August is the month to go on vacation but not for people who took time off in July to get married. Like I did. Last week it was the boss’ turn to get away and my turn to fill the column. Wireless sparked several thoughts on life this week.
Thank heavens the fall wireless conference season is starting at about the same time as the 1996 election season. I will sure be glad to be focusing on who is announcing products and technology, who is building markets, who is merging with whom and who is changing their name in wireless, while I am at work.
At home, the television is offering who is changing their platform, who is promising the impossible, who is aligning with who and who is calling who what name in the presidential race.
A little bit of that is too much. It seems a good reason for my husband and I to start a tradition of getting off the couch in the evening and taking a long walk together.
Sellmore’s sales incentive program for carriers to offer free travel with the purchase of a cellular phone and contract is a wonderful example of the 90s credo, “What’s in it for me?” Buy perfume, get an umbrella … Buy laundry detergent, get the attached fabric softener for free … Buy a car, get a cash rebate …
I wonder where I put that voucher I got last year for a free three-day cruise if I would only come down to Florida and look at some time share property … Always look at the offer carefully.
I like the affinity pager idea too. Similar to the “What’s in it for me” attitude, people sometimes experience, “What can I do good for someone else without putting myself out too much.” For busy people who often think about volunteering and helping charity programs but don’t find the time, it is a nice solution.
If you are going to use a pager or a cellular phone anyway why not help make the world a better place while you are at it? Help others when you can.
I am one of those “for safety” cellular users. My husband and I bought cellular phones when we bought a house in the suburb farthest north of Denver and became commuters. The phone pretty much stays in the car-and has been very useful there. Though I am involved with this industry every day I still think there are a few times and places that the phone is better left at home. My mother went to visit my brother out of state last week. While they walked through the airport after he met her flight, he chatted with the office on his phone. Makes me think about talking to my brother about conspicuous use … and always giving Mom your full attention.
