solopreneurs – Page 2 – Jeri's Office

The Un”Cloud”ed Day

Keeping your data – and your software – “in the cloud” is taken for granted these days. The big idea, of course, is that you can access the program and/or data from anywhere. So handy!
So what’s the problem with storing your data and programs on some networked hard drive somewhere instead of on your own computer on your own desk? Let’s focus on one: “availability of services and data”.

Keeping your data – and your software – “in the cloud” is taken for granted these days. The big idea, of course, is that you can access the program and/or data from anywhere. So handy!

First, a word about words. “In the cloud” sounds so ethereal, somehow. One tends to think of one’s programs and data floating around over one’s head in a fluffy white cloud.

The reality? Data and programs stored “in the cloud” are actually stored on a hard drive somewhere. Actually in a series of hard drives, connected by networking software. Here’s an explanation from Wikipedia:

Cloud computing is a jargon term without a commonly accepted non-ambiguous scientific or technical definition. In science, cloud computing is a synonym for distributed computing over a network and means the ability to run a program on many connected computers at the same time. The popularity of the term can be attributed to its use in marketing to sell hosted services in the sense of application service provisioning that run client server software on a remote location.

…Cloud resources are usually not only shared by multiple users but as well as dynamically re-allocated as per demand… For example, a cloud computer facility which serves European users during European business hours with a specific application (e.g. email) while the same resources are getting reallocated and serve North American users during North America’s business hours with another application (e.g. web server).

…Proponents claim that cloud computing allows companies to avoid upfront infrastructure costs, and focus on projects that differentiate their businesses instead of infrastructure. Proponents also claim that cloud computing allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with improved manageability and less maintenance, and enables IT to more rapidly adjust resources to meet fluctuating and unpredictable business demand

…Several deterrents to the widespread adoption of cloud computing remain. Among them, are: reliability, availability of services and data, security, complexity, costs, regulations and legal issues, performance, migration, reversion, the lack of standards, limited customization and issues of privacy.
“Cloud Computing” article, Wikipedia [my emphasis]

So what’s the problem with storing your data and programs on some networked hard drive somewhere instead of on your own computer on your own desk? Let’s focus on one: “availability of services and data”.

A while ago, my Internet connection went down – a not-uncommon experience in small-town and rural areas. I had no Internet connection for the entire morning – no access to email, no connection to social media sites, no direct access to my business website.

Frustrating? You bet!

Did it keep me from doing any work? NO – because MY programs and data are stored directly on my own computer (on which I am typing at this very moment). If I had been using “cloud”-based data storage, and/or “cloud”-based software, I would have lost the whole morning’s productivity.

That day’s problems were caused by a problem with my ISP. Maybe some hardware failed somewhere, or maybe someone drove into a power pole – no way of knowing (or predicting. Or controlling).

That’s not the only potential source of trouble, either. What about a technical problem with the cloud service provider? A natural disaster or power outage affecting not your own area, but the area where your data happens to be stored? Human error (or actual wrongdoing) on the part of one of the unseen, unknown people who are in charge of handling the whole system where YOUR data and programs are stored?

There are potential problems with keeping all your programs and data on your own hard drive, too, the biggest one being equipment failure. (Which means you need to BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER REGULARLY!)

BUT – keeping everything on your own hard drive gives you much more direct control. Some companies – ones that need to share data between team members, or ones where the people travel extensively – may find the advantages of “cloud” computing outweigh the disadvantages. For small businesses, entrepreneurs, churches, and other users limited to a few people and one (or at least one main) location, the advantages of keeping your business essentials under your own control have to be considered first.

Because – think about it – what is the life-span of a cloud?

Sick Time? What’s That?

“I won’t be in to work today – I’m sick”.

Most people with a day job have made a call like that at least once. If you happened to have a job with benefits, you could even rest easy in the assurance that you would still get paid (as long as you hadn’t used up your allowance of “sick days”).

Then there’s us – the self-employed.

Now, there are certain advantages to being self-employed, at least if you run your business out of your home. The famous “go to work in your pajamas” idea is one (although, frankly, that one doesn’t work out so well in practice!)

One advantage is that, even if you’re sick, you can still get some work done (assuming you can get out of bed, or are not in the hospital). Of course, that’s one of the disadvantages, too!

What does the home-business owner do when too sick to get out of bed – or so sick they have to go to the hospital? Do you have a contingency plan for this kind of emergency?

Of course, there is the advantage of cell phones. Even if sick in bed, you can possibly rouse yourself enough to phone a client and let them know that you won’t be able to make that meeting, or you will be a bit delayed in getting their project completed.

If you are too sick for that, do you have a fall-back? Here’s where it helps to have an arrangement with a family member, friend, or business associate – someone who would, in the normal course of events, be aware of your being indisposed. Set up an agreement with this person where, in the case of your being unable to handle work, they will contact whoever you may tell them to contact and let them know. (Having a “script” ready for such an occasion can be a big help to the caller.)

Here’s where good record-keeping can come into play, too. You may not want your “agent” to call every single one of your customers to tell them you are sick. You may simply want notice given to anyone who is expecting something from you at that particular time – and if you keep an accurate, up-to-date planner or calendar with work schedules and meetings noted, your “agent” can easily figure out who to contact for you.

If you are suffering from a long-term indisposition – anything from a serious operation to having two broken arms – you might want to be able to post a notice on your website, as well. If you have a webmaster caring for your site, you need only arrange for the webmaster to be one of the people contacted. If you manage your own website, it would be a very good idea to have someone you trust as a secondary manager, with the access permissions and the know-how to access your website and post a simple announcement.

Being sick is never any fun. Being self-employed and sick adds certain complications. The time to make plans is before you are sick!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll take my flu and go back to bed…

Home Sweet Home Office

Doing a Google search the other day, I noticed the business-info-with-photo displayed on the right-hand side of the screen (I assume these are businesses listed in Google Places). I thought wistfully to myself, “It’s too bad my business isn’t bringing in more money – I could have my own separate office.” Then it occurred to me, “…but would I want one?”

Of course, my business falls in a particular class of businesses that don’t have need of a brick-and-mortar location. As a Virtual Assistant, I can – and do – work with clients anywhere in Canada. (I am located in Nova Scotia, but at the moment all of my clients are in British Columbia and Alberta).

Of course, there are advantages to having a “real” office. You are more likely to pick up local clients if you have a visible business location, and it sure looks good on your promo materials and “About Us” website page if you can show photos of “Our business offices in the Wowser Building in downtown Whoville”.

Still, I don’t think I’d want to give up the advantages of working out of an office in my home.

I’ll pass over the “being able to work in your pajamas” idea – I wouldn’t feel comfortable working in my pajamas even though no one would know about it. But there are other advantages:

– Cost: not only do you not have to pay extra for rent/mortgage, utilities etc. for a separate location, but you can legally deduct a portion of your home expenses (which you would be paying anyway) as business expenses.

– Convenience: icy roads? car in the shop? huge traffic jams? No matter – your business is just a few steps down the hall.

– Flexibility: with my clients able to reach me any time by cell phone or email, I can take time off during working hours for essential chores, medical appointments, and the odd “beautiful day” break. And I can extend my working hours easily to make up lost time, or when I’m “on a roll”.

– Safety: as a one-person business, having my own “real” office would mean working alone. In today’s hazardous world, that can be anything from somewhat nerve-wracking to downright dangerous. Instead, I’m working in the safety of my own home. (Of course, you have to take steps to be sure your home IS safe.)

– Lack of distractions: this one doesn’t apply to someone with children trying to work from home, but for me, working from my home means I’m able to concentrate on my work with no office chit-chat – or office politics – to distract me.

Like so many things in life, working from home has both advantages and disadvantages. But for me, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Long live the in-home office!