With so many mobile devices on the market that support various operating systems, it’s often tough to know which will be the best tool to support you and your team. In series of four posts, we are speaking with Canadian business leaders about how and why they chose not just their device, but the operating system.
As the Executive Vice President for software company Solutions360, John Graham’s path to the iPhone started when he purchased his iPad.
“What struck me was the simplicity of using it, and just how many new ways I was able to expand its use,” says Graham. “It just worked in every new direction that I took it.”
Shortly thereafter he decided to make the switch from his long time commitment to a top competitor to the iPhone 4, and since then, he says he’s never looked back.
“For me, communications with the office, with clients, and my kids for that matter, is critical,” says Graham, who uses his mobile device at work for e-mail and texting colleagues and customers. “What I love about the iPhone and its underlying operating system is primarily that it just works, all the time, and it does so in an intuitive way.”
In addition to a vibrant high-resolution screen, iTunes integration and FaceTime video calling, the iPhone’s iOS4 operating system empowers multitasking, and the ability to create a personal Wi-Fi hotspot to share your data with multiple devices.
Research shows that iPhone 4 is the most popular smartphone in Canada, but Graham doesn’t just love it because it’s so widely used. He says the key aspect of the iPhone operating system that he depends on it for, is its flexibility.
And he’s right: With tens of thousands of applications accessible from the dynamic App Store, and an app for almost anything.
“If I need to accomplish something or find some information, there’s for sure an app for that. It’s a very empowering tool,” he explains.
“I can remote desktop into my office computer, I can keep tabs on colleagues, Tweet, and keep up on my Microsoft Exchange e-mail,” he adds. “Most importantly, I can keep in touch with my family and entertain each of my four kids with a plethora of bird flinging, target practice or parking games.”
Graham is specifically a fan of the iPhone’s mail system, which blends all of his e-mail accounts into one easy-to-read inbox. The iPhone 4 supports multiple Microsoft Exchange and ActiveSync accounts, meaning your business email, calendar, and contacts are always up to date.
“I’m no longer tied to my desk. I can be in the board room or in the kitchen and know what’s happening with my mail,” he says, adding that he also uses many other functions like speech to text functions to help him stay productive when traveling. “Bottom line I am connected and just as informed as I am when I’m sitting in front of my main desktop.”
TELUS offers a range of devices equipped with all the top operating systems, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every business.
Small Business matters. This month we’ve reached out to various Canadian small businesses to share their experiences, insight and offer practical advice to the other businesses that make up the TELUS Talks Business community.
Meet David Ursino. A Royal LePage realtor in Vaughan, Ontario with over 10 years of successful sales and marketing experience and a passion for technology, particularly social media. David has uniquely connected his passion with his business, by being “Vaughan’s first real estate video blogger” and uses online marketing to maximize the success of his business. We’ve captured his insights below.
As a business owner, what are the business challenges that keep you up at night?
As a real estate agent in Vaughan I know there’s a lot of competition out there. I’m constantly learning and improving my skills and figuring out ways I can stand out from the crowd. I have a knack for technology and I’m often up late at night evaluating various technologies, especially focusing around social media to find better ways to connect with potential clients.
How are you incorporating social media into your business communication?
I really enjoy social media. A lot of businesses use social media, but they see it as simply a way to post their profiles and products on a platform different than their website. They are not engaging they’re users well and most importantly they are not contributing. Social media is about connecting with the user and contributing your expertise. I’ve been focusing on Facebook and Twitter and Youtube, although I use many more as well. I’m the first...and currently the only realtor in Vaughan that video blogs about Vaughan real estate. I think it’s a great way for people to see how genuine I am and how passionate I am about what I do. It’s also a great way to educate potential clients on various issues relating to Vaughan real estate and to get a behind the scenes look at real estate.
How do you measure the success of your social media initiatives?
Ahhh...the ever-present question. A tough one for most businesses. Believe it or not, it’s really easy for me since I’m a real estate agent. I’m able to speak with all my clients personally, all I have to do is ask “how did you hear about me?”
Quite a few businesses struggle with building their customer base and attracting new customers with limited funds and resources. What is your advice to these businesses?
Build an online presence (it’s cheap if not free) and make sure you’re genuine and transparent. Start contributing advice, answering questions, be helpful. Today’s consumer is smart and tech-savy. If you come across as a pushy sales person, or someone that just cares about pushing their product and/or agenda you will lose followers. Today’s consumer doesn’t want sales or marketing messages shoved down their throats. They want things customized, they want authenticity, they want things personalized. Most importantly, if you mess up, own up to it and fix it...fast.
How have you used technology to grow your business?
Most agents tend to shy away from technology. I embrace it. I’ve stayed away from template websites in favour of a custom website that allows me to be nimble and quickly post relevant content. I manage and administer everything on my site. I shoot my video blogs using my iPhone, so I don’t even have to carry around an extra camera...i love it. My website has helped grow my business by increasing my exposure to Vaughan’s residents. I’ve only been doing it for a few months, but I’m already generating leads that I would otherwise not have received.
What is your greatest success as a business in 2010? How did you make it happen?
My greatest success in 2010 has been the creation of my online presence. It’s allowed me to create new relationships and I love that. I’ve devoted a lot of time to my website and all the work I do on social media. I create 2-4 video blogs a week. It’s time consuming, but the pay off is worth it, I get to meet with people I would otherwise not know.
Pretend you’re considering starting a new business next year. If you could talk to yourself before embarking on this new business given today’s environment and what you know from experience, what are two things you’d advise?
Don’t get discouraged if things don’t work out at first. Have patience. If you love what you’re doing keep on doing it. Surround yourself by people that are successful.
Many small businesses struggle to maintain work/life balance. Is this a priority for your company and if so, how are you managing it?
I’m self-employed and I’m on my own. I need to do everything for my business by myself. Having said that, my wife, daughter and friends are important to me. I gauge success not only by how much money I make, but how happy I am. The first thing that goes into my schedule is my time off. This is the time I spend with my family and friends and it keeps me happy. I then schedule my work events. I think it’s a positive way to keep a work/life balance. If I ever get to a point where I can’t manage the two, then I could hire some help, but for now, I’m happy being on my own.
What are your goals for your business in 2011?
Continue to explore ways to connect with followers online. Stop spending money on print media.
The highly anticipated, newly redesigned iPhone 4 is now available from TELUS. With its glass and stainless steel enclosure, the iPhone 4 is full of cutting-edge features that will keep you connected on Canada’s fastest mobile network.
But what does the iPhone 4 mean for business? To help work through all of the available information, here is my top 5 list of iPhone 4 features business should be aware of:
1 - Size and form factor
The most obvious change to the latest iPhone is the new design. It’s simply beautiful and, like previous generations, feels solid in your hand. The front and back are made from the same type of glass that is used in helicopter windshields (aluminosilicate glass) which is harder, stiffer and more scratch resistant than plastic. In addition, the band is constructed from a specially forged CNC machined stainless steel. It all adds up to a sturdy and professional looking device.
I particularly appreciate the change in width and depth – it’s both thinner and flatter. If you‘re like me and often wear a suit jacket or sport coat, you will barely notice the 9.3 mm thick phone in the breast pocket.
2 - Audio quality and speakerphone
Business users appreciate the value of a good speakerphone – especially the type that doesn’t involve someone asking “are you on a speakerphone”? The problem with most speakerphones is their ability to silence background noise. The iPhone 4 offers the mobile professional an advantage.
While most wireless devices only have one microphone, the iPhone 4 has two. The main mic, located next to the dock connector on the bottom, is for voice calls, commands and memos. The second mic , which is close to the headphone jack, works in partnership with the main mic to suppress background sounds. All this means conversations will be clearer and quieter - both on and off speakerphone.
3 - Camera and video
Smartphone photo and video quality has quickly improved over the years and, in keeping with this, the iPhone 4 introduces a 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video. These features make the iPhone 4 a viable replacement to a point and shoot camera or handheld video camera. Plus, with the vast variety of apps available, it’s easy to record, edit and share right from the phone.
The iPhone 4 also introduces a front-facing camera and an amazing video calling application called FaceTime. While connected via Wi-Fi, two iPhone 4 users can see and talk to each other real time. Not only is this a powerful person-to-person meeting and collaboration tool, it’s also great for business travelers who want to keep in touch with family members back home.
One more item to note: since the front and back of the iPhone 4 are made of flat glass, the camera lens is well protected from dirt. A simple wipe with a clean cloth is all it needs to keep clean. As regular mobile photographer, I can tell you this is a spectacular design choice.
4 - Battery life
Apple has improved battery life with the iPhone 4. Here are some of the stats:
Talk time: Up to 7 hours on 3G
Standby time: Up to 300 hours
Internet use: Up to 6 hours on 3G; up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi
Video playback: Up to 10 hours
Audio playback: Up to 40 hours
In daily business, this translates to greater freedom from the charger.
5 - iOS 4 software
iPhone 4 is nicely equipped with the latest operating system, iOS 4 (iPhone Operating System version 4). iOS 4 offers multitasking capabilities for fast app switching, the creation of folders for easy organization of applications and enhanced business features such as data encryption, mobile device management, Global Address lookup, SSL VPN support and more.
Do you have questions about the iPhone 4 in your business? Is your business considering a switch to iPhone and don't know where to start? If so, you have two options:
Add a comment with your question below – the community will help get you the answer you need.
If you prefer a one-on-one business consultation, click the Contact link and a TELUS Business representative will contact you and share all the latest information you’ll need.