Can the Genius Bar help my business?

Last week, on my flight home from a business trip to Texas, a funny thing started to happen. My MacBook Pro started to falter. With the colorful ball spinning every time I tried to open a file, or type a sentence, I found myself beginning to panic.

Despite it's hot pink exterior, my laptop is a business tool I rely on heavily. Take this most recent trip during which I used my MacBook to correspond with clients and colleagues, access my computer at work, and work on client projects, as well as drive the presentation I was giving.

Back in the office the next day, I backed up my data (something I do religiously), then attempted to repair my laptop's disk drive. After searching for a system disk which, in the end, wasn't the right version for my computer, I decided to take my problem laptop to the experts – the Genius Bar at my local Apple store.

Making my appointment for that evening, I noticed something new – Apple wanted to know if the appointment was for business purposes. Checking in, I was asked the same thing and told it was so I would be "directed to the correct person for handling my issue."

20 minutes later I was back on the road, with my laptop safely in my bag and working great thanks to genius Mike G. of the Natick Apple store who had rebuilt my hard drive, and explained what to look for in case the problem was a sign of a failing hard drive.

As an Apple-based business, the Genius Bar has been a blessing. In the past, if something went wrong with our computers, the president of our agency (and chief technology officer), could spend hours or days troubleshooting anything from software issues to hardware problems. Now, we take our troubles to the Genius Bar.

For example, a couple of months ago, when we experienced a cascade of power supply failures (we lost 6 towers in one week, plus my old laptop had a graphic card failure), we brought all of the failing systems to the Genius Bar for parts replacements and consulting. The obvious benefit was less hours spent dealing with technology, and more hours spent helping clients and paying the bills.

Leaving the store yesterday, Mike took my card so he could confirm we were registered as members of their Business program, which would allow us to receive special benefits including discounts on purchases, and preferred treatment if we arrive at the Genius Bar without an appointment.

Whether for business or personal reasons, have you visited the Genius Bar?