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Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Increasing Value of KSE

I have often stated I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Certainly, I am not an economist or the son of an economist. The point is that while I may be neither I, like anyone, can state my piece. As I see it, we have heard too many instances of voices who cried out warnings only to be ignored. After 911 we learned of individuals who cried out about some unusual and suspicious activities prior to that day of infamy only to be ignored. A few lone voices cried out about the extremely fiscally risky and dangerous activities in our banks and Wall Street and they too were ignored. As a result catastrophic events unfolded which cost many lives and ruined other people's financial future. People lost much or all of their savings. Whatever savings remained diminished in value considerably.

I'm sure there are actually people who stuff their money in mattresses and pillows rather than trust the banks. The sad thing about that is that while they may not lose their money their money can lose its value.

There are a few things which 1) can not be taken from the individual, 2) do not lose their value regardless of the economy, and 3) may even increase in value. Most recently, I have described this personal wealth as your intellectual property. I know that's a term usually found in the technology world. However, the Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) you have acquired and amassed over the years are your personal wealth, your intellectual property and is one of those few things mentioned above.

KSE is what employees acquire and develop and which enables them to do a job for their employer and to do it progressively better, more efficiently and more economically which produces greater profits for the employer. Some people never realize, never assess, their personal wealth. They never think how they can invest it for their own gain. Some who think they would like to use or invest their KSE for their own gain do not know how. Still others who do use their KSE are rarely ever able to do more than have a job of their own. Finally, others attempt only to fail and return to the regular job.

I have been crying out for the past several years the virtues and good economic sense of Independent Enterprise Networks as the perfect means for you to invest your KSE in the development of your own enterprise.
Have you been listening?

Even while you remain unemployed your KSE remains in your possession. It was not lost with your job. Your KSE has not lost value. On the contrary, it continues to increase in value because some of the same employers and small businesses who could no longer afford to keep you on payroll would gladly buy your services as an independent Constractor/Consultant, not an employee. Employees on payroll represent a drain on companies, a liability risk and a need to provide steady hours of work for them.

The IE-Network model has its local roots, but can quickly expand to regional than statewide than interstate business. You, if you wish, need never leave the comfort of your local stomping grounds. A local group of individuals who bring together their wealth resources, that is, their KSE for investment in the IE-Network, represent an attractive option for employers and businesses eager to seize the opportunity to move forward.

Opportunity is knocking at your door. Answer it.
Invest the increasing value of your wealth resources.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Affordable computers in our economy

The next billion computer users

The major computer manufacturers in America are jumping into foreign markets to compete with the local guys like Lenovo and Acer for their piece of the pie. The rush is on to great affordable computers for developing countries. Some are surprised by the quickness with which those affordable products are being taken up by the next billion computer users in emerging nations. Of course, that has only intensified their decision for a even stronger drive into those low-income markets, because the simple truth is; small revenue returns from small items from millions and millions of buyers is much better than no sale, no revenue all the more given the present global economy.

While it pleases me to know people in those developing countries including emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets I see no less an opportunity for entrepreneurs in America. Specifically, in the low-income consumer market in America. Major manufacturers are geared too high in price and their assumptions about this market segment to penetrate and compete successfully. Some personal observations I have encountered countless times living, working and interacting with these Americans might help to elaborate on that a little bit.

The multi-billion dollar low-income consumer market in America

As many people as are quick to confirm they own a computer an even greater number confess it doesn't work or it's too slow, too old. Then, there is a large number of them who do not own a computer because the price is out of their reach. Some have no desire to own one. Others do not know what they could possibly do with one. Still, others desire to own one with some uncertainty as to what they would do with it, but they cannot afford it. Even if they could scramble the financial resources to buy one they cannot justify such a large-sum expense. The fact is major computer manufacturers know of this multi-billion dollar low-income consumer market in America. As big a market as it is it is best accessed by the smallest sole proprietor, the entreprenuer. The smallest slice of that pie could well make a considerable difference of family income for some people.

There is no bank or retailer expected to provide a loan or a layaway option for these consumers. The best, workable option is in the very community in which they live. They are in the midst of a vertible network of technical know-how individuals and consumers. How do they connect and how do they help each other while at the same time provide a boost to our economy from the bottom up?

The IPC Plan

It's not a loan or layaway plan or government subsidy, but the IPC (Individual Part-purchase Control) Plan. It represents a way to break through even the lowest retail price barrier. There is no document or contract to sign. The IPC Plan is merely a practical concept of mutual benefit between two people.

You, the technician, hobbyist, engineer, direct the consumer with "grocery list" in hand to Goodwill, other thrift store, reseller or discount electronics retailer week after week, month after month for every part required for his system. The consumer controls his weekly, monthly purchase expenses as he can afford it.
  • The consumer stores components in his home individual with parts inventory list.
  • The consumer and you agree on a date when you will build the system, unload and install software.
  • You build the system for the agreed upon fee.
  • The consumer owns his computer debt-free.
  • Total control of expenses by consumer

The parts inventory list is not only a running total of parts and cost, but the consumer can exercise his freedom to take it to anyone he chooses when he is ready to contract a builder for his system should the tech change residence, decline to build it or has become overwhelmed with too many orders.


What this involves is more than the consumer can ever expect from a retailer; a relationship between two members of a community. Some minor points of education would involve safe-guarding components from static electricity discharge and other careful handling reminders. In the end, the total cost of parts and your fee could exceed the cheapest system the consumer saw at the corner retailer. No, there's nothing wrong with this picture. Your neighbor, friend or client was well aware of his financial investment in the IPC Plan. The difference between the IPC Plan and a retail purchase is the consumer was able to absorb the cost into his daily living expenses. The expenses were in his total control.


Listening to opportunity


Independent Enterprise Networks enable members to connect with other techs as well as consumers. You determine the size and complexity of your project whether a private consumer or small business owner. Like the consumer, you, the networker determine how many separate client IPC Plans you have in your portfolio at any give time. The only financial expense is made by and controlled by the consumer. A local discount retailer or reseller may not be impressed, take notice or listen to one tech, but when they see the numbers involved with networks that has a way to make them listen to opportunity.


Get your information posted on the IC-TechNetwork.


Watch for IE-Network business presentation to be annouced for December 2008 in Round Rock Texas.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Grow your business on a weak US dollar

Profits from export sales are up for US corporations like Microsoft, McDonald’s and California wine makers who are taking full advantage of the weak US dollar.

A weak US dollar could present a mutual opportunity for at-home custom-apparel Independent Enterprises (IE) and Mexico (or, US) Specialty buyers.

A weak or slow economy is often seen as being bad for business and not a time for taking a risk. However, you can grow your business on a weak US dollar, too. Specialty products and services often take a back row to the company’s core business until the economy recovers. However, Independent Enterprises and buyers need not rely on high volume to sustain and grow their business even during a down economy.

Because both are among the smallest business units, compared with major manufacturers and mega-chain store retailers, they are best able to change into a surge mode the moment the economy rebounds. While many downsize their operations into a “survive the slump” mode these Independent Enterprises, because they are already “downsized”, don’t need to think or act small. They are forward and progressive thinking about opportunity. Some incoming revenue is better than not at all, but perhaps more important, parties involved are setting themselves to be ready for the economy re-surge.

What could make a partnership between an IE-Network and a custom-apparel Mexico Specialty buyer attractive and grow your business on a weak US dollar?


1. Individual attention to buyer’s client preferences.
2. Network can be as big or as small as buyer wishes.
3. Diversity of talent.
4. Potential of ever expanding IE-Network base.
5. No contracts or commitments to buy.
6. Networks and buyers, alike, are mobile.

IE-Networks can sell their “Made In USA” label, proudly and confidently. Specialty buyers can give IE-Networkers assurance of prompt payment-for-services through the setup of a Commercial Credit transaction account with a bank in the Network’s area. Even better, set it up online for electronic quickness.

I can imagine you’ve got questions. I do not have all the answers, but _ we can talk.

Monday, May 26, 2008

What are you driving?

IE-Network

A group of entities; individuals and businesses, who come together to form an alliance or
partnership for a common advantage.

A driving analogy

Everyday Americans of various employ jump into their cars. They make they navigate streets
and highways. They drive high speeds behind, alongside and ahead of other motorists. Outwardly, some of them may drive the exact same vehicle as you. However, that enlightens
you neither to the car's features nor the driver's habits. The peculiar thing is you do not know those motorists, their driving skills or where they work. The amazing thing about it is how well it works! Accidents are not the norm. They are the exception. It is in everyone's interest to excercise every human psychological, physical, mental, spiritual and legal, resource to make this volatile, mobil feat work. It's not rocket science. Failure is not an option.


IE-Networks are not impossible. They are innovative.


What drives Independent Enterprise Networks? People who as employees, acquired, amassed and developed the Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) and drove their employers to the competitive edge. This KSE, or wealth resource as diverse as the many cars on the road, is the property of and for the use of Independent Contractors (individuals) and Retailers/Resellers (businesses). They are not all contractors, but they are all enterprises, hence, the IE-Network moniker.

You may know everyone in a network of two, but a network of ever increasing and diverse resources (KSE) poses as daunting a task as knowing every motorist on the road. Ironically, our current economy has a driving affect on two things: Rising fuel costs for motorists and an increasing appeal for an economic IE-Network model. It raises the question: What am I driving?

No one can predict what the dynamic life of an IE-Network will look like, but can it work? ABSOULTELY! Lets drive!

Watch this blog for next business presentation.

The following are not jobs. They are presented as examples of various positions filled by employees, usually. IE-Networks can offer these same resources for individual and small business clients, not as employees, but as independent contractors.

System Administrator

Job summary: Responsible for the installation, configuration, administration and maintenance for workstations, servers and other network connected devices on the Sunbelt Software network. Analyzes and resolves problems associated with company hardware, operating systems, common business applications and end user support.Qualifications:
Previous Exchange 2003 & Exchange 2007 management required.
Previous IIS6 Web Server management required (previous skills in a load balanced environment helpful)
Need hands on skills with configuring, maintenance, and recovering the following storage technologies; SCSI, DAS, SANS.
Full understanding of Microsoft Windows Networking including; AD, GPO's, DNS, DHCP, DFS, IPSec, ISA, LCS/OCS, NTFS, NLB, WLBS.
Needs experience in building Windows XP and Vista images for rapid deployment.
Experience with backups and disaster recovery is required.
Cisco VoIP also desired.
SQL administration experience is required.
Previous experience with VMWare ESX Server helpful
Some *nix experience helpful
Ability to multitask on long term projects while dealing with day to day user requests for support.



Sofware Engineer LAMP
Job summary: We are looking for a Software Engineer with a strong background in the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) technology stack.You will work as a key member of our anti-malware technology team. You will be working with all aspects of our industry-leading Sandbox technologies, actively participating in the design, development, testing strategies and support of a critical Sunbelt technology. In addition, you will also participate in the development of Ninja Blade product – a next generation gateway server for email hygiene and filtering.Qualifications:
Self-motivated individual with excellent problem solving, troubleshooting and communication skills
1 - 3 years of development experience utilizing LAMP
Understanding of LAMP deployment best practices
C/C++, make, gcc/g++, gdb, autoconf, shell, Python, strongly preferred
Understanding of networking and Internet protocols XML, JavaScript highly desired
Experience with MySQL database design preferred
Scripting skills in at least one common language (Perl, Shell, Python) - Python preferred
A Bachelors or Masters in Computer Science or equivalent engineering experience
Associate Technical Support Engineer
Requirements:• BSCS degree or equivalent. • Strong knowledge of Linux networking.• Understanding of NAS/IP storage (NFS and CIFS) plus hands on experience using NetApp, EMC and SUN filers. • Strong working knowledge in networking, sub-netting, TCP/IP, and tools that deal with networks.• Experience developing scripts and programs in Perl, C/C , HTML or Java • Flexible, team-oriented and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to provide clear, concise, and timely status updates to customers. • Ability to work independently and demonstrate leadership skills to manage technical support group, as needed.


Sales Engineer

Required Skills: * 4 years of IT experience in a Vendor, Professional Services, IT Consulting, Systems Integration, or end-user environment * 2 years, technical pre-sales experience, or technical business related experience * Excellent organizational, customer service and communication skills * Professional presentation skills * Hands-on experience with Windows 2000/2003, Citrix Presentation Server , and WAN\LAN * Self-starter that manages time and activities with little day-to-day guidance or interaction from management * Excellent listening skills resulting in a high level of customer satisfaction. Must be able to listen for opportunities as well as potential technical barriers. * Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)



Technical Support Rep

Requirements: *Zero to Three years previous experience in Customer Support role. *Must have knowledge on Windows platforms including hardware, registry, work group rules, OS, and Application upgrades. *Desire to provide exceptional customer support and act as customer advocate in changing environment. *Familiarity with Linux, UNIX, SQL database queries, XML, HTML and java. *Competent computer skills, dynamic personality, well-spoken; to conduct Web-based presentations.Preferred Skills: *Experience selling systems management (help desk, patch management, software delivery, asset management, remote control) is a plus. *Ability to create Windows script and knowledge of web based hosted solutions highly desirable.


Computer and Network Technician

Perform : MS Windows, Hardware and Software Diagnostics, Repairs, Installations, Configurations, and Upgrades; Hardwire and Wireless Networking; Delivery and Setup; Virus, Parasite and SpyWare Removal; Tutoring: etc., * Preferred Education/Experience: CompTIA A+ Certification -AND/OR- CompTIA Network+ Certification -AND/OR- have one of the following Networking Certifications or equivalent Degree(s): MCP, MCSE, MCSE+I, MCSA, -AND- at least six(6) months of equivalent Computer & Networking hands-on experience.

Partners and Resellers

With the __ Appliance, resellers, systems integrators, and OEMs can solve critical messaging and security business issues for their clients. They can add significant value by designing and deploying exactly the system their clients need for for email archiving, data leak detection, compliance, and the electronic discovery requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Unlike most competitive products which come as a hardware/software bundle, the __ is highly customizable. This gives resellers the opportunity to add significant value:
Build a system with the processing power and storage that your client requires.
Use the hardware and storage vendors you trust and know how to support.
Add additional storage or virtualized storage when it is needed.
Tune the ____ system to your client's needs. For example, the ___ hostile work environment policy management tests can be adjusted on a scale of 1-100. Some organizations will want you to adjust to the norms of their business.
Create the customized lists that your customers may require. For example, ___ can detect email to competitors. But, somebody needs to tell the system who the competitors may be.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

IE-Networks and Americans, immigration and economy

A profitable at-home network, not government or employment in the private sector, affects the immigration and economic status of Hispanics in America. The target of this network represents a response within the larger context of displaced apparel manufacturing American workers of which, it is safe to say, the greater percentage are Hispanic. Simultaneously, this response, by extension, provides a real, living, human, national response towards people, not just issues of immigration and economy.

A woman, in her 40s, single, with children, monolingual spanish-speaking Hispanic, displaced apparel manufacturing worker with a primary education is the at-home target. However, there are thousands of displaced workers like her who possess a wealth of resources capable of producing a positive impact on their immigration and/or economic status. These are resources acquired over the years of employment; the Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) best utilized through IC-Networks (Independent Contractor Networks) to produce affordable, at-home, custom and regular apparel for their own private clients or local independent apparel retailers.

As at-home independent contractors (not employees) their legal or illegal immigration status represents neither a legal risk for retailers nor a threat for job-seeking Americans.

Conversely, their contribution makes for a significant impact towards strengthening the US economy.

The following is derived from a conversation with a business friend. It illustrates how the network, as a pragmatic alternative, can affect the lives of these individuals, their families and independent apparel businesses, significantly.

An independent retailer purchases from a merchandiser an elegant dress for sixty dollars. After the resale the retailer pockets a twenty dollar profit. However, a retailer who takes from 30 to 50 of that 60 dollar investment and partners with an at-home, local IC-Network has made an business inventory savings and increased the entrepreneur's bank account. Furthermore, IC-Network (or Independent Enterprise-Networks) membership is open to contractor and retailer enterprises, alike. Networks represent the potential for three forms of revenue generation: Personal productivity and sale plus residual income and bonuses paid by the network parent company.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

VARs in these economic times

What to do to navigate successfully in this uncertain economy?

Americans and business are walking lightly and cautiously with every bit of news from Wall Street. Our respective course of action, or inaction, will be a matter of laying out a plan to follow or, in lieu of that, exercise every ounce of on-the-fly resourcefulness to get through it all if the economy goes into a serious recession. The situation for business is needing to do more with less.

Specifically, VARs (Value-Added Resellers) need to increase their sales revenue, but at the same time having to consider and quite likely laying off personnel to trim their expenses. What VARs need to do for their customers, namely, increase, or start offering, services that will show a quick return on investment is the same best advice for themselves.

How can VARs to that? They can do so by thinking outside the box: By delivering service through a network of independent contractor technologists (ICT); technicians and professionals. Yes, the lion’s share of the earnings goes to the ICT, but a growing network of ICTs enables the VAR to expand its client base.

I believe what holds true of the apparel industry is equally so in the technology sector. Namely, that there is a huge pool of people in technology with the KSE, that is, the Knowledge, Skills and Experience, to take on much of what most any VAR’s line of business, and, they can do so, not as employees on the payroll, but as independent contractors. More than few of them work day to day with the gnawing feeling it's a matter of time before their job is outsourced overseas.

Networks are to VARs what VARs are to vendors. They are partnerships effected to enhance or assure everyone’s respective survival to a day when they can thrive again in better times. For all the technical knowledge of computer networks and server networks the IT sector remains disconnected avatars in a virtual cyber universe, never connecting, or networking, in the actual universe for their own survival.
The purpose of a network is more than just to hang out with buddies. It is to make money, not alone as on a deserted island, but together with others. Are you ready to make real money regardless of the economy?