November 3rd 2007
Contingency plan anyone?
So, I am sitting here at ‘Beanz‘ (I see they don’t have a website, I better drop them a card on my way out) a buzzing little coffee shop here in Charlottetown, PEI working on my trusty laptop. On a Saturday morning. At 9am.
Why am I sitting in a coffee shop working on a Saturday morning when I have two small children at home and I try my hardest not to work weekends? Besides the fact that this is THE best coffee on PEI (in my opinion), I’m here for the WiFi. I live in a rural area where high speed internet is not available - very commonplace problem here on PEI. I am paying out the nose for my satellite internet service which is usually very reliable. However, there is a problem with my dish or my modem and it could take days to repair. I have 5 hours of dial up service available for times like these, but luckily Aliant came through and they’re giving me unlimited dial up for as long as I’m without my satellite.
Today we are also expecting Tropical Storm Noel to nail us with high winds and rain. Maybe I’m lucky that my satellite went out before the storm so that I’ll (presumably) be among the first customers to be fixed up after the storm. I’m expecting that I will be without power for the weekend as well.
This has got me thinking about how important it is to have a back up plan for my business. A contingency plan that you never want to turn to, but something solid to fall back on in the worst of times.
I have a really good start on my plan thanks to Yvonne Weld (my virtual friend and source of major inspiration) and her awesome resource, The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business. If you need to create a procedure manual for your business, this is the ticket. I feel that every small business owner should purchase this resource - it’s money well spent.
So I have taken 15 minutes out of my precious time here to write this post - I must go refill my coffee and put my nose back to the grindstone.
1 Comment »
Geoff McNamara on 03 Nov 2007 at 4:10 pm #
Hello Jamie Lee!
I’m the staff member with whom you spoke today at Beanz. Usually I am wearing a yellow ball cap, but I have many (and wear many) hats. I am new to Beanz, and to be honest I think it is the best on PEI also. For obvious reasons that comment is expected. However, I did a bit of research before applying for a job there almost four weeks ago. I went to many cafes and found that Beanz, really was it for this city. I am glad that I have made my way onto the team there, as I am meeting some pretty great people during my shifts. You included. Very nice to meet you by the way.
I think what you have going is a great idea and I would love to brag about it more to all those who venture in for their cup of “the good stuff” before going to work. I took some cards from you, but I would like to know more about what it is that you do specifically. Of course I will read through your web pages, but I would like to make an appointment for next week if possible to sit with you and talk. I have Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon off. If that is no good, we can make it for another time. I think what you are doing is interesting in the sense that I have thought of being a personal concierge at one time myself. Now I sling coffee and train people how to kayak and take them on great paddling adventures around NS and starting next year, around PEI.
Maybe we could speak again in the future, and talk about solving the worlds problems? As for now, it is great to meet you and I have a small stack of your cards, and I will most definately pass them around. Talk again soon.
Cheers!
Geoff