How To Optimize Your Blackberry For Business

So, you decided a Blackberry was better for your business.  You are not alone. Millions of similar business people made the same choice for some type of device being the Blackberry, or perhaps an iPhone.  These mini-computers are so powerful, they allow us to communicate on the go with family and friends, report newsworthy events and run a business from the road. So, how can you optimize your BlackBerry smartphone for business?

You’d be remiss to wonder how the world ever functioned without them. But, despite the popularity of the BlackBerry smartphone many owners are not using their RIM workstation to the best of its abilities. This article will help you make the most from your BlackBerry so that you can leave home with peace of mind, knowing that your business will keep running like clockwork.

Boost Your Reception on the Road

While major metropolitan areas will usually allow you to connect to the Interwebs without any glitch, the troubles start when you venture outside these zones. Many business owners experience frustrating drops of reception while they drive across the country. This can quickly become a nuisance when you are in the middle of an important call or meeting on your BlackBerry phone.

Your best bet to avoid this problem is to carry a mobile reception booster. These portable boosters are small devices that act as boosters (just what the name entails) to help you get more bars on your device. You can enjoy increased reception thanks to a better signal. Wilson sells a decent booster for a little over $200.

Tether Your Netbook

If the idea of running a business on the road from your BlackBerry sounds like too much hard work you can always consider tethering the smartphone. Tethering is the act of using your phone as a modem.

By using your BlackBerry as a wireless modem you can connect your laptop or netbook to the Internet anywhere you have 3G or 4G phone connection. This gives you an increased ability to manage a business while keeping the running costs down. You no longer need to spend money for online credits at hotels, for aircards, USB modem sticks or data plans. You can learn more about tethering a BlackBerry here. Even easier than following the technical “hack” instructions is to use a simple application that does all the work for you. With Tether you can get connected to the Internet in an instant, without having to pay for a connection. This smartphone app is a must-have for every business owner looking to make the most of their business while on the road. You can trial Tether for free, but need to part with $29.99 if you want it for keeps. This is a no-brainer.

Extend Your Remote Reach With Extra Battery Juice

If you’re using your BlackBerry as a wireless modem, the battery life of your smartphone is not something you have to worry about. But if you run the device on its own you do need to take precaution if you want to avoid losing power while in the middle of an important task. Your best weapon against a sudden loss of power in the middle of work is to carry an extra plug-in charger, a portable solar charger, a spare battery or another portable solution based on your needs.

Remote workers hate nothing more than the dreaded sudden-death syndrome of a noteboook or smartphone – especially when they are in the middle of a project. If you are used to utilizing your BlackBerry for working on the fly you might want to consider using extra battery juice to avoid getting into a powerless pickle.
Let’s face it, remote tasking is fun, it’s time saving and it gets things done during times and in situations when we would otherwise waste time. If you find yourself in one of the following situations you can benefit from remote tasking:

• Waiting for your boarding call on your next business trip;
• traveling by train to and from work every day;
• commuting with fellow workers in a carpooling arrangement (except when you’re driving);
• finding yourself stuck in the lunch queue at your local coffee shop;
• getting stuck in rush hour without a chance to escape the long queues.

Basic chargers can be charged at home to give your BlackBerry extended battery life while on the go. Many of them retail between $20-$100 and above. At some stage though they will run out of juice as well, in which case they would have to be recharged via a power outlet (or with batteries).

As a true alternative and portable option you could buy a portable solar pack (Solio, Energizer SP 1000 and ReVIVE offer some handy solutions). Portable chargers use the power of the sun to charge which is free and provided the weather is reasonable you will always have access to extra power (even indoors with artificial light sources).

If you travel by car you can utilize one of the many car chargers available for smartphone owners. These are usually quite affordable and can be used in any car.

Protection

If you run a new business, odds are you’re not sitting behind a desk every minute of every day. Cases are usually overlooked by business types, but cracking your screen or snapping your battery can ruin your day if you’re out in the field. BlackBerry’s site has an impressive range of cases that will make your phone look cool, but they may not be able to protect your phone from serious damage. BlackBerry’s leather designs offer the best protection, partly because they totally cover your phone. For fans looking to actually use their phone, check out OtterBox’s Defender Case or Commuter series. Tougher and more durable than the standard mobile skins, they help protect more of your phone while letting you actually use it.

Bluetooth Headset

Everyone has seen those people with Bluetooth headsets seemingly talking to themselves. While they are sometimes ridiculed, handsfree headsets can be a huge boon when you’re in the middle of work or need to scribble down notes in the middle of a call. A Bluetooth headset also makes it possible to conduct calls safely while driving. There are a ton of cheap options out there that can get the job done — and admirably so.

For a top of the line option, though, check out Plantronics’ Savor M1100 Bluetooth headset. For $99.99 it is definitely one of the most expensive headsets you can buy — the call quality, simple design and integration with advanced cloud technology make it the Ferrari of business headsets.

Transform Your BlackBerry Into a Killer Multi-Tasting Gadget With Apps

You could be forgiven to go gooey eyed about the sheer availability of apps on the market. Apps like Skype, WordPress, Messenger, Google Sync, Evernote, and Google Mobile Apps are a must-have in your business app arsenal to help you stay organized.

Apps simplify business tasking and help us save time while keeping us organized. With:

• Skype you can hold meetings on the go
• WordPress you can blog while traveling
• Messenger you can chat with your business partners and clients
• Google Synch you can sync all your devices on the fly and always have an up-to-date version handy
• Evernote you can capture any moment on the fly; use pictures, notes and even videos, then access your saved notes and organize them from any computer in the world
• Google Mobile Apps let you access your Gmail, Google Maps and Google Voice on the fly while keeping it all centralized in the one “hub”

Any self-respecting smartphone owner should utilize apps to simplify business tasking while traveling. You can also visit the BlackBerry App Store for an up-to-date list of the most popular and handy business apps.