The Bahlog

Jeffrey Gitomer's Weekly Sales Rant - on Google

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Share:
http://www.gitomer.com/rants/Weekly-Rant.html

Anyone Can Do Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:55:00 +0000

The following was posted today by a good friend of mine from California, Karl Palachuk. I think that his article is relevant to most anyone that might read this blog. I have just posted the beginning, so I would encourage you to read the rest of the article as well as some of his other very interesting post on Karl's Blog...

[ Rant Warning ]
Anyone Can Do Sales

Anyone Can Do Marketing

Anyone Can Do Computer Support

Anyone Can Do Network Engineering

Anyone Can Do Business Coaching

Anyone Can Run a Consulting Business

. . .

Except: They Can't!

I recently did a Spam Show with Vlad Mazek and Monique Rogers (will be posted Here some day). We talked about H.R. - Human Resources and how much everyone hates to do H.R.

The hiring process can really suck up your time. And in the end you might not get the employee you want, need, love, and deserve.KPEnterprises - Sacramento's premier Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist - recently did a lot of hiring. I can officially say that I hate the H.R. job and have hit the limits of my patience with H.R.

I've seen thousands of resumes from people who aren't remotely qualified to touch a computer. They shouldn't be allowed to USE computers let alone fix them. What are they thinking? I'm too stoopid to know that they are less qualified than my cat? Do they think they'll get hired by accident and then just work out so we'll keep them on?

I honest-to-God don't know what they're thinking.

And we're not alone. If you go to a bunch of networking events (live, in person, in your town) you've seen that 30% of all unemployed professionals have now become "business coaches" of some kind. Life coach. Transcendental success coaches. Whatever.

There are people out there with skills, talent, education, certification, and a process that works. So you can't wake up one day and say "People like to take my advice. I'll become a business coach."Sales is the same way. Everyone who's ever sold a used shirt at a yard sale thinks he's ripe to be a sales person. No. Sales people have skills, talent, education, certification, and a process that works. You promoted a failing product on LinkedIn? That doesn't make you a sales person.

View article...

Introducing Microsoft Office 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:21:00 +0000

Introduction to Microsoft Office 2010

Microsoft® Office 2010 gives you rich and powerful new ways to deliver your best work - whether you’re at work, home, or school - on a computer, Web browser, or Smartphone. Grab your audience’s attention and inspire them with your ideas using enhanced tools, customizable templates, and photo editing capabilities. Work with multiple people from different locations at the exact same time using new co-authoring capabilities. By offering more ways to access your files from virtually anywhere, Office 2010 puts you in control.

See What's New in Microsoft Office 2010

Ingram SMBA Invitational

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Next week is dedicated to "sharpening the saw." I will be in Charlotte, NC all week for my HTG19 Peer Group meeting and the Ingram Micro SMB Alliance Invitational.

Are you going to be there? Look for me each morning from 6:30 - 7:00 AM in the Stonewall Boardroom enjoying morning Devotionals. I'm sure that Arlin, Christy and some of the regulars will be there. All are welcome.

Window 7 “Works the way you want”

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:35:00 +0000

“Works the way you want” means Windows 7 delivers on the fundamentals:

•Responsive and ready—you can start using your PC quickly with fast startup, shutdown, sleep, and resume from Standby.

•Performance improvements include improved memory utilization and 64-bit computing support.

•Works with the majority of software or devices that work with the Windows Vista operating system.

•Windows XP Mode* provides you with the flexibility to run many older Windows XP productivity applications right from the Windows 7 desktop.

•Powerful diagnostics and troubleshooting tools found in Windows Action Center make it easy to quickly fix problems.

*Windows XP Mode requires either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) preinstallation or postpurchase installation of Windows XP Mode (which runs on Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate) or a virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC. Windows XP Mode requires a PC with 2 gigabytes (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 3 GB RAM (64-bit), 15 GB available disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization, with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on. Both Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc. For more information on system requirements, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc.

SharePoint Explained

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Have you heard about Microsoft's Collaboration tool, SharePoint, but never quite understood what it was or what it might do for you company? If the answer is yes, watch this brief video.

SharePoint in Plain English

SANS Institute Security Newsletter for Computer Users Volume 6, Number 8

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:42:00 +0000

1. Tips for Wi-Fi Security at Home
Many people rush through setting up wireless home networks to get their Internet connectivity working as quickly as possible. While this is understandable, it is also risky because unless properly secured, wireless networks are a security problem waiting to happen. Today's Wi-Fi networking products don't always help the situation either. Their security features are complicated and can be time-consuming to set up correctly. You may wish to retain the services of a qualified technician to help you be sure the job gets done right. Here are some tips for how you can improve the security of your home wireless network. Next month we'll provide tips for improving Wi-Fi security while on the road.

- - Replace that old access point. If your access point is older than 2 or 3 years, it probably doesn't include the latest security protocols.
At a cost of $75 or less, an up-to-date access point is cheap insurance against having your computers broken into.

- - Change the default passwords on your wireless access point. The default passwords are simple, often posted on the manufacturer's website, and well-known to hackers. Change them immediately, and use strong passwords.

- - Use WPA2 security. Older wireless access points offer WEP and WPA security which provide only weak and unreliable security. Verify that your wireless access point supports WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access, version 2). If it does not have WPA2, don't use it. Get another one that does.

- - Change the default SSID. Wireless access points use a network name called the SSID (service set identifier). Manufacturers ship their products with the same SSID. While knowing the SSID does not by itself allow a hacker to break into your network, it is a start. More importantly, operating your access point with the default SSID suggests that security has not been handled well, and that encourages hacking.

- - Do not Auto-Connect to open Wi-Fi networks. Connecting to an open Wi-Fi network, such as a free, public wireless hotspot or your neighbor's wireless access point, exposes your computer to security risks. Most computers have a setting which will allow these connections to happen automatically without notifying you. Make sure auto-connect is shut off.

- - Enable the hardware firewall on your wireless access point. If your access point does not have a hardware firewall, don't use it. Get another one that does.

- - Position your access point carefully. It is normal for Wi-Fi signals to leak out through walls of your home. While a small amount of signal leakage is not a problem, the further the signal spills out into the neighborhood, the easier it is for others to pick it up. That is the first step toward someone gaining access to your wireless access point without your permission. Position your access point near the center of your home, rather than near a window or an outside wall.

- - Turn off your access point if you aren't using it. If it's not turned on, hackers can't break in.

- - If you don't feel confident about the security of your wireless access point, don't use it. Get advice and answers to your questions from a computer consultant knowledgeable about wireless security.

More information:
http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2008/04/wireless-security.ars

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2. Scams and Hoaxes
- - Scammers Exploit Swine Flu Fears
Unsuspecting users are receiving a Word document attachment sent by scammers posing as a Center for Disease Control update on the global spread of swine flu. If you open the document, it releases a Trojan, dubbed Agent-AVZQ, which can give control of your computer and the information stored on it to a Bad Guy.
More information: http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/single.php?id=8378
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001734.html

- - Adobe Flash Player Scams Abound
If you visit a website that asks for Adobe Flash Player in order to play a video and you see a handy button nearby for downloading Flash, think before you push it. You may be falling for one of the most common ploys used by hackers to infect computers with malware. Other Adobe Flash Player scams employ salacious or provocative headlines in emails, on websites, social media sites, and in instant messages. These messages will often have misspellings, bad grammar or even broken English, but to make things look more convincing, they feature the official Flash Player button, hijacked from the Adobe website. The safest place to get Flash Player and updates for it is from the Adobe Update site:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
More information:
http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2009/07/17/avoiding-adobe-flash-player-scams/

- - "Neopets" Under Attack by Identity Thieves The popular website Neopets has a reputation for being kid-friendly and kid-safe. Neopets lets its members- roughly 25 million people-"adopt"
cyber pets and earn points by playing games. Nearly half of players are between the ages of 8 and 12, some are as young as 6, and they communicate with each other while at play. But Neopets has been hit by Internet pirates and a scam that takes advantage of kids willing to pay big for a "magic paintbrush." Kids are sent a seemingly innocuous email or private message on the Neopets bulletin boards telling them about a secret website that will let them make their own "magic paintbrushes."
But when the child browses to that third-party website, he or she is not downloading and installing a magic paintbrush, but malware.
More information:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530684,00.html

- - Work-At-Home Scams Make Their Way to Twitter Through tweets, email and websites, job hunters are being told that they can make lots of money from the comfort of home using Twitter, and falling prey to Twitter-based job scams. The Better Business Bureau warns that although the large print for such offers may promise big returns, the fine print can cost them every month.
More information:
http://www.sanantonio.bbb.org/article/work-at-home-scams-make-their-way-to-twitter-11445

- - Information-Stealing Phishing Email Targets Chase Customers The Consumer Protection Board (CPB) of New York State has issued a warning to Chase Bank customers that they could be attacked by a phishing scam involving emails that seek personal information on the pretext of upholding new security measures. Customers receive a phony email that asks them to fill in a form with details including personal identifiable information. Citing fresh security measures ostensibly launched by Chase, the fake email explains that it is important that recipients complete the form. Additionally, it displays a web-link and asks the recipients to click on the link. However, the link leads to a fake website where personal information is stolen from the consumers.
More information:
http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/pressreleases/2009/july012009.htm

************************************************************************
3. Microsoft and Apple Security Updates
Microsoft and Apple provide free security updates for their software products.
Windows: Microsoft issues patches for all Microsoft products on the second Tuesday of each month as well as out-of-cycle patches on any day of the month. The scheduled release date is August 11th. This is a good occasion to check manually, a practice that you should follow once every two weeks, to make sure all of the updates have been installed.
More information: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx
OS X: Updates are issued frequently, and their contents may differ depending on which processor is in your Mac (PPC or Intel).
More information: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338
iPhones & iPods: Must be updated manually:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305744
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1483
************************************************************************

4. Security Newsbytes
- - Online Backup Services Prove Unreliable IT researcher, Michael Krigsman, set out to back up files to safe, reliable, off-site storage, using Carbonite and Mozy, two of the most respected names in the online backup market. Both products failed miserably, and each one in a perversely different way. Carbonite's simple, set-and-forget solution should make backups easy, but something bad happened along the way, and Krigsman could no longer locate or restore his files. While Carbonite tech support was quite helpful in trying to diagnose and solve the problem, his luck ran out after the issue was referred to Carbonite's product research department. Things started off well with Mozy, but turned sour when the file upload speed slowed to a crawl, making backups no longer practical. Mozy support was unhelpful and responded with canned emails unresponsive to the actual problem.
More information: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/datacenter/?p=1186

- - Firefox 3.5.1 Released to Patch "TraceMonkey" Vulnerability Mozilla has announced the availability of Firefox 3.5.1 to patch a critical security vulnerability that was found in the browser's new TraceMonkey JavaScript engine.
More information:
https://developer.mozilla.org/devnews/index.php/2009/06/30/firefox-3-5-is-now-available-for-download
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/07/firefox-351-released-to-patch-tracemonkey-vulnerability.ars

************************************************************************
Copyright 2009, SANS Institute (http://www.sans.org) Editorial Board: Bill Wyman, Alan Reichert, Walt Scrivens, Barbara Rietveld, Alan Paller.

Permission is hereby granted for any person to redistribute this in whole or in part to any other persons as long as the distribution is not being made as part of any commercial service or as part of a promotion or marketing effort for any commercial service or product. We request that redistributions include attribution for the source of the material.
Readers are invited to subscribe for free at https://www.sans.org/newsletters/ouch

(SaaS) e-mail becomes an attractive alternative to traditional on-premise e-mail

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:22:00 +0000

Karen Hobert, Principal Analyst at Top Dog, an independent IT research analysis and consulting firm based in Los Angeles, CA., has prepared a report entitled "Gauging the Real Value of Software as a Service (SaaS) E-mail for Small and Medium Businesses" for the Collaborative Strategy Guild. The report is for IT decision-makers in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) who are considering software as a service (SaaS) e-mail options. The report examines the requirements SMBs have, provides an overview of the market and vendors and offers guidance for how organizations can evaluate their e-mail investment by looking at a combination of productivity gains as well as cost savings.

Executive Overview:

As economic concerns strain business executives who need to balance costs with operational innovation, software-as-a-service (SaaS) e-mail becomes an attractive alternative to traditional on-premise e-mail deployments. Online e-mail provides rich user experiences, predictable costs, and convenience. New SaaS e-mail delivery and cost models are changing the way businesses acquire e-mail services. These new opportunities are prompting executives, vendors, and users to push IT decision makers to evaluate existing e-mail strategies and consider changing to SaaS for the com-pany e-mail.

The good news is that SMBs now have more options than ever to get business-grade e-mail services at reasonable prices and without the operational headaches of the past . The bad news is that e-mail market dynamics now mean more complex choices for customers who need to spend time sorting through their options.

The report is 11 pages long and it provides some timely insight into the variety of options afforded to today's small business owner. As she points out in her conclusion below, VALUE is where the true ROI will be found. Absolute cost is not the primary metric in determining benefit. We can help you determine the best solution for you company, and if necessary assist you in implementing that solution.
Conclusion:

Although the competition for SaaS e-mail market share is being waged over cost, the decision to choose one vendor over an-other is a matter of value. Customers who design an e-mail strategy and test their assumptions prior to moving to another service are better prepared to mitigate any issues that arise as a result of their decisions. SaaS e-mail offers huge gains for SMBs in business-grade e-mail functionality as long as the offerings support the needs of the business. Without knowing its real value, e-mail can become a cumbersome application, no matter what it costs or where it is managed.

You can read the entire report at the Collaborative Strategy Guild: http://collaborativestrategyguild.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/TheRealValueofSaaSforSMBv3.pdf

Microsoft Security Advisory (973882)

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Released: July 28, 2009

Microsoft has release and an Emergency Patch that may affect nearly all users that have Internet Explorer installed. Read the eWeek release for a reporter's description of the issue. Or you can go directly to the source, Microsoft Security Advisory (973882)

Details on the IE Patch are included in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-034.

Recommendation. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

Are You Ready for Windows 7?

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:19:00 +0000

Windows 7

Your PC, simplified.

Simplifies everyday tasks.

Windows 7 is designed to be more reliable, more responsive, and to make the things you do every day easier.

Simple to use: Get around and get things done faster with simpler, streamlined, navigation.
Easy to connect: Easily share printers and documents with multiple PCs on your home network and stay connected more easily when you’re away from home.
Easy to communicate and share: Make managing email, chatting with IM, and editing and sharing digital photos easier with Windows Live™ Mail,
Windows Live Messenger, and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Works the way you want.

Windows 7 is designed to make your PC faster, more secure, and more reliable

Faster, more responsive, more reliable: Windows 7 is designed to help your PC sleep and resume more quickly.
More secure: Improved security helps safeguard your PC and your privacy.
Compatible with you: Run many Windows XP productivity applications.

Makes new things possible.

With Windows 7, you'll discover easy new ways to have fun and get things done with your PC.

Media on your terms: Use your PC as a TV or enjoy photos, music, and videos in more ways – at home and away from home.
Work anywhere: With Windows 7, you can see and connect to available wireless networks in just a few clicks.
New ways to engage: Windows 7 makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use

Tweet Bing for Bling!

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:44:00 +0000

From the Bing Community:

Fill a Backpack with Bing cashbackJuly 22, 2009, 04:27 PM by Bing
We are nearly halfway through summer, and soon parents and students will start thinking about the all-important task of back-to-school shopping. We know many of you will be working hard to stretch your dollars this year so you can still get everything you or your family needs -- and a few things you just really want. Bing is here to help! Knowing you’d probably rather not spend your waning summer days digging for deals inside the mall, we’re giving away not one, but SEVEN $500 Visa cash cards, each in cool Bing backpacks to help you get your back-to-school shopping done with just a bit less stress. The lucky winners can use their cash card to take care of all their back-to-school shopping – and what better place to find great deals than on Bing Shopping and Bing cashback! Starting July 23 on Twitter, @bingcashback will be hosting a 7-day Bing cashback Twitter Sweepstakes. The contest runs each weekday until July 31. Each weekday, we will tweet a new Bing cashback- trivia question. Whoever @replies with the right answer within one hour becomes eligible to win.*

View the entire article...

SBSC Advisory Board & PAL, so what?

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I have just concluded nearly a week of meetings in New Orleans, centered around the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. It has been a rich and rewarding experience. Despite being surrounded by some very COOL technology, the real value for me was in establishing and maintaining some key relationships.

I have posted before that I was honored to be appointed as a member of the Microsoft FY10 SBSC Advisory board as well as being named as a PAL (Partner Area Lead) for the United States. For those of you that are curious, I'll provide a little more detail.

The SBSC Advisory board is comprised of 10 members, one from each of the 10 US SMS&P Business Areas. The areas are how Microsoft segments the US, geographically. I represent the Midwest Area, in the Central Region. What that really means is that I am the voice for the SBSC community in IL, IN & WI. Eric Ligman, Global Partner Experience Lead, Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group, says this about the board:

"Each year in the U.S., a new SBSC Advisory Board is chosen with a representative from each of the areas. SBSC Advisory Board members are committed and eager to be the local partner liaison between you and Microsoft. The role of the SBSC Advisory Board is to provide Microsoft with real-life feedback and ground level intelligence about what is important for SBSCs. "

The PAL team is Worldwide group with 16 representatives from across the globe. Eric describes it this way;

"The Microsoft PAL initiative recognizes and thanks outstanding Microsoft Small Business Specialist partners for their community participation and willingness to help other Microsoft partners who serve entrepreneurial and midsized customers. The PAL designation is given to exceptional Microsoft’s Small Business Specialists who lead and foster the involvement of other Microsoft partners in their respective communities around implementing best business practices and supporting customers. The PAL designation recognizes the most active Small Business Specialists from around the world who provide invaluable online and offline expertise that enriches the Microsoft partner community focused on delivering Microsoft’s small and midsized business products.

According to Marie Huwe, General Manager, Partner Strategy and Programs at Microsoft Corp. “PALs represent the most community-oriented Small Business Specialist partners who are willing to help other partners focused on entrepreneurial and midsized customers.”"

In addition to meeting some very inspiring and committed partners, I was afforded personal access to some of the key managers and executives in the Microsoft organization. In a word, AWESOME! What an opportunity!!! I hope that you will follow along during this next 12 months to see how this story unfolds.

Carpentersville Technology Firm Accepted Into Microsoft® Office 2010 Technical Preview Program

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:27:00 +0000

Microsoft® continues to innovate and provide leading technology solutions for business right here in Chicago and throughout the world. Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. has recently been accepted as a preview partner to prepare your business for the next wave of innovation, information sharing and productivity.

Carpentersville, IL – 14 July 2009 - Quality Systems Solutions, Inc., a Microsoft® Certified Partner and Small Business Specialist based in Carpentersville, IL recently was accepted into the Technical Preview program for Microsoft’s® upcoming release of their leading Microsoft Office productivity suite of products, Microsoft® Office 2010.

Microsoft® Office has assisted many businesses throughout Northern Illinois collaborate, communicate and connect with the marketplace. Improving on the foundation developed in Microsoft® Office 2007, this next version of Microsoft® Office will bring many of the tools that business leverages today and enhances the way business uses Office in their day to day activities.

Microsoft® Office 2010 provides a rich and powerful experience which delivers your best work whether you’re at work, home, or school on a computer, Web browser, or Smartphone. Grab your audience’s attention and inspire them with your ideas using enhanced tools, customizable templates, and photo editing capabilities. Work with multiple people from different locations at the exact same time using new co-authoring capabilities. By offering more ways to access your files from virtually anywhere, Office 2010 puts you in control.

“As a leader in the Suburban Chicago technology community, having an early look at the next generation of Microsoft® Office solution helps us prepare to better serve the business communities of the Fox Valley and greater Chicago are.” states President, Rick Bahl. “Microsoft® is the leader in providing business with the technology tools to help drive profits, productivity and overall success in the market; QSS is a proud Microsoft® Partner”.

To learn more about Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. and Microsoft Office 2010 visit http://www.qualitysystemssolutions.com or call 847.426.9548.

About Quality Systems Solutions, Inc.

Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. offers worry-free, hassle-free, flat rate, stable networking solutions, managed computer and technology services that are fully guaranteed to small business clients throughout Carpentersville, Elgin and outlying communities in Northwest Suburban Chicago. Headquartered in, Carpentersville, IL Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. services many customers across Northern Illinois.

Press Contact

Rick Bahl
President
Quality Systems Solutions, Inc.
847.426.9548
rick@qualitysystemssolutions.com
www.qualitysystemssolutions.com

Rick's Report from the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Yesterday's keynote speeches were filled with lots of optimistic, encouraging and somewhat sensational marketing talk. There is no one like Microsoft when it comes to cranking up the Marketing Machine.

The fact of the matter is, at the end of the day, I was actually excited about Windows 7. Really. All of "cool" aside, there is actually something in there for everyone. Let me ask you a question. Is your business ready for Window 7? Normally, your answer would be "Gee, I don't know. Does this mean I have to buy all new hardware?" In years past, the answer would be YES!.

Not so today. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but today, "Certified for Windows 7" could mean that if your current PC is operational, it will probably run Window 7... Now, we all know that the reality of the situation is, the "better" your PC, the "better" Win7 will run. The point that I am trying to make is that Windows 7 is NOT dependent upon any new technology that would require you to upgrade all of your computers.

I have a bit more to say on this, but I have to run off to a morning meeting. Standby for more...

Microsoft on Monday warned of a new vulnerability

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:39:00 +0000

by Elinor Mills

Microsoft on Monday warned of a vulnerability in its Video ActiveX Control that could allow an attacker to take control of a PC if the user visits a malicious Web site.

There have been limited attacks exploiting the hole, which affects Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, Microsoft said on its Security Response Center blog.

This is the second DirectShow security hole Microsoft has announced in the past few months. The company has yet to provide a security update for a vulnerability announced in May that involves the way DirectX handles QuickTime files.

Since there are no by-design uses for the ActiveX Control within Internet Explorer, Microsoft is recommending that users implement a workaround outlined in the security advisory. Customers can automatically implement the workaround by following the instructions under "Fix It For Me" in the Knowledge Base article for advisory number 972890 on the Microsoft support site.

Even though Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are not affected by the vulnerability, Microsoft is recommending that users of those products also use the workaround.

Microsoft is working on a security update and will release it when the quality is at the appropriate level for broad distribution, the company said.

The Microsoft Video Control object is an ActiveX control that connects Microsoft DirectShow filters for use in capturing, recording, and playing video. The control is the main component used in Windows Media Center for building filter graphs for recording and playing television video.

When it is used in IE, the control can corrupt the system state in such a way that arbitrary code could be run by an attacker. If the user is logged in with administrative rights, the attacker could take complete control of the system.

Antivirus vendor Symantec said it was seeing the flaw being exploited in China and other parts of Asia and cited reports that indicate thousands of Web sites are hosting the exploit.

Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7 are at risk, but people running IE 8 are not vulnerable, Symantec said.

Updated 11:45 a.m. PDT with background on a previous DirectShow hole and more details on exploits of the most recent hole.

Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service, and the Associated Press. E-mail Elinor.

View Article...

We Understand your Business

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Yesterday's post concluded our series on the "HTG Way." I hope that the little bit of insight that I provided on how I run my business will help you run yours.

This blog truly is aimed at and written for our clients and other business owners that we would welcome the opportunity to serve. If you are interested in more technical subjects please visit one of my other blogs:
QSSOnline
SBSC-Central Region-Midwest Area

If there are any topics that you would like to see addressed in any of my blogs, drop me a line at rick@qualitysystemssolutions.com

The HTG Way Part VI - Legacy Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Richard Bach said “There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster.” While this is a true statement, unexpected and unplanned for disasters can certainly cause a lot of stress and uncertainty. So the fourth plan HTG requires members to address relates to how business, leadership and life will continue in our absence. Some call it a legacy plan.

A key component of the legacy plan is related to disaster recovery and business continuity. This plan needs to address all three of the prior areas we discussed. For example – what happens to the company if you get hit by the proverbial bus? What happens to the areas of leadership you are responsible for? What happens to your spouse, family, civic organizations and other areas you currently are involved? All those questions need to be addressed so there is no drop off in the event of a disaster, be it short term or permanent. One thing we can all be sure of, life on this earth will come to an end. We do not know when, but we do know that it will. So we need to prepare so we are ready whenever that time comes.

But legacy is much more than just disaster recovery. It addresses the impact of a person’s life after they are gone. How do you keep a tangible presence beyond your actual lifespan? It is what happens after you die. While physical assets may be deemed a component of a person's ultimate legacy, the focus on family or institutional history, values and the stories that define us dictates that every individual, family and entity can be enriched through implementing a strategic legacy plan.

So what are the key components to a legacy plan?

1. Personal mission statement – a series of guiding principles that lead you through daily and major life decisions. This answers the question “How will you live?”
2. Personal legacy statement – allows you to articulate what is closest to your heart. It is a record of messages and information too valuable to be lost and captures your inner most thoughts for the benefit of future generations. This answers the question “What will the result and impact of my life be after I am gone?”
3. If something happens to me – a collection of key information that makes recovery from a short or long term illness or death much simpler for those left behind.
4. Exit Planning Guide – key information to make the funeral planning process go smoothly.
5. Estate and Will Planning Template – key information to help in the creation and review of your will.

These are simply some tools to use to put together a systematic plan to be sure that you have at least started the process of putting a legacy plan in place that prepares your company, leadership and life for a change in your status. Without proper preparation, you put all things at risk and make the situation much more difficult and complex than it needs to be. No one really enjoys this process, but it is so very important to consider prior to being needed. It is often not possible to address these areas once illness or death has occurred. So take the time now, record the needed information, and make sure those important in your life are informed of the location of the documents.

View article...

The HTG Way Part V - Life Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Abraham Lincoln said “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years”. For too many of us in the business community, life takes a back seat to work. There is a struggle we all must work through regarding life/work balance. Without a plan and a focused effort to address this battle, we will default to the world’s answer of work. So it is critical that we all develop a plan that can help keep us accountable and focused on what we say is important so our time is spent appropriately and wisely. Without a plan, we will wake up one day and wonder where life has gone.

The third plan HTG is focused on is a life plan. For many, this is a very new concept. A life plan needs to answer the question of “why I got up this morning” or what my purpose is for my life. Far too often people get to the end of life and become aware that they have spent their entire working time focused on things that really were not the most important to them. But the cruel reality of time is that once it is spent, it can never be used again. Each of us is granted 168 hours each week. A life plan should dictate how those hours are used. Every activity or interaction a person makes should go through the funnel of a life plan to assure each minute is spent on things that align with the real priorities and objectives a person has for their life. Without a plan, each of us will wake up someday and wonder where all our time has gone and how we missed the chance to live focused on the things that really matter. For many, this may be the first time they have addressed these deep philosophical questions personally, and even more often, the first time they have discussed them with their spouse, business partners or other important people in their lives. But what could be more important than identifying how I want my life to count and what I should spend my time on to make sure the things I say are important truly are treated that way.

In many ways, the life plan we use for HTG is very similar to the leadership plan. The focus is different in that the areas are not related to business, but to our own personal goals and objectives. There are three key areas that need to be addressed:

1. Commitments – specific areas that align with life goals and stated objectives you wish to achieve through your life.

2. Execution plan – how you will achieve the commitments you have with specific steps, milestones and dependencies

3. Accountabilities – how you will measure success and to whom you will be accountable.

There are a number of areas you may wish to set life goals, but here are a few to consider in order to get things started:

- Relationships, Family and Friends
- Health and Fitness
- Money and Finances- Recreation and Lifestyle
- Spiritual
- Service and Contribution
- Happiness
- Retirement

You can add or delete areas you wish to define as life commitments, but the key is to make a list and become accountable. This is best done shared with your spouse and family so they can be part of the discussion, decisions and accountability loop. I also recommend you also include a “Bucket List” of activities you wish to achieve before your time on earth ends. This should also be shared, updated and kept top of mind so you can work toward reaching those goals and keep focused on spending your time where it matters most.

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Infix Professional

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:00 +0000

We do a fair amount of co-marketing with many of our OEM partners. In a lot of cases they provide a web-based tool that permits us to customized a piece of their collateral and then produce a PDF file for printing. In other cases we are just provided the PDF file.

In either case, I am not a graphics person nor a professional print production person. I have found it very frustrating when I have had to make any changes to a PDF file. In most cases, all I really need to do is add contact info to and existing campaign piece. I ususally end up printing labels - rather than try and "fix" the piece.

Those days are OVER. I finally found something that works! It even works for me.... Infix Professional seems like it was purpose-built, just for me. It allows me to QUICKLY and Easily open any PDF file, and effortlessly add, remove or change text. On the last piece I worked on, I needed to resize the entire document, to get it to fit properly on a business card. I was done in less than a minute. Could you do that with any of the other PDF editors out there?

If you find yourself ever needing to modify an existing PDF file, I would HIGHLY recommend that you visit http://www.iceni.com/infix.htm and check out "The Smartest PDF Editor On The Planet!"

The HTG Way Part IV - Leadership Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Zig Ziglar said “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” Creating a business plan is foundational, but next we move to planning that will assure those who are required to perform in order to achieve the business plan are aligned. This requires personal commitments from those in leadership as well as those who will do the day to day activity required for success of the company plan. We call this personal commitment plan a leadership plan.

Far too often owners and managers create job descriptions and commitments for their staff or team, but seldom have written anything in regard to their involvement in achieving the success of the company business plan. We know from experience that as the owner or manager goes, often so goes the business. If the leadership in a company is not disciplined and dedicated to following a plan, or leading the execution of the company plan, it often falls by the wayside and becomes little more than a piece of paper with some words on it. The leadership plan is the document that allows the owner or manager to put a stake in the ground saying “I am going to do these things to assure we reach our goals”. The leadership plan should clearly define his priorities for how time is used on the job and should provide the team with clarity in what role will be fulfilled. Of course successfully using this plan means a willingness to be evaluated about how well it has been executed. That level of accountability to the team sets a standard and creates an environment that leads to growth and success of people and the organization as a whole.

HTG uses a simple worksheet to capture leadership commitments. These consist of three areas around each topic:

1. Commitments – specific areas of focus that aligns job performance goals and objectives with the company business plan and goals. Answers the question “What areas of my job align directly with the company business plan and goals?”

2. Execution Plan – how you will achieve your commitments. This should include key milestones, priorities and dependencies for success. Answers the question “What will you specifically do?”

3. Accountabilities – define how you will measure success and what metrics you will use to evaluate the realization of your commitments. These will be KPI’s and metrics related to measuring success. Answers the question “How will you know you have achieved success?”

You can select a number of areas that align directly with the company business plan, but here are a few that may be good to consider:
- Revenue/Financial/Profitability Objectives
- Personal Growth and Training Objectives
- Customer Relationships and Satisfaction/Loyalty Objectives
- Company Culture/Fellow Employee/Process Improvement Objectives
- Business and Career Objectives

There likely will be other areas you can include. This is not the same as a job description, but should include the reality that many items on this personal leadership commitment plan need to align with the job description as well as the company business plan. Just make sure you are able to identify what role you play in achieving company success and then identify the things you need to do to achieve those, and how you can measure and assess your work along that path.

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The HTG Way Part III - Business Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Will Rogers said “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”. We have to plan to take action. Underlying S.M.A.R.T. goals is the need for planning. In HTG we focus on four plans that we ask members to complete or update each year.
1. Business Plan
2. Leadership Plan
3. Life Plan
4. Legacy Plan

The first and foundational plan is a company business plan. This plan is targeted at capturing the key elements for the company for the coming year. HTG uses a version of the One Page Business Plan as a model, but members are able to use any plan methodology they prefer. The key is not what the plan looks like, but rather that there is a plan. This plan should serve as the basis for many of the goals that are set each quarter. If the goals don’t align with the plan (or one of the plans), then why is there focus being made on it.

There are five key elements to the one page business plan format which are important to address:
1. Vision – a graphical description of the business that answers the question “What are you building?” Your vision should describe what the business will look like in 3, 5 or 10 years. It should include the geographical scope, the type of business you will operate, product and service offerings and what customers you intend to serve. This is the “big picture” for your company.
2. Mission – is the statement of purpose for the organization and answers the question “Why does this business exist?” The mission statement should describe the reason this company exists in a sentence or less. This statement should be timeless and really give people a clear view into the purpose of the business over time.
3. Objectives – are a list of measurable results and desired outcomes. This answers the question “What will you measure?” While there is the potential for a long list here, it is recommended that this be a list of four to eight goals that must be achieved for the business to be successful. This should include KPI’s and other ways to measure success and to know goals have been met.
4. Strategies – define how business will be built and managed. They answer the question “How will you build and grow this business?” This should be a list of five to eight things the business must do extremely well over time to be successful. These are not typically short term or tactical activities, but longer term actions that will be done consistently over time.
5. Plans – are a list of work or tasks to be completed. This answers the question “What is the work to be done now?” In this section, list six to eight specific business building or infrastructure projects that must be successfully completed within the next 12 months in order to implement the strategies listed above. These are tactical activities that need to happen now.

Of course the plan by itself does not guarantee success. You need to review it regularly, create a scorecard for key areas of measurement, identify KPI’s to watch daily, evaluate and provide regular feedback to employees so they are aware of progress, utilize to do lists with dates and progress benchmarks to track activity, and communicate verbally and via written word progress on the plan.

One other area you may want to include in your business plan is your Core Values. These are statements by which your company will be governed. They don’t change over time but are the very core of how you will operate the business and how it conducts itself through relationships with vendors, customers, employees and the community. These statements help all parties understand how you intend to interact and engage with them and how you will do business. These should be very visible to all people inside and outside your company.

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Partners in Christ at WPC in NOLA

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:53:00 +0000

Get it on your calendar and plan to join us!

Join Microsoft partners and employees from around the world

for a time of fellowship and prayer

at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center

859 Convention Center Boulevard

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register Today!

Boyd Bailey has accepted our invitation to come to New Orleans to be our speaker for the 2009 Partners in Christ prayer breakfast!

Boyd is founder and Chairman of Wisdom Hunters, LLC and is the author of two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God; Boyd is also founder of Ministry Ventures, a venture capital firm for early stage ministries which has helped 45 start-up ministries raise over $15.5 million and impact over 35,000 people for Christ. Prior to Ministry Ventures, Bailey was the National Director for Crown Financial Ministries. He was instrumental in the expansion of Crown into 30 major markets across the U.S. He was a key facilitator in the 25 million dollar merger between Christian Financial Concepts and Crown Ministries. Before Crown he and Andy Stanley started First Baptist Atlanta’s north campus; and as an Elder, Boyd assisted Andy in the start of North Point Community Church. In college he bought a service business with five employees. This business endeavor financed his education and the equity from its sale was the economic launching pad for his graduate school experience.

Boyd Bailey was born in Huntsville, Alabama and received his Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville State University and his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary in FT. Worth, Texas. Boyd and his wife Rita live in Roswell, GA. They have been married 30 years and are blessed with four daughters and two son-in-laws who love Jesus!

Again this year we will be providing all attendees a free book, Boyd’s Infusion devotional.

We also will be having prayer time on Mon, Tues, Thur and Fri mornings at 6:30 AM. It will be held at the Residence Inn New Orleans Convention Center at 345 St. Joseph Street. Exact room location will be in the daily update where we will count down the days to WPC and the Partners in Christ breakfast. If you won’t be in New Orleans, or aren’t in the technology business, we ask you join us in praying for our industry and the marketplace ministry we are working to establish. We need God’s touch to make things happen for His glory and honor and praise. Hope to see many of you in NOLA.

Questions? Contact mailto:info@partnersinchrist.net?subject=Partners

The HTG Way Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:04:00 +0000

S.M.A.R.T. goals are widely used across all types of environments. Setting goals that are not set against these guidelines give us little to really measure or achieve. So as members set their goals, we encourage them to use these guidelines:

Specific - A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions:
*Who: Who is involved?
*What: What do I want to accomplish?
*Where: Identify a location.
*When: Establish a time frame.
*Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.

Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the joy of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

Attainable - When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them.

Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love.Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal.

Timely - A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. "Someday" won't work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe, then you've set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.T can also stand for Tangible - A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable.

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The HTG Way

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Many of you know that I maintain several Blogs. This one is primarily for the benefit of our clients or potential clients. Though it does occasionally contains some technical content, it is primarily focused on Business and Business Relationships. At Quality Systems Solutions, Inc., we understand that we serve businesses, through relationships, buy addressing their technology needs. The technology itself means nothing, outside of a relationship.

If you have followed this Blog at all, you will know that I am a member of one HTG Peer Group and the Facilitator of yet another. The Founder of the HTG Peer Groups is posting a Series call the HTG Way on his Blog.

I think that it is important for our clients or potential clients to understand and appreciate the impact that my involvement in HTG has on my business, so I am reposting each installment, in its entirety here. A link to the original article will be posted at the end.

This is the first in a series of posts around HTG and exactly what it is.......

HTG is built upon the premise that peers working together and investing in each other can impact our businesses, leadership and life. We live by the Go-Giver mentality – pay it forward if you will. The purpose of our peer group program is to drive value into our member companies and collectively raise the value of all members’ organizations as we apply sound business principles and execute those in a culture of accountability. That value should take a couple forms. First the valuation of member companies should be higher than those of the industry when a member decides to sell, merge or pass on his organization. We believe that peer to peer interaction causes our members to grow more quickly and profitably than the industry at large. HTG is currently participating in a study being led by the University of Nebraska Kearney to measure the impact of HTG on our member organizations. It is our belief that because of the way HTG members collaborate, execute and manage through accountability relationships, that their company has more value than the one down the street. This longitudinal study by UNK will measure and verify our belief.

The second area where value occurs is in the people who participate in HTG. Operating in a culture of accountability is a competitive advantage for owners and managers in our industry. The peer board of directors format causes behavior that does not occur without accountability. That behavior changes companies, leadership and lives. That is evident through observing hundreds of interactions and measuring the impact of goals and execution. Peer pressure works equally well on executives of companies as it does on the playground in kindergarten. HTG is focused on creating an environment of positive peer pressure that drives change.

The basic premise of HTG is execution driven by accountability. As Thomas Edison once said “vision without execution is hallucination”. It does no good to learn without doing. HTG quarterly meetings are focused on driving that execution. Each quarter every company has to set three goals which are due in 90 days. As the next meeting starts, companies must defend their accomplishment of those goals to their peer board. Failure to execute is not accepted lightly. HTG uses the “Survivor” model where non-performing companies are voted “off the island” in their individual groups. This is serious business. HTG members understand that each seat in their 12 member group has significant value and must be filled by a member that performs. So accountability is a key tenant of how HTG functions. Goals need to be set using the S.M.A.R.T. method so they can be fairly measured and evaluated.

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Six Things Small Business Owners Do to Undermine Their Success

noreply@blogger.com (Rick Bahl) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:20:00 +0000

I discovered this article posted my Mitch York and found it to be particularly relevant. Assuming that you are a Small Business Owner, how may of these traps have you fallen into over the years?

"In the small business I own, I’ve noticed an ebb and flow through the years–periods when I am really “on it” and other times when I am either coasting or not as engaged as I need to be. Fortunately, I’ve been very much on my game for the past two years (thanks in no small part to my collaboration with my coach). For the two years prior to that I was up and down and, no surprise, my results were erratic. I have been thinking about what’s different now compared with then in terms of my activity and attitude. I bet that anyone with a small business goes through the same cycles. Maybe if you read this you’ll snap out of a down cycle and get back on your game. So here goes: 6 Things Small Business Owners Do To Undermine Their Own Success.

I am not going to to focus on what to do about each factor, basically because just noticing the problem is in itself the cure. But if you have other solutions, please comment.

Get Fried by Their Business. Not much in life is harder than building a successful business–whether it has one employee, 10 or 100,000. Nature does not want your business to succeed. All gravitational forces and systems conspire to kill a new business, so you have to overcome the viruses, diseases and mutations that want to extinguish your venture. Often, small business owners are the business. They play many roles, not necessarily by choice but by necessity. Not everything can or should be delegated early on, or maybe ever. So owners get fried. When you’re toast you can’t be creative. If you are not creative in your business, it is already starting to die.

Get Bored with Their Business: Since the advent of the supermarket (maybe before), being human has gotten way too easy. A man with a spear and an empty stomach is rarely bored. But our bellies are full and you can’t fit a spear into a Prius, so we’re bored! And distracted. We find it hard to focus on the day to day, nuts-and-boltsy stuff about small business that keep the wheels from coming off. It’s a weird genetic quirk, but for many small business owners the only thing that snaps them out of their boredom and subsequent lack of attention to detail is when their checking account is empty–the modern equivalent of the hungry cave-dweller.

Start Cutting Corners: When you’re tired and bored in your business, you start cutting corners. You used to maintain meticulous records in your CRM, and now you’re a little less thorough. Your used to review your systems and procedures quarterly to make sure your operating methods were up to date, but it’s been six months since you did your last review. You do a monthly email newsletter but the last one went out seven weeks ago.

Don’t Follow up with all Prospects Thoroughly and Immediately: A small business owner I know called me twice about her promotional products business. Each time she promised to send me a link with products she had picked out for me. I haven’t heard from her in two months. She worked hard to get me to be receptive and poised to buy something, and then let the ball drop.

Don’t Follow Up with Existing Customers on a Scheduled Basis: My business doubled when I created a system for follow-up with existing customers. This goes back to the caveman discussion. We like hunting a new bear. But we have a thing about leftovers. It’s nuts! We all know existing customers are more profitable than new ones. They’re just not as exciting to catch.

Miss the Opportunity to Add Another Product or Service to an Order: There’s a reason we all know the expression, “Would you like fries with that?” We tend to sell the products that we find easiest to sell. Sometimes an ancillary product is not as fascinating to us. Yet by offering it we can increase our sales and marginal profit tremendously. Wonder why we don’t do it every single time?

Just six things for a Wednesday morning. I got a million of ‘em. Share yours and let’s all stop doing them."

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