Why do I use a fountain pen while presenting on an iPad?

I was presenting at a prospect last week and one of their managers in the audience was impressed with the performance of my iPad tablet displaying through their projector from my drop-box account sync'ed pdf presentations. He commented that it looked good and showed him what was being done with mobile technology.

He then watched as I took out my silver Viceroy fountain pen and opened a Rhodia high-clay content notepad and started taking notes.

"Why on earth are you using a fountain pen when you have an iPad?" he asked.

What an interesting question to get in a prospect meeting - how should I answer? Would my answer colour his judgement of me, and therefore Progress by association - you always have to think before answering anything - as I've said before, "Perception is nine tenths the truth."

I thought about the question and realised that the answer was simple for me - it's all about the experience. I find that in all products I have ever purchased, the user experience is the number 1 driver for myself. This is from the services I buy, the products I use, the restraunts I visit, the work I deliver and the things I expect in life. Quality is very important to me - but more the quality of the experience.

If you have ever used a finely crafted fountain pen on paper that was designed specifically for the ink that you placed in that pen then you know what I mean - if you have not, then I encourage you all to have a go - I enjoy my tablet computer because I like the tactile nature of the device and it's simplicity - you don't get much more simple than pen and paper. But if you are going to write something down, make sure it is for a reason, and then write in something and with something that attaches importance to what you write. The written word is a very powerful thing and one worth doing with care in my opinion. I explained this and the manager listened much more intently than I expected, it seems I passed some sort of test when I finished speaking.

Ten minutes later, he told me who the competition was - even down to the names of their pre-sales people!

Oh, and a victorian fountain pen makes a GREAT talking point in a meeting when you are developing relationships with a customer - there is nothing like handing the above pen to someone to "have a go" compared to anything else - its like giving a gift for a brief moment or two.