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SEPT 2020
Honoring My Team This Labor Day Growing Together
As we approach Labor Day on Sept. 7, I can’t help but think back to when our operation at MicroTech Systems was much smaller. Back then, I wore all the hats. I was the owner, the technician, the sales guy, and the office administrator. I was working long days and doing it all along with a very small team. I look back at that time with a little nostalgia for the days when I was in the thick of IT and sales work, but I know it was a lot of work. My intention was to grow. That wasn’t feasible at the rate I was going. I could have easily kept doing it all, but I knew that if I wanted MicroTech to grow its capabilities and spread out into the Treasure Valley and beyond, I had to admit that I couldn’t do it all. Spending time doing all these roles at once helped me grow my appreciation of each job. I understood the needs of each role and the kind of people we needed to grow. We may not be doctors or lawyers, but we’re still dealing with high- pressure technical issues at MicroTech. When a system is down and our clients can’t work, each minute that passes by is money flying out the door for our clients. And when those clients call us with those problems, we can sense the frustration and anticipation in their voice. Those kinds of calls can wear on you, but that’s part of the job. Without our professionals willing to take on those calls, the salespeople who make it their mission to solve problems, and the office administration staff keeping our operation plugging along each day, none of this would be possible. The growth we’ve sustained and the dedication we have for our clients would be nonexistent without each member of MicroTech Systems. In honor of our teams’ commitment, this Labor Day I want to use this space to highlight each of the three teams at MicroTech. As I mentioned, none of this is possible without them, and the following attributes highlight that.
Office Administration: The sheer volume of work happening in this department is astounding. Along with all the work they do, each member of this team has an attention to detail that is pertinent to ensuring nothing is missed. Their job is thankless sometimes, but I truly appreciate the trust I have in them to get work done — even when they have very little information. They do the behind-the-scenes stuff many of our clients never get to see, but they do it well. Sales Team: We expect the sales team to essentially fill two roles. They add clients to our workflow while serving as client managers. They are expected to be knowledgeable of our products while also being relatable and approachable for our clients, and that’s not a role that’s easy to accomplish. They have to perform a balancing act that many of us don’t: getting the existing work done on their agenda along with all of the new urgent requests that come in from clients. That can be very stressful and hectic. Their plates are always full. Operations: Without the operations team, none of this could even exist. They’re putting out small fires every day and answering calls that just never stop. It’s amazing to see how they jump from one problem to the next, taking on the frustrations of each client and doing what they can to solve the issue. They work in chaos every day, yet they grind it out and ensure our clients have the protections and services they need. When we put all three of those teams together, we have the strong foundation that MicroTech sits on today. I’m proud to work with the team that I do every day, and it’s because of them that I don’t have to wear all the hats anymore. I can do the work I need to do to ensure MicroTech is growing and to build our future together.
So, thank you, MicroTech team!
–Randy Amorebieta
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Optimize Your Sales Team By Enhancing Their Leadership Qualities
Think about the traits of a leader. You may be thinking of someone who can take charge, isn’t afraid to fail, communicates clearly, has a passion for helping people, and is extroverted. Now, think of a successful salesperson. Do you see any overlap in characteristics? The answer is likely yes. Salespeople are natural leaders. They lead consumers to the best product or service, and they effectively push our economy and businesses forward. However, having multiple leaders on one team can create friction. As an entrepreneur or sales manager, you must create a work environment that nurtures
You can create a plan for cultivating leadership with these two steps.
Analyze Traits Leaders do have defined traits, but no two leaders are alike. Pinpointing the qualities that make each team member an effective leader — and therefore great at their job — can help you identify sales teams or partners that will function harmoniously. (Coincidentally, this process will also show you who should not work together.) The best pairs feed off one another. Maybe you have one salesperson who is the best at explaining the technical aspects of your product, while another is the most empathetic and emotional seller. Together, they’re a winning combination. Provide Leadership Training Learning is an essential part of sales. Salespeople have to understand the demographic, cater to trends, and be the first to admit when a sales tactic is wrong. In addition to learning skills specific to their position, salespeople should also undergo leadership training. Many of these courses and teachings target managers who have employees, but when you encourage your team to apply these concepts to potential clients, they will learn what leadership skills they must nurture within themselves to get more sales. You can also take managerial leadership training and convert it into a program that targets your sales team.
your leaders in the sales department without causing issues. Those with an
innate sense of leadership still need the right training and work environment to optimize their skills and excel. When you provide these, the confidence of your team increases, their ability to sell effectively is boosted, and your sales numbers improve. It’s a win-win-win for you, your team, and the company.
See What Our Customers Are Saying
Spiers Construction has been a longtime customer of MicroTech Systems and appreciates their service. Any time we have a need, Joe Shumway is our go-to guy. He’s always aware of our past and present issues and quick to help. It’s like having an old friend give you a call. Excellent quality of service. – Dylan P.
Great customer service! Fantastic company to work with. – Judy P.
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HERE’SWHAT TODOABOUT IT Is the New Business Landscape Keeping You Up at Night?
When everyone was working in the office, your greatest IT risks were employees clicking on suspicious links and occasional coffee spills. But as remote work continues, you’ll find you need better and more permanent plans for your small to midsize business (SMB). With employees working remotely, using different business apps, and sharing data, you have to make sure you’re protected from the latest threats. If you aren’t working with a managed service provider (MSP), here are three reasons you should be.
in a central place? Are employees saving proprietary data to their hard drives where it can be lost or isn’t accessible to others? Moving away from desktop work to cloud- based work makes it easier to store and access data as well as onboard new employees, set up new equipment, update software, add new clients to your system, set up better security, reboot your network, and assist employees with connectivity issues.
Agility With Cloud Solutions Think about what solutions you’ve added to manage your daily operations, like Dropbox, Google Docs, Slack, Zoom, or QuickBooks. Who’s tracking and managing it all? Do department heads know who’s using what? Cloud solutions aren’t always cheaper, but they could definitely be smarter for your SMB. An MSP can help you decide the best route long term when using these solutions. An MSP knows who’s using what software and apps, how they all work together, and how to keep your systems updated and secure. So don’t settle for mediocre IT, and don’t try to handle the growing SMB IT challenges yourself. Face this new business landscape with confidence by contacting MicroTech to get started.
Attack Vector Security An attack vector is any system vulnerability that can be exploited by hackers to infiltrate your system and harvest data. With more people working from home, potential attack vectors and system vulnerabilities have tripled because employees are accessing your VPN through personal phones, computers, and tablets. Everything else connected to their network, like Netflix, Xbox, and Alexa, is a gateway too. An MSP can help you implement two-factor authentication and ensure you always have updated anti-spam and anti-malware protection. The Move to Network Solutions Organizations produce a huge amount of data daily, and it needs to be kept somewhere. Is all your confidential data protected and stored
Have a Laugh!
Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak
Ingredients
• • • • •
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
•
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp whole-grain mustard 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• • •
1 3-lb flank steak Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Combine garlic, rosemary, oregano, mustard, and vinegar in a blender. Purée until garlic is minced. 2. Add oil and continue blending until creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve 1/4 cup. 3. Place steak in a ceramic or glass baking dish and cover steak with the remaining marinade. Turn to coat the other side, cover, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
4. Remove steak frommarinade and let excess marinade drip off. Sprinkle the steak lightly with salt and pepper. 5. Light grill and oil grates with olive oil. 6. Grill steak over moderate heat for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway through, until steak is lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 125 F. 7. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice, drizzle reserved sauce, and serve.
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Inside
Ever Wonder What Makes MicroTech Function? Meet the Team! 2 Steps to Cultivate Leadership in Your Sales Team 3 Reasons You Need an MSP in This Remote Work Landscape
Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak
How to Enact Effective Change
Change Can Be Easy Pam Marmon’s Outline for Effective Post-Pandemic Transformation
Pam Marmon understands what it means to adapt. After growing up in Bulgaria, Marmon had to modify her way of living when she emigrated to the U.S. Today, she’s a CEO, entrepreneur, wife, and mother who believes that change doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, she’s mastered it. Marmon has even established a company, Marmon Consulting, that helps other companies develop strategies for executing transformation. In Marmon’s book, “No One’s Listening and It’s Your Fault: Get Your Message Heard During Organizational Transformations,” she outlines her proven methods for effective communication in
The key, Marmon explains, is to identify your company’s culture and cater your plan’s language to suit what will resonate with your employees the most. This will establish a sense of alignment with your business’s vision and direction, which can be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. You cannot achieve success in a period of change if your team is doubtful and unwilling. With your company united toward your vision, you can begin to enact real change.
However, this is only the beginning. Marmon’s book also outlines how to connect with fellow leaders in your company to develop a framework for growth. By creating a stable foundation and inspiring change, you’ll find this time of major transition to be much smoother than you may have anticipated. As a result, your company will come out on top at the end of the COVID-19 era. Marmon’s mantra is inspiring: “With the proper process, change is not hard.” And with her book, “No One’s Listening and It’s Your Fault,” business leaders can see just how simple change can be.
any company setting, from a major corporation to a family business. Released on March 24, 2020, Marmon’s advice is timely in a period when many business owners are searching for proactive solutions and the next step in finding post-pandemic success. Marmon’s book is the perfect guide for business leaders who recognize the need for tangible change and want to execute it as effectively as possible.
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