From Family Barbecues to Barcode Scanners: Reflecting on Memorial Day, Technology, and Change in Business

Childhood Memorial Days: Simplicity, Family, and Fire Up the Grill

One of the joys of hosting this podcast is prompting childhood memories that instantly paint a vivid picture of a different era. When I asked my guests to recall Memorial Days before the age of twelve, the answers reflected not just the holiday, but the rural rhythms of family life in the Midwest.

Shirley, always brimming with family stories, remembered days centered around basic chores, the unpredictability of Iowa weather, and big, lively cookouts. Charcoal grills—with all their lighter fluid mishaps—set the scene for family gatherings, spirited water fights, and the occasional communal meal brought outside when the kitchen got too hot. Tom echoed those sentiments, recalling that in their household, Memorial Day was much like any other—a day for chores, relaxation, and maybe some time to “bum around.” Big parades or major outings just didn’t happen, and for Kim (and frankly, me), the holiday’s main distinction was often an extra day off school.

The beauty of it all? We didn’t need much to make the day special. Family, food, and the freedom to pause were at the heart of every celebration.

The Technology Tides: From Rotary Phones to AI

After reminiscing about the past, we shifted gears to explore the seismic shift in technology we’ve witnessed across our lifetimes and businesses.

We remembered rotary phones, party lines, and the thrill (and logistical headaches) of switchboard operators. Our memories of business in those days are marked by paper—manual payroll, handwritten ledgers, and roll-away calculators. It wasn’t until the late ‘70s and early ‘80s that meaningful shifts arrived: data punch ordering machines, barcode scanning, and eventually, computer-based accounting systems like QuickBooks.

Tom and Shirley recalled how simple things once were, with manual records and an accountant doing most of the heavy lifting at year-end. For Kim, the game-changer was portable scanning for price changes—suddenly, a painstaking weekly task became quick and nearly painless.

As for me, the biggest leap forward came with software for bookkeeping and inventory: suddenly, last year’s numbers were just a click away, and spreadsheets replaced mountains of paper. Yet, as we all agreed, the core of accounting—the basic math of running a business—hasn’t really changed in decades, even as the tools have become digital.

Embracing (And Sometimes Wrestling With) AI

In today’s world, embracing new technology isn’t just nice—it’s necessary for survival. The pace of change has only accelerated: AI, data analytics, and digital communication have become the new normal. We joked about my own negotiations with AI, occasionally confused by context but ultimately making our work faster, smarter, and more efficient.

Tom and Kim see immense potential: AI can amplify humans, not replace them, handling volumes of data that would take us weeks and delivering new insights at lightning speed. But as Shirley wisely pointed out, you still need to know if the answer “2 + 2” really is four; technology is a tool, not a replacement for sound judgment.

Advice for Business Owners: Stay Open, Stay Curious

The conversation ended on a question essential for any entrepreneur: How do you keep up? Tom offered it straight—don’t engage with change, and you’ll get run over. Kim emphasized leaning on younger or more tech-savvy people in your organization. My advice? Stay aware, keep a curious mind, and don’t fear being a fast follower rather than leaping first. Change is relentless, but it’s also full of opportunity.

Here’s to family, resilience, and the constantly changing, ever-brighter world of business.

Make sure to listen to our full discussion here!