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CEO Conversations – part 1: MobileDiner.com producer & Tin Can Communications CEO Chris Parandian

Who he is: a maestro of the wireless world, for starters
Chris Parandian has taught me a lot the last few years about wireless and related issues. He’s Tin Can Communications CEO & founder, plus producer of the Mobile Diner. And it was a pleasure talking with him last week for Solutions Are Power about successes with mobile media, broadband issues, and opportunities in digital education.

Listen while you work: 5 minute audio
Please share your thoughts on this audio cast with Chris which includes his insight to companies being stuck in analogue, passion for better industry policy, and getting close to customers.

Warning
Keep in mind the audio conversation brings new thoughts different to what follows below. So you’re invited to click the link above to stay in the loop!

Chris on helping the wireless industry connect with consumers
There are two facts of life in the wireless industry: (a) Consumers love their gadgets but (b) they don’t necessarily like their service provider.  As a former employee of two wireless companies, I recognized that in order for the industry to succeed and grow in a highly competitive tech industry, they must connect with their consumers.  Accordingly, mobilediner.com was launched.

The question of Internet access & implications for business
About 31 million American homes lack Internet access (of which many, 44%, do not see value in being online). What consumer, creative, and enterprise resources could emerge (or be lost) if this inaccessibility continues?

Chris speaks to this with a related experience where he helped a business owner in the St. Bernard community (New Orleans).

For someone like myself that’s been an advocate for a long time here in Washington it was an eye opener to learn her experience with computers & the Internet.

The back story
In March, I was attending the Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTEN) in New Orleans. As a part of that conference, a “day of service” was planned where NTEN attendees had opportunity to give back to the community that hosted them for the week. On this occasion, Cisco put together a group of folks to help install a wireless network at St. Bernard’s Community Center in the 9th ward. They also put together a team of people to help train some of the community members on how they could utilize digital tools and the Internet.

Learning the unexpected
So I helped that day teaching digital tools. And I partnered with a woman who had her own computer and was an entrepreneur. I asked her what kind of Internet applications she would like to learn.

She looked at me and stated she did not subscribe to the Internet because she wanted to learn how to use her computer first. It was a moment I will never forget.

Utilizing digital tools is like learning math or leaning how to read. Knowing how your computer functions and benefits you naturally leads to better understanding of the Internet. The Internet can do a lot of things to a lot of people and it’s not one size fits all. It can be very creative or a business opportunity – we need to make sure folks see utility of a computer and the Net is tied to that.

Granted, people can’t be pushed to use the Internet but the demand issue needs to be addressed and made accessible. We actually need to ensure that people not online have at least access to it so they can decide – for themselves – if online is where they want to be.

Bridge to access: mobile broadband as a solution
Why can’t we consider wireless as a viable alternative for nonusers to “touch” the Internet? Let wireless be a way to bridge the gap. Bridging the digital divide can find an ally in mobile broadband. And I thought a recent PC World report did a good job of showing how this could be a viable option.

Next up: part 2 of CEO Conversations with Chris Parandian
Be sure and visit Solutions Are Power later this week as Chris reveals a favorite mobile media campaign, tips for small business, and how he recognized an opportunity.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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