It is surprising how much we take technology for granted these days until something goes wrong.
As I VA I rely a lot on technology, I have my PC etc that allow me to undertake my day to day work but I also have my Blackberry, laptop, internet dongle so that I can still access my emails and files whilst on the move. On top of this I also use internet applications such as Hootsuite, SmartSheet, Clear Books, Voipfone and Skype to name a few. My whole life is run by technology and applications.
You can only imagine my horror when a few weeks ago when things went horribly wrong. I was off to meet a new client for the first time (http://www.thehelmcreative.co.uk) who was a referral from my local Chamber of Commerce (http://kentinvictachamber.com). I had everything prepared the night before, laptop and Blackberry were charged and my internet dongle was packed in my laptop case. Everything was ready.
Then disaster struck, the roller ball on my Blackberry decided on the morning of my meeting that it would stop working. So now I could make and answer calls but could not view any new emails that arrived. Not too much of a problem I thought so I contacted the network to arrange a replacement handset and set off to my meeting.
I arrived at my client’s offices a bit early as traffic was pretty good and then called to say that I had arrived. My client had left me a message to say that she was running late and wouldn’t be available for at least another hour. Now if my Blackberry had worked in the way it should have I would have received this message and left a bit later than planned. However I was happy to wait and set up office in her reception area.
I was so pleased that I had my internet dongle with me as it meant that whilst I was waiting I could access my desktop via LogMeIn and reply to emails and undertake some work whilst I waited. Business went on as normal if in a slightly unusual way.
I was quite grateful to my Blackberry as it was a test run in case my PC ever died. It has highlighted a few areas that need a bit more work but I plan to have virtually all of my information hosted on secure online sites so if ever something did go wrong I could gain access easily at the click of a button.
What sorts of applications do you use in your business and what would you do if you found out that disaster had struck and you could no longer access your PC or laptop? Would you still be able to run your business?
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
2 Responses
I can imagine that was pretty frustrating to have your backup break like that. My trusty cell phone, which I had for like 4 years, finally died about 4 months ago, well the screen did anyway. There were about three days where I was kind of playing Russian roulette with calls, because I had no idea who they were from and so I had to answer ALL of them.
I have been wanting to get a smart phone, as a backup as well, just in case I was ever without Internet or had severe computer problems. Recently I have had a few Internet problems with my ISP, which has cemented how important this is. I haven’t really decided between oing with Android, Nokia, or Blackberry though. Really, I wish I had had these ISP problems before I got my new phone, because I would have just gone ahead and gotten a smart phone then if I had been thinking about it.
Sorry to hear your phone died but 4 years is quite impressive. Mine only last about 18 months and then I replace them when the contract runs out.
I have a Blackberry Bold – it is my second Blackberry in 3 years and I wouldn’t be with it, it is my lifeline when I am out of the office.
It also means that I now don’t have to be chained to the desk all day, if I have an errand to run I can still keep up with what’s happening and respond to my clients. I currently have.