HOW TO WORK FROM A HOME OFFICE (PART 2)

When you're working in a corporation, time gets wasted in less productive activities like meetings and memos. The best results come when you have time to think. That might be before co-workers arrive at work, when they’re at lunch or after they go home. Maybe you’re most productive at home before your family wakes or after your kids go to bed.

There’s more to life than extending the workday.

Enter the home office. You get many advantages but your productivity can suffer because you face many distractions too. Is that the fridge calling? In Part 1, we looked at basics of setting up your environment, tracking your time and stopping. This time we look at other tips for better results.

Have Morning Rituals

Do you touch your smartphone or tablet before you brush your teeth? Don’t. Leave your radio and TV off too. Control the way you start your day. Defer distractions until you’re ready for breakfast. Let the news, weather, traffic, sports, email, and tweets wait.

If you use your gadget as your alarm clock, get a real clock instead. Let your gadgets sleep in silent mode in another room, if possible. You don’t need to wake to a clock radio either.

Put Health First

Have a health regime which you ideally follow before breakfast. Since you've eliminated commuting, you have time (say for the seven minute workout). I allocate 30 minutes for ashtanga yoga, with a focus on breathing and stretching.

A proper breakfast helps too. We often eat leftovers from yesterday’s dinner – quick, nutritious, hot.

Ditch The Entertainment

You might think you’re more productive with the radio or TV on. Are you? We are not good at multitasking and get distracted easily (a reason to use time tracking tools). If you prefer background noise like a coffee shop, rain or birds, try soundrown.

I’m currently watching The Shield on Netflix. It’s tempting to sneak a peek over lunch. I don’t because it would be tough to return to the right frame of mind for work. Instead, I tend to read business articles or listen to a nonfiction audiobook.

Plan Your Activities

Plan your week and day in advance. Putting key activities into your calendar looks like the easiest way to schedule your priorities. That’s part of the first things first approach in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. There’s also the Getting Things Done process. You might find an amalgam works best.

Stay Accountable

When you’re working from home, who holds you accountable? Consider getting a private peer mentor. You help each other for free. That’s a win/win if you find the right person. If that’s not enough, you might want to hire a coach.

Use a CRM system

Are you following up on commitments and opportunities? The ideal CRM option helps you organize, take action and track results. It’s like having an assistant (or boss) — without working in a corporation.

Links

• How to work from a home office (part 1)
• The scientific 7-minute workout (New York Times, May 2013)
• Getting Things Done: three big lessons
• Scheduling your priorities using the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
• The best CRM option for small business
• Where to put your To Do list
• Collect, plan and do with Trello
• image courtesy of Anita Peppers

PS When working, dress for a video call. That means look presentable from the waist up. You can still wear your slippers.

THE BEST BUYING EXPERIENCE REVISITED: AUDI, BMW, HYUNDAI, INFINITI, JEEP, LEXUS, MERCEDES, LAND ROVER, TOYOTA

Has the process of buying a new vehicle improved online? We looked at experiences with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz three years ago. This time we’re looking at more companies.

Make An Offer

Have you been asked to make an offer? How annoying. How are we supposed to know what to offer, especially on a used vehicle? Can’t they make a fair offer and compete on factors like service (e.g., free loaners, work completed on time), location, facilities (cappuccino anyone?) and hours (open on Sunday!).

Acura (MDX)

We test drove an MDX around 3 PM on a Tuesday. We weren’t able to stay for a price quote. The advisor said he’d send us the information later that day. He didn’t. No call until Thursday evening around 8 PM while I was driving in bad weather. He offered to call on Friday but never did. Would you return or give this dealership your business?

Audi (Q7 Diesel)

This experience was fine. The advisor answered our questions and phoned back as scheduled. However, the only vehicle we could test drive had the wrong engine and trim. Do you feel comfortable buying without trying?

BMW (535i xDrive GT)

We test-drove two well-equipped 5-Series Gran Turismos. One dealer’s had a loud rattle at some speeds. The other dealer was worse. The car stopped running on the way back. The warning light said the oil pressure was low and shut the engine off. Luckily we were at a traffic light and the warning blinkers worked. The dealership didn’t send anyone to our rescue quickly. After 15 minutes, I braved the chill, snow and slippery sidewalks to walk back to the dealership. Would you want to go back?

Hyundai (Genesis)

We got a test drive but not with the trim level we wanted. We were given misleading information. We were told that buying was better than leasing because we could return the vehicle anytime and get a new one. Really? How was the value set? By appraising the vehicle. You can do that anywhere anytime but will likely lose during the process.

The salesperson was talking to other people while I was there (a phone call, a person walking by). While waiting, I sat in the rear seat of a Genesis R-Spec and closed the door. It wouldn’t unlock! I tapped on the glass and called out. The rescue only took a minute but felt much longer. I returned the next day and this time my wife got locked in. Why hadn’t the childproof locks been deactivated?

At a second dealership, we were told there were no vehicles for test drive but to wait. This wasted time and didn’t change the outcome. Perhaps the salesperson wanted us to think he tried … before pitching a different vehicle. This guy also talked about himself a lot.

Neither advisor followed up. The dealerships were scrunchy and didn’t build confidence in the level of service they’d provide.

Infiniti

We had a bad experience with Infiniti in 2005 and have never returned. That’s unfair but that’s life. At the time, we went on a test drive and the license plate that hangs from the trunk fell off. The salesperson was with us the whole time and knew we hadn’t opened the trunk. He made us feel that we were to blame and left to retrace the path. Would you feel like returning?

Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler (Grand Cherokee Diesel)

This is the worst experience ever. The doors and windows were plastered with signs saying we’d be treated like VIPs because of the big autoshow underway. We told the receptionist we wanted to test drive the new diesel Grand Cherokee. She called a salesperson. He declined to help, saying he had a meeting in 20 minutes. She said she’s find someone else but didn’t. There were other advisors around but no one offered to help. After minutes passed, we told her we were leaving. No one made an attempt to stop us. Would you like to get your vehicle serviced here?

Land Rover (LR4, Range Rover Sport)

The website calculators don’t give a clear understanding of the cost of leasing. We drove to the dealership … but it had moved. Even with GPS, we couldn’t find the new location. How long would you search?

Lexus (RX350)

The first dealer didn’t have the trim we wanted in the showroom or available for a test drive. We tried a lesser version. During the test drive, we heard the clink of glass from the back. We later found out this was from a case of beer. Maybe that’s a bonus for buying? The salesperson asked good questions. Why did we like diesel (which he didn’t sell)? How does Mercedes service compare with BMW?

We returned two days later within 30 minutes of closing. No receptionist. No one there bothered to talk to us. This time we noticed the small showroom didn’t have the F-Sport, GX or LX. Would you buy what you can’t see or compare?

I visited a different Lexus dealer between other meetings. The experience here was good. They had all the vehicles indoors and I got a test drive (though on a model with a lower trim). I didn’t have time to discuss price. However, I did chat with the sales manager who emailed a proposal which met all our requirements.

Mercedes-Benz (ML350 Bluetec)

We were sent on a test drive on our own on icy roads during a storm. No advisor. We didn’t mind. Maybe they knew we already had a Mercedes? Our usual advisor likes to demonstrate the vehicle first and always comes with us.

Mercedes has corporate stores in the Toronto area. This is ideal because all the inventory is consolidated (no need to visit different locations). There are also lots of demonstrators. I have an advisor in their head office and an advisor in the dealership of my choice (the downtown flagship).

Despite these resources, I never got an answer to a basic question: if we buy our current vehicle at lease end, what’s the scheduled maintenance for the upcoming years and how much would that cost? I asked several times. Instead, I was told that maintenance could be very pricey after the warranty. The problem is with the reliability of the electronics. Replacements are pricey. That’s not reassuring. It seems that the focus is on selling or leasing new vehicles.

Overall, the experience here was the best. Have you visited a corporate store?

Toyota (Highlander Limited)

The trim level I wanted wasn’t available for a test drive. I drove a more basic version (no heated steering wheel!) which only had fuel for 17 km. Unlike the experience at BMW, we made it back. The experience was good. I said I’d return after dinner with my family and asked that the Highlander be fueled.

When we returned, we waited only to find there was nothing to test drive. Apparently the vehicle was in for repairs. How reassuring. Why hadn’t the salesperson (who just started a week ago) saved us a trip? We couldn’t test a 4Runner either because the advisor who drove the demo truck left 15 minutes earlier (probably while we were waiting).

Toyota dealer 2 had no receptionist and no Highlander in the showroom. A salesperson offered to help us “in a minute” after finishing with another customer. We left after the minutes passed. The Sienna on display had a broken door hinge.

Toyota dealer 3 had the Highlander but only with a lower trim level without a heated steering wheel or blind spot detection. The vehicle took a while to heat up and the steering wheel stayed chilly throughout. Could we go on the highway? No, that was discouraged to save time. Customers were encouraged to do that at a different dealership and then buy here. Could we drive the 4Runner? Nope. No test vehicle because the model didn’t sell well. Could the lack of a test vehicle be a reason?

We went back inside and got tired of waiting for the salesperson (who only had three months of experience). I wanted to tell the receptionist we were leaving. She must have seen me but continued talking to a co-worker.

Overall

There are still huge opportunities to improve the experience of visiting dealerships and the quality of the advisors. Overall, corporate stores feel best and reduce the need to visit multiple dealerships that sell the same brand.

Links

• Money-saving tips for car shopping today
• Marketing lessons from the Hyundai Genesis
• The best buying experience: Audi vs BMW vs Mercedes-Benz
• Three lessons from the salespeople at Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz
• The car purchase: recovering from bad service
• image courtesy of Jane Seymour

PS We’re on the verge of making our decision and ending the shopping process for a few more years.

WHY CONTACTUALLY IS THE BEST CRM OPTION FOR SMALL BUSINESS

(Contactually provided no incentives for the writing this blog post. Since I'm now a big supporter, I’ve become an affiliate to help them thrive.)

A successful business requires a solid Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The challenge is choosing a solution which is:

• easy to use: adds contacts automatically from your emails and LinkedIn; shows social media feeds; notifies you of changes in your network such as new positions
• scalable: to allow other users as your business grows
• web-based: for access anytime from anywhere with nothing to install or maintain

Other Options

You do have choices. I had Batchbook for almost four years but never really liked it enough to use regularly. I recently experimented with Insightly (tied to one email account and price based on the number of contacts) and Nimble (feels too lite).

If you’re married to Highrise, Pipedrive, Salesforce or SugarCRM, you don’t need to switch since Contactually integrates with them. That’s a solid sign that Contactually is different. If you find there’s too much overlap after your free trial, you might want to save money by dropping one.

Even More

Other useful features in a CRM are

• email templates to speed up and standardize replies
• pre-scheduling of emails (e.g., write at night and send in the morning)
• track when emails are opened
• unlimited contacts without a surcharge
• sensible reminders to follow up
• benchmarking against other CRM users (e.g., like RescueTime does for time tacking)

Contactually has all these features.

The Concept

Contactually is very well thought out. You get easy-to-use features without clutter or undue complexity. For instance, you can introduce two connections to each other with a few mouse clicks.

The basic idea is that you group people into “buckets”. That terminology still feels weird but is easy to visualize. Maybe that’s because we know what a bucket looks like. In contrast, synonyms like “group” or “category” or “tag” or “community” feel abstract.

You can put people into multiple buckets.

Email Templates

You can send an email to some or all members of a bucket. You can even personalize these emails by inserting a name as when sending a newsletter. What's more — and this is very powerful — you can edit the message for each recipient separately.

Think about that.

Say you want to send the same message to 30 people but make minor adjustments for three of them. Does a BCC or email newsletter allow that easily? Contactually does. You get the benefit of a template and the customization of individual emails.

Previously, I’d create a draft in Gmail, copy/paste into an email and personalize. That’s time-consuming and error-prone.

Relationships

Contactually focuses on helping you build relationships by reminding you to stay in touch.

When you look up a contact, you get lots of relevant information such as the last time of contact, the emails sent and what they're doing via social media.

Contactually monitors what you do also and we'll update contact information from email signatures. You don't have to do anything. Sometimes you get emails from the same person but via different email accounts. Contactually is good at figuring this out. Some CRM systems are tied to a specific email account but Contactually lets you connect to as many as you like. Isn't that what you want?

Following up

When we don’t follow up, we lose opportunities and reduce trust. Contactually makes the process easy, almost enjoyable. You’re given tips on how to follow up. You get access to templates that others have created. Click on the screenshot to see options.

You have weekly goals for the number of follow ups and see your progress on a dashboard. This week, I’ve done none. There’s still hope, since I tend to follow up most on Fridays.

Privacy

Contactually does not store a copy of your email messages. Instead, limited information is kept (e.g., subject line, sender, recipient). You can click on a message to read it from your email provider.

Sales Pipeline

Until recently, Contactually didn’t — gasp — have a sales pipeline. That was not a major omission. You probably know who your active prospects and where they are in the sales process. That's what many CRMs do and it feels redundant and painful.

Not Perfect

Contactually is not perfect but does keep improving. The support team is very helpful . They have live web chat which works well. They are open to suggestions.

For example, I wanted Contactually to connect to my newsletter service, Mad Mimi. Both companies were receptive and within months this happened.

Perfect for Freelancers

If you’re working on your own or in a small group, a CRM solution is especially important. Contactually feels like an addition to your team thanks to smart notifications.

It’s easy to adopt bad habits when you’re the boss. Contactually helps keep you track by benchmarking you against similar users.

Not Perfect

No CRM is perfect and you’ll have your own preferences. Most choices offer a free trial but experimenting takes time. Since a CRM solution contains your confidential information, how many options do you want to try?

If you’re a freelancer or working in a small group, do try Contactually. If you’re satisfied, you can stop your search and focus on your work. You’ll probably want the Small Business Plan, which has the features described above for $40/month. If you just want the basics, the Premium plan is well featured at $20/month.

Links

• Contactually trial (reseller link) 
• Choosing a CRM solution
• Use Mad Mimi for your email newsletters
• Three time-tracking tools that work

PS Contactually doesn’t currently sync with calendars. Again, that isn’t a big deal.

AVOID UPGRADING FROM WINDOWS 8.0 TO WINDOWS 8.1

Honestly, Microsoft and Dell misled me.

I keep getting reminders to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. What's more, the upgrade is free and designed to fix annoyances with Windows 8 (e.g., the lack of a Start button).

I've learned over the years that Microsoft loves hype (Apple does too, but they often delivered in the Steve Jobs era). I've suffered by paying for lousy updates like Windows ME.

Defer Upgrades

My new practice is to only upgrade when buying a new computer. When I got my new Dell mere months ago, I wanted Windows 7. That operating system works extremely well and much of what I do is browser-based. Windows 8 didn’t offer anything worthwhile since my computer doesn’t have a touch screen. Dell didn’t allow a “downgrade” to Windows 7. That meant I got stuck with Windows 8. It's not horrible but its not unnoticeable improvement either.

Anyway, I kept getting these reminders to upgrade to Windows 8.1. I didn't earlier because nothing was broken  and I was wary of new problems arising. By now, the bugs had to be fixed, right?

The instructions say the installation only starts when you accept the new license. I figured I could at least download the new version. I decided to proceed yesterday. The process is very slow but I was able to use my computer during the download.

Reboot

After hours passed. When I returned from a meeting, a message said my computer would reboot in seven minutes and to save my work. With normal updates you can delay the reboot until you're ready. I thought that was the case here. I expected another reminder, which I could also delay. No No No.

My computer rebooted automatically.

I didn’t have a chance to finish saving my work. This was very annoying because I was nearly done. After the reboot, I accepted the lengthy new license and answered several questions. After waiting and waiting, all I got was a black screen. The hard disk light keeps flashing, which suggests that something is installing. When I move the mouse, I see the pointer and the circle which indicates something is in process. That's been going on for hours.

Get Back

Apparently you can revert to Windows 8 if the installation fails. That option did not appear. An online search says that going back requires a reinstallation of the operating system. That means having to reinstall all the applications too. The data might be preserved.

In my case, I have backups made in real time via CrashPlan and Dropbox. I doubt I'll lose anything except time but time is precious. I'll call Dell because I have their highest level of support. From what I can tell from my online search, the difficulties may have arisen from the drivers for the video card. Either Dell didn’t update them or Microsoft didn’t install the the right ones.

The moral: beware of what companies tell you. Technology, updates can be much more of a hassle then warranted. That's a price early adopters seem willing to pay. I wasn’t. No gain. More pain.

Links

• My frustrating upgrade to Windows 8 (Forbes, Oct 2013) (new)
• 7 Windows 8.1 issues and how to fix them (MakeUseOf, Nov 2013) (new)
• How to upgrade to Windows 8.1 and downgrade back to Windows 8 (MakeUseOf, Nov 2013) (new)
• Avoid Windows 8
• Apple’s risky marketing strategy
• What happens when your computer breakdown
• Recovering from another computer breakdown
• Update from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 (Microsoft)
• Errors stymie Windows 8.1 updates on some devices (ComputerWorld, Oct 2013)
• How to uninstall Windows 8.1 (CNET, Nov 2013)

PS Your clients may be wary when you offer them something new …

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR MARKETING?

Boo hoo.
We don't have time.
We don't know how.
We might make mistakes.

These common explanations or reasons or excuses hold us back. Except when a sickness or another emergency rearranges our priorities

Equal

When you're sick, you're forced to make time. You're forced to learn how to get the  treatment. You’re motivated to overcome mistakes that could delay or complicate your recovery. Sickness makes us equal. Even billionaires have to adjust (Steve Jobs “buttoned up”), though having money buys more attention and brings more options.

Paradox

How strange that we have time for sickness but not for health.

For health, we face no crisis or deadline. When sickness strikes fast, it's easy to blame bad luck, especially if you catch the latest disease that’s in the news. When the consequences come slowly (e.g. from poor diet, inadequate exercise, excessive stress) we know who suffers. It’s tougher to tell who’s to blame.

Lest We Forget

Soon enough, we go back to our normal. We forget that …
… we have lots of time.
… we have lots of know how.
… we we learn from mistakes.

You know of actions you could take to make your business better. Just because the steps aren’t urgent doesn’t mean they aren’t important.

Even today, you can do business without a website, without being on LinkedIn, without having a smartphone. It's just that your results will likely suffer. The longer you wait, the further behind you get. Once you decide to act, you're at a significant disadvantage. Spending money may not be enough. As with exercise, you need time and what you learn along the way.

As Bruce Cockburn sang, the trouble with normal is it always gets worse. That means we better get better.

Links

• Steve Jobs “buttoned up”, have you?
• 9/13: prepare your disaster recovery plan now
• 9/11 and the end of innocence
• How healthy are you really?
• Thoughts on Michael Moore’s Sicko
• Napoleon Hill and the six basic fears from 1937
• image courtesy of dinostock

PS Start today. Tomorrow is 9/11.

OF RAIN STORMS, BLACKOUTS AND MEMORIES

(drafted during the blackout)

It’s morning. The record-breaking storm in Toronto has passed. We got a month’s worth of rain in two hours. Life looks normal outside.

Only 35,000 Toronto Hydro customers are still without electricity (down from 300,000 locations last night). We’re among these “lucky” ones.

Right now, we don’t care about how many have power and bet they aren’t thinking about us either. Once our electricity is restored, life will become normal again.

Remembering

We forget quickly. Except when we don’t.

When unexpected events like heavy rainfall cause power outages, we’re often sympathetic. What can we do? Many others are affected too.

We might even enjoy the adventure.


Driving for 2.5 hours through heavy rain yesterday evening while the traffic lights were out felt safe because we had plenty of diesel and avoided potential problem spots. When we got home shortly before dark, we had dinner by candlelight. That’s hardly torture.

Overnight, the temperature was pleasantly cool because of the rain. With the power out, traffic volumes were much lower than usual and the street lights were off. That’s a recipe for a relaxing sleep.

Besides, our neighbours were affected too. Like misery, adventure loves company.

This morning, the adventure quickly turned to annoyance because the power was still out. Service resumed around 10:30 AM and has been stable. There’s a 60% chance of showers with thunderstorms overnight …

Links

• Why are we flooded with bad weather forecasts? (new)
• Toronto floods leave hydro system ‘hanging by a thread’ (CBC News, Jul 9, 2013)
• 15 harrowing moments from the Toronto rain storm (blogTO, Jul 9, 2013)
• A soggy timeline of rain and flooding in Toronto (blogTO, Jul 9, 2013)
• 9/13: prepare your disaster recovery plan now
• Reminders from disasters like Superstorm Sandy
• Causing greater harm than Superstorm Sandy

PS When recharging your smartphone once power is restored, make sure the power bar is on …

RECOVERING FROM ANOTHER COMPUTER BREAKDOWN

April Fools Day was yesterday. Today I’ve got more problems with my Lenovo ThinkPads. I’ve learned and am now better prepared.

My ThinkPad W520 workstation hasn’t been the same since the two repairs last year. The fan keeps running loud and there’s heat even when I’m doing basic things like typing. The internal speakers no longer work (for the second time).

My backup ThinkPad X200 Tablet has a pricey 128 GB SSD that’s defective, according to Windows. (My Dell netbook also has a defective 32 GB SSD but I rarely use it.)

This morning, the W520 refused to start because of an error with some controller. Later, it did start but it’s no longer reliable. None of my computers are.

Data Loss

At least I don’t need to worry about data loss. My key files are in my 61 GB Dropbox (see review), which means I have synchronized copies and archived versions. I use cloud-based services regularly.

I've also got CrashPlan+ Unlimited which backs up to an external hard drive and an online archive (review on about.com, Apr 2013). I’ve got every version of every file available.

The issue is no longer data loss. The issue is reliability. That will require another computer. The problem is deciding which to get.

Which One?

Costco has the best basic warranty (2 years) and return policy (90 days) but the selection is limited. Best Buy, Future Shop and Staples offer more choice but still play the game of having sales instead of great prices everyday. Computer stores have better prices but seem to be tough on returns (might even have restocking fees). Online manufacturers Lenovo and Dell offer choice and customization … but also use the gimmick of sales and delivery takes time if you customize.

The Ideal

The ideal notebook computer would have these features (in no particular order):

• lightweight
• portable (e.g., 13” or 14” screen)
• Windows 8 touchscreen (reduces the need for a tablet)
• powerful processor (e.g., Intel Core i7)
• lots of memory (minimum of 8 GB, upgradeable to 16 GB)
• lots of high-speed storage (e.g., 1 TB at 7200 rpm)
• all-day battery (e.g., 8 hours)
• nonglare HD screen (900x1600 or 1080x1920)
• 3 year onsite next-business-day repairs
• VGA output (many projectors and monitors lack the newer HDMI inputs)
• English (non-bilingual) keyboard
• inexpensive

There’s no such choice.

Unless you order a customized computer, you’re stuck with compromises like a 1366x768 screen and a slow hard drive. If you order customized, your computer is a one-off. You wait for delivery and get a less reliable computer. According to a Lenovo repair shop, the most problems are with computers that are CTO (Customized To Order).

There are too many substandard choices … but I need to decide.

Your Clients

How do your clients (current and prospective) feel about what you offer? What’s simple or clear to you may confuse them. Rather than asking for your advice, they may decide to do nothing. Isn’t that a lose/lose?

Links

• How Lenovo put attention ahead of trust (new)
• What happens when your computer breaks down?
• Hero or zero: the sad tale of Lenovo and UPS
• The magic of Dropbox for sync and sharing
• Beat your smartphone with a netbook
• Are you seen as a commodity like a notebook?
• Are you scrimping and splurging in the wrong places?
• RiachardAtDell and Dell’s flubbed opportunity
• Repairing your computer vs fixing your finances
• reBOOT: What happens when you donate your computer
• Are you more like Apple, Google or Microsoft?
• The power of redundancy
• image courtesy of dinostock

PS What would you do if your computer became unreliable?

ADD WEBINARS TO YOUR MARKETING MIX

If you only make presentations in person, you face limitations

• time: travel, parking, setup (shorter online)
• geography: you can’t be in two places at once (you can online)
• audience: members from different firms may avoid going to the same event (how would they know online?)
• facilities: sometimes squishy, with obstructed views, poor acoustics (you control the environment online)
• health: do you want to catch or give the flu? (online attendees can watch without worries)
• weather: adds uncertainty (online you can continue with those available and have a “rain date” for the ones who can’t attend)
• cost: no room rentals, screen rentals or refreshments

Webinars look like an ideal addition to your in-person events. I haven't been a fan because too many are boring or salesy. That's not a criticism of webinars but how they’re used. Webinars are a quick, low cost way to extend your reach. Here's what you need:

• a compelling presentation
• an engaging voice
• basic technology

The Presentation

When you're speaking live, you have the advantage of your physical presence. When you're remote, your slides become more important. Are they simple and engaging? Do they build by element or do you show everything at once? If you use a video clip, will your audience be able to see and hear it properly? Are you telling stories?

Tip: Practice, ideally with someone watching remotely.

The Voice

When you're not on camera, your audience only sees your slides and hears your voice. Think radio. You need more energy than usual. Try speaking a little faster (or a little slower if you normally talk fast). Enunciate clearly. Sit straight in your chair. Breathe deeply and regularly.

You need to adjust for time lags in transmission and reception. Some animations may be too fast for your audience to see. Some words may cut out as happens with mobile phone calls.

Tip: Record yourself and watch the playback. Repeat until you're comfortable with the results. Now get others to watch. What do they think?

The Technology

You'll want a fast, reliable Internet connection and a high quality microphone. If your mobile phone can create an Internet hotspot, you have a Plan B.

You'll find many services which let you host webinars from your web browser. Here's what's ideal.

• a well-featured always-free version: lets you experiment (likely ad-supported)
• recording capability: lets you practice, allows replays
• webcam option: lets you appear on the screen at least part of the time (much more engaging)
• fixed web address: looks more professional than having “no fixed address”
• registration which captures contact details: lets you stay in touch with your audience, including those who were unable to attend
• monthly plans: saves money since you may not have events every month
• option to charge: you may want to sell tickets

For some reason, most paid plans only allow 25 attendees. That may be realistic but doesn't seem like much.

I was considering join.me ($20/mo for 25 attendees) but it lacks basics like recording and webcam support. I'm currently investigating AnyMeeting ($18/mo for 25 attendees, $70/mo for 200 attendees). The free ad-supported version allows 200 attendees. I'm impressed so far.

When's your next webinar?

Links

• Murphy’s laws vs six presentations in a row
• How presenters under-deliver (and what to do)
• Make your presentation better than a TED Talk
• Three tips to add impact to your content
• Case study: would you pay to see this speaker?
• Fixing what’s wrong with conferences and networking
• You need to read To Sell Is Human
• image courtesy of Scott Maxwell

PS If you think you have to be physically present to achieve your call to action, maybe you can strengthen your content and delivery.

WHERE TO PUT YOUR ‘TO DO’ LIST

Maintaining a To Do list is challenging. An entry could go in different categories (e.g., business, family, personal). What you need to do a task varies (e.g., phone, car, office, computer, quiet). The priorities differ and change. The due dates do too. Any system you use will have ways to deal with issues like these.

I use a combination of Getting Things Done by David Allen and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

The Tools

The challenge is finding the right tools and using them consistently.

Ease of use varies.

• pen/paper is fastest but the least organized, easiest to lose, least likely to be with you when you’re on the move and toughest to reorganize
• with electronic tools like your smartphone, tablet or computer, input takes longer but the lists are well-organized, easier to share and tough to lose (with sync and online backup)

With any system, there will be tasks that don't get done. As the list of incomplete items builds, it's easy to get overwhelmed and stop using the list. It's like missing gym visits and finding it easier to stay away than return.

Portability

Being able to add, edit and remove tasks anywhere is handy. I want to see the list on my smartphone, which I'm most likely to have with me. For inputting items, I prefer my tablet or computer. When working with a team, support for different devices helps. I have collaborators who use iOS and Android. Web-based tools are a compromise but less inviting to use than an app.

Share-ability

You may want to share some tasks with your team and keep others private. Sharing might not be free. An environment like GlassCubes may help if you have a budget and other needs (free for two workspaces with unlimited users).

Messed Up

Recently, I've been using

• assorted paper (whatever is at hand) without organizing the pages
• Toodledo: web-based, integrates with my Pocket Informant calendar (which syncs with my Google Calendar) on both my Android phone and iPad
• CRM: for some work-related tasks that I want to associate with specific clients

The result is a bit messy and inconsistent. Maybe a hybrid is the best solution for now. Your thoughts?

Links

• Toodledo does more than Remember The Milk
• Getting Things Done: Three big lessons
• Scheduling your priorities the Seven Habits way
• image courtesy of Canakris

PS You might want to try the Twitter-like Fetchnotes, which is free. As a bonus, you get a generous 25 GB of Box storage for free if you’re not a current Box user (see MakeUseOf for the steps).

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR COMPUTER BREAKS DOWN?

My Lenovo ThinkPad W520 workstation will be out of service for at least four days.

Granted, that includes Saturday, Sunday (today) but I had things to do. My warranty provides onsite, next business day service. That would mean Monday but ... the technicians are booked. I get to wait until sometime on Tuesday.

What Happened?

When I startup my computer, an error message says

Detection error on HDD1 (Ultrabay HDD)

I have two fast internal 500 GB hard drives configured to act like one huge hard drive (RAID0 striping). This high performance option writes portions of a file to each drive at the same time. This helps when editing video and doing other disk intensive tasks. (Another option is RAID1 mirroring which puts the same files on two drives. This is safer because if one disk stops working, you have a backup.)

There is likely a problem (in decreasing order) with

1. the connector between the hard drive, Ultrabay and motherboard
2. the motherboard
3. the hard drive

Why So Slow?

If next day repairs aren’t available, that means

• too many defective machines and/or
• too few technicians

Both problems are resolvable and each is a concern. In today’s world, any day can be a work day. Restricting service calls to Monday-Friday feels arcane. After all, Lenovo sells 24/7.

Don't Panic

I can't afford to be out of service for days. Thanks to pre-planned redundancy, I'm not. The cloud is the main reason. That's where I have key files (Dropbox), email, contacts, tasks, etc. I can access them with my iPad, netbook and smartphone. Multiple Internet connected devices provide cheap insurance and more productivity.

I can keep working with my netbook for simple tasks requiring Windows. For instance, I composed/posted a blog post and podcast 153.

I'm definitely less productive but reasonably functional. I can catch up in other areas, such as thinking and creating more content. Phone calls and meetings aren’t affected.

Can't Do

I can't work on two PowerPoint presentations. One is for a live session in three months but the organizers want a draft to start the slow process of applying for  Continuing Education credits for attendees. The second is for a live presentation this Thursday.

I can't work on video. I wanted to practice editing and publish at least one. That's one of my Pick Four goals (see Reach your goals with Pick Four from Zig Ziglar and Seth Godin).

Don't Know

If a hard drive is defective, I will lose some files. Mainly raw video. The core files are well-protected by Dropbox, SugarSync, JungleDisk and an external hard drive.

Why aren't the video files backed up? Uploading to online storage is slow and bandwidth caps get in the way. I could have local backups but was compiling all video in one place first. Also, my backup drive is nearly full.

Next Time

I don't want a next time. Here's what I could do

• have another computer, rather than a netbook
• have real-time syncing to an external hard drive (in addition to overnight incremental backups)
• read the warranty fine print

I can't do anything about the fine print but can become better aware of the limitations.
In the unlikely case that I lose anything, the damage will be limited. If you are not using Dropbox or SugarSync, do consider them.

Links

• How Lenovo put attention ahead of trust (new)
• The magic of Dropbox for sync and sharing
• Boost productivity: Three gadgets that get work done
• Get ready for your video debut
• image courtesy of dinostock

PS Losing Internet access would be worse. I'm thankful that the horror of Rogers Ultimate have been fixed.

BOOST PRODUCTIVITY: THREE GADGETS GET THINGS DONE

You’ll boost your business productivity by using separate devices to

1. create content: workhorse PC or Mac
2. view content: smartphone
3. show content: tablet

Yes there is overlap. A tablet might be able to create much of your content too.

You could use one device for multiple purposes but as with a Swiss army knife, there are compromises. wouldn't you rather have the blade, spoon and screwdriver separate when you really want to use them?

View Content: Smartphone

Your smartphone is probably the gadget that's with you most of all. It's ideal for checking your calendar and phoning contacts. It's reasonable for taking photos and skimming email. It’s not so good for sending emails or web browsing.

Mistake: I wanted to read and compose email but the screen and keyboard are miniscule. They're usable but you waste time compared with a tablet.

Show Content: Tablet with 10+" screen

This may be all you need for business travel. You can now read and compose email easily. You can view websites too. You can do much more but you can't stuff an iPad sized-tablet into your pocket.

Mistake: I tried taking notes with my iPad. Paper and pen is much faster and easier.

Create Content: Computer

When you're creating content, a powerful computer with a large screen helps. This isn't needed if you're writing a blog post (an iPad is excellent for focus).

If you're working on a spreadsheet or editing video, you'll benefit from a large display, fast processor, spacious hard drive and lots of memory. Yet lug this machine around and you'll soon wish for something smaller and lighter.

Mistake: For the last two years, I was using a 12" ThinkPad X200 Tablet which is wonderfully portable but not ideal for creating content.

Now

New computer: To create content, I upgraded to a powerful ThinkPad W520 workstation with a 15.6" screen and 1600x900 resolution. This workhorse usually stays in the stable ... I mean, office.

New smartphone: I replaced my Blackberry Bold 9700 with a Motorola Droid 3 (Bell XT860) for the larger slide out keyboard and 4" screen. The battery life is short, which means I'm recharging while in the car. I might start taking a wall adapter with me too.

I ditched my MiFi cellular hotspot since the Droid 3 allows wireless tethering. That's one less device to carry and one less monthly plan to pay.

Old tablet: I still use my Wi-Fi iPad most of all. It's with me when I have my briefcase, which is most of the time. Depending on where I'm going, I may leave the Bluetooth keyboard at the office. The battery lasts all day, which provides peace of mind and freedom from electrical outlets.

The smartphone/tablet combination is portable and versatile. There's also redundancy since the Droid and iPad both have calendars, email, contacts, passwords and the ability to show presentations. They both turn on instantly. During a phone call, I can check my calendar on my iPad. While creating a mind map on my iPad, I can do a Google search on my Droid.

More screens means more productivity. Which screens are right for you?

Links

• Multiple email accounts make life easier
• The magic of DropBox for syncing and sharing
• image courtesy of Peter Baxter

PS You can get gadgets from the same family (e.g., Mac, iPhone and iPad). I prefer the learning curve that comes from diversity: PC (Windows), smartphone (Android), tablet (iOS). Each platform has strengths/weaknesses and different apps.

THE TALE OF THE HOTEL THAT WASN’T THERE

The address was on a major Toronto street. Even so, I checked Google maps. The Street View showed what looked like the hotel under construction.

My months-old navigation system plotted the path to what seemed to be a brand-new building.

The hotel wasn't there.

I could see it on a side street but not how to get there. I was in the left hand lane and the path looked like a right turn three lanes over. I backtracked and turned on what looked like the correct street.
Eventually, I got to the networking event at 7:43 AM, 13 minutes late.

I happened to be chatting with a member of the foreign property management team about the “bait & switch” address. He agreed that the address was prestigious ... but misleading. Fooling visitors doesn't make a good first impression --- especially if they've been traveling for hours to get there and battled heavy traffic.

Each attendee had 30 seconds to introduce themselves to 60+ attendees. The hotel manager took 78 seconds — more than twice his share but didn't have much to say. The facilities were going to upgraded. That's nice but of no value to us right then.

Washrooms

The washroom was in bad condition.
There was a smell. Two of the four urinals were out of order. Maybe that explained the water on the floor. At least three soap dispensers were empty.

How could this be?

The We Care notice said:

In order to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in our restrooms, we clean and resupply them every hour. If this restroom should need attention, please refer to the front desk attendant for assistance. We'll respond immediately. This is just another way we show you that we care.

That’s impressive but not true. Yet someone signed the sheet at 8 AM to say the facilities were in proper working order. Gulp!

Parking

We got a "special" parking rate of $6 for 7 AM to 10 AM. That’s three hours. That’s excessive for an event that runs 1.5 hours from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.  Even two hours (7:15 AM to 9:15 AM) would have been ample.

The parking rate sign showed the normal rate for two hours was $4.50. Our “special” cost us 33% extra and the spots we vacated could be resold.
This is worse. Another group paid $6 from 8 AM to 5 PM. That’s nine hours.

The property manager’s representative listened to my concerns and gave my business card to the hotel manager. Nothing happened. Surprised?

What About You?

If your actions don't match your words, your customers will find out and can easily tell others. Proof is easy to provide since today’s smartphones have cameras. Google+ has instant photo uploads on Android devices. Try undoing that.

Where might you be exaggerating? What can you do to meet or exceed expectations?

Links

• Marketing lessons from hotelier Steve Gupta
• $499/night but no bath robe
• Instant photo uploads from Android is Google Plus’s killer feature (ReadWriteWeb, June 2011)
• Where’s the music in your store?
• Make better first impressions without being there
• What if your clients could buy direct?
• Hero or Zero: The sad tale of Lenovo and UPS
• The car purchase: recovering from bad service
• Do you annoy your clients without knowing?
• Diluting the soup

PS What would you do if you endured my ordeal?

PRESENTING ENTHUSIASM

According to Zig Ziglar, selling is a transfer of enthusiasm. Isn't that true for presenting too?

Let's assume you are enthusiastic. How do you transfer that feeling to your audience? Here are three tips.

1. Setup the environment
2. Be energetic
3. Read the audience

Setup The Environment

You are the star. The organizers want you to succeed. They'll act on your (reasonable) requests. Just ask. In a recent session, the presenter's computer was on a table beside the podium and facing away from the screen. When she looked at the screen, she was facing a side wall instead of the audience. Not good, even with a microphone.

By arriving early, the presenter could have had the table moved to face the audience or moved the computer atop the podium (unless that conflicted with her speaking notes). Yes this would have caused some extra work but so what? The few minutes would have enhanced the experience. Instead, she looked like she didn't care and we reciprocated.

You also want to check the focus of the projector. If your content goes from edge to edge of the screen, some may get cut-off. Leaving borders around your content is a solution. Perhaps the zoom on the projector can be adjusted.

Be Energetic

This is especially a challenge in a large room with hundreds watching you. You look small. Your gestures shrink. Even when you're using a microphone and sound loud.

Your content and delivery are key. Video clips may help ... if relevant. Some presenters use low quality video that looks lousy when projected. That may work if the sound quality is good and you're showing something old like the first lunar landing.

The audience's energy gets amplified if you finish on time or even early.

Read The Audience

Misreading an audience is easy and one of the three permanent fears for presenters. If you're attentive, you'll know when your audience is engaged. Les Brown calls this listening to the listening. Are their eyes glued to you or wandering to their smartphones / watches / neighbours?

You're cheating your audience if you don't leave time for questions. That's your opportunity for interaction and magic.

If you don't want to hear from them, you're broadcasting. Why not record a video instead? You can split it into segments and post them online. That is probably more useful since the content can be reviewed anytime. This takes more preparation and you won't have an audience clapping at the end (unless you add an applause track). However, enthusiasm travels best when you present live.

Links

• Three permanent fears for presenters
• The right medium for your message
• How presenters under-deliver (and what to do)
• Three tips to add impact to your content
• Flubs in a seminar with a $500,000 ticket
• How to prepare, promote and practice a brand-new presentation
• Five presentation tips from Bruce Springsteen and Steve Jobs
• Three secrets of presenters: repetition, illusion and self-promotion
• Three serious lessons from Second City
• Image courtesy of JupoXC (Chile)

PS Emerson said nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Don't you agree?

WHY A WINDOWS USER GOT AN iPAD FOR BUSINESS

I visited an Apple store for the first time and wrote about the experience. I returned a week later to buy an iPad for business.

The second visit was not as good. The store was even more crowded and noisy. Products aren't on the shelves. This creates more retail space, reduces theft but slows down purchasing. The checkout line wasn't clearly marked. All this caused delays.

I eventually bought the base iPad (16 GB storage and Wi-Fi). Why not a fancier one with 3G and more storage? Three friends with the same model are satisfied. I have MiFi (the topic for another post) for anywhere Internet access to files stored in the cloud.

Why Now?

I'm not a gadget freak, though I upgrade my equipment regularly. I never bought an Apple product before. So this purchase took special consideration since this could be the first step into the sphere of Steve Jobs.

I got the iPad for business. My goal is to quickly show relevant nonlinear content. This could take the form of webpages, snippets from PowerPoints, tables showing tax rates, photos and video.

A notebook computer is too obtrusive and slow to get ready. Carrying paper isn't practical since I don't know what I'll need.The iPad has a WOW factor which helps with marketing.

Highlights

There's much to like about the iPad

• instant on: like a smartphone
• vibrant screen
• very fast: seems faster than my netbook and notebook
• intuitive navigation with your fingers
• long life battery: easily lasts all day
• reasonable volume and sound quality
• apps are very easy to install
• reasonable pricing for the hardware, accessories and apps
• much better for email than a smartphone

Drawbacks

The iPad isn't perfect

• installation requires a computer and an iTunes account (the process also installed QuickTime and the Safari web browser)
• much heavier than it looks (but much lighter than a notebook)
• no ideal solution for playing PowerPoint presentations (see below)
• designed for the out-dated 4:3 aspect ratio (1024x768) but my content is designed for 16:10 widescreen (1280x800)
• lack of Adobe Flash limits (see below)
• No try-before-you buy option for apps
• no multitasking (coming soon)

No Adobe Flash Support

On my notebook computer, Flash crashes often or slows down web browsing. Maybe Apple is wise to dispense with Flash but you'll find online content you can't play. You see empty gaps on the web pages, which is annoying. At least there's a player for YouTube.

No PowerPoint Support

Most of my content requires PowerPoint 2010 and there's no iPad player. I can manage without editing, though some basic abilities are nice to have. However, I do need a player. Apple sells Keynote ($10 US) but reviews are negative even from Mac users. I've heard that Docs To Go Premium ($17) is a great choice with support for Word and Excel too. There's the innovative Nonlinear ($10), which is part of the TalkingPad project started by Seth Godin. Unfortunately, you must buy before you can try and there are no refunds.

For now, I've converted slides into pictures using the Save As option in PowerPoint. Each slide is numbered and the collection is stored as an album. This removes animation but that's okay for my purposes.

I have no intention of presenting the content using a projector or external screen. I'd used my usual ThinkPad X200 tablet with a remote control instead.

Why Not Wait?

Buying version 1 technology has drawbacks. This time I'm not concerned because Apple is building on past experience. The iPad is like a big iPod. Millions of iPads have been sold, which makes this tablet the clear market leader. The current model does what I want and can be used for years. New apps are being released daily. There are no imminent competitors — certainly none with an app store.

While there's still plenty for an Apple newbie like me to learn, I'm extremely satisfied with the iPad and the new capabilities it provides for business (and fun).

Links

• Three marketing lessons from the iPad
• uApple: The iPad shows how you can be like Apple
• iPad app of my dreams: the digital talking pad (Seth Godin)
• The traveler's guide to the iPad (Mark Hindle)
• On the road with the iPad: can you leave the laptop home? (Computerworld)
• Are you more like Apple, Google or Microsoft?
• Five presentation tips from Steve Jobs
• Do you fail like Apple?

PS Since the iPad is slippery, be sure to get a nice case. I chose the incase Convertible Book Jacket (see review). It grips surfaces well, protects the iPad, gives three viewing angles and has a tilted position for typing.

THREE MARKETING LESSONS FROM THE iPAD

On Sunday, I went out of my way to visit an Apple store for the first time. The place was buzzing with activity and energy. I've never bought an Apple product but wanted to see an iPad for myself. That's the power of marketing — attracting a disinterested client.

The iPad teaches three valuable marketing lessons

1. Show, don't tell
2. Lock the price
3. Sell the old model

Show, Don't Tell

People can't easily tell what they want before they see it. Can you? That's why focus groups and market research have limited value for new inventions like overnight delivery, bank machines and smartphones. Watching is a much better measure of intent than listening.

The Original Tablet

Tablet computers have been around since 1992 when IBM launched the ThinkPad 700T. There have been many models from various companies ever since. Microsoft Windows has supported tablet PCs since 2002. Yet sales were limited.

Enter Apple

Within 80 days, Apple sold three million tablets — more than all models from all other companies combined. There was a market after all.

What happened? Apple showed people what the iPad can do. Through their stores, their own experts answer questions and let visitors try for themselves.

Within a few minutes, an Apple rep showed me the capabilities and had me sold. The only question was which model. And you thought actuaries couldn't be impulsive. My family was with me and discouraged the purchase. So I walked out empty-handed.

What do you show and let potential clients touch? This is tougher if you sell a service, which means that what clients touch has even greater impact.

Lock The Price

Prior to launch, there were questions whether Apple would manage to get the price of the iPad below $1,000 US. They managed to charge $499 for the base model with prices ranging to $829.

Model	16 GB	32 GB	64 GB
WiFi	$499	$599	$699
WiFi + 3G	$629	$729	$829

With that much choice, price isn't much of an issue. Also, prices seem to be the same at the few places like Best Buy that are authorized to sell the iPad.

To some buyers, price is probably incidental. They have to have it. There's similar fervour when a new Blackberry or iPhone gets launched.

Are you selling on price or do you offer a range? The range may consist of offerings from different companies (e.g., at Best Buy) or a range with offerings from one company (e.g., at Apple stores).

Sell The Old Model

You don't need to sell the best … if you're perceived as first to market and have a reasonable price. Perfection can come later.

These deficiencies haven't deterred early adopters

• no multitasking (coming with iOS 4.2 in November)
• no USB connection
• no HDMI output (but a VGA connector is available)
• no 4G option
• no widescreen (4:3 ratio 1024x768 resolution)
• no camera

Despite the shortcomings and ridiculed name, Apple sold three million iPads in 80 days. At the $499 entry price, that's $1.5 billion in revenue. First year sales are higher than for the original iPhone or DVD players.

If you won't buy until minimum standards have been met, Apple has given you reasons to wait for the iPad 2 (and perhaps to keep you away from competitors). For current buyers, Apple is creating anticipation to encourage upgrades to the iPad 2 and additional purchases for other family members.

Are you creating anticipation for future sales? Are you selling what you have now or pausing until the new models come out?

What's Next?

Competitors are on the way. Apple can probably maintain momentum and market share by reducing prices prior to introducing the iPad 2.

Links

• Apple iPad (Wikipedia)
• What an iPad costs to make (Apple Insider)
• uAPPLE: The iPad shows how you can be like Apple
• Are you more like Apple, Google or Microsoft?
• Like Apple, smash '1984' conformity with your free hammer
• Are you seen as a commodity like a netbook?
• Five presentation tips from Steve Jobs
• Do you fail like Apple?

PS I may be back in an Apple store before long … without my family

PPS You can now rate posts. Please do.

WHAT IF OIL PRICES PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN A BOX?

We're told to think "out of the box". That's great for brainstorming but we live in a world of constraints.

Necessity spurs our latent creativity. We may not realize the benefits of limitations until later.

Oil

If transportation costs don't matter, we could ship cheap commodities like steel from distant parts of the world. That's what's happened. So much is Made In China or other faraway countries. It's sad when your placemats travel farther than you do.

As transportation costs rise, the effect at the high end is marginal but the price sensitive low end gets devastated.

Economist and author Jeff Rubin spoke at the inaugural Business Without Borders event this morning. Membership is free, if you'd like to join.

Jeff feels the price of oil will go up and devastate economies around the world. You've heard dire predictions like that before. Some say that water shortages pose a bigger threat since we can't drink or bathe in oil. Optimists say abundant renewable energy will power desalination plants, our buildings and our vehicles at prices too cheap to meter.

Jeff predicts we'll never run out of oil. Lest you rejoice, that's because the prices will get beyond our reach. Let's assume that oil prices shoot up drastically and permanently. Expect pain as the economy adjusts.
As prices rise, distance adds cost. Economies might respond by returning to their local and regional roots.

What's the effect on you and your clients (and their clients)?

Inside The Box

Productivity becomes more important.

Maybe you do more online (e.g., build better websites, finally harness social media, conduct webinars). Risks arise if your organization or suppliers empower your clients to buy direct, bypassing you.

Clients may move closer to work or find work closer to home. Would this increase population density and mean the return of the door-to-door salesman. Maybe we'd even get milk delivery. A geographical focus works better if your competitors have one too.

If more clients work from home, you could go to them and meet at lower traffic times of the day. They're probably longing for contact from the "outside world", which could make them more attentive. They don't have to worry about phone calls from home.

Maybe there'll be more concern about quality of life, balance and relationships. We might sleep earlier to cut back on electricity consumption — a bigger sacrifice for the nocturnal.

Maybe you'll switch your focus to bigger clients. That could create new clients for competitors who are adept at dealing with volume and can attract clients to facilities in high traffic areas.

Just as you want your clients to deal locally, why not you?

Who Knows?

Like any constraint, borders create opportunities for creativity. Who thought we'd communicate in 140 characters with Twitter or do meaningful work on a tiny smartphone?

Even if fuel were free, wasting time in transit takes away from our lives. Why not be proactive? Make your box smaller to spark better use of your resources, renewable or not.

Links

• The return of the door-to-door salesman
• How to get bigger clients
• Business Without Borders website 
• Toy Story 3 shows the power of teams
• image courtesy of Nick Pringle (Seattle, Washington)

PS If you're still worried about the future of energy, visit Ellen's Energy Adventure with Bill Nye the Science Guy at Epcot for another perspective.