It's called best practices and it means the best way of doing something. It's what successful businesses know and do making them more efficient and effective in delivering value. Those businesses that do things less efficiently and effectively deliver less value, are less competitive and eventually go out of business. They don't get to play the game.
Best practices is sometimes also known as infrastructure and it simply is all the support systems and processes needed to carry out the company mission and business plan. These can include communications, technology, software, accounting, human resources, sales and marketing, strategy, etc.
Businesses that do their homework well and join together their business model with good infrastructure and best practices create the potential to grow. It's as if getting the business model and the infrastructure right is a ticket to play in the big game. Whether you agree or not, those are the facts.
But also note that nothing is guaranteed. Nor implied. Simply being in a position to grow does not mean growth and success. But at least at this point one gets a ticket to play the game.
Conversely,if a business does not get the model and infrastructure right it cannot grow and generate significant […]

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IF you've been around a PDA for more than a few seconds, you understand that this device is a great invention. It has very little disadvantages. But one distinct disadvantage is the fact that it's almost impossible to write more than a few words on the PDA's keyboard. It's too small and completely un comfortable. That why the PDA keyboards were introduced to the market. It's a simple solution. You get yourself a portable, wireless keyboard, sync it with your Palm iPAQ, or whatever PDA you're using and that's it. You now can type all day long like you do on your PC and get all that fed right into your PDA for later use. And the keyboards are not expansive - less than $50 will get you a great wireless keyboard that will serve you well.

There are quite a few keyboard models on the market, and it's best to do a little research before buying. You'll be wise to check a few parameters before you buy yourself a PDA keyboard, to make sure you're choosing the right product.

1. Is it wireless? Most keyboards on today's market are wireless. Sure you can get one with a wire but it makes no sense. Why limit yourself? You'll want to use the keyboard in all kinds of situations, maybe with the PDA tucked down inside your handbag? Go for wireless - the price gap in insignificant.

2. Is it comfortable? Not all keyboards are nice and comfortable, and not all of them are agronomic. If possible, try to use a few keyboards before buying. Choose the one that is the most comfortable for you, even if costs a little more. You'll thank yourself later.

3. Does it allow you to type as fast as you like to? If you chose a keyboard that is comfortable for you, typing fast will be easy.

4. What kind of power source does it need? Most keyboards need a few standard batteries to operate. Make sure your chosen keyboard doesn't need anything exotic.

5. Installation - make sure the installation process is easy. Make sure your version of the PDA and it's Operating System support this keyboard. This sounds trivial but you'll be amazed how many times people over look this.

Getting a portable keyboard will make your life a lot easier that having to get along with out one. In fact, many users claim that buying a $45 keyboard to add to their PDA saved then investing $1200 in buying a new notebook computer. So consider getting that keyboard - you'll never understand how you managed without it.

Why all the hype over the Blackberry? You know, that personal organiser so beloved of city executives.

As far as I can tell the Blackberry does one thing well - deliver your emails to you while your are on the move.

Forgive me if I am underwhelmed.

For less money you could buy DiaryPoint on a top range mobile telephone and get email, multiple diary coordination, work on your MS Office documents, watch video, take photographs?

Let me be honest.

I've never used a Blackberry. Most of my knowledge about the Blackberry's features come from web sites trying to sell Blackberrys. My insights into Blackberry thumb (a condition brought about by typing with your thumbs) come from an accountant friend of mine.

My friend thinks his Blackberry is brilliant.

But I just don't get it.

I just can't get excited over the ability to receive email on the move.

DiaryPoint operates on the latest generation of mobile telephones - Pocket PC with inbuilt smart phones. Like the Blackberry, DiaryPoint allows you to collect your email on the more. But unlike the Blackberry, you can coordinate multiple diaries, download your MS Office attachments, work on your spreadsheets, manage your contacts?

In fact, using the DiaryPoint you can do just about anything you can do in the office.

And thanks to the wonders of GPRS (and 3G as it becomes more widely available) you can already use DiaryPoint across more than 98% of the UK. GPRS coverage is not perfect - and 3G networks have some way to go before coverage is anything other than patchy - but DiaryPoint adds Wireless LAN network to the mix of connectivity technologies, including Quadband GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth and infrared. Just compare that to the limited connectivity options offered by the Blackberry.

DiaryPoint provides a sophisticated contact management system providing instant access to all your contact information. Never again will you have to call the office for the name of that supplier that is on your desktop PC. All contacts are always available and always updated.

Make your calls with one touch telephone dialling. Search for your contact by name. Click on the name. The number is dialled. Want to send an email - click the email icon and the email client opens ready for use. Adding attachments is just a couple more clicks. It is as easy as it gets.

How Does it Work?

DiaryPoint resides on your mobile phone. The central diary resides on our central server (no need for MS Exchange or Lotus Domino licences). Using your smart phone you will instantly be able to make appointments, add contacts and manage your time more effectively than ever before.

You will also be able to access the diaries of any of your colleagues, subject to security privileges, that also have DiaryPoint. Scheduling appointments across multiple diaries has never been so simple.

Obviously, you can also access your diary from any PC through a standard web browser. To work off-line (useful when you want to organise your contacts or schedule appointments in bulk) there's a one-click install that installs DiaryPoint on your PC.

So now you can understand why I just don't get the Blackberry.

Another triumph for marketing hype over true innovation? Until now.

Anyone for Blackberry Crush?

Keith Longmire is a self-confessed technophile and Director of DiaryPoint. His guiding philosophy is, "if it doesnt't deliver cost-effective business benefit it is useless". You can learn more about DiaryPoint by visiting the DiaryPoint web site.