When a technology transcends its features and functionality to form a relationship with its user, it has reached the Holy Grail to unlock the jackpot of product development and marketing. I admit it. I have become habituated, if not addicted to my “mobile” and all of its benefits. In fact, how many times have I left home and tapped my butt for my wallet and my chest pocket for my phone? I’ve never gone back for my wallet but I have for this “mobile” appendage. Again, it’s not the technological features of this device, but the benefits that render an emotional connection that makes it so compelling.
I set it to wake me up in the morning – not to a buzz or vibration – but to music that I love that jumpstarts my day.Then running, I listen to music that I had downloaded or connect through Pandora for even more variety, but focused on supporting my exercise regimen. Over coffee, I quickly review my calendar, email my administrative assistant to change a few appointments, and then look at the emails and respond to those that came in overnight.
Catching up, I glance through two or three news sites that I’ve organized to feed up around my pre-determined interests. I check my Twitter and Facebook accounts to see what’s there from friends and family. I then look at my last edit for my LinkedIn blog and shoot it off to be published. As owner of the Golden State Warriors, I then use this tool to scan the scores and results and standings in the NBA and any news from the various basketball sites that is important to inform my day. Then, before I even start to the office, I will look the dailies for one of my movies that has been streamed in overnight so that I can effectively communicate with my producers and executives regarding my creative comments. I take a screen snapshot of the time code of the dailies, and then drop it with comments into Dropbox to be available to critical executives so that I can be absolutely specific about how and why each and every scene needs attention. I then peruse various entertainment sites seeing what’s hot and what’s not, what’s true and what’s false (unfortunately most is false)!
We’re building with the Yankee’s, our AAA stadium in Pennsylvania and I log into two live cameras on site to see how the stadium is progressing. An email with a large attachment pings me with the agenda for our forthcoming Dick Clark Company meeting, of which I am the Chairman. Scouring it, I make a few amendments right in the document and shoot it right back to its author. Two speaking engagement invitations forwarded to me by my executive arrive. I quickly pass on one and ask for some more pertinent information from the other, before committing. Now, it’s 7am and I’m ready to go to work.
In the car, the Bluetooth connects seamlessly with this two ton vehicle and I voice command and speak hands-free as I drive. Before this feature, I nearly had many a collision! I create a conference call with one of my key executives and the producer in New Orleans to chat about a forthcoming film, When The Game Stands Tall, for Sony and review some of the financial and contractual questions. I see on the screen on my phone that I have an incoming call from my daughter that takes priority. I wrap up the conference call and connect with Elizabeth.
She’s in her car and my three grandsons who are ages four, three and two are howling away yelling, “hello Papa Pete!” My daughter wants tickets for the first week of the Los Angeles Dodgers whose season started April 1 for herself, her husband, the three boys, and their nanny. Of course, this means parking, meals and swag – lots of swag. I lament for a moment and my daughter says, “Jeez, you’re the owner, you can do this!” Putting her on hold I call by voice command Lon Rosen, Executive Vice President of the Dodgers, and exhort, “I need your help!” I joined him to the call and I am able to solve the situation in just a few moments. Everyone’s happy. And I’ve been extraordinarily efficient.
But somehow, in my conversation, I’ve gone down a series of streets on my way to the meeting outside my office and I’m lost. So I voice command to Google Maps, pull over, and log in my destination. Suddenly, the ‘voice in the box’ starts giving directions to my location. Though often doubtful, I follow them dutifully. Lo and behold, she’s smarter than me and she exhorts: “You have arrived!” And, I’m ready to start my business day.
I calculate that I use and check this device 100 times a day. At my UCLA class that night where I teach in the Business School, my students revealed that they check or use their device more than 750 times a day. Oh my God, my fingers hurt! And, I thought I was addicted!
