Can Washington Survive Without Blackberry?

By Thea Neuman (Google)

The current state of RIM’s business scenario seems bleak and another dark cloud on horizon which has appeared recently, may add fuel to the flame.

According to the recent reports, the Blackberry charm is fading away among some prominent US political personalities, including none other than Barack Obama and many more. In fact the Blackberry charm is gradually fading away throughout the whole Washington DC.

The latest trend among Washington DC mobile phones users is to swap their Blackberry phones with either Android smartphones or Apple iPhone.

Washington DC people are not denying the fact that when it comes to business phones, Blackberry tops the preference list, but otherwise Android smartphones and iPhones provide more user-friendly options. Plus they have many attractive apps that can be downloaded for free.

No matter how hard it is, Heins is trying to convince everyone about RIM, assuring that they will be back on their position after BB 10 smartphones are launched. But as for now, RIM’s overall situation doesn’t seem good.

RIM went through few unpleasant things recently including major stock slumps, severe criticism for laying off about 5,000 employees, poor fiscal quarter financial performance, decision of delaying the launch of Blackberry 10 models, etc. It seems that these things were not enough and then fat hit the fire when reports about US customers switching over to other phones (or considering doing that), started flashing.

Heins did confess that RIM is having a tough time regarding gaining a strong foothold in the US but that doesn’t mean that this Canadian tech-giant is on the verge of losing itself.

Blackberry’s security aspect is what makes this smartphone the top choice not only in the US government but also among private business houses.

It is pointless to say that the security aspect is undoubtedly RIM’s biggest strength. If statistical figures are taken into consideration, approximately 85% congress members and roughly 45% lobbyists use Blackberry, but does that mean Blackberry should rest on its laurels? According to a new survey finding, General Services Administration of US and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) have made up their mind regarding dispensing Blackberry substitutes like iPhones or Android Smartphones, among their employees and the process has already begun. This can be a big blow for RIM.

One after another, US political figures and business personalities are coming with statements that they are considering to switch over from Blackberry to its substitutes (Android and Apple iPhone). This new concern regarding Blackberry certainly spells trouble for RIM, and further puts another major stumbling block in front of Heins and his entire team who are left high and dry.

Though Heins is neither papering over the cracks nor indulged on passing the buck, but none can deny the fact that it is indeed a high time for Heins to put on a brave face and to speed up the process of strategic turnaround, assuring that entire turnaround process is supported by an effective PR strategy. An effective PR strategy will ensure that RIM doesn’t lose its existing customers and earns the needed support from users.