Fix the Paper Hole

paper products I’ve got a problem. As a professional speaker and someone running an online marketing agency, I am often in a situation where someone sends me a contract to sign. Makes sense. LOTS of businesses run on contracts. Here’s the thing: I’m a digital nomad. I rarely visit the office. I don’t have printers and fax machines. Think about it.

The Process

  1. Someone sends me something to sign in email.
  2. I look at the email for days.
  3. I plead to just send an email signature.
  4. Seven reminder emails later, I find my way to Staples (or *.placewithprintersandfaxes)
  5. I print the form/contract.
  6. I sign the form/contract.
  7. I dig into my iPhone email to find the fax number, can’t.
  8. I email the person to remind me of their fax number.
  9. I listen to bad in-store music and make small talk with the Copy Center person, who hates everyone.
  10. I get the email.
  11. I dial the fax number.
  12. It takes four tries.
  13. The fax goes through.
  14. Weeks later, the process is complete.

It’s 2009

Can we please stop the paper thing? Isn’t there another way?

I know there’s not, but if nothing else, I feel better for explaining why you’re still waiting for me to sign whatever it is.

Photo credit Vali

Related posts:

  1. Is this A-Hole Week
  2. PodCamp Pittsburgh in the Paper
  3. Toilet Paper When You Need It Most
  4. Twitter as Presence

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  • http://www.shokk.com/blog Ernie Oporto

    Visioneer makes some really nice, compact scanners that could be used for travel. Check out the RoadWarrior. Always keep a scanned copy on the laptop and back it up to the cloud, something like Mozy.https://mozy.com/?code=UXW2GB

  • Pingback: Go paperless « sullivankreiss.com

  • http://www.freightforum.com Sea Freight

    Plus they are not environmentally friendly; save a tree, don’t print unless absolutely necessary.

  • http://www.freightforum.com Sea Freight

    Plus they are not environmentally friendly; save a tree, don’t print unless absolutely necessary.

  • http://www.freightforum.com Sea Freight

    Plus they are not environmentally friendly; save a tree, don’t print unless absolutely necessary.

  • http://www.thermalpaperfaxmachines.net/ paper_fax_machines

    I'll back again for sure, thanks for great article :D