Phone, a Friend?

OPINION: I, like many, have watched the evolution of the mobile phone. It is clearly the enabler of our times.

It is also clear, that judging by increasing technological developments, it will be the greatest influencer of our time, not only in the communications world, but in every aspect of our lives.

So far: the phone has stretched its tentacles to computer games, photographics, video cameras, television, dictaphones, MP3/Ipods, FM radio, Electronic diaries, PDA's, Computers, GPS's, Calculators, Email and txt, all in the same hand held device.

So what? Well; as can be seen, the ever decreasing (and increasing) chronological age that the mobile phone pervades is such that it already dominates the lives of many. The use is continually expanding across the spectrum from the very young to the very old.

Whilst, to many, it's a love/hate relationship, it has entrenched itself so much so, that to ignore it means you WILL fall behind. All very well to be high and mighty and ignore the mobile phone, but the future is about change, and embracing that change, or being left behind.

To embrace it means you can be involved, whether in business or in private, with all of those things that are, or will be, in the one device.

It ranges from the detractors on the one hand, those who rue the invasion of privacy, to those fans who can keep in constant contact with their clients or their family and friends.

Like it or not, their use will only increase; to ignore will see you cast aside and stuck in the dark ages along with the Luddites.

Like all things, you have to keep changing to stand still!

The trick of course, as with all things, is balance. Time has always been precious; a concept that rules our lives, now followed a close second by the need for contact, the need for communication.

We must of course control our lives, not be controlled by devices, but while balance is about relativity; business too is about relativity, i.e. being relative and relevant to your customers and competition.

As I have said before you must embrace and invest in technology, because the World demands it. So instead of objecting, we need to adapt and harness it; but be careful as to how it dominates.

Phone a friend for help, advice, information and contact?

Or phone, a friend? a wolf in sheep's clothing, all consuming.

The choice is yours, but it can't be ignored.

Adam Davy is Managing Partner of BDO in Wellington