Yea!!!



Monday we feared this day would never come. It seemed so very far away so early in the morning. Where's the java anyway? Oh! Strike that. The eagle flies today! Gotta get a short case, mow the lawn for the last time this season, settle in for a weekend of football, and try to forget that we have to do it all over again in two short days.

It is amazing, the miraculous change that over takes the grumpiest among us after lunch on Friday. Suddenly all the week's cares seem to vanish like that big stack of broken computers that welcomed us the first day of the week. Through the week the desktops and laptops seemed to multiply through lunch Thursday.

No matter how many were repaired, there were more...always more. Then suddenly everything started coming together. Now computers go out faster than they were coming in just 24 hours ago. Just as well, the clients didn't have the eagles to cover the cost until Friday anyway or at least Thursday when they felt secure enough to float a check.

Everything has it's own cycle, and a new one begins as people with a little green left in their pocket to play with begin the call. A glance at the clock as the phones ring off the hook. Just another hour or so.

"What does a web page cost?" That is a loaded question! I learned to dance around that one a long time ago. "The starting price is $1.500.00. Yes, that covers wed site design, one year of hosting, monthly submission to the major search engines for one year, and one minor change per month if you need or want it." "Yes, most people can get a decent site for that. Although, it may not work for a commercial website."

Let us find out what you want, what you need, how you are going to promote it, etc then we can get a cost estimate. Then we decide what you can afford and we are on our road to success. "No, I'm sorry, your website will not be ready Monday."

"Hello! Is this the Remote Help Desk? Can you come to my home and fix my computer?" "Do you mean you actually repair my computer from where you are?" "I don't have to bring it in? You don't need to see it? Are you sure? Well O.K."

Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No, and Yes.

"What will it cost if you come out here?" $250.00 minimum service call today. $300.00 this evening and Saturday. $500.00 Sundays and holidays. If that sounds high, you might want an estimate from the nerd herd. and, if you get off less expensively when all is said and done, I will pay your bill.

Several years ago, I received a weekend call from an elderly college professor who had all this work he needed done on his computer at home. I quoted him a price for a one hour service call. His problems were not nearly as difficult as he thought. I was through in less than half an hour to see him breaking out the liquor. He poured each of us a drink and implored me to sit and talk because he had a half an hour of my time left for which he thought he was paying.

Call it customer relations. I was glad to take a break and accommodate the old gentlemen. It was a good visit and I like to think we both learned something.

I about what it is like to get old and lonely. What it was like to be with a building full of people all day every week day and yet to be alone. He how to keep his computer tuned and keep all the junk off of it. We never got to meet again. The old man went the way of all souls...and computers to think of it. I was glad I took the time to be some company.

Don't get all wrapped up in yourself or your business. It is not all about the money. It is not all about websites, web pages, or computer sales and repair. And, it is surely not all about me nor thee. It is all about them...the customers who allow us to tell them what is wrong with that new fangled contraption they can barely turn on and off. It is all about that little fellow who allows us to repair his PC and pays our bill in spite of his misgivings. Don't abuse or misuse them.

Think about your friend the dentist. Oh, your dentist is not your best friend but a necessary evil, a feared boogie man unjustly or not. That is what you are to your client. So treat him or her like you would want to be treated, and don't be a geek!! A geek impresses no one but him or herself.

Wow! Look at the time. Please excuse me. The eagle has flown and I hear a beautiful woman, a Scotch, and a little "all you can eat" seafood bar calling my name.

More information at http://remotehelpdesk1.com

tmm