[CCC News] Assorted News 59: Hard to Catch!

[Michael Kean]

In this edition:

*Hard to Catch / Surviving Busy Times.*
*Using an SMS app to track jobs.*
*Who still uses Voicemail?*
*Access your computer from anywhere - AnyDesk.*
*GST Fun...*
*Back on the Gas!*
*Caz underemployed.*
*Tell your story on air?*
*----------------------*



*Hard to Catch / Surviving Busy Times.*

Some people have found me unusually hard to catch lately. There's a few
reasons for this.

One is that I've had a couple of largish, time-critical projects with the
tomato farm. One of these was over the Christmas / NewYear break, and the
other should be finished this week. As a result, I took my holiday break in
late Jan / early Feb instead.

Another reason is I'm also donating about five hours a week (Thurs / Fri
late morning / early afternoon) to 2ARM <http://2arm.net.au/> as
co-manager, which is going well. Not done for financial gain, but to help
keep the station running for my radio presenter friends and the community.
(And because it's fun!)

When I get busy, I end up prioritising business customers and (often
unintentionally) those who communicate via SMS over those who use Facebook
Messenger, send emails or use Voicemail.

*Using an SMS app to track jobs.*

[image: image.png]
One of the side-effects of modern technology is that people can now contact
me on the phone, by SMS, by Voicemail, by email, by Facebook Messenger, via
Facebook pages manager, by WhatsApp and occasionally by hand-written notes
at CT Electrics. That's seven different places to remember to check for
messages.

During these busy times I've found an unusual way to better keep track of
who's waiting for help. The SMS app I use on my phone is called Pulse SMS
<https://messenger.klinkerapps.com/overview/>. It has a handy feature where
you can 'archive' messages, so I leave the messages there that are either
still waiting to be addressed, or waiting to be invoiced. It means there's
only one place I have to check after each job to keep track of who's
waiting; and once they're finished I just swipe right and they disappear,
but are still accessible if needed. If I draft a new message or reply it
pushes them to the top of the list, sort of like a 'priority' change, and
when it's time to go to a job, I just click the relevant name in the list
and the GPS takes me there.

It's not foolproof of course, as I have to remember to check the calendar
and the other places  as well; but for a person with limited mental
multitasking abilities like myself; it's helpful. The ability to create,
reply to and schedule messages from the computer is also handy. (Not
everyone appreciates a text after 11pm I suspect...)

*Who still uses Voicemail?*

As you saw above, there's seven or more places for me to check. By far the
worst of these is 'voicemail'. Here's why I have almost stopped using it at
all now.

 - Have to listen in a quiet environment with good reception
 - Have to transcribe the message (Can't easily do this while walking.)
 - Often have to listen more than once (from the beginning of the message)
to double-check the details.
 - Most are left from landlines, so can't text a reply.
 - Returning a call often results in no answer / telephone tag.
 - Returning a call requires standing out of the wind.
 - Landline-only users are often older people who get pension discounts
from myself, but thus may fall to the end of the queue at busy times.
 - All the above takes time and concentration.

There are of course times when someone has no choice other than to use
voicemail from a landline - such as a dead mobile or living in an area
without reception. I usually know who these people are though.

For entertaining reading, click these links on the demise of voicemail
<https://www.nexmo.com/blog/2018/07/10/voicemails-dead-what-now/> and the
general decline of telephone calls
<https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jun/24/landline-mobile-guide-death-telephone>
.

*Access your computer from anywhere - AnyDesk*

You might have heard of TeamViewer <http://teamviewer.com/> before - a
program that lets you or someone else control your computer from another
location via computer or smartphone. TeamViewer is good, but their
licensing is incredibly expensive; and will sometimes block casual users if
it thinks you've used it too much. AnyDesk <http://anydesk.com/> is a
similar program, but never nags you. It's free for private use, and only
around $100 a year for business use, compared to $600 a year for TeamViewer.

*GST Fun...*

Many years ago, there was a law that said 'if your turnover is less than
$75,000
<https://www.business.gov.au/registrations/register-for-taxes/register-for-goods-and-services-tax-gst>
per
year, you don't need to withhold and charge GST.' As a result, I've enjoyed
being "GST Free" since 2007 when the threshold was increased from $50,000
to $75,000. It's generally easy for me to stay below this amount since I'm
so cheap, but the downside is businesses can't claim the GST if they get me
to buy an item on their behalf, so I usually recommend businesses buy big
ticket items themselves. Residential customers get to enjoy the cheaper
rates, and I don't have the hassle of completing BAS statements.

As a side note I've been on $70 an hour since 2012 - some people feel this
is too cheap and happily pay extra. Others feel even $50 an hour is too
high - money and value perception is a funny thing! Guess who gets priority
if I'm busy ;-)

*Back on the Gas.*

I've taught myself how to install and program
<http://landi.pl/assets/files/OMEGAS/MANUALE_SW_2164C_gb1.pdf> a
replacement LPG computer for the Commodore. (Original one died when a
battery terminal came loose.) The ten year assessment and solenoid valve
replacement cost less than $300. How much longer LPG will be available
remains to be seen of course! 8% cheaper in Guyra than Armidale. Ultimately
I still want to go electric. Petrol / gas and gearboxes are the landlines
of the car world.

*Caz underemployed.*

My wife Caz is a trained nurse (AIN) and carer, but also keen to learn
new skills
or work in retail. She'd like to be a copper, but has to wait a couple more
years before she's eligible for citizenship. She has intermittent casual
work in Guyra and Tingha but would like more. So, if you'd like to try
employing a leprechaun, let me know. She has her own car, etc.

*Tell your story on air?*

I'm thinking of doing a new segment on 2ARM where people - particularly
those who are housebound or in care - can have a recorded chat with me to
tell their story or create a playlist for a show on the radio. If you are
interested, or know anyone interested, let me know :)

---

Well, that's it for another newsletter! Hope life is treating you well. :)

Cheers, Mike.

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-- 
*Proprietor, Cool Country Consulting.*
Trading Hours: 10am to 8pm weekdays.
Web: http://coolhelp.com.au/
SMS: 0427 644 825
Messenger: http://m.me/coolcountryconsulting
<http://facebook.com/coolcountryconsulting>
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