Try it.   Go to my internet site and retrieve a WORD document at the following address:
                 www.mde.net/sample/sample.doc

or retrieve an EXCEL file to see how that works at this address:
                 www.mde.net/sample/sample.xls

(You must have Microsoft WORD '97 or EXCEL '97 software on your PC.)

In both cases, there is simply a file created by WORD or EXCEL that has been uploaded into my disk space area accessible by the Internet. Once uploaded, it is available to anyone that knows the address.

Need security ?

Before you save your WORD document or EXCEL spreadsheet, place security restrictions on them.

In WORD, you do that by:

  1. Select TOOLS
  2. Select OPTIONS
  3. Select SAVE
  4. In the SAVE Window, fill in a "Password to Open" or "Password to Modify" as needed.
  5. Save and name the file
  6. Upload the file to the appropriate file folder on the internet (see your webmaster)

In EXCEL, you do that by:
  1. Select TOOLS
  2. Select PROTECTION
  3. Select WORKSHEET
  4. Key in a password
  5. Save and name the file
  6. Upload the file to the appropriate file folder on the internet (see your webmaster)

Don't forget your password !

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III. Product/Service Review

PayPal

Do you need to accept credit card payments or make payments with anyone that has an e-mail address and do it electronically without having to have a bank merchant account ?

PayPal is free and works extremely well. Let me give you an example:

My brother wanted me to sell a camera tripod on EBAY for him. I accepted the challenge and blew him away with the results. Here's how simple and fast it worked:
  1. We created the EBAY auction and took the option that if the first bidder would pay what my brother wanted, the auction automatically closes and the bidder wins the auction immediately.
  2. The first bidder liked what he saw and bid the amount my brother wanted. As the first bidder and bidding the "sell immediately" price, he won the auction and it closed.
  3. The bidder and I (the seller) both get an e-mail from EBAY saying the auction has closed because a winning bid has been submitted.
  4. I send the bidder payment options and ask for shipping information.
  5. The bidder opts to pay through PayPal. That was good for me since I receive the money faster through my existing PayPal account.
  6. I receive payment notification (through e-mail) that the bidder has made payment and it's available in my PayPal account (works similar to a bank account in that I can receive or spend money out of it).
  7. I call my brother and ask him how he wants me to pay him and that he needs to ship the tripod. I suggest that I can write a check or that I can pay him electronically through PayPal. All that's required is that he register as a PayPal user at no charge. He decides to join the 21st century and asks me to pay him through PayPal.
  8. I initiate a "payment transaction" through PayPal to my brother's personal e-mail address.
  9. My brother and I receive an e-mail about the transaction from PayPal. In his e-mail message he clicks onto an internet address that takes him to a secure PayPal web page that steps him through a simple registration.
  10. Once registered, the money hits his PayPal account.
  11. He transfers the money from his new PayPal account to his bank account.

All of this took just a few minutes of actual time. It is very simple and works great !!

If you're interested in taking a look at PayPal, or need to make an electronic payment to someone, click on the following link and try it:

          https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=mike%40mde.net

PayPal also has other features that allow you to initiate a payment from an e-mail or from your own web site. If you need a simple approach to conduct a credit card financial transaction electronically without having to pay for a merchant account, you'll find PayPal to be an effective tool as I have. It's also well known and accepted in the online auction community - especially with EBAY users.

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IV.  Business Entrepreneur Thoughts

Most of us want to do well - financially, personally, or professionally. If you didn't, you would not be reading e-zine publications and be interested in self improvement topics.

I've always had a passion for developing my own business and creating things that help others while contributing financially to my family. As I've gone through corporate roles, mostly Chief Information Officer (CIO) positions, I've seen many things that have helped certain companies become very successful.

One of the most important is in having a "recurring revenue" stream. A company that has a revenue line coming in consistently can build on that and has a much better ability to manage the sales droughts that can happen. Many technology companies have built their business on software development and when they do they all establish an ongoing support maintenance revenue stream. That base support revenue helps cover fixed expenses and by doing a good job creates an automatic prospect base that is likely to buy more products. IBM and Microsoft are some of the best examples in the world of growing their business from their existing client base.

The proliferation of web site development and hosting is another example of creating a business that establishes an ongoing recurring revenue stream. After the web site is developed the hosting fees allow the company to provide ongoing maintenance to the site as well as to develop new tools and techniques or services for its client base. It's a win-win for both the company and client.

My recommendation is that as you develop your business plan (and if you haven't done that you should), be sure to include at least one form of recurring revenue into your overall revenue mix. As you grow and become successful, you'll be glad you did.

The key to getting new clients and retaining them - Excellent Client Service.  More on that later.

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A Word About MDE Enterprises

MDE Enterprises provides IT consulting services at a senior management level and web site development and hosting services for small businesses. These are very different offerings. One is based upon more than 20 years experience in managing successful technology organizations and the other is based on a love of the internet and a desire to help small businesses take advantage of technology and the internet.

As a consultant I want to help companies achieve success. In these times, it's more important than ever for a company's technology organization to produce in a manner that meets company objectives. Easier said than done. Over the years I have developed an approach that seems to work based upon the successes that my IT teams have had. It's not "rocket science"; just simple management techniques that I've learned through trial and error, through formal training, or by watching others that are very good at it.

In the future, I'll share excerpts from a series of publications that I'm creating targeted for Technology Managers or those that aspire to become successful managers of technology organizations. IT Manager Development Series is a set of 10 publications that go into depth (but also to the point) about key aspects of what it takes to be a successful IT manager. The first publication is completed and is titled "What to Look For in A CIO". The other 9 publications are scheduled for release over the remainder of 2001.

What to Look For in a CIO has a bit of a different approach than the other 9 documents. This one is presented to the CEO, CFO, or COO of an organization that needs to know what to expect from an effective CIO. The other 9 manuals will be directed more in how to do the things important to achieve success as a CIO or technology manager at any level. This first document can also be valuable to existing CIO's or technology managers or hopeful managers. The information gets to the point and "nets it out" so you can pick up valuable tips in a minimum of time. I will also be including tools and techniques that I have picked up or developed over the years that help the IT Manager organize his business of managing an IT organization effectively.

If you are interested in learning more about this series of publications, send me an e-mail at  mike@mde.net or take a look at the Table of Contents for all the publications at:   www.mde.net/CIO .

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Thanks again. Until our next issue, work smart and prosper.

Mike Sisco
MDE Enterprises
www.mde.net
mike@mde.net  (E-mail)

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