As I sit here typing this blog post using Microsoft Word through the OnLive Desktop Service on my iPad, I'm thinking there's something to this tablet movement. While not revolutionary, it's certainly an evolution beyond the laptop—and in more ways than I expected.

Before I get into the subject matter at hand, I want to apologize for the long delay between posts. I have a good excuse: My wife, Jill, and I had to move fromMichigantoMarylandand I had to change jobs. That process took me away from writing—but that transition is almost complete.

I started this post about four months ago, prior to the change. The focus at that time, and the place I begin, is in the unusual effect tablets have on sales and marketing. It seems that there's a certain je ne sais quoi about tablets. People respond to them, and they're a great conversation starter. I've been at meetings with agents and the starting point is almost always, "So, how do you like that iPad?" It's a great entrée to sales conversations. It also seems to imply some kind of technology savvy that may (or may not) be present—but perception is reality. Having said that, be sure to control the conversation, because you may walk away having only talked about the device!