Seriously, while it may sound tremendously simple, end users often overlook it during typical computer panic attacks.

Anytime you’re about to consider an issue a real IT support problem and call your computer consulting vendor, always reboot first.

First, exit out of whatever files and programs that you're working on. Then, run through a Shutdown and Restart sequence to reboot your computer.

If you suspect your computer problem involves something hardware-related, such as with your network card, modem, mouse, keyboard or sound card, you should even go one step further, before calling your computer consulting experts.

The Problem: Why Most Computer Consulting Companies Get IT Wrong

Most owners of computer consulting companies make their jobs much harder than need be. Why? Because these computer consulting business owners fall in love with technology... and view their small business clients as a distant second priority.

However, if you get this part of "IT" wrong, you will doom your computer consulting company to "clueless geek" status. It’s crucial that you understand one extremely important principle here: Recruiting and retaining small business clients is your #1 computer consulting priority. Keeping up with IT should never get in way of mission of your computer consulting company.

In other words, don’t get seduced by hardware, operating systems or applications. Fall-in-love with business opportunities surrounding how you solve your clients’ biggest business problems with your recommended IT solutions. That’s real mission of a computer consulting company.

The Solution: Blend Computer Consulting and Virtual IT

To put this all in perspective with your computer consulting company, you need to understand and embrace concept of virtual IT.

Virtual IT is what allows your computer consulting company to function as an extension of your small business clients’ companies. Your computer consulting company essentially becomes outsourced IT department for your small business clients.