Last month we inquired about your offsite backup habits. Here is what we found:

• 42% of respondents manually take hard drives offsite on a regular basis
• 30% of respondents have an automatic offsite solution
• 28% of respondents do not send any data offsite

Which cloud solution are you using or most likely to try?

Click to vote:

• Hosted Exchange (email) – get the benefits of a Microsoft Exchange Server without the upfront costs and maintenance expenses
• Google Apps – access Office-like applications online
• Hosted Servers / Hosted Desktops – connect to your resources via the Internet without incurring the costs of procuring hardware

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider in Information Technology services. With colleagues like Fabi, this initiative is possible.

Fabi joined the WorkSmart team in 2006, working to bring on new clients. She represents the spirit of WorkSmart well as she is engaging and helpful in both her interactions with clients and colleagues. One of her colleagues described her as “effervescent” and “sincere.” In 2009, she transitioned into her current role as Director of Client Engagement, dedicating her time to ensuring client satisfaction; not to mention her dedication to train for marathons and triathalons during her lunch break!
“I’m very passionate about WorkSmart, ” said de Souza. “I love getting to know our clients and helping them achieve their mission and goals.”

In order for you to get to know her better, we asked her a few questions. Here are her answers:

Hometown: Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Favorite Kool-Aid Flavor: I’ve never had Kool-Aid…
Favorite Beverage: Fresh watermelon juice
How many languages do you speak/understand? Four
If you could be on a TV show, what would it be? CSI and Two and a Half Men
Favorite TV Series: CSI and Law and Order SVU
Favorite Band/Music/Artist: Alternative rock, dance/electronic, and Latin rock
Favorite Hobby: watching movies, relaxing time with my children and husband, running, cooking
Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops? No way.
If you could be any animal, what would you be? My dog Lola
Favorite board game: I prefer card games.
Favorite day of the week and why: Saturday – slow and relaxing morning routine
Do you play any musical instruments? No
What is the color of your car? Black
Can you sing? Nope
What do you wish you were doing right now? Hanging out in Guaruja – a beach area in Sao Paulo I visited all the time while growing up – as it’s summer there!
One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): Australia
At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water? Water
Words of Wisdom (or quote you like): never give up; live it to the fullest; spread love

Do you send backed up data offsite?

Click to vote:

• We use an automatic off-site solution
• Regularly – we have someone take hard drives offsite
• Never
• We don’t need it

Just a few weeks back, Durham Young Professionals awarded WorkSmart’s Chief Operating Officer, Clay Harris, with the Bull’s Eye Award for Young Professional of the Year. Let’s take a look at Clay’s personal interests when he isn’t guiding the WorkSmart team on its journey to help clients reach their goals.

College & Degree: UNC Chapel Hill, Political Science
Home Town: Winston-Salem, NC
Family: Jackie (my wife), Luc & Rose (our dog and cat)
How long have you lived in North Carolina? All my life.
What do you feel are the top three characteristics of an innovative business leader? Be honest, play fair and recover quickly from setbacks.
What’s the least glamorous thing you do in the line of duty? It’s all glamorous.
What skill would you most like to improve? I’d like to read more. I’m already pretty good at actually reading though.
What do you do to relax? Walks / Hikes with Jackie and Luc
What is your dream vacation? No phone or email. Doesn’t matter where.
What music is on your iPod? Most played: Death Cab for Cutie, The Avett Bros., Zac Brown Band, The Shins
What’s your favorite part of a typical day? When my wife gets home from work.

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider of IT services. With colleagues like Riley, this initiative is possible.

“I enjoy working with Riley,” commented Greg Miller, General Manager of WorkSmart’s Charlotte office. “He provides outstanding customer service and has many of our clients raving about him.”

Riley is a fantastic representative of WorkSmart as he is always friendly, responsive to customer’s concerns, and professional. Riley joined the WorkSmart team in March of 2010. As a member of our Support Center team, Riley focuses on our clients’ needs and works extremely well with all of the people in our office. His dedication to supporting our clients is evident. He listens to their concerns and goes out of his way to find the right answer – even if he doesn’t have it!

Senior Consultant, John Woodall said, “I’ve told Riley that even though I’ve been in this field for 15 years, I wish I had his customer service skills.”

We asked him a few questions so that you can get to know him better!

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
How did you get acquainted or interested in computers?
I think my fascination began with my Dad’s old word processor. After that, we had a 486; I’m grateful that my parents never had a problem with me pulling it apart – as long as I could get it back together again.
Favorite Kool-Aid Flavor: Grape
Favorite Beverage: Cheerwine
If you could change your name, what would it be to?
I don’t think I could pick another name. “Riley” has been in the family for at least eight generations.
Any cool or “hidden” talents?
I learned by surprise, that I’m quite adept at using pylons to slow a runaway vehicle.
If you could be on a TV show, what would it be?
Amazing Race
Favorite TV Series: Just one? While it was on, Lost.
Favorite Band/Music Artist: It’s always changing, but right now I’m on an RJD2 kick.
Favorite Hobby: Reading something engaging, fiction or non.
Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops?
Sneakers.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Some kind of dog. Even as an animal, I think I’d want to be in a social pack.
Favorite board game: Risk
Favorite day of the week and why: Sunday: obligation-free relaxation
Do you play any musical instruments? Guitar
What is the color of your car? Forest Green
Can you sing? Technically, yes
What do you wish you were doing right now? Sailing
One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): Dubai
At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water?
In the water. I’d definitely want to catch some waves.
Words of Wisdom (or quote you like): Sometimes the little times you don’t think are anything while they’re happening turn out to be what marks a whole period of your life. (credit to Andy Warhol)

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider in Information Technology services. With colleagues like Debbie, this initiative is possible.

“Deb is thorough, dedicated and fun. Her contributions to the WorkSmart team make my job/life easier and I appreciate that!” – Alexis Komondorea, WorkSmart Accounting Manager

Debbie joined the WorkSmart team in April of 2008, adding her cheerful disposition to the Support Center. Her colleagues describe her as excelling in communication, digging under the surface of issues to deliver complete resolution to our clients. She is often seeking out new opportunities to learn so that she can put the knowledge to use to benefit our clients.

In order for you to get to know her better, we asked her a few questions.

Hometown: Montreal, Canada but I call Calgary home.

How did you get acquainted or interested in computers? I used to do most of my own bookkeeping soon discovered I found my computer more interesting when it wasn’t working than when it was.

Favorite Kool-Aid Flavor: I was more of a Tang kid

Favorite Beverage: Coke

Any cool or “hidden” talents? I love to paint, faux finishes are fun!

If you could be on a TV show, what would it be? Little house on the Prairie or Sex in the City, depends on my mood.

Favorite TV Series : Rescue Me and The Office.

Favorite Movies: Thelma and Louise and American History X

Favorite Band/Music Artist: Bob Dylan, Bowie, Zappa

Favorite Hobby: Painting, Swimming, Sewing, gardening

Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops? Definitely Flip Flops. If I can make it though 11 months of the year without socks, I am entertained!

Favorite board game: Pictionary

Favorite day of the week and why: Sunday, it’s quiet and relaxing.

Do you play any musical instruments? I played the trumpet in high school, I wanted the drums but so did everyone else.

What is the color of your car? ‘Sale’ colour

Can you sing? Everyone can sing and should! I whistle too!

What do you wish you were doing right now? Playing with my Grandson.

One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): Australia, hanging out in the outback.

At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water? Water

Words of Wisdom (or quote you like): The harder I work the luckier I get.

Trust issues big and small are coming to dominate the tech landscape.

They’re not just a matter of whether you trust a person enough to pass along personal information, although those boundaries are changing because of social networking sites like Facebook.

Today we face broader questions: Is that e-mail really from who it says it is? Does the computing infrastructure employ sufficient security to keep operating efficiently? Do links take you where you expect?

To read more, please click here

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider in Information Technology services. With colleagues like Greg, this initiative is possible.

“Our success as a leader in client services is a reflection of Greg’s dedication to the WorkSmart team and the clients we serve,” said Scott Ashley, Senior Business Advisor in the WorkSmart Charlotte Office.

Greg Miller joined WorkSmart’s Charlotte operations in May of 2009 with the acquisition of Carolina Technology Solutions. The former co-owner of Carolina Technology Solutions now leads WorkSmart’s Charlotte operations, combining technical, business and people skills. Greg is an asset to the team and to our clients as he is always approachable and willing to lend advice – even while tackling an overflowing Inbox and a seemingly endless stream of phone calls! He is known by his colleagues as being very thorough and focused, providing IT expertise when any team member needs help or just a second opinion.

Some say Greg’s favorite response to “not-so-surprising” news is “shocking”. Well, it’s not shocking that his good-natured yet professional personality has a powerful impact on the Charlotte office, lending encouragement and stability to the office environment at all times.

“Patience is the bedrock quality for anyone who chooses to tackle technology as their chosen profession, and Greg excels in this area. His commitment to keeping the focus on client satisfaction is the motive force of this office,” said Client Support Coordinator, Eric Kesler. “I consider myself fortunate to work alongside someone who understands that happy end users are the goal of this work, not a side effect.”

In order for you to get to know him better, we asked him a few questions.

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Favorite Beverage: Coffee

Any cool or “hidden” talents? Not really

If you could be on a TV show, what would it be? Wipeout

Favorite TV Series : The Office

Favorite Band/Music Artist: Casting Crowns

Favorite Hobby: Mountain Biking

Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops? Flip flops

Favorite board game: No board games for me

Favorite day of the week and why: Saturday – so I can spend time with my family (and watch college football)

Do you play any musical instruments? none

What is the color of your car? Red

Can you sing? Not really

What do you wish you were doing right now? Mountain Biking

One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): A family vacation in Australia would be awesome!

At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water? water

Words of Wisdom (or quote you like): No one said life is fair.

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider of IT services. With colleagues like Eric, this initiative is possible.

“Eric has been a great addition to our team.  His ability to stay on top of all the different service calls and coordinate the appropriate Consultant for each task and this keeps our office running smoothly, “said Greg Miller, WorkSmart General Manager of the Charlotte office.  He continued with a smile, “With his English major, he is very capable of communicating with everyone.

Eric joined the WorkSmart team in May of 2010 with the TECHie acquisition.  As the Client Support Coordinator, Eric is extremely busy making sure all appointments run are scheduled and run smoothly.  He is also rather busy being “green” as he enforces the recycling policies in the Charlotte office.  As noted earlier in the quote from Greg Miller, Eric has a reputation amongst his colleagues for being witty but always prepared to give a straight answer.  For everyone with a soft spot for new parents, Eric and his wife recently welcomed their first child, Matthew – one of two new babies in the Charlotte office.

In order for you to get to know him better, we’ve asked him to complete the following survey.  Although he missed his submission deadline by eight minutes, we will still post his answers!

Hometown:   Charleston, WV aka “no, the other Charleston”

Favorite Kool-Aid Flavor:   don’t they all taste like sugar?

If you could have theme music, what would it be? Jimmy McGriff – Electric Funk

Favorite Beverage: black coffee

If you could change your name, what would it be to?  Sylvester McMonkey McBean. That guy was a genius.

Any cool or “hidden” talents? I enjoy speaking in pop culture references, but that is a talent neither hidden nor cool.

If you could be on a TV show, what would it be? I’d like to emcee a reality TV show where celebrity guest hosts travel to different TV studios and fire the executives that green-light reality TV shows.

Favorite TV Series:  current: Community, 30 Rock.  All time:  Arrested Development, Mystery Science Theater 3000

Favorite Band/Music Artist: noise rock, metal, anything with a lot of drums and down-tuned guitars.

If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would it be? Stranger Than Paradise

Favorite Hobby: reading

Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops? No

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Shark, eagle, ocelot – anything at the top of its food chain

Favorite board game: Life, when I was a kid.  Same as my favorite cereal.

Do you have or wish you had a catch phrase?  What would it be: Rule #1: it’s probably a DNS issue.

Favorite day of the week and why:  Saturday because I get some extra hang-out time with my family.

Do you play any musical instruments? I’m a steering wheel percussionist.

What is the color of your car? Black

Can you sing? Yes, if provoked

What do you wish you were doing right now?   Hiking in the NC mountains

One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): Pyongyang – the least realistic place on earth.

At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water? I would rather sit on the sand and stare at the water.

Words of Wisdom: I pulled this one out of a fortune cookie: “The greatest danger could be your stupidity.”

Eric noted on his survey, “Arthur C. Clarke said that ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’  That’s what I love about tech support: every once in a while, what we do looks like magic.”

WorkSmart strives to be the premier provider in Information Technology services. With colleagues like Stefan, this initiative is possible.

“The ability to adapt quickly is important at WorkSmart. It is easy to get lost in the Support Center during the first few weeks, but Stefan just jumped right in. It was as if he’d been here for months.” – Tyler Coburn, WorkSmart Support Center Representative

Stefan is one of the newest members to the WorkSmart team; he added his customer service skills to the Support Center in March of 2010. His family-oriented mindset makes him dependable and comfortable on the phones. Not to mention, his humor brings laughter to the office.

In order for you to get to know him better, we asked him a few questions. Here are his answers:

Hometown: Montreal, Canada

Favorite Kool-Aid Flavor: Iced Blue Raspberry

Favorite Beverage: Orangina

If you could change your name, what would it be to? Damien

Any cool or “hidden” talents? Unofficial master of the 6-degrees movie game and the “Scene it” game. Can also bend just my fingertips and blow air out of my eyes.

If you could be on a TV show, what would it be? Wammy

Favorite TV Series: Burn Notice

Favorite Band/Music Artist: Bela Fleck

If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would it be? Canadian Bacon

Favorite Hobby: Paintball

Do you prefer sneakers over flip flops? Yes

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Orangutan

Favorite board game: Backgammon

Do you have or wish you had a catch phrase? What would it be: “Missed it by thhhhhat much.”

Favorite day of the week and why: Any day BUT Tuesday. Tuesdays are the devil.

Do you play any musical instruments? Trumpet, mouth harp

What is the color of your car? Yellow

Can you sing? Sure

What do you wish you were doing right now? Swinging in a hammock somewhere in Wilmington with my girl

One place you could travel right now (doesn’t need to be realistic): Fiji

At the beach, would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water? Play in the water

Words of Wisdom (or quote you like): Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.

Anything else you would like to comment on? Bees….they’re everywhere. Our weapons are useless against them.