Does Technology Ease Work?
81% of U.S. professionals say they work harder today than they did five years ago–because of technology. —Entrepreneur Magazine
I seem to recall that when the “computer age” hit the main stream we were told that our work would get much easier. Computers would do all the work; we would become a paperless society and the 30-hour (or less) workweek was just around the corner. What happened?
Well, if we take a look at the typical U.S. Professional’s inventory of time-consuming technology, would we find?
- Multiple computers–at work and home (including a laptop they lug back and forth to work).
- Backlogs of emails on their computers–much of it spam or just unnecessary.
- Skype–with video, so they can see callers when they chat.
- Several social media accounts on their computers, or iPhone, or Blackberry.
- Multiple cell phones (at least one of which is an iPhone, Blackberry, or other media phone).
- Backlogs of text messages.
- MP3 players (at least 2)
- Multiple televisions (at least one HD).
- DVR’s.
- DVD/VCR players (with all the associated media to catalog)
- Wiis.
- Video game players (and the required latest game).
- Kindle, or other book reader.
- Fax machine (they still seem to be a necessity).
- Miscellaneous gadget accessories.
- The next new gadget that comes along…
Then, of course, there is the whole social media gambit. This technological arena consumes more and more of a person’s time, and today much of it is business related, so now it is nearly impossible to know when this activity is necessary for work or just another meaningless demand on an already overloaded schedule.
Many of the technical gadgets allow their owners to use them like an extension of their office–ergo; their owners never “leave the office.” Consequently, it is difficult to tell whether a person is “working” at home or just interacting with more technical gadgets.
No wonder so many U.S. professionals work harder today than they did five years ago–technology has stolen part of their daily lives.
Does anyone relate to this situation?
Venture Capital Available
If you are a tech-based company and are looking for venture capital as seed money or expansion capital, it is now available…that is, if you are developing new applications or services for Apple’s iPhone, or iPod Touch.
The Venture Capital firm of Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers (KPCB) is seeking companies with “market changing” ideas. KPCB’s current iFund focuses on location-based services, social networking, mobile commerce, communications, and entertainment. They will make investments ranging from $100,000 of seed capital, to $15 million of expansion capital.
If your business fits any of KPCB’s current focus areas, and you need capital to start up, or expand, this may be your opportunity. You may get more information from KPCB here.
How Bad Off is Our Banking System?
For some reason, the mainstream media never made much mention (at least I never saw or heard it) of how close we came to a total collapse of our banking system and the world economy as well.
Listen to what Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pennsylvania) told an interviewer on C-Span recently. It doesn’t get frightening until about 2:24 into the video.
Maybe we were too harsh in our criticism of Secretary Paulson when he changed courses when spending the bank bailout money. We also may be too harsh in criticizing Secretary Geithner when he said it would take a lot of time, and a lot of money to get us out of this mess. It appears the economic crisis was-and is-much more serious than we thought.
I just wish government would tell it to us straight and give us some detailed assurances that they know what the problems are and that they know how to correct them–and what it might cost. Hopefully President Obama and Secretary Geithner will be doing that shortly. The American public needs to know just how bad things are, and what it is going to take to correct our economic problems. If it is going to take $3 trillion, tell us now.
Hope in the Midst of Chaos
This is a song from an upcoming documentary, produced by Mark Johnson, the founder of “Playing for Change: Peace Through Music.” Mark is the kind of person I envision when I speak of a “small-business person”—as are the musicians playing for change. Many of you have viewed this before, but I would like to share it here again:
A small business does not have to make mountains of money—it may not make much at all, but it does have to be founded upon vision, obsession, purpose, and commitment. Mark and his team have all these things, and I believe that small-business people everywhere should take a look at what he is doing and learn a lesson from this remarkable entrepreneur.
If you want to really know what vision, obsession, purpose, and commitment looks like, take a look at the following interview by Bill Moyers. It is 11 minutes long, and worth spending every second.
Small Business–Hammered Again!
Well, our all-knowing Congress appears to be doing it again—hunting mice with a cannon.
Somehow, I missed all the prior controversy over a new law about to take effect: the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). But then, the mainstream media has barely mentioned it.
It seems that this act threatens to drive out of business tens of thousands of small makers of children’s products (not just toys—it appears that zippers and snaps are now considered “lethal”). Moreover, any thrift shop that sells secondhand children’s products (including clothes) will be put at risk for liability.
I am still trying to get up to speed on the elements of this new law, but attorneys are referring to February 10, 2009 as “bankruptcy day”—the day the new law takes effect. Apparently, that is when all manufacturers must “freeze” inventories of children’s products, and components of children’s products, until they can be modified (or destroyed) to comply with CPSIA. Many small businesses in this industry will not be able to afford such a drastic requirement. This could impact as many as 50,000 small businesses…not to mention the impact on retail stores and thrift shops.
It seems like Congress, in its infinite wisdom, will be putting people out of work faster than their stimulus plan can create new jobs. But then, I guess most members of Congress believe it is their duty to protect us from ourselves.
For more information on CPSIA, check out CPSIA Chronicles, February 6.
FLASH: There has been a partial and ineffective reprieve (check out the Chronicles). What’s going on in Washington makes the Keystone Cops look organized.
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