Connecting Others

There is a lot of technology that makes our lives easier and efficient but sometimes might distract us from other important parts of life. Technology has become so ingrained in our lives that it can be taken for granted that we connect via email, use cell phones instead of the traditional land line and go weeks without using legal tender since the debit card is the choice of so many people. But sometimes we might take a step back and look at how what we take for granted, others have a different experience.
Last week I was helping an employee who wanted to find out about an old pension he might have from a previous employer. I had arranged for him to come and see me and bring in any information he might have. He showed up with a bundle of papers and envelopes and we started to try and make sense of it. I found a web address and brought it up which led me to readily available online information, account access and a menu of options. My colleague wanted to know how I did that, didn't we have to go and see someone? That was his world and personal perspective, for information and important life events you would go and see someone, the banker, the merchant or the insurance agent. I rarely have a need to actually go into a bank, many of my purchases are on line and I have never met my motorcycle insurance agent and to me it all seems normal. But to this employee it was amazing.
Not fully grasping his situation and perspective I said I would set him up with an account so he could view the information with his wife at home. As I set up the account I asked if he had an e-mail account, which he responded "How do you get one of those?" I now understood how far removed he was from the technology we take for granted. It was then that I felt so satisfied and honored to be able to show someone what the possibilities could be and how much of an effect the technology could have on an individual. I walked him through what was available and assured him we will continue working together to help him wade through all of the information that is out there and show him what he has available to plan for his and his wife's retirement. He was able to find out that he did indeed have another pension, albeit small, but real and tangible none the less to add to his retirement years and for that he was equally amazed.