Mark McDonald

It has been a little less than two months since the iPad 2 came out, so now it is about time to begin hearing about people who just got an iPad.

My boss just got an iPad.

Those six words are increasingly being heard as the iPad and other tablets go mainstream.  As a card carrying member of the early majority of adopters you are already ahead of the version 2 newbies, but …

What does it mean when your boss gets an iPad.  Does it mean that it is no longer cool to have one?

I think it means a few things.

First the high points:

You now have something new to talk in place of family and the weather to open a conversation. From providing advice on apps, demonstrating features and discussion accessories, sharing the iPad creates a new topic for discussion

• “How’s it going with the iPad? “
• “Found any new apps? “
• “What is your high score on Angry Birds?”

You might also have to deal with your boss becoming a sudden iPad/Apple convert – read fanatic – as they experience the interface, ease of use, etc.  It is a significant difference from a windows interface.  The boss will realize the productivity burden you bear through using productivity tools and finally learn that you are using your iPad to deliver more, not goof off between meetings.

You may even get asked by your Boss to ‘teach me’ how to use it.  This is a little bit of a circular question as it is hard to teach someone to use something that is intended to be intuitive. Yes you feel about as authoritative telling people to ‘breath in, hold, and now breath out’ as they navigate the touch screen and apps, but it is important.  I had a similar experience when my mother asked me to ‘teach her the Internet’.

Now the low points

Your boss may get stuck in the iPad productivity trap.  Simply put it is when the sheer volume of choice in applications, the injection of media into mobility and the playful nature of the device consumes the majority of their attention and time.  Imagine your boss who goes into their office at 9 am only to come out in the late afternoon after downloading 60 apps, integrating email, testing each app only to find that its 5 pm.

You may have to handle accessory envy.  It is easy for early adopters who have already climbed the productivity curve to have better case, better keyboard, or cooler apps simply as a function of time and the availability of iPad 1 accessories.   Don’t call attention to yourself that you dress better than the boss, as it can have negative consequences.

The question of why you did not instantly upgrade your iPad 1 to an iPad 2.  The question is often delivered with an earnest tone as if you know something your boss does not and that’s the reason you have not upgraded.  After all, if an iPad 2 is good enough for them, why is it not good enough for you an early adopter?

You will have to deal with the changed expectations your boss will have for IT and or IT’s support plan for these personal devices.  My email does not work, why can’t I have business apps like this?  Why does it take you so long?  Why does my PC cost so much?  What do you mean I should give back my PC now that I have an iPad?

Those are some of the high/low points that I can think of, but what is your experience now that the bloom is off the rose.

With sales of 4.6 million iPads in the quarter, there are doubtless some good stories to share.

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Category: Management Technology     Tags: iPad, personal musing

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