Category: Business Interviews

Keeping the World Connected: A Tribute to the Internet

Keeping the World Connected: A Tribute to the Internet

In the day to day of working at an ISP, we feel it is important to keep people connected; but now we all understand how important this actually is.

When the pandemic really started taking hold, especially in Europe, I was hearing about trends on the internet and how things have been shifting, what it is taking to keep people connected. Higher network load, can the internet handle the increased demand being placed on it, etc.

There was also another interesting trend – how to be physically distant, but not ‘socially’ distant.

We are all in this together. I would speak to friends in Canada or Australia or all over the United States. It is the same everywhere.

Here are a few of the coolest things I’ve seen happening online since the COVID crisis started

Ways that ‘non-online’ business has adapted to come online

Not only has everyday life adapted to being at home, but businesses have adapted right along as well. We had a great time discussing how to adapt in the first of our webinar series.

  • Virtual Art Galleries
  • Virtual Wedding Shows
  • Bookstores selling online for the first time
  • Restaurants mobilizing their employees as delivery drivers
  • Gyms that teach classes live

It’s inspiring to see how we are all adapting and doing it so well.

The ‘human-ness’ of everyone working from home

One thing that I have noticed in working from home now is that I can allow interruptions more often. Here is what I mean by that; before the telework only scenario we are in, if I took a call or had a web meeting while at home I had to make sure my kiddo didn’t come in and get something from the office while I was on the meeting. Now it happens all the time, and we are finding that it isn’t that big of a deal.

Dogs barking, people coming into the meeting room, noise in the background, etc. is all part of everyone’s workday as a remote worker… and everyone is taking a deep breath and having grace on everyone else for it.

The trend is still moving toward a more remote future

This week Twitter announced that staff can continue to work from home permanently, and California State University is cancelling in-person classes this fall.

Many business leaders the past few weeks talk about these and other trends that we are seeing is a massive shift in the world and the need to keep people connected. Not just the shift we have all experienced the last few months, but a shift that will allow more and more remote and digital education and workplaces in the years to come.

In our webinar this week we explored ways that businesses can shift toward a more full and expansive online presence to keep them relevant in the months and years to come.

Location, Location, Location: From Main Street to Main Stream

Alyrica Business Interview – Oregon Wedding Showcase

Alyrica Business Interview – Oregon Wedding Showcase

I had a great talk with Judy of Oregon Wedding Showcase! We talked about what they are doing as a company and industry to adapt to the COVID-19 situation. Thanks Judy!

Alyrica Business Interviews – Grout Genius & Platinum Exterior Cleaning

Alyrica Business Interviews – Grout Genius & Platinum Exterior Cleaning

With the COVID-19 crisis, we reached out to businesses that use Alyrica to ask them how things are going and what they are learning.

This interview is not verbatim, but a summary of the answers in an abridged format.

Tell me about your business, how did you get started, what do you do, how do people find you?

I have 2 businesses. The first I started 14 years ago called Grout Genius which does grout and tile restoration and has evolved to natural stone restoration as well. January of this year I also started Platinum Exterior Cleaning which does roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, exterior siding cleaning and driveway cleaning as well.

What things have changed for your business since the COVID-19 crisis; how have you had to adapt?

From the Grout Genius side, most people don’t want people in their house right now which is understandable. On that side, the business has ground down to a stop. I have been reaching out to restaurants letting them know that right now with the kitchen open and the front closed, this is a perfect time for us to come in and clean and restore grout right now since there are no customers in there.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome during this time?

I am working on how-to videos to put out there for people so they can fix some things themselves as they are sitting it home.

What has been the most inspiring thing that you and your team have done as a result of having to adapt?

I’m able to do a lot of things where I don’t have to actually interact with people. Platinum cleaning just started in January but I can do everything without meeting the person face to face. I can walk around the property, give estimates via email, confirm the work and do the work which has been really nice. People staying home right now are realizing that things still need to be cleaned, especially since they are seeing it all the time!

What do you look forward to most in terms of personal or business life that you are wanting to get back to when we get through this?

Right now the boat ramps are all closed so we can’t go fishing! I also love going kayaking, hiking in the mountains, camping, etc.

Any words of encouragement to people or businesses right now?

Keep grinding! Keep putting things out there to help and educate people.

How can people find your business?

I just give people my cell: 541-954-1164 or visit my website at groutgenius.com