And that is another difference between owning and managing a business. An entrepreneur starts a business. Period. He or she intuitively says, "what do I have now that I can use to start a business." Then asks "what do I absolutely need to go forward that I do not have now?" And then the business owner acts. And learns.

Case in point: when I started my landscaping business, I had a small residential push lawn mower, some hand tools like hedge trimmers, and old bed sheets I used as tarps. The only thing I needed was a pickup truck or trailer I could put on a car. I opted for the pickup truck and one of the family cars was traded in.

As the cheap residential equipment broke, it was replaced with commercial equipment. Also [and this is where it relates to the whole discussion about tablets] I would ask myself daily "how can I make this job easier or more reliable?" and tools would be added to aid in that task. For example, from my tech experience years ago, I saw the benefit of having a computer and a PDA [not necessarily a smartphone] so I could keep appointments on the computer, on the PDA, and synchronize them so there would be no conflict. I didn't need to buy a new pocket calendar or Franklin planner each year anymore. I didn't have to transcribe my contacts from the current year planner to the new year.

Having the ability to get email, make calls, and take pictures all from the palm of my hand is very useful. After I finish with each customer of the day, I check my email and any calls I may have received. More often than not, I can do more business without having to return to the shop. Also, if I am done early for the day and/or as I am driving around I see a property in need of TLC, I call the owner or realtor [if being sold] and offer my services. I can take pictures and send them along with a quote. The owner or realtor can reply yea or nay and if yea, I do the work on the spot.

Also I keep watching to see if one tool can replace many. Until recently, I had a b&w networked laser printer, separate fax machine, and separate b&w copier. I *wanted* a color laser printer for some things, but chose not to buy just because I *wanted* it. Then my copier broke (after 26 years of reliable service). So I consolidated my copier, my fax machine, and b&w laser, into a single networked color laser printer with scan, fax, duplex print, and copy capability. I still use the b&w laser for b&w printing, but the color machine does everything else. See how this works?

That is how tech helps me. That is how business owners think, and not just landscaping business owners. It has nothing to do with 16:9 versus 4:3 orientation.