So, how do you handle messages to people who have different time horizons than you? First, be aware of possibility that they may exist. Ask a few probing questions that help you find differences.

Second, use visualizations that help others imagine future, and how they'll fit into that picture. For example, companies that sell retirement packages spend a lot of money trying to get us to imagine ourselves basking in luxury on a tropical beach.

Third, don't just talk about that future time in an abstract way. Personalize it by explaining how it will affect person you're addressing. Give that person a stake in future you foresee.

Fourth, get to that future time in steps, not in one big jump. Don't ask a 25 year old to visualize where she'll be at age 65. Instead, talk to her about typical life styles at ages 35, 45, 55, and 65.

Finally, put processes into reverse if someone else asks you to visualize a time horizon that's unfamiliar. Ask yourself what kind of assumptions and visions he brings to his scenario, and adjust accordingly.

In summary, different time horizons can be a barrier to good communication. To overcome these potential barriers you start by first recognizing possibility of their existence. If they do exist you can use visualization, personalization, and a series of time steps rather than one big jump.

A computer consultant or computer consulting business can also being in a fresh perspective to your company.

It’s often really helpful to have a fresh set of eyes to look at your company and its IT infrastructure. Over time, non-technical small business owners and managers have a tendency to see same things within their own companies. A good computer consultant or computer consulting business brings a new and fresh perspective into your situation and can help you truly visualize forest through trees.

How Computer Consulting Businesses Help

A good computer consulting business or computer consultant is prepared to do any number of things to help your company make most out of any business or technology challenge it faces. This may include personal coaching, training for small and large groups of employees, and leading strategy-planning meetings with key people... almost as if that computer consultant were your part-time chief information officer (CIO).

The best computer consultants will not enter into your company with a preset plan, but rather will tailor a plan according to specific needs of your company. A good computer consulting business will have computer consultants on their staff who can quickly find out what needs of your company are and then come up with cost-effective solutions.

The Bottom Line

In this article, you've been introduced to basics of why to hire a computer consulting business and what computer consulting businesses can do for your company.

About Author

Joshua Feinberg is a 15-year veteran computer consultant and an internationally recognized expert on small business computer consulting. He has appeared in dozens of business and IT trade publications including CRN, VARBusiness, Microsoft Direct Access, TechRepublic, American Express OPEN Platinum Ventures, Entrepreneur, Inc, SCORE, Small Business Computing, and USA Today. To learn more about Joshua’s proven strategies for How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company, visit his Web site at http://www.computerconsultingsecrets.com

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