Micro Tech Systems - June 2020

Micro Tech Systems - June 2020

(208) 345-0054 MicroTech Pages

JUNE 2020

By Mountain View Studio

Congrats Grads!

Reflections on Starting Your Next Chapter During a Pandemic

What should be an exciting time in the Amorebieta household has been fraught with bittersweet reactions and uncertainty. Our middle daughter, Lukenna, is set to graduate from high school this spring, but like many kids, she hasn’t had the chance to walk across the stage and receive her diploma (yet — who knows!) due to COVID-19. At the time of writing this, Lukenna and her classmates have been doing online schooling since mid-March. Lukenna was thrilled to not have to go to school, but like her classmates and friends, she was bummed to miss out on the traditional senior milestones like prom and graduation. Thankfully, she ended her senior volleyball career this fall, and I’m proud of the way she is taking this all in stride. Nothing really seems to get her down about the situation. Like many parents, my wife and I are trying to do our best to just support Lukenna and our other kids during this very strange time with COVID-19. To miss out on things like prom and that feeling of accomplishment as you walk across the stage at graduation is just so very sad. We’ve even heard of college campuses that may be closed for the fall semester, causing me to wonder about all those freshmen who will miss out on that crucial, exciting first semester away from home. Of course, as teenagers do, I’m sure some haven’t fully come to understand what these milestones could mean to them, but at such a transitionary point in their lives, it’s sad to think about what they will miss. None of this takes away from all the hard work that was put into their schoolwork, nor does it take away from what lies ahead. They still deserve recognition for the work they put in to get to this point.

I graduated high school in the early ‘90s, you could pretty much guarantee everyone was either going to Boise State, BYU, or the University of Idaho. Those were really the only options we considered upon graduation, but today, many kids are feeling the push to do more. They look to prestigious colleges and universities outside of this region and put so much pressure on themselves. I remember the excitement of graduation, and most of all, I could not wait to get out of the house. My parents weren’t strict disciplinarians, but I still could not wait to move in with my buddies after graduation. And that’s just what I did! About a week after graduation, I was settling into my new place with a few friends of mine, and I was suddenly on my own for the first time. In today’s world, that’s not always the case. My eldest daughter went to the dorms after high school, and we’re still sorting out what my middle daughter will do. Some kids stick around home more and feel the weight of that pressure to make the best and right choice immediately, instead of failing a few times and learning as they go. Maybe it would be better if we lifted some of that pressure, let them wander, and figure out what they want. Graduation is exciting and emotional, and while the graduation ceremony will be virtual and then drive-through to accept their diplomas, it is still worth celebrating it and their accomplishments. Who knows what lies ahead for them. This is the beginning of a new and strange chapter. But it’s one they get to write — even in a pandemic.

Congrats, Lukenna, and the graduating class of 2020!

All of this has caused me to reflect on my own graduation. Times have really changed since I received my high school diploma! When

–Randy Amorebieta

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5 Words to Control the Conversation Lessons in Communication From Tim Cook

In the third quarter of 2019, Apple’s quarterly report showed an unexpected slip in profits. Even iPhone revenue had slipped. But instead of taking a bad hit, Apple’s stocks spiked higher after the report was released. Why? Apple CEO Tim Cook used five magic words. Knowing how to successfully talk about your business is key to continued success. You know your work better than anyone else, so you know if things are going well or if you need to course-correct. However, the outside perspective doesn’t always match the reality of the situation. If someone comes in with concerns or outright anger because of what they think the situation is, you need to reframe the conversation and quickly show them the bigger picture. Tim Cook does this with the simple phrase, “The way I see it …” When addressing concerns about Apple’s dip in profits, Cook took control of the narrative and presented the message he wanted people to focus on: Apple’s record service growth.

“The way I see it,” Cook said, “we had the strongest hardware portfolio ever. We’ve got new products on the way. The pipeline is full of great new stuff on the product and the services side. We’re very fortunate and have worked very hard to have loyal customers ... The installed base is growing — hit a new record. That’s obviously a good thing. And we’ve got the wearables area that is doing extremely well.” Suddenly, investors weren’t worried about the iPhone anymore because Cook reminded them that Apple’s wearables and services alone were close to a Fortune 500 company. Cook provided important context about his company by taking control of the conversation. Controlling the conversation is how leaders steer their teams through stormy weather. They pair their deep knowledge of the business with effective communication skills so people understand the bigger picture and aren’t hung up on details that only show half the story. Keep in mind that leaders like Cook don’t mislead people with false or exaggerated information. They stick to what’s true while reframing it in a way so outsiders will better understand. If you need to reframe the situation or explain some complicated aspect of your business, start with the magic words: “The way I see it ...”

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LET’S CELEBRATE!

2020 has been a year of many, many changes, and we want to thank everyone who has trusted us with their IT service during this tumultuous year. That said, we couldn’t offer this service without the dedication and proficiency of our team. To honor this, we want to recognize the following MicroTech employees. Birthday: Janni Sweet Work Anniversary: Danny Ryan (4 years) and Ken Holt (2 years) Thank you, Janni, Danny, and Ken, for your continued commitment!

Our company has been using MicroTech’s services for years. They have supported our practice through many changes and growth, all the while maintaining professionalism and eagerness to help. We look forward to working with them for

many years to come. –Michelle A.

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WHAT ARE YOU PAYING FOR?

Auditing Your MSP

We all have that trusty T-shirt we know is going to make us look and feel good. Sure, the seam is slightly torn, there’s a stain from a party, and the logo is faded. It might not be the best, but it’s comfortable. That’s a fine (and environmentally friendly) approach to clothing, but if you’re taking the same approach to your managed service provider (MSP), then you need to reevaluate why you trust this MSP with your business.

how much will be lost when your servers crash or hackers hold your >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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