Post Index

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Building in the Whitebox Market

If I didn't know a mouse from a motherboard do you think you could still send me out with a short grocery list to show the folks at Goodwill Computers, Discount Electronics, Altex? An additional simple instruction: Do not take the electronic part out of its protective bag or risk damaging it by Electro -Static Discharge.

Those two short simple steps are essential to 1) you tapping into the whitebox/whitebook market, and 2) enabling low-income and other consumers to acquire their own custom-made computer. Reality check here: The computer industry giants would love to, but lack the creativity to reach this vast, multi-billion dollar market.

While it is possible to buy a new low-cost computer for as little as $500 the reality is that is way out of reach for many Americans. How do you enable them to buy it and creative a source of revenue for yourself?

The next time your co-worker or neighbor has $10 to spare send him with grocery list in hand for a mouse and keyboard. Then, you guide him through this process every month or as often as he has discretionary funds adding every purchase to his parts list. Leave the pricier items for the last. He stores all parts until at the end of 8 months or so he has all the parts and is ready for you to assemble it.

Perhaps you may no longer be in the frame of mind to build computers or you're going on vacation. What does he do? He takes his parts inventory list to another network tech or computer hobbyist who is willing to build it maybe for even more than your fee. You both agree on a fee and your neighbor has his new computer.

After all numbers are tallied your neighbor sees he paid $750 for a computer he saw at the corner reseller for $500. Did you rip him off? No. The only thing he paid directly to the tech was the agreed upon assembly fee.

Here's the leverage dynamic of the IE-Network over all manufacturers, retailers, resellers, credit, down payment and layaway plans. The manner in which he has purchased his components might total more than the store unit, but he was able to absorb the cost into his daily living expenses. He's not going to find that plan anywhere else.

The question for you to answer: How much of a clientele among friends, neighbors, co-workers or business clients you are able to assist and generate income with their piecemeal computer component purchase? Your clients may come through word-of-mouth or the IC-TechNetwork.

As is true of individuals so too of small businesses. If small businesses have someone who is able to send them with grocery list in hand to acquire their new computer systems, networking components and servers piecemeal, that is, one component at a time without it being an economic burden they would be among those who mange their business the smart way.

The problem for individuals and small business is not that they are unable to purchase components. Their unanswered question, up to now is, why bother with component purchase if I don't have the time or know-how to build it? Clearly, and particularly for small business, there might be bigger things of interest and need beyond desktops and laptops. Having a local independent consultant network which individuals and small businesses can tap for their technology products and services needs is no small matter.

How small of a piece of the multi-billion dollar whitebox market would be big enough for you?

Prom . . . Every Year

Every year I meet people with their story of great, exceptional talent without the means or the know-how to convert that talent into revenue.

Every year Prom comes around at the local high school.

Every year girls scramble to find the perfect prom dress. Most likely they end up settling for something less than perfect either in terms of fabric, style, color, size, fit or cost.

Every year, at least for the past three years, I have called the same talented people to come together as a independent network of designers to provide a needed service for these seasonal clients, and _ create income for themselves and their families.

Every year the apparel industry offers these young ladies the standard one-size-fits-none off-the-rack dresses.

Every year, for the past several years, the industry has continued to its doors on the creative talent of apparel makers who are now employed at McDonald's, Walmart or 7Eleven.

Every year there are young ladies who opt for the $100 Prom Dress specials who then spend an additional $60 for alterations.

Lets suppose mom and daughter shop for and buy fabric and pattern. Lets say they spent $40. They contact you through word-of-mouth or the IE-Network and retain your services. You settle for the agreed service fee of $10, 30, 60 or $80? Your fee is yours and nobody else's business.

If mom and daughter spent $120 dollars for a dress to their personal satisfaction in terms of fabric, style, color, size, fit and cost with your personal service I would say that is a mutually satisfying and profitable relationship for all.

Now, the only question is how many clients are you willing to take on to deliver total customer satisfaction. Although school district adiministrations and individual campuses are not likely to (Yes, I have tried) allow the exposure of students to a community member nonetheless there are eager, willing entreprenuers on campus who would not miss out on the opportunity to collect Prom Dress orders on campus and deliver to you for a fee.

Every year is now. This is your call to get ready. Will you do it or miss out again?

Consider this Prom pre-season. The Prom door will open soon. Will you be ready? You as an individual or a network member can easily deliver orders on-demand for specialty and other apparel retailers in Round Rock and Austin. Folks! The IE-Network model goes from its local Round Rock origins to regional, to state to nationwide. Why are you still waiting to call on me to come speak to your group?

You need to get your name and information on the PROM-DRESS NETWORK. Make it happen . . . every year.