Yes, I’m dating myself, but I can remember during the
orientation to my first full time job when I was shown the thermal fax machine.
This was a machine that had an actual handset you had to answer and put into a
cradle. Its cylindrical platen then spun around while the fax image was burned
into the thermal paper. It was noisy and messy and smelly, but I thought it was
amazing. That anyone could actually send a written message to someone over the
telephone was something difficult to comprehend. At that same job, we had the
newest word processors so we didn’t have to use correction typewriters anymore.
A few years later, I was fortunate enough to work for a
company that did have PCs. Now we could save and edit files and print them when
they were complete. And, we used mail envelopes to deliver these printed
communications throughout the company. Email and Internet at work came many
years later.
Today, we work 100% remotely. We reside in different states
and our clients are all over the country. We communicate using email, Skype, video
conferencing, and phone. Our files are stored in the Cloud, faxes are sent and
received via one of multiple email accounts, we conduct research via the
Internet, and we stay connected via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, a web
site and a blog.
I like to ponder what’s next. Wonder what technology
advances will happen in my children’s lifetimes that will so drastically change
the way they live and work. What technology nuances can you imagine will happen
in the next 50 years?
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Kerry Brooks is Co-owner of ProfessionalEdge Associates, offering a wide range of marketing and support services to businesses that want to increase their success, but aren't in a position to add to their staff.
Kerry Brooks is Co-owner of ProfessionalEdge Associates, offering a wide range of marketing and support services to businesses that want to increase their success, but aren't in a position to add to their staff.
