Sprint Gets the Moto Q

Finally Verizon loses its grip on the Motorola Q and the yellow screen to to the left tells you Sprint got the goods!

I've been using Sprint for years and I love one thing about the service - it's pretty cheap (as in low cost for those of you using Verizon.) I use Sprint's BlackBerry 8700 product and love it, and the Moto Q is a welcome addition to the choices Sprint smart phone users now have to choose from.

Unfortunately Sprint is following the same BS other carriers do when it comes to current, loyal and satisfied clients... they jack up the price! If I want this phone I'll pay $449 buck rogers to get it. That's because I'm a Sprint card-carrying advocate. Quite the reward huh.

If you're a customer of one of the other mobile phone carriers what will you pay? $99.99 plus a two year lock on your business. I know this is what all the carriers do but that doesn't make it right - so they must think it's smart business - I don't get it.

Give me great service, competitive pricing plans and the top phones to select from and I'll never leave your service. I'd be a customer for life, and with 5 phones on my plan, I'd think that I'd be worth something too!

Give me a new Moto Q Sprint. I want to try it and I'll renew my plan for another two years, but I don't want to pay $449 for it!

(Don't forget the Q is a killer phone and I've written positive reviews on it in the past.)

TK

VoIP Phone Technology

When I recently opened a new office in Phoenix it was suggested that I try VoIP service for our business lines. I was a bit skeptical because the technology hasn't really caught on and in fact, at the time, I don't think I understood how the technology worked.

VoIP is short for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and simply put, you plug your phone into an Internet connection and it works just like it's a phone line. Now I understand the technology and I like it. I like it a lot.

My company uses service from business VoIP provider Packet 8. (Packet 8 is like Vonage except for business.) Vonage has the bucks behind it to advertise like CRAZY and you see them all over TV and the Internet. Packet 8 doesn't advertise, but it does allow my firm to have a large company phone system at a fraction of the cost. Their product is called "Virtual PBX" and after having used the phones and the features of Packet 8 I'm extremely pleased.

Some of the features I like about the Virtual PBX product are:

1. Unlimited phone calls - once I purchase a phone system (about $100) there is a flat usage fee per month. Call all day and all night for $40 bucks.
2. The phone can be anywhere in the country and it functions like it's in the next office. I can transfer calls and intercom the phone just as if it were 10 feet away.
3. Each unit has a direct line and is part of my system. So I can let me clients bypass an automated attendant and get me direct.
4. When I miss a call and a voice mail message is left for me, the system sends me an email with a sound file so I can listen to the message instantly without calling into the system.
5. Finally, I can add lines as needed and the system just continues to grow. If I want to add employees to the system and they don't need a phone, they simply receive a "Virtual Extension" and are added to our voice mail. Incoming calls can be transferred to the virtual extension and the call will be forwarded to any phone anywhere in the country.

My company is still playing with the Packet 8 product and their are some downsides... your phone system is at the mercy of your Internet service. If Internet goes down - phone goes down. That's happened once in the last 90 days. Not a big deal... yet.

Overall - thumbs up to VoIP.

TK

CET OVERLOAD!

I coined the phrase "CET" (an acronym for Call, Email, Text) referring to the three communication functions routinely performed on smart phones last year when I became "too much" of an expert at using my BlackBerry. CETing has reached overload for some users and I believe the challenge has become so severe, that the smart phone has brought on an onslaught of Adult ADD!

Seriously. If you can't refrain for more than 10 minutes from continually grabbing your Treo and checking your email account (I have two email accounts on my BlackBerry - so I have an excuse), checking for missed calls or seeing who sent you the last text message then you've got serious focus challenges.

In an effort to help resolve this matter I offer this advice - first and foremost, refrain from CETing during important sales activities, such as initial contact, presentation and final closing opportunities. Don't grab that device and even think of looking at it when you should be paying attention to a client.

I also recommend that you refrain from CETing at the dinner table, in church or while ordering your Tall, Decaf Mochachino. There are so many things to do on your smart phone that you might forget that the world continues to spin while your thumbs are moving a mile a minute. If you're in line anywhere, don't CET without occasionally looking up.

Snap out of it! Business and life will happen without you weighing in on every issue and event so chill out. As my mentor Jim Rohn says "where ever you are - be there."

TK

Tech Etiquette Revisted

Last year I added the subject of "Etiquette" to my technology training seminars. I wanted to revisit the topic and update the information. So here's the original post with some important additions.

I am no Emily Post, but someone needs to lay down the law on what is appropriate when it comes to using technology and conducting business at the same time.

With so many "gadgets" flooding the marketplace, and with many of us carrying multiple devices (I count six on my desk and in my bag at this moment), the line between what is acceptable business behavior and poor business behavior has blurred a bit. From a business perspective, I have a few ideas for using technology:

Mobile Phones
The challenges we currently face with technology all started with mobile phones... pagers were not that bad; however when mobile phones saturated the marketplace, not only could you look at an incoming number, but you could instantly interact with the person attempting to contact you.

The advent of instant answering triggered an onslaught of etiquette fop as such as answering your phone during an important business meeting or sales presentation. You'd never do that... that's good, but it happens everyday in business.

Here's my simple advice that hundreds of business professionals have embraced - NEVER bring your phone to an initial contact opportunity, presentation, final closing or any other important meeting. I really mean that you DO NOT HAVE YOUR PHONE ON YOUR PERSON. I didn't imply that you put your phone on vibrate, stun, quiet mode or even turn it off. Do not bring it with you period.

Creating rapport, building a relationship and giving your presentation are the most important things you can be doing. Don't risk diminishing your intent to build a solid relationship (or your specific message by having a phone ring or vibrate.

If you forget to heed this advice and your phone does "go off" never look at a ringing, vibrating mobile phone when presenting or in a meeting - ignore it all together.

If you really want to make points with a client or friend and have forgotten to NOT bring your phone to a meeting, take it out or remove it from your hip and turn it off in front of your client or future client and throw it in your bag, briefcase or purse and tell them "this meeting is important and I am going to turn off my phone so it doesn't bother us. (Nice touch.)

Refrain from engaging in important conversations when driving for the same reason. If you're concentrating on driving then you can't concentrate on the important points of selling. Casual calls are fine (if your state has no laws against using mobile phones while driving), but important calls are not cool. Try this the next time someone calls you or calls you back and you're on the road:

"Jim, this is really important and I can't give you the attention you deserve because I'm not at the office yet. Let me pull over and I'll call you right back and we can cover everything." Again, nice touch. I don't risk ramming the car in front of me, I get to focus on my relationship with the caller, and as a bonus, I just projected an image of responsibility and caring to the other party.

As a side note, don't carry on long-term conversations on your mobile phone in waiting rooms (doctors, dentists etc) or waiting in lines (banks Taco Bell etc), no one cares about your idle conversations. Take the call, do your business and order your Big Mac.

Custom Ring Tones
These things drive me crazy. My boys change the ringer on the phones at our house and every time the phone rings, I think bad thoughts...

Seriously, don't use custom ring tones if your phone is for business. I know most people won't care, but the few that think your phone blaring out Aerosmith's "Walk this Way" when it rings is unprofessional could be a future client. Is it possible that would create an unprofessional image in the mind of someone else?

Blue Tooth Headsets
I have finally found one of these I really like and that I really use! Simple etiquette tip - use them as a convenience and not as a fashion or status statement.

Laptops
I have three computers in my office. A desktop that I do heavy work on and a laptop that I interview and research with and another that I travel with. If I have someone walk in my office while I am typing and there is always a slight delay before I look up and acknowledge them. Depending on who it is and what they want, I may not even look up... and just continue to hammer the keys... not good.

Always close your laptop when talking with someone who is not on their own laptop, i.e. someone walks into your office and interrupts you. It shows respect for the person and their issue. You don't have to close it all the way, by just shutting it enough where you can't see the screen you can now focus on the person and show the other person you are interested in them and the conversation.

Email
I really believe email will put the last nail in the coffin of the business letter this year. Simply stated - what you used to do on letterhead and slap a postage stamp on is now done via email. So writing an email should include the correct use of grammar. Using all lower case, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, abbreviations and "code" such as LOL - (whatever that means), is no longer acceptable. Don't put anything in writing that you don't want others to see... anything.

Working with Email
A major issue in our company is getting people to respond to email. Since email is almost like a conversation, always respond to insure that both parties know where the "conversation" stands. For example, if I say "I'll meet you tomorrow morning at 8:30am" and you don't reply. How do I know you read the message? Always respond: "Got it" "I'll be there" "okay" etc. Don't over do it, just do it!

Email Privacy
Don't send or forward emails that show other people's email address. This happens all the time and when you do this you're violating everyone's privacy. If you are going to send an email to a group of recipients types the addresses in the Bcc Field and the recipients will see only their address.

Text Messaging and Instant Messaging
No need to use proper grammar when sending text messages or instant messages. Fire away and do it quick! Be smart when using text messaging in a business setting. Don't digress 20 years and think your passing notes in chemistry class, remember, don't say anything in a text message that you don't want someone else to see. Like email, text messages can be forwarded to other people, printed or saved for a later date.

You don't want to be forced to decline your party's presidential nomination because you asked Sally in the next cubicle something stupid while sending a text message. STAY FOCUSED ON BUSINESS.

Here's a toast to a new you and I hope some of these ideas help you manage the onslaught of technology while you do business and just try to live. Now if your phone is attached to your head and you have to make a call every time you get in your car, go see a professional, words alone will not cure you.

TK

How to Handle Dropped Calls

Have you ever been on an important call, where you were in the middle of a long conversation, only to discover that the person you were talking to is no longer on the line? Ever had a call drop?

Duh. This happens DAILY and it's extremely frustrating for both the person speaking and the person trying to listen. Try this the next time you drop a call... just pick up your call where you lost it.

Simply start talking from the point where you were cut off, if your not sure when you lost the other party, ask "where did I lose you?" Then keep talking. There's no need to say your name again, or say hello again or describe the tunnel you passed through, or describe how tall the buildings are where you're walking, or how the cellular service "sucks" with Cingular, Sprint or T-Mobile. Blah Blah Blah.

Doing so wastes time and worse than that - you'll lose your train of thought or the passion of the topic being discussed. Just get back to business! The person on the other end of the phone will appreciate your directness and be very surprised... why? Because they are used to hearing this:

"Tom, hey it's Bill I lost you." [Duh.] "I don't know what happened, I'm outside of the city and I just passed through this long tunnel [Maybe it was the tunnel genius], have you been out to the east side in the last few months?" "No Bill I haven't" [And I don't care, get back to telling me about the topic we were discussing.] "It's incredible Tom, I haven't seen so many homes built so fast, you'd be blown away." "Bill, I'm sure it's the most incredible site - I can't wait to get out there." [And I really can't wait to get off this call!]

What could be worse? Tom actually encouraging the dialogue. You can see that after 120 seconds of this kind of dialogue, most people wouldn't even remember why they called each other in the first place!

So, next time you lose a call, call the person back, and start talking from the point were the call was dropped. Not sure when you lost the other person? Ask "where did I lose you?" Then get to the point.

Do this and you'll maximize your time and minimize the frustration that comes with dealing with technology.

TK

Treo 750... Have Phone Will Travel

The new Treo 750 is out and Palm keeps making these things better and better. I love the fact that they have eliminated the stubby antenna, and they have packed this with the tools you need to literally do business around the world.

Palm is saying the 750 meshes the Windows Mobile platform with the "ease" of Palm enhancements... with an international network. Sounds excellent to me - what could be better? They say it feels "great in your hand" due to a "new soft-touch finish." Sounds even better.

One of the things I like about smart phones is that they are literally a computer that can fit in the palm (no pun intended), of your hand. Better yet, they have instant on and instant off functionality - no booting up or down required. Better yet, it eliminates your mobile phone and allows you to work from anywhere you'd like to work. So what's different about the Treo 750 that wasn't available in the Treo 700 series of units or the newer BlackBerry phones or any other smart phone for that matter? Let's take a look.

First and perhaps foremost, the Treo 750 is able to function as a phone while you perform other tasks such as sending an email, text messaging a co-worker or surfing for information on the Internet. This is not the case with my BlackBerry 8700 smartphone. If I'm on a call, email traffic stops. If I'm surfing the web, phone traffic stops. If you're a power user on email and on the phone then not being able to multitask between Internet and phone functions will slow you down.

The Treo 750 solves that challenge. You can talk and transmit data at the same time on the Cingular network. This is a huge feature.

The productivity applications that come with the Treo 750 really work... in other words you can not only view files - you can create and edit them. The Motorola Q let's you view Word, Excel and PowerPoint files but you cannot create or edit. Lame.

There are a ton of other great features of this phone. It's only available at Cingular (which bugs the heck out of me), but will roll out to other carriers before you know it.

Check it out and get a feel for the phone and see if it might be your next productivity tool.

TK

Apple Does it Again - The iPhone

It just doesn't get any cooler than this people. I know this is a Sales Technology Blog, but can anyone miss the selling going on over at Apple, Inc? (That's right - Apple, Inc. is a new name - they dropped the "Computer" from the corporate name because they are SELLING more than computers - much much more.)

Once again, Steve Jobs has garnished the attention of the entire business world (even though everyone has been expecting this announcement for more than a year) with the unveiling of Apple's new mobile phone - the iPhone.

You can watch Mr. Job's himself display the iPhone and its functions at Apple's website and get a first hand look at this device. In fact, I can't even describe everything this phone will do, and if I tried, I'd never get it right or cover it all. You must go to Apple's site and check out the keynote address Job's gave a Macworld. I promise you this - you've never seen a mobile phone do things like an iPhone. It makes even smart phones look retarded.

I will register this one disappointment. Early press was suggesting that the iPhone would be an "open device," meaning that you could purchase it from Apple and take it to any mobile phone carrier for activation. That didn't happen. Cingular scored the iPhone. Hopefully that won't last long...

My prediction for Apple, Inc and the iPhone - rising stock price and mobile phone market penetration.

Finally, I see this device a win for the sales professional who is into technology and likes to take their music, movies and other entertainment on the go. The iPhone will replace one of your iPod's (most likely your Nano) and of course your mobile phone - smart or not.

TK

2007 - The Year of Email

I really think this whole email thing is catching on... 2007 is definitely the year in which proper grammar and usage will be the norm with email communication.

Judith Kallos is my source for online etiquette. You can check out her blog at NetMannersBlog.com and read her yourself. I've mentioned her before and I'll use her creative talent again - read her and buy her book on the subject of online etiquette. She has 10 resolutions for the new year on how to use email more professionally. I pass them on to you and as always... take the best and leave the rest!

1. I will not forward an e-mail unless it specifically applies to the person I am sending to. I will include a personal note to that person so they know why I am forwarding that particular e-mail their way. If I must send or forward the same e-mail to a group of contacts, I will do so only when I put their e-mail addresses in the BCc: field to protect their privacy (especially if they don't know each other).

I will also set a good example by removing any visible e-mail addresses within the body of the forward from previous irresponsible forwarders who did not feel the need to protect their contact's privacy. I will also make a point of down editing my e-mails to remove text that is irrelevant to the ongoing conversation.

2. I will take the time to make sure that my sentences are complete, capitalized and include proper punctuation. Using proper sentence structure and taking the extra time to ensure that my intent and tone are clear, will do nothing but reflect positively on me. Making these efforts will go a long way to ensuring communicating with me is easy while having the added benefit of helping to avoid any misunderstandings.

3. I will not send an unannounced large attachment of any kind, even the ones I think are very special photos of [insert here: my grand baby, my new car, sales flyer, Power Point presentation...], until I ask first when would be the best time to send it to the intended party. This way, I do not fill their e-mail box without notice causing all their other e-mail to bounce. The fact is I do not know what the other side's e-mail activity is like to assume my attachment will not cause any unnecessary problems for them. Think of the other side, not just of what you want to do.

4. I will ensure that the Subject: field will include a brief and concise description of the content of every e-mail I send. I will modify or change the Subject: field when necessary to better display what my e-mail contains.

5. Every e-mail I send will be courteous and include a proper greeting and closing which includes my name. Typed properly too! Names in small case or all caps reflect either a lack of education or tech savvy; neither of which is a good thing. Nice greetings and closings avoid my e-mails coming off as demanding or terse and reflect that I understand common courtesies.

6. I will not copy or use any text, graphics or content from another Web site or author without their explicit permission to do so. The online world, contrary to popular belief, is not a public domain environment! I will not use another author's writings in whole or in part without them being aware of exactly what I am doing and where I will use their information. I will not post e-mails that were sent to me privately for any reason in a public forum without the original sender's permission. These are all serious copyright and privacy issues that I need to be aware of, practice and respect.

This is why I site Judith's work and don't just cut and paste...

7. I will be very respectful about how I use my employer's technology resources understanding they are paying the bills and I am on their time. I also understand that I should not assume any level of privacy while using company equipment, connectivity or e-mail resources. I will make a point of reviewing my employer's policies so that I am familiar with them so I can avoid any future problems.

8. I will refrain from formatting my e-mails with colored text, bolding and/or italics because I know it may not look as I intended when received on the other side. I also understand by making the extra effort to add emphasis with formatting, it may be taken the wrong way or even over-emphasized by the recipient. I will learn to relay my thoughts clearly with the written word rather than having to rely on formatting. I understand if I take the time to choose my words carefully and reflect on how I use them, formatting is not necessary.

9. When I sign up for a Web site service, newsletter or am sending an inquiry, I will take the time to add that site's e-mail address to my address book, white list or approved senders list so that the response can get through any spam blocking software my ISP, online service or that I may have in place. I understand that if I don't make this effort, the response to my request or subscription may not make it to my inbox.

10. I will make a point of understanding each online service or Web site I choose to use by reading their Frequently Asked Questions, Terms of Service and Help area. I understand that I need to eliminate my actions or lack thereof as a possible cause of a perceived problem before pointing fingers at others. If in fact something does appear amiss, I will e-mail with courtesy asking for assistance in resolving my difficulties rather than making blunt demands or accusations based on my assumptions alone.

Good advice from someone who studies this stuff all day. Let's commit to make 2007 the year of the email - and make yourself look better with your online communications.

TK

Google - Master of the Universe

Google is taking over the world and soon the universe. At closing Friday the stock sat at about $460 a share. It's high for the year was $513 so it's "down" a little... bummer.

I'll take that bummer any year. If you just sat on it all year then you're up about thirty bucks from January 1, 2006, but there was a lot of money to be made in this stock. The 52 week low was $331.55 so there was quite a bit of movement.

What I like most about Google is not it's stock price (because I don't own it), but the products they are putting out and the products they are making better. The site I use for all of my blogs, blogger.com is a Google product. My back up email (tomkauffman@gmail.com) is also a Google product.

Google is all over my computer starting on the desktop. Google Desktop keeps me on time, tracks my stocks and the market, gives me the weather report for four cities I'm tracking all the time, tells me how strong my Wi-Fi signal is and how much battery power I have left. It also searches for any document on my computer.

I use Google as my search engine. I also use Google Earth, Google Finance, Google Images (for my blog posts), Google Alerts and Google Mail.

Other great products introduced this year were Google Calendar and Google Docs & Spreadsheets. Each allows you to do your work anywhere you can get an Internet connection.

This company is worth 141 billion dollars and have billions in cash to invest in new ideas and new companies. Look for more great things from Google in 2007.

TK

E-mail Etiquette Matters!: Stay Away from Sarcasm in E-mail

I've received my share of nasty emails over the years and have made an art of crafting them! (That means so nasty from my end, recipients don't even get that I'm slamming them. I don't recommend it.

However, one of the worst things you can do is write an email laced with sarcasm. Judith Kallos writes about email etiquette and she posted this article on the topic of sarcasm in email on her blog. Check it out:

E-mail Etiquette Matters!: Stay Away from Sarcasm in E-mail

The challenge using sarcasm in spontaneous writing (such as email), is that it is not easily detected. The written word is void of tone, gesture and a quick opportunity to add clarifying comments.

"Say" something wrong in an email and you may have an upset recipient for a longer period of time than you'd like. There are symbols such as :) or ;) that aid in disarming sarcasm, but they don't appear to be very professional to me.

My advice - skip the sarcasm is business related email and use it sparingly in all other email correspondence.

TK

Cool Stuff Every Salesperson Should Own

As the holidays come into full swing I have been thinking of the key pieces of equipment every salesperson should own. Of course "key" denotes you've got to have it to do business and that would be impossible. So by switching to the word "cool" everyone has permission to own these things even if only for their own personal pleasure! Here's the list:

1. Smart Phone - Yes this implies your other phone is dumb. If you can't retrieve email from multiple accounts and hit the web for critical information you need a new phone! A smart phone should feel like a little computer in your hand that doesn't have to be booted up an powered down. This includes your calendar, contacts, tasks and various notes. Get this first!

2. iPod - This device may be the coolest piece of technology you ever own. There are multiple models that serve multiple purposes. I own three and use two heavily. The other one was swiped by my middle son (who's getting one for Christmas so I can get my Nano back.)

The iPod is more than just a music player. I use my iPod to listen to daily podcasts on business, finance and politics. No matter what industry you're in... there's a podcast that can help you become more informed and more proficient at what you do. In addition, my entire personal development library is housed on my 30 gig video iPod. I can listen to the icon's of personal development for days without hearing the same message twice. If you don't have one - get one!

3. Headset - I just wrote an article on a new wireless headset (the Samsung WEP200 that I am still impressed with) and am recommending any type of headset for any phone that you use on a daily basis. Work, mobile and even your home phone. See how much freedom you can feel by removing the handset from the side of your head! Who can you trust? Plantronics is the most trusted name in headsets. Go with them and you won't get ripped off.

4. Small Digital Camera - Snapping pictures and throwing up pictures on your website, blog or just having them on your computer is a worthwhile thing.

5. High Capacity Storage Device - If you've ever lost your data then you know how painful an episode it can be... BACK UP YOUR DATA. There are devices the size of a deck of cards that can back up your entire computer. Get one and use it weekly.

Well that's five things. Number five may not be cool but it is essential. Merry Christmas!

TK

Giving Bluetooth Another Shot...

I've tried Bluetooth headsets in the past and like many users haven't been impressed - so I tossed the Jabra piece of junk I had and gave up... it was like throwing away a hundred dollar bill.

I haven't had a wireless headset since, even though the world continues to buy them and the army of "mobile phone cyborgs" grow and grow and grow in number!

This all came to an end today when my Samsung WEP200 arrived in the mail and I took it for a spin. up. This little jewel is the most compact wireless headset I've ever seen... it's one of the entries in a new slew of supercompact headsets hitting the market.

This little baby measures only 1.5 by 0.5 by 0.5 inches (translation - it's really tiny), and fits perfectly in the ear canal. Easy buttons located in just the right positions. The unit comes with an equally small carrying case which also serves as the charging unit. I like the setup because when the unit is charging it is totally protected, but don't lose it - without the case the headset cannot be charged and I don't care how long the talk time is (4 hours by the way) or the standby time is (3 days)... without the charging unit you are toast.

I would rank the call quality as high and the way this unit works with my BlackBerry 8703e from Sprint can only be described as "harmonious." Sure they are both jet black and look like a match made in heaven, but add to that the ease in which I can answer calls and end calls without ever taking my phone out of it's holster - that's... harmonious too!

Getting excited about a wireless headset device may make me appear like I'm a technology neophyte - well I'm not - this little unit has me back in the Bluetooth headset game because it works and all of the manufacturers out there are building better products. Best of all... I look like a Navy Seal instead of a Terminator/cyborg wanna-be.

You'll like the look, the feel and the sound of the Samsung WEP200.

TK

Wired Magazine's Best

Wired Magazine is a great publication if you like to look at magazine covers. For me it's kind of like album art. You may not have any interest in the music but the cover can generate a lot of emotion.

The best thing I've seen from Wired in some time is it's 2007 "Test Wired" edition which is on news stands now. Wired has tested and rated over 300 products... Laptops, mobile phones, home audio, cameras, satellite radio, MP3 players and many more products.

Also in this issue is a list of the top 10 gadgets that changed the world. Number One... the RCA 630TS which arrived in 1946. Guess what it is? Television. The price in today's dollars would be $3,600 bucks! Where's the record player, I'll use that for a few decades and let the Japanese get their electronics juggernaut going.

I think the iPod should be on the list but not a single Apple product is listed. IBM gets the number 9 spot for it's 5150 personal computer.

There's also a great piece on how to pick a mobile phone service provider (page 043), and the winner is... Verizon!

This is a must have read if you're into technology so grab an issue before they are all gone.

TK

BlackBerry Pearl is a Bit Thin

The BlackBerry team has delivered a very thin product with its new Pearl... too thin for my liking. I recently checked it out at Cingular Wireless and I don't know that it is capable of handling the rough work of business. It's pretty delicate unit.

BlackBerry ships the phone without any type of carrying case to protect it and the shiny outer appearance is bound to get wasted within a few weeks. I'm sure aftermarket products are already available and more on the way.

I currently use an 8700g and I love it. The major challenge other than the size of the unit and its delicate appearance is the keyboard layout. Without a full size QWERTY keyboard I can't imagine this unit being the workhorse BlackBerry fans are used to hammering away at.

The Pearl loses the scroll wheel and uses a "joystick" to maneuver through its menus. It's a little awkward but I'm sure the feel for it comes quickly. It comes with a camera and an MP3 player, but that's not why I choose BlackBerry products. Leave the fluff to Treo et al.

Check out the Pearl at a Cingular store near you.

TK

My Product Advisor...

Surfing for the greatest technology innovations in the marketplace (in a single bound), led me to review a site called My Product Advisor.

The website allows you to pick a general product category, answer questions regarding usage and features that are important to you, then receive recommendations on products that fit your needs.

According to Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, My Product Advisor "offers a great interactive guide to help you choose a PDA. It lets you state your preferences in seven different categories, and then makes a recommendation. In each category you indicate the importance of a particular feature via sliding scales."

Once recommendations are made you can view the products that fit your specifications and review prices via Price Grabber.

Check it out.

TK

Spokane Technology Briefing

Thanks to everyone who attended our Sales Technology Briefing in the Inland Northwest (held in conjunction with our Becoming a Top Producer seminar) at the Coeur d' Alene Resort.

Here is a list of the products, services and websites that we reviewed during our event:

Results Seminars
www.closemoresales.com
This is our official site that tells you where we are going with our events and what's happening in our group. Check it out!

Selling Power Magazine
www.sellingpower.com
Selling Power is THE magazine for sales professionals. If you don't subscribe to this magazine then you are missing out on a major tool of the selling industry.

Bankrate.com
www.bankrate.com
Everyone who deals in financing should bookmark this site! What is happening on a daily basis in interest rates is kept up to date for you by Bankrate.com.

Send Out Cards
www.sendoutcards.com
This is a cool site dedicated to helping you stay in touch with your clients. Pick the cards that you want to send and this group lets you customize the greeting and even sends it for you. This is a truly automated BUT personal process. You have to see it to believe it.

Stuffbak.com
www.stuffbak.com
This was our other featured site. Stuffbak makes a label product that you can attach to all of your personal effects (keys, mobile phones, PDAs etc.) This is a no brainer. Buy these and put them on everything before you lose it and some nice person keeps it because they don't know who the heck you are!

Super Hero Cards (Bonus Site)
www.superherocards.com
We didn't cover this site but it reall is a cool idea. This product that takes a picture of you and turns it into a Super Hero "playing card." This is definitely for the "fun" type of sales person who is looking to distinguish themselves from their competition.

Google
www.google.com
Have you heard of this company? Duh. Of course you have... but are you using: Google Alerts?Google Desktop? Google News? Google Gmail? Google Earth? Google Calendar? Remember, it's all FREE and all capable of assisting you be more efficient.

Anchor Free
www.anchorfree.com
This is the website that lists different locations in the Phoenix area (and around the country) that offer FREE access to Wi-Fi.

Broadband Access:
Verizonwww.verizonwireless.com
Sprint/Nextelwww.sprint.com
TMobilewww.t-mobile.com

Business Card Scanning Product
www.cardscan.com
This is the cool business card scanning product that can scan cards directly into your Outlook or other contact management software. You can type in 100 calls in 4 hours or scan them in 10 minutes. You pick! Check eBay for the best price on this product.

Start Your Own Blog (Bonus Site)
www.blogger.com
We didn't cover this site either, but blogging is HUGE and is good for staying in touch with clients and getting your presence on the Internet. Remember - this one is FREE.

Remember... 5 things in 72 hours... just pick one and DO IT!

TK

Email... Reply Please!

One of my favorite blogs to read on a weekly basis is written by Judith Kallos called "Because Netiquette Matters!" - check it out and you'll pick up great ideas on technology etiquette (it's a book too.) Some of my best received speaking content is based on the ideas generated by Judith... she just makes sense!

Email etiquette is critical to communicating in today's selling environment. Every interaction with a client is an opportunity to make a positive impression or a negative impression. What I find is that what may be a minor issue to you or I can be a major issue to someone else. I occasionally become frustrated when emails that I have sent to team members or clients are not responded to in a timely manner - or at all.

You see to me, intuitively, communicating via email is just like having a conversation, and I cannot imagine having someone not answer or respond during a face to face interaction. Similarly, I can't imagine ending a conversation without the courtesy of an "okay," "got it," "sure thing" or "talk to you later." Check these people out... let's assume they are talking about business or perhaps they are talking about something personal at a business function - you pick the topic. Can you just imagine one of them making a statement similar to this... "hey that sounds great Michael, I'll meet you at 8am" and Michael just staring at the other person, suddenly turns and walks away. Bizarre right?

You bet. If that happened you'd be wondering... "did he hear what I said" or perhaps you'd just think the person was not really interested in meeting you at 8am. Either way, you are left wondering where things stand.

Here's the point... that happens every day with email. Here are some examples:

1. You receive an email on a new company product offering and a training meeting to cover the details that is scheduled for next Thursday. Do you respond?

2. A client replies via email to an order stating "this looks good, let's move forward." Do you respond?

3. Your manager emails you the time and place of your upcoming quarterly review. Do you respond?

The answer to each question is absolutely you respond! Here's the test - instead seeing these as email messages, picture the interaction as face-to-face. Would you respond now? Of course.

Remember in selling it's not what you think is inappropriate, it's what your client or perhaps your manager thinks is appropriate that counts! Reply to all the emails you get and ask for others to do the same.

TK

Phoenix Technology Briefing

Thanks to everyone who attended our Sales Technology Briefing in Phoenix (held in conjunction with our Becoming a Top Producer seminar.) Here is a list of the products, services and websites that we reviewed during our event:

Results Seminars
www.closemoresales.com
This is our official site that tells you where we are going with our events and what's happening in our group. Check it out!

Selling Power Magazine
www.sellingpower.com
Selling Power is THE magazine for sales professionals. If you don't subscribe to this magazine then you are missing out on a major tool of the selling industry.

Bankrate.com
www.bankrate.com
Everyone who deals in financing should bookmark this site! What is happening on a daily basis in interest rates is kept up to date for you by Bankrate.com.

Send Out Cards
www.sendoutcards.com
This is a cool site dedicated to helping you stay in touch with your clients. Pick the cards that you want to send and this group lets you customize the greeting and even sends it for you. This is a truly automated BUT personal process. You have to see it to believe it.

Stuffbak.com
www.stuffbak.com
This was our other featured site. Stuffbak makes a label product that you can attach to all of your personal effects (keys, mobile phones, PDAs etc.) This is a no brainer. Buy these and put them on everything before you lose it and some nice person keeps it because they don't know who the heck you are!

Super Hero Cards (Bonus Site)
www.superherocards.com
This is the site that takes a picture of you and turns it into a Super Hero "playing card." This is definitely for the "fun" type of sales person who is looking to distinguish themselves from their competition.

Google
www.google.com
Have you heard of this company? Duh. Of course you have... but are you using: Google Alerts?Google Desktop? Google News? Google Gmail? Google Earth? Google Calendar? Remember, it's all FREE and all capable of assisting you be more efficient.

Anchor Free
www.anchorfree.com
This is the website that lists different locations in the Phoenix area (and around the country) that offer FREE access to Wi-Fi.

Broadband Access:
Verizon
www.verizonwireless.com
Sprint/Nextel
www.sprint.com
TMobile
www.t-mobile.com

Business Card Scanning Product
www.cardscan.com
This is the cool business card scanning product that can scan cards directly into your Outlook or other contact management software. You can type in 100 calls in 4 hours or scan them in 10 minutes. You pick! Check eBay for the best price on this product.

Start Your Own Blog (Bonus Site)
www.blogger.com
Good for staying in touch with clients and getting your presence on the Internet. Remember - this one is FREE.

Remember... 5 things in 72 hours... just pick one and DO IT!

TK

New Treo 680 - Finally Loses the Antenna!

Palm is about to roll out a new Treo (the 4th new model this year), The Treo 680, that finally loses that annoying stub of an antenna! Check this photo out... it's not cut off at the top - the stub is gone and from an esthetics perspective, I think this phone just elevated to an entirely different level!

Supposedly the 680 will sell for a mere $199... so something must be missing, besides the antenna. You don't cut the price of your new phone by close to 50% unless you cut something else too - at minimum your margin! Maybe the 680 is tasked with creating so much volume that the retail price cut won't make a difference? That's exactly the plan... Palm is cutting costs in its operations to make up for the diminished revenue. Palm plans to use two Chinese manufacturing companies to produce Treo models hoping to negotiate better deals on production costs.

Creating a Treo that targets the consumer market rather than the business market is a smart move too, considering the fact that the business market for smart phones is only 25% of the total non-business market. Palm is relying on the "we'll make it up in volume" strategy.

Lose the stubby antenna and make the body of the phone some cool colors and show teenagers how they can get their email on their phone... WINNING COMBINATION.

Palm needs the boost too since their stock is down more than 30% since April and since it won't take long for Palms original market, hand-held organizers will be totally dead. I don't know of one forward thinking individual who is buying a PDA and a mobile phone. It just doesn't make sense.

I think this phone is a winner and it might be my next purchase - lookout BlackBerry.

TK

Salt Lake Technology Briefing

Thanks to everyone who attended our Sales Technology Briefing in Salt Lake City (held in conjunction with our Becoming a Top Producer seminar.) Here is a list of the products, services and websites that we reviewed during our event:

Results Seminars
www.closemoresales.com
This is our official site that tells you where we are going with our events and what's happening in our group. Check it out!

Selling Power Magazine
www.sellingpower.com
Selling Power is THE magazine for sales professionals. If you don't subscribe to this magazine then you are missing out on a major tool of the selling industry.

Bankrate.com
www.bankrate.com
Everyone who deals in financing should bookmark this site! What is happening on a daily basis in interest rates is kept up to date for you by Bankrate.com.

Send Out Cards
www.sendoutcards.com
This is a cool site dedicated to helping you stay in touch with your clients. Pick the cards that you want to send and this group lets you customize the greeting and even sends it for you. This is a truly automated BUT personal process. You have to see it to believe it.

Stuffbak.com
www.stuffbak.com
This was our other featured site. Stuffbak makes a label product that you can attach to all of your personal effects (keys, mobile phones, PDAs etc.) This is a no brainer. Buy these and put them on everything before you lose it and some nice person keeps it because they don't know who the heck you are!

Super Hero Cards (Bonus Site)
www.superherocards.com
This is the site that takes a picture of you and turns it into a Super Hero "playing card." This is definitely for the "fun" type of sales person who is looking to distinguish themselves from their competition.

Google
www.google.com
Have you heard of this company? Duh. Of course you have... but are you using: Google Alerts?Google Desktop? Google News? Google Gmail? Google Earth? Google Calendar? Remember, it's all FREE and all capable of assisting you be more efficient.

Anchor Free
www.anchorfree.com
This is the website that lists different locations in Salt Lake and beyond (and around the country) that offer FREE access to Wi-Fi.

Broadband Access:
Verizon www.verizonwireless.com
Sprint/Nextel www.sprint.com
TMobile www.tmobile.com

Business Card Scanning Product
www.cardscan.com
This is the cool business card scanning product that can scan cards directly into your Outlook or other contact management software. You can type in 100 calls in 4 hours or scan them in 10 minutes. You pick! Check eBay for the best price on this product.

Start Your Own Blog (Bonus Site)
www.blogger.com
Good for staying in touch with clients and getting your presence on the Internet. Remember - this one is FREE.

Remember... 5 things in 72 hours... just pick one and DO IT!

TK