Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro

The PDA Pro Blog Featured on Qwest Website

The PDA Pro Blog, written by Rick Cooper, was featured in the August 2007 Small Business eNewsletter, Keeping You in the Loop, from  Qwest® Business Solutions. I must say I'm pretty pleased and proud to be featured there along with the likes of Guy Kawasaki and Merlin Mann, legends in technology and the internet.

Qwest® is a leading provider of voice, video and data services across America and the world. They offer a variety of wireless devices including the Moto Q, Mogul™ by HTC and Qwest Fusion™ HTC 5800.

Mobile email productivity is a slippery slope. At a certain point, checking email on a mobile device becomes counter-productive. It can also be dangerous in certain situations. Always think safety first, especially when driving.

I recommend setting some guidelines for checking email on your mobile device. Limit yourself to a few times a day. Don't be a robot that checks your email anytime you hear a chime. Instead, schedule several times, i.e. 10am, 2pm, and 5pm. You will be able to read email more efficiently. You also don't want people to expect an immediate response from you, unless that's a requirement of your job.

Reading and responding to email is far more efficient on your computer or laptop, but accessing mobile email is not only convenient, it may be the only way you can check email, especially when travelling.

For more information, visit http://www.thepdapro.com/PDA.asp. Or contact Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro, at 800-677-6708.

Coping with your Addiction to Gadgets

Are you addicted to gadgets? I meet a lot of people who are fascinated by new technology. When the latest, greatest electronic device comes out, they must have it. Are there any pitfalls to a fixation on new technology?

First, I think it's important to be willing to try new technologies and experiment. This is one of the ways you can increase your productivity. If you've ever held onto a computer past its prime, you know the increase in productivity you gained when you finally upgraded. This is true of many devices.

The Gadget Panel, which hosts a show on BlogTalkRadio, posted a humorous piece "You know you’re addicted to Gadgets when...". On the list, #6 is:

"When you arrive at the office, you check your voicemail and decide to start your day off closing a big deal – instead of reaching for the handset, you grab your Bluetooth Hands free Speakerphone and dial away – great success!"

The list goes on to list a number of gadgets that you might use throughout the day. It just goes to show how much technology can become a focus in your life.

I think it's important to consider how using technology affects the people around you. It can often serve as a barrier to contact. If you begin to feel resistance from others around you, it's time to turn off the technology and reconnect at a human level. This is especially true in sales.

If you feel you rely too much on technology, try to have a tech-free day. Do everything manually for a change. If that's too much, try it for an hour. Or, look for one gadget you can eliminate. See how it feels to be a little less reliant on technology.

Trying new technologies is a good thing. But, if it doesn't add value to what you're doing, eliminate it. There is a power in simplicity.

The Kosher Phone...Coming to a Synagogue Near You

Gadgetopia notes that Orthodox Jews in Israel are opting for a simplified mobile phone that blocks access to "forbidden" content. The so-called "kosher phone" does not include text messaging, internet access, video or camera. So, that pretty much excludes most smartphones. USA Today reports that Arab cellphone providers are also looking into the same options. Could this be the beginning of peace in the Middle East?

The phone service also blocks access to over 10,000 phone numbers with questionable content. This list, supervised by a rabbinical team, is constantly updated.

Could this trend head to the West? I think it's possible. Perhaps Christian communities will begin demanding phone models and service which helps to protect their children from illicit content. At any rate, it shows that even though technology will deliver content, people don't necessarily want it and will take extra steps to limit access. No word on whether the same controls are being implemented on PDAs.

Cell Phone Humor

A little humor from American comedian Mitch Hedburg,

"I don't own a cell phone or a pager. I just hang around everyone I know, all the time. If someone wants to get ahold of me, they just say "Mitch," and I say "what?" and turn my head slightly. "

There is something to be said for simplicity. Sometimes we can get a little overwhelmed with all of our PDAs, smartphones and other gadgets.

Mobile Technologies have Cultural Impact

Gadgetopia refers to an article that explains how Saudis are using mobile phones to break cultural taboos. They are using Bluetooth to send innocuous messages that would otherwise be verboten in public.

What other changes do you foresee mobile technologies having in the future? How has it changed your life?

Don't Let Technology Inhibit Personal Interaction

Technology can often get in the way of personal interaction. When meeting someone for the first time or even someone you know well, it's important to be present for the conversation. Developing a strong business relationship depends on establishing rapport and making a connection. This is true for relationships in general, especially with your spouse or significant other.

If you feel someone is getting annoyed with you, put down your PDA. Step away from your PDA! Clear your mind and focus on the person with you. Sometimes it's better to rely on your memory. You'll always have a chance later to do a brain dump. A personal voice recorder can be helpful in capturing ideas. Many PDAs now also double as a voice recorder. Don't let technology impede communication.