The significant challenges that we face today cannot be resolved by the same level of thinking that created them.

Hi and welcome to today's issue of Keeping in Touch.

Every way you turn, people are leaving email behind them and moving on to more reliable delivery methods. And I'm happy to say 'I'm one of them'.

Last week's issue of KIT is a prime example - simply because I used the word s~p*a^m without putting any fancy symbols into the word, I tripped a bunch of filters. I've discussed this with my ISP as well as other individuals doing business on the net. How can responsible publishers be expected to 'tell you like it is' if they have to mask every other word? That's just plain nuts in my book.

Why are we so accepting of this travesty? Part of the problem is that we've noticed that email is lacking and instead of trying to fix the real problem, we've been placing 'bandages' on the process in the hopes that the problems will ultimately resolve themselves. It is NOT working. The following piece is just one of many 'must read' articles in the news.

Stop The Presses! by Steve Outing gives you an excellent insight about the current reality of email and the technology that is already replacing it. Take a few minutes to read this article: With E-mail Dying, RSS Offers Alternative - Publishers Must Find New Delivery Methods.

With E-mail Dying, RSS Offers Alternative - Publishers Must Find New Delivery Methods

The link is a long one so be sure to copy and paste it to your browser.

If you run any type of business that uses email as a delivery method, you should be paying close attention to the events that have been unfolding. The changes that are being implemented are not a one-shot deal. The changes are a solution to the current email dilemma.

Today's Feature Article, Preparing Your Online Business for an Emergency, is written by Angela Wu. This is a wake-up call for anyone currently operating their own online business. We all assume that we will 'be there' tomorrow. The reality is we cannot control outside circumstances such as illness, a motor vehicle accident or even death.

If anything unexpected happened to me, I am not prepared. My intentions are good but not everything is organized and filed so that with a few simple instructions for my successor (temporary or permanent) my business will keep on running. The individual taking over for me should be able to manage and maintain my business. This issue struck home as it's likely I'll be having wrist surgery shortly. I had this type of surgery a couple of years ago on my left wrist and the recovery time is close to three months for restricted use. The first time I was just starting to explore an online business. Today presents a completely different scenario. Do yourself and your business a really big favor and implement Angela's suggestions.

Our Special Feature is called A Time Management Story and the author is unknown. I shared this piece on my Home 4 Success channel and took the liberty of renaming it "The Jar of Life". The story is about how to achieve a fuller life and what you need to accomplish first in order to make it so. You can view it here as well. Home 4 Success.

Feel free to share your comments or send a note through the QChat on the screen. I'd love to hear from you. And don't forget to subscribe while you're there.

Enjoy!

Have a great day and keep on smiling.

Lois M. Jeary
Publisher, KIT
Contact Me

Preparing Your Online Business for an Emergency
(c) Copyright 2003, Angela Wu

Many internet entrepreneurs manage their businesses almost entirely on their own -- and if you're one of them, then it's a good idea to have some reference documentation prepared in the case of an emergency.

You never know when something will take you away from your business: perhaps a family emergency will call you away, or an unexpected illness. Regardless of the reason, your online business continues to function and will require someone to help manage the necessary day-to-day tasks until you're able to return.

Find someone you trust who can help you out when required. Your documentation is meant to help this person run your business while you are away. If you can, have this person help you every once in a while so that he or she can become familiar with some of these tasks.

Although every business will require a different level of detail, here are a few things to get you started on your 'reference documentation' package:

* A list of your domains, including where they're registered and who they're hosted with. Make sure you keep this list up-to-date and include details such as renewal dates, URLs, and key contact information.

* FTP and control panel login IDs and passwords. Instead of storing these on your computer where they can be exposed to hackers and malicious software, consider writing them down with regular old paper-and-pen and storing them in a secure area. Another alternative is to come up with a 'formula' for login IDs and passwords that only you and your helper know. That way you won't have to write down this information; your helper will be able to figure it out. A third option is to keep your login information in one place, and your password information in another for added security.

* A 'troubleshooting' document. Include a list of common problems that may occur with your website, and a step- by-step guide on how to fix them -- or provide contact information for someone who's qualified to fix them. For instance, a customer may write to you indicating that she wasn't able to download your software on the first try. In your document, include the reply you would use and the steps you'd take to rectify the situation.

* A list of software regularly used in the operation of your business. For instance, your helper should be aware of what anti-virus program you use, how/where to get updates, and when to run a full scan of your computer system.

* Instructions on how to use email software. Most online businesses use email heavily for customer service. Set up email filters to prioritize your messages and help weed out junk mail... then document which files or folders your helper should address first, and which ones are less critical and may be left until your return.

* Responses to common questions. Some email software will allow you to create separate files that you can simply load into a message when required. This is a great way to simply click and load a reply, then customize it to suit the customer inquiry.

* A list of signature files. For example, you may use a certain sig file when writing to affiliates, another one for writing to the media, and yet another for customers. Again, if you can save this in your email software your helper can more easily load it into the message without re-typing it.

* Instructions on how to answer the phone. What greeting do you use? If there's a question your helper can't answer in your absence, how should he direct the call or what should he say? Alternately, you may choose to let your voice mail take messages and return calls when you are able.

* If you want your helper to have access to your email lists (eg. newsletters, autoresponders, etc), include instructions on how and where to access these lists. Consider creating "test lists" so that he or she can familiarize himself with the software before sending a message to the real lists.

* A list of vital contacts: for instance, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), programmer, web designer, accountant, lawyer, and any other people and services you use to run your business. Include a brief description of their role in your business and when it would be appropriate to contact them. Indicate whether or not your helper should talk to you prior to contacting them.

* How to make backups, where to store them, and where to find previous backups. Although it's okay to keep backups on your main computer, you'll have an extra measure of safety if you keep them on some removable medium such as a CD or a flash drive -- or even on a separate computer. This will help to protect you just in case your main computer stops working.

* Information on how to get in contact with you, such as a cell phone number. It doesn't necessarily have to be your direct contact information, just so long as you can receive messages.

Even if you do save much of the above information on your computer, it's a good idea to take just a few minutes to print everything out and place it into a binder for safekeeping. You never know when computer problems will prevent you from accessing your files.

Finally, to help avoid misunderstandings, it's best to lay out in writing what your helper is "authorized" to do and the amount he or she will be paid for managing your business while you are gone.

An document preparation worksheet is available here: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/prepare.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to marketing a business on a beginner's budget. This guide offers loads of instantly useable tips and links, in a down-to-earth style that even marketing "newbies" can understand! A helpful Online Business Dictionary is included too... visit: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html

I couldn't begin to tell you how many of these programs exist. There are a lot.

But if you do check your web logs regularly - and you should, I've found these two do bring a fair bit of traffic to my site. Both offer pro upgrades, however, it doesn't cost you anything to sign up and start.

If you don't currently have a website, use them to advertise some of your affiliate programs.

AutoHits

Traffic Swarm

Good work done little by little becomes great work. Your house of success will be built brick by brick.
- Max Steingart

A sound mind in a sound body, is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.
- John Locke, English philosopher

When we suddenly find the power and the courage to say NO to the security of our old, no longer comfortable reality, we have, in that moment, experienced a rebirth in consciousness.
- Darel Rutherford

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes."

The time management expert replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was on to him.

"Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted.

Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the 'big rocks' in your life - time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all."

So, today, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first.

- Author Unknown

We all visit web pages with dynamic, frequently updated content, such as with things like news, stocks, and the weather.

Sometimes you just can't get the page to refresh. You hit the refresh button but it's the same page (and you just know it's been updated). Explorer is stubbornly refusing to re-load the thing properly.

You'll be glad to learn there is a little trick you can use. Just put a question mark after the URL. Your browser will think it's a new page and re-load it for you. The question mark won't affect the page or the way it's displayed.

-> With thanks to Bob Osgoodby

Two friends from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, were sick of winter, so they went to a travel agent and booked a trip to Australia.

When the two friends got off the plane--still wearing their down jackets, wool hats and snow boots--they wandered into a pub and sat down.

The locals wondered about these strangers, so one of the Aussies walked over to the visitors and said "G'day, mates. Where'er you from?"

"Saskatoon, Saskatchewan," one of the Canadians replied.

"So where are they from?" the other locals asked. Don't know, replied the Aussie. "They don't speak English."

-> I found this joke in Bob Osgoodby's Internet Tip of the Day and couldn't resist sharing it.

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Legal Stuff ...

We accept no responsibility whatsoever for the content, profitability or legality of any published articles or advertisements contained within KIT.

And, although all of the articles have been selected for their content, the publishing of such articles within this newsletter does NOT constitute a recommendation of the products or services mentioned or advertised within those articles.

Be responsible! Always do your own Due Diligence before responding to any offer.