Feb 05 07
Apple’s iPhone: the changing face of corporate communications
It was everything we’ve come to expect from MacWorld - another ground-breaking tech development that will change everything for the consumer, and little or nothing for the business communicator. It seems that the 2007 MacWorld was no exception as Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone.
But old on there, Mr. Stodgy Businessman. This is more than just another toy your kids will demand for Christmas. This is the start of something really big, particularly for the sales team and the partner channel. Sure, you’ve had cell phones for years, and you’ve been told time and time again how you can get video, audio, Flash archives, product demos, etc. And, time and time again, you’ve been ready to throw the contraption through the window when it doesn’t provide those things.
The iPhone is finally going to make that come true, and open up the gates of portable communication for channel communication, and improved communication with your customers.
Where the iPhone rises above is a real web browser. Not a WAP browser (the stripped-down browser found on most cell phones), but a regular old-fashioned web browser that opens up any web page, just as you’d see it on a computer. This extra feature opens up new avenues that make your sales team more effective.
For training purposes, imagine your team watching full product demos and training modules from their handheld phone. No conversion to another format, no scaling down of information, but the same content they’d watch if they were at a desk in front of a computer. They could brush up on product features, benefits and competitive strategy while sitting outside a client’s office - all the training multimedia info available in the palm of their hand.
The same holds true for customer meetings. Anywhere, anytime, they can access short videos or full multimedia product demos. Even beyond that - show actual software applications that can help the customer see a product’s true benefits.
And yeah, you can still make calls, check schedules, and get your email.
And, of course, the iPhone is also an iPod, capable of playing audio and video. SNP develops internal, partner- and channel-based podcasts for Microsoft, NetApp, Juniper, Sun and more. This form of leader-hosted channel communication is exploding within Fortune 500 companies. A device like an iPhone allows partners to get the latest audio and video communication direct from the CEO, the VP of Sales or other leaders.
And yeah, you can still make calls, check schedules, and get your email.
The iPhone only has 8MB of memory, and until it’s available, there are key questions for business communication, including
- How it will handle streaming a product video of 20MB?
- Will it handle real, live instant-messaging that would allow partners and reps to IM with SEs, accounting, sales support staff etc.?
- Will it handle video chat?
This version of the iPhone may not be the answer to all your partner channel communication and customer needs, but that total solution is now just around the bend. Sales leaders need to start planning for that eventuality, and how they can use a true all-in-one communication solution to get a competitive edge in the marketplace.
