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Books Done, Still Loads of Paper

books-done_2876I tried very hard this year to push as much of my company records to digital files and NOT paper, but it seems to be almost impossible.  About half my business receipts are digital only this year, which is better than in past years.

I do the majority of my purchases for the business online, but the irony is that if I’m ordering physical goods (as opposed to software) these online order always arrive with a lot of paper, particularly if they come in from outside Canada.

So while my order receipt is saved as a PDF, the gear shows up with a paper receipt, packing list, and some kind of brokerage/customs form – all hard copy.  Even when the courier shows up at the door with his/her fancy wireless tracking device, they still end up giving me multiple paper copies.

I guess that’s why doing the year-end books is called “paper work”.

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The Edit Chair

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edit-chair_1917

I love the fact that while I work away in my high-tech-gear-jammed edit suite, the chair I’m sitting in dates back well over a hundred years.

It was one of many in my grandmother’s home – it survived the great depression and a Manitoba tornado that destroyed the house.

There’s nothing high-tech about this chair, and that’s its charm.  It serves as a quiet reminder of my heritage each and every day.

edit-chair_1914

 

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HSBC not interested in small businesses in Canada

Interesting.  I’ve been an HSBC business customer for 10 years, and was surprised to find out that they are no longer interested in small businesses in Canada.  Their new focus, I was told on the phone, is international businesses with sales over 3 million dollars.

So, while they’ve graciously ‘grandfathered’ my business account, I can’t start any new services with them.  I had called to open a US chequeing account, because – hmmm – my business is doing well and I am hiring the occasional US consultant.

Truth be told I’ve been very happy with them as a bank – my local branch is terrific.  I guess it’s time to go shopping for someone who is more interested in my business.  If you’ve got any favourites, let me know in the comments.