When you run your own business, you have thousands of technology choices to make. There are different brands of computers. There are a gazillion software programs. There are wireless phones, communications devices and gear galore. And you have to choose the right ones for you.

Making wise choices is tough. So is getting the gear to work right. When you need help using a device or piece of software you can pore through a manual or web site or spend your life on hold waiting for the help desk to help. What's an entrepreneur to do?

Here's one answer that works: start your search with the technology your friends and colleagues use. When you and people you work with are using the same equipment and software, lots of good things happen.

When you use the same applications as the people you work with, it's easier to share information. But there's another big benefit, too.

When you use the same equipment and software as people you work with, you also have a built-in, friendly help system. People who work in big companies may have IT people to call, but surveys tell us that they usually talk to each other instead.

Use your friends to help you learn a new system or piece of equipment. You can even make a party out of setting up a new computer.

Use your network to help you use software effectively. Teach each other special tips and tricks that makes the system work easier and more efficiently.

Technology is one of those areas of life where a little help from your friends is better than all the help-desks in China (or India). Choose technology that is best for your business but if you also look to what your friends and colleagues use, that’s a great place to start. Then use each other for help and advice.

Action Steps
Make a list of the things you think you understand about using technology. Tell your friends what you're good at, in case they need help.

Make a list of the equipment and applications you have questions about. Ask your friends if anyone can help you.

Be Bold and grow your business in 2008. Bold Vision Consulting - Expect Results www.BoldVisionConsulting.com

Who doesn’t say they need to be more productive? Have you heard the question: "If you can't find the time to do it right, how will you find time to do it over?" That question should be plastered right in front of us in this age of multitasking.

Multitasking has its place. There are times when you can do several things at once. You can read while you're on the Stairmaster. You can answer email while you're waiting at the doctor's office. You can talk on the phone and dust the office.

But beware. Multitasking isn't doing two or more things at the same time. It's rapidly switching between tasks. And that takes a toll on your energy and efficiency.

This is most damaging when you're trying to get work done on a project or something that requires concentration. When it's time for that kind of work, forget the multitasking and take the time to focus.

Research tells us that most people will do their most productive work in blocks of about an hour and a half of uninterrupted time. That seems to be enough for most of us to get into a project, make some serious progress, and wrap up.

But the key here is uninterrupted time. And the key to having uninterrupted time is showing some self-discipline. Eliminate distractions. Shut off the phone. Don't check email (gasp!). Lock the door. Don't do anything but the work at hand. Raymond Chandler, of Philip Marlowe fame, used to advise writers that they didn't have to write during the time they scheduled for writing ...but they weren't allowed to do anything else.

Take a break. When you're done, take a break. Do something else. That's a good time to check email and return calls. Get up. Walk around. Don’t burn your self out.

If this is new to you, start small. Schedule a forty-five minute block of time for this type of project-work every day. Let’s face it; none of us are so important we can’t hold off on responding to email or phone call for 45 minutes. After we recover from this trauma, increase your ‘blocked-off time’ to an hour and a half, and then two hours. You'll be amazed at how much you get done …and how your world doesn’t come to an end without email and voice mail.

Be Bold! Be Merry! Eliminate distractions.

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Groups begin Late January / early February, 2008. Applications are due January 15. For more information call 207-221-3492 or visit www.OcularForum.com for more information or download a Membership application and fax to me at 207-221-3127.