MicroTech Systems - July 2020
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JULY 2020
Travel Woes
Commiseration for Canceled Vacations and Impromptu Plans
This June, Keri and I were all set to enjoy a big trip to Hawaii. Our plane tickets and an Airbnb stay were booked, and we were getting excited with each passing each day.
home, and look for alternatives for summer travel. As a result, I wonder what this year’s camping scene will be like. Anyone who is a camper in the Treasure Valley knows just how competitive it can be to find a good spot anywhere within a three-hour radius of Boise. I could see it being even more difficult to camp this summer, as more people look to regional and distanced trips. One could argue that campsites will be less busy, with more people choosing to stay home altogether, but the spikes in rentals and purchases of camping, hiking, and outdoor equipment would say otherwise. As for Keri and me, at the time of this writing in early June, we’re considering a trip to Lake Tahoe. It’s a destination we’ve frequented over the years, often staying on the California side of the lake. We may have to stay on the Nevada side this year due to California’s stricter regulations, but it’s easy to find your distance at the lake. Relaxing at Lake Tahoe may not be the same as sipping drinks in Hawaii or marveling at the blue oceans just outside our door. That experience will have to wait for another year — and trust me, it will happen — but this year’s summer vacation will be one for the memory books. After all, regardless of how we choose to vacation this year, one thing is certain: We will make at least one summer memory this year that doesn’t involve the house.
Then COVID-19 became a reality in the U.S., and all our plans came crashing down.
Like many people, in March, we were naive to think June was too far away for the virus to be a big issue. We thought the world would have time to recuperate, so we did our research. We compared Hawaii and Idaho’s regulations. We considered possibilities for bending the rules, but we soon came to the realization that we were just fishing for a trip that wouldn’t happen. Hawaii had a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving on the island, and what’s the point of being in Hawaii if all you get to experience are the four walls surrounding you? We could sit inside in Idaho and not spend all this money. We played the airline’s game while waiting to see if they would cancel our trip or if we should ask for a refund. Thankfully, we were able to cancel other parts of the trip easily. I was bummed, but I knew we would have a chance to go again. Keri took it harder than me. As a teacher, her opportunity for travel is very limited, and with everything that happened this spring with digital schooling, I’m sure this vacation would have been just what she needed. Hawaii has also always been Keri’s dream destination.
Safe travels!
I know Keri and I are not alone. Many excited vacationers are experiencing the same disappointment in having to cancel plans, stay
–Randy Amorebieta
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Overthinking Undermines Your Success How NHL Goalies Live in the Moment
On Feb. 22, 2020, David Ayres was sitting in the stands next to his wife watching a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game. By the end of the night, this 45-year-old Zamboni driver would be the first emergency goaltender to record a win in the history of the NHL. After the Hurricane’s first two goalies were taken out of the game due to injuries, Ayres was called onto the ice. He stopped eight out of 10 shots, helping the Hurricanes claim victory. This isn’t the first time an emergency goalie has been called in to help win an NHL game. When Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant, was called in as an emergency goalie for a 2017 Blackhawks home game, he didn’t let a single puck past him. How are ordinary men like Ayres and Foster able to go from sitting in the bleachers to crushing it on the ice at a moment’s notice? They have the remarkable ability to thrive under pressure by not overthinking their situation. A good goalie cannot overthink anything. They must be able to assess the situation and react instantaneously to block a speeding puck. Physical training is only half the battle. Achieving true success
means mastering the psychological game. This kind of mental fortitude can be valuable in business, too.
“The key difference between those who get the gold medal and those who don’t is between the ears,” says Martin Turner, senior lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at Staffordshire University. “Business leaders can learn to develop robust psychological skills to help them fulfill their potential under pressure, and importantly, help others around them fulfill their potential.” How can you learn to stop yourself from overthinking during high-pressure situations? Don’t view those high-pressure situations as life or death. “It was wild; it was fun,” said Ayres after his historic win. “These guys were awesome. They said to me, ‘Have fun with it, don’t worry about how many goals go in. This is your moment — have fun with it.’” “Have fun” is exactly what Ayres did, and the Hurricanes won the game. When you find yourself overthinking a high-pressure situation, remind yourself that no matter what decision you make, it’s not the end of the world. That moment is just one of many opportunities you’ll be presented with. Above all else, keep a positive outlook. Win or lose, success or failure, being positive will always take you far. See What Our Customers Are Saying “MicroTech delivers exceptional tech support 100% of the time. They are so personable and create more than just a business relationship. I ultimately feel like I know and have built relationships with each of them.” – Kristia S. “We have been using MicroTech for over a month and glad we made the switch. Great people.” – Krystal D.
PARTY TIME!
We’re halfway through 2020! It’s been an exhausting year for everyone, and we want to thank those who have trusted us with their IT service. We couldn’t offer you this without the dedication and proficiency of our team. To honor this, we want to recognize the following MicroTech employees who will celebrate very special days this July. Birthdays: Brandon Hunsaker and Mark Owens Work Anniversaries: Bill Mogensen, Robert Bissonette, Javier Peredes, and Stuart Mulanix Thank you, all, for your continued commitment!
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THE TOP 4 TECHREMINDERS
As Your Company Transitions Out of or Further Into Remote Work
In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 7% of Americans were working from home. Today, that number is far greater, largely due to COVID-19. Some reports claim that number has risen to 95% as of mid-March. Whether this unprecedented change has brought massive disruptions to your workflow or was a minor inconvenience, we’ve all learned the value of being prepared — especially as companies debate coming back to the office or staying remote. When it comes to your technology, there’s no such thing as being overprepared. Here are some of our top tech-planning reminders for businesses that want to thrive in remote work and carry those lessons into a post-COVID-19 world. 1. Backups and Storage: If you haven’t updated your storage or backup systems in a while, then now is the time to do so. A data crash is devastating in the office, but when your employees are remote, you’re facing a greater disaster. 2. Accessing Tools: Technology is great, but it’s the programs that make it valuable. When your employees cannot access your company’s virtual private network (VPN) or advanced platforms — such as payroll software — technology and working from home become useless. 3. Security and Privacy: Cybersecurity is always vital, but the privacy of your clients must also be a major concern when working remotely. When you bring your VPN out of the office and into
someone’s home, you run the risk of that connection bringing danger to your company. Updating virus and malware protection and updating policies to better protect your clients are just two key ways you can bolster these efforts from anywhere.
4. Collaboration and Evolution: Regularly communicate via chat, email, video meetings, or phone calls and host twice-weekly meetings via video. Human interaction and communication will boost your team’s morale and set the standard for a strong foundation moving forward. Accept that this new way is difficult for some employees and beneficial for others, and then find what works for your team. As a small business, navigating this pandemic has been anything but easy. As we continue to open our economy back up, you may face new technology issues, and MicroTech’s five-star IT service can guide you through it. Call our team today to learn more and visit our blog at MicroTechBoise.com/MicroTech-Blog for more advice.
Have a Laugh!
No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream July is National Ice Cream Month, so why not cool off with some sweet, homemade s’mores ice cream? You don’t even need an ice cream churn!
Ingredients
• • • • •
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
10 graham crackers, crushed 1 chocolate bar, chopped 2 cups whipping cream, chilled
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla
3. Fold whipping cream into the condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
extract, graham crackers, and chocolate.
2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes.
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Inside
Our Hawaiian Trip Is Canceled. Where to Now? NHL Goalies Can Help You Stop Overthinking The Top 4 Tech Tips From COVID-19 and Working Remotely
Homemade S’mores Ice Cream
Maximize Your Sales With ‘The Challenger Customer’
‘The Challenger Customer’ How to Sell to Your Holdouts
The ideal customer is an eager buyer who’s ready to jump in from the first pitch. You have them engaged and committed, and all that’s left is to sign on the dotted line. You’ve made a sale with a lasting customer — right?
When a company makes the decision to buy, it usually isn’t the result of one individual. Instead, it’s often a group discussion, and a vocal company leader can kill the deal. You may have sold most of the team on the offer, but with only one holdout, your most promising message could be lost. “The Challenger Customer” provides research-based evidence to help you pinpoint who will be the hardest to persuade and how to focus on them. You may not be able to outright convince them that what you’re selling is necessary, but with the right understanding and insight into how you can truly change their company for the better, you can hook a customer for life. Their support for your product or service will surpass that of even their most receptive team members because you focused on the biggest challenge. That’s the ultimate difference between high-performing sales teams and those that meet the bar by reaching for easy sales. If you want to take your sales to the next level and connect with more customers, you have to sell to the holdouts. “The Challenger Customer” provides you with the tools you need to get started.
Perhaps, but numerous studies show that maybe it’s not that simple. In “The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden Influencer Who Can Multiply Your Results,” authors Brent Adamson, Matthew Dixon, Pat Spenner, and Nick Toman explain that creating and focusing a plan on the customers who appear cold to your offer is actually the key to exponential sales. If your product or service can appeal to a reluctant audience, your business has the potential to maximize revenue and retention.
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