Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

In this holiday message episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss the importance of intuition and trusting one's gut instincts in business and life. They emphasize the significance of mental and physical health, encouraging listeners to take care of themselves and stay vigilant about their overall wellness. Reflecting on the stressors of work and client relationships, they advocate for finding balance, taking breaks, and not glorifying overworking. As they wrap up, they wish their audience a happy holiday, urging them to disconnect and relax while continuing to support the podcast.

In this episode of Command Control Power, Andy Espo from Call Andy Mac Consulting joins the discussion once again. The conversation kicks off with humorous banter about appearances and jackets before delving into serious tech talk. Andy shares the complexities of installing and upgrading network infrastructure in high-end residential projects, especially in challenging environments like old houses and concrete structures. He emphasizes the importance of discerning client relationships, meticulous planning, and ensuring proper execution by contractors. Andy also discusses strategies for building trust with clients, effective communication, and the shift towards managed services amid growing cybersecurity concerns. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of networking and building strategic partnerships with clients.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:41 High-End Residential Work

01:55 Challenges in Network Installations

04:47 WiFi Planning and Intuition

09:18 Client Education and Expectations

10:57 Working with Contractors

17:07 Common Wiring Issues

20:35 Ensuring Quality and Client Satisfaction

29:05 The Importance of Redundancy in Wiring

29:27 Challenges with Daisy Chaining and Switches

29:56 The Frustration of Poor Wiring in High-End Homes

31:01 The Impact of Construction Materials on WiFi Performance

32:42 The Shift to Managed Services and Cybersecurity

34:40 The Importance of Cyber Insurance

40:56 Efficiency Loss and Productivity in IT

45:30 The Art of Communicating Value to Clients

50:36 Building Strategic Partnerships

52:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recorded live June 3, 2014

Tim Cook quoting Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, ZDNet: "With vulnerabilities such as Heartbleed and Pileup likely to go unpatched on tens, if not hundreds of millions of Android devices, the platform is fast becoming a toxic hellstew that should send chills down the spines of IT admins."

Yosemite and iOS 8 initial impressions

How the OS X Beta Program will affect us as Apple consultants; expect overzealous clients to call for help troubleshooting issues with pre-release software

Family Sharing looks great for home users, but still no way to migrate purchases or merge Apple IDs

Sam reports that AirDrop works between Yosemite and iOS 7

Joe reports that Apple Store is no longer accepting machines at the Genius Bar using "Quick Drop"

Jerry reports that Genius Bar has been lenient when accepting machines from consultants on behalf of clients; no signed letter needed

Difficulty offering help as a Consultant in the Apple Store; would be nice if Apple would more readily refer clients to us as they tend to be thrilled when they eventually do find us

Joe had fun configuring an Automator workflow for a client referred (eventually) by the Apple Store

The Craig Federighi Show from Jonathan Mann

• This week we welcome long time supporter of the show, Tim Pearson of Creative Techs.

• Tim joins us as a co-host.

• He talks about traveling on the ferry to do onsite work.

• The group discusses the wildfires out west.

• Tim shares a story about the time he made a mistake of wearing a Star Wars shirt, causing his meeting to go way overtime.

• The group helps Tim with approaching a mistake he made in his business.

• Jerry's talks about the "Screwdriver Effect"

• Getting fired by a client is a great opportunity to take another look at how you do things.

• Everyone discusses MSP and contracts with clients.

• How are the group members finding new work throughout the pandemic?

• Sam explains how he started getting referrals from the Apple stores.

• The group talks about the Apple Consultants Network program and its benefits.

• What is everyone seeing regarding to employees coming back to the offices?

• Some people work better in offices and some at home.

• Do you have employees or paid friends?

Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, thaey discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss a variety of topics including a nostalgic throwback to a wrestling match they attended, the latest release of the MacBook Pro with M5 chip, and the implications of larger storage options. They dive into the specifics of the new 'Launch Angels' folder found in macOS 14, differences in storage drives, and the practical uses of Google Gemini for locating a lost MacBook. Additionally, they highlight the pros and cons of Amazon purchases, and share personal stories involving client interactions and unique tech mishaps. The episode wraps up with a teaser for the next Patreon-only episode focusing on marketing strategies using Canva.

00:00 Introduction and Nostalgia

00:47 Wrestling Memories and Family Connections

01:58 New MacBook Pro with M5 Chip

06:03 Storage Needs and Solutions

14:09 Smart TVs vs. Apple TV

19:39 AirPods Pro Discussion

25:32 Meeting in Boulder and Casa Bonita

27:59 Planning Future Meetups

28:15 Discussing Canva and Managed Service Plans

28:40 Launch Angels Folder Discovery

31:41 Apple Music and Third-Party Services

32:46 Bluetooth Adapters for Airplanes

34:17 Amazon Purchases and Returns

40:10 Printer Ink Scams and Issues

51:05 Client Stories and AI Assistance

56:29 Conclusion and Patreon Promotion

In this episode of Command Control Power, Jerry discusses his recent experience in acquiring a rescue puppy and managing interactions between his pets. The hosts delve into challenges faced with client device management, particularly focusing on issues related to Apple's Jamf Pro and the importance of having full control over devices. They share various client anecdotes and mishaps, including managing clients' attempts to self-solve tech issues leading to greater problems. Additionally, the episode covers a significant mishap involving Jerry's mailing list being flooded with fake emails and subsequent data loss, emphasizing the necessity of backing up contact lists. The episode also teases upcoming content on using tools like Canva and GPT for marketing and drafting terms of service.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:39 Puppy Adoption Story

01:55 Client Troubles with Jamf Pro

07:42 Client Self-Management Issues

12:55 Printer and Network Troubles

19:38 Personal Tech Mishaps

23:25 Data Recovery Challenges

26:50 Client Communication Challenges

27:37 The Importance of Data Backup

28:49 Newsletter Management and MailChimp Issues

36:05 Dealing with Spam and Contact List Problems

40:41 Lessons Learned and Future Plans

49:32 Exploring Marketing Tools and Strategies

54:25 Conclusion and Patreon Promotion