Running Your Business Via Cell Phone - Really?

I just bought a new Apple iPhone 4-S, replacing a five-year-old Blackberry—allowing me (as my sons had laughingly encouraged) to come into the 21st Century. Me, the designer and developer of business systems software, a notoriously outdated cell phone user!

Although I’ve enjoyed having a cell phone, I hadn’t used most of its features. Over the past 15 years, systems have so simplified my business life, that I have been able to run my business FROM my office—NOT from my phone, for the most part. I’m thankful for that!

Cell phones are great tools, and I appreciate mine for staying connected with my wife and others—and YES, for discussing business matters of higher importance at times, but generally after business hours or when I’m away from the office.

In recent years, I’ve noticed that many business owners and managers actually run their businesses via their cell phones—constantly allowing calls and text messages to interrupt even important meetings, meals, and any personal time. Many of my business friends still rely SO heavily on their cell phones, the devices have become become like a prosthetics attached to the sides of their heads; owning many hours of their day.

“So what?” you ask.

What I have witnessed is not so much that cell phones are “wonderful tools,” rather that for some they have become an albatross—a shackle and a burden. I’ve seen some pain and embarrassment on the faces of business owners who now want to get rid of them, but don’t know how.

Their children, spouses and, quite frankly, everyone around them have become sick of seeing these execs with a cell phone stuck in an ear, and hearing them say, “I’m sorry, I have to take this call. Yu know, its new business.” Or, “Excuse me, I need to take this call. There’s a problem at the office.” Or, “Sorry, I can’t believe I’m getting called again, but I’ll need to take it!.” And the like.