Ask the Expert: Wisdom from The Computer Doc - Edward Lissack

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Hello, hello amplify your family Michelle Abraham, your host here this morning. I am joined by an ask the expert interview. My expert today is Edward Lissack. A bird is the expert in the world of computer and network support. So Edward, how are you doing this morning?

I'm doing good. Thank you. How about you, Michelle?

I'm doing great. Thanks for asking. Edward is coming to us from Toronto, Canada today. But normally, he's on the Vancouver side of the world just like me. And so we have that in common today. So we're a west coasters by heart. And Edward, let me tell you a little bit more about Edward guys. So Edward is an independent computer and network support specialist. In other words, he's known as the computer doctor. So he helps businesses with increased creasing a product of productive time, and conducting performance analysis and improving bottom lines. He's been in this business for a very long time with over 20 years of experience applying his knowledge to the entrepreneurial marketplace, he brings a unique depth to the service he provides. So Edward is going to share a little bit more about his entrepreneurial journey, which I think you guys are really going to get a lot out of today. So if you're sitting at home thinking about starting your business, you want to incorporate podcasting in your business. And you're just not sure if entrepreneurship is right for you. Edward is been an entrepreneur for a very long time. And he's here to tell you and here to share with you today that entrepreneurship is a really great way to get your business going have a business and be able to to sustain it for a long period of time, even as a solopreneur. So, Edward, taken away from us, let us let us dive quickly first into computer Doctor, what's a computer doctor?

Well, a computer doctor is a is a doctor and a specialist. In various specific things like in the medical field, you'll have like a, you'll have like a cancer specialist, or you'll have a podiatrist which is a flip specialist. And then there are many different specialists, a computer doctor, meaning a same thing as a general practitioner Doctor covers a lot of areas. So as a computer doctor, we cover a lot of areas of computers, all different parts of it, say windows, even Mac operating system, Windows operating system, which really runs the whole show. And when you're using your programs like Microsoft Office, and your security protection is all run by windows, and then also on the component level side, ensuring that the components are working properly making diagnosis when their computer gets sick. It could, it could be overheating, the fans could be there could be warm air coming out of the fans, the computer could just be very sluggish. So it's a general practitioner of every aspect of the computer.

I love it. It has a great way of cleaning it so that the rest of us understand what it is that you do. So I love that you've come up with that term the the computer doctor. So you know I sense printers seem to be very hard on our computers by having many things open and going through the day. I know I'm terrible at I'm not very nice to my computer. Let's just put it that way. I have lots of windows open and I'm using a lot of bandwidth constantly. So do you have a couple of tips for us to help make sure that we're not really like killing our computers while we're going through our busy days?

Yes, well, what I do personally, is that first of all, I use my laptop computer a lot. And what I use on my laptop is I even though there's a fan underneath inside the laptop, I use an external fan. It's about this long and it's about this side and then has one or two large fans that go around like this. I put the back of the laptop on top of there I plug it in with a USB connection, which is like a cable into my USB connector. And it keeps the bottom area of the computer cool. That's a really important thing to make sure it's kept cool. And then also to make sure that your computer's are properly up to date with the latest version of Windows especially. Because if there's, if it's not properly updated, there could be some challenges, right, like error messages. And just to give you one example of a challenge, you know, when one client of mine, they're called me, and they've been have a mini panic. Last week, actually, one of my longtime clients have over 20 years. And my client mentioned to me, I keep getting this error message, please insert disk to continue. And they can come in up every time, even though she was in Windows Barbara. So what I did was that originally, I was going to go there to our home office as that's one of my things, one of my trade lines is like old people's home offices at various times. So apparently, when my client turned off the computer and turned on the computer, again, Michelle, Windows Update was continuing. So Windows Update wasn't properly finished. So once it finished properly, I you know, I asked my client over the phone, told me everything you see on the screen, and then went in, and then that error message was gone. So it could be a simple little thing, like letting the computer finish its update. Because I've noticed that a few of my clients don't wait for it to finish, we're not run into issues. So it's really it's super important. Michelle, and to everyone out there in the computer world. And the universe for that matter is, when your computer says to you downloading and installing Windows Update, please let it run its course, it's really important that this way it finishes, it does what it needs to do. And then there's much less of a chance of running into jams afterwards.

That makes a lot of sense. Now I'd word if you were to look at my computer browsers at the moment, you would probably fall over dead because I have like 50 of them open right now. So what is the impact of having all those windows open at one time on the capability of your computer? Keeping up with keeping up with you?

They also seem to was computers. You know it you know if I if I heard your question correctly, when it comes to computers, I've looked at many computers, clients computers, some and they are overly congested. On the outside externally, as well as on the inside internally. You know, the term of a hard disk drive is really a miniature electronic version size of a finally tap that that's in your bank, where you have folders and then inside folders and got pieces of paper that can easily overload and stack up. When you see in an office. There's all these things stacked up. That's what can happen to a computer. So in my complimentary ebook, we talk about that. And we talk about that over time. Files can be fragmented. In other words, you can have a Zed Qt, F. And then j is all out of sequences out of order. And it's all over the place. So then what we recommend in our e book is to do a disk defragmentation or a defrag which helps to reorganize everything into a sequential order, like a B, C, D, E and so on and so on. And and helps to clean up the mess that's inside the computer, and then helps to improve the performance.

A lot of sense yeah, one of the

things and on the surface of the computer I've seen so computers where the dust was literally blocking the ventilation and mess of a column dust bunnies. They're really big, even notebook computers as well. out. And when the air the air can't get out. So you have like a, like a greenhouse effect inside the computer. So it's really important to keep those ventilation areas clear. Yeah, because this way the fans will work better, is not gonna overheat on the inside because the processor can easily overheat if it's clogged up like that,

huh? Yeah, those are some great tips. Now you're talking a lot about Windows and PC, do you work on Macs as well or you focus on specifically PC computers?

Well, for many years on the PC with Windows with the many different versions of Windows. Last year, we started working on Mac computers as well for their notebooks and desktops. And for a number of years, I've been working with clients, tablets, and smartphones, for Android, the Apple iOS, as well as Windows because Windows has their surface tablets and smartphones too. So I've started we started working on those in the last 567 years.

So now do you need to do that same sort of defragmentation thing on a Mac computer ICD on a PC, or is that just PC, a PC thing?

Know that things can get out of order on Macs as well. But Mac has built in features that are a bit more advanced than a PC. So they have like self self repairing features, there's always there's more advancement in Mac's. But it's still important to keep your Mac healthy as well. And even your smartphones and tablets is important to keep those healthy as well, to ensure that not everything is overloaded, because I have another client who I've had for a couple of years. And he has an iPad. And he had, I think he had one of the first iPads that came out or one of the second ones, which only had 32 gigabyte of storage capacity in the filing cabinet. Oh gosh, yes. And then he had so many photos and videos. And then we tried to do an update to a later version, they use iOS, which is for Apple, and wouldn't do it because there wasn't enough room in the filing cabinet. So I had my client, clean out all the folders and pieces of paper, or photographs in the filing cabinet, which is the storage drive to make room. And even then there were still a lot of different apps in there, which was preventing it from doing an update. So that can easily happen on tablets as well. Whether it's an Android tablet, which runs Android, it could be Samsung tablets, or smartphones or different kinds of models and makes, but a lot of them use Android and the IOS is specifically proprietary to Apple. And things can get clogged up there as well.

Do you recommend people use like, you know cloud storage, over over storage on their computer just to keep the computer running more smoothly and efficiently?

Yes, that is a very good thing to do. Um, what I do, and what I suggest for my clients is when using Microsoft Office, there's always a subscription included to the OneDrive. And it's a it's a sync. So in my case, I have two desktop computers. I have a laptop and I have an iPad. So I need to have everything on the go. So the OneDrive is a great feature to use when you're on the go because you can just pull your information up as you need it. And then when you save it, it goes back into the OneDrive. There is something I would like to say a comment. The same sort of thing works with Dropbox. It's a similar feature. But a lot of people get the misconception that it's a cloud backup. And it's not. It's strictly file sync and share so you can get to your stuff wherever you are, but it's not actually a backup. So there's still another way to do is more secured backup. Yes,

I found that out when my computer got a cup of coffee spilled on it and they lost them Anything that was on the back or the on the desktop that hadn't been uploaded and sync to Dropbox, I was like, Oh, that device zoom. So yeah, not a good move when you drink coffee close to your computer, and you have small children around. So learn my lesson there for sure.

Definitely, any kind of liquid water or coffee or tea, and computers, they just don't mix, they don't like each other, they can actually short out the fuse inside. And then you're really up the creek without a paddle, or maybe a two inch paddle or something like that. So right

AppleCare does not cover it either.

A lot of companies don't. So the important thing is for the data, you have to think of it like data protection. Backup is like an insurance policy, we we insure our cars, if there's a problem, we insure our homes and our apartments, this is a way to insure your data, as well, just in case something happens. So I'll give you an example. I use a cloud backup. But I also use a local storage backup as well, like a little portable USB storage device. So a lot of my clients use just a portable local storage. But a few of my clients use both a combination of the two. And wherever the cloud backup storage is good. It takes a very long time to get your data restored, because it has to be done already. And then. Whereas you have a local storage device, it's done a lot faster, because it's local was just connected.

So are you talking about like like a USB, something that connects to the USB? That's like an external drive? Is that what you're talking about? Yes, yeah,

it will be? Well, there's two different kinds. There's a stick, which is like the size of the finger, which I don't really recommend the brain works. record what what is really recommended is a storage device, which is maybe a little bit bigger than this iPhone,

right. It's like a backup battery or something to write like, we have like a backup battery.

While it's like Western Digital and Seagate are one of the two top brands. And then it has a USB cable that goes into the back of the actual storage device. The other end goes into a USB port in your computer, desktop or notebook. And then a lot of other people get the misconception that when you plug it in, that automatically starts it doesn't still have to set it up. So that's where we come in as a computer doctor, we helped clients set it up.

Awesome. I love it. Yeah, sticking by the computer doctor, were you always a computer doctor, right from the beginning, when you started your business or tell us a little bit about how you when you started your business? I know you went through a very special training program. So share with us a little bit about that journey.

Oh, certainly. Thank you. In 1994, I wanted to be more independent. And I wanted to work with the kind of people that I want to work with where we resonate with each other. And I wanted to really be creative and not have any limitations. And then I thought to myself, well, I want to do that. What kind of a name do I want to give my business? So we at that time we were approaching the computer age. And that's where I thought, That's it computer age service enterprises because we are approaching the age of computers, and we're still in the age of computers. Thanks.

I think that was like four years before I got a phone. I was I was approaching High School. I was in high school, maybe going into college soon after that. Still had the big big computer on the table of the kitchen table that lost my homework every time I went to go save something. Just wanted to disrupt that was reminding me where I was at the free computer.

Exactly. So then I registered my business. And then I saw a special program by HRDC Canada. It's a federal government program. Back then it was called the Self Employment Assistance Program. So I applied for it. I did a draft I have a business plan, which I presented to the coordinator, and I was approved to take the course. And it was a one year program. And for the first two and a half months, Michelle, we had intense training in a classroom setting at the York Business Opportunity Center in Kiel, still area of Northwest Toronto. And we went through the process of preparing your business plan, putting all of the different areas together, not just an idea, but all the other components with that, like your cashflow, projections, your analysis, also, your marketing, how you're going to do your marketing, who your mentors are going to be, it's a whole lot more than just a basic course. And there were different speakers who came in, you want about sales, there was another one about government regulations, another one about bookkeeping, and taxation, and many others. But there was one in particular who I'll never forget, as always stuck with me. And he's a sales presenter, and his name was Eric. And this was back in the early 1995. And he did a, he did a seminar for about an hour. And that hour is been so valuable ever since in my in my 28 years. And what I learned and I love to pass this on to other people is sales is not about telling somebody you need to study need that. It's about listening to what the client is saying. So asking questions, and keep asking questions, and listen carefully for the answers. And on a piece of paper, there will be a line going down the middle, and on the top of the left side and the same have precedent, and on the top of the right side need future. So have precedent questions like in my line of business? What kind of a computer are you saying? How long have you had it for that hasn't been reliable? What kind of activities do you do on the computer? How are you finding doing those activities? And then so just asking the questions, and then on the right side getting onto the right side, then some of the questions I would ask is other than doing what you're doing right now? Are there other activities you want to be doing on your computer? And What? What? mid term, short term midterm, even long term goals and objectives do you have? On your computer? What else looks you like to do? And if they're not really sure? Then I'll ask them, I'll ask them two questions, which he liked to be able to connect to your smartphone and transfer your information? Would you like a way to backup your smartphone? Would you like to be able to do video conferencing? You know, to? And would you like to be able to watch videos where it doesn't cut out? You know, these sort of sort of questions,

right? So you doing any needs analysis for them, right need, what they're needing.

And then after you mad, then I put all the information together. And then I say that I'm going to design a tailor made solution for you. Because each person's needs are different and unique. And then I asked him to please give me about a day or two. And I'm going to come back to you with the proposal. And then I come back to the client with a proposal based on our assessment and needs analysis. And some will say, you know, some will say, call me you know, reach out to me again, say in three months. They're not quite ready. Others will say I'm ready to do this. It really depends on how ready they are to implement these new things. So that's what I've been doing for a very long time. But I continue to do that in our one hour virtual discovery session.

That's awesome. And I know you're sharing with me before we press record, they have a 65% closed rate which is awesome because what you're doing is you're matching their problems with in your analysis there and then you're able to put present them with a solution. So I think that's fantastic. Now most businesses and entrepreneurs don't make it past year, five year at year 28, can you give us one or two tips of what how, how you've been able to surpass that five year mark, by a few times over. And for our tips for our friends sitting at home listening in here that are thinking about starting their business.

The biggest thing for me is business to business, networking, building relationships one step at a time. So for instance, when I go to networking group meetings, when I exchanged business cards, I do a follow up, you know, about a couple of days later, I'll do a follow up, say it was really nice to meet you. It's such an such an event, and then ask them how their availability is for a one on one meeting. And then with a one on one meeting, I like to learn more about the kind of business the person is and, and how they got started. And what kind of challenges they may have in their business, and who their ideal clients are, and which type of area they want to target. And then I give them the same information still as exchanging information. And then we look for a common ground on how we can collaborate with each other. Because one of the things that I've been learning in the last few years about collaboration is who I'm talking to, may have a similar applies to what I'm looking to assist in service. And then the person that the other end is maybe looking for the type of clients that I have. Right. So I'll give me one example, I had a really good meeting a couple of days ago with an in business, when I'm trying to remember his name, I've got so many names in my brain, but I have it in my notes in my files and every thing. It has Mike, I met with Mike, and he's into wellness. So when I listen to the type of clients he's looking for, that's my clients, because my clients could use that kind of help and service. And then I also connected Mike, with a person who I have been buying my G three juice through, which is new skin, Marco. So I did an introduction. I listen to Mike saying that he wants to connect with natural paths to the introduction to my naturopath, doctor, so I love to connect people, perfect. Even if it's not related to my business. Yes, they'd like to build those relationships, and foundations, bonds and trust, and to connect, who they want to be connected to what type of area. And then I then say that, if any of your clients need help, we're here to help them out. And that's what I've been doing steadily. And I can still remember while I was in the Self Employment Assistance Program, there was like a networking show one day, and that was a big, huge sign saying, connect us. And I met the founder Don Messer, I said, I gotta join this. And they had so many different chapters throughout the Greater Toronto Area. And I went to every single chapter. And that's when I really started to do business to business networking, I really started to learn how to do things, and those relationships, and ever since I've been networking with different organizations, as well. And it's just building up that trust and business relationship. And that's really where the referrals come from.

Yeah, as a business, my business is 100% of referrals as well. And one thing that I find that it just to share with our listeners is that if you're consistently showing up in the same place each week or each month, to the same group of people and actually build a relationship with those people, that's when the referrals will actually come. And so you know, thinking of it as like you're actually building a relationship with them. And actually sure, what we've kind of figured out with podcasting is podcasting is a way to do accelerated networking and in relationship building. So now we use our podcasts as a tool as a networking tool. So now we get about an interview all the people that we want to connect with, and and, and collaborate with maybe who have the same audience as us or have the same kind of work that we do. And then we can collaborate with each other. So using the pool tool of podcasting to do exactly what you just said, asking all those questions in an interview, kind of like what we're doing today is really a great way of networking as well. So thinking about your podcasts in that way, it's for our audience sitting at home thinking about their podcasts, what kind of podcasts you need to create, so that you're constantly getting in front of the people that can become your collaborative partners, or your referral partners are your or even your clients. So that's the kind of podcasting we do is about.

Oh, yes, absolutely. It's just knowing who your audiences, who do you want to connect to? Like, in my case, my audience is small businesses and solopreneurs is my audience. And and it doesn't matter what kind of industry they're in, or what kind of business they do. The fact that it's a small business, or solopreneur. That's my audience. Yeah, that's great.

So Edward, it's been fabulous having you on today. And I know you have a couple of free gifts to, to for our listeners. So let's share with them what those are. Before we let you go say,

thank you so much, well, please go to my website, which is www.computerageserviceent.com, I'm going to put it into the chat as well. And as soon as you go into the website, you're going to see a screen, a little window saying our complimentary ebook. And then you just click, you just put in your email address in your name, and click download. And it will come right to you. And it's an educational ebook, on using your computer to its fullest potential. And also, there's a lot of tips and tricks in there too. And a lot of wealth of advice and information. The other one is in the upper area, where it says Book, the PC doctor, that will give you a link into my Calendly where you can book a date and time at your convenience. You'll see everything there, I will get the information and confirmation. And I offer a one hour complimentary virtual discovery session consultation assessment and the performance evaluation of your computer. In fact, I'm doing that for one of my prospective clients on Monday. And that's a $90 value complimentary.

Awesome. So we'll make sure we add those links into the show notes for you, those of you that are listening today. And until next time guys go out there have a fabulous day. Know that your voice counts, you need to step up and use your voice get out there the world in amplify it to the world. See you again next week. Take care, guys. Thanks, Edward.

Thank you very well.