Small Biz Fuel

I can’t stay silent any longer. This is one of those small business topics that drive me crazy! While it is so simple to address, it is consistently left on the back burner. At least weekly, I speak with a small business owner or manager about their computer back-up system (or lack thereof). Not because I bring up the topic, but because they are wrestling with consequences of a computer system malfunction. If you have a dependable backup system for your business computers, good for you. Forward this message to someone who may not. I’m sure you know someone. If not, you are living on borrowed time.

Certainly, it’s not revolutionary to discuss computer backup systems. We all know the tremendous value of our data. We all know the significant time it would take to recreate lost documents if our files disappeared. Yet, many of us continue to postpone computer backup implementation. It’s not revolutionary to DISCUSS backup systems. What still seems revolutionary is for business owners and managers to actually HAVE a complete, reliable, remote backup system.

My friend and business associate, Del Hunter, president of CM/IT, a computer services company, regularly shares horror stories of his clients’ loss to hard drive crashes, lightning strikes, and other computer damage. He reminds his audiences that such losses could be avoided with simple backup systems. While his business recovers a lot of data from failed systems, I’m sure he’d rather spend more time helping business owners grow their technology capacity.

There are so many high-quality and dependable backup systems available today. There is no excuse for not having a remote back up system that virtually eliminates dependency on human management. The latest backup system services are cost-effective, redundant, remote, and nearly idiot proof. I happen to use

For $50 a year, all my data is stored remotely and is accessible 24/7. I’ve referred others to Carbonite and recently received a thank you note from someone whose system crashed not long after signing with Carbonite.

Whether you set up your own backup using Carbonite, call an expert like CM/IT, or use another system – the sooner you get your backup system in place, the better you’ll sleep at night! Everyday you delay implementing this critical business operation is a day that could literally change the direction of your business. Imagine that today, all your data was gone. Where would you start the process of rebuilding? How much would the data recovery/recreation process cost – directly and indirectly? Stop putting it off. Get it done. Sleep well.