3 Best Reasons to Buy a New Computer

This is part two of a two part blog.  Now that you’ve read part one, the 3 Worst Reasons to Buy a New Computer, here are the best reasons to help you make an informed decision.

Reason 1: The Fix Costs More than Brand New

Anytime a repair will cost you more than the cost of a new system (over $400 for most PC’s), or even half of what you paid it’s time to consider a new computer.  Start by doing some research on the cost of a comparable new system to ensure a fix would not be more economical.   In my opinion, the only time it’s reasonable to pay over $400 for a repair would be to recover data from a failed hard drive, but I don’t really consider that a repair.  Also, always check a manufacturer’s website to ensure the product you own is still supported.  If you can’t tell from the website, then give them a call.  One telltale sign that a manufacturer is going to discontinue an item is when they no longer provide support for it.  That doesn’t just mean no tech support will be available when something goes wrong, it can also mean no or hard to find replacement parts if the item fails.   

Reason 2: New features or Functionality will Make You More Productive

This is one of the best reasons to purchase a new computer (combined with reason number three), after all, our computers are supposed to make our lives easier.  If your current system is a desktop but you’d like to flexibility of working remotely, it may be time to consider a laptop.  Or, if you’re sending a graduate off to college, you might want to consider sending them to school with a MAC rather than a PC as MACs can be better and more worry-free for students, in addition to being well-supported on college campuses.  The important thing is to make sure your new purchase will be a considerable “step up” in productivity for you and not a “lateral” move.

Reason 3: You’ve Outgrown Your Current Computer

This reason goes hand in hand with reason number two.  If you’ve run out of hard disk space trying to upgrade to the latest version of Windows or your system is running so slow you have time to take a walk around the block by the time it finishes booting up, then it may be time for a new system (assuming there’s not another “fixable” reason for the slowness). 

One final note, if and when you do purchase a new computer, don’t forget that there are others that could benefit from your old system.  Consider donating your old computer to a local charity or if it’s too old to repurpose, make sure you dispose of it properly thorugh a company that accepts ewaste.

3 Worst Reasons to Buy a New Computer

Considering a new computer?  Read this first!  One of the things that I dislike about my industry is that often times, consumers like you purchase computers unnecessarily and all too frequently, a salesperson (who usually knows very little about the item they are trying to sell) is eager to take your money.  So, since I’ve always considered myself a bit of an underdog for the user, I’m sharing with you a “techie’s” perspective on what you should (and should not) be considering before you buy.

# 1: It’s on sale

I get it.  You’ve stopped by Best Buy just to get ink and some batteries and, next thing you know you’re pursuing the computer isle rationalizing your “need” for a new laptop.  After all, your “old” laptop is just a 15 inch with a regular old keyboard but, the one that is calling your name has a finger-scanner and, it’s on sale!  It’s on sale, but so what?  A low price alone is never a reason to purchase a new computer, especially not on an impulse buy.  Purchasing a new computer takes time and planning:  making a checklist of the features you need, comparison shopping and, planning the timing so you don’t lose precious productivity setting up and getting acquainted with your new system.  The deal won’t seem so hot when its 11pm, you’ve spent the last six hours trying to get the blasted thing connected to the Internet and your client is waiting for reply to an important email.

# 2: Some told you (without facts in support) you need to

Just because there is a faster, cooler and shinier computer at the store or your friend just bought the latest and greatest, does not mean the computer you have isn’t getting the job done.  Never let anyone talk you into buying a computer unless they can give a convincing argument as to why the system you have can’t do the same thing (or you meet the criteria in part 2 of this article). Simply put: YOU are the one that has to use the computer and any purchase consideration needs to be based on YOUR work process.  Don’t let your friend, the social media butterfly, who just bought an iPad talk you into purchasing one for your business when you’ve used a PC all of your life. 

# 3: You’re launching a new business, product or project

I know that somewhere on your “New Business Setup Checklist” it may say to get a new computer.  Or, perhaps you figure that since you’re launching a new product now would be the perfect time to buy a new computer so you can start fresh. However, I advise you against it.  A new business venture or project alone does not give good reason for a new computer; in fact, it can be counterproductive.  The reason is that once you purchase a new computer, it’s the same as pressing “pause” on your current project (and your life) while you set it up, migrate your files, install software, install hardware, learn how to operate and, test your new system.  And trust me; this never goes as smoothly as planned; especially if your new computer comes with a newer version of the operating system or if you can’t find all of your software discs.   

Take my advice that an ill-timed computer purchase can put the deep freeze on your hot new business or project.

Be sure to check out Part 2 to learn the 3 Best Reasons to Buy a New Computer.

5 Reasons to Step Your Microsoft Office Game Up!

While there are many office productivity suites out there, Microsoft Office still remains the most popular.  Here are 5 reasons you need to sharpen that saw!

1.  Employers Expect Microsoft Office Proficiency
It's hard to find an administrative, managerial, customer service or project management job that does not require some level of Microsoft Office proficiency. Go ahead and try!  Go peruse Craig's List and see if you don't find a job that requires proficiency in Microsoft Word and/or Excel at minimum.  Don't get caught in today's job market with outdated Microsoft Office Skills skills!

2.  Microsoft Office Proficiency = Job Security
 In today's market of downsizing and layoffs, you need to be as productive as possible to avoid being on the "cut" list.  If you're getting more done in less time, you're saving your employer money; and that won't go unnoticed.
 
3.  Make Yourself More Marketable!
Job hunting is harder than ever as the market is flooded with people out of work.  How do you get a leg up on your competition when going up for a job?  Make sure you have demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office.  I'm not just talking about using Word to create documents; employers expect that.  I'm talking about dazzling them at the interview by explaining how you utilize productivity-boosting skills to get more done in less time. 

4.  You've Not Taken Training In a While
If you've not taken Microsoft Office training in a while (or at all), or if you've not taken past a beginner's class, listen up!  Many of the time-saving (and really cool) features of Microsoft Office are taught in intermediate level classes or higher (if at all).  Also, knowing how to use a feature does not mean you are utilizing it in a way that is the most productive; best practices combined with how to's is the key to productivity!

5.  Your Company Just Upgraded
If your company made a significant upgrade from one version of Office to another, or changed from another software suite to Office, you need to get some training.  Upgrades not only have new features that are always worth checking out, often times existing features are changed.  If your company has switched to Microsoft Office, getting training is the first order of business.  You can either make time for training now, or be frustrated later and waste time later.  Unless of course you like taking more time to get things done.  Oh, and the latter is a great argument to your supervisor or manager as to why they need to send you to training.

6.  Stay in the Know
Microsoft Office Guru's know and understand that training is an on-going process.  I've been using Microsoft Office for 15 years and I still find features and ways to use them that I've not explored before.  I'm always asking myself, "Is there a better or faster way to get this done?"  You should be asking yourself the same question.

7.  You've Been Promoted to a Managerial or Supervisor Position
Congratulations!  But now it's time to really step your game up as the pressure's on and you will be expected to get more done in less time; time that you don't have.  It's imperative that managers and supervisors are Microsoft Office power users, but so few are.  Whether it's creating reports in Word, managing employee hours, tracking inventory or sales figures in Excel, creating marketing or sales presentations in PowerPoint, or communicating and managing you or your team's time with Outlook; management sets the tone and expectations for the rest of the team, and if you're not organized or efficient, no one else will be. 

I can help! Visit www.yourofficeguru.com or check out the sidebar to choose the right training solution for you!

The Online Training Bandwagon: Look Before You Leap!

Businesses are jumping on the online training bandwagon in an effort to monetize their expertise (nothing wrong with that), and to meet the "now" demands of today's consumer.  Some of them are putting out some great programs, but others are not.  How do you as a consumer ensure you're getting what you pay for? 

Definition of Training:

Train (v) b : to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient.

It takes more than posting a recorded webinar and creating worksheets to call a program "training."  A true training program should include 3 elements: information, interactivity and knowledge transfer - the latter being the most important.  Often times, you pay for and take an online "training" program full of recorded videos and a few worksheets, then you never hear from the provider again (except to sell you more products and services).  When I see these programs, I often wonder...

• How do they know you've completed the training?
• How do they know you are proficient in what you've been taught?
• How to they know you are putting what you've learned into practice? 
• How do they know if you were satisfied with the training?

A comprehensive training program will incorporate assessing knowledge transfer before, during and after training.