Connecting with Others Now Easier 
with the Right Technology

 Staying in touch with people is one of the greatest skills you’ll have to build your business and your career.  All the technology and Cybersense we have won’t matter a bit if it doesn’t reach and help people.

Recently I had the joy of experiencing technology as it is supposed to be.  Remember that I’m a jaded, hard-core journalist that has seen it all and uses the phrase “Yeah, right!” with disgust at most new technologies that I see.  In the past I’ve seen many that promised the world, but in the real world, where things actually matter, they were sorely disappointing. 

The joy that I had last Friday was when I installed a new technology in my office and it worked seamlessly and flawlessly without a hitch.  Not only that, it is something that will revolutionize the way I do business.

I’m talking about my new wireless network for laptop computers.  I use the standard called 802.11b and it gives me the ability to have a network throughout my condo office without stringing unseemly wires all over the place. 

I installed the Actiontec Cable/;DSL Router and two of their devices to laptop computers in order to receive the signals.  Installation was a snap.  I was amazed at how easily I was able to plug in the router to my cable system and then how immediately my notebook (with wireless capability built into the system) picked up that a router was there and jumped on the Net. 

I am now able to move my computer around the condo from one room to another and get access to the Net, check e-mail, do research for my columns and my speaking and more.  We hooked up several computers and they now all work very well.

This 802.11b wireless technology has been with us for a while.  However, what impressed me even more than the good technology that Actiontec has was the support they offer. 

I had no problem at all with my new Windows XP enabled Sony that comes wireless ready.  Sidenote: Make sure you get wireless capability on your next notebook computer!  However, I did have a problem with my Windows 98 machines.  The problem was not because of the Actiontec equipment but rather because of the way my Windows 98 machines were configured. 

So, I breathed that moan I’ve experienced before.  You know the one I’m talking about.  It is that “I’ve had problems with this kind of thing before and here it comes again” feeling.  I’ve worked with many tech support people for years and often it is a less than pleasant experience to say the least.

However, at Actiontec I was able to talk with Jose, a polite, kind and extremely knowledgeable tech support person.  Jose helped me to change the settings in Win 98 for each of my machines very patiently and clearly.  He didn’t go over my head with techno-jargon but also used the appropriate technology terms once he knew I understood them (I do write about this stuff!). 

Bottom line was that I was able to get the network up and running quickly and easily thanks to the support of Jose and Actiontec.  Just having the right equipment is not enough. You have to have people that are trained well in both the human side and the technological side.

So what lessons are there for you and your company?  I see the following:

1. Have a high quality product.  Actiontec has sales soaring in a tough economy because they provide high quality products.  Their Cable/DSL Router is powerful, easy to use and gets the job done.  Their USB wireless adapter and the PC Card wireless adaptors both worked flawlessly in several tests on various machines.
2. Concentrate on helping customers.  That is what Jose did.  He helped walk me through what could have been a nightmare experience.  Instead, it was a pleasant and even fun experience getting it up and running.
3. Remember communication is most important.  The 802.11b standard is widespread now.  You have to stay in touch with people and this is a great way to do it.  Many are using notebooks now equipped with wireless 802.11b standards to send messages to each other while at seminars, in the actual meetings while listening to speakers (Warning to speakers: You have to be exceptionally good now as people will talk about you DURING your presentation---through e-mail!). 

Technology like the wireless Internet access from Actiontec is just an example of how you can connect with your customers easier.  If you don’t have this technology now, take a serious look at it.  You’ll find it reduces cost (important during tough times or good times) and increases your communication with others both in and outside the company (most important in any business environment). 

(Products available through Actiontec, www.actiontec.com, $200 for Cable/DSL Router, $120 for USB Adapter and $100 for PC Card, 408-752-7700).  

 Terry Brock is an internationally recognized professional speaker, consultant and author in the fields of business productivity, technology and marketing.  He is a syndicated columnist for Biz  Journals across America and can be reached at 407-363-0505 or by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com

 Copyright © 2003, Terry Brock, All Rights Reserved Internationally. No portion may be reprinted or used in any way without prior written permission. 

This Actiontec Router helps to connect several computers wirelessly.  You can connect up to 8 units with it.  Cost is about $100.00.  My personal experience with this has been very good for distances up to 40 feet.  Going through walls slows down the signal strength but you can adjust for that with extra Ethernet cable.