AB> Well, my boss (almost my husband) and I can't agree on how things
 AB> should be filed.  I like keeping records bound in notebooks, he wants
 AB> them in files in file cabinets.  We only have one accessible file
 AB> drawer in our office.  The other is blocked shut by a huge mess of
 AB> cords that keep power to our computer.  We argue about how things
 AB> should be filed.  I'm looking for ways to work that out.
You two can't allow for this kind of detraction in a business - _any_ 
business,
for that matter ! Someone there has got to assume the role of `Boss' !
I had a similar situation over here: the better half and I operate a 
storefront
pet foods and supplies business. During our first year, we argued constantly
over procedures: I'm the one that wanted `properly-kept' records - beyond the
book-keeping stage, and she's the one that kept `little paper slips' and
called them "records". This kind of insanity was beginning to interfere with
our interpersonal relationship, so I knew that I had to find a way to _prove_
to her - beyond a shadow of a doubt - that her methods were costly to the
Company. Lord only knows how many good Customers were lost because she 
couldn't
deliver promised product when they were expected (because she'd lost or
misplaced her little slips of papers, for example).
Along comes the "perfect opportunity" in the form of the landlord. He'd been
pretty good with us, yet even that relationship was being jeopardised 
_because_
of the Better Half's poor management abilities. The man recognised the 
roblem
and called me for a one-on-one meeting, and suggested that he _show_ her the
results of one other business that "enjoyed the benefits" of pretty much the
same management techniques that she employed, first-hand. Suffice to say that
what he showed her was not a `pretty sight': over-spendings, poor control and
direction of Staff people, lost/misplaced sales and purchasing records, 
olves
at the door for immediate payment.
Because of her poor management for the business, we _had_ to take a 
ownsizing
to our facilities. She had been given `second-thoughts' for her methods of
record-keeping (I'm setting-up a whole new system...), and she's consented to
_talking with me_ about ANY problems that the business might experience
_before_ they happen (that used to happen _after_ the problems reared their
ugly little heads).
Thank goodness for the ubiquous PC here, or I'd never be able to sort-out the
mess she had created over the last year ! Fortunately, and unknown to her, 
'd
been keeping a weary eye on what was going on there (I've two other 
usinesses
that I "prefer" to operate, so time was somewhat spartan for me as a result).
Believe me, you _don't_ want to have to go through the same scenarios as we
had, so you had better sort-out your differences right-away. The consequences
of not doing so could lead to the loss of your business...and land you in 
ome
`hot water' with creditors and customers alike even long after the business 
s
gone !
I'm sorry, but I must side with your Boss-almost-husband: notebooks are just 
as
prone to loss as any piece of paper. Proper record-keeping is _essential_ for
any business to keep, as is their storage later-on. Why ? Because the data
therein can come in "handy" when you need to analyse your marketplace, review
your suppliers' track-records, and for "defensive" purposes when questions
arise with the Taxman. While it's possible for a business to grow without
properly-kept records, that growth is, in reality, stunted, because when it
comes to dealing at the banks for expansion cash, you just can't present a
"professional case" that would leave no doubts in the mind of the loans 
officer
that your business is _managed_ and _closely monitored_ internally.
I'll also toss-out another (strong) hint: get that rat's nest of wiring 
cleared
-up so that you gain the benefit of a second file cabinet drawer. Whether or
not that drawer is needed _now_ or later is not the question, for you'll
almost certainly be needing it in the future. Besides, a rat's nest of random
wiring can become a safety hazzard... In short, clean it up and get your acts
together !
Semper Fi
RTP
~~~ PGPBLUE 3.0 
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