Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Topics: Company
Free Resources
Services
Buying a PDA or Smartphone
How do I…?
Using a PDA to… COMPANY Who is The PDA Pro?
Rick Cooper is The PDA Pro, your PDA Coach for productivity anytime, anywhere. He teaches business professionals to manage their time effectively using a PDA. He offers PDA coaching programs that enable people to leverage their time to increase their productivity. Rick also offers sales coaching and training to help sales teams achieve their revenue and margin goals. Read Rick's Bio for more information.
How do I contact you?
Call me at 1-800-677-6708 or visit thepdapro.com. Where is The PDA Pro located?
Located in Sacramento, CA, Rick provides PDA coaching locally, as well as nationally. What expertise does The PDA Pro have?
With over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and technology, Rick offers business leaders keen insights in how to use mobile technology to enhance their sales and marketing efforts. Rick is author of the book, 101 Tips from The PDA Pro, which offers tips, hints and shortcuts on using a PDA to increase productivity. Based in Sacramento, California, he is a national speaker on business productivity and sales. How can you help me?
The PDA Coach can help you boost your productivity using a PDA, enabling you to meet your goals, or just learn how to use a PDA. What is your mission? I am driven by the desire to help people leverage their time and increase their productivity by using a PDA. See my Mission for further details. What associations do you belong to? I believe it's important to participate in professional and trade associations. You can view a list of the Associations I belong to. Who are your clients?
My clients range from individuals learning how to use a PDA and how it can really benefit them, to national corporations striving to increase their revenues, productivity and effectiveness. Can I find out about clients in a similar business to mine?
Yes. You can email me about your business and I can talk to you about similar companies I’ve worked with. When possible, I can put you in touch with similar clients. What other companies do you partner with?
You’ll find a list of associated companies here. (link to Partners page) Do you receive anything for endorsing products?
No. What is your privacy policy?
The PDA Pro never shares your personal information, such as email, address, credit card info, etc., with anyone.
FREE RESOURCES
Do you have a newsletter?
Yes. Tips from The PDA Pro! offers tips, hints and techniques to use your PDA more effectively. It also provides special offers and current news about The PDA Pro. Sign Up today and start receiving this monthly ezine. Where can I find articles about using a PDA?
You will find an extensive section of Articles on this website. Do you have a blog?I post regularly to The PDA Pro blog. You will find information on PDAs, smartphones, mobile technologies and a wide range of other topics. What is a blog? A weblog or blog is simply an online journal. The blogger posts short entries that a date and time stamp. Bloggers often reference content from other blogs creating a vast interconnected web of information. Don't believe everything you read in a blog as they often contain opinion and conjecture rather than simply facts. It is becoming harder to differentiate between a blog and a website because they have many similar characteristics. Blogs also contain a Blogroll which allows you to see which blogs the blogger is reading. Do I need a PDA Coach?
That depends on how much you want to use your PDA to improve your business, your life, your time management, etc. Take a look at the uses of a PDA to see what it can do for you. link to services page/or description of uses of a PDA. What services do you offer and how much do they cost?
All PDA Pro coaching services and products are priced differently. Productivity coaching starts at $50 for the first session. link to products page Coaching classes, teleclasses and seminars are offered at various prices. link to products page How much coaching does it take to learn how to use a PDA?
That really depends on a variety of factors, including your expectations, goals, time availability, and, most importantly, your level of commitment. How do I work with you?
After our initial consultation, we’ll plan subsequent coaching sessions at your convenience. Also, be sure to read "Get to Know My Style." How do I get the most out of my coaching sessions?
Primarily by putting in practice what you learn. Using the features of your PDA, and becoming familiar with it, will improve your performance and retention. As the saying goes, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Do you offer homework for your coaching sessions?
Absolutely. It’s important that you work on the concepts that you learn. What do you offer for free?
Please see the Free Resources section. Do you provide the coaching?
Yes. Find more information about our Coaching Programs. Are you available to speak at conferences and events?
Yes. Please see my schedule for availability and current engagements. What type of classes do you offer?
I offer classes on PDA productivity, sales, prospecting and contact management. What consulting do you offer for businesses?
The PDA Pro offers everything from on-site training in the local Sacramento area and one-on-one coaching to webinars and teleclasses. Rick Cooper is also available to travel to your location. I just have one question. Can you answer it for me?
Try our Ask The PDA Pro Coaching Session. Many questions are computer-oriented and should be directed to your computer support partner. Do you provide tech support?
No, but I work with a number of different technology support partners in the Sacramento area. If I have a problem with my PDA, do I need computer or PDA support?
Most problems are on the computer side, not the PDA side, and most technology support providers can help you. Where can I find presentation slides from events where you spoke?
You can find links to these from the speaking schedule page. What happens if I miss a scheduled session?
We’ll reschedule. I request 24 hours notice, but realize that this isn’t always possible. If rescheduling, canceling or not showing up become a problem, we’ll deal with it.
Link to Working with the PDA Pro page, or How to Get the Most from Your Coaching Sessions. What results can I expect from working with you?
When we develop our coaching plan together, we’ll include goals and expected results. Link to Working with the PDA Pro page, or How to Get the Most from Your Coaching Sessions. BUYING A PDA OR SMARTPHONE How do I select a PDA? It really depends on your needs. If you depend heavily on your mobile phone, a smartphone may not be the route to go. Smartphones generally don't have as good sound quality as a standard mobile phone. They are also more likely to have problems. When was the kast time your cell phone crashed? This is a lot more likly with a smartphone becuaese it operates more like a computer. But, technology continues to change rapidly. What is the best PDA to purchase? Again, it depends on your needs. See our section Find a PDA for further details. What steps should I take to upgrade to a new PDA? First, back up your data. Read the instructions. What are the top PDA operating systems? Palm, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. Ther are other operating systems, including Symbian which is used in smartphones. How many different companies make PDAs? Ther are many including palm One, HP, Dell and others. See PDA Manufacturers for more information. What’s the difference between a PDA and a smartphone? A PDA is a personal digital assistant. A smartphone is a mobile phone with PDA functions. Not all smartphones are PDAs. How much does a PDA cost? $99-$599 How long does a PDA last? Generally a PDA will last about two years. Some people have used their PDAs for 5 or more years. New technoology comes out frequently and usually that will allow you to increase your productvity. What accessories do I need? - Battery Charger
- Car Charger
- PC Cable
Can I purchase a PDA from you? The PDA Pro does not sell PDAs directly at this time. However, we have affiliate relationships with companies that do offer equipment. Visit the section Find a PDA for more details. Where should I purchase my PDA? You can purchase online or visit a retailer. Smartphones should generally be purchased directly from a telecom carrier. Will a PDA work with my computer? Check system requirements for compatibility. Some PDAs may have a challenge in compatibility with Apple computers. What trends are coming for PDAs? The trend is toward wireless access with the internet and between devices. This includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access. Wi-Max broadband internet access will greatly speed up internet access in the future. More audio and video content will be available. technology improvements will allow devices to be smaller, but this limits the viewing screen. Should I worry about Identity Theft for my PDA? Identity theft is a growing problem. Be very careful what information you store on your PDA. be especially careful of storing financial information and passwords. See the article Protect your Little Black Book for more information. You may also be interested in our teleclass Prevent PDA Identity Theft. What books would you recommend on PDAs? See our Recommended Reading list for moe information. What other websites do you recommend? Visit our Links section for a complete list of recommended websites. What websites can I access on my PDA? Visit our Links section for a complete list of PDA optimized websites. Back
HOW DO I…?
How do I get started with a PDA?
You can read about various PDAs and their benefits. If you already own a PDA, start playing around with it to familiarize yourself with the various features available. How do I retrieve email on my PDA?
There are different email applications for various PDAs, but in most cased email is downloaded directly through the phone line or Internet. The email can be left on the computer so it can be obtained through the computer.
How can I secure my PDA?
Be sure to set a password for the PDA. Install a password encrypted application to store financial data and passwords. This will limit the ability of a hacker to get access, but so system is perfect. How do I use Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a short range wireless technology useful to connect wireless devices. How do I connect my PDA to a Wi-Fi hotspot? You may need to purchase wireless access to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot unless you can find a free site. Starbucks uses T-Mobile for internet access. How do I print from a PDA? There is a software available to allow you to connect wirelessly to a compatible printer. How do I restore data to my PDA if the battery dies? Note that the Treo 650 uses flash memory and will retain your data if the battery dies. Most other PDAs will lose data if the battery dies. You will need to restore data from a backup copy if you lose data. How do I recover after my PDA crashes? You must restore the data. Follow the instructions in your manual. How do I eliminate duplicate records? In most cases, this is a manual process. Generally, it's easier to delete duplicate records from your computer contact management software and then sync with your PDA. The duplicate records will be removed from your PDA.
Using a PDA to…
How do you use a PDA for Contact Management? Calendar and contacts are the two key applications. How do I use a PDA at a business mixer? Just remember you're not a reporter. Use your PDA to capture tasks or schedule appointments. Create a memo to store other notes. How do I beam my business card to someone else with a PDA? The Palm PDA allows you to create a business card that can be beamed. You can beam other contact records also. The option is available from the menu. What is the best way to schedule an appointment? Review your schedule before making a call or meeting someone. that way, you will be familiar with your schedule and your availability. It's a good practice to set times for meetings in person. Avoid high traffic times as this can cause you to be late and waste time. How can I use my contact database for email marketing? Email marketing is governed by the CAN-SPAM ACT.
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