying to argue your bad idea. Either you want our advice or don't. You can't be stuck in your ways when asking for advice.

 

[CPU]

what was the question again? sorry I missed it the first fourteen times

where are you?

owner?
employed and staying?
employed and thinking of starting your own thing?
and time at current status?

 

[CPU]

If you can afford to pay for a non skilled employee, then it isn't too far of a jump to hire a skilled employee. That skilled employee will be able to pay for themselves if you are busy enough to need an employee in the first place. The unskilled employee is going to hinder your ability to hired a skilled tech later.

Entery level techs make double an associates rate.

This is just going to go back and forth. You asked for guidance and help in growing your business. Your idea is a bad idea and instead of taking the advice given you are trying to argue your bad idea. Either you want our advice or don't. You can't be stuck in your ways when asking for advice.

I don't want advice for growing my own business. I want to know what your biggest challenge was to overcome if you are an established business. If you are not then what is currently your biggest challenge to overcome. The relevant information I have got thus far from users is:

Making the transition to employees
Continuity of work
time management
legal issues
rate determination
steady income
etc.

please also state your status

owner?
employed and staying?
employed and thinking of starting your own thing?
time at current status?

 

[callthatgirl]

edited out for shady OP intentions, well now I see he copied all of it, so no point now.

 

[CPU]

Thank you for your input

 

[callthatgirl]

I hope that my dating problems help your book sales.

 

[154Tech]

I hope that my dating problems help your book sales.

Maybe he's starting a SuperMarket Tabloid aimed at Techs and this was just the juicy info he was looking for.

 

[CPU]

Maybe he's starting a SuperMarket Tabloid aimed at Techs and this was just the juicy info he was looking for.

Maybe hes telling you the truth and you could add something positive to the post.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

maybe you could be more honest about why you're here CPU - because you're obviously not a tech

 

[CPU]

I'm a tech if you dont like me or think I have other motives block me and don't read my posts you don't pay my bills and after a long time trying with some of you I could care less.

 

[lassenpc]

What are you largest challenges in the running your own business or starting one?

What resources (like this forum) would make it easier for you to do business and bring in more cash?

The types of things that come to my mind are documentation of work, a tested knowledgebase rather than regurgitated online facts, a team of like minded individuals (employees or forum members), a fee structure that represents the clients I wish to acquire, support options, etc.

Biggest challenges have been:

1. Training Employees; they all have heavy tech backgrounds, it's teaching customer service
2. Learning when to say 'no' we can't fix that toaster (insert your item here)
3. Firing clients (has gotten easier after the first)
4. Branching out / over extending resources (teaching classes, doing graphics work, etc)

 

[CPU]

Biggest challenges have been:

1. Training Employees; they all have heavy tech backgrounds, it's teaching customer service
2. Learning when to say 'no' we can't fix that toaster (insert your item here)
3. Firing clients (has gotten easier after the first)
4. Branching out / over extending resources (teaching classes, doing graphics work, etc)

Thanks for your input! I'm guessing your a business owner with employees. How long have you been in business? Firing clients that is so funny I have used the same words in the past and what a look coworkers gave when I did lol

 

[lassenpc]

In business about 4 1/2 years; started as onsite repair only (working out of house); demand grew, opened (very) small office 2 years ago, started hiring 6 months ago, just moved into much larger office few weeks ago. Overall, business is good here, despite several competitors; I put the emphasis on customer service (I have a strong hotel background / Marriott) and I think that is what sets us apart from the rest here.

 

[CPU]

In business about 4 1/2 years; started as onsite repair only (working out of house); demand grew, opened (very) small office 2 years ago, started hiring 6 months ago, just moved into much larger office few weeks ago. Overall, business is good here, despite several competitors; I put the emphasis on customer service (I have a strong hotel background / Marriott) and I think that is what sets us apart from the rest here.

Thanks for all your input you helped me remember another obstacle I faced not being mister nice guy to everyone and having to fire clients.