Tech Suicide

Although these pictures are lovely, I cannot claim that they are my work. In fact, as it turns out, I have no photos that are my handiwork to share with you today. Nor do I have blog posts!

Sadly, my computer committed suicide recently. And Sunday hadn't backed up in months. Needless to say, the last few days have been quite an ordeal with missed deadlines, missed meetings, and financial creativity in replacing all hardware and software that went bye bye.



I'm happy to report that we have a new computer in the house, that is FABULOUS! It's lightweight and has many fancy functions that the old one lacked. I feel so hip! And it looks like I'll be able to bring you blog posts more often due to new higher tech capabilities. I've been converted from an XP user to a Vista user. So far.

These photos were the stock photos that came with the computer. They are the only photos I have right now. Sad! I know you aren't complaining, but the feverish viewers of my son's blog are posting complaints left and right. I think I like you Biz Wiz readers better.



My techie friend is harvesting the organs of my old laptop. The files will be extracted from the hard drive and returned to me shortly. I'll be back in the game!

Too bad my digital camera won't commit suicide. I've actually tried to kill it on numerous occasions, truth be told. But it still works, taped together and all.

As such, the next post will contain my normal style of blogging instead of professional masterpieces you've just enjoyed. Check back soon!

The Vacation Challenge

Photo: Lake Wenatchee, WA, August 2007. By Sunday Tollefson.

As I prepare to vacation for a few days, I realize that I talk with small business owners about vacations a lot. My question is this: do you take vacations? Can you take vacations? If you cannot take a vacation, what is the reason? And when do you expect that you will take a vacation? What if you were confined to a hospital bed tomorrow with no ability to operate your business? What would happen to your business?

For too many business owners, the answers remind them how their businesses have completely absorbed their lives. It doesn't have to be this way. In fact, I propose to you that it shouldn't be that way. Business owners who lack a balance of fun and play in their lives are sacrificing quality of life. For what?

By changing just a few aspects of their operations, they can take a vacation.

If a business is like a smoothly running engine, the parts know their roles. Marketing happens in line with a plan, finances are predictable, technology systems are functional, various procedures and workflows are documented, people understand your expectations, etc.

If you are a business owner who cannot vacation because your business will come to a grinding hault, I propose that you plan a vacation in the coming year. The challenge is ensuring that the business continues during your absence with no hiccups. By vacation, I don't mean a four-day weekend. I'm talking about two weeks away or more.

Are you up to it?

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Have you seen business owners in the "I-Can't-Vacation" predicament? What would happen to your business if you walked away for two weeks? How could planning an extended vacation affect your perceptions regarding your business?