Getting started and exploring the Cloud - suggested action list:

• Get a free account with Dropbox (store documents on the cloud to follow you on different computers, tablets and smartphones and can be shared with others)
• Get a free account with Evernote (keep lists which you can access anywhere and can be shared with others (and updated by others at a small extra cost - this is a great way to experiment with sharing information with customers and colleagues)
• Get a free account with Google - you DON'T need a Google gmail address unless you want one, you can register any email address with Google - for shared calendars and contacts
• Have a look at Google Docs and Microsoft Skydrive and Office365 - both of these let you share documents and edit them online without needing to store them on your computer at all
• Other similar services exist if you just search the internet

• Upgrading Dropbox to store more files
• Upgrading Evernote to allow others to edit notes that you authorise - this is a great way to try out team collaboration - this upgrade also keeps copies of all the changes made to your notes
• Upgrading Skype (to allow video conversations with more than one person at once)
• Upgrade your Internet connection to the fastest speeds available that you can afford (including the UPLOAD speed)
• Think about whether you need help to make the best of the opportunities available from these facilities

Getting started and exploring Internet Communications - suggested action list:

• Get a free account with Skype to enable free phone calls and videoconferencing over the internet
• Use Google+ Hangouts to communicate with colleagues and workmates - this needs them to have a Google-registered account - it's free but you can't rely on your customers having this - Skype is the best-known service and perhaps a safer bet for CUSTOMER communication

• upgrading Skype to allow face-to-face video calls with more than one person at a time.
• Look into business-class VOIP services to improve the quality of calls with CLIENTS and CUSTOMERS - Poor call quality present a bad business image
• Look at enhanced video products - one example is VidyoWay but do an internet search for more products
• Upgrade your Internet connection to the fastest speeds available that you can afford (including the UPLOAD speed)
• Think about whether you need help to make the best of the opportunities available from these facilities

When did you last check your backups by trying to USE them?

• Have you got backups of your data away from your place of work?
• Have you considered online backup services like Mozy (fast internet connection strongly recommended)
• Have you got licenses for all the software you use on your computers?
• Have you got a written plan with ALL the phone numbers, passwords and access codes for all the things you would need to arrange if your place of work or IT equipment was no longer available to you - for example a fire or theft - and is that plan stored in several places?
• If you use cloud-based services, have you taken local copies to your computer (where this is an option)?
• Think about whether you need help to check that you are in the safest position possible where your IT is concerned.