I just got my tablet back from Acer Support. I dropped it; they fixed it. And it only took two months.
I'll save that story for another post. I think, before I go into war stories, it will be helpful to explain the history of how I got here.
I work in a company with a very conservative outlook on IT. The idea that sales people need laptops in the field is still looked on with skepticism. I knew I had an uphill battle when I got the bug for a tablet and so I needed to prepare for a long campaign.
I started by throwing out the humorous trial balloon. "Hey, boss, let me show you my next computer". (Said with a big cheesey grin.) I have no recollection of the make or model I showed him.
"Ha! In your dreams!" then, "I tell you what, if you can convince the CIO it's a good idea then I won't have a problem with it."
The next time I see the CIO, "Hey, do you think tablet PCs will ever take off?"
"I don't see how they can produce any value." (Darn)
Say I, "Yeah, it does seem like a stretch. Do you think there will be an application for our workers in the field?"
"Maybe, but I'm skeptical." (Hmmm.)
As time passed, I kept mild pressure on primarily through light banter about how much I'd like to try one and how interesting it would be to explore how they might be used. When I was assigned as the project manager for my first large contract, I put on a full court press. My justification was as follows:
- The project was meeting intensive and thorough note taking was a necessity
- We would not be able to understand the opportunities for other disciplines if we didn't get a few people using them
- It will make me happy
OK, so the last one seems a little weak, but they had just given me a pretty significant role so a little good will seemed in order. It worked. With an agreement on my part to keep the CIO informed of my experience, I had the go ahead to buy. The campaign took about 6 months.
With my political capital spent I now had to select a machine. But why the Acer? I need to end now, so I'll have to save the selection process for another post.