🔒 Patreon Special

IT Pros: exclusive shows await you on Patreon, focusing on the more challenging aspects of running your practice and working with clients and employees.

Join us on Patreon

637: Lost in the Cloud: Flyers, Reviews, and Resetting Reality

/

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts reconnect for a public episode featuring casual banter and professional insights. Discussions range from optimal microphone placement for virtual backgrounds, humorously recounting past advertising endeavors, to moving children into college. The main focus, however, addresses IT and consultancy challenges including issues with ISP connections using Unify, effective marketing strategies, customer experience, generating client reviews, and the impact of AI on IT solutions. The hosts share personal anecdotes and valuable tips for both seasoned consultants and newcomers in the field.

* The hosts discuss microphone placement and virtual backgrounds, referencing advice from Justin Esgar.

* Reflections on physical advertising: subway-style ads, banners at trade shows, flyers on community boards, and the effectiveness of old-school marketing versus digital targeting.

* Personal stories about getting clients from bulletin board flyers, local fairs, and classified ads.

* The evolution of client acquisition: from random, local encounters to digital, highly-targeted leads and the importance of being listed in the Apple Consultants Network (ACN) locator.

* The changing landscape of referrals: Google search, ACN locator, and even ChatGPT as a source of new clients.

* The role of reviews: how to ask for them, where to post them (Google, Yelp, ACN), and the impact of both positive and negative reviews.

* Anecdotes about difficult client interactions, especially around technical misunderstandings and device resets.

* Technical discussion: using Unifi’s custom SLA (Service Level Agreement) settings to reduce false internet outage alerts, and the value of tools like Uptime Robot.

* Brief mention of AI note-taking and its environmental impact, with a plan to discuss this further in a future episode.

* Closing thanks to listeners and patrons, with a reminder about Patreon benefits.

635: Adventures in Affiliate Limbo and the $37 Jackpot

/

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss their patron-only content, focusing on tech insights they share for members. They delve into affiliate marketing with Amazon, highlighting successes and challenges. They reveal frustrations with Amazon affiliates and share tricks to navigate these programs more effectively. They discuss reliability issues with Ubiquiti products, and methods to manage and troubleshoot home networking issues. The episode also touches upon data recovery services, emphasizing experiences with Drive Savers. Listeners get a mix of tech tips, troubleshooting hacks, and behind-the-scenes insights.

00:00 Introduction and Patron-Only Content Teaser

01:48 Amazon Affiliates Marketing Update

02:26 Challenges with Amazon Affiliates

03:46 Affiliate Marketing Strategies and Recommendations

19:33 Data Recovery Services and Experiences

29:28 Client Equipment Purchases and Vendor Relationships

31:06 Client Misunderstandings and Vendor Expectations

31:26 Dealing with Hardware Markups and Transparency

32:18 Client Insistence on Specific Products

33:01 Balancing Client Savings and Business Revenue

36:41 Technical Issues with Screen Sharing and Command Tab

39:09 Monitor Resolution and Better Display App

43:46 Residential Client WiFi Troubleshooting

47:09 Issues with ISP Equipment and Double NAT

50:55 Preview App and Text Edit Issues

52:30 Ending Support for Older Systems and Protocols

56:19 Conclusion and Patreon Support

633: A Latte About Apple: Commando, Convos, and Coffee

/

In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe and Sam catch up after attending a confidential Apple Technical Summit. They discuss the event’s highlights, including networking opportunities and technical presentations. Sam shares his experience improving a client's old IT setup, moving them to modern managed services and security practices. Joe dives into his quest for an ideal phone solution with group SMS capabilities, ultimately considering sticking with RingCentral due to recent features supported by AI. The episode also touches on the importance and challenges of maintaining high-quality internet service at a fair price and explores the potential environmental impact of AI note-taking.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts Reunion

00:15 NDA Event and Apple Summit

01:31 Networking and Connections

03:01 San Jose and Big Basin Adventures

06:18 Technical Summit Insights

09:12 Funny Poolside Moments

11:03 Caseless Phones and Engineering Marvels

16:31 Coffee Talk and AeroPress Trivia

25:22 Billing Challenges and Solutions

28:29 Client Negotiations and Agreement

28:55 Email Security and Phishing

29:52 Security Training and Awareness

31:30 New Client with Technical Debt

33:45 Managed Services Plan Pitch

37:41 AI in Client Communication

38:32 Phone Service Saga

51:34 Optimum Fiber and Internet Deals

56:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics

631: Monitor Mayhem and the Search for the Perfect Pixel

/

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss their experiences with various monitor setups, emphasizing ultra-wide and large screens, while exploring technical issues and preferences. They dive into topics such as monitor pixel density, enhanced connectivity settings for Unifi networks, and share personal anecdotes about client interactions and equipment setups. The episode also includes light humor and listener engagement, underscoring the blend of technical insights and casual conversation that characterizes the show.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:11 Monitor Preferences and Recommendations

01:50 Client Interaction and Monitor Shaming

02:50 Exploring Ultra-Wide Monitors

04:28 Remote Upgrades for Clients

10:47 Adjusting Monitor Settings for Clarity

15:37 Comparing Monitor Specifications

26:29 The Cost of Standard Glass

26:38 Living Room Office Setup

27:16 Choosing the Right Monitor

30:08 Apple TV and Aspect Ratios

33:01 Monitor vs TV Debate

38:37 Monitor Control App Insights

40:55 Unify Network Issues

50:44 Wrapping Up with Humor

629: Balancing Tech Support: Accessibility, Solo Entrepreneurship & Innovative Solutions with Adam Rice

/

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts are joined by returning guest Adam Rice of Ask Adam. They discuss the challenges and benefits of being a solo tech support consultant, including balancing large business clients with residential work. Adam shares his innovative equitable pricing model, designed to make tech support accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. The conversation also touches on tools like TailScale and Alectrona Patch, effective strategies for leveraging tech tools as a solo consultant, and the nuances of building and maintaining client trust in both residential and business settings.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back, Adam Rice!

00:28 Adam's Background and Living in Philadelphia

02:08 Residential vs. Business Clients

02:47 Solo Consulting and Family Involvement

06:45 Challenges of Hiring and Subcontracting

16:35 Marketing Strategies and Client Demographics

21:39 Private Equity and Client Stability

27:20 Navigating Business Without Contracts

28:33 Shifting Focus to Residential Clients

29:58 The Importance of Client Relationships

31:47 Discussing Business Rates and Models

32:54 Implementing Equitable Pricing

35:03 Challenges and Benefits of Sliding Scale Pricing

48:58 Tools and Techniques for Business Efficiency

57:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans