| had more than one person tell me, "Well, I’m a | | | | of the early-adopter stress out of the equation for you, |
| MCP or I’m a CNA and I’ve got this one | | | | the beginning computer consultant. |
| cert but I’m working on like 15 more certs and | | | | Do You Have the Skills to be A Computer Consultant? |
| as soon as I get my 19th cert, five years from now, | | | | Do other people come to you for computer advice? |
| I’ll be all set to be a computer consultant." | | | | Do people ask you for help with their software and |
| That’s just a hunk of bologna. Know why? | | | | hardware and getting their PDA to talk to Outlook or |
| Small Business Aren't Using Cutting-Edge Technology | | | | sync up their wi-fi, etc.? Are they coming to you for |
| Most small businesses don’t care how many | | | | help because it’s part of your job or simply |
| certifications you have. Small businesses are usually at | | | | because you’ve developed a reputation as the |
| least 12-18 months behind the curve from an IT | | | | kind of guy or gal that knows a little more about PCs |
| standpoint. Sometimes they’re as much as two | | | | and notebooks and software and the Internet and |
| years behind the curve. There is no ego-driven CEO | | | | viruses than the average person? Are you already |
| or corporate salesperson in small businesses | | | | perceived as a good resource person for these kinds |
| advocating upgrading every 12 months just for the | | | | of problems? If so, you'll make a great computer |
| sake of upgrading. | | | | consultant |
| Some Small Business Technology is Outdated | | | | A Computer Consultant's Skills Vary |
| As a computer consultant, what kind of hardware and | | | | It really doesn’t matter how junior or senior your |
| software and peripherals and infrastructure would you | | | | skills are, there’s definitely a place for you in |
| be working with in a typical small business? A lot of | | | | helping small businesses with IT problems. Just like |
| their equipment will be just fine and some will need | | | | there’s are entry level and senior staff within a |
| updates and upgrades. | | | | corporate IT department, there’s all also |
| But there’s very little stress among | | | | different levels you can perform in as a computer |
| small-business technology to keep up with the latest | | | | consultant. |
| and the greatest bleeding edge. So that removes a lot | | | | |