How to change your welcome image on a Jaguar startup.http://www.ryandesign.com/jagboot/
Tonight Anna and I went to a 30th birthday party for an ex-coworker of Anna's from Apple. It was a great time. 3 tequila shots into the event, I was having a great time. We remarked all the way home how nice everyone seemed to be. It was a bit comforting that almost everyone we met seemed to have been laid off in the past year and had turned their life around with newfound ambition and courage.It's such a nice surprise to enter a house full of strangers and walk away feeling like you've left a house full of old friends. Even the cops that showed up seemed to enjoy the party. :o)It amazes me how each week, Austin feels so much like home. I used to miss Dallas quite a bit and rarely thought of Austin, but lately, Austin just feels right. It's been nearly two years since I came back. I guess we're finally getting settled. Finally.
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed the dramatic number of Mac applications that have increased in the past 6 months. It seems to me that lately, the number of utilities and standard business-type apps have increased quite a bit. No doubt that the Mac is becoming more popular for standard, “common joe” users, but the number of developers and programmers using Macs seems to be increasing.Truly, a great sign for the future.
The new switcher ads are here!http://www.apple.com/switch/adsMy personal favorite from this round?Janie Porche – ' I saved Christmas.' That's just a classic.
Change the format of your menubar clock
From: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=020907073047908
To customize your Menubar clock in Jaguar, you must edit the file:
/Users/username/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist
Replace username with your user name. Specifically, you must edit the
key “NSTimeFormatString” in the referenced file. You can add, move, or
remove the various components of the format. The default is %1I:%M:%S;
to find other “%” codes to use, type
man strftime
in a Terminal window. For example, I have my NSTimeFormatString set up
as %b %e – %1I:%M:%S, which shows up as “Sep 4 – 4:55”. Once you have
saved the changes to .GlobalPreferences.plist (I used pico to make the
changes), go into System Preferences -> Date and Time -> Menu Bar Clock
and deactivate and then reactivate the clock. You should see the
changes to the clock.
(Please read the whole article before proceeding. Some
precautionary steps have been removed.
From the: If you see it on the web, it must be true
department.
It's official. I'm now part of the Apple Consultants
Network. Now all I have to do is take a bunch of tests to prove I
know how to get around a computer using a one-button mouse.
This morning I had the pleasure of attending the first audio conference
from Alan
Weiss. I read Alan's first book, Getting
Started In Consulting about a year ago. In my business, it was
life-changing. I am now reading another one of his books, Million Dollar Consulting: the Professional's Guide to Growing a
Practice. The following are my notes from the conference.
Although this is a summary found in both books, I highly suggest you
read his books. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge available
in each book. I have found his writing to be witty, informative, and
very relative to a variety of industries. He is an amazing individual
who has achieved incredible wealth and success by keeping his processes
simple and focusing on the tangible.
Alan will be beginning a new teleconference series beginning in
January. I plan on signing up. Please visit his web site if
you are interested in learning more about Alan on the teleconference
series.
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A proposal should be submitted AFTER conceptual agreement with the
customer.
The following should be agreed upon prior to submitting a proposal.
– objectives: what it is that you plan to accomplish
– metrics: identify that you are achieving success
– value to the customer: increase in market share, improved to the
bottom line, better public image, etc.
Possible questions to ask during the interview process. (identify
the economic buyer)
Is there a budget?
How important is this need?
What is your timing to accomplish?
Who needs it?
How soon are you willing to begin?
Have you made a commitment to proceed?
What is your criteria in choosing a resource?
Will you do it again?
Are you already seeking a formal proposal?
Reiteration – YOU MUST WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE ECONOMIC BUYER
Steps to a Good Proposal
1) Situation Appraisal: one or two paragraphs that identify WHY you are
submitting this proposal.
2) Objectives: bullet points of what specific business outcomes will be
achieved. (not deliverables)
3) Metrics: Our Measures for Success Will Include….
4) Value to the Customer: bullet points, improved customer
satisfaction, less stress, etc. (must be agreeable by the customer)
Don't put in exact numbers unless they are based on historical details.
Stay conservative.
5) Methodology & Options: Providing a list of options will turbo charge
the success rate of the proposal. Explain how (simply) you will arrive
at the end result (focus groups, feasibility study, etc.) and provide a
list of value-based options. Each option should be with increased
value. Do not be afraid to offer options that are above the client's
budget, so long as there is escalating value.
6) Timing: Provide an estimate with relative dates (3-5 weeks, will
start in 30 days, etc.). You cannot control internal issues that will
delay the project.
7) Joint Accountabilities: List what the client, you, and both parties
are responsible for.
8) Terms & Conditions: The first place where fees are mentioned. 50%
payment up front (to cover expenses and ensure client investment) and
the balance due within 45 days. 10% off for full payment in advance.
Explain that the quality of the work is guaranteed. (not the results)
9) Acceptance: Your signature indicates acceptance. Please indicate
the options requested. Sign both copies in advance. In lieu of your
signature, your deposit may also indicate acceptance.
If you aren't sure you have the economic buyer, ask these
questions.
1. who's budget will support this project?
2. who can approve the project?
3. who will people look for as the project leader?
4. who controls the resources?
5. who asked for it?
6. who will claim responsibility?
7. who is the champion?
8. who else's approval is needed?
9. who will accept/reject this project?
10. if we shake hands now, can we start tomorrow?
How to further identify the value to the prospect.
1. what is the ideal outcome?
2. what results are you trying to accomplish?
3. what better service/product, etc. are you seeking?
4. why are you seeking to do this work?
5. how would the operation be different?
6. what would be the return on investment?
7. how would your image be improved?
8. what harm would be alleviated?
9. how much would you gain on the competition?
10. how would your value proposition be improved?
Submitting a proposal
1. Establish the follow-up date in the cover letter.
2. Make sure the proposal is FLAWLESS.
3. Refer back to their conceptual agreement
4. Keep it brief
5. Provide two copies
6. Make sure it looks good
7. Enclose something of value – an article, web site, etc.
8. Use hard copies, not electronic
If your proposal is rejected
1. Don't walk away angry. Ask permission to stay in touch. Thank them
for their time and attention.
2. Ask for what the cause was for their decision.
3. Make an offer for informal assistance.
4. Mail something of value within 30 days. Send something to them
every 60 days. Do not attempt to regain the lost project.
5. Call the buyer around 90-120 days and ask a question, “Has the
material I have been sending appropriate? Should I alter it? How has
the project gone? I'll be in the neighborhood in X days. Would you
care to get together for a cup of coffee?”
6. Keep the buyer up to date on what you have been doing. Show them
how your experience and expertise have grown.
Is someone missing a smile?In the past week, I have read several articles about the change to the opening screen of a booting Macintosh. The Happy Mac is no longer a fixture here. Instead, we are greeted by a swirling circle of activity. Honestly, I don't miss that Happy Mac face. Why? Well, to put it as simply as I can – I never saw much of it in the first place. Since OS X, I hardly ever have to reboot my machine. It just runs! I close the lid and open it back up several times a day. I travel with it, never shutting it down, and it always picks up, right where I left off. No, it's not flawless, but I used to reboot my Mac 2-3 times a day (as a power user, you ask more than most machines can handle). These days, even though I'm on my Mac 12-16 hours a day, it never fails me.The smiling face is still there every time I boot my Mac. It's just not reflected back anymore.
SwitchersIf you haven't read the Apple Switcher stories yet, I highly recommend it. Even though I've been a Mac user since 1986, I find these stories very enlightening and gratifying. For years I have been telling people about how great my computing life is with my Mac. (although the Macs have changed through the years, the experience has only improved with each new version) I often grew tired of trying to explain the Mac advantages to die-hard PC users. They just didn't get it.Since OS X was released, I have noticed a newfound respect from these same people. They no longer are bashing me for being a Mac user. Suddenly, our conversations turned more inquisitive. They began asking questions. The curiosity grew, not because of what I was saying, but because they were starting to hear more and more about Apple. The Apple Switcher stories are proof that others are experiencing the same joy I do when I sit down at my computer. The stories are realistic, funny, and downright entertaining.It's simply amazing what a little evolution can do for society.