Recognizing that many older users of high-tech and new tech devices, including computers, tablets and telephones, are often frustrated with the complex operating systems that let such system function, Chris Watson founded Prescott Tech with the specific intent of helping individuals understand how to make such systems work.
Watson, who earned an applied science degree from the Art Institute of Phoenix, has been in Prescott since 2013. He recently founded his company, saying that more and more, he found too many older people were frustrated with their various electronics systems.
“Virtually everyone struggles with technology – everyone. It is a big mistake to think that only younger people ‘get it.’ But it is true that older people haven’t lived with technology since they were young,” he explained.
Watson, 42, suggests that 20-year-olds were born with and brought up with laptops and tablets and mobile phones, just as he was. But that’s not true of seniors and retirees.
Watson suggests that 55-year-old and older high tech users are often intimidated by the frequent changes and many applications that contemporary electronics now provide. “They aren’t as confident, especially when no one takes the time to explain the differences and the changes. That’s how I think I can really be of value. What’s more, my preference is to visit customers in their homes or offices. A customer is going to be much more relaxed in a living room than in an office with people milling around and other interruptions occurring. I think offices are horrible learning environments.”
One-on-One Support for Clients
Watson wants to keep his fees for his technological services reasonable. For example, for one-on-one support, an hour runs $30. Virus removal can coast $100 and device setup is $75.
Given his more than 20 years of experience in the high-tech industry, Watson says he
feels quite at ease talking to clients about developing a comfort level in using various applications. “My experience over the years with thousands of customers has taught me to be patient and detailed, though not complicated. For example, when I worked at PayPal in Chandler for about two years, I helped a lot of people who basically had their accounts and files stolen. I helped many people solve their concerns about others gaining access to their financial and personal data.”
After he earned his science degree, Watson first worked with Fender Guitars. It is one of the most recognized electric guitar manufacturers in the world. During his four years there, he says the knowledge he gained “was incredible.”
He then worked at the Tempe site of Go Daddy, the world’s largest domain management company, and soon after, he worked at PayPal.
In 2013, he moved to Prescott, where he has been ever since. “So far, I’ve really been content here in the Quad Cities area dealing with the 50 or 75 clients I have. I really enjoy showing people how to set up and use their new electronic devices like smart TVs, new computers and printers and such. A super popular thing lately has been the Amazon Echo,” he said. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
For more information about Prescott Tech contact Watson at 928-273-0251 or at prescottech.com.
PHOTO CAPTION:
#1 Chris Watson, founder and owner of Prescott Tech, is focusing his marketing and advertising strategy less experienced electronic technology users in the Quad Cities area.
Courtesy photo
Leave a Reply