Some of us have been using smartphones for a long time.  Oh, I know, y’all thought my Palm Pilot wasn’t sophisticated.  But, consider this- for nearly 15 years, I was able to have a contact list (with eMail, pictures, and special information), Microsoft Office functionality (like a word processor, spreadsheet, and calendaring), access to my accounting program and to do lists, among other important functions (like Scrabble and books- albeit with 100 words or so on a page).

They’ve gotten smarter over the years.  And, unfortunately (for me), HP killed my favorite one instead of growing that business.  (Yes, my Palm Tablet is now a fully functional Android device with a screen that can’t be beat- yet.)  So, what do you do with your phone?

Here’s some things you need to do…

Reach out and touch someone.  It’s a phone, right?  Well, if you have a few spare minutes (cut the crap, you know you do)- contact a client/customer/employee/friend with whom you have not spoken for a week or two.  I, for one, vote for voice calls.  But, many of you rely on social media, text, or eMail.

(Please note: I DO NOT TEXT!!!!  That is mostly because I have multiple phones and numbers and will not be responsible for messages you elect to send to me at an unauthorized number.  I only have one main number and it rings everywhere and has no text capabilities.  That’s for my sanity.  I suggest y’all consider a similar scenario.)

Social Butterfly.  If you are a small business owner or executive, then using social media will let you stay connected with your stakeholders.  You can use these programs to release information as you find it or to interact with others.  You need to remember-whether you are using a computer or a cell phone- that you should mention others 3 X as often as you promote yourself.  That keeps your tweets and messages of interest to others.

Seek and You Shall Find. I was the kind of guy that wrote down the words I didn’t know as I read books and articles.  And, sought the answers in an encyclopedia when I didn’t know something. That’s now ‘easy peasy’- just hit the search button on your phone and voila- instant data.  But, please, remember that you need a valid source.  Just because ‘Attila the Hun’ posted something doth not a fact make!  And, you can also use it to find out about the company you are visiting (or with whom you are talking), the route to a site, or the sales volume of a product category.  Be ready to grow your business with facts!

Safe Deposit.  Whether you store documents on your phone or in Dropbox, Evernote, or SkyDrive [by the time you read this Microsoft will have renamed it OneDrive], you can have things you need at your fingertips.  Or, if you are like me and come up with ideas all day long, just pop them into your phone (or Evernote) for later development.   This is especially handy when reading a journal or newspaper, or even visiting a tradeshow.  No need for that pad of paper.  And, you can augment the note with picture, to remind you of context, it you like.

Getmeoudahere!  I don’t know about you, but I don’t do lines well.  I hate waiting.  But, if I open my phone (it’s always locked- you DO do that right?) play Scrabble or read a book, I am no longer the screaming Hulk, but the gentle lamb.

You notice I just mentioned the need to lock your phone, right?  We have so much information stored on that device, that if we leave it somewhere- or it gets “borrowed”, we- and almost everyone we know- is at risk.  And, unless and until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, your phone on your person is NOT exempt from search and seizure by the police.  (I wrote about this before.)  Where you’ve been.  Who you’ve called.  Your money situation (if you use QuickenOnline or similar.)  You get the idea.  Keep your phone locked.  Especially if you have MY information stored there.  It’s only fair.

And, now that you know how to use your phone, you need to do two more things.  First of all, make sure that your website is viewable on smartphones.  After all, your stakeholders may be looking you up there- or trying to find your blog, while they are stuck in line.  Secondly, take pictures and videos of what you are doing (like showing folks how to use your service or product), which you can then add to your website or blog.

You don’t need to be like Maxwell Smart.  Keep your shoes on- but use your phone smartly!

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