It has often been said:
"Someone who keeps two sets of books is trying to hide something and therefore is obviously dishonest."
In fact, maintaining "two sets of books" can get companies into serious legal difficulties.
Yet most of us do it all the time
- Sometimes for very good reasons.
- Often, because it is unavoidable.
- Or, because we feel a need to be defensive.
- We want to protect ourselves.
- Because we do not trust someone else's data
-- especially if it casts us in an unfavorable light.
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What time is it?
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The general problem of having more than one source of data a bit like determining what time it is.<Note 1>
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Examples:
- Checkbook balance vs. Bank Statement balance<Note 2>
| Outstanding checks and deposits can create a very significant difference.
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- Sales receipts vs. Credit card statement
| The date of purchase shown on your statement may differ from the date on the sales receipt, invoice, etc.
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- The family calendar vs. An individual's pocket calendar vs. Your desk calendar vs. The office department calendar
Little Suzie's piano lesson may belong on the family calendar, your pocket calendar, and maybe even your office desk calendar, but not on the department calendar at work. Likewise, your private medical appointments and evening "AA" meetings do not belong on the company calendar.
Similarly, a company strategy meeting probably does not belong on the family calendar (albeit if out-of-town travel is involved, the overall trip may need to be noted there.)<Note 3>
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- Telephone list vs. Telephone list
You probably have multiple lists of telephones numbers where you work. Your telephone number undoubtedly exists on many telephone lists. It can take considerable effort (cost) to keep these numerous telephone lists up to date. (And if you don't keep them up to date, what good are they?)
This is especially a problem where people's telephone numbers change frequently.<Note 4>
Yet, each list is different -- and for good reasons.
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- Bookmarks or "Favorites"<Note 5>
| While there may be some Internet locations that are common to both your personal life and your work, many are appropriate for only one or the other.
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