As for me, I have both. I maintain a paper-based day planner and organizer as well as being a MS-Outlook user. I am comfortable with either one and appreciate each for their unique qualities in planning and organizing my personal and business lifestyle.
When the latest catalogue from Day-Timer crossed my desk, I was struck by the notion they were about to celebrate their 60th year in business. In this day of automation, software, and technology, how does a company compete in the marketplace with a more traditional line of paper-based solutions?
Although there were some new items that were not related to or part of the day planner and organizer business, for the most part, it still was the bulk of the catalogue. It wasn’t until I looked closer that I began to catch-on to the idea that Day-Timer’s competitive advantage may be in the personalization of the planner and organizer.
In talking to Maria Woytek, of Day-Timer, I enjoyed the enthusiasm she had for their business. To my challenge from automation as the ‘800-pound Gorilla’, she replied, “We’ve found that paper planners are still alive and well in the hearts and minds of today’s consumer.” She told me that a recent study conducted by Day-Timers showed that the majority of Americans surveyed actually prefer paper over technology for nearly all their planning functions.
I think that would hold true for the broad market, but in the business environment it probably declines and may flatten out to favor one over the other in certain segments. However, to Maria’s point, Day-Timer has responded to niche markets with specialty solutions for the American Diabetes Assoc.® (organize diabetes management), Prevention® (healthy lifestyle), and Real Estate Professionals (good example of being designed by those who use it).
I am still getting magazines in the mail and The Wall Street Journal delivered by the morning carrier. There is something wonderful about starting the day with coffee and the newspaper. In my paper-based organizer world, I like the idea that I can ‘scribble’ notes, draw lines through a group of hours, and use my priority A, B, C in the margins (and checkmarks for complete). I run hot and cold on getting a PDA. Don’t take me wrong; I have no plans of giving up MS-Outlook (it’s much more than a calendar and email for me).
What do you think? How do you stay organized and plan your personal and business lifestyle? More so, if you were Day-Timer, how would you compete in our “always-on”, heavy-on-technology, highly mobile lifestyle?
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