Final Project

For my semester project I have decided to take the first steps in creating a small tech support company that is conscious of women’s technology and consumer needs. It will be a small, private IT company (unnamed at the moment) with a majority of female employees. It will cater to all tech support and IT needs, but in particular will focus on those of individual women and small female-run businesses. I would like to help promote the idea of women in tech support roles helping other women. It’s well known that there is lack of women in technical fields and, while I don’t aim to remedy that problem, I do strive to serve as a representative of women in this field and to shatter the misconception that women aren’t capable of working with technology on a level equal to men.

In this class we saw that it’s important to see an individual similar to yourself in a role that you would like to occupy, in order for you to be able to aspire to that position. I realize I’m not the first to hold that position for women in tech, but I would like to help women to visualize themselves as competent consumers and voices in technology.

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Over my past 6.5 years of working in tech support, I’ve met many female customers who have been relieved, and even impressed, when I showed up at their door to fix their computer problems. This is what made me start thinking about why most technicians are male when at least half of their clients are probably women. In fact, Bloomberg.com states that women make up 85% of all consumer purchases. 66% of computer purchases are made by women. The more I began discussing this with friends and customers, the more I began to realize that there were a lot of women who preferred hiring female technicians to come into their homes and businesses. Seeing as how women make up a very small amount of computer technicians and IT support specialists, I believe this could be a promising business opportunity.

So what makes my company so special? I will aim to provide clear and concise explanations for all services provided; without oversimplifying based on the presumption that women are not capable of having as much knowledge about technology as men. I will also strive to communicate with the customers in a way in which they can gain a better understanding of technology and the issues they’re facing. This will allow them to feel in control and more aware of how their devices function, and more comfortable troubleshooting any minor problems that may arise in the future.

In order to advertise my business with my target audience (of individual women and small female-run businesses) I have created a website. I will also advertise my services in Facebook female technology groups such as Women In Technology, Girls in Tech, Tech Women, and Lesbians Who Tech. I can also advertise in Facebook female-run business groups such as WISE and WE NYC. However, I believe that most of my advertising/distribution will be done through word of mouth. I need to build a solid core customer base, something I’m already in the process of doing, and my customers will do most of the advertising – to friends, family members, colleagues, etc.

Sources Cited

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/b/9e28517f-8de1-4e59-bcda-ce536aa50bd6