In the US, Google Maps now offers step-by-step biking directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new Bicycling layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.
Many people are looking to save money on their transportation costs and an increasing number are simply trying to be more green. Many are finding alternative methods to get around town. Some are taking the bus systems, others are riding their bikes and even fewer are walking to work. Google Maps has recently added features that allows you to map your route between two locations and see your options for driving, walking, riding the bus and now biking.
Enter in two addresses and, just like that, Google’s new bicycle mapping service displays a suggested route on a detailed map, utilizing bicycle paths and trails, sidewalks, bike lanes and back roads that will let you safely and efficiently peddle to your destination.
The maps are amazing in detail. You can zoom in and find other routes and then adjust your route by putting your cursor on it and just dragging it a new way.
There are turn-by-turn text directions, too, with photos that clearly mark each change in direction, displaying a street level view of the route.
The maps can also display live traffic reports, so you know what you’re getting into, as well as construction alerts. You can even have the maps show you where traffic bottlenecks are at certain times during the day.
The routes are amazingly well documented. You can virtually view the entire route before heading out. The system incorporates the Street Views into the router. There’s no excuse to get lost anymore.
Google worked with biking groups and bike trail organizations in building the service and it shows, with info on 12,000 miles of trails in 150 cities already in the database, with more on the way.
In Motown, we have one of the most segregated bus systems in the country. It is segregated, not by race, but by region. Instead of having a single metro transportation system, we have a Detroit city bus system and a metropolitan bus system called Smart. The two systems don't work very well together, meaning there is no cooperation of schedules at the points where to the lines intercept. Maybe with the Google Maps for bus routes, we can transit between to the two systems.
Man, if you are still using Mapquest for your maps, you are missing out on lots of new features. Find out about the newest features of Google Maps at http://maps.google.com/biking
As of this writing, the biking routes have not been added to the mobile Google Maps for my Palm Pre nor my iPod Touch.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
WiFi Apple iPad Banned In Israel
Israeli customs is apparently confiscating any Apple iPads that enter the country, after Israel's Communications Ministry decided that the tablet PC’s WiFi could potentially interfere with other wireless devices. Some 10 iPads have been apparently confiscated so far this week, and will be held until their owners either leave the country or volunteer to ship the devices back home. More than 500,000 iPads were sold during the device’s first week of U.S. release, according to the company, in turn forcing delays in its international rollout.
Read more @ eWeek
Read more @ eWeek
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Apple iPad - Mobile versus Portable
To say that there is a lot of confusion about the iPad is like saying there is water at Niagara Falls. Hopefully I can explain the power of the iPad in terms that anyone can understand.
There are 3 types of people: (1) Those who want every device to do everything, (2) those who don't care what it can do as long as it does what they want to do, and (3) the rest of us. My guess is about 3% of the people live in the first group, 80% the people live in the 2nd group and 17% of the people live in my group.
Most devices are created for the 80%. The Apple iPad works well for this 80%. The 80% is just now learning that their email lives in "the cloud" and not their desktops; therefore, the email can be loaded to any device that is connected to the Internet and has a mail client to retrieve emails. They are just now understanding that a Smartphone can free their email from those fixed desktop computers. They are just getting comfortable with SMS and sending pictures and learning about video. They are also the people most likely to be confused with all the buzzwords being used to explain the pros and cons about the iPad.
They could make a good decision about whether the iPad would be a great fit for them if someone explained it properly. This is my attempt to do so. But there is a problem.
The truth is that they may never read this post. The 3% and the 17% are the people most likely to be reading this post, so it is your responsibility to take this message to the masses. They will most likely ask you about it instead of finding this post. You can refer them to this post as well instead of trying to explain it. As techies, we often complicate things with buzzwords and techno mumbo jumbo.
The truth of the matter is, while a tablet PC is not a new device category, the iPad is one of the first to be truly a mobile computing device. The manufacturers of devices like the DellTM LatitudeTM XT2 and all the other Tablet PC have not understood one simple principle “Portable does not mean Mobile”.
Let me explain in “Layman’s term”. I will give an example that everyone can understand regarding fixed, portable and mobile. One thing that every person, man, woman and child, understands is what the function of a bathroom is. These same people realize that there are other terms like Restroom, Washroom, Toilet, Lavatory or Loo. If you go to each of these locations, you may have some extra items like towels, electric hand dryers, and even an attendant in some. Even still, you may experience even less in yet others.
But no matter which one you visit, you will be able to do number 1 and/or number 2. None of these facilities are portable nor mobile. These facilities are similar to a desktop computer whether they are Mac or Windows; Dell, Acer or Apple. They basically serve the same function and they are designed to be non-portable and fixed to a particular location. You can have these faculties at home, work, a friend or family member’s place. If you want to use these, you have to go on site to do so. So, like a fixed bathroom, your desktop would never be moved unless some major renovations are done to the location.
Some times there are places that you visit that do not have a Restroom, Washroom, Toilet, Lavatory or Loo. Under some circumstances, there some alternatives that can be used like a Porta john or Porta-potty. While portable, for the most part, they lack some of the luxuries of the non-portable alternatives. While portable they are not convenient to move about because of the weight and size. They are portable but not mobile.
I will compare these portable facilities to laptops, portable but not very mobile. Most tablet PCs of the past were merely laptops with tablet or touch screen screens. These are not very mobile due to both their size, weight and setup time. Am I painting a picture here?
The laptop was never created to be mobile, that is to be used "on the go". It was designed to be portable. Just like a Porta-Potty, it is taken to a location, setup and then used at that fixed spot. You take it to a Starbucks and set it up on the table and that is where you will use it until it is time to pack it up for the transport to the next location. Do you get the picture? It is a portable device that can be transported to different locations to be used. You would love to use your laptop in many venues; however, it is not convenient because you may not have a place to sit the laptop on, the battery is too low (or you have to save the battery for a later time and place), there is no power outlet to plug it in, or it is just too big of an hassle to setup of the device.
Well the picture gets a little more graphic but the point is made clear.
So what bathroom analogy can I give to explain how convenient the iPad is? Think about it for a minute. What would allow you to do your business no matter where you are? Depends!
Yes Depends - the adult diapers.
This is not the image Apple would like to be compared to for the convenience of their iPad, but it works. Clearly the Depends lack many of the luxuries that you may have with the fixed bathroom or the Porta John, but you can accomplish the desired tasks. Whenever you have a need to go, you go! Whether standing in line, on a plane, on the bus, at a conference or the porch.
Of course you take a bath or wash your hands, or fix your hair in the mirror, but anywhere that you are, you can take care of the important things you want need to do without returning to a fixed location or having to take time to setup a portable solution. Just whip it out and go.
Portable does not mean mobile. A laptop is portable. but not very mobile. The iPad is totally mobile. There are three things that make the iPad and very convenient device: battery, screen size and "instant on". There are some tasks that you won't be able to do, but the important things will get done. These important tasks can be done quickly because you can turn the device on instantly.
Think about your mobile phone, it turns on instantly to allow you to accomplish the desired tasks. The only problem is the screen size and battery life. There are many things that your phone can do, especially if you have a (Blackberry, Palm, iPhone or Andriod), that you would do MORE if your battery didn't drain like it had a big whole in it and if the screen was bigger.
The iPad allows your phone to be, well a phone again. Maybe a SMS machine too, but web surfing, emailing, music listening, picture sharing, movie watching, game playing, document viewing, twitter and facebook updating can be done on a device with great viewable screen, long lasting battery and instant on ability - the Apple iPad.
The iPad device is one you can "depend" on while mobile, but it "depends" on what you need to do. My guess is that most people will never need much more capability while mobile. If they are going to camp somewhere then they can use a desktop or laptop, but once you get exposed to something - it is hard to go back to the old way. Plus Apple has created some accessories that makes setup with an iPad simple too and the accessories like the power cord, wireless keyboard or docks are so small that it still does take up as much room as a laptop and its accessories.
There will be things you will do with the iPad that you never could do or would do with a laptop or with a desktop computer because the developers will create those things now because the first truly mobile computer is available and usable. This device is magical, not for what it is today, but for what it will do in the near future.
You can not begin to understand what I am talking about until you hold one in your hand. Don't believe me? Go to an Apple store or a Best Buy and play with one and you will begin to see the picture - in real vivid, brilliant color. A laptop, a netbook and traditional Tablet PCs are portable. The iPad is both portable and mobile in one sweet package.
I know someone is thinking, "the bathroom analogy is not the best way to describe using these gadgets". Guess again, many people use there iPhones, cell phone and even the iPad while in the bathroom. So the next time you ask someone to let you see their iPhone or iPad, you better have some hand sanitizer available for afterwards.
Most devices are created for the 80%. The Apple iPad works well for this 80%. The 80% is just now learning that their email lives in "the cloud" and not their desktops; therefore, the email can be loaded to any device that is connected to the Internet and has a mail client to retrieve emails. They are just now understanding that a Smartphone can free their email from those fixed desktop computers. They are just getting comfortable with SMS and sending pictures and learning about video. They are also the people most likely to be confused with all the buzzwords being used to explain the pros and cons about the iPad.
They could make a good decision about whether the iPad would be a great fit for them if someone explained it properly. This is my attempt to do so. But there is a problem.
The truth is that they may never read this post. The 3% and the 17% are the people most likely to be reading this post, so it is your responsibility to take this message to the masses. They will most likely ask you about it instead of finding this post. You can refer them to this post as well instead of trying to explain it. As techies, we often complicate things with buzzwords and techno mumbo jumbo.
The truth of the matter is, while a tablet PC is not a new device category, the iPad is one of the first to be truly a mobile computing device. The manufacturers of devices like the DellTM LatitudeTM XT2 and all the other Tablet PC have not understood one simple principle “Portable does not mean Mobile”.
Let me explain in “Layman’s term”. I will give an example that everyone can understand regarding fixed, portable and mobile. One thing that every person, man, woman and child, understands is what the function of a bathroom is. These same people realize that there are other terms like Restroom, Washroom, Toilet, Lavatory or Loo. If you go to each of these locations, you may have some extra items like towels, electric hand dryers, and even an attendant in some. Even still, you may experience even less in yet others.
But no matter which one you visit, you will be able to do number 1 and/or number 2. None of these facilities are portable nor mobile. These facilities are similar to a desktop computer whether they are Mac or Windows; Dell, Acer or Apple. They basically serve the same function and they are designed to be non-portable and fixed to a particular location. You can have these faculties at home, work, a friend or family member’s place. If you want to use these, you have to go on site to do so. So, like a fixed bathroom, your desktop would never be moved unless some major renovations are done to the location.
Some times there are places that you visit that do not have a Restroom, Washroom, Toilet, Lavatory or Loo. Under some circumstances, there some alternatives that can be used like a Porta john or Porta-potty. While portable, for the most part, they lack some of the luxuries of the non-portable alternatives. While portable they are not convenient to move about because of the weight and size. They are portable but not mobile.
I will compare these portable facilities to laptops, portable but not very mobile. Most tablet PCs of the past were merely laptops with tablet or touch screen screens. These are not very mobile due to both their size, weight and setup time. Am I painting a picture here?
The laptop was never created to be mobile, that is to be used "on the go". It was designed to be portable. Just like a Porta-Potty, it is taken to a location, setup and then used at that fixed spot. You take it to a Starbucks and set it up on the table and that is where you will use it until it is time to pack it up for the transport to the next location. Do you get the picture? It is a portable device that can be transported to different locations to be used. You would love to use your laptop in many venues; however, it is not convenient because you may not have a place to sit the laptop on, the battery is too low (or you have to save the battery for a later time and place), there is no power outlet to plug it in, or it is just too big of an hassle to setup of the device.
Well the picture gets a little more graphic but the point is made clear.
So what bathroom analogy can I give to explain how convenient the iPad is? Think about it for a minute. What would allow you to do your business no matter where you are? Depends!
Yes Depends - the adult diapers.
This is not the image Apple would like to be compared to for the convenience of their iPad, but it works. Clearly the Depends lack many of the luxuries that you may have with the fixed bathroom or the Porta John, but you can accomplish the desired tasks. Whenever you have a need to go, you go! Whether standing in line, on a plane, on the bus, at a conference or the porch.
Of course you take a bath or wash your hands, or fix your hair in the mirror, but anywhere that you are, you can take care of the important things you want need to do without returning to a fixed location or having to take time to setup a portable solution. Just whip it out and go.
Portable does not mean mobile. A laptop is portable. but not very mobile. The iPad is totally mobile. There are three things that make the iPad and very convenient device: battery, screen size and "instant on". There are some tasks that you won't be able to do, but the important things will get done. These important tasks can be done quickly because you can turn the device on instantly.
Think about your mobile phone, it turns on instantly to allow you to accomplish the desired tasks. The only problem is the screen size and battery life. There are many things that your phone can do, especially if you have a (Blackberry, Palm, iPhone or Andriod), that you would do MORE if your battery didn't drain like it had a big whole in it and if the screen was bigger.
The iPad allows your phone to be, well a phone again. Maybe a SMS machine too, but web surfing, emailing, music listening, picture sharing, movie watching, game playing, document viewing, twitter and facebook updating can be done on a device with great viewable screen, long lasting battery and instant on ability - the Apple iPad.
The iPad device is one you can "depend" on while mobile, but it "depends" on what you need to do. My guess is that most people will never need much more capability while mobile. If they are going to camp somewhere then they can use a desktop or laptop, but once you get exposed to something - it is hard to go back to the old way. Plus Apple has created some accessories that makes setup with an iPad simple too and the accessories like the power cord, wireless keyboard or docks are so small that it still does take up as much room as a laptop and its accessories.
There will be things you will do with the iPad that you never could do or would do with a laptop or with a desktop computer because the developers will create those things now because the first truly mobile computer is available and usable. This device is magical, not for what it is today, but for what it will do in the near future.
You can not begin to understand what I am talking about until you hold one in your hand. Don't believe me? Go to an Apple store or a Best Buy and play with one and you will begin to see the picture - in real vivid, brilliant color. A laptop, a netbook and traditional Tablet PCs are portable. The iPad is both portable and mobile in one sweet package.
I know someone is thinking, "the bathroom analogy is not the best way to describe using these gadgets". Guess again, many people use there iPhones, cell phone and even the iPad while in the bathroom. So the next time you ask someone to let you see their iPhone or iPad, you better have some hand sanitizer available for afterwards.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Hindsight is Money Money for Apple
There was a time when Palm was king of the PDA market and Apple had only its history with a highly advanced PDA called a Newton. It could boast that it was better in many ways except in mass acceptability. Of course it cost more than any Palm ever did, but it did not reign as champ. Palm did. Palm would move into the Smartphone business, abandoning the PDA market for this vast and new market.
Apple sat back and watched the Palm folk build their market share. They sat back, seemly defeated, but it was an ambush that they developed. See Apple was learning from the market. People wanted to be mobile. Many rumored that Apple would come out with the Palm killer, and it did. It was called the Apple iPhone. Apple was not the first to market a Smartphone, but it created a good one because of Hindsight. In short time, they would surpass Palm and all of its competitors.
Apple has sold over 50 million iPhones (End of March 2010). This was accomplished at a price higher than most of the competition and during one of the worse economic downturns in history. Unlike Palm, Apple saw that the PDA market was NOT dead but that it simply needed some adjustments. People just wanted to carry some additional types of data like music, movies and thus required larger capacity than what a PDA’s 8MB storage could contain. Apple made some changes to their iPod to include some PDA type functionality and developed an iPod Touch which was PDA & multimedia capable. Apple has sold 35 million iPod Touch devices (End of March 2010).
Regarding the hardware, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
What Apple had also learned was that software was king, NOT the platform nor the operating system (OS). The OS and the hardware is simply the necessary vehicle for the software. They learned that you must close some parts of the operation system to protect the stability of the device. Many rogue programmers had developed applications on the Palm devices that caused some of them to freeze up, require constant reboots or even to lose users’ settings. As a result of learning from other, Apple has created a very stable environment for the developers to create incredible application. Apple had also learned from Palm that the stock applications do not have to do everything; they simply need to do the basic necessities. The developers will fill in the blanks. As of March 2010, there are about 185,000 apps that can be loaded on an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Regarding the software, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
Software that the users can not get may as well be unavailable. Apple learned that people didn't want to search web or browse tons of sites for software. Users didn’t want to rely on fan sties to educate them as to what they could download on their devices. Users didn’t want to think about how the software would get on the device; they just wanted to use the apps. Developer used to complain that sites like Plamgear.com was robbing developers because they took a share of software sale. Apple learned that their complaints were made because their software was available, but not everyone knew it existed or how to access it for purchase. Palm created a software site after many years to house their software apps and make to money from the sale of said software. Apple learned that the application store must exist on the device. It must be easily downloaded, easily paid for and quickly accessed. The apps can be a spontaneous decision or impulse purchase. If many steps are required then people get confused and confused people do nothing.
Obviously, Palm realized this too, it just came very late in the game. Apple wasn’t first to learn this, but they perfected it. The real credit for the app store came from the efforts of the Jailbreak community. The Jailbreak guys are developers that create apps and functions that do things that Apple won't allow to be done or created in their tightly controlled environment. These guys are the folk that really created the app store which they used to distribute their apps and patches, but Apple borrowed the concept and ran with it. As a result of this hindsight, Apple's app store has been vastly successful and profitable for Apple. As of March 2010, 4 billion apps have been downloaded from the app store.
Let us not forget iTunes. There was a time when Sony was king of the mobile music. Anyone remember the Walkman? Way back when mobile music meant cassette tapes. Sony fought the digital music was with proprietary formats and non-standard media. They resisted the movement for personal reasons like record or CD sells; however, they miss the real boat. Music is too personal to people, they have to have it. Apple came in with their iPods and store the show. They created their iTunes system which gave them a single point of distribution. With the Apple iPad they are now they begin their push into ebook distribution and Amazon and Borders will soon be on this list with Sony (who has an ebook device and content system).
Regarding the music and software distribution, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
So Apple is getting paid on the hardware, on the operating system (iPod Touch users have to pay for OS upgrades), and on the software. So they are getting paid on every aspect of the device, right? Wrong! There is another area to get paid from: the eye balls. See with all of those devices out there, and they just added about 550,000+ iPads to that mix, there are millions of eyeballs looking at those screen several times a day. Those eyeballs can generate billions of dollars that Apple has not capitalized on. That will soon change. Apple announced their advertising vehicle called iAd.
Apple’s site reads this way “iAd is a breakthrough mobile advertising platform from Apple. With it, apps can feature rich media ads that combine the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web. For developers, it means a new, easy-to-implement source of revenue. For advertisers, it creates a new media outlet that offers consumers highly targeted information.”
So Apple has learned a little from Google too. Google has made a ton of cash from the eyeballs on the desktop and are working to grab the eyeballs on the mobile devices. Apple realizes that the revenue from search has been huge for years, but the time spent inside the apps is much longer than the time spent in search. Apple basically will have millions of voluntary captive eyeballs and fingers to interact with their iAds. People spend much more time inside the apps then they do doing anything else on the device so Apple is positioning them to make a whole lot of money from people using these devices. Not just Apple, but their developers will make much more money from these iAds. Apple will split the revenues with the developers of apps for the iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads.
So in the near future, the hindsight of advertising will making money-money for Apple too!
Let's talk about the Apple iPad, which is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models with WiFi. The models with the AT&T 3G radio will be available by the end of April or May 2010. As I have mentioned before, the iPad us NOT perfect. If Apple's iPhone history repeats with the iPad then we can expect some great things with it. The iPhone did not have the app store when it launched or for about a year afterward. It did not have a software developer kit (SDK) when it launched. Both these are available with the iPad so we can expect to see some incredible apps in a much quicker time frame as developer have the device in their hands.
The hardware is nice, but lacks some necessary hardware features. Now people are complaining that it lacks a camera, but the camera is not required to make it functional. It should have a camera, but is more important is that it should mount as a flash drive so that you can put your preexisting files onto the device. Apple would argue that it is a security issue, but it is more of a control issue. Their thinking is that the people that want it bad enough will get it from the Jailbreakers. Just because this is a new category (because tablet PCs have never caught on for the masses) does not mean that people don't have preexisting documents that they want to move to and from the device.
The device is still a wonderful device even without this one things. With it, the device would be more usable for a much wider group of people. The one thing that has to happen is that the device has to drop in price. It will in time. Apple will release a new device with the features it should have had the first time and the price of the old and new will fall. I can't wait to get my very own 2nd or 3rd generation of the iPad.
With this, Apple will do an incredible job with the hardware, software, distribution of app and content to display to my eyeballs - all on a huge and brilliant screen. Hopefully the device is a little lighter too in time.
Apple sat back and watched the Palm folk build their market share. They sat back, seemly defeated, but it was an ambush that they developed. See Apple was learning from the market. People wanted to be mobile. Many rumored that Apple would come out with the Palm killer, and it did. It was called the Apple iPhone. Apple was not the first to market a Smartphone, but it created a good one because of Hindsight. In short time, they would surpass Palm and all of its competitors.
Apple has sold over 50 million iPhones (End of March 2010). This was accomplished at a price higher than most of the competition and during one of the worse economic downturns in history. Unlike Palm, Apple saw that the PDA market was NOT dead but that it simply needed some adjustments. People just wanted to carry some additional types of data like music, movies and thus required larger capacity than what a PDA’s 8MB storage could contain. Apple made some changes to their iPod to include some PDA type functionality and developed an iPod Touch which was PDA & multimedia capable. Apple has sold 35 million iPod Touch devices (End of March 2010).
Regarding the hardware, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
What Apple had also learned was that software was king, NOT the platform nor the operating system (OS). The OS and the hardware is simply the necessary vehicle for the software. They learned that you must close some parts of the operation system to protect the stability of the device. Many rogue programmers had developed applications on the Palm devices that caused some of them to freeze up, require constant reboots or even to lose users’ settings. As a result of learning from other, Apple has created a very stable environment for the developers to create incredible application. Apple had also learned from Palm that the stock applications do not have to do everything; they simply need to do the basic necessities. The developers will fill in the blanks. As of March 2010, there are about 185,000 apps that can be loaded on an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Regarding the software, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
Software that the users can not get may as well be unavailable. Apple learned that people didn't want to search web or browse tons of sites for software. Users didn’t want to rely on fan sties to educate them as to what they could download on their devices. Users didn’t want to think about how the software would get on the device; they just wanted to use the apps. Developer used to complain that sites like Plamgear.com was robbing developers because they took a share of software sale. Apple learned that their complaints were made because their software was available, but not everyone knew it existed or how to access it for purchase. Palm created a software site after many years to house their software apps and make to money from the sale of said software. Apple learned that the application store must exist on the device. It must be easily downloaded, easily paid for and quickly accessed. The apps can be a spontaneous decision or impulse purchase. If many steps are required then people get confused and confused people do nothing.
Obviously, Palm realized this too, it just came very late in the game. Apple wasn’t first to learn this, but they perfected it. The real credit for the app store came from the efforts of the Jailbreak community. The Jailbreak guys are developers that create apps and functions that do things that Apple won't allow to be done or created in their tightly controlled environment. These guys are the folk that really created the app store which they used to distribute their apps and patches, but Apple borrowed the concept and ran with it. As a result of this hindsight, Apple's app store has been vastly successful and profitable for Apple. As of March 2010, 4 billion apps have been downloaded from the app store.
Let us not forget iTunes. There was a time when Sony was king of the mobile music. Anyone remember the Walkman? Way back when mobile music meant cassette tapes. Sony fought the digital music was with proprietary formats and non-standard media. They resisted the movement for personal reasons like record or CD sells; however, they miss the real boat. Music is too personal to people, they have to have it. Apple came in with their iPods and store the show. They created their iTunes system which gave them a single point of distribution. With the Apple iPad they are now they begin their push into ebook distribution and Amazon and Borders will soon be on this list with Sony (who has an ebook device and content system).
Regarding the music and software distribution, Hindsight was money-money for Apple.
So Apple is getting paid on the hardware, on the operating system (iPod Touch users have to pay for OS upgrades), and on the software. So they are getting paid on every aspect of the device, right? Wrong! There is another area to get paid from: the eye balls. See with all of those devices out there, and they just added about 550,000+ iPads to that mix, there are millions of eyeballs looking at those screen several times a day. Those eyeballs can generate billions of dollars that Apple has not capitalized on. That will soon change. Apple announced their advertising vehicle called iAd.
Apple’s site reads this way “iAd is a breakthrough mobile advertising platform from Apple. With it, apps can feature rich media ads that combine the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web. For developers, it means a new, easy-to-implement source of revenue. For advertisers, it creates a new media outlet that offers consumers highly targeted information.”
So Apple has learned a little from Google too. Google has made a ton of cash from the eyeballs on the desktop and are working to grab the eyeballs on the mobile devices. Apple realizes that the revenue from search has been huge for years, but the time spent inside the apps is much longer than the time spent in search. Apple basically will have millions of voluntary captive eyeballs and fingers to interact with their iAds. People spend much more time inside the apps then they do doing anything else on the device so Apple is positioning them to make a whole lot of money from people using these devices. Not just Apple, but their developers will make much more money from these iAds. Apple will split the revenues with the developers of apps for the iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads.
So in the near future, the hindsight of advertising will making money-money for Apple too!
Let's talk about the Apple iPad, which is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models with WiFi. The models with the AT&T 3G radio will be available by the end of April or May 2010. As I have mentioned before, the iPad us NOT perfect. If Apple's iPhone history repeats with the iPad then we can expect some great things with it. The iPhone did not have the app store when it launched or for about a year afterward. It did not have a software developer kit (SDK) when it launched. Both these are available with the iPad so we can expect to see some incredible apps in a much quicker time frame as developer have the device in their hands.
The hardware is nice, but lacks some necessary hardware features. Now people are complaining that it lacks a camera, but the camera is not required to make it functional. It should have a camera, but is more important is that it should mount as a flash drive so that you can put your preexisting files onto the device. Apple would argue that it is a security issue, but it is more of a control issue. Their thinking is that the people that want it bad enough will get it from the Jailbreakers. Just because this is a new category (because tablet PCs have never caught on for the masses) does not mean that people don't have preexisting documents that they want to move to and from the device.
The device is still a wonderful device even without this one things. With it, the device would be more usable for a much wider group of people. The one thing that has to happen is that the device has to drop in price. It will in time. Apple will release a new device with the features it should have had the first time and the price of the old and new will fall. I can't wait to get my very own 2nd or 3rd generation of the iPad.
With this, Apple will do an incredible job with the hardware, software, distribution of app and content to display to my eyeballs - all on a huge and brilliant screen. Hopefully the device is a little lighter too in time.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Talk about Attraction Marketing - iPad makes a handy MLM Business Tool
As a MLM business owner, you are mobile. Always on the go. You are always networking with people and establishing rapport and developing interest in both you and ultimately in your opportunity. You have to be mobile and so does your tools. You have started to consider a netbook because the laptop was overkill and too heavy. In April 2010, you have a new mobile tool to consider - the Apple iPad.
There are many views regarding whether or not the Apple iPad can be an effective business tool. Some think so, while still others see it as a consumer gadget. That debate will never be won because some will use it and other won't. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, the truth of the matter is that the Apple iPad does makes a very viable tool for business; especially a MLM business owner. There are some tradeoffs, but they are well worth it.
As a MLM business owner, you are typically always ready to do the following: present your opportunity with a presentation program, show a video to showcase your business, show the creditability of your company through 3rd party publications and\or websites and finally you must have a way to take orders for your services or products. You normally do this with a laptop or at the worse end of the spectrum; wait until you get home. Boy are both of those old school.
The Apple iPad is the cool new way to get it done.
The iPad is thinner and lighter than your notebook or netbook computer. At only half an inch thick and 1.5 pounds, the iPad can fit comfortably in your hand and it doesn't take up much room in any environment. No need to carry a huge computer bag> The long lasting battery makes it so you don't even need an power outlet for the iPad. Don't you just hate going into a Starbucks or Panera Bread and having to hunt for a power outlet? Even you did forget to charge it up, the power cord and adapter fits comfortably in most pockets.
Next, the iPad is much less cumbersome and significantly more convenient than the alternative devices. The touchscreen interface of the iPad, combined with the slim, flat-panel design, make it ideal for showing off your business tools. The $10 Keynote app or any of the other apps like GoDocs makes presenting your business a breeze.
The next reason I will offer for taking the iPad and leaving the notebook at home is versatility. The iPad has an instant-on interface and can easily transition from playing music, to watching a movie, to typing a document in Pages, to surfing the Web, to playing a game of Tetris. It offers both business productivity and consumer entertainment in one slim package.
The iPad provides enough business productivity to fill in for the notebook even on a business trip. You can still get e-mail, and surf the Web, and with the right apps--or cloud-based services--you can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations as well.
Granted, a notebook computer can also play MP3 files and DVD movies, but again--it takes up more space--often its own HUUGE bag. Now you will most likely have to convert your DVD presentation over to a iTunes friendly file. There are tons of DVD to iPhone tools that will quickly be updated to create larger and better quality output for the iPad.
The finally reason to get and use the iPad instead of a laptop or netbook is that it will draw people to you to ask questions about it. Talk about Attraction Marketing! It will have people coming to you instead of you trying to get their attention. Don't be fooled, the iPad is incredible. It is NOT perfect, but it will fit the bill. It will only get better over time. The operating system will improve over time as Apple adds things per the users' demands. Apple already announced that multi-tasking, combined email boxes and more will be available in the fall of 2010.
There are many views regarding whether or not the Apple iPad can be an effective business tool. Some think so, while still others see it as a consumer gadget. That debate will never be won because some will use it and other won't. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, the truth of the matter is that the Apple iPad does makes a very viable tool for business; especially a MLM business owner. There are some tradeoffs, but they are well worth it.
As a MLM business owner, you are typically always ready to do the following: present your opportunity with a presentation program, show a video to showcase your business, show the creditability of your company through 3rd party publications and\or websites and finally you must have a way to take orders for your services or products. You normally do this with a laptop or at the worse end of the spectrum; wait until you get home. Boy are both of those old school.
The Apple iPad is the cool new way to get it done.
The iPad is thinner and lighter than your notebook or netbook computer. At only half an inch thick and 1.5 pounds, the iPad can fit comfortably in your hand and it doesn't take up much room in any environment. No need to carry a huge computer bag> The long lasting battery makes it so you don't even need an power outlet for the iPad. Don't you just hate going into a Starbucks or Panera Bread and having to hunt for a power outlet? Even you did forget to charge it up, the power cord and adapter fits comfortably in most pockets.
Next, the iPad is much less cumbersome and significantly more convenient than the alternative devices. The touchscreen interface of the iPad, combined with the slim, flat-panel design, make it ideal for showing off your business tools. The $10 Keynote app or any of the other apps like GoDocs makes presenting your business a breeze.
The next reason I will offer for taking the iPad and leaving the notebook at home is versatility. The iPad has an instant-on interface and can easily transition from playing music, to watching a movie, to typing a document in Pages, to surfing the Web, to playing a game of Tetris. It offers both business productivity and consumer entertainment in one slim package.
The iPad provides enough business productivity to fill in for the notebook even on a business trip. You can still get e-mail, and surf the Web, and with the right apps--or cloud-based services--you can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations as well.
Granted, a notebook computer can also play MP3 files and DVD movies, but again--it takes up more space--often its own HUUGE bag. Now you will most likely have to convert your DVD presentation over to a iTunes friendly file. There are tons of DVD to iPhone tools that will quickly be updated to create larger and better quality output for the iPad.
The finally reason to get and use the iPad instead of a laptop or netbook is that it will draw people to you to ask questions about it. Talk about Attraction Marketing! It will have people coming to you instead of you trying to get their attention. Don't be fooled, the iPad is incredible. It is NOT perfect, but it will fit the bill. It will only get better over time. The operating system will improve over time as Apple adds things per the users' demands. Apple already announced that multi-tasking, combined email boxes and more will be available in the fall of 2010.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Twitter to Acquire Atebits' Tweetie Software for Mac & iPhone
In a move that is sure to rattle its developers, Twitter has agreed to acquire Atebits, the start-up that makes the Tweetie apps for using Twitter on Mac computers and iPhones. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
This marks a new strategy, as Twitter makes its first foray into providing a mobile and desktop client itself. Friday, April 9, 2009, Twitter also announced that it helped Research in Motion build an “official” Twitter app for BlackBerrys.
In the past, Twitter has focused on its Web site, twitter.com, and left the development of Twitter mobile clients up to start-ups like Tweetie, Twitterrific and UberTwitter.
Atebits was founded by Loren Brichter, a software developer who used to work for Apple on the iPhone. It sells for $2.99, is the most popular mobile Twitter client and won an Apple Design Award last year. Twitter will offer it for free and rename it Twitter for iPhone.
On the Mac computer version, Tweetie runs ads from Fusion Ads, an ad network. Twitter has said that it will consider some sort of advertising in the near future. Can anyone say "iAd"? Apple announced that they would be developing their own ad platform for the ipod Touch, iPhone and iPad devices.
iAd is a breakthrough mobile advertising platform from Apple. With it, apps can feature rich media ads that combine the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web. For developers, it means a new, easy-to-implement source of revenue. For advertisers, it creates a new media outlet that offers consumers highly targeted information.
Looks like Twitter is positioning itself to bank from this upcoming technology. Give the app away for free and make money on the advertising. They'll make more money giving it ways free than they would charging any price for the app.
Mr. Brichter wrote this on his blog at http://news.atebits.com
"Once upon a time I wanted a better Twitter app for my iPhone, so I wrote one. My goal was to make something simple, beautiful, and intuitive. It’s been a wild ride since 1.0, and over the last year and a half Tweetie has gone from a no-name app from a little known software company to an app hailed as one of the best mobile experiences around. It’s been featured in TIME and Wired, won the Apple Design Award, and I’ve had the privilege of working with the folks at Twitter from the outside as their service evolved.
Now I’ll be working with them on the inside. I’m happy to say that as of today Twitter is the proud owner of Tweetie - and I’m joining their mobile team and starting work on turning Tweetie.app into Twitter.app, for iPhone and iPad.
Some amazing stuff will soon be possible, both in terms of simplifying the Twitter experience and in allowing people to use Twitter any place they might be. I’m really looking forward to the next generation of mobile clients, and hopefully the next time you hear from me it’ll be on the Twitter blog!"
Here is what the Twitter Blog states
"Twitter has been growing by leaps and bounds around the world. Mobile has always been a focus for us—starting with SMS which lead to the 140 character limit. People everywhere should be able to access Twitter without friction or confusion. Careful analysis of the Twitter user experience in the iTunes AppStore revealed massive room for improvement. People are looking for an app from Twitter, and they're not finding one. So, they get confused and give up. It's important that we optimize for user benefit and create an awesome experience.
We're thrilled to announce that we've entered into an agreement with Atebits (aka Loren Brichter) to acquire Tweetie, a leading iPhone Twitter client. Tweetie will be renamed Twitter for iPhone and made free (currently $2.99) in the iTunes AppStore in the coming weeks. Loren will become a key member of our mobile team that is already having huge impact with device makers and service providers around the world. Loren's work won the 2009 Apple Design Award and we will eventually launch Twitter for iPad with his help.
As we work to provide the best possible Twitter experience on all of the major mobile platforms, momentum will increase dramatically. Millions more active, engaged, mobile users means more opportunities for all of us. Developers, services, and publishers will be able to leverage the Twitter iPhone and iPad applications to create additional innovative tools and integrations for users. We'll have more specific information on this once Loren is officially on board. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Loren to the Twitter team. "
This marks a new strategy, as Twitter makes its first foray into providing a mobile and desktop client itself. Friday, April 9, 2009, Twitter also announced that it helped Research in Motion build an “official” Twitter app for BlackBerrys.
In the past, Twitter has focused on its Web site, twitter.com, and left the development of Twitter mobile clients up to start-ups like Tweetie, Twitterrific and UberTwitter.
Atebits was founded by Loren Brichter, a software developer who used to work for Apple on the iPhone. It sells for $2.99, is the most popular mobile Twitter client and won an Apple Design Award last year. Twitter will offer it for free and rename it Twitter for iPhone.
On the Mac computer version, Tweetie runs ads from Fusion Ads, an ad network. Twitter has said that it will consider some sort of advertising in the near future. Can anyone say "iAd"? Apple announced that they would be developing their own ad platform for the ipod Touch, iPhone and iPad devices.
iAd is a breakthrough mobile advertising platform from Apple. With it, apps can feature rich media ads that combine the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web. For developers, it means a new, easy-to-implement source of revenue. For advertisers, it creates a new media outlet that offers consumers highly targeted information.
Looks like Twitter is positioning itself to bank from this upcoming technology. Give the app away for free and make money on the advertising. They'll make more money giving it ways free than they would charging any price for the app.
Mr. Brichter wrote this on his blog at http://news.atebits.com
"Once upon a time I wanted a better Twitter app for my iPhone, so I wrote one. My goal was to make something simple, beautiful, and intuitive. It’s been a wild ride since 1.0, and over the last year and a half Tweetie has gone from a no-name app from a little known software company to an app hailed as one of the best mobile experiences around. It’s been featured in TIME and Wired, won the Apple Design Award, and I’ve had the privilege of working with the folks at Twitter from the outside as their service evolved.
Now I’ll be working with them on the inside. I’m happy to say that as of today Twitter is the proud owner of Tweetie - and I’m joining their mobile team and starting work on turning Tweetie.app into Twitter.app, for iPhone and iPad.
Some amazing stuff will soon be possible, both in terms of simplifying the Twitter experience and in allowing people to use Twitter any place they might be. I’m really looking forward to the next generation of mobile clients, and hopefully the next time you hear from me it’ll be on the Twitter blog!"
Here is what the Twitter Blog states
"Twitter has been growing by leaps and bounds around the world. Mobile has always been a focus for us—starting with SMS which lead to the 140 character limit. People everywhere should be able to access Twitter without friction or confusion. Careful analysis of the Twitter user experience in the iTunes AppStore revealed massive room for improvement. People are looking for an app from Twitter, and they're not finding one. So, they get confused and give up. It's important that we optimize for user benefit and create an awesome experience.
We're thrilled to announce that we've entered into an agreement with Atebits (aka Loren Brichter) to acquire Tweetie, a leading iPhone Twitter client. Tweetie will be renamed Twitter for iPhone and made free (currently $2.99) in the iTunes AppStore in the coming weeks. Loren will become a key member of our mobile team that is already having huge impact with device makers and service providers around the world. Loren's work won the 2009 Apple Design Award and we will eventually launch Twitter for iPad with his help.
As we work to provide the best possible Twitter experience on all of the major mobile platforms, momentum will increase dramatically. Millions more active, engaged, mobile users means more opportunities for all of us. Developers, services, and publishers will be able to leverage the Twitter iPhone and iPad applications to create additional innovative tools and integrations for users. We'll have more specific information on this once Loren is officially on board. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Loren to the Twitter team. "
Friday, April 2, 2010
You WILL have to Present Your Opportunity (Sooner or Later)
Regardless of what you were told, you WILL have to do a presentation soon or later. You will have to present your opportunity. It is your opportunity so it only makes sense that you not only know how to present it, but that you are presenting it. I recommend that you do it soon and not later. Your success depends on you being able to get your information in front of people, lots of people. What have you learned so far? You WILL HAVE TO PRESENT, so get over it; and get over it fast!
Now it is true that when you first begin, you will not have to present so you can breathe a brief sigh of relief. When you first launch your business, you will have “experts” that will present “your” opportunity to “your” prospects so that you can take time to learn “your” business. The key is that you are learning whenever you are hearing the presentation, so you should be listening as intently to each presentation as if you are hearing it for the first time. Remember you are new to the business so you must learn the business. If you belong to a progressive company, then new products and/or services may be introduced periodically; therefore, you may be learning something new during each presentation.
While the “experts” are presenting, you should not be distracted. You should be taking notes on a few things: company history, industry history and services and/or product information.
Note what is being said about your company and its history; remember you are new so you can’t possibly be able to know everything about the company. It is amazing that people view companies so differently because it is MLM. If you took a job at ABC Company and they paid you enough peanuts (wages) to keep you coming back; you typically wouldn’t know or care to know their entire history either. I have been a hiring or interviewing manager for many years and I can count on one hand how many people ask any questions about the company’s history. MLM prospects however want to know something about the company and/or its founders. Most presentation will cover this information because of this reality.
Take notes about what is said about the industry. Again because people are not educated about MLM in schools, there is a lot of misinformation about the industry. People typically have the same objections or concerns. These typically are addressed indirectly during most presentations. Listen for them.
And most importantly, pay attention to the information shared about your product or services. You don’t and shouldn’t be an expert on these, but you should be able to talk intelligently about them. Any remember, it is OK to not know everything. It is OK to say, “I don’t know, but I can find out”.
When you start your MLM or multi-level marketing business, you want to hear as many presentations from as many different presenters as is possible so that you learn this one simple thing. Everyone in your company says the same things. Learn those things that you can say them too. Pay attention to what they say at the beginning and what they say at the end of the presentation. You should find that the start and ending of the presentation is nearly where any and all major differences occur. The middle or meat of the presentation should cover things like income potentials through MLM, the compensation plan and timing of the opportunity. This information should not vary much regardless of the presenter.
The start of the presentation should enroll the listener into being open minded about this industry. It should tell a brief story of the presenter; covering briefly their past, present and future status in regards to doing the old way (working a job) to doing it an alternative way (your way). The story should relate to the listeners that the presenter is just like them; someone who was dissatisfied with one or more areas of their lives that could not be satisfied with the traditional paths.
The ending of the presentation should help move listeners to action: either to get involved, to want more information or to become a customer of the product or service.
People typically want to know the answers to the following:
• Is this opportunity legit?
• Can “I” make money with it?
• Can I do it?
• Will others do it with me or consume the product or service?
• Can I change “my” life with this?
I believe the most crucial question is the last one, “Can I change “my” life with this?” If this is answered then the others questions’ answers become less important. If a person believes that “they” can change their life, then the “How” they can change their life become a formality.
The key is to learn to present your opportunity as quickly as possible. You become better with time and practice. The first step is easier when you face the fact that you will and must do it. You learn it faster when you realize it is inevitable and that you are in training every time a presentation is being done in your home, a coffee shop, at a hotel break-out room, in a convention hall or arena.
I used the word "your" often for a reason. I want to drill into your mind that fact that "your" opportunity starts with you. Unless you do something, their is no guarantee that any thing will happen. Your sponsor may quit, the experts might be overbooked, and a host of things can affect your business. Take ownership of your business right away. You control what happens in your organization when you learn to present and teach your partners how to present.
I believe one of the best books to teach you about the presentation is The 45 Second Presentation That Will Change Your Life (2nd Edition)
by Don Failla.
From the book...
MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING is one of the fastest growing, yet most misunderstood, methods of moving
products in use today. It has been termed by many as the Thing-of-the Nineties. Believe me, it will go far beyond that. By 2010, more than 200 BILLION DOLLARS worth of products and services will be moving annually through Multi-Level Marketing companies. WATCH OUT for MLM in the 21st century!
The purpose of this book is to convey to you the reader, through illustrations and examples, just what Multi-Level Marketing IS and what it IS NOT. We will also show you how you can effectively, I repeat EFFECTIVELY, explain Multi-Level Marketing to others.
This book should be treated as a TRAINING MANUAL. It is intended to be used as a tool to help you train the people in your organization. Include it in their initial "kit" of information about your program.
Don Failla developed the "Napkin Presentations," upon which this book is based, in 1973. I have been involved in Multi-Level Marketing to one degree or another since 1969. This book will cover the ten presentations developed thus far.
Also I recommend Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story, Updated and Expanded Edition
. Named by FORTUNE Magazine as a "Must-Read" "Jerry Weissman makes the challenge of producing and delivering effective presentations delightfully simple. Read it and benefit!" Tim Koogle,Founding CEO, Yahoo! "A great read for all of us who have ever struggled with any aspect of our public speaking skills. Presenting to Win contains the same timeless techniques that helped me [18] years ago." Jeff Raikes, former President, Microsoft Business Division, Microsoft Corporation, and CEO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation "Jerry is The Man when it comes to making great pitches.
If your pitch doesn't get a whole lot better after reading this book, something is wrong with you." Guy Kawasaki, Managing Director and Chairman, Garage Technology Ventures, and bestselling author of The Art of the Start "Presenting to Win is the shortest path to applause for any presenter. It will be your bible for the PowerPoint Age. It's loaded with easy actions and real examples that really work. I've used them. I know." Scott Cook, Founder, Intuit Thirty million presentations will be given today. Millions will fail. Millions more will be received with yawns. A rare few will establish the most profound connection, in which presenter and audience understand each other perfectly!discover common ground! and, together, decide to act. In this fully updated edition, Jerry Weissman, the world's #1 presentation consultant, shows how to connect with even the toughest, most high-level audiences...and move them to action!
He teaches presenters of all kinds how to dump those PowerPoint templates once and for all and tell compelling stories that focus on what's in it for the audience. Weissman's techniques have proven themselves with billions of dollars on the line. Thousands of his elite clients have already mastered them. Now it's your turn! / What you must do to tell your story Focus before Flow: identifying your real goals and message / The power of the WIIFY: What's In It For You Staying focused on what your audience really wants / Capture your audience in 90 seconds! and never let go! Opening Gambits and compelling linkages / Master the art of online Web conferencing Connecting with your invisible audience / From brainstorming through delivery Crafting the Power Presentation, one step at a time.
Now it is true that when you first begin, you will not have to present so you can breathe a brief sigh of relief. When you first launch your business, you will have “experts” that will present “your” opportunity to “your” prospects so that you can take time to learn “your” business. The key is that you are learning whenever you are hearing the presentation, so you should be listening as intently to each presentation as if you are hearing it for the first time. Remember you are new to the business so you must learn the business. If you belong to a progressive company, then new products and/or services may be introduced periodically; therefore, you may be learning something new during each presentation.
While the “experts” are presenting, you should not be distracted. You should be taking notes on a few things: company history, industry history and services and/or product information.
Note what is being said about your company and its history; remember you are new so you can’t possibly be able to know everything about the company. It is amazing that people view companies so differently because it is MLM. If you took a job at ABC Company and they paid you enough peanuts (wages) to keep you coming back; you typically wouldn’t know or care to know their entire history either. I have been a hiring or interviewing manager for many years and I can count on one hand how many people ask any questions about the company’s history. MLM prospects however want to know something about the company and/or its founders. Most presentation will cover this information because of this reality.
Take notes about what is said about the industry. Again because people are not educated about MLM in schools, there is a lot of misinformation about the industry. People typically have the same objections or concerns. These typically are addressed indirectly during most presentations. Listen for them.
And most importantly, pay attention to the information shared about your product or services. You don’t and shouldn’t be an expert on these, but you should be able to talk intelligently about them. Any remember, it is OK to not know everything. It is OK to say, “I don’t know, but I can find out”.
When you start your MLM or multi-level marketing business, you want to hear as many presentations from as many different presenters as is possible so that you learn this one simple thing. Everyone in your company says the same things. Learn those things that you can say them too. Pay attention to what they say at the beginning and what they say at the end of the presentation. You should find that the start and ending of the presentation is nearly where any and all major differences occur. The middle or meat of the presentation should cover things like income potentials through MLM, the compensation plan and timing of the opportunity. This information should not vary much regardless of the presenter.
The start of the presentation should enroll the listener into being open minded about this industry. It should tell a brief story of the presenter; covering briefly their past, present and future status in regards to doing the old way (working a job) to doing it an alternative way (your way). The story should relate to the listeners that the presenter is just like them; someone who was dissatisfied with one or more areas of their lives that could not be satisfied with the traditional paths.
The ending of the presentation should help move listeners to action: either to get involved, to want more information or to become a customer of the product or service.
People typically want to know the answers to the following:
• Is this opportunity legit?
• Can “I” make money with it?
• Can I do it?
• Will others do it with me or consume the product or service?
• Can I change “my” life with this?
I believe the most crucial question is the last one, “Can I change “my” life with this?” If this is answered then the others questions’ answers become less important. If a person believes that “they” can change their life, then the “How” they can change their life become a formality.
The key is to learn to present your opportunity as quickly as possible. You become better with time and practice. The first step is easier when you face the fact that you will and must do it. You learn it faster when you realize it is inevitable and that you are in training every time a presentation is being done in your home, a coffee shop, at a hotel break-out room, in a convention hall or arena.
I used the word "your" often for a reason. I want to drill into your mind that fact that "your" opportunity starts with you. Unless you do something, their is no guarantee that any thing will happen. Your sponsor may quit, the experts might be overbooked, and a host of things can affect your business. Take ownership of your business right away. You control what happens in your organization when you learn to present and teach your partners how to present.
I believe one of the best books to teach you about the presentation is The 45 Second Presentation That Will Change Your Life (2nd Edition)
by Don Failla.From the book...
MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING is one of the fastest growing, yet most misunderstood, methods of moving
products in use today. It has been termed by many as the Thing-of-the Nineties. Believe me, it will go far beyond that. By 2010, more than 200 BILLION DOLLARS worth of products and services will be moving annually through Multi-Level Marketing companies. WATCH OUT for MLM in the 21st century!
The purpose of this book is to convey to you the reader, through illustrations and examples, just what Multi-Level Marketing IS and what it IS NOT. We will also show you how you can effectively, I repeat EFFECTIVELY, explain Multi-Level Marketing to others.
This book should be treated as a TRAINING MANUAL. It is intended to be used as a tool to help you train the people in your organization. Include it in their initial "kit" of information about your program.
Don Failla developed the "Napkin Presentations," upon which this book is based, in 1973. I have been involved in Multi-Level Marketing to one degree or another since 1969. This book will cover the ten presentations developed thus far.
Also I recommend Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story, Updated and Expanded Edition
. Named by FORTUNE Magazine as a "Must-Read" "Jerry Weissman makes the challenge of producing and delivering effective presentations delightfully simple. Read it and benefit!" Tim Koogle,Founding CEO, Yahoo! "A great read for all of us who have ever struggled with any aspect of our public speaking skills. Presenting to Win contains the same timeless techniques that helped me [18] years ago." Jeff Raikes, former President, Microsoft Business Division, Microsoft Corporation, and CEO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation "Jerry is The Man when it comes to making great pitches. If your pitch doesn't get a whole lot better after reading this book, something is wrong with you." Guy Kawasaki, Managing Director and Chairman, Garage Technology Ventures, and bestselling author of The Art of the Start "Presenting to Win is the shortest path to applause for any presenter. It will be your bible for the PowerPoint Age. It's loaded with easy actions and real examples that really work. I've used them. I know." Scott Cook, Founder, Intuit Thirty million presentations will be given today. Millions will fail. Millions more will be received with yawns. A rare few will establish the most profound connection, in which presenter and audience understand each other perfectly!discover common ground! and, together, decide to act. In this fully updated edition, Jerry Weissman, the world's #1 presentation consultant, shows how to connect with even the toughest, most high-level audiences...and move them to action!
He teaches presenters of all kinds how to dump those PowerPoint templates once and for all and tell compelling stories that focus on what's in it for the audience. Weissman's techniques have proven themselves with billions of dollars on the line. Thousands of his elite clients have already mastered them. Now it's your turn! / What you must do to tell your story Focus before Flow: identifying your real goals and message / The power of the WIIFY: What's In It For You Staying focused on what your audience really wants / Capture your audience in 90 seconds! and never let go! Opening Gambits and compelling linkages / Master the art of online Web conferencing Connecting with your invisible audience / From brainstorming through delivery Crafting the Power Presentation, one step at a time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
