Much has been written on the technological prowess of the iPad2. Articles have appeared on its specific use such as point-of-sale in retail, or as a replacement for medical clipboards in hospitals where notes can be recorded and shared; as well as checked against a patient’s entire medical record. While these uses reflect increased productivity and efficiency, they are “tactical” uses. I would like to present a hypothetical example of how the iPad2 can be used strategically, thus making it a game changer.
The scenario: You and a partner are real estate investors. You’ve done your research and found a good property. From your due diligence you find out there is distress to the property, which the current owner has let run down, and on the owner himself where other obligations are forcing him to sell.
The situation: The deal will only work if you get your offer accepted; however the owner is stubborn. Time is of the essence as your investors expect you to put the deal together now, but you can’t go any higher on your offer.
The dilemma: How do you convince the owner he is better off accepting your offer?
The solution: You meet with the owner and bring your iPad2. You show him a picture taken in a room at the top of the building. It shows a wall with dark stains in the upper corner where the wall meets the ceiling. You play a video you made showing your partner tapping on the wall, an action that produces a knocking sound until he reaches the area of the stain where a squishing sound is produced. It is undeniably soggy from water damage and likely indicates major roof repair is needed; something that was heretofore undetected. You start a video conference with your partner who just happens to be on the scene at the property with his own iPad2. You bring up documents, slides, and analysis with estimates supporting your conclusions. You ask the owner if he has any questions. You express sorrow, and though still interested in the property, will have to adjust your offer down to account for necessary repairs to the newly uncovered problems.
Advantage: iPad2.
The outcome: The offer is accepted.
You can see how this dynamic can move business activity in new ways. The iPad2 inspires creativity and imagination. It’s why I find the iPad2 such an exciting and transformative product.
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You know exactly what I'm talking about, because you've been there. This also applies to entrepreneurs or small business owners running their own business. Don't you or your chief financial officer make your employees do the same types of justifications? Now ask yourself this question. Do I apply the exact same business methodologies when purchasing personal technology for myself, family or home? If not, why not?
The iPad is soon to be released (see video below). As with any new consumer technology gadget, especially when released by Apple, a buying frenzy occurs with a "got to have it" mentality. This works perfectly for the company selling the gizmo. It's a credit to the engaged marketing machine producing sales results. When done right, a perceived need is created for the consumer, when none exists. It deftly and subtly overrides a "need vs. want" analysis. Do really just want it? Or do you personally need it to be competitive with your career or business?
So back to performing return on investment analysis when making personal purchases of cell phones, computers, car gadgets, HDTV, cable TV, Internet services, FIOS, the triple play package etc...
Transferring skills you use at work into running your career as a business is a key strategy to career management survival these days. It positions you for being more valuable to clients at work. This is accomplished by reinforcing personal life technology purchases with the same business practices companies employ.
My wife and I only purchased, upgrade and continue to pay our Blackberry bill every month [or any home technology], because it provides us with much return on our $90/month investment. It answers the business acid test of providing ROI for productivity, clients [employers] and personal income profitability. Our personal monthly ROI must cover the cost, plus produce a profit into our bank accounts. Otherwise, it's just a firm grip on an empty sack.
When was the last time you beat up a vendor for hiccups in your personal cell phone service, like you do at work? That's right. Services providers for home technology are still vendors to you. No one should blindly pay a bill in full, if the FULL services have not been rendered. It doesn't make good business sense for companies. Why should it for you personally? Read more on how to get vendors to pay you when personal technology services fall short. When the weather knocks out satellite cable TV or vendors create service interruptions for hours or days with technology upgrades, that's not your problem. They owe you a credit. You pay your bill "in full" for full services every month, no matter what.
Your career is your business. Your business is your career. Anyone who runs their career as a business, extended into your personal life purchases, is the smarter person who survives these days.
You can tell quite a bit about a person from their email address. Email address name and case lettering may provide clues as to the type of person you will engage. If you think hiring managers, executives, recruiters and business professionals don't pay attention to email addresses, think again. Are you willing to take that risk with the competition in the job market being so fierce?
Your email address should answer the question "Am I committed to presenting a positive professional appearance, while marketing myself and my company?"
Sybil.Krill@anydomain.com is serious about her career or business. She provides an email address that presents a professional posture. A balanced amount of confidence is displayed in capitalizing the 1st letter of each part of her name. She is branding herself, because her email address reflects the same name she uses in her every day life, on her resume, business cards etc..
danny.krantos@anydomain.com almost achieves the same goal as Sybil.Krill@anydomain.com above. He may lack confidence, because the 1st letter in his first and last name is lower case.
bubbalicious@anydomain.com wants to be anonymous, whiling complaining about people not recognizing them or not responding back to their emails. Maybe they are also wondering why they are not getting calls for interviews or business meetings to present their services. This person is definitely not serious about their career or business posture. Cryptic email addresses beg for a response of "I'll get back to you, maybe".
MICHELLE.ARILLY@anydomain.com may love herself a little too much. Having confidence is one thing, but let's not go overboard. Following Internet and instant message rules, all UPPER CASE lettering is perceived as shouting. Is this person going to be high maintenance in the "attention" department?
Gary.Friptal@MyCompanyDomain.com provides the same professional posture as Sybil.Krill@anydomain.com, whiling adding that extra branding touch. Their name is branded and so is their company. Like a commercial, both are tied together. When people see the company name they think of that person. When people see the person's name there is an instant association with that company.
Amy@MyCompanyDomain.com is professional but is it memorable? If you are the only Amy in your company, that might work for a while. What happens, if you leave the company? Amy.G.Winstrom@MyCompanyDomainName.com works better. If you change companies, your personal name brand recognition still goes with you.
A single name works best, if you purchase a "vanity" domain that contains your first and last name (i.e.Amy@AmyWinstrom.com). Now you're cooking with branding gas.This can follow you no matter where your business travels take you.
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