Skip to Main Content

Technology – why it’s a lifestyle thing

Posted by Louise Palmer on 10th February 2010

“No, I really, honestly don’t want an iPhone!” I stressed to colleagues recently. To which they all looked at me as though I’d lost my mind and launched into a tirade about all the amazing apps I’m missing out on.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like technology and I’m pretty savvy about what it can do. It’s just that I won’t use or buy it for the sake of it. For me, technology needs to serve a practical purpose – and when it does, I’m hooked.

For instance, I shop online. For everything. I simply can’t face the battle for a parking space, navigating the hoards on the high street or dealing with the self service scanners at the supermarket.

And I don’t think I’ve watched live TV for years. Instead, my trusty digibox gets busy recording lots of lovely programmes while I’m at work so I can watch whatever I want when I get home  (ok, admittedly, there’s a lot of Come Dine With Me at the moment).

VPN and remote PC access means I can work from home a few afternoons a week so I can walk the dog before it gets dark (and it was a life saver when it snowed); Skype is perfect for keeping in touch with friends who live abroad, and Facebook seems to be the only way to get hold of my brother these days.

So it’s not that I’m resisting new technologies – it’s just that I can’t think of any way that the iPhone could make my life easier – or better – than using the laptop, digital camera and other devices that I already have. Cue much gasping from the team and exclamations over what I’m missing.

Checking emails on the go! (hmm,  I drive to and from work).  Catching up with the latest news online! (sigh, what happened to buying a newspaper?)  Having the tube map at your fingertips! (they are obviously not aware of my prowess at playing Mornington Crescent).

The list went on, but I am yet to discover that ‘killer app’ which means that I simply can’t do without an iPhone (or a Palm Pre, Blackberry or iPad). When I do, I can assure you I’ll go out and buy one. But until then, I’ll be spreading the Sunday papers out across the kitchen table, relying on my trusty (paper) diary and curling up on the sofa with a good book.

picture credit

Louise Palmer

Deftly switching between business and consumer accounts, the focus for Louise remains the same; how can Wildfire tell clients’ stories in a way that is faithful, relevant and engaging? Her wide technology PR experience makes Louise an agile Managing Director, combining the strategic management of PR programmes with a hands-on approach to get under the skin of clients and motivate her teams.