Thursday, May 31, 2012

Change Management - Coping With Change

Change Management is one of the most common reasons why organisations from the Private or Public Sectors approach Impact Executives for interim managers, who are skilled at handling the most complex of change management programmes, sometimes across different geographies.

Change can occur for lots of different reasons, from the challenges of growth that an organisation is facing, changing global markets, changes in strategy, technological change, competitive processes including M&A, customer pressures or shifting markets.

Web Development

Research shows that organizations are undergoing major change on average every 3 years, whilst smaller changes are occurring almost continually, and there are certainly no signs in the current economic climate that this will alter. Whilst each change is unique, Interim Managers can introduce different models; the two frequently adopted are either Lewin and Beer or Shaw's model.

Change Management - Coping With Change

Using an interim change manager
But at the end of the day an interim manager has seen it all before and can draw on their immense change management experience, bringing with them sound programme and project management experience. They will understand how to pre-empt stakeholder concerns and possess the leadership skills to effectively communicate, facilitate and coach those resistant to change. Hand-holding those who require it to cope with change, together with all the issues surrounding re-alignment, performance management and motivation. Above all, they will remember that everyone reacts differently to change and has differing fundamental needs that have to be met. Change often involves a loss and people go through a 'loss curve' where expectations need to be managed realistically and fears need to be addressed.

Change management will often involve interim managers playing a leading role in introducing new structures and systems. Above all a seasoned Interim Manager will deliver a change management programme on time and on budget.

Change Management - Coping With Change

Impact Executives

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Set Up FTP Server Using FileZilla on Windows 7

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, if you want to know more about it, you can check it out at Wikipedia. FTP is actually getting less popular nowadays as users have lots of other protocols to exchange files, P2P especially BT. FTP, however, is still playing a very important role.

Let's say, if you have a file that's about 300MB and you would like to send it over to your friend oversea immediately. What would you do? Usually emails have attachment limit (usually it's not as high as 300MB) and it will be extremely slow and unstable if you try to transfer over instant messenger software like MSN. The best solution will be setting up your own FTP server at home and authorize your friend to download from your computer. Mind as well, you can set up an account so that you can view all of your files and grab them wherever you go.

Web Development

If have already set up your remote desktop at home, you will probably leave the computer on 24*7 just so that you can access it any time you want. Or if you have a spare computer like I do, why don't you try to make use of it? I am going to show you how you can make your computer into a FTP server.

Set Up FTP Server Using FileZilla on Windows 7

After trying a couple of the FTP server software, the freeware FileZilla Server became my choice.

OK, let's get started.

The first thing you will need to do is to install the package you just downloaded (from the above link); the installation is quite straight forward and I am not going to get into too detail.

Upon successful installation, FileZilla server will launch and you should be able to see the following interface:

Before we go ahead and set it up the ports, we would like to add a user to make sure it works. We will go to choose from "Edit-->Users" (Or there is a shortcut icon right underneath the "Edit" on the menu bar.)

I created a user named "anonymous", and I make sure the "Password" field is uncheck because I would like to make this as my public FTP account that visitors could download from my FTP server. If you would like to set up other accounts, make sure your "Password" filed is checked to enforce a secure login. For different users, you can assign different path, or you can just create a group and assign the path to all members in that group.

On the left hand side, you will see the "Shared folders", you can specify the folder path you would like "anonymous" to look at as well as the permission you would like to grant. Once it's done, click OK.

Note: The shared folder directories is the root folder that the selected user (in this case, it's "anonymous") could see, but any folders contained by root folders are also visible to this user.

The common thing Windows users would probably miss while setting up FileZilla is the Firewall. Over the installation, even though you grant permission for FileZilla server to access your computer resources, there is something not quite correctly set up.

Browse to your firewall setting, you should be able to find FileZilla Server Interface might be in the allow list; however, this is the problem. We should allow the FileZilla Server core instead of the interface. The interface is just the UI for end users like you and me to access the core program. So we click add to choose "FileZilla Server" from the installation folder:

Now it should be OK.

If you have two or more computers at home, you can give it a test now. First find out your internal IP address. If you don't know how to do it, check my previous post, set up your remote desktop. For example, I found that my server's internal IP is 192.168.1.111, then on the other computer, I simply type in ftp://192.168.1.111.

Note: If you have a different port other than port 21, let's say you have port 22, you should type in ftp://192.168.1.111:22 if you don't know what port it is, it's actually under setting-->General setting: If it works for you, we will move on; otherwise, please read the instructions again or ask me.

FTP server is meant to be exit in a network, if you just try to set it up at home, then you are done; but according to the situations I introduced in my first paragraphs, I do want to make it global.

Like a Remote Desktop, we will also need to set up port forwarding. In my case, since my FileZilla Server is on Port 21 on my computer, I will need to somehow forward the FTP request onto this port. Ideally, it would be great if we can set up port 21 as external port because every time we type in the address, we don't need to type in the port number (Browser's default FTP port is port 21). However, most of the ISP (Internet Service Provider), for example I use Telus, block port 21. We will need to find an alternate port as our external port:

I set up Port 5050 as my external port and all FTP request through this port will be redirect to Port 21 on my server. I am using D-Link DIR-825, if you have different router, please refer to the instruction on your manual.

If you set up your Dynamic DNS, then you are already done, if not, please go back and read my post; it's extremely easy.

Let's say you have your Dynamic DNS name as myServerAtHome.no-ip.org, then when you are outside, you can simply type in ftp://myServerAtHome.no-ip.org:5050, but if you are at home, you can just type in ftp://192.168.1.111.

You can use your browsers to visit your FTP server, however, I do recommend you to use FTP software. FileZilla Server is a great FTP server and they do have client software too. You can check FileZilla's website; if you haven't got one, why don't you try FileZilla Client?

Set Up FTP Server Using FileZilla on Windows 7

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

How Much Does an Average Website Cost?

This is a question that is often asked by businesses that are trying to price out companies for web design and development. Before we get started I want to note that there is a difference between website design, website development, and web marketing. The differences are listed below:

Website Design - creating the overall layout, design/look and feel of a website. Developing the flow of how a page will look or where the content of the site will be placed. Website Development - Taking the website design and bringing it to life via HTML/CSS and/or other web scripting/programming languages. Also, website development is the process of adding additional functionality to an existing website such as eCommerce, content management systems, and etc... Web Marketing - taking the designed and developed website and promoting it via the web. Using outlets such as social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click, and etc...

Web Development

These services are usually intertwined when a company or person is explaining that they need web work done. With that out of the way let's go into the reasons why web companies/freelancers charge what they charge and how they come up with their price.

How Much Does an Average Website Cost?

How is price determined?

There are many aspects to consider when pricing out a project, but the main one is time. A freelancer/web firm will listen to you (the prospective client) explain the website of your dreams and from there they will base the price around what was discussed.

Some things that will increase the price are, the time frame in which the project is to be completed, support, consultation, or detouring from the original scope of work.

Other factors that go into creating a price quote for web services are the amount of resources, experience, and knowledge of the professional(s). The more value that can be offered the higher the price quote will be. For instance freelancers are often only equipped to perform one or two services while a team of web professionals are prepared to deliver in all areas.

Solutions such as templates, website builders, or other out of the box services can be priced fairly cheap due to the lack of customization. Also, note that some of these services have recurring monthly or yearly fees.

How will I be billed?

There are a couple of common ways to bill; one is to require half up front and half on delivery of the project. Let's say that the grand total of your project is 00.00 before any work could be initiated you would be required to put down 50%. The other 50% is due after the agreed upon scope of work is completed. Other variations can be a 50% upfront, 25% on first set of deliverables, and the final 25% on project completion.

Another way is to be billed hourly. Being billed hourly seems to be the less popular way when getting a website developed. Most of the time billing hourly comes into play when providing advice or after a project runs longer than expected. Monthly fees usually occur with web hosting packages or if you agree to some type of maintenance plan.

What does the standard website package come with?

This will be based on what you have explained to the professional and what they can offer you. If you express that you need a website redesign you will get website design. If you say that you need to rank higher on Google or Yahoo then web marketing will be the primary focus.

As stated before each scenario and each company or freelancer is limited to the skills that they have acquired. Generally speaking if you have no website at bare minimum you should be offered a domain and hosting package (to keep your files and make them visible by visitors). Although, the company that you choose to take care of your web project may not have in house servers they usually know or work closely with a web host.

Should I budget for my web project?

The answer is yes, however if you have never had a site developed before it may be wise to ask others website owners how much they spent on their website. Ask others how the process went and what items/materials you need before you go calling every web company in town. Keep in mind that websites should be built with room to scale with the growth of your company, unless specified otherwise. Today your need may only be to have an online location to display information about your products or services and tomorrow you may need to provide a way for your customers to order online. A well thought out website will be able to handle this transition.

Determine what you need your site to do for you - do you need to inform others on the services or types of products that you sell? Do you need to sell items online? Do you need to create an online community revolved around a theme or set of topics? Write out how a website will help leverage your business, or if you are doing business solely on the web explain in greater detail the process on how you will make money or see a return. A brief explanation is always nice to hand over to a web specialist so that they can have a little guidance and understanding on what is valuable to you, also it will let them make suggestions based on what has worked for previous clients.

Show me the numbers... what can I expect to pay?

If you are like me you want to have a general idea on how much something cost so you do not have to waste time on calling around only find out that you are not prepared. So, I have put together some generic numbers to help illustrate how much you should expect to spend. Keep in mind that these prices are not in relation to any one company they are just the ranges of what I have seen or heard. Also, remember that each firm/freelancer charges differently, you may have to pay all up front, half, 25% or make some type of deposit to get work started.

On with the prices!

Simplistic Brochure Website (next to no functionality/no dynamic content)
This is a great place to start out at if you have never had a website created before. Typically the services included are a custom web design and HTML/CSS coding to bring the design to life. If anything such as a contact form, animation(s), or anything extra outside of the design and development scope you will be charged extra. Remember these are the lowest prices I have seen or heard of, I am not claiming that you will receive superior craftsmanship at these prices but it will certainly get you a website.

Freelance price: 0.00 +
Web firm price: 00.00 +

Expert Advice: Always strive to have work done by the most professional and service friendly. The higher price does not always reflect skill or more importantly people skills. A lot of my clients are ones who have made a switch from a company that never answers the phone or doesn't do what they are supposed to do. Dig deeper than the portfolio, do not ignore it just dig a little deeper and see how he/she handles business.

eCommerce Website (add/edit/delete products or information)
eCommerce websites can and should be used in addition to your physical store front. The only difference is that the physical more than likely closes at night and the online location stays open day and night - year round. When looking to get an eCommerce website built you should consider the ease of use (adding/deleting/editing items in the inventory), stability, and how well does it integrate with your current site (assuming you have one).

Freelance Price: 0.00 +
Web firm Price: 00.00 +

Expert Advice: If you do not have a 00.00 plus budget I would suggest going with a freelancer or student. Start out small and upgrade! It makes no sense to pour tons of money into something that you have no idea on where it will lead you. If you are a start up company focus on bringing in revenue first and come back and get the bells and whistles. However, make sure that you will end up with a professional and presentable site; no one will buy if the site doesn't look legit. Remember, money doesn't automatically go into your bank account if you spend 00.00 bucks on a website. Evaluate where your business is now and think about where you would like your website to help take it in the near future.

Interactive Website (add/edit/delete content, publish articles, visitor engagement)
Interactive websites are websites that keep your attention and have you coming back hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc... These sites are ones that display your favorite celebrity gossip, catch up on sports scores, or watch funny videos online. These sites are database driven and heavy on the dynamic content. Because, these sites are reliant on a database and require heavy back end programming the price sky rockets. Also, these sites are often found by search engines and have a way of self marketing themselves based off of their content.

Freelance Price: N/A
Web Firm Price: ,000.00 +

Expert Advice: If you have never had a website built before I would suggest looking for free or low priced alternatives. There are plenty out of the box solutions that will get the ball rolling, you can always upgrade later. Also, if you are just starting out on the web creating or finding fresh content may be overwhelming at first. Sites like these tend to snowball and turn into a frequently visited site, unless you have tons of marketing dollars to back it up.

No matter which way you plan to go always think ahead and be prepare yourself for the amount of time and money you may have to put in for your business to take that next step, or to serve your customers better and faster. As I stated earlier in this article evaluate where your business is now and think about where you would like your website to help take it in the near future. Define your goals up front and be sure not to over or under do it and if you are not sure, always get a second opinion.

How Much Does an Average Website Cost?

Hello Readers! My name is Lawrence C. Scott, Jr. I am an expert in all things web related that will help leverage your products, services, or yourself. I believe in information that you can take and apply to your current efforts now, not after you buy a series of products. Let's grow together and share ideas and good information. Remember, if there is a topic that you would like me to cover please contact me by visiting my website at http://www.lscott3.com.

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Friday, May 18, 2012

How To Get a Man To Commit - Get Him To Commit Now!

You want to know how to get a man to commit? This can be pretty easy if you know how men think.

In this article I'll give you the basic information on how to get a guy to commit and I'll also share with you how men think.

I would like to salute every ladies that read this article and add that I'm very proud of you girls!

I understand how you may feel sometime and it hurt a lot.

Now it's time to take control of your life and get what you want without being pushy.
First of all, you might be wondering why he won't commit with you?

There are a lot of reason why a man won't commit but we are going to solve this problem don't worry!

To be able to get a man to commit you need to do the following basic things.

1. Don't try to win him over. You don't want to be his mom or his friend so please stop trying too hard by giving him everything, cleaning everything and making him dinner every night.

2. Tell him what you want. You are not here to let him control the whole relationship even if he's the man. Be honest and direct. Keep it short and simple. You want him to know that you are not here to play and wait until he finally decide what he wants. He must tell you the true about what he wants also.

3. Don't push him away. Stop being needy and be a little bit more independent. Men are scared of losing the woman they flirt with when they see her as an independent woman. You need to live on your own terms. This point is one of the most powerful tool you can use to get him to commit.

4. Give him some time. Have you ever heard of this quote "absence makes the heart grow fonder"?. Well this is true. You have to let him realize how important you are in his life in order to get him to commit.

5. Get more value. Men value more the women they chase for. So you don't want to be the chaser you want to be the one who is chase. There are a lot of little trigger that will make him chase you and I reveal it on my website only. This information is basic but you can still get a man to commit if you master these.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7038855