The New Normal

Zoom. FaceTime. Teams. Hangouts. Messenger. WhatsApp.

Remember when we thought video chat was a novelty? Just a fun way to connect with far-away friends and family? Something most people didn’t have the bandwidth or data plan to support ? Those days are long gone. It’s how most of us do business on a daily basis. It’s how artists reach their fans. And It’s how some of us have to live now to stay safe (shout out to our immunocompromised friends).

I’m one of the lucky ones. I started working virtually (code for AT HOME) a long time ago. That made the transition feel more like a natural progression to me. I’ve been using technology to share, store and process data since the before times (Pre-Pandemic). In my humble opinion, besides MRNA vaccines, this is one of the good things that came as a result of COVID . We had to fast track technology and infrastructure so that people could work from anywhere and do it efficiently. And it worked for most of us. Want to move to warmer climates in the winter? No problem. It’s in the CLOUD – that catch all term for where our data is stored so we can work remotely with our ‘Teams’ and hang out with our friends and family that like the snow. And the bonus: we don’t have to worry that our hard drive is getting full!

Of course, when the power goes out, we are reminded why we kept those books on the shelf and stash of batteries in the closet. We still need some paper redundancy in our lives, but for better or worse (I think better) we have gained a level of flexibility that allows for a better work/life BALANCE.  That’s what I have and what I like to help my clients find.  I look forward to meeting you – Virtually – or in person if you happen to be in the Finger Lakes.

Stay safe.

The Falling Leaves

Fall back.

This weekend we set our clocks back once again. It’s that time of year when I look out the window and see leaves changing and falling to the ground. The sun sets earlier and my mind reflects on the year that has passed. Being 2020, that year has been unprecedented, unpredictable and often times unbearable. Some days I feel like we are free falling. So rather than Falling Back, I’m going to Fall Forward. My work is a window into hard work & success but also great challenges. It is a vehicle for connection while doing something positive and tangible. With everyone isolated it’s easy to fall into a pattern of angry tweets and #hashtag our way to a substance abuse problem. Or we can find something in our every day lives that gives us a purpose. My clients have given me that purpose. So, in these last few days before the 2020 election I am falling forward in eager anticipation of what our collective future will bring, both personally and professionally.

If you’re like me, staying home and looking out the window at the falling leaves, why not choose to see them as a metaphor. Leaves change and fall. But come spring, there will be new growth.

I wish you all spring.

Stay safe, be well, wear a mask and VOTE.

Shaynee

My New Best Friend

I used to have an office with two walls of file cabinets. Those files lived in a storage unit for years until I was able to have them shredded.  These ghosts of clients past haunted me and my bank account for years. Always having embrace technology, I was still worried that having virtual files wouldn't be truly possible. But guess what? We now live in a world where it is! I still have some paper. And I love my notebooks. Sometimes there's nothing like a good old fashioned to-do list. But Unless it's an official document that I have to produce for legal reasons, I finally committed to my new favorite piece of technology: a ScanSnap wireless scanner. It's fast, reliable, with an easy software interface. It is my new best friend, and I would encourage you to make friends with one too. Not only does it simplify your life, but all of your records can be organized and stored on a cloud service and backed up locally for redundancy. Also, you can search and find that one document you lost 6 years ago from your phone, tablet or computer. AND you can share it with your accounting professionals AND they can share with you.

So what are you waiting for? Start scanning! Oh, and you'll need a shredder too!