By Keith McElroy
Are we in the middle of an accident caused by human error, or are we in a catastrophe that was an inevitable shift? The influence of the Internet and related technologies over the last 20 years points our attention to a shift in the economy. Other factors catalyzed the shift. Baby boomers staging for retirement with lots of money to invest is a factor. The changes in China’s economy and of course 9/11. A crumbling of some things that we have taken for granted can be interpreted as a reminder that changing focus to survive may lead to opportunity.
I recall, years ago, watching a business owner save his company from a major financial loss by bringing his employees together and explaining the economic realities while also providing assurance that he had a plan to survive and would do all in his power to retain jobs. The following six months were dramatic in that margins more than doubled and the deficit loss was followed by exceeding performance beyond what would have happened if the loss had not occurred. His bold leadership paid off.

Opportunities to thrive?

Retail and business spending has a cause-effect aspect that opens doors to observant entrepreneurs. Dramatic reduction in traditional workforce positions leaves under-serviced markets. Corporations will contract out work to smaller, capable companies that understand the critical needs. Consumers will be on the search for ways to improve their quality of life on a frugal budget. For example, the reduction of car purchases will breed new needs for faster, cheaper and easier ways to extend the lives of our aging cars as well as better ways to get around. The movement of baby boomers through the aging process with better health than their ancestors (but diminishing income) will create demand for bridge housing that provides the ease of life of a retirement facility with the youthful independence of a time share. Less driving means we will want to be closer to shopping, dining and mass transit and we will seek to invest less time trying to find what we need.
Consider repositioning yourself or your organization as a facilitator of problem solving amidst the disaster. Learning from the lesson of US Air 1549, imminent danger is followed by heroic leadership, followed by success, followed by jubilation and reflection on the value of pulling together and the seasoned experience of a veteran pilot who responded to the need.

Tools to grow by

Applying technology to the opportunities before you can be a smoother path than you might imagine. Take, for example, these ideas that can accelerate the breeding of a new idea:

1. Use a monthly Intranet service to keep track of your projects and your growing client list. See www.37signals.com and www.salesforce.com. Cost $10 per month and up

2. Rent “by the month” Call Center and automated response. See www.angel.com. Cost $100 per month and up.

3. Develop an informational Web site about your industry. Cost $15 per month and up.

4. Reach out more proactively to existing and new clients with a focus on innovation and problem-solving. See www.constantcontact.com. Cost $20 per month and up.

5. Upgrade the accounting software. Quick Books online provides access anywhere which is handy when you are working hard on a shoe string. See www.quickbooksonline.com. Cost $50 per month and up.

The economic shift is real and the road is difficult. Consider making a migration toward the new global business landscape with technology that does not stretch your budget and increases your value to those you serve.

Keith McElroy is an independent software consultant specializing in development of software for a broad range of businesses and government agencies. Keith may be reached by e-mail at keith@mcelroy-tech.com or by phone at 530-591-3052.

While on vacation in China, Pat Furr’s tour guide said that the Chinese tell their students they need to be proficient in two things to succeed in the future—English and computers. This comment stuck with Furr and led her to develop a successful computer renovating organization in Chico, Calif.

“I realized that in America we had very few computers in schools at that time, so I decided to refurbish donated computers and give them to the schools,” Furr said.

In 1993, she got Chico Unified School District to work with her and become a part of her dream, and she started Computers for Classrooms.

In the 21 schools comprising CUSD, there were only about 600 computers in all compared to over 6,000 today, she said.

In 2002, Furr decided to supply computers to low-income families and nonprofits as well, in hopes that everyone will be able to have access to computers, technology and the internet.

A lot of people everyday stop by with equipment for the program, Furr said.

“The past few years we have been placing 5,000 computers per year in schools with non-profits and low-income families,” she said.

The program is run throughout California and is currently sending out 260 computers to middle schools in San Diego and LA. They will be working with Computers for Youth to train parents how to help their children do homework on the computer.

This will really impact the middle school students and their ability to do homework, Furr said.

On top of trying to connect people with technology, they are also working hard to reuse everything that gets sent in.

“Everyone assumes that recycling is great, but that is not true for electronics,” she said “By extending the life of technology, we lessen the need for creating new systems, and the greatest energy expenditure comes during the building of the new product.”

Reusing 100 computers is equivalent to removing 48 passenger cars from the road per year and it saves enough electricity to power 68 U.S. households in a year, she said.

“Reusing is 25 times better for our environment than recycling,” Furr said. “Reduce, reuse and then recycle.

Computers for Classrooms provides incentives for volunteers who devote their time to being a part of this program. The organization has about 40 volunteers that work there a week.

“If volunteers work for 50 hours, they can get a free computer or a laptop,” Furr said. “We have them working on computers, so they also get to learn a lot at the same time.”

Furr’s program has been so prosperous that she was hired by Microsoft last year when the company saw the manual she had made for creating a successful computer reuse program. She created a complete series of PowerPoint presentations and programs with several photographs showing you exactly how to do a complete refurnishing operation, so that Microsoft could create a similar program and give free computers to people in third world countries that really need them.

“They tested the material out in Kenya and Uganda and they had really good reports come back, she said. “They didn’t have anything negative to say.”

The organization also performs studies to find out the importance of computers for students. Last year they worked with Butte College to study how having a home computer can help minority students succeed in school. They came to find that it made a huge difference.

This year they are doing a one-year study with Chico Middle schools and the freshman class at Chico Senior, as well as working with Rob Fairly of UC Santa Cruz to study the effects of having a home computer.

“It’s kind of exciting that we can do these studies that are UC California approved,” Furr said. “Studies that can have national significance.”

Furr’s main goal is to “close the digital divide” and place systems with those least likely to have them.

“I passionately believe that everyone needs access to technology and the Internet,” she said. “It isn’t fair for students to compete for college scholarships or grades when some can afford to have computers at home while others can’t. It would be my hope to have access to computers and the Internet for everyone.”

If you have a computer you’d like to donate, drop it off at Computers for Classrooms anywhere from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the program or to become a volunteer contact Furr at 530-895-4175.

- Kayla Cook