A mobile device influencer ecosystem

Just bought my new Blackberry last week.

Blackberry Curve

The influencers on my decision include (in no particular order):

Scott (Influencer50 sales director and Nokia fan);

Nick (Apple fan);

my brother-in law (gadget freak);

various salespeople in Vodafone, Carphone Warehouse and O2;

Stephen Fry;

GSMArena;

my previous experience with two previous Blackberries;

Google (provider of two essential applications: search and maps); The Geek Squad (BlackBerry technical support); random people using Blackberries and other devices on the train; ease of migration from my current phone; Carphone Warehouse sending me a text with a heads-up on the fact that my current contract was expiring; my son’s desire to have a cool dad with the latest phone; and probably others I’ve forgotten.

Not all influencers point in the same direction, and some are plainly opposed. Hence, not all influencers were successful in persuading me to their opinion. Such is the way of influence.

Interestingly, not on the list are Apple and Nokia, who didn’t get my business, and Blackberry, who did. Indeed, I’m not sure RIM even know who I am or that I’ve been a customer for four years.

I don’t mind RIM not knowing me. But I think they should know what and who influenced me.

Other notable non-influencers are price (they all cost roughly the same), and features (they all do roughly the same things that I deem necessary).