What is Love Your Technology really about?

It is about caring for people (customers, clients, technicians) in technology by truly being with them in their troubles and also loving them with truly empowering objective information. Most customers, clients and even IT professionals are left being treated very poorly most of the time by other IT professionals. The warmth and presence of the connection is typically very low, leaving people feeling unconsidered, shameful and even unhelped. To add to that, the information that they get from their provider is typically very skewed and subjective, whether intentional or not, causing the customer to have very little real information with which to make a powerful choice about. The information is sometimes so slighted that it is fact detrimental to the customer. Unless, on those few occasions, where an angel within the system is reached by some miracle and they are not only extremely gracious, even loving, but provide all of the necessary information in a detached manner that gifts the customer with not only a pleasant, if not wonderful taste in the mouth, but also a heaping mountain of information, which usually in turn, not only solves their problem or answers their question(s), but may also proactively cover any future need they might have in calling again. These are truly rare and transformational experiences within the technical support context. This is what Love Your Technology strives to propogate through all avenues of technology.

How do we prepare for the next phase of technology?

As some of us may know, technology is merely an interface. It is meant as a means to an end, for the sake of connecting people together, and in new and powerful ways. For, at least, the last 10 years, most of us have certainly been witness to this simple fact, but not many have come to realize that our current approach to technology is incomplete and fragmented. This lack of integrity in the whole of the approach has left many people more disconnected and confused then before we had the Internet or worse are now so grossly invested in the new indulgent ways that we can connect frivolously, that they are in a worse shape than those less experienced. The Internet, and all technologies associated with, surrounding, and even outside and on the peripheri of, are all intended to serve us in some way. To make things easier, faster, more powerful, or to take pressure off of us, to do things for us or provide more information or access more quickly than we can alone. This is for the sole purpose of enabling people to connect more often and more powerfully. Now that I have that out of the way, that tells us where we are and are not. But what about where we are going or where it is possible for us to go. Since the original idea of a way to connect to share information by way of digitized text through a means now called the World Wide Web, there has always been an additional view that this WWW would simply be a foundation for a more powerful level or phase of technology where less was being done by humans and more was being done by machines. This has always been part of the original concept and idea. So, where does this leave us? What do we do now? How can we best prepare for this next phase of technology? One that has always been intended from the start, but is not quite here in full swing yet. Now, knowing that the next phases of technology will be doing more for us and allowing us to do other things, but without knowing exactly what it will look like, I believe there are some key mo vements that we should be focusing on in the present moment. We should be simplifying our overall approach to technology, we should be staying focused on our business practices and how closely they resemble our actual business and how often they are reviewed and updated, we should be attending to our relationships and beginning to build powerful teams of people and supplementing them with the tools they need to thrive. Without knowing all of the ways that technology will expand from where it is now, we need to clear the way, by eliminating all of the fires and critical items that stand in our way. This is important because as technology is grown exponentially, not only will the current fires and issues be such small dealings, but we will be left with any and all breakdowns in our teams of people. The future will hold that all humans can finally get to what we were meant to do, connect deeply, serve and heal to the next level.

What will it take for you?

Finding out what others need can be tricky. Especially when you have some skills in some of the areas. I have found it difficult to separate myself from a possible solution when dealing with consulting firms. My initial objective is to define all of the things that they believe that they need order to love what they do. Believing that I know that they need some help connecting fully with their staff and also are in need of additional technical support from a senior I continue to confuse the matter. I am also finding myself confusing the heck out of them too. Now it is not to say that I might actually be a part of the solution, but at least initially, it is simply a conversation around what they need. What I do is connect with people, have powerful conversations about right where they are at, determine if there is a way that I can help them directly, and connect in others from the community for the areas where I cannot be of value. Its that simple. Now that doesn't mean it can't get confusing. And it has been. Companies get themselves, people get themselves, into some big complicated messes. I help sort through it all. What is it going to take for you to love your technology?

Customer Care: How are you handling it?

It is so easy to start a company based on what you know how to do. I can fix cars, so voila, I start a garage. Well, what happens when the most important people involved in your business don't have a channel to fully communicate their entire experience to you? Believe, I know how hard feedback is, but let me tell you, it is the most important piece of information you could ever hear. Especially from those around you that are seemingly eager to tell you about how poorly you've handled something. And they are usually right on. Sure there is some emotional charge there that is theirs to own and be with, the actual cold hard data, that stff is priceless for those business owners who really do want to serve their customers. So how are you handling it? This seems like a big question, but the truth is yo probably already know a portion of what is going on in your business. Things like, who is the least happy, who will never return as a customer, maybe even who were your best successes, but if you are really lucky, you know about the really bad deals you've made. The customers that you have really done wrong. But it doesn't stop there. It is easy to believe that our customers are the only beneficiary of customer care, but there is another group in there that is equally as important; our employees. They are the ones, if you have been successful enough to have them, who are actually selling you to your customers. They control your namesake and what your customers believe and tell others about you. It is critical that they have a place to speak too. So where do you start? The first thing is go ahead and review your brain for all of those comments you've been hearing for months, but have made up that there is nothing you can do, or they will just get over it, or who do they think they are. You may have your own version, but you know what they are. These are the low hanging fruit. You already know about these. Let's address them immediately. They have been going on for a while now and some of them are likely starting to fester, if they have not already been the cause of the some customers leaving and employees quitting. Next, let's be really intentional and let everyone know that you are now taking feedback and to please let you know if there is anything that they need to tell you. Assure them that they will not be fired for simply telling you. Second, you should start interviewing your employees again, be clear about stuff that you do know, but in a way that owns it (like you know Bob told you that Sarah thinks you hate her, but tell Sarah that you know that you haven't been the nicest boss and you want to work through it and be better). This will make it safe for those who do have something to say. Again, you should be tapping your own memory on this as you likely know what certain employees or customers will say about you. We want to believe that we don't know, but we have an idea. If they tell you things are great, consider that you haven't owned enough of it yet and made it safe for them. Attempt to go deeper if possible. Otherwise, have them review and sign a survey/review of the details of your discussion to promote honesty and accountability in future interactions. This may take a while depending on how many clients (who are actually willing to participate) and employees, but once you have at least gotten through this process once, then you will have a better idea for next time. Rinse and repeat.

LYT Deliverables: this is what we offer

Love Your Technology is focused on fully connecting with you, understanding all of what you are about, and partnering with you to support you in getting where you want to go. The 3 ways that we do that are;

1. Conversations - our varied experience as technologists, humans, and members of families and society create a unique and powerful resource to have in all of your conversations. This is the core deliverable of LYT. Within this piece alone, exists meaningful information, insights, and scenarios that give you the edge in really understanding what it is you want to be doing with your technology. Simply put, business is done in conversations.
2. Training/OJT Support - an opportunity to have an experienced engineer be with your employees and actually train them at their job. This is a great way to understand the exact workflow of your staff and all of the obstacles that keep them from being great...in real time!
3. Resource Referrals - you need community, now more than ever. To fully empower you to move forward and magnify your efforts, allow LYT to create opportunities for other companies, executives, and specialists to contribute to you and expand your current viewpoint. This will lead to not only some powerful conversations, but some real impact on the direction of your efforts.

Please call today to start your conversation!
Jeff Gaff
Founder
Lone Your Technology
281.222.1930
Jeff@Loveyourtechnology.com

Technology translation

With as much technology related gear that exists in the world today, it is extremely difficult to determine what you need, how to get it, and where it connects within your workflow. Do you buy Windows Vista or roll back to XP? Do you get a Mac or a PC? Do you move your equipment to a colocation facility or simply renovate your existing premises? How do you manage all of the myriad of technical details regarding a large scale multi-system upgrade project within your enterprise? What type of PDA should I get? How do I publish my digital music? The list goes on and extends into all industries, schools of thought, business, personal, etc. So what do you do? Where do you go? Do you really know a highly experienced, friendly, well communicated, technical person that can actually be objective and have a straight conversation with you? If you do, please affirm him or her as he/she is very valuable. Otherwise, look to Love Your Technology. That is what we are. Because of all the things in this world, right now you need straight objective talk about your technology decisions from someone who has been there and done that and can communicate it in a non-technical way. Please call today for start the conversation!

Jeff Gaff
Founder
Lone Your Technology
281.222.1930
Jeff@Loveyourtechnology.com

Right here, Right now!

Do you know any companies open and ready to love their technology?

Please let me know, thanks.

Jeff Gaff
Founder, LYT
281.222.1930
Jeff@Loveyourtechnology.com

Can technology heighten our awareness

Not directly. Which is a core view of LYT and its approach. Technology is the facilities in which other humans connect. That connection is what enhances and expands our awareness and consciousness, but only when it is from a very real, raw and vulnerable place. This is another core view of LYT. That all human connections be enriched and fortified by way of emotional presence. That is where our facilitation services come in. We participate interactively and cooperatively with our customers and their emplyoees to develop and nurture a more loving and emotionally aware relational atmosphere. Along with supplementary phone support for all parties for life.

Next up!

Human Empowerment Project
EMOTE Music Workshop
TechConnect with lifetime support

LYT success!

Loving our technology, is not always about just that. It's about leaving technology in its place. Loving it enough to not abuse it. Use it when you can and it works and don't when you don't. Perfect example:

I spoke with a new client today. I was simply trying to make sense of what she needed. She was mentioning marketing and hiring a person and invoices she was scanning. I actually got very confused. As I began to clarify, she stopped me and talked to someone in the room for a moment then came back. I had given her an idea. A way to fix an issue she was having. I'm sure I didn't know what she had just figured out. I was simply asking questions. I barely said much. Apparently, she needed to get the customer information from about 750 invoices into some form of electronic data. She had no idea what she was going to do. I mentioned that she should simply have someone type them into a spreadsheet manually. It shouldn't take more than a weekend. She was already off having it implemented by her idle receptionist. Well, that was solved. Now I am going to go meet her at her offices and discuss what is really going on.

Love Your Technology: don't abuse it. Keep it simple.

Technology: Saving time or wasting it?

This one can be a slick and sneaky one. Whether or not my time is saved or wasted, although seemingly confusing, is actually very straight forward and obvious. It is up to me to be truly honest with myself about it and stand for something bigger. Not just give in to what I think is cool. Wikipedia is cool, but sadly is largely a waste of time. I don't need to know about that new movie or whether or not Iceland's new Prime Minister is openly gay. I just don't. My time is better spent getting out there and helping others with technology. As it is a confusing thing at times and people can get so caught up in what is cool. Don't get me wrong (as I write this blog mind you) that I think written word on the Internet is a waste of time. But, again, what intention is it serving. If Wikipedia gets you motivated to go connect with a human on the topic you just read and find ways to serve each other or just connect as humans...awesome! If it is just a really great way to know lots of cool stuff and time warp your boring work day, then not so awesome. This is where it can get sneaky, which only means to the extent that we are hiding from ourselves. Thats all I have to say on that right now.

Ongoing case study: An exploratory conversation

Do you love your technology?

LYT founder Jeff Gaff is connecting with local technology companies requesting their participation in a case study.

Coutinho & Ferrostaal
EmLogis
Houston Piano Company
Internap
Time Warner Telecom
You Got IT

What is your intention? Connect or disconnect?

The most important element to consider when deterimining whether you love your technology or not is your intention. Is your intention with that new server to connect your team in a new more powerful way? Are you looking to isolate behind your email with that Exchange server upgrade project? Our reason for working with technology needs to be clear as we and the technology are so powerful and without a clear intention, we could end up making matters worse for ourselves. Ask yourself, why is it that this program isn't working? What is my intention for using it? How am I using it? Am I doing and saying the same thing about it? How is my integrity around this technology? Our intention for something plays a huge role in how it manifests within our physical experience. It also is what people are feeling and responding too, whether they know it or not, in all of our interactions with them. My job is to help define what the intention is for your projects and problems around your technology and be a facilitator for your growth and forward movement.

Who am I and why do you care?

So, many people may wonder who this guy is going around town standing for people loving their technology. Why does he do it? What does it all mean? Or whats the point? Well, I wonder that too sometimes. I just know that my heart wants people to enjoy each other and all the ways that technology enables that. I see, all to often, technology either driving us apart, or making it easier for us to be alone. But that is not its purpose. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier yes, but not so that we can be alone. I dream of a world where all of our technology is setup in a way so that we can actually get to what we should be doing...connecting emotionally with one another. We have all gotten so caught up in what is available that does not require a human and the ways that we "need" to take care of ourselves that we forgot the point. Why do we work? To give us money so that we can enjoy our life with our family and friends. Why do we buy phones? So we can connect with those important to us quickly and easily. Why do we have music players? I know, this one seems hard, but think about it. We love music!!! And what is music? People connecting with other people through from their hearts, their souls, the deepest most intimate parts of themselves. We have MP3 players so that we can hear those songs from the heart, connect with the songwriters and feel connected. To feel what they are and from within us. The problem, though, is that technology should be connecting us more real time, not statically and offline. I know this starts to sound pie in the sky, but I truly believe that the piece missing in all too many technologies and initiatives, is the human element. Why are we installing that server?!?!?! What is the point? Not so we can have more hardware to babysit. So we can share, collaborate, connect, be with, and a part of, something bigger than ourselves. Technology is our nervous system. Now, my role in all of this, is to be a stand for that. I am a stand for people connecting emotionally by way of their technology. To stand for remembering why they have all of this in the first place. To remind them, in the midst of their IT projects, what the point of it all is. To help them connect with their staff and customers more deeply and more often. To guide them through in such a way that brings about a more emotionally present and fulfilling experience. A shift in their consciousness about their IT and its purpose.

What does it mean to love your technology?

It seems that many people do not love their technology. And why should they? Its only lifeless hardware and software. Well, try reaching out to a friend without it and see how you feel about it then. Technology is everywhere within everything. There are less and less places that do not include some level of technology. And its not all wires and lights either. It has become a central system to the way that we communicate with one another. Whether its laughing together or doing business, sharing our special times or telling someone how mad they make us, it happens on technology. So, then why shouldn't we love it. Humans are already a very powerful race of connected beings of energy. We need other humans to connect to. Feeling anything but love for our new found nervous system of gadgets and gizmos simply creates another level of disconnect as we fumble through all of the meaningless data. People want to connect. Technology does that. In bold new ways every day. If we don't find ways to reconnect with our humanness within the context of our technological initiatives, then we simply drive larger and larger wedges between ourselves and others. Afterall, it is the human on the other side that we hope reads our email message and connects with something in us that brought about that capability in the first place. How many out there can say they love email because they love stairing at text all day long. I don't think so. We love being able to connect with another human being in our similar thought space and context quickly and easily. Sharing ideas and parts of our consciousness within minutes. Its what we do. So why is it that so much of what is being done with technology ends up either leaving us isolating alone with our iPods or worse, smothered in a pile of broken systems that we have now forgotten why we bought them in the first place. Technology is supposed to help, empower, ease our connections with others, not make it easier to disconnect or worse, isolate completely. So think about that, next time you are having problems with your email or computer system, think to yourself 'what is the point'? What do I have all of the technology for? To love your technology is confidently know why you have your technology (to connect and collaborate) and that it is doing just that. To be excited about the next thing, topic, connection and not worried about how your technology is going to stop you. To be empowered by your electric friends and not scared of them.