“Listen, I left my new Dell 6400 at security earlier today. Did you find it?”

“We did recover a computer today. I can’t release any more information without a serial #.”

“What if I gave you my password, and you turned on the computer and logged in. Only the owner would know that, right?”

“I wish I could, but we need a serial number. That’s how it works.”

“But dude, Dells don’t have serial numbers.”

“That sounds like a personal problem to me, dude.”

 

I recently visited San Diego and I happened to be unfortunate enough to have to go back through airport security three times so that they could check my carry ons. In the end, I forgot my brand new laptop at the security checkpoint.

 

I didn’t realize it until I got home.

 

I frantically called the San Diego airport, and got a recording that said airport security was only open from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays and wouldn’t be open the next day, which was a holiday.

 

What would it be like for you if you lost your laptop and all of its files?  Read on for tips to assure you don’t get wiped out like I nearly did.

 

First – Make sure that your laptop has a large label on the top with your cell and office numbers and full mailing address. If my laptop had been marked, I am confident that within minutes of my leaving it in security, they would have paged me. (My old laptop was marked, but shame on me for not having marked the new one.)  If yours isn’t, do it now!

 

Second – Make sure that you have a means to get at the information about your computer when you need it. In my case, I had recorded the information in MS Outlook under Dell and synched it with my iPhone for my old laptop. Make sure you put your serial number, service tag number, model number, ANYTHING that you might need!

 

My lost laptop story gets even worse… It seems that Dell doesn’t assign serial numbers to laptops; they assign a service tag number. I didn’t have mine, so I did some work on line to find my invoice and get the service tag number. I called back, and they said they couldn’t use the service tag number. Security regulations required a serial number to be verified by a law enforcement officer I explained that Dell laptops didn’t have serial numbers, and asked her to kindly look at the computer to verify that it had none. NOPE. I thought I might never get my laptop back!

 

After a lot of hassle, common sense prevailed, and I did reach someone who would accept the service tag number, and he promptly called a law enforcement officer to release it to my friend after I faxed a notarized release. BOTTOM LINE – save yourself the heartache by marking the property and making sure you record all the pertinent identifying information in a readily available place.

 

While you are marking your laptop, do the same for your cell phone.  My iPhone has a case on it, though it is marked. When I left it in a restaurant recently, the person who found it didn’t remove the cover to see the information. I was lucky. I called the number, and someone answered. When I got it back, (it was password protected), it showed 13 attempts to get in. Now, I’ve notched a hole in the rear cover and the label shows when the cover is on.

 

You may even wish to include the word “reward” on the contact label.

 

Visit Mr. Mission Possible (www.mrmissionpossible.com) to learn more about industry specific peer benchmarking review groups. From personal experience, I will tell you they work to generate the extra business required to grow a small business in tough times. Our next Peer Benchmarking Review Group meeting is Saturday, August 25^th, 2009, though we host meetings for other small businesses year round.

 

Visit www.greenweenies.com to learn all the backroom business terms in Ron’s book Green Weenies and Due Diligence. There are 1,200+ terms in over 300 pages, with hilarious illustrations by world famous artist Gahan Wilson. Register for your free weekly “green weenie” by e-mail. If you want to know what a three fingered booger is, or what’s in a train wreck envelope, greenweenies.com the only place to go!

 

Remember, only you can make BUSINESS GREAT!

 

Please e-mail if you would like me to send previous articles.

AutoSalvageconsultant.com was formed in 2001 to help recyclers improve their businesses. The company has become THE definitive source for recyclers’ management and training needs. The founder, Ron Sturgeon, is past owner of AAA Small Car World and was part of the partnership that purchased GreenLeaf from Ford Motor Company, executed a turnaround, and sold the company one of the largest public companies in the auto recycling business.  You can review his resume, with skills and experience, at www.AutoSalvageConsultant.com. In March 2009, his third book, How to Salvage More Millions from Your Small Business was published. You can order it at www.SalvagingMillions.com. His first book, How to Salvage Millions from Your Small Business was reprinted in the U.S. and published in China, Korea and the Czech Republic.  You can learn more about how to help your business at autosalvageconsultant.com. You can reach Ron Sturgeon by calling 817.834.3625, by e-mailing rons@MrMissionPossible.com, or by mailing to 5940 Eden, Haltom City, TX 76117.