Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro

Treo 755P Requires You to Remove Battery for Soft Reset

The Palm Treo 755P requires you to remove the battery in order to perform a soft reset. Amazing! I have the Treo 650 and you have to open the case and then use the stylus tip to reset it. It looks like for whatever reason, Palm engineers figured it would just be easier to have you remove the battery. Okay then.

Palm describes three processes to reset your PDA in the user manual on pages 288 and 289. The soft reset is the least invasive. Then there's the system reset. And finally the hard reset.  A hard reset on a Palm PDA will erase all of the data. It's a last resort. If you are not using backup software on the smartphone itself, you may lose data and not be able to recover it.

I haven't had to perform a hard reset on my PDA in a long time. I occasionally have to perform a soft reset. It happens a few times a month. It's not that annoying. But, I worry about having to keep opening the case and removing the battery. It just doesn't seem like the most desirable process.  I guess that's another reason to switch to an iPhone (although I have not explored what if any process is used to reset an iPhone).

Celicase Designer Lisa Rodrigues Joins us May 7th on Attracting Ideal Clients Radio Show

How do you carry your PDA or smartphone? Men often carry them on a holster or in a pocket. Women drop them into a purse and often struggle to find them when they ring.

Celicase Designer Lisa Rodrigues created a solution for that problem. She created the Celicase, a carryall designed to hold a PDA or smartphone and keep it accessible.

Lisa will join us on our Internet Radio Show Attracting Ideal Clients on May 7th at 3pm Pacific Time. Tune in every Wednesday at 3pm Pacific Time.

Sync your PDA

When was the last time you synced your PDA or smartphone? Most people don't sync often enough and they're asking for trouble. Connect your device to your computer and sync it daily. It only makes sense.

And also be sure you backup your computer. Hard drives have a limited life. You need to backup your files daily to an external media device or back it up online. It's quick and easy to do.

Clean Up your PDA

Your PDA or smartphone contains a lot of information. Over time, you have probably created word processing documents and spreadsheets. You have taken photos and downloaded files. Your PDA is getting cluttered and clogged. It’s time to clean it up. Here are some tips to clean up your PDA.

Before you clean up your PDA, make sure you sync it and back up the files to CD or DVD. It’s always best to make sure you can retrieve information before you delete it.

Calendar – It’s a good idea to clean up your calendar periodically. But, first consider how much history you need. Some people like to be able to refer back to prior appointments with clients. If you use ACT! or some other contact management system, you may be able to simply filter the data being synced to your PDA. That way, your contact management system will still allow you to see the complete history of contacts with a client.

Task List – Some tasks will never be completed. So, why worry about it. Take time to prune your task list. Copy old tasks somewhere else if you want to. Life is short. You need to be realistic about what you commit to. Eliminate tasks if there is no longer a need to do them.

Email – Make sure your email settings allow email to remain on the server so it can be downloaded to your computer. Purge the email messages on your PDA or smartphone every now and then. You will be able to check messages more quickly.

Contacts – It’s a good idea to review your contacts every year and archive records that you no longer need to access.

Applications – If you download software onto your PDA, you should consider how beneficial the software is and delete unneeded applications. Shareware and freeware applications can cause problems. If you have to reboot your PDA frequently, it’s time to remove old apps. When you upgrade to a new PDA, reinstall your applications rather than syncing everything over. Your new PDA may have a more current operating system. Incompatible software can cause problems.

Audio and Video Files – Nothing will eat up your storage faster than audio and video files. Archive them and delete them from your PDA. Enough said.

Taking time to clean up your PDA will reduce your headaches and simplify your life. It takes time, but it’s worth it in the long run.

Go Mobile with SCOTTEVEST

I saw a great new product last night while watching The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. The witty and irreverent host was interviewing Scott Jordan from SCOTTEVEST. Scott, an attorney turned entrepreneur,  created a vest to hold all of your mobile devices including PDAs and smartphones. What a great idea!

Scott has a great story. Here's a quick excerpt from his website.

"I’m Scott Jordan, and I created the SeV to solve a very basic problem: I needed an easy way to carry AND use all my gadgets and gear. All too often, juggling my gear was a losing battle. I wanted to carry all of my favorite gadgets, but had to leave most at home, or convince my wife to carry some for me. My favorite gear consists of: iPod®, PocketPC/Palm Pilot, a cell phone, the car/remote keys, a digital camera, water bottle, and a magazine.

Clothes simply weren’t designed to hold this much stuff. Before long, I needed a bag just to carry my gadgets, and that defeats the purpose of being mobile and the perfect “man-purse” just doesn’t exist. Believe me, I tried to find something on the market that addressed my needs, but there wasn’t anything available that was fashionable, functional and affordable. So, in 2001, I decided to solve the problem myself, and the idea of designing clothing as a Gear Management Solution™ came to me. I then quit my day job- practicing law at a mega-law firm, and SCOTTEVEST/SeV® and the Technology Enabled Clothing-TEC® system were born."

Wow! What a great story. It just goes to show what can happen when someone makes a decision to become an entrepreneur. And what a great product too!

Scott Jordan, Founder and CEO of SCOTTEVEST, Inc., is pictured here wearing the vest. Mobile devices are actually stored in the liner of the vest and not visible to onlookers. Very cool! And handy too!

The PDA Pro Blog Nears 3 Year Anniversary

It's hard to believe it's been almost three years since I started blogging and launched The PDA Pro Blog. Of course, that's about 50 in blog years. ;) Check out my first post on 10-27-04 which includes a quote from Seth Godin. There are so many bloggers these days and so many blogs are just an excuse to promote something.

I made a commitment then to provide useful information on my blog, and as much as possible. I have kept promotion to a minimum on my blog. As I visit other blogs today, so many that I see are a complete mess. They're hard to look at, they're covered with ads, music, and just about anything to say, "Hey, look at me!"

I've always been a big believer in "less is more". Steve Topper, one of my marketing mentors, told me that people are looking for simplicity. I think to share your message effectively, you need to be brief and impactful.

My message has changed over the years. My original intention was to write about PDAs and smartphones. I am passionate about technology and love to share my insights on how to work more productively. I gradually shifted my focus toward business and sales, but have kept on posting about technology. Now, my message has shifted again to focus on achieving results. In particular, I specialize in helping entrepreneurs achieve outstanding results. I love working with people who don't see limits for themselves and are on a mission of personal development. I enjoy helping entrepreneurs focus their efforts. It's far too easy to get distracted from your core mission. I will continue to address all of these topics going forward, although my message will be most relevant for entrepreneurs and sales professionals.

I will always write with an authentic voice because that reflects who I am. It's been a journey over the last three years, and even before that when I launched my company in May 2003. So, I'll be celebrating my fifth year in business in 2008. That is a significant milestone.

So, needless to say, I have much to celebrate and will plan some activities to herald those achievements I have so many people to thank for my success and I will take time on this blog to acknowledge them. Robert Kiyosaki said, "build your team" and I have done that. And without my team, I would not have made it this far. But, it's not mission accomplished yet. We have more work to do.

Thank you for being a loyal reader of The PDA Pro Blog. Please take a moment and post a comment, send me a message or give me a call.

Thank you!

Rick S. Cooper, MBA
Author, Speaker, Coach
The PDA Pro

Future Trends in PDAs

What can you expect over the next year in PDAs? Great question! Well, for one, expect the trend toward smartphones to continue. People are beginning to appreciate the value of connecting to the internet from their mobile device and viewing websites or checking email. The YouTube generation now expects to be able to view video clips from their mobile device.

The iPhone is a perfect example of the media based mobile device. And expect to be able to use the iPhone with other carriers, according to Engadget. But, what about someone who justs wants to look at their calendar, select a contact or check their task list? The options will grow slimmer for the non-connected PDA. The market just isn't there. Smartphones represent a much higher value to telecom companies. Not only can they sell you a phone plan, they can also charge you on bandwidth for audio and video downloads. Plus, they can also potentially make money on ads through mobile marketing.

Even The PDA Guy, Anthony Caruana, has questioned whether Palm has a future on Hydrapinion. Of course , Palm has already been bought and sold a few times. So, that's probably what will happen again. I still like the Treo as an all around PDA/smartphone. But, it doesn't appeal to younger consumers who are addicted to text messaging and IM and live their lives on MySpace. Smartphones based on the Helio platform appeal to them and will grow in appeal. It's social networking on steriods.

There will always be a market for standalone, handheld devices. Not everyone wants to be connected. And some people just can't afford it. But, whatever device you select, I encourage you to think first about productivity. Yes, being able to view a funny clip from YouTube can help you while away the hours. But, remember that your time is valuable. Limit your consumption of media. Set meaningful goals that will challenge you. Leverage technology to do more in less time. Yes, relax and enjoy yourself. But, strike a balance in your life. Take control of your destiny.

Whether you pick a PDA or smartphone, take time to evaluate the options to determine what you need. Determine what will make YOU more productive. If time is not an issue, wait till January. That's when the big Consumer Electronics Show is held. Most new models for the year are released or announced then. For more information on selecting a PDA or smartphone, visit http://www.thepdapro.com/FindaPDA.asp.

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.

New BlackBerry 8703e Features Full QWERTY Keyboard

The new BlackBerry 8703e returns to a full size QWERTY keyboard after recently models have featured a more compressed keyboard. With models like the Blackberry Pearl, a single key shared two letters. For instance, Q and W were on the same key. The Pearl uses a technology called SureType which predicts what word you're going to type. It's not for everyone.

So now the BlackBerry 8703e offers a slimmer model than the wider classic style Blackberry, but not as slim as the Pearl. The Pearl introduced a trackball on the phone. I had the opportunity to try it recently and I was impressed. But, it looks like Research in Motion (RIM) is going back to a trackwheel format.

At any rate, this may be a good option for people who prefer the classic features of the Blackberry. The BlackBerry 8703e is being promoted by Verizon.

Using GTD with a Blackberry

There are many people who are interested in increasing their productivity. The legion of David Allen followers continues to grow. Jason Echols, who writes for the Black Belt Productivity blog, shared his dilemma for integrating Getting Things Done (GTD) with a PDA. Jason writes:

"I have recently been looking to refresh my PDA and do something new. David Allen often speaks of a PDA as a hi-tech list manager. If I wanted to do some really fancy stuff with it, I would have limited myself to buying another Windows-based machine. However, I never was a hardcore user who taxed the limits of the machine or its operating system.

I kept that in mind as I did my research. In the end, I decided that it would be best to go with a smartphone. My thinking was that it would be sort of nuts to carry around a cell phone and a PDA when I did not have to. I would want to have both on me at all times. I also (no offense to anyone who does this) feel tacky with a machine on each hip as I go throughout my day. Some in the corporate setting will take it wrong, and get the idea that I think I am important. I am not into that. I am interested in being productive, not making everyone think I am ‘Inspector Gadget.’"

I understand his concerns and am glad he has found a solution that will work for him. Smartphones offer a nice option to those who would like some of the features of a PDA, but prefer to carry only one mobile device. You can read more about his approach in using his Blackberry with GTD.

The Secrets to Selecting a PDA

The price of PDAs and smartphones is going down. That's a good thing. But price is not the only factor in selecting a PDA. There are many considerations including how you will actually use the mobile device on a day to day basis. But, how do you select from the wide array of models available?

I'm hosting an upcoming call on this topic. It's a great opportunity to learn more and ask any burning questions you have. Please read more details on the Secrets to Selecting a PDA on ThePDApro.com website.

In fact, if you have any quick questions you would like me to address on the call, post a comment here or submit your question on my website.

Tips to Use your PDA to Remember Birthdays

As a Sales Productivity Coach, I help sales professionals follow up to build personal relationships. One of the simplest ways to do this is to recognize someone's birthday. You can do this by sending a card or making a phone call. But, how do you remember all of those birthdays?

Your PDA is a great place to kepe track of all of birthdays. The best place to store birthdays is in the contact record. Just add the birthdate there. This is simple to do with a Palm, Blackberry or Windows Mobile PDA. For the Palm, go into the Contact record and enter the person’s Birthdate in the Birthday field. I don’t think it’s that important to make sure the year is correct, just the month and date. Otherwise, it can take a while to select the correct date.

ACT! Coach Chris Pumphrey taught me that the contact management software ACT! allows you to easily look up or print a list of current birthdays by selecting LookUp and then Annual Events. It's extremely useful for sales reps wanting to schedule a follow up call to wish someone a Happy Birthday.

Now, if you have added birthdates to your Palm PDA calendar, they may not automatically carry over into the current year. The simplest way to fix this is to schedule them as a recurring event. To do this, go to your calendar, select the event by clicking on the line. Then, click the Details button. Now, look for the word Repeat. Select the drop down menu and choose “Every year”. You will have to do this for all of the birthdates on your calendar.

Thanks to Lisa Brys from Timeworks for this great question. Make a resolution this year to follow up and build personal relationship to grow your business. And start by recognizing birthdays.

For more information on contact management, read my article Simple Contact Management for some great suggestions.

Is email useless?

Web strategist Jeremiah Owyang asks whether email is useless. He prefers other social media tools to communicate, including blogs. From my perspective, I see people struggling with email today and wonder whether they will have any better luck with instant messaging, blogs and other online tools.

I do think there is a growing communication gap. On one hand, you have the new generation that has grown up with technology from a young age. They will quickly adapt to new technologies and learn how to leverage those tools to communicate effectively. On the other hand, you have everyone else, including the vast population of baby boomers. Some have adapted and adopted new communication tools. Others are in denial over emerging technologies and still prefer personal communication in person or by phone.

So, perhaps Jeremiah will be right in the long run. There are many things I do not like about email, but it serves a purpose. I like the fact that I can read and respond anytime I want. Instant messaging is more demanding and distracting. Blogging requires fast paced thinking, the ability to write to a larger audience and the skill to craft an interesting and relevant message. Read Jeremiah's blog for information on other social media tools. That's his realm.

In answer to Jeremiah's question, I would have to say that email is not useless. In the same way that people still use postal mail, people will continue to use email. However, I believe he is correct in foreseeing the trend toward toward other communication tools that are more appropriate based on the audience. The early adopters will move first and then slowly drag everyone else with them, kicking and screaming.

Life will be easier with the introduction of new and better mobile tools. I like what I see in the mini-tablet PC. I think too many people are tied to desktop computers and that limits their connectivity because it does not travel with them. The PDA offers increased mobility but leaves much to be desired. The screen is too small for any serious reading, websites often don't download well and many people don't like typing on a tiny keyboard. Of course, the mini-tablet PC lacks an integrated keyboard and thus people will have to use a stylus for input. And finally, laptop computers are great, but still too bulky for casual use. It just doesn't feel comfortable sitting on my couch with my laptop radiating heat on my legs, having to tilt the screen so I can view it. It's also a pain to pack and unpack it from it's case and then boot it up everytime I want to use it.

Just like it took the iPod to make music players soar in popularity, new tools will offer new ways for people to communicate effectively in real life. Things will look very different in 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, etc. Change is inevitable, change is good, and change is better when embraced.

The opportunity to connect with other people can only help you to grow socially, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Look for opportunities to connect and be willing to try new tools to communicate.

The Perfect PDA

How do you find the perfect PDA? You can start by visiting The PDA Pro website where you can Find a PDA. Seeking Alpha, a financial website, offers an article on Tips on Picking the Perfect PDA. It includes some great suggestions from PC World.

Ultimately, finding the perfect PDA is a personal decision, based on your unique needs. If you feel overwhelmed with the decision, you can attend my Secrets to Selecting a PDA teleclass, hosted by Rick Cooper.

Ladies Need Juice Too!

Michelle Ulrich, Founder of The Virtual Nation, passed along this tip from the Techie Diva who writes:

"Ladies have you realized that, nowadays you carry too many gizmos with you from cell phones, to MP3 players. Anyway you might want to include this solar mobile charger to your purse. It will add juice to your gizmos while on the go. "

Not everyone is a fan though. According to Softpedia,

"Yes, from a woman’s point of view, this “thing” may actually look pretty good if she prefers the looks of sandwich makers but, and that is what my brain is still striving to understand, why in the god's name would a company name a device the “Solar Mobile Charger”, with a hyphen on the Mobile, when the damn thing weighs around 4 kilos? "

I think this is a trend though. Expect to see more solar chargers that offer you the ability to charge your mobile devices on the go. I imagine some work with PDAs and smartphones too.

For more information on this product, visit Global Sources Direct.

Getting Sales Things Done

Lori Richardson, the Sales Process Diva, addresses the issue of identifying actions that lead to new sales, new revenues, and that retain existing customers for life.  In fact, she notes that this revolves around time management or personal management, if you will. She writes,

"One of the major issues people in selling (including sales leaders) have is in managing their time. As a former Franklin-Covey facilitator, I spent so many hours talking to people about using their planner, and focusing on what matters most. It was great theory, but the actual steps and process threw people. The planners I gave out in my sessions turned out to be glorified address books and monthly calendars - that's about it. "

She notes that the personal productivity guru David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, gets it. He understands and offers an elegant way to get people universally to take action.

I've said for some time that a PDA is simply a productivity tool. Getting one does not necessarily mean you will suddenly be organized. It's not the device itself, it's how you use it. Only when you understand how to use the tool can it truly increase your productivity.

Beam your Business Card

You're at a mixer want to exchange business cards with someone you just met.  Of course, you can offer your printed business card. You can also beam your business card.  If you have a Palm PDA, simply open the Address Book and select your own contact record. Then, select Menu, and then choose Select Business Card.  Voila! That's it.

Mobile Email Lessons Learned

Isn't it great to be able to access your email from your PDA? Yes, it is.  But, it's not always fun and games. Spam continues to be a problem. And, your email inbox can quickly become flooded by messages you really don't want to read when you're out on the road.

I subscribe to a lot of ezines and in the past have received them at my business email address. This is not the best strategy. It can easily clog your email. It can also cause your email to get stuck when downloading messages from your website domain. So, save your time and boost your productivity by limiting your business email address to business. I have several other tips for you.

Instead, get an email address through Yahoo, MSN or Gmail to use for newsletters, ezines and ad related messages. These are usually lesser priority than your business. The messages also tend to be laden with graphics and you will be able to access them faster from a web based email service.

To comply with the CAN-SPAM Act, most newsletter and commercial email messages offer the option to unsubscribe, change your email address or change your interest categories. So each time a message arrives, simply follow the steps to change the email address and soon your email will be running smoothly again. And, your mobile email will be quick and easy to access.

ThePDApro.com Website Has Launched

The PDA Pro Website at www.ThePDApro.com is now available. You will find PDA Tips, Articles, Newsletters and other information. You will also find information on the products and services offered by The PDA Pro.

We are still adding information to the site. Please contact me at rickcooper@thepdapro.com if you have any suggestions for how to improve the site.

You can also reach me at 800-677-6708 to provide any feedback.

Thank you.

Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro
http://www.ThePDApro.com
800-677-6708

PDA Productivity for School

The folks at PalmAddicts have unearthed an old Wired article from 2000 concerning how PDAs were being used by schools to increase student capability and productivity. The Wired article states,

"Dictionaries, daily preparatory tests, calculators, research from the Internet, and temperature-measuring probes for scientific experiments are all available to students on their mobile phones, pagers, or personal digital assistants (PDAs) –- generally for free. "

With the addition of Wi-Fi capability in schools, better PDA devices and increasing mobile content, the situation has only improved in the last six years.  Of course, now students will have to consider whether they want to opt for a mini-tablet PC such as the Origami, which will allow greater access to the internet.

More on PDA Enabled Sites

David Kopel shares a few details on PDA enabled blogs and websites. These are still few and far between. I'm not quite there myself either. It's on a long list of to do's (on my PDA of course.)

LifeHacker Points Out a GTD Whitepaper

The folks at Lifehacker have pointed out a whitepaper on Getting Things Done (GTD) created by Technologist R. Emory Williamson-Lundberg. While not for everyone, you might get some intersting insights. I have to warn you that some of the text truncates on the left.

Emory has an interesting take on productivity and says,

"Since the discovery and adherence to a trusted system and getting as close to “mind-like-water” as I can at this present time, it is sometimes clear to me that some people don’t think I have enough to do. I think this is in no small part to me generally being happy, excited, and eager to lend a hand. I call this the Productivity Paradox."

Well said. I feel like that all the time. Emory also uses a Hipster PDA, which amounts to a deck of index cards.

Lifehacker offers personal productivity strategies. I've added the site to my list of Resources on The PDA Pro blog.

Metasoft Releases Palm PDF v1.2

Palm Infocenter provides details about Metasoft's release of Palm PDF v1.2.  Being able to view A PDF file on your PDA can be handy for sales professionals. Companies often provide product information in a PDF format. It's not ideal for showing a client, but can provide quick access to product specifications.

Time Management Tips for Small Business

In her blog, Learn Small Business, DeAnna Spencer shares her secrets on time management. Her post offers  7 things to remember about to-do lists:

1. It will help you to remember what you have to do today.
2. A to do list keeps you on task.
3. When you complete the items on your to do list you feel a sense of accomplishment.
4. A to do list should be recorded somewhere. It doesn't count if the list exists in your head. You are guaranteed to forget something.
5. A to do list is never set in stone.
6. Your to do list should be realistic.
7. Make sure to include some time for fun in your to-do list.

Thanks DeAnna for the great suggestions. I would add to that a PDA is a great place to enter your tasks. It' not always the easiest resource for getting the big picture, but you have some great capabilities to sort and categorize your tasks.

PayPal for your PDA

Judy Breck posted a message on the Smart Mobs blog indicating that PayPal plans to offer services available through mobile devices. Of course, the implications are massive, ushering in a new era of mobile commerce. That's another reason to own a PDA/smartphone or mobile phone. It will ultimately revolutionize the way we transact business.  If you don't already have a PayPal account, consider it.

Bored with Your PDA?

So, you've been using your PDA for a awhile and it just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. What to do, what to do. Steve Sande, in a March 18, 2006 post to his blog, GizmoRanch, laments about his PDA. He wishes he could put  a Mac in his pocket and carry it with him. He's tired of using his existing HP iPaq and Palm Treo 650.  Both have shortcomings and he wants the full functionality of a laptop.

I see this all the time. People expect too much from their PDAs and smartphones. Let's face it, they have limited applications. They have small screens, limited computing power and application software and for the moment limited bandwidth. Now, the technology will continue to improve. But, a PDA will never duplicate the experience of a laptop or desktop computer. So, don't expect it to.

The power of a PDA is in its mobility and convenience. I strongly believe you should use the right tool for the right job. And, when the right tool is your laptop, use it instead. Master the fundamentals that really shine on your PDA, and you will be far more effective.

God, Coming to a PDA Near You

Have you had a conversation with God lately? If not, why not benefit from prayers now available on podcast. Philippe Borremans, in his Conversations Blog, notes that Jesuit priests are now "Godcasting", offering daily prayers and reading the gospel and making it available on podcast. So, download a podcast to your PDA and connect with God!

Connecting With Customers Using SMS

Smallbiztechnology.com reports that a tire service center in Europe is using SMS to communicate with customers for scheduling appointments.  According to the article,

"The press release reads that Vianor can now efficiently schedule the changes of tires on their customers’ cars and provide customer services in real-time. Vianor sends a message with the proposed time slot to the customer’s mobile phone. The customer can accept the time, request a new time or ask to be contacted. Already the solution has this autumn reduced the overload peaks, improved utilization of available capacity, saved costs and improved customer satisfaction. The solution works on all mobile phones independent of network in a user friendly and automatic way – no new software or configurations are required on the mobile phone."

SMS is available on smartphones, as well as standard cell phones. It isn't the fanciest way to communicate, but the capability is there to leverage the technology. Simplicity can be very powerful.

Jot a Quick Memo

People often overlook some of the simpler functions of a PDA, not realizing how powerful they are. Personally, I love the "old school" Memo Pad application on the Palm OS. Memo Pad is a simple text editor that allows you to enter short notes, about 4000 characters.  In fact, I have 489 memos on my PDA and most were entered by hand.

Why is it so powerful? For one, it's fast. And that makes a big difference in productivity. You can create a memo by simply starting to write or type. The first line will become the name of the memo and can easily be edited later. There are limited options for format so there's not much to think about.

For sales professionals, Memo Pad is great to use at events. Create a single memo for the event and then jot notes throughout the event. Whenever you have a spare moment, make a note. Be sure to enter a person's name and a brief comment. Then, later, you can perform a brain dump and make more notes. The key is to be sure to move those individual comments to the appropriate contact record after you've had a chance to enter new contacts in your PDA or contact management software.

Just be sure your PDA does not detract from your ability to interact with people and network. Some people are put off when they see someone using a PDA, smartphone, cell phone or other device.

How Your PDA Can Support You

Lori Richardson, the Sales Process Diva, offers suggestions on how to create a supportive environment. She suggests changing something small to start with.

I have found that most people do not take advantage of the incredible power of their PDA. One overlooked area is tracking tasks on your PDA. All PDAs have the capability to track tasks. You simply enter the name of the task, the due date, the priority (high, medium or low), the category and any other notes about the tasks.

Of course it's not enough just to enter tasks. You must review the list throughout the day and check off tasks once their completed. It's great for keeping track of sales calls you need to make or for follow up on commitments.

What is your experience with tracking tasks on a PDA? Do you find it effective?

PDA Quick Tip - Focus on the Fundamental Four

The Fundamental Four consist of Calendar, Contacts, Memos and Tasks. The names may be different for the PDA you have, but every PDA or Smartphone should have each of these four applications.

The calendar simply allows you to enter meetings, appointments and other events. I recommend you enter a short description of the type of event. For example, enter "meet" for meeting or "appt" for appt. This allows you to quickly determine what you'll be doing as you scroll through your calendar. Some programs such as Agendus or ACT use icons to give you a visual queue.

The contact list or address book has all of the people you keep in touch with. This includes phone, address, and email information. You also have a notes area to enter additional details that don't belong to a specific field.

Memos are short notes. Palm PDAs have a limitation on how much can be stored in a memo; whereas Windows Mobile devices using Pocket Word will typically hold more information. These memos are great for brainstorming and taking quick notes. But, develop a good system for naming files, otherwise, it can be difficult to locate information you've entered in.

Finally, tasks or to do's allow you a simple way to enter things that need to be done. You enter the name of the task, choose a due date and select high, medium or low priority. Then, review the list frequently and check off the task when it's complete.

That's it. So, Focus on the Fundamental Four. Master the basic applications before you learn additional capabilities like checking email, accessing the internet, playing media files or reading ebooks. You'll be more confident and less frustrated with your PDA.

Tech Savvy Teens Will Impact Future Sales Teams

An interesting article about teens use of technology leads me to believe this trend will ultimately impact sales teams, requiring veteran employees to change their habits. The article, Teens getting so tech savvy, from the St. Petersberg Times indicates that teens prefer instant messaging over email because of the immediacy of responding to messages. Email is too slow. It may take hours to get a response; whereas instant messaging usually generates an immediate response. Not surprisingly, instant messaging (IM) is used more by girls than boys. IM extends their capabilities to communicate and socialize.

As these tech savvy teens enter the sales force, I anticipate they will become frustrated if veteran employees don't respond with the same urgency. Of course, just because something is urgent doesn't necessarily mean it's important.

Email can generate fast responses for people using PDAs and smartphones who are in the habit of checking email frequently. Blackberry users are probably the most responsive to email. Instant messaging hasn't really caught on among PDA users, although standard text messaging, short messaging service (SMS), is used on occasion for quick messages.

The article quotes a telephone survey conducted last fall by Princeton Survey Research Associates of children in the 12-17 age group. According to the article, the findings show that  84 percent own a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a cell phone or a personal digital assistant; 44 percent have two or more of those items; 12 percent have three; and 2 percent have all four.

Clearly, this means that future sales teams will include some very tech savvy younger workers who are likely to push the boundaries of technology. But the risk is that too much focus on technology may affect the personal interactions required in sales. It's a people business after all.