George Mindling Column 1-18-2002 - Community Future

The Future of the Community

“Aren't you a cracker?" I was asked at a Christmas party in Cape Coral last month. I was raised in Miami and the only crackers I ever met were at Monroe Station out on Loop Road. I was being asked this by a fellow who had moved here from Pennsylvania who raised cows on a farm. I hated to tell him what I thought a cracker was.

I'm not sure if the majority of northerners share this same misplaced definition of Cracker, but I assume it is fairly prevalent. No, we grew up in neighborhoods that look exactly like Port Charlotte. I went to elementary school in Westwood Lake in Miami, one of many Deltona or Mackle Brothers developments that populate the state. Most of those communities, however. have changed and moved forward. Port Charlotte has not. We have an opportunity now to help change that image. and the business community should take the initiative.

The economic development process is taking a new, definitive shape. Charlotte County has expanded its economic development with a department of four full-time employees. These people arc actively meeting with business groups to ask for planning input.

With the involvement of local organizations such as the Committee of 100, business input is finally being fed into the economic development process. The economic alignment with Lee and Collier counties is misplaced. especially Collier County, and the vacuum of not associating with Sarasota County will hopefully he corrected.

Business organizations that are basically social or quasi-independent from government may have good intentions when it comes to networking their products locally, but they don't have the foresight to drive the economic foundation that is required for 10, or 20, or even 50 years from now. One of the most naive approaches suggested is to ask a small business to assist its future competitors. How about a reality check here?

The fact we need business input now is evident in the new proposal for commercial building design standardization. The new Charlotte County proposal doesn't appear to be well thought out. It is simply a cookie-cutter approach used somewhere else. and it doesn't necessarily solve the problem of aesthetics, nor does it offer inducement to new firms to relocate here.

Literally, under the new guidelines. there will be no more supermarkets such as Publix or Winn-Dixie. simply because of the parking requirement in which no more than 40 percent of parking can be in front of the building. The County Administration Building at 18500 Murdock Circle doesn't even comply with the new facade and roof guidelines!

The business community knows we will suffer from terminal stagnation if the current approach dominates our future political and economic thinking. The segment of retirees who vocalize their opposition to any kind of growth won't be around to suffer the inadequate infrastructure they will leave as a legacy. Neither will their children. They take one look at the houses they inherit and turn them into rentals. Then they move to Cape Coral.

George Mindling © 2002

George Mindling Column 12-21-2001 - Active Hurricane Season

Expect an Active Hurricane Season Next Year

The holiday season is upon us. In fact, in two weeks the only things left will be taking down the decorations and, for many shoppers, piles of unpaid bills.

It will take until April just to take down all the lights from my neighbor's wonderful 22,000-light display. Florida Power & Light should send him a thank-you note. There will be joy of course, about the gifts and presents that outlast their batteries. and the wonderful memories of families reunited for the holidays. Flying will be cheaper, albeit more time consuming than last year, and driving will cost considerably less than our last Christmas visit to Atlanta to spend the holidays with our daughter and her husband.

The snowbirds are already showing up, most of them are unaffected by the airfares as the majority of them drive. I will be able to attest to the snowbird phenomenon shorty as I annually share the road with the southbound convoys of campers and trailers on Interstate 75 during the week between Christmas and New Year's.

It is one reason I like to travel at night during this time of year. Snowbirds are not by nature nocturnal creatures. Another reason for the annual winter resident migration is the end of the hurricane season on Nov. 30. We have been given a rhetorical "all clear" to coincide with our wonderful winter weather. Incidentally, we also have our first reality check. Just one week after the close of the 2001 season we already have the forecast for the 2002 hurricane season.

The annual tropical storm forecast has been released by Dr. William Gray and his staff at Colorado State University (http://typhoon.atrnos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2002/fcst2002/). The 2002 season is predicted to be busier than the previous six years, with the Southeast, including the Florida peninsula, rated at a 58% chance of being struck by a Category 3,4, or 5 storm. The average for the last century is 31 percent.

The forecast for 2002 includes 13 named storms, eight of which will be hurricanes. Four of those storms are predicted to be intense. Thomas Milligan and Jennifer Dimas, Colorado State University media representatives, (970) 491-6432, are available to answer various questions about the forecast.

I only report the numbers, I don't create them.

A recent forum on on disaster preparedness held in Port Charlotte failed to attract more than a few attendees. Of course, listening to officials preach doom and gloom immediately before a season of cheer and goodwill was not an example of astute marketing, especially when charging a $2 donation

for the New York relief fund when everyone has read about the new York Red Cross Relief fund no longer accepting donations.

It probably didn't help by holding the forum three days after the close of the hurricane season, either. The perpetually worried residents who believe they are now safe for six more months would much rather go shopping.

Speaking of shopping, no reason to rush, I still have four more days.

George Mindling © 2001

George Mindling Column 2-16-2001 - Read Any Good EULAs?

Read Any Good EULAs?

Imagine my surprise when I found out I had given an Internet, dot-com company the right to read and transmit data from my hard drive to their database every time I logged on to the Internet!

I was really upset my "firewall" program had failed to protect my PC when I first discovered data from my PC being transmitted to an unknown collector of my personal data. I thought I was safe from this invasion of privacy. After all, I had installed not only the latest anti-virus program, but the latest Internet Firewall Program as well.

In addition, I subscribe to an update service which regularly installs the latest changes to both programs. How then. did this company gain access to read and collect data from my hard drive? Simple! I gave it to them.

I did it when I failed to read the EULA, or End Users License Agreement, that is included in practically every software program you'll ever install on a personal computer. Oh, you don't read the fine print on the software "I agree" page during software installation? Neither did I. After giving the usually standard EULA page a cursory glance, I usually click on the agree button to get the installation process rolling. The EULA usually states the same basic rights of ownership and non-copying provisions that arc similar to all programs.

Surprise! Surprise! Read all of them from now on, things are changing in the software world. As most people know, you don't buy software, you lease it. You do not own the programs you buy, you simply have the right to use them. If you did own the software. you could alter a program or rename it and sell it as a product of your own. You specifically agree not to do that when you click on the "agree button," or in some cases, when you open the container the software was shipped in. You don't own the right to a song on an audio tape or a CD; likewise, you don't own the programs on the diskettes or CD, either.

The problem is hidden deep in the many pages of fine print most people skip when installing software. My agreement to allow the authors of the software program 1 bought to have access to my data was in a paragraph buried deep in the EULA that I assumed was harmless. I tried to print it out, but only small pieces of text can he printed at any given time. making it difficult to print out for a legal review.

Basically, the paragraph I agreed to said they could compile information they wanted and forward it at their discretion. This had nothing to do with the now famous cookies that practically every Web site posts on everyone's hard drives. The software routines that collected my data had nothing to do with the program I had installed, even though the program was related to Internet and Web page usage. I immediately uninstalled the program, but they had left a hook requiring me to reload my browser. and eventually reload Windows 98 before I was clear of the unwanted program.

I'm not sure how they avoided my firewall program, but I'm sure from now on I'll read the fine print!

George Mindling © 2001

George Mindling Column 11-16-2001 - The Best and the Worst

The Best and the Worst

When World War III started on Sept. 11, communications technology was put to the supreme test in New York City. While we struggle to understand the barbaric attack on innocent civilians by a primitive, medieval tribal society, we have found again that ingenuity and resolve rises against incredible obstacles.

The loss of the World Trade towers was a devastating blow in ways not always visible to the television cameras. The loss of Con Ed's power grid and the loss of most of the areas telephone exchanges brought communications in the area to an absolute standstill. One of the technologies ironically being tested in the area at the time of the sneak attack, was FSO, or Free-Space Optics. a trade marl of Lightpointe Inc. (http://www.lightpointe.com).

Fiber optics have been used for many years to replace traditional copper transmission media. By inputting controlled, disciplined light, usually by laser, into a fiberglass "pipe," fiber optics has elevated communications to new levels of speed and efficiency.

Ironically, the technology being tested in New York was a laser transmission and reception system without the fiber-optic cable. The system uses "line of sight," which means the transmitting and receiving stations must physically be able to see each other. Lightpointe was being tested by a BLEC (Building Local Exchange Carrier), Rockefeller Group Telecom Services. The FSO system replaced two high speed T-l trunks Without the need to run cables or access any part of a physical network.

The equipment was installed using switches and PBXs available from unaffected customers outside the

boundaries of the affected area. Lightpointe claims the equipment can normally be set-up in a few hours as there is no spectrum licensing required. FSO is considered an optical medium. not a wireless one.

There are several planning issues about environmentally protecting the "light beam." Physical obstructions, such as a bird flying between the two transceivers, would cause a momentary but not unrecoverable loss of carrier and data. Rain or snow, however. have little or no effect on the system . According to Lightpointe, the only natural impediment to the flow of data is fog. as it disperses the light through the suspended water droplets.

Whether or not FSO is adapted by industry for standard use remains to be seen. The fact that it was adapted to solve a crises in communication proves that ingenuity and quick thinking is alive and well in this country. The FSO story is but one of many about replacing damaged telephone or data systems in the area around the World Trade center. While many systems are back in business in the surrounding area with backup or temporary facilities, repairing all of the power grids and networks is a monumental task that cannot be completed until the final bit of debris is removed.

When history looks back at us in a thousand years, will they see another Rome, defeated by the Barbarians, or will they see that the United States and the rest of the unified Free World triumphed over evil? It will take far more than technology to win; but it certainly showcases the ability to rise above adversity and terror, and the ability to think on our feet.

George Mindling © 2001

George Mindling Column 10-19-2001 - Business Disaster Planning

Business Disaster Planning

Not everything has changed since Sept. 11, when terrorists struck a devastating blow against the United States by attacking innocent civilians going about the business of leading their daily lives. The "business of business" continues, although for some enterprises with much less enthusiasm than before the attacks. What had been a hard, often lean piece of a business operating budget has suddenly become a major part of the operating expenses for many firms: planning for disaster.

Those of us in the disaster preparedness business have been involved with many new customers who had never considered the loss of their income due to someone simply opening a letter in their mail room. Unfortunately, the role of disaster preparedness for business has stepped far beyond hurricanes and floods. The loss of a business due to the yellow police tape is now a glaring reminder that the terrorists are striking at the very business core of our way of life.

While many newcomers to the business world consider the requirement for disaster planning "morbid," they soon find that not being able to see the overall operating picture of a cost center or profit center in the whole corporate plan will lead to obstacles that will prevent recovering the business to a level of profitability.

A simple business impact analysis, the first step in any recovery plan. will determine what the loss of any given component of a business means to the survivability of the business as a whole. Personnel plans are as important as relocation of facilities or recovering the computer room. A business recovery plan now considers the Information Technology and Systems functions as an integral part of the overall business recovery plan, not just the only or most important component of the plan. The corporate disaster recovery perception has now grown to accomplish all facets of a business, from inventory replenishment to contacting family members of employees as part of their integrated relocation plan.

At least one firm even has added planning for emergency care for employees' pets. Not being able to relocate a valuable team member because no one could take care of a cat seems like a trivial problem, but it has already happened.

Most major corporations have a "hot site" under contract for their computer services. A "hot site" has computer mainframes and server farms ready to run the customers software as soon as the customer arrives at the hot site with backup programs and data. Now they are actively searching for emergency facilities just for their office people, whether administration, sales or service.

Pretend on Monday morning you can't get in your office or building. Pretend the police or the FBI tell you no one is going inside your business for weeks. Make all of your employees stand in the parking lot for an hour, then tell them not come back to work.

It won't take long to get the idea it could happen to any of us. .

George Mindling © 2001

George Mindling Column 9-21-2001- Half Over

Hurricane Season Is Half Over

The hurricane season is half over and we've just had our first tropical storm! If you didn't do any preparations for the possibility of getting blown away, congratulations! You are half-way home without lifting a finger!

If, on the other hand, we get really nailed before the sea s on is over, well, too bad. Maybe you can recover from the damage and maybe you can't. A complete lack of planning generally results in a bankrupt business. Tropical Storm Gabrielle was a wake up call for all businesses in Charlotte County.

There are many areas of assistance for small businesses here in the Charlotte County. Even the Chamber of Commerce has a free CD to enlighten the small business owner about disaster preparedness. Preparing for your business is different than preparing for your home or boat. In your home, making the house habitable again is the prime concern.

Without power, if there is no glass to repair your broken windows, no power for the air conditioning, and no screens for the windows, the Florida heat and bugs will make life pretty miserable.

Cooking on a camp stove becomes routine and ice becomes more important than you could ever believe. Your refrigerator will stink. Tap water becomes undrinkable. The word visquine becomes part of your vocabulary. Staying dry with temporary roofing and sleeping without nature's intruders becomes a way of life. Your business, however, faces a far different set of problems.

The loss of cash flow from a disaster will undoubtedly impact your business, perhaps causing bankruptcy. A loss of power for several days may be just an inconvenience, nothing more than dead batteries in your cell phone and two or three days of lost revenue.

Flooding may keep customers away for several days, if it doesn't ruin your inventory. Most businesses can suffer several days loss without having to close the doors permanently. However, putting a new roof on your building or getting a new Certificate of Occupancy may take six months to a year. maybe longer .

Many buildings, shopping centers, and malls in South Florida were severely damaged and unusable (or more than a year after Andrew. Many businesses did not reopen. Even the smallest firm should have some form of Business Continuity Plan. It doesn't have to be a multi-volume set of binders, just a plan to get the company back on its feet. Identifying the risks to a company and developing a plan to repair, replace or substitute those items are the premise of any plan.

One of the prime items to have is same form of Business Continuity Insurance. It is a must-have item if you plan to maintain a company income and maintain payroll. Your responsibilities to your employees are more than making sure they have ID badges so they can return to work in a controlled or damaged area.

Remember, they are concerned about their families and houses just as you are. The loss of cash flow for them can be disastrous. But hey, the hurricane season is half over and football season is here. Let's drop the tailgate and get serious!

George Mindling © 2001

George Mindling Column 8-17-2001 - Method of Advertising

Address Your Method of Advertising

Networking is one of the most substantial methods of marketing for individual consultants and many small businesses in the services area of business. Niche or specialty services are usually offered by individual consultants or small businesses as an alternative to the services of larger firms.

Specialty advertising or, specifically, targeted advertising, such as specialty magazines, become the prime method of attracting new customers. Web positioning for Internet search engines offers "top slot" response to specific online queries or searches, but often the Web is far too global in scope.

Repeat customers, and their references, make up a good portion, if not the bulk, of the work. Word of mouth becomes as important as any other form of marketing. Advertising to the public may become a moot point if the market for a given service is so minimal as to not offset the cost of the advertising. But with lack of exposure, one of the gremlins of being a small business may attach itself to your logo .

One of the major problems with being self-employed often occurs without any sign of trouble. It comes in gradually, unnoticed until something happens and one day you realize your customers don't know the scope of services you really offer.

If you start your business by advertising certain services or products, then find over time you are no longer doing those things as a core business. you need to reevaluate your business plan. Most certainly your advertising will need to be addressed. If the profit from the change in your services is greater, then modify your plan to gradually move your advertising to the new area where you can maximize your profits.

If, however, you find you are becoming tied to non-profitable or less profitable services just as a by-product of being in business. start cutting out the time- wasting services.

You need to understand your customers probably may get confused if the "snap-back" is drastic. If services you offered are suddenly removed or reduced, your customers may feel abandoned, even hostile. The weaning period doesn't have to be as drawn out. as long as the time span that caused the problem. But if it happens immediately, be prepared for customer confusion and complaints. If you sell mouse traps that generate most of your profit. don't get caught spending your time trying to teach people about how to catch mice unless there is more profit from the teaching.

If you are teaching about catching mice for free, you will soon have standing room only with people who may just buy their mouse traps somewhere else. Should you have "value-add?", to use an old, overworked cliche? Yes, but not at the expense of losing sight of your business.

If you spend all your time teaching for free, instead of selling at a profit. you will soon be out of business. Even if you have a warehouse full of mousetraps.

George Mindling © 2001