LFC Consulting - LFC 18th Anniversary – August 2009
Beginnings
This wonderful journey my clients provide for me celebrated its 18th anniversary
on August 6th, 2009. It has been a truly humbling experience to meet and
service so many people from all different backgrounds and different industries.
Anyone who knows me understands how seriously I take my work. My family sure
does. I have been late to dinners, celebrations and family meetings because of
the value I place on customer service. Luckily, they understand…and should.
In June 1991 I sat with my family in my parents’ living room and told them I was
going to quit my job and open a business. They heard me out and supported my
idea. I told my Mom, “I may be back to visit you more often for food.” This was
only two and a half years after I received my BA in Mathematics. Being the 5th
of 5 natural children definitely helped my decision. This was me establishing my
independence from not only employers but, in a way, within my family structure.
Since my family knew my personality and knew I normally do not do things without
proper forethought they wished me well in my endeavor.
So I quit my job.
The last time I worked for someone was in 1991. I was a software programmer for
a financial company and I really did not like the work. Truth be told, I was not
a good programmer. However there were other factors causing me dissatisfaction
every day at work. Programmers have attributes in their personalities I do not
possess. The main one is they can stare at a machine all day and avoid people.
Certainly I am painting with a broad stroke but I have met and worked with
enough programmers I can empirically make this statement. The focus of my work
is people first, technical expertise second. Interacting with people brings me
energy. Later on when a technical situation is resolved I feel the satisfaction
of a job well done. This combination has fueled my motivation for almost two
decades.
My clients are a diverse combination of business and home computer users. Each
person, each job, each difficult task has taught me something new. This
knowledge has helped me refine not only the strong problem solving skills I
possess but, more importantly, my personal interaction skills. My client list
comprises successful and motivated people. I learn from their intelligent and
high level of communication method. Since I was raised in a low income and harsh
urban environment, this was far from what I experienced in the way people
communicate with each other. Fortunately the combination of my loving parents,
intelligent siblings and need to outgrow my limited neighborhood environment
motivated me to raise the level of my communication skills. It has helped my
business and respectability significantly.
In 1994 I decided I could close my office and work from home. My first office
was in Clifton, then I moved it to Passaic. For the onsite work I was doing it
was not necessary to have an office location. This was going to be a really big
step for me. Who knew if I could maintain my motivation by working out of a
rental apartment? I found out I could quite easily. There were two benefits from
closing my office. One was I rid myself of a big monthly expense. The other was
I found out my motivation did not come from putting on a tie and heading to my
office. It came from within me and my work actually improved because of it. It
has been a real pleasure to work from home all these years. Occasionally I
mention this part of my history when I meet a client who maintains an office, if
only to plant a kernel in their head that working from home may be an option to
them.
A motivating factor when I worked was the beautiful homes in which my clients
lived. Purchasing a home was a driving force for me from the onset of my
business. It took 10 years to afford my own home. After selling my condo in
Hackensack I moved to Parsippany and fell in love with this area. When I think
about my current clients and the people I have met over the years who have hired
me I feel so appreciative. They have provided me a better life and another
reason to smile every morning when I wake. It is because of my clients I am
surrounded by trees.
My favorite client and friend
One client in particular, “R”, is someone to whom I am very indebted. Much of my
professionalism and high level of customer service is because of him. I met R in
1993 when he purchased his first PC. This was a time when 2400 baud modems were
the standard. R is a communicator and he uses his PC as his contact tool.
Because Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98 were so buggy, he kept me afloat
during the infancy of my business. More importantly he helped me without even
realizing it. Whenever we had an appointment he would have a To-Do list ready
for me. It was detailed and specific in its scope. I would spend the appointment
checking off the list as I resolved each one. Many times there were follow-up
questions and explanations needed for what I had completed. Over the course of
months and years, I learned to think ahead what was being requested. This helped
me become more efficient and minimize the time for which he and other clients
were paying.
R forced me to be clear in my writing. When I wrote instructions for him I would
assume steps and leave portions out of the sequence I was describing. Since he
wanted explicit instructions I would learn to be very clear and precise in my
steps. Once in a while he still teases me about my limited ability to write him
correct instructions how to do something on his computer. I always smile when he
says, “…and don’t forget to write me clear steps, you banana.”
These are two of thousands of ways R has helped improve my business and my
professional character. He also has referred me to his family and many others
in his circle. A testimonial from R is like gold. It is appreciated, believe
me.
Thank you, R. It is an honor to work for you. You have taught me so much and you
may not even realize it. You are also one of the most generous people I have
ever known. Thank you so much for everything!
So 18 years later as I look back on my professional life I can only focus on one
thing: I am almost a completely different person than when I started. My
business has allowed me to meet such wonderful people who have helped me grow as
a professional and as an individual. It is to them I thank for not only
patronizing my company but for making me a better human being.
Thank you
My family is always first in my heart and to them I say, “Thank you for raising
me. I get compliments for my character because of you.” I had a meeting with a
business coach a few years ago and she said something that will always be in my
heart. After speaking for an hour about my business and myself she said, “I can
tell you were raised with a lot of love around you.” That made me smile broadly.
She could not have been more correct. I know how fortunate I am and I never
forget it for a moment. I love you.
To my clients I simply say, “Thank you for allowing me to help you. I love what
I do and you let me do it.”
To my BNI networking group who not only gives me business but publicly
compliments me when you do, thank you. I am so proud of meeting with all of you
every Thursday at 7 am. To Gwen, Bob, Terry and all the newer people, I
appreciate all of you as professionals and, more importantly, people.
To my NJAWBO Morris chapter, I really love you ladies. It is such a kick to be
the only man in leadership at our meetings. You may never know how much I enjoy
our meetings. I have three sisters and they taught me to enjoy the company of
women. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your team and thank you for
asking for my help when you need it. By the way ladies, because of my new role
in the state organization, you will only refer to me as “Social Media Czar” from
this point forward.
Thank you all for everything!!!
Rafael Miranda is a computer consultant with LFC Consulting, Inc.
He started the company in 1991 to provide Sales, Service and Support of PC Hardware and Software.
Rafael services the small business community, as well as home networks and laptop users.
Please call 973-316-9191 for more information.