MicroTech Systems - August 2020

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AUG 2020

A Special Milestone

We’re 1 Step Closer to an Empty House This August!

By the time you’re reading this, our family will be preparing for a big change. Our middle child, Lukenna, will be moving out this August and starting her post-high school life at the College of Western Idaho (CWI). Lukenna will be our second child to head off to college, leaving Keri and me with just one kid at home. As we approach empty nesterhood, it begs the question: Are we ready? That answer is pretty easy for me. Yes. We are ready, and we will be just fine. As any parent with teenagers can attest, you are essentially empty nesters from the moment you become too lame for your kids. Whenever Keri and I wanted to go paddle boarding or out to eat — when we could — we were often met with a grunt of annoyance from the kids who didn’t want to peel themselves off their phones and join us. That’s fine with us! It’s practice for when we will actually not have any kids in the home, and if this has taught us anything, it’s that Keri and I will still have a lot of fun when the kids aren’t around as much. Our youngest and only son will be a senior in high school next year, so we have one more round of “senior lasts” and that pressure-filled decision of what he will do after graduation. For Lukenna, this decision was torturous. She was always the kid who hated school. In fact, I can remember her saying as a little girl that she wished the school would just burn down so they wouldn’t have to go. She wasn’t impressed when I reminded her that she would just be sent to another building or school instead of the entire district giving up on education because of one charred building.

Regardless, I’m proud of Lukenna for making the decision to figure out what she really wants to do while continuing her education at CWI, but she isn’t as excited. For kids Lukenna’s age, there’s a certain stigma that comes with attending a school that isn’t out of state or prestigious. Our eldest daughter, Kennedi, faced similar challenges. She would say, “No one is going to Boise State!” (By the way, I saw that plenty of her classmates were also attending BSU. That’s teenagers for you!) The emphasis on getting a four-year degree at a big fancy university has done a disservice to kids who don’t thrive in a traditional classroom or those who would prefer an affordable or local education. Personally, I remember when BSU, BYU, and the University of Idaho were the usual choices for kids graduating from high school. I’m glad there are more options today, but I don’t see anything wrong with attending a smaller school until you figure out what you want. But that societal pressure can be a lot for an 18-year-old. My hope is that CWI will be a great first step for Lukenna. Either she will find an educational course that she enjoys or she will decide school just isn’t for her and find something better. All we can hope for as parents is to see our kids be happy. Whatever that looks like for our kids doesn’t make any difference to me. I’m happy if they’re happy. And frankly, I really am enjoying pre-empty nesterhood. Congratulations to all the students starting their next chapter and to the parents who reached this very special “finish line!”

–Randy Amorebieta

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Use StoryBrand to Get Their Attention Does It Feel Like Your Customers Are Ignoring You?

What if one small shift in your messaging could change the way you do business and make you more successful? No, it won’t cost you thousands of dollars in your marketing budget. In fact, it will save you money in the long run because it will make your marketing more effective. Though it may not feel easy at first, this simple shift accomplishes a big task: It makes your customer, not your business, the star of your advertising. That’s the concept behind StoryBrand, a marketing framework developed by author Donald Miller that has changed the game for thousands of companies. StoryBrand helps businesses clarify their message by making them answer the crucial question of how their company will help customers survive and thrive. As Miller has figured out, the easiest, most engaging way for humans to digest information is in the form of a story. Think about some of your favorite high school teachers. Did they spice

up a lecture about American history with anecdotes of George Washington or Benjamin Franklin? Did your biology teacher regale you with stories of their trip to the Galapagos? Chances are when someone has your attention, it’s because they’re telling a story, and StoryBrand teaches you how to use stories to do the same for your business. At its core, every story contains a hero, something the hero desires, an obstacle the hero must overcome, and a guide who helps the hero on their journey. These are elements you can utilize in your messaging. To do so effectively, your business must address three crucial questions:

1. What does the hero (your customer) want?

2. Who or what is opposing the hero’s journey to get what they want?

3. What will the hero’s life look like if they do (or do not) get what they want?

By recognizing your customer’s journey and positioning them as the hero and your company as their guide, you can create messaging they actually hear rather than marketing that simply sounds like the rest of the noise out there. Learn more about the StoryBrand process at StoryBrand.com. See What Our Customers Are Saying “I’ve worked with MicroTech for several years now. They manage the IT infrastructure for my two companies. This includes servers, desktops, laptops, software, and my licenses and accounts for the hosted services I utilize. The entire staff is professional and trustworthy, and pricing is fair and reasonable. I recommend MicroTech regularly and definitely recommend them here.” -Dylan P. “We love these guys! Very knowledgeable and responsive!!!!” -Eric F.

PARTY TIME!

We we want to thank those who have trusted us with their IT service during this tumultuous time. We couldn’t offer you this service without the dedication and proficiency of our team. We want to recognize the following MicroTech employees, who will celebrate very special days this August.

Birthdays: Gary Marshall and Sam Fornero Work Anniversaries: Jeff Creed (6 years) and Christa Klemme (1 year) Thank you, all, for your continued commitment!

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STAYING REMOTE?

7 Steps to Secure Your Company’s New Future

4. Managing the New Reality: Depending on how your company changes post-pandemic, your approach to leadership may change too. Prepare for some mishaps and course-corrections rather than sticking to the same flawed system. 5. Update Security and Compliance: Your company is at greater risk in a remote setting. Your security protection and monitoring systems are vital now more than ever. Likewise, your clients’ information is at greater risk when your employees are remote, and it’s necessary to set standards for information storage and sharing. 6. Strengthen Backup and Recovery: Having your equipment crash at the office is troublesome; it’s even more complex in a remote setting. Prevent this with a strong system for recovery and backup. 7. Communicate Regularly: As this process changes along with our world, so will your plans and hurdles. Be honest and open in your communication and continually update your team.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has given us anything, it’s the power to adapt. As we strive for a post-pandemic world, many industries are moving forward with new models for employee workflow. Some companies have completely adapted to a remote format, while others may be able to balance in-office and remote work. Regardless of where your company falls on that spectrum, there are seven steps all companies must take to ensure productivity, security, and communication. 1. The Right Tools: Without the right technology, remote work will fail long term. Companies need secure VPNs, communication platforms, firewalls, and upgraded technology to protect their clients and employees. 2. Track It: Without the proper tools to track efficiency — or an adapted model of what efficiency in a remote setting looks like —

you cannot be certain that a specific mode of work is best for your company. Every team member should be tracking their work so you can adjust as needed. 3. Enhance Collaboration: Tools like Microsoft 365, Google Drive, and Dropbox offer effective collaboration solutions and cloud services, making communication transparent and easy. Have a Laugh!

The beauty of this post-pandemic world is the versatility it offers. Once you find the system that works best for your team, developing the processes that will make you thrive is the next big step. Learn more about how to optimize this period of transition on MicroTech’s blog at MicroTechBoise. com/MicroTech-Blog.

Restaurant-Style Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients

• • • • • •

Salt

2 tbsp butter

1 clove of garlic, finely chopped

•

1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano- Reggiano Freshly ground pepper, to taste Fresh parsley, chopped, to taste

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 large egg yolk

• • •

1 lb fresh fettuccine

1 lemon wedge

Directions

1. In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of generously salted water to a boil. 2. In a large, deep skillet, while the water heats, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and sizzling (about 2 minutes). 3. In a bowl, whisk heavy cream and egg yolk until blended and pour into garlic butter. 4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir until hot, not boiling. Keep warm on low heat. 5. In the large pot, cook pasta until al dente.

(The pasta will float once it’s done.) Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water and drain pasta. Pour hot pasta into cream mixture and toss to coat on low heat. 6. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano and keep

tossing gently until cream is mostly absorbed. If the sauce is absorbed too much, toss with extra pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Serve with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

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Inspired by The New York Times

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Inside

The Amorebieta Family Prepares for a Big Milestone How StoryBrand Can Clarify Your Message and Attract Customers 7 Steps to Secure Your Company’s Remote Future

Restaurant-Style Fettuccine Alfredo

What Small-Business Owners Can Learn From ‘Profit First’

Manage Cash FlowWith ‘Profit First’ Mike Michalowicz Shares What You Need to Know

Running the day-to-day operations of a business while also managing the money can be difficult to juggle for many small-business owners. Even if they have systems and processes in place, these methods

Michalowicz has faced these types of challenges before, and he used these experiences to develop principles that make life (and business) that much easier for small-business owners. You’ll get the scoop on Michalowicz’s profit-centered approach and how his innovative system flips traditional accounting on its head, making money management more streamlined. If you find yourself struggling to manage the financial side of your business, then he has you covered. His tips are especially useful for businesses that have cash flow that varies from month to month or that have a peak season. Michalowicz’s insight is even more valuable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere look to get back on track in the second half of 2020, boost their businesses, and recover lost profits. If you’re a seasoned business owner and are already money- minded and exceptionally organized, this book will likely serve as a quick refresher, but if you’re a startup business owner and want to improve your accounting systems and catapult your profits, then “Profit First” is just what you need.

don’t always work as well as they should and can easily become difficult to navigate. When you hit this kind of wall, it can be hard to keep your focus on growing a profitable business. Enter Mike Michalowicz and his book “Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine.” The book was published in 2014 but was updated in 2017. It’s been a huge hit, garnering rave reviews from the business world due to its simple yet innovative profit-first formula. The book has been so successful because

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