SoKy Local Business or "SoKybiz"

A better title for this post might be, “How Microsoft forced me to change to a Macintosh.” Or; “When new versions go too far.” Or; “How to run off your loyal customers in one easy step.”

There have been many influences on my desire to change my software and hardware preferences. The most recent was the purchase of a new Dell computer for my wife who takes care of the calendar as well as the invoicing for SOKY Happenings.  It came with MS Vista Home Premium. While the interface offered a VERY easy way to move her old computer preferences to the new one, it was so different from the old operating system that I had to essentially relearn the interface. NOT GOOD!

NOTE: I ended up having to spend more money to upgrade to Vista Ultimate because it would not join the network domain and upgrading from Home Premium to Vista Business wasn’t even an option. Caveat Emptor: If you must remain with Microsoft, either stick with XP or buy Ultimate, the other versions of Vista for business are useless.

MS Vista is so different than XP that I felt that I was learning an entirely new system. I understand the need for innovation and I do admit, it is much cleaner and nicer, but it forced me to consider where my time was being spent and how it could be better spent.

I went through this when Internet Explorer made its most recent upgrade to version 7. It was so much different that I actually started using FireFox more often. In the end, I stayed with Explorer but those days are nearly over as I will explain below.

I also felt the pains of re-learning when we upgraded Microsoft Office to 2005. We owned a travel agency at the time and all workstations were upgraded. The biggest issue was with Outlook and it took some time for everyone to learn the new format. I remained with Outlook 2000 because of my unwillingness to change.

Don’t even get me started about the changes made to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access etc.) in the latest versions. WHOA! It took me forever to find all of the buttons I used to know where they were. It still gives me heartburn when I want to do something I was accustomed to doing before the upgrade.

Due to the graphics and layout requirements of my magazine company, and the need to be compatible with the commercial print industry, I have purchased a MAC Pro. A wonderful 64 bit dual processor machine with the latest greatest Mac operating system (Leopard) and Adobe CS3 design premium. I just finished my first issue of the magazine using the new computer and software and I am MOST pleased.

For the record, I was not easily swayed to the Mac. Actually, I embraced it kicking a screaming. I tried my best to use Microsoft programs and even PC versions of Adobe, but a good friend of mine brought me a “spare” (older) Mac with Adobe software installed and in less than 1 hour, showed me how to create my magazine in a manner that would speak to the commercial printers computers as well as operate much faster and with better results. I used that loaner for 7 or 8 months. I was so reluctant to embrace the Mac that I installed Vine Server on the loaner so I could use it as a remote desktop on my PC. I have since changed my strategy and instead of forcing the Mac to work on the PC, I will be forcing the PC software to work on the Mac.

My point to all of this is simple. The changes in browser software caused me to use a different browser; the changes in productivity software caused me to use it less, the changes in operating system software caused me to abandon not only the operating system, but also the hardware I had grown accustomed to. The bottom line is simple, if I’m going to have to re-learn the technology, then I will chose the technology that is faster and more reliable. If I have to find new ways of accomplishing the same tasks, then I might as well look at all of my options.

At least in my case, (and from the sales numbers that Apple is reporting) the major changes made by Microsoft to their operating system and business software were all the incentive I needed to consider a more affordable alternative. While I will continue to use the software on the new computer, I will also be learning new software that may in fact replace Office, Windows and even the development software I’ve used in the past. Heck, I’m even considering learning PHP and JSP as an alternate to ASP.NET. Once again, Microsoft changed the language so much that I have to learn all over again and even the development software (Web Expression vs FrontPage) has changed to the point that I might as well consider my options. And yes, Adobe CS3 Design came with Flash and Dream Weaver.

Innovation is one thing; the days of forcing your customers to learn new ways of doing the same things are over. People have a choice and they are voting with their pocketbooks.

This was posted by SoKy : 6:55 AM  0 comments links to this post

As I write this, I look back on the past week and I see some great achievements and some ... (RING) Phone interruption....

Whoa! That was a call from the pre-press people. Apparently, there was a trouble with the file I uploaded yesterday and I had to drop everything a fix it NOW! Such is the life of a small businessman.

I am continually amazed at the number and frequency of drop everything interruptions. This morning's "fire" was easily addressed and only interrupted a peaceful morning. Frequently however, the fire alarms come in pairs, dozens or more. They come by e-mail, telephone, postal service, knocks on the door or shouts from the other office. No matter the method, they come and they keep on coming.

Is there ever any real peace in a micro-business? I suppose there can be moments of peace, or a perceived peace, but it's been my experience that when one or two people are trying to fill all of the roles in a business, peace comes in moments and those moments are frequently interrupted.

The reason I feel that peace is a perception is because there is always something to do! I have a long list of things "I want to do;" this list has a partner; it's called the "need to do" list. Then there is another list called "do it now." Is there ever a time when all of the lists are complete? Perhaps, but at least for me, if the lists were ever to be completed, I would likely add more to the lists. It's just the kind of person I am.

I remember a post I started writing last month at this time. This is the time right after we go to press when I should have peace in my mind. A time I should be resting and gaining my strength. Sure, I went home yesterday after uploading the file. Heck, I better, it was Thanksgiving. I deep fried a turkey and enjoyed a nice quiet night with my wonderful wife. That was interrupted slightly when my son arrived from kayaking and needed to get cleaned up to attend Thanksgiving dinner at his girlfriends' house.

We rested and watched TV; I even slept for 12 hours straight. As soon as I woke however, (actually before I woke) my mind was already building a list of things I want/need/have to do in the next few days. The millions of things I put off while we were building the magazine as well as the things I want to do differently or add to the magazine next month with flowing in my mind like Niagara Falls.

The blog that I wrote and never posted last month at this time was one considering the minds pace and what happens (at least to me), when you spend three days concentrating on a million details with little if any rest. The mind becomes accustomed to the pace and when the time comes to rest, my mind continues at break neck speeds processing, considering and dreaming. I don't mind it really because the pace brings with it many new and exciting ideas. I've learned to write them down so when my mind slows, I can remember all of the cool ideas I had.

(Break to archive the master file for December 2007 SOKY Happenings InDesign files. Don't know how to burn a CD on the MAC, moving the folder to the PC to backup the December files.)

When I started this post, I was at ease and going to relate the many achievements, some mistakes and the feelings I have in my heart on the day after Thanksgiving 2007. Instead, I wrote about how my "little magazine" business intrudes, invades and overwhelms my mind. I am happy that it does! I have created a company that I am passionate about and care for deeply. A company that is accomplishing something and makes a difference in the community I live in. I've heard it said, work is no longer work when you enjoy what you're doing. Sure, there are many aspects of this business that are difficult; other aspects that I intend to delegate to staff once I am able. Overall I have to say, it's not work because I love what we are doing. Interesting that I write those words just a day after I worked 3 days straight, the last two with only 2 hours of sleep. I guess the saying is true; I don't mind overworking because I love what I am doing. I am thankful for that.

Thankfulness: Wow, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My Sons are doing fine, my new company is doing fine and I am doing fine. I've learned a lot this year and am thankful for my ability to grasp new concepts and take chances. I've had many disappointments this year as well, but as a result, I've found my passion, learn who I can and can't trust, and more or less changed my life. This will be a year that is remembered for the rest of my life. 2007, the year that will live for a lifetime; there's no doubt about it.

On a personal note: Carrie and I have talked several times this year about the many and diverse skills I possess personally. I am convinced that the experiences and challenges of the past 42 years have helped me learn the many skills I have. I am also convinced that those skills, talents and experiences are the keys to opening this new door known as SOKY Happenings. I am fortunate to know what I know and be able to do the things I do. I guess I am most grateful for my own knowledge, skills and ability overall. I'm not sure why I have been able to learn and retain so well, but from fixing and flying jet aircraft to creating new and exciting publications, to being able to market and sell my ideas, I have a diverse skill-set that I am thankful for. This may sound conceited and all, but if I can't be thankful for my own abilities, who else will? Yeah, that's my point.

Resolve! I have a few more businesses I want to create as well as to expand the current, especially the publishing business. I will have to remain open minded and flexible to learn the new skills necessary to bring them to pass. That said however; I am also determined to bring to pass my own primary aim. My primary aim is for freedom and flexibility. The only way I will reach this objective is to learn to have confidence in others; to learn to delegate responsibility and to build the resources necessary to create, train and maintain that inner circle of trustees. After some of the disappointments in people this year and the 7 years that preceded it, I will have to "re-learn how to trust" people. It's a sad situation but my confidence in others has been shaken to the core and I must find ways to trust others once again. It's really the only way I can reach my primary aim and to have the freedom to learn new skills, take care of myself and have new experiences. I know that there are many good and loyal people out there, unfortunately however, life has brought me many who are not. I must remember the former and forget the latter.

Main category: Personal

Sub Categories: SOKY Happenings, Small business, Life Challenges, Trust, Loyalty, Ability, Macintosh, Publishing, and Primary Aim.

About 1243 words: not copy edited.

Labels: planning, print publishing, small business, Soky Happenings

This was posted by SoKy : 1:02 PM  0 comments links to this post

I have suggested that a good blog is posted to at least twice a week. A great blog is posted to once or more a day with content that will attract and retain a target readership. I have also suggested that if you are not willing to post to your blog frequently, you should consider a different method of communication.

Then... I break my own rules.

I have been incredibly busy creating a local area events guide called “SOKY Happenings.” It is up to 52 full color pages with more than 10,000 copies being printed each month. I have personally created and overseen the entire process down to the smallest detail while remembering that suggestions, advice and good counsel is priceless.

We have been very fortunate to have several people who are willing to assist, write and offer guidance and there’s no way we could have done what we have without them. Yet still, every detail must be considered and addressed and that takes time.

Another reason I have stopped posting as often or as openly is due to some concern for privacy. I noticed that I would write my thoughts and ideas and soon find them used in other companies and/or products. While I should be flattered by this, I had to consider the consequences of this on my own business. As a result; I have metered what I write more stringently to protect my current business efforts as well as the many new businesses I have planned in the short and long term. (Anyone selling 10 acres in downtown Bowling Green? {grin})

I hope to be up and blogging again soon, but for the foreseeable future; I will be building a brick and mortar publishing company instead of blogging. I do post more frequently on my personal homepage just to keep friends, family and associates informed. www.DavidFrancis.org . All other collaboration is accomplished on private forums with secure access.

Thank you for reading and also for your letters of encouragement. I try to answer them all so if you haven’t heard from me, the letter could have been automatically sorted to the junk mail folder. I receive about 50 “spam” letters per hour and though I scan through that folder before I empty it, sometimes things are missed. As a rule... if I receive a letter, I always acknowledge it.

This was posted by SoKy : 11:05 AM  0 comments links to this post