Smartphones and Small Business
I just finished reading an article from our good friends over at Blackberry Cool and they say that almost 400,000 small businesses (defined as a business with less than 99 employees) are either using a Smartphone or are planning on purchasing one in the very near future.
Now why would a small business do this, why would a small business customer invest the money into a more expensive device? Once you have seen what Smartphones can do the answer to that question is easy; a Smartphone will allow you to compete with your larger competition. One of the biggest problems small businesses face is real-time communication. A Blackberry, Palm, or Windows Smartphone allow you to e-mail, talk, and use the Internet in a nice little package. We feel Blackberrys are the best for e-mail integration. I almost always receive my e-mail on my Blackberry before it hits my Microsoft Outlook. Think about it, your most important client sends you a time sensitive e-mail at 2:45 and you are out of the office. You do not get back until 4:30, you walk to your computer and you missed the deadline your client gave you. That is a lost client opportunity and your client has a little less faith in you. With your Smartphone you get the e-mail at 2:45, respond instantly, and you become your client’s hero. 
Let me tell you, as I have said before my Blackberry has really made my life easier. It is a little easier, but the more important thing is that my customers are more satisfied. That is so important for a small to medium business, give your customers a reason to do business with your for life and that little extra cost for a Smartphone will be a no-brainer. Still not convinced click here.