A Little AD/HD

Paper in a paperless world

by Mark Smith

Available at ADD Consults Store

Save time with paper

This week I promised Terry that I would not talk about diets or exercise.  

After looking at the image above, I am willing to bet that your reaction might be,

“… adding machine?  I already have a calculator!”

Like you, I have many calculators.  My favorite is a Sharp Compet solar calculator that I have had for over 15 years.  Additionally, I have a dozen or so free calculators of various sizes and shapes, not to mention the calculator on my flip phone.  Plus, when I get really serious about numbers I fire-up Excel and build workbooks and financial models that can bring a tear to my eye. 

With all the calculators and computers in my life why did I purchase an “adding machine” last year?

Answer – To make life simple!

What “Makes Life Simple”

q       Accuracy the first time – which is the key to using a calculator, Excel or any business tool.  However, being a little AD/HD, like all of us, I often waste time adding up columns of numbers, stacks of receipts, or a group of checks.  The waste comes from me being easily distracted and losing my place – or – doubting myself and wondering if I transposed a digit in the last entry (you know that feeling you get in the back of your head) and starting all over again. 

q       Quick, simple and accurate – is what a paper tape calculator provides.  The advantage of a little paper in your life is that you have a quick, simple and easy audit trail when running a group of numbers.  The time it saves over running the numbers two or three times is surprising!  Plus, a quick check of the tape lets you put that little nagging feeling in the back of your head to rest.

q       Calculator versus adding machine – today’s machines are full-blown calculators with memory, percents and more, and the ability to print a tape of what you just calculated.  These devices can become your only machine, or if you are like me you have a favorite calculator at your side for the simple multiplication or division and a paper tape calculator nearby for running strings of numbers.

q       Battery power – as with most electronics, power cords are a thing of the past.  These machines run on batteries or AC.  This is an important feature if the device is to be convenient to use.

q       Cost

o       Between $19.95 and $24.95

o       However you can spend a lot more if you wish, but all you really need is a simple machine for addition and subtraction of streams of numbers.

q       According to the manufacturer

o       Sharp EL-1750PIII Portable Printing Color Calculator with Clock and Calendar

o       Product Features

§          Large Display 12-digit LCD display with punctuation

§          Two-Color Serial Printer

§          Calendar / Clock Function

§          Cost-Sell-Margin Keys

§          Tax Keys

o       Technical Details

§          Display: 12 digit LCD

§          Printing color: black and red

§          Power source: AC; 4 AA battery

§          Rounding setting: up/off/down

§          Decimals: floating (F) or fixed decimal

§          Width: 8.5 inches

§          Height: 5.9 inches

§          Depth: 1.9 inches

§          Weight: 1 pound

In summary, if like most of us, you get distracted easily (phone calls, day dreaming or random thoughts of what you are going to do next) then I suggest a paper tape calculator.  You will save time, improve accuracy, and have an audit trail if you staple the tape to your documents.  Plus, the best part is that it is fun to use!

Cheers,

Mark Smith

For over 20 years, Mark has worked with major corporations developing go-to-market strategies, writing business plans, clarifying messages, designing software and websites, simplifying business processes, critiquing product value and applying technology to simplify both industry and individual’s lives.  Mark believes that technology, in all its forms, should be an enabler to make life simpler.  Products should be intuitive and not require the manual (to set the VCR clock).  After all, technology should not aggravate that little bit of ADD - AD/HD in all of us.

As a strategy and process simplification consultant, international lecturer, and author; Mark has been assisting corporations, government agencies, start-ups, and individuals that want to use technology to add value and keep it simple for that little bit of ADD – ADHD in all of us.

Reach Mark at mark@OpenGateAdvisors.com.