Palm Pre Owners and Maybe Owners

Time to put on the steel toes I am going to tell you what I think. It's time to put the 3rd party contact management systems out to pasture. Every time a new generation Smartphone comes out it months or even years until they can get it working then many of the features of the Smartphone are lost because they can't make the connection. I am a purist when it comes to contact and time management which means straight no overlays OUTLOOK. Before you start yelling at me PLEASE understand I am talking Contact, Calendar and Task. I know some of these programs offer great letters follow up systems even transaction management. There are other things we did with our Smartphones which we can't do anymore which means we need to change and adapt to these changes.

When you look at the power of the new Smartphones you have to wonder why you MUST settle for not being able to use all the features the phone offers. Take a quick test with me, you want to call somebody and you are sitting in front of your computer, where do you go first? Your phone because you can tap or click and make the call. How many of you don't know family and friends numbers? Count me on that list! Next let's have lunch next Thursday, again sitting in front of your computer where are you going to look? The phone, most people haven't synced there phone in months so the only updated calendar you have is on your phone.

REALTORS today are using the phone for 80 to 90% of their Contact and Time management so why tie a hand behind your back while paying somebody bucks to hold you back. In my classes I ask how many are using Outlook, been doing it for almost 10 years now and I have seen it start at about 15% and now is maybe 60 to 70%.

Each person needs to understand how the tools they use can improve their life and add productivity and profitability. One size does not fit all as not one phone does not fit all. Like my friend Mike Barnett says the best technology is the technology you will use.

Yes I know there are sponsors in my group that sell some of the things I don't like that was part of the reason I recommended putting on the steel toed shoes. Finally before anybody jumps on me, I am telling you your best bet is an application that you might get for free or maybe have to upgrade without a monthly fee. I am not selling anything here!

Dick

Quoting Dick:

Time to put on the steel toes I am going to tell you what I think. It's time to put the 3rd party contact management systems out to pasture. Every time a new generation Smartphone comes out it months or even years until they can get it working then many of the features of the Smartphone are lost because they can't make the connection. I am a purist when it comes to contact and time management which means straight no overlays OUTLOOK. Before you start yelling at me PLEASE understand I am talking Contact, Calendar and Task. I know some of these programs offer great letters follow up systems even transaction management. There are other things we did with our Smartphones which we can't do anymore which means we need to change and adapt to these changes.

When you look at the power of the new Smartphones you have to wonder why you MUST settle for not being able to use all the features the phone offers. Take a quick test with me, you want to call somebody and you are sitting in front of your computer, where do you go first? Your phone because you can tap or click and make the call. How many of you don't know family and friends numbers? Count me on that list! Next let's have lunch next Thursday, again sitting in front of your computer where are you going to look? The phone, most people haven't synced there phone in months so the only updated calendar you have is on your phone.

REALTORS today are using the phone for 80 to 90% of their Contact and Time management so why tie a hand behind your back while paying somebody bucks to hold you back. In my classes I ask how many are using Outlook, been doing it for almost 10 years now and I have seen it start at about 15% and now is maybe 60 to 70%.

Each person needs to understand how the tools they use can improve their life and add productivity and profitability. One size does not fit all as not one phone does not fit all. Like my friend Mike Barnett says the best technology is the technology you will use.

Yes I know there are sponsors in my group that sell some of the things I don't like that was part of the reason I recommended putting on the steel toed shoes. Finally before anybody jumps on me, I am telling you your best bet is an application that you might get for free or maybe have to upgrade without a monthly fee. I am not selling anything here!

Dick

Very well said. Something to think about, for sure. I've had Top Producer since about 1991 or 1992. DOS, Win95, etc. Through it all. 8i is so much better, but that is because we pay monthly and it includes great tech support. I must say that, as often as my Outlook freezes up (2007 on a Vista 32 bit Tablet), I'm not certain that I would feel comfortable making a total committment right off the bat. Still, I am thinking!!!

On Saturday morning I was at the Sprint office buying my new Palm Pre.

I am still testing it out and haven't cancelled my Verizon Treo 700p yet.

I only waited about an 2 hours until it was my turn because I like in Albuquerque and things like lines are mellow here.

By Tuesday I have everything from my Treo/new iMac all loaded up and ready to go. My level of tech education is pretty good but not as good as some of you out there. I found tech support to be very helpful but it took a long time to get my information into the proper format to upload to my Pre. I love the size of the Pre, especially since my 700p was so big and bulky. I loaded my music for different ringtones for different people and loaded photos too. As far as using it in the business ways, I was never that good at that plus I have my office at home as so my associate brokers so I we have the luxury of being with our main computers all damn day! It's great to do laundry at the office! I am now waiting for the new iPhone's appearance to be sure the Pre is best for me. I have until July 1st to decide. Dick, I know you love the Pre and look forward to your Tips and Tricks - you're the reason I loved my Treo 700p so much.

I saw you when you came to Albuquerque several years ago and I can hardly wait until come back. Also, I was REALLY concerned about Sprint as my carrier because cell phone service in my neighborhood is

poor and I always see my neighbors walking around outside on their cells plus whenever my friends are here their calls drop even if they get great reception the rest of the time. I don't know what Sprint did but I can tell you that so far the reception is superb.

Debbie G

I also agree with Dick. I use Outlook but I have the feeling I am not using it to it's full potential. Does anyone know if there is a good course (preferably online!) that can help. Maybe "Outlook for Dummies"?

Debbie,

Thank you for the kind words and I am glad your happy with your Pre. I am ashamed to admit your ahead of me in putting your Pre to work. From what I have been reading Sprint has been focusing on customer service which cost them many customers in the past. Like so many other companies new management recognized the loss of business was linked directly to level of service. As far as coverage goes Margaret in Baltimore wrote how happy she was and many others agree. Maybe we should give the phone some credit they do come with different radios.

Now about me coming back to Albuquerque what do we need to do to make that happen? How about you get 50 of your friends to call somebody and you tell me who to contact and we can make it happen.

Dick

Is there a way to export all my contacts which are in AO to Outlook?

Kat,

I normally reccomend going to a local community college for an Outlook class. Most colleges do a bang up job and many offer a few different levels so you can learn at your own pace.

Another benefit is networking, wear your badge and pick up a customer or two.

Dick

Judy,

You set me back a little trying to think what's AO, Agent Office I guess.

Most all contact management systems the contacts can be exported to Excel which then can be imported into Outlook. Some systems punish you by messing with the fields but can be done.

If I needed that service I would find some 18 year old computer geek pay him $20 and watch him take about 10 minutes to move thousands of contacts. Of course you need to put up with being made looking like an idiot like the skit from SNL.

Dick

Debbie, Nice speaking with you this morning. When I saw that you were a TREO 700P user switching to the Pre, just wanted to compare notes.

www.Pat.Zaby.com - Wonderful classes about using Microsoft Office. I took an on line class that was great and just received a promotion to retake for 50% off. Insteat, it made me get out my manual and go through it. Contact management and marketing - - for realtors. Next to ePro, the most useful course I've taken - and I've taken a lot!

Sue Ritter