Not A Slogan I Would Use With My Clients

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I recently ran across an old postcard from a local area computer repair shop.  I don’t want to quote it because you might think I made it up.  So here’s a picture:

Now, how in the world can the company be comfortable making that claim?  And how would you, as a client, feel about taking advantage of it?

A competent computer technician will tell you at the outset whether he can fix your computer.  I mean, come on!  How many things can go wrong?

Here’s a list of the most common hardware problems:

  • Your monitor no longer displays anything
  • Your printer no longer prints anything you send to it
  • Your computer beeps when you turn it on and nothing happens
  • Your computer doesn’t turn on at all

Here’s a list of the most common software problems:

  • Your computer is infected with malware
  • Your computer displays a blue screen with white text when you turn it on
  • Your computer freezes in the middle of a game
  • Your computer displays an “End Program” message when you shut down

Obviously, these are very short lists.  You may encounter other errors from the software and hardware that you are running, but there are very few instances where something absolutely cannot be fixed.  To make the claim this company did is disingenuous; it implies that there will be situations where a customer will receive free computer support.

I certainly don’t operate Heliotropic Systems like that.  You know right from the start that all of my work has a 100% guarantee.  If you are not satisfied with what I have done, I will work to correct what ever is wrong – or refund your money.  It is as simple as that.  No muss, no fuss, and no idiotic statements about “free.”

My Business Grew In the Midst of a Recession

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I am pleased that I was able to provide computer support to a larger client base during 2010.  Because Heliotropic Systems specializes in home computer users and small businesses (5 to 10 PCs), it was difficult to gain traction against the overwhelming forces of the economy – but I did.  And so, I would like to take a moment to say, “Thank you!” to my client base, for helping me achieve growth during a difficult time.

Now that the overall economy appears to be settling down, I look forward to 2011 as a year in which I can make a greater improvement in my support of all things computer-related.

The other day, I was reading an article by Harry Brelsford in a recent issue of SMB Partner Community.  Here is an excerpt:

Have you ever worked with a client who insisted on doing too much of their own IT?  Maybe they buy their own computers (from whatever’s on sale at Costco) and try to add them to the network themselves, maybe they pick security applications from magazine ads and do their own installations, maybe they spend hours on the phone with Dell tech support trying to figure out a server issue.  What’s the result?  In my experience they usually wind up paying a lot more for a real IT pro to come in later and clean up their mess.  In fact many of us use the same sales pitch with those types of clients, something like “You have your own work to do.  Why don’t you save money, time, and frustration by letting a professional handle this for you?”

It is quite obvious that Harry knows some of my clients and what I say to them.  And it is true – you don’t need to know about computers.  All you have to do is let me do my job so that you can do yours.

In the coming year, I hope more of you will contact Heliotropic Systems when you need a professional to take care of your computer systems.