| There is a concept in the military called a force | | | | growth of broadband internet connectivity. You can |
| multiplier. This is anything that increases the | | | | now download, in minutes, a file that once took |
| effectiveness of the military unit. Like a machine gun | | | | hours. You can even surf the internet wirelessly from |
| verses a single shot rifle. The machine gun is several | | | | anywhere in your city! |
| times more effective than the rifle. Thus, the | | | | Your internet connection can carry all of your data |
| machine gun can take the place of a whole group of | | | | and your telephone needs. |
| riflemen. | | | | Large corporations pay thousands of dollars to install |
| The main force multiplier of the modern business | | | | and maintain elaborate telephone systems to service |
| world is technology, and computers are our | | | | their customers. Several companies offer Internet |
| machineguns. | | | | Phones that provide the small business community |
| Technology allows the small business owner to | | | | with the same service for a relatively low monthly |
| compete with big corporate organizations. Consider. | | | | fee. |
| Force Multiplier One | | | | One example is Virtual Office from Packet8. This |
| We all know how the desktop PC has changed the | | | | service allows you to present a stronger, more |
| way we do business, but have you really looked at | | | | prosperous front to your customers. Virtual Office |
| how it can increase the productivity of your office? | | | | offers features such as automated call routing and |
| Simply connecting your computers together into a | | | | voice mail. Many other companies exist that offer the |
| local area network (LAN) can greatly increase your | | | | same service. |
| employees' ability to communicate, while reducing | | | | Force Multiplier Three |
| overall costs. | | | | Our last force multiplier is desktop publishing. Do you |
| Since most computers sold today have network | | | | need a brochure, a sales letter or a display ad for |
| cards installed, all you need is a router to create your | | | | your new marketing campaign? |
| own LAN. Several manufacturers offer routers for | | | | In the past, you would have to hire someone to |
| under $60.00. | | | | write the ad, letter or brochure, and then hire |
| Once installed, your computers will be able to talk to | | | | someone else to do the design work. Next, you |
| each other. Now you can really start saving money, | | | | would have to hire someone to do the printing. All of |
| while increasing productivity! | | | | that hiring sounds like money flying out of your bank |
| Say you have five employees. Naturally, all of them | | | | account to me! |
| need their own printer. What do you do? Without a | | | | Now you can hire the writer and handle the design |
| LAN, you would have to purchase each of them a | | | | work and printing yourself. Desktop publishing |
| printer. You could purchase five deskjet printers for a | | | | software makes this possible. |
| total cost of $800.00 or more. Then you would | | | | You can save huge amounts money using this |
| discover the hidden costs! The cartridges! Ouch, they | | | | software, and still produce quality advertising and |
| are expensive! | | | | marketing materials. Microsoft Publisher is one |
| Instead, you use your LAN to allow your employees | | | | program that will greatly increase the quality and |
| to print to one printer. Since you are only buying one | | | | professionalism of your products. Many others exist. |
| printer, you can purchase a nice laser printer. The | | | | The power of the force multiplier does not stop |
| toner cost on one laser printer is considerably less | | | | here, diligently search for opportunities to apply this |
| expensive than the replacement ink costs of five | | | | concept to your current operations. Combine |
| deskjet printers! | | | | activities where possible, proactively look for chances |
| Do not forget to put it close to where you sit so | | | | to make one piece of technology do the work of |
| you can monitor what your employees are printing. | | | | two, three or more. |
| This same concept applies anytime a group needs | | | | Let technology work for you; invest in it the same |
| access to the same resource. | | | | expectations you do in other areas of your business. |
| Force Multiplier Two | | | | Treat it like an employee and demand its best! |
| One of the greatest advances, in technology, is the | | | | |