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Thread ID: 35162	2003-07-04 01:08:00	OT slighty - What is important for starting a business/workshop	Kame (312)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
157314	2003-07-04 01:08:00	I've been given an opportunity with my company to build my own working environment to service PCs. I am excited about it but I'm also thinking I'm moving too fast into this. I've always thought "start off small" and "make it happen". I am happy just calling on clients whenever they have computer problems and fixing them on the spot, the income made from those jobs are just added bonuses onto my weekly wage and to contradict myself again, I've always wanted to have my own workshop, and try to save myself time travelling all over the place to fix computers. Now I've come across people who I consider are the obstacles and the challengers, who believe I can't pull it off, they say I need to have a Professional looking work environment and to a point I believe they are correct but for my workshop a tidy and safe environment to work with PCs is all I need, my servicing of PCs is my highest quality I offer my customers and my customers return that favour by spreading word of me to people. I remember when I started fixing computers, I use to work off whatever space I had, which was either a table or even on the floor, and I know this isn't what I want but I had to start somewhere. So what is important for starting out, what tools can't you survive without that are a neccessity to fixing computers. Do I really need a professional looking environment because to me that's just a front (mask), I still consider my service and customer satisfaction my highest quality and I believe this will bring me more customers, although I do want a nice area to do my work on, and at the end of the day be proud of what I accomplished but over time I can wait for that transition to take place. I have to say though, with what I can do within this company, I would have a better working area than a table or floor. I do want to make it happen, but what things do I really have to consider when starting out in business for myself?	Kame (312)
157315	2003-07-04 02:31:00	I would think that working on customers PC's an Anti-static workstation would be a must. EG:Anti-static mat & wrist band. Good Luck with your business Steve	Steve Askew (119)
157316	2003-07-04 02:38:00	i've never needed anything more than a screwdriver. i find wristbands annoying, and its easier just to touch the case every few seconds.	sanchez (3445)
157317	2003-07-04 02:53:00	To avoid using a wriststrap you can just leave the power cord in and that will ground it.	hamstar (4)
157318	2003-07-04 02:54:00	Your single most important thing at the beginning, is making sure your customers can contact you easily, anytime. As far as the working environment goes, there are 2 schools of thought. One is that a clinical spotless environment may look good, but may also convey the impression that you do not do much work. The second is where a messy environment conveys an impression that you are not tidy and methodical. Somewhere in between would be the aim. I run a home based business (not in the computer industry) and my single largest expense, and the most important one, is communications. Do not rate the appearance of the workplace as the most important aspect. Its not. Its the quality of the work and the friendliness of the person performing the work. Even the price is not #1. Do not underestimate the cost of running a business though. Insurance etc mounts up.	godfather (25)
157319	2003-07-04 03:24:00	I would never underestimate the cost of a business, I know what costs the company I work for pays in expenses and I have heard the story of how this business started up, and it wasn't that long ago either, 4 years from now they use to work from home establishing it with whatever money they had accumulated in bonus bonds, now they are in a better place, ample stock and a strong customer relationship. Communication is the ultimate, it comes into the most important category that's people skills. I would never rate appearance as the most important, but I do have an idea that if it doesn't look good why would people want me to work on their PC, What they see is what I consider their first impression, before they've even met me I would have been judge. I do get some customers who scour through my qualifications to see if I am capable of doing the job, I don't mind showing them, but I rather challenge them and let them give me a chance to show what I'm worth. I'll answer all their who, what, when, where, why and how questions honestly and if I don't know it, I would tell them I'll get back to them on it, and I do get back to them. I like the important thing about customers being able to contact you, I also have to add that you have to let people know about you, and don't rely on word of mouth from your customers, I relied on them, only because I wasn't in a position where I could do so much work, as servicing PCs was just a hobby of mine after work.	Kame (312)
157320	2003-07-04 09:43:00	it all depends on the size/scale of thins you want to do, eg work from home or have a retail shop. in my local aera theres about 3 shops and a dozen who work from home. if you are going full time and are going to customers then a decent vechile setup is required, the same goes for any trademan. the only thing different about the pc buisness is INTERNET ACCESS. having a poor modem connection makes downloading bulky drivers very hard/time consuming. the hardest thing i have found with pc's is holding stock. with the rapid changes in price of stock means you can have parts that cost you more to buy than you will get selling them and they may be only days/weeks old.	tweak'e (174)
157321	2003-07-04 10:17:00	were do i start . . . . . . . as for enviroment: a well lit bench space make it clean but look well used . MUST have a spare phone line to test modems ECT . must have internet access (faster is better) you often need drivers from the NET . many power points . as for tools my kit has: 1 X standard phillips screwdriver . 1 X static strap (looks good even if you dont beleave in them) 1 X long tweasers . helps to have a spare hard drive to set up test OS on (I have a 4Gb) a spare video card . keybord and mouse you can trust . a spare CD-rom drive . with the above bit you can fix or diag almost any problem . as for software: boot disks for ever OS you expect to run accross . as has been said already a 24/7 contact number is a good thing . other advice is know when you are in too deep in a porblem a ring the customer and tell them where you are at and let then decide what to do next . customers dont like a big bill with out warning :-) good luck	robsonde (120)
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