Phone Sensitivity Training (PST)

Do you own a cell flip-phone and like hearing a "smacking" sound when closing it shut?? If so, you are heading toward various technical problems that can be avoided. Read on...

The following will happen when closing the top too hard or opening it too quickly:

1. Audio (Mike and Headset) distortion because sensitive audio equipment gets jarred
2. Shadowing effect of keyboard image on screen because of micro-abrasions on contact over time.
3. Mechanism that knows phone is closed will think phone is closed when open -- ergo a blank screen when flip is opened
4. Hinge problems where, for some reason, the left hinge becomes loose and the wire connecting main body to screen becomes taut and then breaks. Samsung did a good job with adding a protective rubber bumper to cushion the opening blow.
5. Opening the top too quickly creates a slight hyperextension and future hinge loosening.

Issues to address with Ego and Emotion:

1. Don't slap your phone closed when done -- nobody is really impressed you have a cellphone.
2. Don't take out negative emotion on equipment -- it will bite you back when you need it.
3. Leave the cool opening flip motion to characters on Star Trek.

Proper Technique for opening and closing a cellphone:

1. When opening the top, use thumb and forefinger to rotate to open while maintaining light pressure with forefinger on top edge and therefore controlling the stop to full extension. Don't allow the flip to fully extend on its own force -- this creates a slight hyperextension over time. You will probably notice that the forefinger naturally slides to the other side of the screen while extending.

2. When closing the top, place a thumb on the side while closing the top with your other hand -- allow the thumb to be a cushion. Over time, you will know how much cushion you need - you may hear a slight tapping sound, but it's nothing compared to a "smacking" sound.

If you choose to not follow these instructions, well...:

1. Understand that the Limited 1 year warranty, that all wireless providers offer, doesn't cover customer damage.
2. You may not be paying monthly for insurance to cover damage.
3. You will have to extend your contract to get a lower price on a phone.
4. You'll break the darn thing and won't be able to use it until you get to a store.
5. Good luck on finding a store that actually has a functioning loaner program...

Other things to consider to create longer life with cellphones:

Instead of pulling out the power cord or earbud cord, use a tweezing technique. This creates minimum pressure to remove the cord while preserving the shape of housing and cord socket.

1. Take thumb and forefinger and place around head of cord with slight finger pressure against side of phone.
2. While keeping hand steady, bring thumb and forefinger simultaneously towards hand.

Note: This is REALLY important for users with the USB type of jack - especially on BlackBerry devices. If you don't follow these instructions you will typically side load the jack by pulling cord out on an angle and will loosen the jack. You are basically then hosed because you can't power or backup your device.

How do I know this stuff and where does my interest come from, you may ask...
-5 years as a Retail Store Manager for T-Mobile - I've heard and seen everything...
-Six Sigma Green Belt Training (Polar Air Cargo -- General Electric's Cargo Airline)
-Several Semesters at Cal State Dominguez Hills -- Masters in Quality Assurance
-Ongoing interest in Process and Continuous Improvement in the workplace
-PST was originally Printer Sensitivity Training - this will be my next posting.
-PST then developed into: People, Systems and Technology -- stay tuned to future posting