The Stress-Free Traveller

Non-profit Executive Runs National Organization with BlackBerry Device

Lynda Dorman is the Executive Director of the BET Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting healthy lifestyles for African Americans. For the past two years, she’s traveled extensively to fulfill her organizational mandate to spearhead partnerships and lead national campaigns. Dorman sees her BlackBerry® device as not just her lifeline, but standard issue for today’s corporate executive. As any one who travels knows, missed connections and roadside breakdowns can be stressful. Dorman uses her BlackBerry solution to manage these travel misfortunes while keeping her non-profit organization in the national spotlight.

BlackBerry Connection®: Why did you start using a BlackBerry device?

Lynda Dorman: It was just an assumption when I joined the BET Foundation that in order to effectively stay in touch with key people, I would need a BlackBerry device. I think we’re living in a time when it’s standard operating procedure for executives to have this kind of device available for easier responses and communication.

BC: How does it help you stay in touch at work or on the road?

LD: My BlackBerry device gives individuals, such as my assistant, the assurance that they can be in touch with me as they need to. The BET Foundation is connected with a media property, Black Entertainment Television, and that often means I have to be available for quick decisions. A team can be sitting in a programming meeting, on a deadline, and they can reach me by email for my thoughts. They need an immediate reaction, and I can give it to them using my BlackBerry device.

My sister and brother are also BlackBerry-carrying executives. It’s nice to be able to email each other any time our crazy schedules allow. We’re just all so used to it!

BC: Do any specific features of the BlackBerry device stand out for you as useful?

LD: I like the ability to view PDF and JPEG attachments. My approval is often needed on various visuals for promotional materials; they can all be sent to me and I can view and approve them. The color resolution on the devices is actually great! That means I don’t need to find a desktop computer to see the documents, so my BlackBerry device has allowed me to streamline my work and not hold up anyone.

Plus I’ve discovered a little diversion called BrickBreaker. It’s really only a game, but I’ve found it’s also a pretty good way to get used to the device. I like it when I’m at the airport stuck waiting; it helps me stay calm.

BC: Has your device ever saved the day for you?

LD: I once had to attend a very important meeting with one of our key corporate partners, but I was stranded overnight because of flight issues. Using my BlackBerry device, I was able to email my colleague at the location at 4:00 am. She heard her BlackBerry device go off, and replied that she’d email everyone to let them know the schedule had been changed. In the mean time, I used my device to find a local hotel. We were able to move the communication process at exponential speed because she could link up my email and forward on my dilemma to everyone, as it was happening.

BC: Does your BlackBerry device also help you find downtime within a demanding schedule?

LD: There are two reasons why I could take a vacation to Australia recently: my staff at home handled the workload and my BlackBerry device allowed me to stay in touch with them. I remember sitting looking at a kangaroo and getting an apologetic email from them about disturbing me. Within a few seconds, I’d answered their question, the problem was solved and I could relax again. There were also times when I would let everyone know that I was shutting off my BlackBerry device and they could plan around that. Being on vacation with my BlackBerry device allowed me to go on vacation. It took away the worry.

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