There is a video on YouTube called “Cuba's DIY Inventions from 30 Years of Isolation” posted by Motherboard.

I think it will be a new app, website or another form of internet technology that is immediately international and multilingual, free and accessible by all nations, something that will merge, utilize educate and unite cultures in ways never seen before. Nevermind nationalities or age difference, I think this new technology will be immediately available online and local governments, education systems and workplaces will issue the hardware to everyone who needs it. Free of charge.

It has been less than a week since the international stay at home, self-quarantine, self-isolation current event initiated. Already language teaching software and online program and app accessible company Rosseta Stone made itself accessible free of charge to all of us across the world staying at home waiting for this pandemic to pass.

Today, just now Google announced in a tweet “@Google With millions of students out of school, we’re launching #TeachFromHome - a global resource to help teachers stay connected with students → http://goo.gle/2xeH4aW” 

A few days earlier on the 17th of March it was announced in a tweet by @reddit that “Together with @Facebook, @Google, @LinkedIn, @Microsoft, @Twitter and @YouTube, we are committed to keeping our communities informed.”

Today, Ald Süd Germany, announced on their LinkedIn feed that they will be teaming up with McDonald's, taking on their employees. It is not a merger, but more of a co-op. 

Should more of these, non-merger co-ops occur amongst educators and online services that are essentially free, easy to navigate user interfaces for the end-user start occurring more rapidly and more often in the coming fortnight or months I strongly believe a new technology for what Google calls Teach From Home and I still call Homeschooling will more than likely emerge.

I also think this potential technology will also revolutionize the future of the home office, working remotely and if companies like @intuit, @liveplan, and @Bplans get involved freelancers will have a great advantage at setting up a small business.

Mostly though, the understanding that we currently have of how people are taught and teach will be completely changed by the end of this summer. I think education curriculums and the ways of delivering such things to students will be the most noticeable of innovations and that usher in the change that this current event is making happen. 

You don’t have to do everything yourself anymore. That’s right. 2012 is the year you bite the bullet and hire help. Hire an accountant, a bookkeeper, a salesperson, an assistant, or whatever it is you need that will allow you more time to focus on the things you really want to focus on!

You don’t have to work with anybody and everybody with a checkbook. You have a successful business; you’ve made it this far because you provide a valuable product or service. You are too good to work with people who don’t value you and who try to nickel and dime you at every turn.  So the next time you are tempted by someone you know is going to be a big ole pain in the butt, politely refer them to your competition, explaining that you feel they’d be a better fit.

You don’t have to be everything to everybody. Your business is special. You provide something unique to a select group of people that no one else can deliver in quite the same way.  Your job is to find that niche. And when you find it you will become confident enough    to say “no” when asked to do something outside of your scope, capabilities or comfort zone.  You do what you do better than anyone else and you don’t need to pretend to be more than what you are. Stay true to your mission.

You don’t have to work every single night and weekend. I realized this sometime in the past couple of months, taking time off is key to my mental well being and sanity – and it makes me more productive. Really, you don’t have to work so many hours. All the work will get done (see #1 again), I promise!

You don’t have to follow the crowd. Just because all your friends are on Facebook, doesn’t mean it’s right for your business. Just because your competitors do things a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to. It’s your business – your baby, your dream. Do it however the hell you want!   Dare to be bold. Dare to stand out. Dare to be unique!

You don’t have to make excuses for where you are in your life or your business.  As human beings we all grew at different rates, the same is true of your business. Don’t compare yourself to others. If you know you are doing everything in your power and using every tool and resource available to you, there is no need to feel bad about where you are. We grow at different rates and as long as you are on track toward achieving your goals you are just fine.