By Paula Gulak, President
The Gulak Group
Gulak@comcast.net

Somewhat unplugged vs unplugged
Vacationing in 2010

Thank goodness, July is finally here. It’s vacation-time! You can take that long awaited, definitely earned break -- that sabbatical that allows you to escape from the everyday and refocus on self, family or friends.

And then you begin to pack…”Honey, did you pack the phone recharger and laptop cord?” ”Which computer are you taking? ““Does the resort have wi-fi?” “I’ve got to let the office know where we’ll be so they can reach me if they need me.” (Unless you are the Governor of South Carolina, this probably isn’t necessary) So, just how do you re-energize and decompress if you are still plugged in all the time?

The demands of work may make it feel like you need to be available all the time, 24/7, but you don’t.

What’s even worse is that we buy into it and expect it from ourselves. What we too often forget is that it’s important to make the time to step away from the hardware and engage with one another.

I spent some time talking with some Innsbrook folks to find out what their attitudes were about getting unplugged or somewhat unplugged and the methods they used while on vacation to accomplish their goals.

Harsha Bellur, CIO at AMF said, “I do take my BlackBerry with me, but only check it once a day. No compromise! The protocol I’ve set up is IF somebody needs to reach me for something that is important AND urgent, they can call me. I’ve gotten lucky a few times where the place I was did not have any cell phone reception. That’s a pleasant break.”

When I asked Alan Sears, President/ CEO of TBL Networks, Inc. what the one electronic device he might take on vacation would be, he stated, “Well, my phone is an iPhone, so it’s also an mp3player, video player, gaming platform and web browser so that pretty much covers me.”

For his young kids he would definitely take a portable video game system such as the Leapster 2.

Mary Lynne Staib, Partner at VACO Technology doesn’t believe anyone can completely unplug these days unless you go to a remote location where there is no cell phone service.

The general consensus is that one really needs to set rules for themselves and stick to the rules.

Technology is either your friend or your foe. Make it your friend to better enjoy your time away from the office. Also, it really is important to show your staff or colleagues that you have confidence in their ability to “handle things”. Don’t use the phrase “Of course, you know, I’ll be reachable if you need me.”

There are two reasonable ways to deal with this problem without ruining a vacation by staying plugged in 24/7: be either completely unplugged or provide for scheduled plug-ins.

Completely Unplugged: Leave work at the office. Utilize the out-of-office messaging on your phone and email. Provide back-up contacts for urgent situations.

For some, being completely unplugged may not be a realistic option, given who knows why, which brings us to option number two.

Scheduled Plug-ins: Choose a specified time during which you will be reachable. (better they call you if there is an issue rather than your calling them to check up on them). If follow up is necessary, you set the time and duration of the next communication.

For your kids on vacation – Set rules about electronics use. Most kids these days have some form of personal video-game player, DVD player, mp3 player or iPhone Touch at their disposal while traveling.

Make clear what the limits are. Better yet, engage them on vacation by having them research the area local activities, eateries, etc. You may wish to have them check these practical and cheap apps that canfree up more time to spend on having fun.

SitOrSquat (free): Find a restroom or public toilet almost anywhere in the world.

Rest Area Finder (free): For long road trips, locate the closest rest stop and get information on rest rooms, gas stations and food.

Park Maps ($0.99): Don’t waste time getting lost in the wilderness. This app has a collection of GPS-enabled maps of over 250 U.S. national parks, monuments, and recreational areas. Download them ahead of time since Internet connectivity can be spotty.

Urban Spoon (free): Need to find a place to eat while on vacation? Get a list of restaurants filtered by cuisine type, location and prices.

Kids Eat For ($2.99): This helps you find the nearest restaurants where kids can eat free or cheap.

To speak directly to your Innsbrook Today Sales Representative, call 804.418.7395 or click here to fill out an online contact form.

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