A Tool of the Trade – The Blackberry

It has become a common staple in many people’s lives. As common as taking out the trash, eating breakfast or buying groceries – people all over the country instinctively grab their Blackberry to answer calls, check e-mail or view appointments for the day.  Over the past few years the use of this device has become a natural part of one’s job and daily routine.

But how many of us really know how to get the most out of this high tech tool? Anthony Archibald’s presentation during the REIC Professional Development Day will certainly provide you with the opportunity to find some key ways to get the most out of your blackberry.

“If they are a current BlackBerry user they will definitely learn something,” declares Archibald, a Data Solutions Specialist for Bell Mobility, when asked about his presentation. “I also usually learn something new from the sessions as people in the room provide tips and shortcuts that they have learned. My session is really hands-on.”

Archibald has lived mostly in the Halifax Area since moving there to attend Dalhousie University to study Business (B Comm. and MBA) with a focus on Information Technology and Marketing.  A diverse individual, Archibald is an avid marathon runner who once lived in Scotland for 6 months working as a bartender while his wife earned her MBA. He considers that job as one of the best experiences of his life and one where he learned a lot about customer service - which he now uses in his current career as a Data Solutions Specialist for Bell Mobility.

Archibald believes that the Blackberry has become the tool of choice for people in business over the past few years.  “BlackBerry and other Smartphone’s have grown from Email and organization tools to replacements for laptops, desktops, and even clipboards.” 

The recent shift of having the Blackberry replace the clipboard is a prime example of how the device is changing how companies do business. Archibald uses a furniture delivery company – an industry one may not normally think would use this device, as an excellent example of how the Blackberry can help improve their business.

“BlackBerry has customizable ‘form’ solutions that will let the delivery person update their status on their handheld, collect a signature from the client, and send it back to the office before leaving the client’s home. This will generate the invoice/receipt immediately and update the order information. Using the traditional clipboard and paper, the order would not be closed off until the delivery person returns to the office at the end of the day or week, this new method is faster, reduces the time spent chasing papers, and uses our network more efficiently.”

Despite all the benefits this high tech gadget can provide, there is the potential for occasional drawbacks and problems -Archibald can think of only one. “The only obstacle I can think of is the reliance that people often have on them – to the point that they don’t always focus on what they should be doing.”

The Blackberry also has many misconceptions about it, some of which may cause a consumer to hesitate before purchasing one.  “I think that the biggest one is that it can be “broken”. Many users are afraid to try new programs, modify their theme, or stray from Email and phone calls out of fear that they could damage the device. One thing that I always ask people to remember is that short of physically damaging the device, it is hard to do anything that cannot be undone” Archibald clarifies.

He also believes that there is a stigma that the Blackberry is strictly a business tool that can’t be used for fun – which is a stereotype he tries to erase from people’s minds straight away. “BlackBerry has launched several new media applications (MP3 support for iTunes, Facebook, YouTube) to help with the appeal for people who want a fun organizer/mobile phone. I think that several of their latest advances will really help people to use the BlackBerry beyond the office.”

While Archibald wouldn't’t go into any specific details on what attendees would learn from his presentation on May 29th, he did offer a sample listing of a few topics that would be covered.

o               Setting the custom buttons (i.e.:   

changing the “Say a command” button)

o               Changing the fonts

o               Modifying the home screen/menu

o               Voicemail setup

o               Email navigation

o               Filtering Emails

o               How to fix the device when things

go wrong

He hopes people will attend his session for the pure interaction within his presentation and how it can take a whole new direction.  “I do take questions and adapt the instruction to the needs of the users. I really look forward to chatting with people about things that they have learned, issues that they have, and ways that they have integrated BlackBerry into their life. It is a lot of fun to witness the “ah-ha” moments when people learn something new. I’ve often had these myself, and I hope to have a few from REIC members as well come May 29th.”

Anthony Archibald will speak on Friday May 29th from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on “The Tricks of the Blackberry” at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

Another Blackberry tip from Anthony Archibald:

Keypad Lock (Hold Mute for 3s)

To avoid accidental dialing when the BlackBerry is in your pocket, press and hold the mute key (top edge of the newer devices) for three seconds. The keypad will lock and nothing will accidentally happen until you press the mute key again to unlock the device. It only takes a second and is the most practical way to prevent accidental calls. This works on all models that have a mute key. I should point out that calls, emails etc, will still come in as usual.

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