Council Post: Eight Gadgets These Business Leaders Can’t Live Without

Every day, new devices pop onto the scene promising change and innovation. For an entrepreneur who’s focused on the expansion of their organization, staying up to date with the latest technology that can support personal and business growth is essential. Whether it’s in a simple or a major way, some of these technologies carry with them the power to change how we do business altogether.

Below, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council take a look at some of the tech gadgets they’ve acquired recently that they now consider essential to their life or business.

1. Virtual Reality Headsets

For business, my team has been using virtual reality headsets for team events and brainstorming sessions. Given that we live in a somewhat dystopian present where in-person interaction is toxic, finding unique and engaging ways to interact with team members is really important. I’ve been monitoring the developments in VR for many years and I think that, coming into this year, the technology, price point and social/health environment are ripe for much wider adoption. Over this winter I think we will see a significant amount of events moving into this medium. A quick exploration of Altspace will show you how robust this platform is really becoming. – Tony Scherba, Yeti

2. Bluetooth Headphones

Now that we’re doing virtual meetings and relying on our phones and computers to communicate more than ever, I’d say that the gadget I can’t do without is a good pair of headphones and earphones. They offer convenience since you can answer your calls hands-free and carry out other activities at the same time. You can also work on the go. This makes it important to invest in a solid pair of bluetooth headphones or earphones with functionalities like answering calls and connecting to multiple devices. – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

3. A Webcam

I can’t live without my handy webcam to perform Zoom meetings, keep in touch with colleagues and receive quicker answers. Although it wasn’t an immediate need for my business, I found that I felt more professional and ready for conference calls because I was technologically prepared. Having the right equipment makes all the difference in your confidence level and how you portray yourself through virtual meetings. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms

4. A Self-Charging Phone Case

Ever since I switched to a self-charging phone case, my life has never been the same. I no longer have to worry about my phone going dead in the middle of an important call or task. I always have the option to charge my phone no matter where I am or what I’m doing. It’s extremely useful for business owners to have charging options because, most of the time, we’re on the go. You can’t always plan what’s going to happen next, so having a fully charged phone on me at all times has been a huge, positive game-changer. – Jared Atchison, WPForms

5. Air Purifiers

As strange as this sounds, it’s air purifiers. With Covid and data about how it’s transmitted, airflow and purification are especially important. As our agency transitioned back to a hybrid office schedule, it was important that we had air purification devices placed in multiple key areas in our office. It also provides some level of visual confirmation that care has gone into the work environment and that employee safety is paramount. – Joel Mathew, Fortress Consulting

6. A Kindle

I use a Kindle to keep reading when I am not working. It allows me to stay updated on business literature related to marketing or self-improvement. With Kindles, the benefit is that you can carry multiple books at once. The drawback is that they only last for a few years, and Amazon compensates for this by allowing you to trade in older models for new ones. Even so, they are worth the investment. Before the pandemic, I was traveling frequently between the international offices. Buying physical books for long flights would be impractical, and using the library could risk overdue fines. Having a Kindle means if I check out a library book, it returns automatically when the due date is reached, removing one item from my to-do list. Even now, I can use a Kindle to read at my convenience. – Duran Inci, Optimum7

7. Smartwatches

I’ve been fond of smartwatches for seven years now, but switching to a health-and-sports-oriented one was integral to my well-being. My Garmin watch takes care of the daily activities I need from a smartwatch—receiving notifications and replying to them. That said, I manage to keep track of my calories, workouts and sleep patterns a lot better, sync my activities to Strava and keep myself motivated to take care of my health first and foremost. Diving deep into growing a business often leads to compromises in terms of health and sleep. Keeping yourself accountable is a long-term investment that grows your business as a byproduct of your energy. – Mario Peshev, DevriX

8. Home Workout Tech

These days it’s all about home workout technology. Companies like Mirror and Peloton have disrupted the fitness model, allowing you to maximize your time by doing a home workout to start the day rather than driving to and from the gym. As they say, to have balance in life you need to focus on your mind, body and spirit. Unfortunately, for many busy entrepreneurs, it’s easy to disregard your personal health in favor of more work or fun. Your body is so important, and if it’s neglected you’ll have less energy and mental clarity to be effective at your work anyway. Mirror and Peloton make it harder for you to make excuses for skipping this very important part of your life. – Andy Karuza, LitPic