A business manager that fits in the palm of your hand

I wear a variety of hats," remarks RJ Ledesma. "Real estate developer. Magazine editor. STAR columnist. TV host. And the nature of these jobs requires me to be constantly mobile."

With the advent of technologically advanced gadgets that merge the capabilities of a PDA and cell phone into one sleek device, everyone’s expectations – particularly multi-tasking businesspeople – have risen exponentially. Nokia’s latest addition to its roster of easy-to-use phones is the Nokia E61, a mobile unit that supports popular corporate e-mail solutions like the Blackberry.

The slick silver case, QWERTY keypad, wide screen and optimized business solutions spell convenience for any executive. "Without the messaging features of the Nokia E61, I would be terribly bogged by downtime if I didn’t have constant access to the Internet," explains RJ.

The 3G and WLAN-capable phone contains the latest mobile applications like mobile e-mail and advanced calling functions that make traveling a cinch.

Richie Santos, vice president for merchandising at family-owned company Cinderella, devotes much of his time scouring other countries for the latest trends for labels like Esprit and British India. "I like that I can e-mail using the Nokia E61. Because of my hectic business trips abroad, I need to be able to e-mail my foreign principals in Paris, New York, Germany, Hong Kong and other countries conveniently."

The same goes for Yvonne Dayrit-Romualdez, vice president of Miladay Jewels and president of its sister company Jewel Pawnshop. "The phone is global – it works anywhere like tri-band but better so I can bring it on my many trips abroad. When I attend jewelry fairs or when I am on R-and-R trips with my family, I’m never away from my e-mail. And I don’t have to worry about not having an Internet connection in those exotic places we normally go to for vacation, because as long as there’s a signal, I’m still connected!"

"With this phone, I can be on the way to a site inspection for our Tagaytay project," says RJ, "while concurrently approving layouts for the magazine, reviewing documents for approval, researching information online for my column and conversing with my managers via Yahoo Messenger. The Nokia E61 makes sure that there is no such thing as downtime, and in my lines of work, downtime costs money."

Nokia has targeted a business community known for its high standards and easy access to other equally priced high-tech gadgets. Parikshit Bhasin, country general manager of Nokia Philippines, knows that the brand’s highly esteemed, uncomplicated system and simple interface is what people keep coming back for. The company’s current task is to up the ante and provide business users with new underlying technologies that can manage corporate applications and data, info processing and high-security settings.

"We understand what mobility means for business," says Parikshit. "These devices embody our extensive knowledge of user-focused functional design, security and cutting-edge wireless technologies. Our goal is to make it easy for our customers to choose Nokia devices for all their business mobility needs."

Shoe designer Lila Almario, a descendant of Julio and Francisca Gregorio, the founders of Gregg shoes known for school wear, looks to the office applications of the Nokia E61 for her needs. "The available Windows applications which I normally use at the office, like Excel and Word, are essential to me now. PowerPoint is also a great feature since I plan to use the E61 on marketing trips abroad."

It’s even allowed her access to information she normally wouldn’t have time to surf for. "To be able to browse!" she adds. "I just learned that some of our shoes are on eBay!"

Gil Coscolluela, associate partner at the family architectural firm WCV Associates, takes the time to pause at hotspots to correspond with partners and suppliers for his high-profile projects, some of which have included Robinsons Mall and Joya Tower & Lofts. "Oftentimes, I research on the Net for certain construction materials. It definitely packs a lot of features, more than what I expected."

Connectivity is key and the e-mail standard for mobile phones has effectively risen with the Nokia E61, which provides seamless and encrypted mobile connectivity. Documents, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations can be attached to e-mail messages.

"When I have new products," says Yvonne, "my design team can e-mail it to me and I can show my clients the jewelry on the E61 or send it out to all my friends and clients by forwarding the MMS or e-mail from my phone."

Based on the response from Manila’s top business personalities, the Nokia E61 is the clear winner for mobile phone junkies, especially those who’ve grown fond of the incredibly easy Nokia system.

"Let me tell you: I’m a Nokia junkie," states RJ. "I’ve been loyal to Nokia since the 6150." These days, he’s managed to combine his daily planner – via MS Outlook – with his phone so setting, and making, appointments has never been easier. "My whole life has been downloaded into my Nokia E61."

But perhaps for most businesspeople who spend numerous hours each month waiting out the tedious hours in an airport, there’s more to a phone than high-tech business solutions. "When I’m in the airport waiting for my flight, I like playing the golf games in the E61," Richie says excitedly. "It’s fun! It’s almost like playing a real golf game!" And for most businesspeople, that’s as good as gold.