I’m going back on the road in the beginning of July after two solid months of training new employees and getting one of my locations back on its feet. Let me tell you, it’s difficult training people and I’ve never been more happy to hand off my keys. I’ve had two months to make the following observations:

1. Windows 10 Sandbox feature doesn’t work correctly. Microsoft has a built-in feature that is supposed to prevent viruses from getting on the computer. It doesn’t. Modern systems build up an accumulation of viruses that eventually slow the machine but aren’t noticed until there are many.
2. The left shift and control key aid in selecting multiple files. Yes, this is something I thought all Windows users know. Apparently it isn’t common knowledge because I found out one of my unsuccessful candidates didn’t know keyboard shortcuts existed.
3. Many people don’t know we service Apple and Windows based equipment. With the addition of John in Brattleboro three years ago, we now service more Apples than we have in the past. I started the business by servicing Microsoft Windows based laptops more than 15 years ago.
4. Stuff breaks the more it’s used. I don’t care if it’s a car or computer, the more it’s used the faster it will break. Last month I had fun explaining how ALL mechanical components will eventually break down.
5. Fake Microsoft callers can steal your identity. A customer was adamant the fake Microsoft caller who remotely connected to his computer didn’t do anything malicious. Banks require certification from repair stores before they allow online banking. Is it worth the headache?
6. Bad hard drives still contain personal information. When I started working in the store full-time I was amazed at the number of drives that get left behind. Although some of the drives were truly dead, many were able to be used enough to collect data. I spent hours physically destroying hard drives the first week I was alone.
7. Windows 10 updates can be a productivity killer. Right at the start of my day the work computer decided to perform a major Windows 10 update. Rather than start work right at 10AM, I was forced to wait almost an hour.

It’s as if I was on some kind of Undercover Boss show watching how my company works from the inside out. Over the past two months I gained a new perspective how my technicians deal with day-to-day work. Best of all, I now have a different view of my role in the company and how I can do a better job.

(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)