Old-School Tools & New-School Tech: How We Mix It Up in Business

Old-School Habits That Just Won’t Die

Not every “new thing” actually makes life easier. When I asked the crew about tried-and-true business habits from the old days (pre-1990, if you can believe it), there was a lot of love for the classics.

Tom took us way back with the classic adding machine, back when you punched in numbers and yanked a lever. Kim pointed out that most of us still use a cash register every day, even if it looks a heck of a lot different now. And paper planners? They’re not going anywhere. (I mean, you can’t accidentally delete a pen-and-paper schedule, right? And you definitely can’t double-book yourself… unless you have truly terrible handwriting.)

And let’s not forget showing up on time, returning phone calls, and plain old good manners. Turns out, those things matter just as much as they did forty years ago.

Tech We Gave the Side-Eye (But Now We Can’t Live Without)

A running theme: Most of the stuff we rely on now, we did not love at first sight. Tom mentioned “box beef” - that vacuum-sealed packaging that made storing meat way easier. People were skeptical. Now, nobody would have it any other way.

Kim laughed about the first, expensive Dairy Queen app attempt (“no way we’re buying in!”)... until it got better and became a crucial part of the business. Same with email, remember when we questioned whether it actually went anywhere? And Shirley was not quick to hop on the QuickBooks train, but now she swears by it (automatic deposits included).

Even paying with cards, what started with clunky carbon slips is now “just tap and go.” Meanwhile, I can’t remember the last time anyone wrote a check at a store. (If you still do, more power to you!)

Tech That Still Feels Like Magic

I had to laugh thinking about all the things I never imagined I’d be able to do. Like sitting on the couch, sending a file to print 20 miles away, and picking it up the next morning, how wild is that? Kim does her books for Dairy Queen from anywhere with WiFi. Tom finds Zoom calls and smartphones amazing. We also got a little nostalgic: old microwaves, clamshell grills that spit out 12 burgers in a minute, even remembering when you had to deal with chicken giblets by hand (yuck). Kids today have no idea.

Then there are the little things, like boomboxes and walkmans, that were “high-tech” once upon a time, but now feel ancient.

Not Sure Where to Start? Here’s Our Advice

Getting overwhelmed by technology is basically a rite of passage these days. Shirley says it’s only going to come at us faster. Kim and Tom nailed it: don’t try to learn everything at once. Pick one or two new tools you actually need, get comfortable, and add more when you’re ready. No need to be an expert overnight.

And as Tom said, people are still the secret sauce. All this tech is great, but it can’t replace a good person who knows how to talk to customers and get stuff done.

Keep What Works, Try What Excites You

At the end of the day, mixing a bit of the old with the new is what keeps things fun (and manageable). I’ll still grab my notebook and pen, but you can bet I’m making good use of Zoom, QuickBooks, and the occasional AI trick when it makes sense.

If you’re feeling swamped by all the new gadgets, remember: you’re not alone. Start small, stick with what works for you, and stay curious, it’s the best way to keep moving forward.

Thanks for reading (and for tuning in)! Got your own low-tech trick or new tech you’re hesitant to try? Shoot me a note. We’re all figuring it out together, one pen, one app, one more “are you still there?” Zoom call at a time.

Check out episode 75 of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast here where we go into all the details!