Micro Tech's online newsletter for May 2018
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May 2018
The 3 Most Important Moms inMy Life Celebrating My Wife, My Mom, and My Mother-in-Law This Mother’s Day
W ith Mother’s Day right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to recognize the three most important moms in my life: my mother, Chris, my mother-in-law, Vicki, and Keri, my wife and the mother of my children. Let me tell you, without their constant presence, I’m sure I wouldn’t have even an ounce of the success and happiness I’ve found over the years. So much of what I’ve built and achieved would be impossible without each of them by my side. First, of course, there’s Keri. Since the beginning, she’s been the even- keeled ship consistently steering our family in the right direction. As a teacher of Earth Science and Oceanography at Eagle High, she’s equipped with boundless patience and wisdom for our kids, whether she’s helping them with homework or giving them advice when their teenage lives get inevitably complicated. And she does it all with poise and kindness, eager to offer her encouragement and support at every turn. I can’t imagine my life without her. Then there’s my mother, a Boise native whom I still feel comfortable talking to about absolutely anything. When my brother and I were growing up, she created a remarkably open household environment. Her parents had been very, very strict, so she did what she could to prevent herself from driving us to sneak around and get into trouble. We were each trusted to do our own thing, make our own mistakes, and go to her with any problem we might have. As a kid, I may have taken advantage of that long leash every once in a while, but I’m so appreciative of the mutual trust she built between us — not to mention her easygoing, good-natured personality and sense of humor. She’s the kind of mom anybody would be lucky to have in their corner, cheering them on no matter what. Of course, I’d be remiss (And I’d be in some hot water!) if I didn’t mention my mother-in-law, Vicki, as well! Keri and I have been together since I was 17, so Vicki was in my life before I was even an adult. I’m lucky to be one of the few who can not only stand their in-
laws, but who actively enjoy their company — something I don’t take for granted. She’s such a ball of energy and an expert conversationalist who turns pretty much everything into a good time. Over the years, she’s become vitally important to me. Mother’s Day Weekend. Keri has managed to stretch the holiday out to last over several days. But hey, to say she’s earned a weekend all to herself would be an understatement, so I’m not going to argue. My kids and I try to be as helpful as we can When Mother’s Day comes around, it’s really more like
around the house, catering to whatever she needs and being extra nice about all of it. Then on Sunday morning, we usually do the classic fancy breakfast with Keri and the kids and then head off to my mother-in-law’s. We bring along a bunch of flower pots and plants and help set them all up. Then we close out by doing the same thing at my mom’s place, dragging out these huge, heavy flower pots to the porch and making sure everything’s planted. All in all, it’s a busy day, but it’s always a great time. I’ll take any opportunity to thank these incredible women for everything they’ve done for me. Here’s hoping that you get a chance this Mother’s Day to thank the moms in your life and honor them for their outsized contribution to the person you’ve become. Trust me; they deserve it!
–Randy Amorebieta
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When someone says “thank you,” how do you respond? It’s a core tenet of
countless internet forums have published think pieces on the phrase “no problem.” People can and will get irked by the wrong response to gratitude. The Chick fil-A franchise goes so far as requiring its employees to always reply, “My pleasure.” Should you pay this much attention to what your employees say? Absolutely. In his book “Age of the Customer,” Jim Blasingame observes that products and services don’t set you apart from the competition in the minds of your clientele: their experience with you does. Ensuring that the unique relationship you have with your clients stays positive is well worth developing some standard practice guidelines for your team. What these guidelines should look like depends on your business. Examine your marketing materials and your demographics. What kind of experience do your customers expect from you? How can your customer service meet or reinforce this expectation? Work with your team to create a standard for customer communication that fits your company culture and the people you serve. For some businesses, this means that “no problem” may be just that. If an informal, down-to-earth vibe fits your business, this millennialism may be harmless. But it doesn’t do you much good, either. The problem with colloquialisms is that everyone uses them, and the whole idea is to stand out in the minds of your customers. In many cases, a “you’re quite welcome” or even a “my pleasure” can make an otherwise forgettable interaction stick out in the minds of your customers.
customer service that has inspired much debate. It may seem trivial, but the way you talk to customers matters. With branding, R&D, marketing campaigns, and relationship
building, chances are that your business invests heavily in attracting new clients and retaining old ones. But often, a customer’s
‘No Problem’ vs. ‘My Pleasure’ Sending the Right Message
decision of whether or not to continue to do business with you comes down to old- fashioned conversation.
That’s why Forbes, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and
Our Clients Say It Best
“We have used MicroTech for the past 10 years at my place of business. They have always had exceptional customer service on minor calls, as well as on complicated issues. They have orchestrated our last two companywide server upgrade/installs without issue and ahead of schedule. I highly recommend them.” –Kristi D. “MicroTech has helped us for over 14 years. They continue to shine in customer service and knowledge of the IT industry.” –Medical Practice
“Spiers Construction has been a longtime customer of MicroTech Systems, and we appreciate their service. Anytime we have a need, Joe Shumway is our go-to guy. He’s always aware of our past and present issues and is quick to help. It’s like having an old friend give you a call. Excellent quality of service!” –Judy P.
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Why SMBs Fail to Plan for Technology
(AND HOW TO FIX IT)
But How Does a Small Business Get Access to a vCIO?
Many of you are probably thinking, “But wait — we’re a small business! We can’t afford that!”
SMB leaders usually recognize the vital role technology plays in maximizing efficiency while using the least amount of resources. But it can feel almost impossible to regularly refresh equipment, keep up with innovation, and proactively battle the onslaught of cyber threats. As a result, many SMBs suffer from obsolete technology, reduced productivity, and crippling security issues.
MicroTech Systems in Boise, Idaho, is the perfect example of an organization that provides affordable vCIO services wrapped up in their managed IT offering. Alongside MicroTech, SMBs have the ability to access strategic IT planning through a customized technology roadmap, putting their organization on a path to optimize productivity and efficiency.
Limited Planning, Limited Results
We help SMBs in four unique areas:
As equipment and software age, manufacturers decide to no longer support them, meaning patches with new features and security upgrades suddenly stop. Out-of-date infrastructure is not only vulnerable to hackers, but it’s also slow and lacks features that up-to-date workplaces take for granted. As tech falls behind, customer churn skyrockets, and the bottom line feels the impact.
1. Defining the usefulness of their existing IT infrastructure
2. Formulating an IT budget to ensure that their network infrastructure meets all their company’s needs
3. Implementing operational efficiencies
How a vCIO Can Help
4. Aligning their business with rapid technology changes as they occur
Chief information officers (CIOs) are the most senior members of an organization responsible for the information technology that supports the goals of the business. Beyond ensuring your tech runs smoothly day by day, they keep your IT architecture and business needs in close alignment. A virtual CIO (vCIO) performs the same duty as a CIO, without the expense of yet another full-time employee. This person plays a consultative role, providing your business with the roadmap to rich IT solutions specific to your needs and the needs of your customers.
Even if you’re starting from a position where you don’t have any in-house IT professionals, even any working part-time, a vCIO will provide you with a clear roadmap to strategically leverage technology in your business. For more information about how a vCIO can help your business stay on the cutting edge, visit our website at tinyurl.com/BoiseRoadmap to request your IT Roadmap Consultation.
Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta
Have a Laugh!
Ingredients
• • • •
1 zucchini
• •
2 teaspoons fresh thyme 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese Salt and pepper to taste
1 summer squash
1/2 medium red onion 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•
Directions
1. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch- thick semicircles. Dice onion. 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. 3. Once onion is soft (about 2 minutes), add zucchini and
squash. Season with salt and pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize. 4. Place in serving bowl and top with feta.
Inspired by thekitchn.com
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12592 W. Explorer Dr. #100 Boise, ID 83713
Inside
The 3 Most Important Moms in Randy’s Life
The ‘No Problem’ Problem
Our Clients Say It Best
A Way Small Business Leaders Can Stay Abreast of Technology
Sautéed Zucchini and Squash With Feta
The Radical Transparency of Ray Dalio’s ‘Principles’ RAY DALIO’S ‘PRINCIPLES’ The Radical Transparency of
If you grew up in an ordinary, middle-class neighborhood on Long Island, proceeded to found an investment firm out of your apartment in NYC, and went on to make more money for your clients than any other hedge fund in the history of the industry, you would assume there was something uniquely special about you, right? Not according to Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the most successful — and influential, as 2012’s Time magazine attests —men in the world. He’ll be the first to tell you that there’s no secret to his genius. Just open his book and memorize the 200-plus “Principles” he honed over his career. Dalio believes these are the real reason he stands in such a prominent position today. Trust in Radical Truth and Radical Transparency. Since its publication last year, Dalio’s book has risen to No. 5 on Amazon’s charts,
in all things is evident through the organization of his life’s work into a detailed and actionable program. Recognize How to Get Beyond Disagreements. Dalio’s transparency extends to creating an open forum for disagreement. In an earlier 2011 draft of Dalio’s “Principles,” he wrote of the importance of “creat[ing] an environment in which everyone has the right to understand what makes sense and no one has the right to hold a critical opinion without speaking up about it.” From the outside, it might seem that such an uncompromisingly honest vision would create problems. After all, Bridgewater employees describe “public hangings” of those who don’t rigorously follow Dalio’s rules and meetings that sometimes stretch for hours due to disagreements about a single item on the agenda. But Dalio argues that creating this fluid back-and-forth is a vital component of a healthy organization. Systematize the Decision-Making Process. Aside from his trademark transparency and sometimes brutal honesty, “Principles” has one thread that runs through the whole book: Everything can and should be boiled down and understood with a simple system. By acknowledging how reality operates, you can transform your business and achieve clarity in every aspect of your life.
become a No. 1 New York Times best seller, and been touted as revolutionary by some of the most successful businesspeople of our time. It’s a thick volume of just under 600 pages but nonetheless compelling. Dalio’s dedication to the idea of openness
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