3/12/10Hiring Hindrances
What To Avoid When You’re Looking To Increase Your Staff
Excerpted From Processor, March 12, 2010, Vol.32 Issue 6
With all the technological complexity of running networks, Web sites, and application databases, the mundane matters of staffing a data center or IT department can fall off the radar. But even in a tight job market, every IT manager has to hire someone now and again. Here are some mistakes to avoid if you can when you fill a new or existing position.
“Ask them questions that are ‘success-based,’” says Jeff Grace, president of NetEffect, a provider of computer and IT support and consulting (www.neteffect-it.com). “If they can list examples of situations where they’ve achieved results similar to what you’re looking for, they’re a good potential fit. If they hem and haw when you ask them to provide examples of what they know and what they can do, then they probably don’t have the skill or ability you’re looking for.”
By Holly Dolezalek
2/9/10
Keeping Morale Afloat
Employers talk about how they've maintained strong employee performance
Excerpted From Las Vegas Business Press, February 8, 2010
Few factors damage employee morale more than a lack of control over their work life. They need to know that they're part of the answer to a company's problems, and that they can play a role in rebuilding and recovery, Beckley said. Whether you're asking them to take on additional responsibilities, help finding new clients, or including them in problem-solving reminds employees of their importance to the company.
That understanding is partly behind NetEffect's efforts to give employees power at individual and corporate levels, Grace said.
For example, each service manager helps every engineer set performance goals for the month. The company ties part of the engineers' salaries to hitting those objectives. Though linking pay with performance in uncertain times might seem to foment insecurity, the pay-for-goals method actually boosts morale because it gives employees a sense that they're in charge of their destinies, Grace said.
Most importantly, said Grace, he's developed a "compelling saga" -- a grass-roots story designed to remind employees how they can help the company achieve its broader goals. NetEffect's main narrative these days involves rapidly growing the company with improved efficiencies and new clients, and creating a more diverse customer base that will better inoculate the business from sustained economic downturns.
"The saga we have as a company is that for us to truly succeed in this economy, we can't contract. We have to expand," Grace said.
By Jennifer Robison
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
10/9/09
Building On The Recovery
Drawing Up Data Center Building & Renovation Plans As Constricted
Budgets Begin To Relax
Excerpted From Processor, October 9, 2009, Vol.31 Issue 25
A key question for cash-strapped data center managers is figuring out what to focus on as they wait for an economic recovery and an increase in budget dollars. And when times are tough and budgets are pared back, there is no better area to focus on than simply doing more with less. Jeff Grace, president of NetEffect (www.neteffect-it.com), says the economic downturn is an excellent opportunity for IT managers to think more clearly in terms of ROI.
“The recession will linger in the minds of C-level executives for quite some time, and IT managers will be much more successful if they can present their ideas and proposals more clearly in terms of the actual business and financial benefits to their organization,” says Grace.
by Sixto Ortiz, Jr.
8/31/09
New Vegas Wireless Web Access Has High Speed, Small Footprint
Excerpted From Las Vegas Sun, August 31, 2009
Jeff Grace, a longtime Southern Nevadan who is president of NetEffect, a Las Vegas-based information technology support and consulting firm, said he has used the Clear service and found it to be reliable — although there are a few holes in the local network.
“It’s definitely faster than the wireless broadband,” he said. “I went ahead and tried the dual-mode 3G-4G plan with Sprint just to be covered around the entire valley. That also enables me to communicate when I go on out-of-town trips.”
Grace said he expects Clear to do well with consumers looking for a better way to connect with the Internet. That, he said, may not necessarily translate into a large number of business customers who may be committed to contracts with other providers.
By Richard N. Velotta
8/3/09
Recover From A Disaster
Developing & Testing A Solid Plan Is Key To Quick Data Recovery
Excerpted From Processor, July 31, 2009, Vol.31 Issue 20
For enterprises dependent on their IT operations—and today that pretty much means all of them—any kind of disaster can be potentially devastating, whether it’s a power loss or a natural disaster such as a hurricane or a tornado. No matter the form the disaster takes, any interruption in IT services means an enterprise is losing revenue and, depending on its nature, may fall out of regulatory compliance.
Disaster recovery planning is the key to avoiding or minimizing such loss and to getting your systems up and running as soon as possible. Luckily, with a few basic business needs particular to your own enterprise in hand, a disaster recovery plan can be relatively straightforward to enact.
Use a comprehensive disaster recovery checklist to make sure you analyze your infrastructure from all angles, including the ones you wouldn’t immediately think of, says Jeff Grace, president of NetEffect (www.neteffect-it.com), a computer and IT support and consulting provider.
by Jean Thilmany
3/22/09
NetEffect is proud to announce the launch of its newly-expanded website which features full support and its new Managed IT services. Thanks to Perkolate of Las Vegas for working with us!
