Apple iPhone: Motorola, Cingular, Whatever

Businesses have to market really hard to get my attention when it comes to new technology. Odd. I have a master's degree in communication management from USC. I consider myself a "marketer," too.

So why did it take me ignoring post after post on the iPhone before I visited Apple's iPhone Web site?

And, finally, what took me to the site?

Ah-ha! The answer to this one question will answer both.

Answer: I really don't need the iPhone at this point. I spend more time trying to focus on my sales during the day and my content for this blog. Am I focused? How can I improve it graphically? What do I need to drive more traffic to this site?

Do my dogs need water in their dish? And then I yell to my wife and tell the kids to be quiet!

So you see, I don't see the iPhone as relevant for my life - at this point. I have other concerns and I'm not an "early adopter" of new technology. I'm thrilled I've taught myself how to create basic html hyperlinks on the web. My current cell phone is working - sorta, kinda - and I'm not going to camp out like the people in New York waiting for the iphone in order to spend my hard-earned dollars with Apple.

At least not right now.

So this is also a lesson for businesses of all sizes.

Marketing takes work. Building a business is not a short-term proposition.

A few notes from people I've interviewed during the past few weeks.

Real estate agent Juanita Cobb of Keller Williams spends hours a day calling people who are in foreclosure to see if she can help them sell before they have to auction off;

Brian and Kristina of Actor Track have been building a business for six years and they still haven't covered much of their niche market of actors and performers.

And Apple is rolling out a product to good and not-so-good reviews (critics get so jealous, don't they).

And my blog is only a few weeks old since I've tweaked its focus. I'd rest on my laurels, but I don't have any at this stage!

Improve, evaluate, create, improve, evaluate, create . . . it's a cycle that requires a lifetime of dedication for multinational corporations and the home-based business.