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DEC 2020
Moving Forward
Finding Value in 2020
T here are moments in life that we never forget. Just like many of you, I can recall what I was doing the very moment I heard about the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11. On a local level, I’ll never forget where I was when the Borah Peak earthquake rocked central Idaho on Oct. 28, 1983. At the time, I was 10 years old and in the library learning Spanish before school when the books on the shelves began to sway and fall. I learned that my fight-or-flight response was flight as I took off out the door! All I remember is wanting to get away from the shaking as fast as I could. That moment of panic is forever seared into my memory. But as I sat down to write this last cover letter of 2020, I realized there aren’t many moments from this year that are as etched into my memory as those big events. It’s strange to think that in a year with historic floods, political turmoil, major wildfires, a pandemic, riots, an economic shutdown, and here, even an earthquake, in addition to every other little personal thing that has happened this year, many of us will likely leave 2020 so shellshocked that we won’t remember most of what actually happened. It won’t be a matter of fleeting seconds that we recall years later; it will be a jumble of confusion and uncertainty pieced together from the nuttiest year of our lives. So, how do we even begin to plan for 2021? This won’t all just go away at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, and frankly, I was struggling to grasp where to begin planning.
track to meet those goals, but that all came crashing down in March as the pandemic swept our nation. Then, we were in scramble mode. Our sole focus was on helping our clients secure the tools they needed and managing our own ship with Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans and other measures. As we sit in the fourth quarter of the year, we’ve only hit 10%–15% of our goals for the year. And to think, we were doing so well in February! But as I look to 2021, I say, “Enough is enough.” We’ve muddled through the distractions, and now we have to refocus and get back to work on what we want to accomplish. If you’re like I was and just catching your breath from the chaos that was 2020, I would suggest you get back to the basics. What do you want to accomplish? How can you be better? What do you need to do to achieve this? That’s what I’m asking myself and my team here at MicroTech Systems. On paper, 2020 was a complete failure for our goals, but it gave us the lessons and tools we needed to succeed in this strange pandemic world. In 2021, my hope is to cut out the distractions and get back to some sense of normalcy — whatever that may look like. We may not remember all that happened in 2020, but there has been value in the lessons we’ve learned, and it’s time we stopped dwelling on what could have been.
Here’s to moving forward in 2021! Wishing you and your family a very happy and safe holiday season.
–Randy Amorebieta
To help, I’ve been trying to find some perspective. Last year at this time, we outlined our goals for 2020. In January and February, we were on
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Decisions, Decisions Tactics for Making the Best Business Choices
No. 2: Don’t go with the status quo. “This is how we’ve always done it” will kill your business. Nothing is the same as it was just one year ago. The entire world has transformed, and attempting to continue with what’s “normal” will only cause you to miss what could be. As you plan for 2021, consider the abnormal. Look at options you would have never considered doing and test their efficacy. If one fails, move on. But there’s a big chance that you may stumble into something that is totally unique and completely worth your time. No. 3: Embrace change. You’ve set your course. You have your team in place. You’re excited to begin. Now, get ready to change everything. Sounds exhausting, right? But it can happen. Rather than being resistant to what isn’t working, admit defeat and move on. If there’s one benefit of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that we were all given a crash course on how to adapt quickly. Take those lessons and apply them to your 2021 plan. Be prepared to admit when your original plan isn’t working because staying on an ineffective course can do more harm than good.
As a business leader, you’re likely well-versed in making decisions, but in the midst of a global health crisis, a political minefield, and environmental disasters, planning for the upcoming year is different territory for even the most seasoned business professionals. So, how do you make the right decisions for your 2021 plans? Start with these three steps.
No. 1: Look at the data. Data has never steered you wrong before, so don’t stop using it now. However, you have to use the right data and contextualize it with today’s
lenses. For example, when choosing a new marketing campaign or direction, continue looking at the cost, revenue, potential errors, and risk factors. Use those to make an informed decision about which step to take. For example, is the campaign empathetic to the needs of your clients, or will it come off as tone- deaf? (Hint: Try split testing in 2020 before fully deploying a new campaign in 2021!)
Don’t avoid it. Planning for 2021 is necessary — even if you need to change course quickly.
See What Our Customers Are Saying
5-STAR SHOUTOUT!
Our team is the most important variable to our success! We couldn’t offer our five-star IT services without their dedication. This month, it’s our honor to recognize Scott Reimers for his five years of commitment to MicroTech! Thank you for all you do, Scott!
“Scott is the most amazing tech ever. He has such a sweet heart, AND he is so personable and professional. He is amazing! Bomb.com status!” – Christy F. “Our company has been using MicroTech’s services for years. They have supported our practice through many changes and growth. All the while maintaining professionalism and eagerness to help. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.” – Michelle A.
We also want to recognize Mike Biggs, Sherri Felton, and Ken Holt, who are celebrating birthdays this December.
Now, these are people worth celebrating. Thanks, everyone!
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The Top 4 Things Your MobileWorkforce Needs in 2021
isn’t a cloud option, you will need to assess your situation and find a solution that works best for you. (Note: We can help!) 4. Security: This will always be essential, but you must find systems that work best for you. Firewalls, two-factor authentication, training programs, and many, many other options need to be considered and effectively deployed by businesses — regardless of the business’s format. All businesses are trying to master the balancing act between remote and in-office employees in 2021. For more advice and IT knowledge, check out MicroTech Systems’ blog at MicroTechBoise.com/blog . Give our team a call to learn more about your options for cloud-based servers, security, and application tools.
2. Collaborative Tools: Platforms like Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more allow you to engage with your team regardless of where they are, share internal files, and jump on a quick phone or video call. 3. Line of Business Applications: Line of business (LOB) applications support your company’s external needs. These applications are likely used companywide, yet finding the appropriate platforms can be tough. Consider adapting to a cloud-based LOB application, which would allow your team to access it from anywhere. If there
Flexibility has been the biggest lesson of 2020. As businesses adapted to an ever-changing economic landscape, being flexible was the key trait among those most successful. This will continue into the new year as more businesses consider the ways in which they can work from home, move back into the office, or create a hybrid version of these scenarios. Before you commit to one version, your company needs these four IT measures to thrive in a mobile world. 1. File-Sharing: Today, many businesses store their data and files on one digital server. If your workers are at home, these files are currently being accessed through a virtual private network (VPN). This solution is widely accepted in the IT industry, but its scalability is very limited. For businesses with more than 20 employees, the best solution is to adopt a cloud-based system. This is integrated with anti-malware and anti-ransomware devices and provides better syncing and reporting.
Festive Apple Cider If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
Have a Laugh!
Ingredients
• • • •
2 tsp allspice berries
• • • •
1 lemon
1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1 gallon pure apple cider
2 tbsp honey
1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise
3 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp whole cloves
Directions
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
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Inside
The Lessons We Can Take From 2020
Tactics for Making the Best Business Choices
See What Our Customers Are Saying
4 Necessities for a Mobile Workforce
Festive Apple Cider
Want to Make Your Holidays a Little Easier?
Holiday Hacks for the Busy Professional 4 Tips for a Less Exhausting Holiday Season
Delegate — at home! You delegate assignments at work, so why not do the same at home? Start with your immediate family and work your way out. Give everyone a task: Someone does the grocery shopping. Someone is in charge of a main course dish. Another is on side-dish duty. Others get dessert. Don’t forget to assign a clean-up crew. Save yourself for the tasks you REALLY want to do. Take frequent breaks. When you have a lot going on, frequent 5–10 minute minibreaks can go a long way in easing the mental pressure. Don’t hesitate to take brain breaks throughout the day. Go for a quick walk around the building or neighborhood. Read a chapter of your book. Play a quick game on your phone.
The holidays are an incredibly busy time of year. Between work and home, it can feel like there isn’t enough daylight to get everything done. We have projects to complete, emails to answer, dinners to plan, gifts to buy — and family is coming in from out of town. Is it possible to take care of everything and not be completely exhausted by the end of it? While we can’t answer that definitively, we can share a few “holiday hacks” to help you get more out of your time. Put work aside. Give yourself blocks of time to focus on one thing at a time. You may be tempted to multitask, but for your mental health, don’t do it. Focusing on one thing at a time produces better results (this applies equally to cooking as it does to client work) and you’ll feel better through the process.
Say no to the kitchen. When your time is precious, why spend a lot of time in the kitchen? While some find cooking a joy, others find it burdensome. If you’re in the latter group, it’s okay to go the boxed or prepared meal route when time is short. Boxed meals can still be prepared with love, and you can get high-quality frozen dishes or freshly prepared meals from your favorite grocery store. The time and energy you save is worth the investment. In 2020, we have more options than ever to make life easier. So, enjoy the holidays a little more by doing the things you love and using these tips to make the most of your time and energy this season.
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