Microsoft Get it Half-Right

Listening to Paul Rellis MD of Microsoft Ireland speaking at the Ireland US Council lunch on Wednesday in Dublin it struck me that he (and through him Microsoft I assume) only get the message half-right when they talk about fuelling the economy.

Paul said that IQ is what's required to get things back on track economically and that we need is to be training engineers and scientists from pre-school. Fair enough, but technology and IQ alone is not going to get us out of the economic mess in which we currently wallow.

The economic woes which beset us at this time are fuelled by a lack of trust - in people and in the pillars of the market place. That is not fixed by IQ but by EQ - or more specifically what I term 'We-Q'. Rapport, trust, quality relationships, faith in others - these are the corner stones of improved confidence, joint ventures, collaborative business and sales models - this is what cuts to the heart of what can drive the economy again. Trust, rapport and good faith, clarity of thought, passionate focus.

I know a lot of engineers and technical types with great IQ and little EQ - they got the solutions but they couldn't communicate them to a duck - let alone get the duck to buy-into their ideas. How many companies have low morale, porr confidence, detached and fearful workers, cautious and confused clients, poorly trained consultants and sales personnel? Look at the mess that causes.

Knowledge is power and IQ serves - but Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge and for that we must be able to communicate and engender powerful professional relationships within and without our organisations - We-Q not just IQ is required. Microsoft - you only got it half-right guys.

By the way on my wireless track again - great hotel in London - the Doyle Marylebone - free access, nor room service tray charges, great staff, lovely surroundings and good food. Book here if you're travelling. I'm also staying with them in Bristol by chance next week as well - let's see if the standards maintain themselves.

Wireless...AGAIN!

I've had the pleasure recently of visiting the United Arab Emirates and am currently still here. For the first part of my trip I stayed at the Atlantis Plam resort in Dubai - about $650 a night (courtesy of a client company I might add..) and guess what? Yep - I HAD TO PAY FOR WIRELESS ACCESS!

Then I moved to Abu Dhabi the capital - a beautiful place and beautiful people, I would be very happy living here and stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. Another lovely hotel (not cheap either)...and guess what? I HAD TO PAY FOR WIRELESS ACCESS!!

I have just moved all my training and coaching work (back home) to a hotel - because they provide free wireless access.

When are quality (and not so quality hotels) going to get the message? Customer service in the Information Age means FREE access to the web wherever and whenever. Marketing teams in hospitality please note. I for one - where I get to choose - will always vote with my feet to where I can continue to conduct business without the inconvenience or the insult of being charged to connect with my world and on my terms.

Free Wireless 2

Then there are times when you have to stay in hotels with pay-for-access wireless - and it doesn't work or you can't send emails or .....!

Come th day and come the hour when the mobile phone will finally have morphed into it's true vocation and when faced with further frustration on a given day I can turly say 'Beam me up Scotty!!'

Free Wireless!!

God I HATE hotels that charge for wireless access to the Internet? What century do these guys come from. Nothing is going to spoil my experience of a good hotel than having to pay for wireless internet access - on top of your hotel rates!

I actually now ask when I'm booking a hotel if they have free wireless access - and then decide whether I stay there or not. There are at least 3 hotel chains I refuse to stay at now for this simple fact. The funny thing is that one of them used to provide it for free - and then some idiot clearly suggested that they make patrons pay for it. Really - what does it cost them to provide oxygen to power the information world we live in? I know what it costs them in terms of my custom. Anybody else boycotting hotels because they don't provide free access to the Net - or is it just me?