Do you want Rhode Island to grow?
3 Ideas to turn rhetoric into action!

Since the recession hit in 2008, the mood in Rhode Island has been volatile. We talk about Rhode Island’s scenic beaches with nostalgia and fervor. However, when we talk about its economic status it is bleak and disheartening. How can we put a spark back into Rhode Island’s overall image and improve the Ocean State? On September 7, 2012, the Rhode Island Foundation (http://www.rifoundation.org) accomplished the heroic feat of gathering over 300 private-sector leaders throughout Rhode Island to help solve this pressing quandary. The forum was aptly named "Make it Happen RI."

Attendees ranged from University Presidents to leaders in the burgeoning arts community to small business owners like me! The gathering of such diverse minds and expertise fostered a waterfall of creative ideas that the private-sector community can implement. One key theme was to establish partnerships with each other. We cannot make change alone. Partnering together will enforce a much more powerful result!

You do not have to have been an attendee to participate in this effort. Here are three ideas that will help you grow your business and positively impact our state:

Idea #1: Partner with Rhode Island Businesses

Buy local, network local, "think" local! Motivate your employees, colleagues and friends about the importance of supporting local businesses to stimulate the economy. You may get a better deal buying from a national company or a chain, but will you get the same personal customer service? Good value is worth a few extra dollars!

Idea #2: Create Internships/Apprenticeships for Students

Youth are our future workforce. As employers, it is our obligation to be strong "role models" for them. PC Troubleshooters is proud to partner with area schools to provide experiential learning programs that not only teach technical skills but soft skills as well.

With each intern we try to infuse a sense of pride in Rhode Island, promoting the various job opportunities available to them upon graduation.

PC Troubleshooters’ commitment for the next year is to reach out to the career centers of new schools and seek ways to partner with them. We can all use help within our organizations - an internship is a win-win for all!

Idea #3: Volunteer = a better you = a better RI!

It is time to step away from your desk! Select an organization that aligns with your corporate values and share your time, resources anything you can to improve the lives of those in need. Rhode Island is ripe with an abundance of non-profits excitedly awaiting your arrival! PC Troubleshooters is proud to partner with several organizations including RISE (www.risonline.org) and Clinica Esperanza (www.aplacetobehealthy.org).

"Cause Marketing," or promoting a "for-profit" organization's partnership with a "non-profit" organization for a mutual benefit is a highly effective marketing strategy! It could mean the sharing of financial resources, employee resources or various services offered by your organization. Find ways to strengthen your relationships with your clients and colleagues. Ask them to tell you what organizations they are involved with. This is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your clients as well as making you feel like you've made a difference!

To quote Neil Steinberg, CEO of the RI Foundation, "It is time to turn rhetoric into action!" There are so many gems within our state. Let's partner together to promote and enhance each one! Together we can create an even brighter Rhode Island.

Who’s knocking on your network’s door? - 5 Tips to Prevent Cyberattacks

Two of the most important components of your business are your employees and your data. Most businesses pay special attention to the well-being of their employees, however when their data needs protecting, they leave their network’s door wide-open! As crucial as employees are to an organization, studies show that 93% of all companies that experience significant data loss are out of business within 5 years.


What does a small business need to know to keep network predators at bay?


1. Hackers look for “doorways” or unprotected entry points to gain access to your shared network information. Installing a firewall (whether hardware or software) creates a barrier blocking hackers from gaining access to your network.

2. If a firewall is like a door, Anti-Virus is like the alarm on the house! It is an added layer of protection against unwanted guests! A key to Anti-Virus success is keeping it up-to-date. Too often Anti-Virus software is not renewed or checked for updates.

Many clients ask, “If I have Anti-Virus on my network, why am I still getting viruses?” The best answer is this: Anti-Virus software is written to be reactive, it protects against known viruses. Unfortunately, every day hackers introduce more and more sophisticated viruses into cyber-space. Some are even attaching to and hiding behind legitimate software updates such as Java or Adobe. Use your instincts before performing any updates. A safer option is to either call your IT provider or perform the update by going directly to the software’s website.

3. Like a software update, a virus can enter your network via email. NEVER open any emails from recipients you do not know. Only open those you trust. Be on the alert for attachments with .exe or .msi in their extensions. You wouldn’t let people in your house if you don’t know them the same goes for email. Many of these programs are malicious.

4. Stop – look and read a website’s URL before you enter the site. Look for subtle differences in the primary domain. This is how many “phishing” scams occur. A phishing scam is when a hacker looks to trick you into putting your user name and password into a fake website. The aim is to gather your personal, credit card or banking information. Red flags would look like: http://paypal.fish.net instead of the real site https://www.paypal.com/.

Be suspicious if you receive an email from your bankasking you to verify your personal information using your user name and password. Banks do not do that.

5. Don’t take for granted FREE WI-FI. Just because it is free, does not mean it is secure. The emergence of BYOD – Bring Your Own Device to work has allowed greater flexibility in the work place. Many of us work from coffee shops like Starbucks. Although many of these sites offer free wireless connection, conducting online banking or any other highly confidential activity is dangerous. You do not know who is performing “data-mining” or monitoring the connection to look for opportunities to slip in through the back door of your computer to gain access.


Educate your employees as to the many malicious predators lurking around cyberspace. Your data is the lifeblood of your business. Don’t take it for granted. Be smart before you open the door to your network!

Is your business ready to “Step” into the Cloud?

Where do you watch TV today? Are you sitting comfortably on your couch watching American Idol on your flat screen TV? Or are you streaming your favorite show via your tablet or laptop? I am sure your answer is the latter, your tablet or laptop. While most of our personal lives are spent watching videos, playing games and online banking in the cloud, many businesses have yet to make that important “step” into the cloud.

The Benefits of the Cloud:

A – Accessibility – As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access everything from your Facebook page to your client’s website to your email accounts from anywhere around the globe. Can you imagine yourself lounging casually on a beach on Block Island while writing your end of year fiscal report? With the cloud you can!

B – Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery – Rhode Island cannot forget the devastating storms that rocked our tiny state! From flooding in 2010 that put many businesses under water (literally) to Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and then in October the ice storm that left over 800,000 Connecticut Light and Power customers without heat and electricity for nearly 2 weeks. Your disaster plan cannot be a mere shrug our shoulders with the thought: “It won’t happen to me!”

Storing your valuable data in the cloud will enable you to remain business-as-usual even if your office is inaccessible. Your building and its furniture can be replaceable; rebuilding your invaluable client information could take a lifetime. Don’t be naïve, start planning for disaster today!

C – Cost – The beauty of the cloud is you buy what you need. If you are looking for a data storage solution, you buy just enough storage space to accommodate your needs. As you grow, you can incrementally increase your capacity without buying servers or licenses.

Before you step…know the risks:

Security – Because your data is available over the Internet, you want to make sure your cloud provider maintains strong security practices. Choose a reputable provider that will encrypt your data.

Privacy – Keep in mind, when storing your data in the cloud, your provider is responsible for your data and has access to it. Ask about their privacy policy so you understand how the provider keeps your data confidential and away from prying eyes.

Availability – Herein lies the truth about cloud computing: NO INTERNET = NO ACCESS to your data! Ways around this, buy a wireless “hot spot” to ensure at least wireless connectivity via your laptop or tablet. Also consider a second Internet connection as a fail-over just in case Mother Nature causes your primary Internet connection to go down.

According to a recent study by IDG Enterprise Cloud Computing, more than 1/3 of IT budgets will be spent on cloud computing. As our demand for immediate information grows, so too will our adoption of cloud computing applications. So don’t follow that old adage: “Take your head out of the clouds!” I am telling you to put your head and your business in the cloud!

Call PC Troubleshooters today at 401-921-2607 to learn more...

Quality VS. Price - Which should win?

I was doing my motherly duty last week and took my girls school shoe shopping.  My premise has always been, buy quality, well-made shoes for a growing foot - no matter what the price.   My preferred store of choice has always been Stride Rite.  They specialize in one genre of the shoe market creating a solid reputation among parents around the globe. 

My conviction to buying quality shoes has been challenged this year by my eldest daughter (age 8) who has a shoe fettish that rivals Imelda Marcos'!  While the ever popular ballet flats are trendy and stylish, there is nothing notable to say about cushioning the abuse our feet succomb to on a daily basis.

With determination, my daughters and I entered a discount retail store.  Rolling up my sleeves and taking a deep breath we entered the abyss of the children's shoe section.  Like a flash of lighting my eldest daughter's shoes were strewn across the aisle and box after box was pulled off the shelf and opened, tried on and discarded.  Then it happened - that was it - the one pair - T-H-E pair of ballet flats!  Black patened leather, with a petite bow on the toe.  I do admit they are cute - but for only $10, how long with they last and will they give her blisters?  The begging began, the pleading eyes flashed, the justification about how well they fit...  What to do????

Many small businesses go through the same dilemma.  They don't have the resources for or don't necessarily need an IT person in-house, so the hunt begins to outsource their IT.  The first notion is to go by "price."  While price is a huge factor, it is not and should not be the only deciding factor when selecting an IT company.  Like quality shoes, you need to look at the "brand" behind the shoes.  In this case, does the IT company have a strong and credible reputation?  Are they known for providing cutting-edge products and services?  Will they save you money in-the-long run?  I say it this way because sometimes you need to spend money to reap the benefits later.  Does the IT company make an effort to get to know you and your entire business including your staff?  Can you envision working with this company for a long time?

If you answered yes to the above questions then you truly value quality service over the cheapest option.  Hey - we have something in common!  I feel the same way.  You work hard to grow your business.  You do not deserve to have a company come in and half-heartedly work on your IT infrastructure.  You need a company who is experienced and willing to work with you and share your growth.

A good, solid pair of shoes will stave off dreaded blisters and painful bunyons.  A quality IT company will help you grow your business.  Did my daughter win the battle?  Well - yes and no.  I agreed to buy the shoes, which by-the-way are already fraying and we just started school, if she agreed to get her sneakers and subsequent pairs of school shoes at Stride Rite!

I maintain my stance on quality shoes and IT companies...

Web sites and Tweets and Blogs - Oh My!

My mind is reeling!  I feel like my enitre day is consumed with what to write next and for whom?  Being the Communications person at my office, PC Troubleshooters, Inc., I am constantly reading newsletters, writing newsletters, revamping and actually redesigning (finally!) our website, Tweeting, Facebooking, connecting on LinkedIn - and now I am happy to report, writing my first blog. 

There are literally thousands of articles that swear by the importance of blogging and social media as the new and most important mode of marketing.  Tomorrow I am participatng in a free webinar run through the "60 Second Marketer" learning about how to best use Social Media for my office.  I participate in the most popular social media sites and even have several followers - but what more can I learn?  Maybe someone in England can deliver my "ah-ha"  social media moment! I will let you know tomorrow....

In the meantime...I'm off to byte off more than I can chew!