I was informed late last week that for the second year in a row that the Schrock Innovations Computer Company was voted the Best Computer Repair Service Center in Omaha!

Greg with Omaha Magazine called my Service Center on Thursday with some "good news" as he described it.

To vote in the best of Omaha participants were asked to create an account on the best of Omaha website, confirm their email address, vote in multiple categories, and then submit their ballot.  All in all it is a pretty involved process.

Then Greg told me that Schrock won by such a wide margin of votes, we could have won just about any category in the entire competition!

While we certainly have no designs on Best of Omaha for florists or care dealerships, it is an amazing feeling to know so many of our customers and listeners took the time to vote for Schrock in the Best of Omaha Competition.

While it is always nice to win awards (it sure beats losing!) awards are always a reflection of your past performance.  Schrock Innovations is a customer service-focused company with the goal of making our customers' technology do what they need it to do when they need it done.  Our mission will not change in 2013.

Thank you for your loyal support in Omaha and Lincoln!

This morning Schrock Innovations was recognized by the US Small Business Administration as the #1 business in Congressional District 2 (Omaha, NE).

Each year the SBA presents awards to small businesses in each congressional district. Schrock Innovations was compared against other businesses based on sales and employment growth as well as involvement in the local community.

We discussed the award last Monday on the Omaha Morning Blend:

I want to thank all of my staff and employees who made this award possible, as well as the customers across Nebraska and Iowa who trust Schrock Innovations for their computer and technology needs.

Schrock Innovations believes that companies should be good stewards of the products they produce.

That is why Schrock offers to recycle computers, cell phones, and accessories at no cost.  Normally monitor disposal is $15 per unit.

April 28th and 29th Schrock is taking technology recycling to a whole new level with a 2-day recycling event that will allow you to safely dispose of your old computers, phones, accessories, and cords all for FREE!

What Can I Bring?

April 28th and 29th at our Omaha or Lincoln Service Centers you can recycle your old:

• Computer Towers
• Laptops
• Printers / Scanners
• Keyboards / Mice
• Computer Speakers
• Cords
• Cell Phones
• Chargers
• Extra Batteries
• CRT and LCD Monitors (limit 1 free monitor per customer)

What if I Want to Recycle More than One Monitor?

During this event, each customer is allowed to recycle one monitor for FREE.  Each additional monitor is $15 to recycle.

However, during this special event for every monitor you pay to recycle we will give you a $15 Schrock Innovations gift card.  At the end of the day, its as close to ABSOLUTELY FREE as you will get!

Because of logistics, we must limit each customer to 10 monitors in total.  If you have more than 10 to recycle please contact us to make special arrangements.

What About My Data?  Is it Safe to Recycle?

Schrock Innovations takes your personal privacy seriously.

Each and every device that has data storage of any kind (hard drive, flash memory, cell phone, etc.) will be professionally wiped by our staff BEFORE it is sent anywhere to be recycled.

A recent UK study found that 54% of all phones that were disposed of contained personal information like social network passwords, bank accounts, or phone logs.

Of the phones that contained personal data, over 80% of the people who disposed of the devices *thought* they had completely wiped them before disposing of them.

Nothing is EVER deleted from a computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone until it is professionally deleted.

You can rest assured that the data on your recycled devices never leaves our Service Centers.

Why Should I Recycle my Old Electronics?

It is estimated that on average each household in the US has 3 old and outdated computers in storage.  Schrock Innovations recently attended a committee meeting of the Nebraska Legislature where our State Senators expressed concern that electronic devices in our landfills were becoming a health hazard to all of us.

When you throw your old electronics in the garbage they don't just go away.  Harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, and mercury are vented when these devices are crushed or placed in the landfill.  These chemicals stay in the soil for decades and can pose serious human health risks including cancer.

Most people don't recycle electronics because you have to pay companies to take your equipment.  That is why Schrock Innovations is holding this event.  It is free on May 21 and 22, so PLEASE make a plan in your household to set aside the old cell phones and computer gear you honestly will never use again and dispose of it safely.

Can I Bring Non-Computer or Phone Stuff to Recycle?

This event is limited to computer equipment and cell phones only.  We are working with specific partners to make this event possible.

We can not accept old TVs, cable converters, VCR's and other related items.

Special Circumstances and Advance Notice

If you are bringing in a large quantity of equipment (more than 15 total pieces) PLEASE call us and let us know you are coming.  We have to make room to store the recycled equipment for up to 48 hours before it is transported (so we can pull all data storage devices).

Call Lincoln at 402-423-9595, call Omaha at 402-934-9423, or call Papillion at 402-884-0880 24 hours before you arrive with your equipment.

The Schrock Innovations Computer Company has spent the last 13 years building a tradition of quality technology products and award-winning service in Lincoln.

Schrock Innovations has created a new position called a Solution Advisor that is designed to ensure that we are providing the best technology solution or combination of solutions available for our clients and customers.

This position will require a candidate to:

• Contact customers after service to ensure satisfaction
• Contact customers with expiring software subscriptions for renewal
• Maintain the appearance and functionality of the sales floor
• Assist customers and clients in purchasing new computers
• Meet with clients about website development projects
• Meet with small businesses to establish corporate service agreements
• Offer technology solutions to customer with malfunctioning computers
• Handle service concerns
• Other duties as assigned
• Actively prospect provided lists

This position is perfect for a candidate with a sales, marketing, and/or technology background to achieve earning potential that is limited only by the ammout of time you want to work. If you are a highly motivated individual who likes the idea of unlimited income potential AND a rock-solid list of leads, Schrock Innovations Computer Company is looking for you!

To be considered for this position a candidate must:

• Have 5 or more years of experience in commissioned sales
• Have an understanding of computers and other technology items (or be open to rapid training)
• Have reliable transportation
• Pass a criminal background check
• Formal sales training or record of sales excellence is a plus

Compensation:

This position is a contract position. Each solution assembled for a client or customer will offer a varied commission. The candidate selected for this position will set his or her own schedule.

Commissions will vary depending on the type of sale earned and the value of that sale to the company. A complete commission schedule will be provided during training.

Schrock Innovations will provide the following equipment if desired by candidate:

• Laptop Computer
• Tablet
• Droid Smartphone (use of company phone required)

Application Information:

This position is an immediate opening. To apply for this position, please complete an online application on our website. Please do not call or visit our Service Center about this position.

If you have additional questions, or wish to submit additional information such as references, portfolios, or prepared resumes in addition to your online application, please send them in response to this advertisement. You must complete an online application to be considered for this position.

Qualified candidates will be called for a telephone interview. Based on those interviews, the pool of candidates will be narrowed and called in for an in-person interview.

Apparently the web development team at Schrock Innovations needs more work.

Things get pretty busy over there at times, and I often have to sensor my ideas before I pass them on to the Schrock team so I don't kill them with work.  It can be a good thing or a bad thing to have a team who can create anything you can imagine.  Especially when you have an imagination like mine 🙂

So the week of Christmas I habitually checked my email and I found this:

For those of you who don't know, that is me, my wife, and my son.  Very creative, very and I have three new projects to start the new year.  Happy New Year web team!