When you think of impact, you might think of the big bang, or the lunar landing, or footprints in the sand. You might conjure up images of water balloons going splat on a hot sidewalk or the impression you make with a heart shaped cookie cutter in a rolled out batch of sugar cookies.
Or maybe, like me, you think of the difference you make in …
One of the gifts of this whole Covid-SIP (Sheltering In Place) experience has been clarity of insights. I think the concentration of our lives as we work and live in confined spaces (some more confined than others) has helped us sharpen our vision. It has helped us really appreciate some of the little things, like the electric teapot that keeps on giving, the scent of candles, a comfortable chair, our electronic devices (and chargers when we can remember where we …
Image via Choreograph on istockphoto
What was your first day at work like? Did you show up to an empty cubicle or worse, one filled with someone else’s stuff or a computer with cables hanging out in all directions? Were there drawers filled with old pens and rusty paper clips? I have been that new employee on day one and it really makes you wonder if you made the right decision.
Think about the effort we put into finding the right employee, finding the next customer, or getting a new …
Image via istockphoto, Stock photo ID:859765108 by NicoElNino
Choosing a new software product for your business is intimidating at best.
While it is hard enough to find a solution that has the features you require, it can be even harder to compare different pricing models, delivery options, maintenance packages, and even to assess the skill and reliability of the people who will be charged with implementing your solution. So where should you start?
Here are some items to consider:
Walk through your existing processes, documenting …
As blossoms begin to bloom and the days become warmer, we can happily acknowledge a new time of year. That’s right, it’s Spring Cleaning Season. As you break out the dusters, mops, and the never-ending line of cleaning products to clean your floors, drawers and closets don’t forget one additional place to clean — your computer. Odds are that, like me, you have never done a full clean-up of your technology.
One night, in a fever of spring cleaning I decided to tackle my own computer. I was tired of …
I had the pleasure of attending another incredible tech conference this week. Sponsored by XERO, a cloud accounting solution provider, the event was held in San Francisco on Pier 27. First, can I just say how fortunate I feel every day to live in such a gorgeous part of the country? Wow.
I don’t think I will ever get used to the variety of experiences (not to mention changes in temperatures) that exist within a short radius of Napa. The event was beautifully situated in one of the most scenic areas …
There are certain tasks that no one in your winery wants to do. Okay, maybe there is someone who gets a real thrill out of filing Form 5120.17 in your winery. But they are the exception and please, please, be kind to those people.
But for most people dealing with high volume, highly regulated or low reward transactions, automation is the answer. Sometimes you automate the transactional stuff (sales tax), but you just can’t stay on top of the rules (compliance), or the payment deadlines, or the darn form changes (payroll). In other cases, there …
Bright skies, cool weather and balloons floating overhead. And that’s just my morning commute in the Napa Valley.
It is amazing how much you can take for granted. Over time, as you go about your daily chores, driving hither and yon, rushing to work and back again, you stop noticing.
The first time I drove up highway 29, my heart skipped a beat. I was bursting with joy. I could barely believe my good fortune at having a chance to work in a magical place like this. But that was 8 years ago. I have traveled thousands of miles since then, met hundreds of people, consumed loads of grits, tasted some incredible wine, and learned to pronounce Gewurztraminer (sort …
Currently, I do not watch a lot of television. With 100 channels available, I frequently cannot find a single thing interesting to watch. However, I have found a guilty pleasure — a sequin among the remnants, if you will — in the so-called “Reality TV” category of entertainment. I confess here and now that I like to watch Project Runway.
No, I don’t look like anything Heidi Klum (I am way too short and have long since lost my …
