If you want to run a successful PC repair company, you have to know how to provide end-to-end solutions to your clients and build real relationships. This involves learning to spot and address potential problems proactively... before they turn into total catastrophes that will destroy your business.
First of all, you have to keep communication lines open with your clients if you want to be an effective project manager. During major projects, keep in touch with the main contact person at the client site at least once or twice a week, so you can give and get feedback, and report on project developments.
But which issues can ruin client relationships and derail your business? The following is a list of 10 potential show-stoppers for your PC repair business, so you can identify and learn how you can side-step each of them.
- Ambiguous Software Licensing, Ownership or Poorly Documented Configurations. If your client is getting new PCs, make sure your client has the media and the right number of licenses. Especially in the case of software installation with non-standard configuration, make sure the proper configuration settings and procedures are well-documented and accessible.
- A Client that is a Control Freak. You can't afford to just sit back and take it if your clients want to boss you around. Unless your PC repair clients want to pay for your training, non-billable downtime, overhead, taxes, insurance and fringe benefits, clients need to know your firm's staff are not their employees.
- Data Not Transferred from Old PCs. Small business end users often think that years-worth of stored data files will be magically transferred from their existing PC's to new server folders or computers. Because they believe in this supernatural phenomenon, they hardly ever mention all or any of their data files when talking to you about their IT problems. You need to be responsible for scouring local drives for stray data files as part of your initial assessment.
- A Project that Drags in the End. With problem clients, you might find yourself embroiled in follow-up work and tweaking for weeks or more. When you are first planning a project, you need to know and define which tasks are in scope and which are out of scope. If you're not sure, refer to the latest revision of your time budget. Don't be afraid to use change orders if necessary.
- Hardware Incompatibility. Be wary of non-standard hardware not provided or recommended by your PC repair firm. It can derail you... big time!
- Lack of Server Data Backup. Be certain you have a complete and verified backup of all data on your clients' existing server in case you need to roll back to original configuration settings or find data.
- Delays on Products or from Service Providers. Because you will be acting as a project coordinator/virtual CIO, you will often be coordinating telco or ISP account activation or product shipments from multiple distributors. And you might run into unanticipated delays. Most small business clients will be content just to be kept apprised of the situation as long as the delay is not too bad. Get scheduling commitments from all subcontractors and write the proper contingencies into your project plans to protect you and clients.
- A Project Timetable that is Too Rigid. You might think you should print out your project plan and set it in stone, delivering just one version to the client. However, this is dangerous. Make your timetable an amendable, living document. You'll probably update your timetable on a weekly basis to reflect progress and problems or delays.
- Skipping the Planning Phase to Save Time or Money. Do you think it might be wise to skip some of the preliminary needs analysis and planning because they seem like wastes of time? Never skip these critical tasks. When you skip important planning and needs analysis steps, you run the risk of overlooking key elements of projects.
- Incompatible Software. If you want to be perceived as a PC repair professional, make sure you don't take software compatibility for granted! Ask and test sample configurations to make sure everything works as advertised.
In this article, we outlined 10 business problems. Learn more about how you can attract great, steady, high-paying clients now at http://www.PCRepairBusiness.com
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