Many think its the suit, the tie or the way your hair is styled that completes your business look. However, its more that that. It’s the small personal items and the technology that you carry that really completes your look.
In regards to the small personal things – that is an article in itself. For this article we are going to look at our top 5 technology items we consider completes your daily business look.
Contents
1. The computer
It’s kind of an obvious one really. The computer you carry with you and use really does say something about you. It can say your technology savvy and in with the modern trends; or it can say your cheap or out of date.
What we can’t all do is replace our laptops every year; get that latest model that has just come out. However, what we can do is pick the right computer for the job but also one that it going to look stylish for many years to come.
How to choose your computer?
What we really need to consider when choosing the computer is any limitations on software and operating system.
Do you have to run software that is limited to the Microsoft Windows environment or the Mac OS environment? If so, you choice is already cut by 50%. Which ever of these 2 environments you choose or need to work in – the computer you choose needs to be an ultra portable.
Nothing says style more than a stylish ultra portable laptop.
If you are going to be working in the Apple ethos then you have more of a limited choice. You can either go for the MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. There are others available – but these are the 2 best options, in my opinion, for your Apple Mac choice.
I love the way the new MacBook Air has come along – adding Retina displays. However, my choice would be the smaller of the MacBook Pro; currently 13”, though rumors are out talking of a potential 14” version taking over.
I regards to the computer. The smaller MacBook Pro offers great ultra portability while offering you all the power you will need.
If you are going to be working with Microsoft Windows then you have more of a choice for computers. Due to there being a more of a choice, it can seem quite daunting. There are many ultra portable laptops it there running Windows – but for me the choice is made simple.
Having tested a number of ultra portable Windows laptops – my choice goes to the Dell XPS 13” or 15” screen if you need a little more space.
The Dell XPS laptops are small and thin. The also have what they call an infinity display which means they have very little bevel around the screen.
One thing to note, for both of these machines – ensure you get 16GB of Ram and at least 256GB or more SSD.
Both the Dell XPS and MacBook are made of Aluminium which adds to that stylish and expensive look. Both offer more than enough power to get tasks done and both of them are ultra portable making them easy to carry.
Bonus points – The extras
There are a number of extras to add to your technology look – such as a mouse, dongles and so on. The most important, for both protect but also aesthetics is the case. Picking the right cover and case for you laptop is important for you business look.
2. You mobile phone
Since the iPhone was first released – smartphones have become more powerful, allowing you to domany things from the small device. They have also changed to allow more personal choice – as well as becoming something of a status symbol.
Apple’s iPhone currently still lead the way, however there are many top Android devices out there too. The choice of which phone OS you use can really depend on which other hardware you use.
For example, if you have chosen a MacBook Pro as your daily driver computer – then an iPhone will probably integrate better with your work flow. That doesn’t mean that you have to use an iPhone; an Android device would work well too.
It’s just that, Apple devices work better together.
To be open, I currently use a MacBook Pro 13″: but I don’t have an iPhone, I have a Samsung Android device. I have owned both – I just feel that Android is the best choice of device or my work flow.
However; this choice in an individual thing – so choose which best fits you needs.
When you have decided on the brand of phone – I would say to try and get the phone that was at the top of your budget. Generally speaking, as you pay more for a phone: the technology in them tends to improve.
Getting a mid – top range phone will save you wasted time. A slower phone can slow down your workflow and potentially could have fault and loose some data.
Better components tends to give you a more reliable phone – though not always; they do sometimes break no matter how much money you spend on one.
3. A smart watch
When smart watches came out, in my opinion, they were less functional and more of a status symbol. You could really do just limited functionality – which you could have looked at your phone for, and weren’t that useful.
However, they have been out for a number of years now and more and more dedicated apps have been, and are being, made specifically for a smart watch.
Now, I consided my nice watch a smart watch; that is until smart watches were released. I never initially found the use for them. I have to say that I have been won over. Notifications, stress levels and fitness at the twist and look of the wrist is excellent.
However, which one should you go for?
Which operating system
This question goes a bit deeper than you think. You maybe initially thinking of if its Apple iOS or Android.
That is certainly a consideration; but its more than that. The watches themselves have a OS. You have Google Wear OS, Tizen, watchOS or some other operationg system.
Often these OS relate to specific phone OS. So, for example the Apple Watch will only work with an iPhone.
However, some or many of the other smart watches will work with Android and the iPhone (though have limited functionallity with the iPhone).
So, if you currently have a iPhone you will really want to stay with the Apple environment and go for the Apple watch. However, if on Android you have a much more vast selection to choose from.
So which smartwatch to choose
So, as already said, if you have an iPhone the choice really is simple – go for the Apple Watch.
If you have an Android phone – you have much more research to do.
What I won’t do is tell you which watch to choose. That is more down to a personal choice of functionality and looks. I would suggest doing your homework to ensure you get all the functionality and look your require.
There are many many watches. I went for a Samsung Gear watch myself. I loved the simple design of the Samsung Active 2 – however, I did almost go for the Ticwatch Pro.
It really comes down to what you need and what you like, Certainly, any good brand smartwatch will look good as part of you look.
4. A mobile tablet
This is a bit of a more optional item than an essential – though for me it is certainly an essential part of my workflow.
Before I go into more details of what you could get – I personally have an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil because I found it the best when I was testing note taking. I use my tablet to take all my notes (using the Apple pencil) as well as a small protable laptop as I have a Logi bluetooth keyboard case.
The OS
As most of these smart devices, the operating system has to be considered. You really have 3 choices with you tablet – Apple iOS, Android and Windows.
From personal experience, I have tried all 3. I started with an Android tablet – I had the original Nexus 7. Great little device and was, at the time, one of the more powerful Android devices.
It was good for reading eBooks, whitepapers and using apps to type notes in. A small little device to carry around with you. I found it lacking when I wanted to write notes.
Around the time I found I wanted to write notes on tablets – I bought a Samsung Note 2. Although this was a phone, it was large for the time, they gave it a nickname of phablet. The one thing that really pulled me in was that it had a pen.
The electronic pen on that was quite good – and it gave me hope for the future devices – although it still was not the most responsive and accurate.
Next on my list was a Windows based tablet with its own digital pen. This was a HP, not Microsoft Surface, which had a m3 processor – was an alternative to the Surface.
I found the pen quite terrible on this device (I’ve since tried a Surface – which I also found less responsive with the pen). It was not as accurate and responsive as I would have liked. As a result I never used it for taking notes – or really anything on the device.
A year or so ago I decide to try the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. I heard some good things about the combo and I have to say I was hooked almost immediately.
The Apple Pencil is very responsive and there are a number of note taking apps.
As a result, all my note taking these days is done on the iPad using the Apple Pencil. It’s quite a talking piece and really impresses people who have never tried it.
I would say that this is probably my most used piece of technology – in both business and home. I even combined this with a Logitech case with bluetooth keyboard – and these days unless I really need to I don’t take a laptop with me when going on trips.
I find the iPad perfect for taking notes; when used with the Apple Pencil. The case turns this device into a very portable little computer – so perfect for travelling around.
5. Quality headset
Lastly, my number 5 pick is a headset.
Now, you may wander why I picked a headset for my 5th top pick item when it comes to completing your business look.
Quite simply, we all need to take calls while on the go. So, a good headset will serve you when you are trying to catch up on that latest business podcast, maybe an audio book or some relaxing or motivating music. It will also service you well when you have to quickly switch to that important incoming call.
You headset needs to be small, ear pods are my personal favorite, in size so as not to look out of place or ruin the look you are protraying. To accompany this – they need to be of a good quality sound and have good quality microphones in them.
There is nothing worse that having someting that looks the part but fails in giving. So, it needs to have good quality sound output but also have great quality mic’s.
I’ve tried a few headsets and ear pieces. Some have great quality sound, such as the Bose QC35 Mk2, but in my opinion they lack in microphone quality.
I hate to add yet another Apple product to this list, but I have personally found that the Apple Airpods to be the best all round performer. They have great sound, great microphones and have a long enough battery to last most calls you would have to take while listening to you Sportify playlist.
The top 5 items to complete your business look
There you have my suggested top 5 items you require to complete your business look.
Some of them are functional. Some provide entertainment. However, all of them need to show anyone that looks that you mean business when it comes to both work and play.