I know what you’re thinking. It goes something like this:
Why do I need this thing? It’s just like a dinky little laptop with no keyboard. I can’t even plug my USB thumb drive into it.
Even if I do buy one, why would I drop the extra coin for the 3G version? It won’t even work dependably here, despite the claims of that postcard-throwing guy on TV. In almost all of Montana, the answer from an iPhone user to the “Can you hear me now?” question is “No”.
I hear you, but I ask that you think forward a bit.
If you want someone to blame about the iPhone situation, grumble under your breath at the Verizon CEO, who *turned down* Steve Jobs when Apple offered it to them a few years back. Silly him. Now he’s begging Steve to give him a shot. I hope he gets it. AT&T could use the competition and so could Verizon.
You see, in Columbia Falls, we believe in competition. Not everyone seems to agree with that concept.
So…that just about sums up the easy / obvious reasons not to buy an iPad. Given all that, why would I tell you to take a look at it?
First off, don’t worry about what it won’t do. Focus on what it *can* do for you instead.
There are two areas that need some strategic thought on your part:
- How your staff will use the iPad
- How your customers will use the iPad (and iPhone/iTouch)
These same strategic thoughts will apply in some way, shape or form to the HP Slate (another touch tablet that’s on the way), as well the Android phones (like the Droid that you can get locally).
Bottom line, the portable – and finally, capable – touch-based interface devices are here to stay. You can either take advantage of the advances or watch someone else do so and whine about the competition. Your choice. I think it’s clear where I stand. In fact, I’ll soon clarify that for anyone who might be unsure…
But let’s get back to the iPad.
Who do I have in mind for this? I think you should be VERY excited about this if you are involved in real estate, education, restaurants, resorts, retail, photo/video, architecture, engineering or *any* kind of sales.
Those are the obvious ones.
These concepts apply to just about any business where you have to try to get a client to see the amazing finished product that you already see in your mind’s eye – and do it anywhere.
It’s difficult to get into each of these in detail, so I’ll weave it into the column on and off over the next few weeks.
The essence of what the iPad offers you: It gives you the screen space to show your clients and prospects touchable information that is *already available* but often VERY poorly presented and not in context with anything else.
Try this: “Show me a map with the locations of the three best italian restaurants on the way to the bed and breakfast outside the Park. Include an overall rating from previous reviews, an option to read those reviews, directions to each restaurant, menu items with photos of the food, prices and eliminate the ones that don’t have a table for six at 7:00pm.”
27 phone calls or websites later you might have an answer. With the iPad, you can do that in one screen.
The difference with the pad is the touch interface that a 3 year old can operate. Don’t discount the importance of that. Most folks don’t get that until they use it – I didn’t and I’m a geeky kinda guy.
I have so many business ideas about this thing, my head is just exploding. If you’re in the businesses above and yours isn’t, think harder.
Want to learn more about Mark or ask him to write about a business, operations or marketing problem? See Mark’s site or contact him via email at mriffey at flatheadbeacon.com.