REMEMBERING

Business Computing Tips

       By Karen Fainges

Remember when you were a kid and you got your own mail for the first time.
It was addressed to you and it was for something fun, like a birthday card
or Christmas. It made you feel important.

You can pass this feeling on to your customers. If you have a record of
birthdays, great, but for most of us, this information is too hard or
embarrassing to come by. So make up your own holiday. Give them a "You've
had your new rubber duck for a year, Happy Birthday duck" card. Make sure it
has no blatant advertising on it, but it must have your phone number and
other contact details. Leave the advertising for a separate sheet.

On the separate sheet, tie the advertising to the celebration. Give them a
list of duck presents, upgrades for their duck, or a second duck for their
friends. Offer a discount or free gift. Be sure they have to fill out an
info card to get it. Viola, you have the makings of a great database.

Don't be scared to do your database in whatever program you have. With the
FIND command in most word processors and spreadsheets now, it doesn't even
have to be a proper database. The main thing is keep it up to date and input
all the details in the same format. Otherwise it makes it difficult to use
the information for mail merges and other applications.

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****

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let them
know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14 years of having
to make sales or starve that make her think she has really learnt what does
and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping people
get started on the long road to technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

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****

Remember to proof your links before you send things out. Sorry.

For those trying to check out the sample business plan, try,

http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech/Business%20plan.html

Karen

WHAT TO DO

Business Computing Tips

       By Karen Fainges

Sometimes the hardest part of any business is knowing what to focus on.
Everyone can do one thing well, but many of us tend to do a number of things
at once. As any mother will tell you, if you are doing ten thousand things
at once, nothing gets done really well. You need to focus.


How can you be sure what that one good thing is? Look back over the times
when you really felt great. When was the time you felt the greatest sense of
accomplishment? Then think about the times when those around you, especially
clients, have complimented you. If those two things match, bingo, that's the
area you should concentrate on.


But what if those aren't the things that bring the money in? Well figure out
a way it can. If it is artistic, maybe you can find a sponsor or obtain a
government grant. If it is organizing large events, maybe you can combine
with a few small business that would love the exposure but do not have the
organisational skills or patience. If it is helping others, sometimes you
just have to bite the bullet and ask for some handouts.

The main thing to remember is that if you excel in one area, you are mad if
you don't use it.


****************************************************************************
*************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
**************

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FOCUSING ON MONEY
Business Computing Tips
  By Karen Fainges

Ever felt like you have been running around all day but got nothing done?
We've all done it. Put off that call to a client because of paperwork, spent
all day rearranging things in the office or doing all those little things
that really didn't need doing. Avoidance is always a problem for the
business owner.

Money makes the world round. Well, it pays the bills anyway. So how do you
concentrate on the real reason for being in business? How do you stop
wasting time? Take a day off. Go through your day task by task. Find out
what really brings in the business and what doesn't. Remember the old 80/20
rule, 80 percent of the money is brought in by 20% of the people.  So find
out who those people are and concentrate on them.
There is another benefit to all of this. Life is more enjoyable if you do
what you are good at and get rewarded for it. Concentrating on the areas
where you really succeed leads to more money, more time and more
satisfaction.
****************************************************************************
****
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
****
TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

DATABASES

Business Computing Tips
  By Karen Fainges

Keeping lists of your customers, orders, sales and a myriad of other things
are well worth while, but they can be a lot of work to set up and keep up to
date. Why bother?

Well, being able to e-mail, fax or post to all your prospects at the touch
of a button is one of the best reasons. Most programs now have mail merge.
This lets you print names and addresses or send electronic letters
automatically to everyone in your database. They can even sort the addresses
first so you only send messages to those in 4066 or with Company names
staring with G. This means you can target your letters to clients that will
get the most benefit from your message. This is a huge saving in time and
money. It will also keep your customers a lot happier than if you send
details of a local sale to your international clients.

The main thing is to keep your database current. Once every six months, use
the white pages or something similar to go through your list and delete
anyone that has moved. This job is made a lot easier if all your
correspondence has some sort of change of address form on it. A Reply Paid
address or postage paid envelope will make it easier for your clients to
actually send it all back to you.

****************************************************************************
****
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
****
TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Business Computing Tips
  By Karen Fainges
Ever wanted to do those great fridge magnets, business cards, T-shirts or
other promotional items only to find that you need to buy about 1000 of
them. Now you can do up just one or two yourself on your own printer.
Browsing the stationery section of the computer store is a wonderful idea
generator.
T-shirt iron-on-transfers can also be ironed on to rulers, cups and almost
anything else. Let your mind go. It is a great alternative to being left
with 500 balloons for a one-day sale. All you have to do is read the
instructions, VERY CAREFULLY, before you do anything.
****************************************************************************
****
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
****
TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

SHOULD I UPGRADE?

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

Computers seem to change every day. Then there's the software and
peripherals. It can be very confusing and expensive. So what should you
spend your hard-earned cash on? Well, it depends. What do you want it to do?
If you want to be able to do things quickly and be able to swap files with
anyone, it is good to upgrade roughly every six months. If so, maybe you
should lease instead of buy. If you only want to write letters, a 486 for
$500 is fine.

Whenever you think about getting a new system, see if you can get someone
else to do it cheaper than you can. No point buying a whiz bang digital
camera if you hate taking photos and a contractor can do it cheaper and
better.

There are three things to balance it out it any decision, which way is
cheaper, which way is easier and which way will last longest. Very often,
the cheapest one can cause more hassles than it is worth. Try for a middle
of the range that will last for a while and makes life a lot easier. After
all, that's what computers are for. Remember that your time is worth money.
Figure that in when you price a new system.

****************************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************

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GETTING THEIR NUMBERS.

Business Computing Tips
By Karen Fainges

The hardest part about contacting customers sometimes is finding their phone
number, fax and e-mail. You can buy lists from list brokers, industry
associations and groups or ring everyone in the phone book. The easiest way
is to ask.

Offer discounts, free newsletters, a birthday club whatever works best with
your client base. It can be as easy as a tissue box covered with paint and
some photocopied entry forms sitting on your counter. But just letting it
sit there doesn't work. Prompt them. With each receipt or bag, hand them an
entry form. Online businesses can do the same thing with forms and e-mail
prompts.

If you find it hard to choose what kind of incentive to use, ask people what
they would prefer. People like it when their opinions are listened to. Ask
and really listen. Keep a tick sheet behind the counter to tick which one
they choose, but while they are there, really listen. They are the people
who are going to spend money with you, probably thinking reasoning adults
who know what they want. All you have to do is ask them what it is.

****************************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just keep my
name on it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

Direct Marketing - Finding your audience.

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

Direct marketing gets its name from talking directly to the customer.
The are quite a few ways to do this, face-to face, phone, fax, e-
mail, mail, leaflets, the list goes on. The important thing is to
work out whom you are going to be talking to.

The people who buy might not always be the people who make the
decisions. The decision-makers are the ones you really have to talk
to. Anyone that sells cereal will tell you that kids say what is
going to get eaten, mum just buys it.

Think about how you want to come across. If your audience is
conservative, you may want a conservative image as well. A suit,
bonded paper or a well-rounded telephone voice, all these things add
that little touch of class. If your audience is kids, you might want
to go with a more casual approach.

So now how are you going to talk to them? Often this comes down to one
thing, what have you got. If customers regularly come to the store,
talk to them, if you only have phone numbers call, etc. The cheapest
is e-mail, followed by fax. We will talk about collecting these later.

Now, what to say? More of this next K-tips, but basically, find their
problem. What are they trying to make better by buying your product or
service? Then solve this problem. "Hungry? Bored with your current
cereal?
Try Puffy wheat sugars. They make rude sounds when they hit the bowl
and are full of lovely sugar."

**********************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just
keep my name on it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology. "It has to be practical,it has to be cheap, and it has to
work."

**********************************************************************

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

$5 Marketing

Business Computing Tips
By Karen Fainges

$5 marketing uses a range of techniques to use the valuable things your
business already has to promote it. Free Internet advertising and banner
exchanges, networking of newsgroups as an expert, marketing to your
customers and your friends. Many of these things have already been covered
in past K-Tips, but for something new, I am going to invite you to lunch.

For the set menu price of $19.95 you can enjoy one of a variety of entrees,
mains & desserts while listening to me sprout on with practical business
ideas & strategies.
Presented on Friday the 21st of July at 12:30, it will cover a range of easy
to apply e-commerce, networking and cross/up selling techniques. Other
seminars in the series will be available on demand.

To book, simply contact Petrie Mansions with the following information on:
Ph: (07) 3368 3863, Fax: (07) 3368 3671 or E-mail mansions@....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:_____________________________________________
Business Name:______________________________________
Phone: ___________________  Fax: _____________________
E-mail:_____________________________________________

_ Please book me ___ seats for 21/7/00 at 12:30 p.m. for $5 marketing.

_ I can not attend on the 21st,but I would still like to go. Please let me
know of any future dates
****************************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let them
know who wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

CUSTOMER MARKETING

Business Computing Tips
By Karen Fainges

Marketing is the process of working out what to sell, how to sell it and to
whom. Customer Marketing is easy. It means talking to your customers about
what to sell, how and to whom. Whether it is by e-mail, snail mail, phone or
fax it's important. E-mail is the cheapest, but be careful of spamming. Only
write if it is about something if your customer would really want to know
about it. And be honest with yourself. Are you writing for them or you?

Market research lets you know what your customers want, how much they want
to pay and when where and how they want it. So how do you do research? Ask
them. Here's an example. Say, "I'm thinking of changing the delivery times".

If there is a problem, they will often immediately jump in with, "Oh good
idea, that Thursday delivery has always been a problem." You may have been
thinking about new boxes but don't miss the chance to improve. The main
thing is to ask the question and then shut up. Don't talk. Definitely don't
argue. Just listen. It's not easy to do, but the more you practice, the
easier it gets.

Follow up is also important. When was the last time you thanked a customer
with a card or note? If they bought gum, probably never. But if they have
been buying gum for six years, maybe you should.

There are many times to talk to your customers. Try it now.

****************************************************************************
****
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let them
know who wrote it.
Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping
people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical,
it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
****************************************************************************
****
TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

Ever been told that it was time to download the latest version of
something but not known whether it was a good idea?

Getting a program from the web has some drawbacks. A bad download can
corrupt files, take time and money, and be finicky. So what are the
alternatives?

The main one I can recommend is buying a PC magazine. They offer free
demo versions of a variety of software. Its been tested, you can read
unbiased articles on it to make sure it's what you want before you go
to the hassle. Most of all you don't have to pay for it until you
have tried it out. Then you can download or purchase the product from
a store all ready to go. Some of them, like the latest browser, you
never have to pay for.

Check out your local newsagency, a good one is Australian PC User.

**********************************************************************

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know who wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology. "It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has
to work."

**********************************************************************

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

Goal Setting

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

People go into business for a lot of reasons, money, lifestyle, lack
of choice, family. But the real reason should be, it makes you happy.
So how do you know what will make you happy? Try doing a little
exercise. List all the factors in your life and then see how much you
would be affected if they were increased or decreased. Clear as mud?
Try filling this in.

Factor             More (1-10)  Less (1-10)  Total

Wealth
Family Happiness
Being Comfortable
Time for Yourself
Health
Being Creative
Being Acknowledged
Helping Others
Being Religious

The highest numbers are the things you really have to consider. Be
truthful with yourself. You might not want a lot of money, so a
slight increase would be good, say 4, but to loose money might be
really bad say 8, total 12. So it's a factor, but not a major
one.
There are many more of course. Chances are if you fill an extra one
in, it will be an important one for you.

Then compare these to your current or prospective job. It might be
great money, but it leaves you with no time for family or yourself.
If these rated high, you might want to reconsider. Can you do it part-
time or telecommute?

**********************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know who wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology. "It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has
to work."

**********************************************************************

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EXPERTS

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

Need help. Ask an expert. The only problem is whom do you trust? Well,
that's a hard one, but basically so long as you check your facts before you
act, any advice can be good. Even the bad stuff can serve as a bad example.

The Internet has given us access to more experts than ever before. To find
them, simply type your subject into a search engine such as
http://www.altavista.com. Dozens will come up.

Confer with colleagues or check your industry magazine for another source.
The best way for many is to join a discussion group. To find a good one try
http://www.egroups.com or http://www.memail.com. They have joined forces
with other list managers to offer one of the widest range of lists
available.

Although I have plugged his list before, one of the best is Dr Kevin Nunley.
He recently released a free hints and tips book available on his site. This
gives a range of books, magazines and sites that can help us all. Visit his
site http://DrNunley.NET for your copy.

****************************************************************************
****

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let them
know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of Vocational
and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14 years of having
to make sales or starve that make her think she has really learnt what does
and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping people
get started on the long road to technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

****************************************************************************
****

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

SOFTWARE: WHAT, WHEN, HOW?

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

OK, hardware is the box. It's the actual physical parts of the
computer but software is the stuff that makes it go. But there are so
many different types of software out there, what should you get?

Well, there are three main ways to work that out. One way is to read
the PC magazines and see what they recommend. Most of these are in
the $5-10 price range, so for a $200-500 purchase, they are well
worth it. An added bonus is that they often give out trial versions
of the software. This lets you use the software for 30 days to see if
it works for you before you buy. You can get them from most news
agencies, or for free from the local library.

The second way is to ask around. Friends usually have tried or know
about a few different programs. If you don't have many computer-
friendly friends, try window shopping. Go to your nearest big
computer store and see what they are giving away with their computer
systems. You can just about bet that if it is a preloaded program it
will be supported (there will be internet sites, books and guides
printed for it) and it will run on a standard system. Back this up
with a trip to the book store. If the program has a book on it, it
will be useable for a while yet. Sometimes the best program is the
one most people use regardless of what it is like. People use Windows
because it is the only one you can find programs for. Same applies
for word processors, accountancy programs and everything else. If you
want to be able to swap discs with people, and buy things straight
off the shelf rather than go hunting around, it pays to go with the
standard. Ask any apple user how frustrating it can be sometimes.

The last way is to download software from the web. The draw back is
the time this can take to get a working copy. The good thing is that
most web software is either shareware or freeware. Freeware is there
for anyone to use anytime gratis. Shareware expects you to pay for it
if you like it. Just about all of them will give you extra tools or
make things easier if you pay for an upgrade. The good thing is that
these programs let you have a good look before you buy. If you
download from a reputable site, like www.twocows.com you can check
the programs for ratings and reviews as well. Thousands of people use
these sites every day and have tested these programs on every
possible system. If you have an older system, they even still have
programs for Windows 3.1 and other systems that you won't find
anywhere else. These sites are pretty safe, but like anything run it
through a virus scanner before you use it.

**********************************************************************
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
**********************************************************************

WHY DOES MY FONT KEEP CHANGING?

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

We have all done it, started typing a letter and wham. Its all set up
just the way we like it and then the font changes. Halfway through
and its boring old Arial 10 again. Why does this happen? Why me?

It happens because of the ugly word default. Programs today all have
a lot of things going on in the background. There are so many choices
to make it can be confusing. So a lot of the choices are made for you
ahead of time. One of them is what font (style of writing) is used.
This is all set up on the page so that when you begin to type it
knows what to use. The only problem is that when you change the style
the 'default' is to change things only for that paragraph. Hit enter,
and you are back to boring.

So how to fix it. One way is not to worry about the formatting (what
it looks like) until after you've finished typing. That way you can
change everything at once. Another way is to give yourself a bit of
space to work in. Hit enter a few times before you change the font
and make sure you highlight the whole page. This means that when you
go to a new line, you are still in a piece of the page that you have
marked 'new'.

One last way is to experiment with one paragraph and then 'paint' the
rest. This means using the paint format button. It is in your tool
bar (the rows of little pictures at the top). It is found next to the
copy and paste buttons and looks like a paint brush. To use it, click
inside an area that has the look you want then hit the paint button.
The cursor will change to look like a little paint brush. Left click
at the start of the area you want changed and then hold the mouse
button down until you get to the end. Next let go. Viola, it all
changes to the right size, colour and shape.

This 'default' is also the reason why sometimes things stick in the
middle of the page, pictures won't let you type under them, and you
can't arrow further down the page than the text goes. More on them
later.

**********************************************************************

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

**********************************************************************

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

How do they find my Web Page?

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

People find web sites in three main ways. One is through advertising.
For the small business owner, this normally means putting the address
or URL on to business cards, in newspaper ads and on any other normal
advertising. This is where an easy to remember domain name is valuable.

Then comes links from other pages or e-mails. Whenever you put up a new
page, tell people about it. Most newsgroups, ICQ or IRC users won't
mind you sending the address through to the group, so long as its on
topic. For example, links to pictures of your novelty products are
acceptable if they are looking for belly button warmers, but not if the
group is alt.fan.fic.

Most people will be glad to put a link to your page from their site if
you make it easy for them. Try sending a popular sites a little blurb &
a link they can just paste in. E.g. we both sell novelty items, but I
notice you don't have belly button warmers. How about being able to
offer you customers these cute fluffy gifts for the person with almost
everything. Just paste in this link to your own site & offer them that
little bit more. <a href="http://www.bellywarmersRus.com"> </a>

The last way is by finding it on a search engine. As this is where most
hits come from, it is best to submit your page to as many engines as
you can. Your position on these search engines, (which page you appear
on if someone types in belly button warmers) is determined by most
according to a formula. This varies, but mostly its based on the meta
tags, the pieces of code found at the top of the page, the first 300
words on the page, how many other sites are linked to yours and its
difference from other sites-its uniqueness.

One tip, put a question into the tags and submit it to places like Ask
Jeaves. These engines often use the same databases as the big boys like
Yahoo and a good way to skip the long queues.

***********************************************************************
*********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

***********************************************************************
********
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HINTS and TIPS

Business Computing Tips
	 By Karen Fainges

Office 97 and just about any other product released now-a-days has a
wonderful thing called a help file. The only problem is that most of us
don't know how to use it. There are normally two parts to any help
file, the list of general interest topics and then an index.

The easiest way to work out how to do something is to check the general
list first. It is normally broken into sections like formatting,
saving, and printing. If you can not find what you are after there,
then try the index. In the top line, there should be a space to type.
This saves you having to scroll through the whole list. So what if you
don't know what to type?

Try something you do know and see if it leads you to the area you want.
For example, say you want to change where things are printing out on a
page. Typing in "printing" gives you a list of topics under printing.
Trial and error will bring you to margins. Bingo, you've found it.

The first few times will be time consuming, but the more you use it,
the faster you will get. If nothing else, you might find a whole range
of things you didn't even know it could do.

***********************************************************************
********
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology. "It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to
work."

***********************************************************************
********
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Getting it right

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

Ever had a word document where you just could not get things to stay
where you put them? The answer is out there. Tables. Word 97 and later
will allow you to draw a table exactly the way you want it. The good
thing about this is that pictures, text and columns all remain where
you put them. And stay there even if you want to publish the document
to the web.

To draw a table, go to TABLE on your menu bar and choose DRAW TABLE.
Draw a box to be the outside border. Then draw the inside. You even
have an eraser that can rub out mistakes.

HINT TIME

Now it is time to ask you what you want to hear. If you have a
particular question just write to me at fainges-announce@eGroups.com

***********************************************************************
********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

***********************************************************************
********

To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

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Trialing a new idea

Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

It's a risky thing trying out a new product or way of marketing. So how
do you mitigate the damage if it all goes wrong? Test market.

Big business does it all the time. Trial a new idea and if it takes
off, fine, if not, dump it. That is where those little baskets in the
supermarket with new product signs come from. The problem is this can
be very expensive.

The Internet comes to the rescue. You can now test market very cheaply.
Free stores such as the ones available at http://www.freemerchant.com
allow you to set up a mail-order business at no cost. Back up your
on-line advertising with some leaflets done up on the home computer.
They don't have to be flash, just show the reader what problem you are
trying to solve. For example, you may make large size clothing. The top
of the leaflet can say, Can you never find a dress that fits AND looks
good? If they say yes, you've got 'em.

Call it John Smith's clothing and you don't have to register a business
name or anything. Just make up a few things to show people and if you
get orders go for it. If you don't, it's only cost a bit of time and
paper. Remember though, it takes at least six months for anything to
prove itself. Don't quit your job until then.

CHEAP TIP

A wealth of business tips is available at http://www.business.gov.au/.
This government site lists a variety of information and helpful sites
for the small business owner.

***********************************************************************
********
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Dip. of
Vocational and Educational Training. All that is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

***********************************************************************
********
To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

Y2K

Business Computing Tips
	 By Karen Fainges

So the dreaded Y2K has hit. If you are reading this, it couldn't have
hit too bad. So how do you tell if your computer problems are a virus,
the bug or just normal computer hassles?

The easiest way to check for viruses is with a virus checker. You can
try them online at http://download.mcafee.com/eval/evaluate.asp but the
best way to ensure protection is to install a checker on your system.
Programs like McAffee give constant updates as new viruses are found,
so its best to go with a well supported one.

Hopefully, I am preaching to the converted though, so on to the
millennium bug. A way to check is to see if you are having problems
only when you open date driven programs like Access, Lotus, Quicken,
Quick Books and other accountancy programs. That is one way. Another is
if Windows closes every time you try to save or print. To solve this
problem, call the manufacturer of the product. (Most programs will have
a help number written on the box or under Help in the menu bar.) Most
will have a "patch" to solve problems like this. This is also true if
you have just updated your Windows. Many products need a few extra
lines of code to make them work on 98 with no problem. Patches are
normally free or very low cost. If they aren't, check online for your
product and there are often patches there. If you use an on-line patch
though, back everything up first and virus check it before it goes
anywhere near your system.

As for normal computer hassles, try to defragment your system. The
computer merely getting disorganised causes many problems. Bits of data
tend to spread over the system getting in the way. Defragging solves
this problem. If you don't know how to do this, go to START - PROGRAMS
- SYSTEM TOOLS.

CHEAP TIP

Check out computer magazines in your local newsagent. Any problems you
encounter are likely to have happened to someone else as well. The
library also has most of these magazines. The best thing is that many
of the patches are on the free discs that come with the mags.

***********************************************************************
********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.
"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."
To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

USING YOUR PRINTER



Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

One trip to a stationers store shows a plethora of products available
for home and office printers. Do-it-yourself business cards,
invitations, special paper, window transfers the list goes on. These
products give you a chance to really capitalise on networking
opportunities.

Take business cards. Going to a information seminar? Print up cards
with your contact details on one side and "You met me at the Whatever
Seminar. I do … " on the back. Scan in a picture so they can really
remember you.

Textured paper allows your leaflets to really stand out. Window
transfers on the car makes it a mobile billboard. Not all of these
ideas work for everyone, but if you shop around, new ideas can jump out
at you. Best of all, it doesn't cost much to try something new and
fresh.

CHEAP TIP

Check out the Expert Software products. For roughly $20, they make
specific tasks very easy. They have Resumes, Business Cards and more.

***********************************************************************
*********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

USING YOUR PRINTER



Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges

One trip to a stationers store shows a plethora of products available
for home and office printers. Do-it-yourself business cards,
invitations, special paper, window transfers the list goes on. These
products give you a chance to really capitalise on networking
opportunities.

Take business cards. Going to a information seminar? Print up cards
with your contact details on one side and "You met me at the Whatever
Seminar. I do … " on the back. Scan in a picture so they can really
remember you.

Textured paper allows your leaflets to really stand out. Window
transfers on the car makes it a mobile billboard. Not all of these
ideas work for everyone, but if you shop around, new ideas can jump out
at you. Best of all, it doesn't cost much to try something new and
fresh.

CHEAP TIP

Check out the Expert Software products. For roughly $20, they make
specific tasks very easy. They have Resumes, Business Cards and more.

***********************************************************************
*********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

Planning



Business Computing Tips

By Karen Fainges



Ever know what to do, but had trouble getting started? This calls for
planning. But how do you do it? The easiest thing to do is to say,
'where am I now' at the top of a page, and then 'where do I want to be'
at the bottom. Then fill in the middle. It sounds easy doesn't it. Lack
of ideas normally is not a problem. Making those ideas practical is the
hard part.

First of all, write the idea down. This is an important step. Thinking
how to phrase things forces you to really think them out. Telling them
to friends and family also helps if you can count on them to ask
questions without being critical. You want to know if they understand
the idea, not if they agree with it. That step comes later.



Next brainstorm solutions. This means writing down as many solutions as
possible while not worrying if they are practical. Doing a search on
the web using words and phrases from your first idea will help. So will
a thesaurus, encyclopedia or dictionary.



Then weed through the information and check what you can really use.
The next step is to start the action. But that's a new area.



CHEAP TIP

A business plan template is available on www.planware.org/bizplan.htm.
Templates help to organise topics and ensure areas are not missed.

***********************************************************************
*********

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com

To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com



TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech

SAVING THINGS TO THE WEB
_________________________

Business Computing Tips
By Karen Fainges

Ever spent ages on a document getting it just right? Or had a great
sales idea you wanted to share? Then publish it to the web. Let others
see how much you have to offer. Any document can be put on your web
page. Reports, sales brochures, press releases, all of them let your
customers and the general public know what you are up to. This sends a
powerful message that you think they are important and you want their
opinions. Many businesses gain their best leads are from clients who
say, "oh, I didn't know you could do that, I have a friend looking for
that."

To publish something from just about any Microsoft or Lotus product,
just look in the "save as" command under "File" in your menu. If the
document type, .html is listed, there is your web page. Then upload it
to your site. Many ISPs have a page that lets you upload whole pages
easily. If they don't, or you can't find it, try using a program like
Cute.ftp. It can be downloaded quickly and easily from www.cuteftp.com.

CHEAP TIP
If you want to keep your web page fresh, constantly update your "What's
New Page" with your latest brochure or press release.
***********************************************************************

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let
them know I wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that make her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."

To subscribe, send a message to fainges-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com
To stop getting the newsletter, send a message to fainges-announce-unsu
bscribe@eGroups.com

TAKE ME TO SEEKWEB http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech