Learn with other nonprofits and tech pros: social media- basics and strategy, tools for donor/volunteer management and collaboration, global networking and crisis management tech, and using photography and video to tell your story.

For more information: http://chicagocounts.eventbrite.com/

Collaboration with others who are excited about what they are doing, excites me. Crossing borders/building bridges (knowledge areas, political, racial, cultural, religious, class) engages me. Integration of what I hear, what I know, and research allows me to problem solve with wisdom.

I integrate what I hear from my clients and colleagues with my past experience/study, bring fresh study to the project, and then synthesize that data for my clients and colleagues– moving us all forward in new ways.

I bring people and ideas together. When the project needs more hands, or is outside my scope of practice, I invite my competitor-colleagues to join me in the project, or refer the project outto them. By doing so, my clients get the best service I can give them, I receive their future loyalty, and my competitor-colleagues and I, both grow our businesses.

I lead with my desires, passions, and skills. By acknowledging my short-comings, by focusing on what I want to know and do, and by compensating for my short-comings by surrounding myself with people who compliment my skills sets and focus, we all get to contribute our best. Our clients win.

I am building a tech business that serves small nonprofit organizations with all the roles that an IT department would provide them, were they big enough to have one. This virtual IT department does everything from the CIO role of helping the organization envision and manage its work processes in-light of available techologies and developing budgets to do so, to unboxing and setting up the newly arrived desktop computer and configuring the router, backup system, and server, to tutoring and training.

My clients have chosen to use the Apple system for its reliabiity and stability, and which I compliment, as appropriate, with Cloud-based services. With this hybrid infrastructure, many smaller nonprofits won’t require on-site IT staff.

I like the people that have chosen to work in small nonprofits. I understand their work processes and financial cycle. I get to make a contribution to their efforts to alleviate some of the world’s pain. If I my contributions were to go beyond reduction of pain, to helping birth a more “just” world, that is even better.

I am fascinated by the efforts of those who create businesses that do good on a far grander scale. However, my contribution is helping make a difference within some part of a few Chicago neighborhoods. My task is to lift up and honor those masters of applying grand imaginations to the small local places and to help them harness technology to make that happen.

Beyond working for nonprofit organizations, I like helping small law firms and boutique retail stores implement the elegant workflows that are made possible by Apple systems– whether creating a way for electronically organizing legal documents, or setting up a beautiful point-of-sale system. And, it is always fun to get the ocassional creative professional that needs assistance with their Apple systems.

If you have read this far and have connected with some part of what I have said, I would you enjoy your introducing yourself to me.

Andrew T. Brown, his newly won iPad, and Charie Havens and Thom Clark

Community Media Workshop’s Annual Conference has an afternoon vendor fair. This year, Wooded Isle Computer Consultants held its drawing for a free iPad at that vendor fair and the iPad’s new happy owner is Andrew Brown.

Maybe, he will share it with his friends and family, but probably not for a week, or two. When you run into Mr. Brown, ask him what he thinks of it and what use he has found for it. Use the Comment section below to let us know.

It will be fun to see how these devices do get used and how they change the way we relate to computing.

When asked for my topic, I gave, “Apple, where does it fit, and why would you want it to?” I think it would be useful to round out my own ideas with input from others, who use or support Apple products. What I present at that meeting, I will post in text version on this blog.

(June 15th, I gave my presentation and have posted the notes and slides to that presentation on this web page. Take a look and add your own comments.)

Below are the responses to my original request for input on the topic:

(Add your comments below!)

• “Brian Kontrath, June 3, 2010, on LinkedIn Group– Apple Professionals, responded:
  I think discuss how Apple has been thinking outside the box, since they started. ...they thought that everyone should be able to use computers. The idea that computers could be used by ordinary people outside of science and business was really radical at the time. ...When Apple started, people thought that microcomputers were a fad and that the average person wouldn\\\\\\\'t want or need one---Apple proved them wrong. Apple came out with computers that were intuitive, friendly, useful and not intimidating---at a time when most computers were command line driven. Apple designed personal computers with graphic user interfaces but critics thought that it was a fad and that it would remain a niche market--again Apple proved critics were wrong. You could also discuss some of Apple\\\\\\\'s failures and problems and the risks of thinking outside of the box. As a framework, I\\\\\\\'d start by comparing and contrasting Apples computers and other products to those of competing companies. What made Apple different and successful? You could even discuss how Apple and other companies are moving away from traditional computers and moving towards lightweight computing devices (like the iPhone and iPad) and discuss the impact this might have on all forms of computing.”
  by http://www.linkedin.com/in/briankontrath
• “Tyronne Seneviratne, June 3, 2010, on LinkedIn Group– Apple Professionals, responded: I would talk about Apple as a company that has re-invented themselves from the brink of extinction to becoming a technological juggernaut surpassing some of the largest opposition. This was achieved with in the space of the last 13 years. Apples core competency is its leading design and development capabilities of innovative, ingenious and productive user experiences solutions.
  
  As a technological company Apple has offered a range of products from mobile phones to computers and software solutions. Apples expertise and marketing strategy has ensured that its products capture the imagination of every cross-functional age group.
  
  Where does apple fit in today’s world?
  Apple has captured the publics imagination and rejuvenated the enthusiasm in the mobile phone industry. Today Apple is the most profitable mobile phone company in the world. its products are used by millions of people across the globe. The iPhone has been a trail blazer in its field and the merging on the phone with web based services has opened up new avenues of communications and spanned new business model for delivering content to users. The iPhone has spanned many age gaps and become one of the most popular phones used by a vast cross section of the population. This success is to now being mirrored with the latest iPad. Once again Apple seemed to have innovated a new device that will change the way people use and interact with the web.”
  by http://au.linkedin.com/in/tyrones
• “Steven Goetherner, June 3, 2010, LinkedIn Group- Apple Professionals, responded: The previous posts have some points that you should use re: Apples culture and history. I would add something about the difficulty that hackers have with Apple. It is significant to me that most people do the same things on Windows and Macs - surf, email, MS-Office, pics, music, etc. (few use specialized software). Because Apple owns the hardware and the OS, they can make it rock solid. Many holes are created on the other side because Microsoft does their thing and it overlays on top of Dell, HP, etc. It has been my experience that Windows tech people can understand and appreciate this important difference. Have fun with your talk!”
  source: http://www.linkedin.com/in/softkare

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Please join us for the next gathering of the BNC Technology Group.

Presenter: Charlie Havens – Where does Apple fit and why, might I want it to?

Charlie Havens is President of Wooded Isle Computer Consultants and, since 1999, a member of the Apple Consultants Network. Armed with multiple Apple certifications and experience integrating Apple into a variety of settings, Charlie helps you plan for and manage your Apple systems. He is the virtual IT Administrator for a number of Chicago’s nonprofit and arts organizations, creatives and home-based professionals, and small law firms.

Apples are becoming more widely used in business and with the advent of the iPAD, organizations are asking how they will fit into their schema. Come learn from and network with an Apple expert.

Because there is never enough time to network at the first table, participants might want to arrive by 11:45am. If you sit down at your table when the salad comes out at 11:45, you will have time to network with people at your first table before the official program begins at noon.

Once the official program begins, we will follow our usual format. The first 30 minutes will be used for the help session, eating and very limited networking at the first table. The next 60 minutes is used for speed networking (switching tables every 20 minutes).

You MUST register online. No Walk Ins. When you sign-up, you will be charged a fee of $30.00 (plus admin fees) which covers the cost of your meal, a soft drink or tea/coffee and tax & tip. After you sign-up, you will receive an email confirming your RSVP. IF you do not get one, PLEASE notify Jean Pickering immediately.

We usually sell out so make your reservation early. Once we have filled all seats, you will need to contact me to have your name placed on the wait list.

Absolutely, I want you to list your company on my site. No question. Both of us may get inquiries because of it and neither of us will lose any customers that we weren’t already likely to lose.

This metro area is big enough and I am small enough and focused enough that I have never been in a head-to-head bid competition with any other service providers. That doesn’t mean that my customers haven’t looked at others, or that yours don’t occasionally look around. And, it doesn’t mean that I have never lost a customer. I have lost customers because of price or wrong fit; I have fired one or two, and I have had a couple move on, having been with someone else before they came to me, and I was happy to see them leave me.

My perspective is that your listing on my web site has the potential to bring both of us more customers, as much as any marketing does. There will be folks who come to my site who don’t like my skill set, or my picture, or the way I present myself, and will find in you what they are looking for. They will find you because of my network, which is different than yours. However, just because they come through my feeder network doesn’t mean that they and I are a good match. Others will find my website because of your listing here and they will check us both out and decide that they don’t like your picture, or location, or price, or whatever, and end up with me. In either case, we both get exposure to potential customers that wouldn’t otherwise have seen our web sites. In the end, customers get exposure to choices that benefit them.

In short, both of us increase our potential for adding new customers and are unlikely to lose, through our collaboration, any current customer.

Yes, you really are invited to list yourself on my web site.

Charlie Havens

I have the pleasure of working with some of the best people. My business benefits from those relationships. What follows are acknowledgements of those within the Chicago area with whom I have recent history.

Without Jean Newcomer and Demetrio Maguigad, this website would not exist. Demetrio architected (is that a word?), Jean designed, and I provided content. Bill Geraci did the first review.

Bill Geraci and I have traded clients, subcontracted under each other, referred to each other, and he is the person who got me into this business and provided my initial training…

Mary Visconti and I have gotten to work on a couple of her recent proposals. We will see what comes out of them. For about three years, she and I have collaborated in servicing Better Boys Foundation.

Tim Crawford is an Apple Consultant Network member operating out of Chicago’s western suburbs. When I was recently asked for the name of an Apple consultant to service a client near him, I was happy to make that referral.

Jason Bosket helped me design and implement a multiple subnet and multiple VLAN network, has been a great encourager, and I have looked to him for advice on a number of occasions.

Pam Lefkowitz is a long time supporter and signed me up as a subcontractor for a client project of hers near me.

Dean Shavit has been a trainer, an advisor, and a service provider to me. I have taken classes from him, checked with him for counsel, hired him to write the specifications for a complex wireless network proposal, and actively use his product, Mac HelpMate. I hired Dean to assist me remotely with troubleshooting a server in an out-of-state co-location site.

David Shoulty has been a good lunch partner at Apple Channel Camps and is always a good person to check with regarding Sonicwall networking devices.

Ben Greiner provides model managed services within the graphic arts community. We have shared business strategy ideas and I hope to use his services for 24/7 monitoring of some of my clients’ servers.

Adam Karneboge’s MacSpecialist has been a great place to get warranty service for customers and training for myself. He is the consummate professional.

Some of those with whom we work, with whom we exchange referrals, or whose services may be beneficial to some of our customers, may choose to list their services on our business services directory page. Such networks of collaborating service providers are powerful resources and we invite our customers to explore them. Regardless of whether or not they list themselves in our directory, the above listed above have helped to make my business what it is today. Thank you.

The strict divisions of competitor, colleague, and collaborator seem to no longer apply. I am grateful and our clients benefit.

Charlie

Even, if your services compete with ours, you are invited to submit your information for inclusion in our network of service providers.

To qualify, you must provide services within the City of Chicago, provide services to customers like ours, and some of those clients need to use Apple computing systems.

Before submitting your information, please read the criteria, complete the form, and submit. We will get back to you within five business days.

The ability to search listings by category will be added, as the list gets longer.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Charlie Havens, President
Wooded Isle Computer Consultants
1507 E. 53rd St. #135, Chicago, IL 60615
Phone 773-256-1099 Fax 773-256-1099
charliehavens@mac.com
www.woodedisleconsult.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/woodedisle
http://www.twitter.com/woodedisle

Memberships:

• Apple Consultants Network (ACN)
• Association for Consultants to Nonprofits (ACN)
• Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce (HPCC)
• Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN)