Saturday, September 29, 2012

Please, Tim Cook Wake Up Now

A few years ago my daughter's new Mac arrived home with an original iTouch. After an hour of loading apps and using the touch screen I knew that RIM was in trouble.

The fact that I haven't loaded iOS 6 on my iPhone yet (it's just a Maps app! after all) doesn't have quite the same sickening feeling of that night way back when, but it's close.

Like most people I just want my phone, computer, tablet to work. I'm not a technology person - I'm a user. The kind of person that was foreign to RIM several years ago. And, thanks to both RIM and Microsoft, I hate updates.

Updates screw things up, change settings, mess with reading lists, lose contacts, etc.

So. I've hesitated. And I've hesitated more subconsciously than consciously - it's some kind of RIMDOWS hangover. It's both interesting and troubling. Based on my experiences until now I never expected to think of Apple in the same light as those other, over-the-hill providers.

Unfortunately, my daughter didn't hesitate. She loaded the new Mountain Lion update on her Macbook Pro a couple of night ago. AND IT'S NEVER RESTARTED.

Clever me. I sent her to Google and the Apple website for fixes and insight. There are lots. She's not the only person this has happened to. Nothing helped.

But, HERE'S THE REAL SCREW UP. She took her Macbook Pro to the Apple Store the next day for some real help. Like many people (most? the world?) she needs her laptop for work.

And they told her to go away. How dare she just show up like that?! She didn't have an appointment.

In fact, they let her know pretty clearly that she was fairly nutzo for even thinking that she could just walk in and have someone take a look at her computer like that.Wow. Another. Dumb. Customer!

So she left. Helpless and angry. The clerk - is that what they call them at Apple Stores? - shrugged.

Which is the scary intersection with the other over-the-hill computer companies from the past. BEING BETTER AND SMARTER THAN THE CUSTOMER NEVER WORKS! It didn't work for RIM and won't work long for Apple.

The we-can-do-no-wrong attitude is what leads to risky, untested updates, failed apps, lousy service and weak apologies. Unchecked, it spells doom.

So. Tim Cook. Please wake up now. Whether you see it yet or not, Apple is in trouble.





Wednesday, September 12, 2012

New from Boardroom Metrics - Business Expert Directory

Boardroom Metrics has launched a new web service called ExpertBusinessResources.com.


ExpertBusinessResources.com is a web directory where consultants, coaches, trainers, speakers and executive job seekers can profile the services they provide and link searchers to their website and other social media.

The mission of ExpertBusinessResources.com is to help independent practitioners and others increase their on-line visibility.

A strong directory listing is a great way to be found by someone looking for a particular service or expertise. 

Also, the links that can be created from a directory like ExpertBusinessResources.com are important inputs that Google and other search engines use to increase the visibility of a company's website.

Searchers on ExpertBusinessResources.com can sort for business experts by keyword, geography and specialty, for example ‘Leadership Coach Chicago’. They can also see what else you are doing on-line, including websites, other social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and others. Using the contact information and on-line forms provided, potential clients can contact you directly by email and phone.

A listing on ExpertBusinessResources.com complements – and strengthens - whatever you are doing on-line already – even if all you are doing is LinkedIn.

If all you are doing is LinkedIn, then ExpertBusinessResources.com provides another search engine optimized outlet for your information to appear. You can even have your profile highlighted and promoted for better visibility. ExpertBusinessResources.com provides different levels of on-line visibility depending on the package. Packages range from free to $29/month.

For those who already have a strong on-line presence – and want to make it even stronger, then the links and added visibility that ExpertBusinessResources.com creates will be highly appreciated.

More information is available by visiting the ExpertBusinessResources.com website.

The site is still in Beta and any/all feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Early adopters who join ExpertBusinessResources.com in the month of September 2012 receive access to the Associate level package free for a year. 

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