by Michael Reinhart | Mar 31, 2013 | Business, Highlights, LightSpeed POS, Small Business
One of the most exciting things that can happen for small business owners when they implement a great system like LightSpeed, is the clarity with which they begin to see how they’re doing things… IF the implementation process includes a properly performed Requirements Analysis. Almost always, we find and define processes that are either failing, redundant, or unnecessary.
That’s the way we’ve always done it.
Many, many times, I’ve been asked if LightSpeed can provide a certain report, capture a certain piece of information, ring a certain bell, or scratch a certain itch– and in most cases, the need for these things can’t be explained… “that’s just the way we’ve always done it”
There’s a reason why my company uses a stylized Ensō symbol as part of its logo. Running your business should be simple and LightSpeed, if approached properly, lets you do that. Ensō symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create, and running your business should be like this. Some of the best free advice I can give a client is to free themselves of their old business dogma– do (or have done) a complete Business Process Analysis, and if you’re choosing a new system, a Business Requirements Analysis.
Business Analysts use a technique called Root Cause Analysis. It combines a bunch of tools, one of which is sometimes the “5 Whys”– an iterative way to get to the root of a problem. The thing that I love pointing out to my clients while we’re going through this exercise, is that people do not fail, processes fail. By carefully analyzing your methods, policies, procedures, and rules is the starting point. Letting go is the next step.
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by Michael Reinhart | Sep 18, 2012 | Business, LightSpeed POS, Small Business
I’ve created this handy printable reference page that make it easy to talk to my clients about the various sizes of labels available in LightSpeed when using one of the Dymo LabelWriter printers.
by Michael Reinhart | Jun 6, 2012 | Highlights, LightSpeed POS
Over on Kristin’s LightSpeedGuru blog, he talks about using an iPad as a POS terminal complete with printing.
It’s a fantastic idea, and the latest version of LightSpeed for iPad makes it mostly possible. The thrust of that specific blog describes using a special networkable version of the Star TSP100 printer geographically close to the iPad, presumably at your front counter.
But there is another way. Enter the Apple Airport Express ($99). This unsung hero of small office networking allows you to connect USB printers to it (more than one if you use a USB hub). So if you already have a non-network-ready Star receipt printer, simply connect it to one of these, in turn connected to your network, and you’re golden. Simply point your LightSpeed server at the shared Star printer.
In our office, at our front counter, we have 2 Dymo label printers and a Star receipt printer connected to an Airport Express and our world is printing heaven, from ANY of our devices.
by Michael Reinhart | May 12, 2012 | Highlights, LightSpeed POS
On my trip to Paris, mixing a little business with pleasure, I’ve noticed that there are quite a few retailers with Macs at the front counter. Less so in the big money / “touristy” areas like the Champs-Elysées, but more so in the smaller parts of town like Saint Germain des Prés– about 1 in 5 of the boutiques I encountered had a Mac of some kind front-and-centre.
These smaller parts of town where the smaller boutiques thrive are the heart of Paris. The place where the real people and culture come together. The merchants do a good business and are revered by the local people.
Talking with one of these merchants, at the place pictured above, she was unaware that there was a POS system for the Mac. At her store, they’re using a Windows based POS in a Virtual Machine. When I explained LightSpeed to her, she was delighted, expressing her love for her Mac.
From the beautiful ladies prêt-à-porter boutiques to wine merchants run by the same family for generations– clearly, in Paris, the Mac is valued for its gorgeous design and functionality.
by Michael Reinhart | Apr 27, 2012 | Highlights, LightSpeed POS
Most small to medium sized businesses shouldn’t require a dedicated I.T. Department.
With years of experience in Business Analysis, I can help your small business to:
- Increase sales
- Save money
- Save time
- Simplify work
- Fully exploit technology
- Manage your business anytime, any place
- Harvest business metrics for decision making
- Compete with “the big guys”
I can become your personal business technology advisor, helping you to understand this stuff.
Call me at 888 647-7002 for a free consultation to find out how.
