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Publishing details
A Brightword book | www.brightwordpublishing.com
HARRIMAN HOUSE LTD
3A Penns Road
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 2EW
GREAT BRITAIN
Tel: +44 (0)1730 233870
Fax: +44 (0)1730 233880
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.harriman-house.com
First published in Great Britain in 2012
Copyright © Harriman House Ltd
The right of David Sandy to be identified as the author has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.
ISBN: 9781908003249
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book can be obtained from the British Library.
All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without the prior written consent of the Publisher.
No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person or corporate body acting or refraining to act as a result of reading material in this book can be accepted by the Publisher, by the Author, or by the employer of the Author.
About the Author
David Sandy is a true ‘5 to 9er’, working for the NHS as a web developer during daylight hours and at all other times running Integreat Media (www.integreatmedia.com), a web-design and development company based in Berkshire. Integreat Media works with other small and medium-sized businesses, creating functional, well-structured websites that are accessible and informative.
David is also working on a range of projects for 2012 which aim to help niche areas of small business realise the benefits of technology and engage in new ways with their customers through the web.
Extensive experience in the public and private sectors, small and large enterprises, has exposed him to a wide range of technology hardware, software and tools. As an advocate for open source products, David is not easily swayed by glossy commercial sales offerings, preferring instead to find the right technology which boosts productivity and makes business more efficient through research and hands-on experience.
His keen business acumen has seen him featured in Emma Jones’s book Working 5 to 9 and by Sunday Times enterprise editor Rachel Bridge in How to Make a Million Before Lunch, as well as the national press.
Introduction
Are you making the most of technology in your business?
Whether you run a shop or a home-based business, using the right technology can radically transform the way you operate, making you more efficient, saving you time and money, and helping you push your business further.
This eBook aims to introduce business owners like you to basic technology tools which will enhance or even revolutionise the way you operate your business. If you’re already tech-savvy – chatting away on Skype, backing up to Dropbox, ticking off your Remember The Milk to-do lists – this probably isn’t the book for you (though there should still be some tips in here that make it worth your while). But for those who have wondered about the simple ways in which basic tech and apps can help their small business, I hope it hits the mark.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s plug in, log on and get started …
David Sandy, 2012
Note
All product recommendations and suggestions in this book are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. New functionality, changes to technology and pricing occur on a regular basis, however, so the relevant website should always be referred to for the latest developments and product releases.
Users of any new software or hardware should ensure they read any relevant terms and conditions of use of that technology to ensure that it is fit for their requirements. Always ensure that any data that will be held by the other company will be done so in a way in which meets your business’s security and privacy requirements.
i. Buying the Right Technology
There’s a lot of technology out there on the market – but how can you make sure you are choosing the right stuff? This section will help.
A word of warning: this advice is only really for those who feel unconfident when it comes to buying new computers. If you know about the importance of screen size, hard drive storage and RAM, do move on to the next part of the book where we’ll get into the nitty gritty of software.
Buying Hardware Technology the Smart Way
If you’re buying a new piece of hardware technology such as a PC, Mac, tablet or even a satnav device then be sure you’re buying it the smart way. Follow these steps and you should end up with a purchase that you (and the bank manager) are happy with.
Identify your requirements
So you’ve decided you need to get a new computer or you’ve seen a ‘must-have’ gadget that you’re now desperate to get hold of. What now? Well, firstly – stop! Pause and breathe.
Get yourself a pen and paper and write down five things that you need the new technology to do or have. This might be as simple as:
lightweight
fits into a particular bag
runs on battery for a minimum of five hours
can be upgraded in the future.
Doing this gives you a list of requirements to check against a product’s specifications. This way you can make sure you are buying something that is fit for purpose. It may also prevent you from buying something on a whim that isn’t actually going to do what you need it to do.
Do your research
If you already have a specific product in mind then fire up your favourite search engine and search for the name of the product with the name and model number to ensure accurate searching.
Amongst the search results try and find three independent reviews of the specific product you are looking to purchase. Keep referring back to your requirements list to make sure it ticks those boxes.
If you are not sure of the specific product or model you want, then make your web search more generalised by attaching key phrases from your requirements. For example, “lightweight”, “portable”, “long battery life”. Also, consider visiting some relevant technology stores on the high street. Have a browse and chat with a member of staff. They’re not all experts, but at the very least they may be able to tell you what other customers have found with the products you’re interested in.
Tip
For leading tech reviews, check out www.trustedreviews.com, www.which.co.uk, www.theverge.com,