Companies have been focused on enhancing products designed to simplify the lives of business owners, whether you’re managing a large team or simply sprucing up your personal workspace. Particularly for small business owners, there’s a tendency to cut corners on office supplies and services to conserve funds—yet what if those very purchases end up saving you money? Additionally, there are those delightful extras that could uplift your spirits on a gloomy workday.
Here’s a selection of products and services to consider for your next budget discussion that can revitalize both your workspace and operational processes.
If you or your team haven’t yet acquired an Apple Watch… it’s time.
This may seem like a simple suggestion, but there’s a valid reason Apple set a new record in the U.S. in 2022, announcing that 30% of iPhone users purchased Apple Watches—a remarkable achievement. For entrepreneurs and possibly their employees, this could be an essential accessory.
Kyle Duford, the president of The Brand Leader based in Greenville, South Carolina, concurs. “While I wish there was something more analog and perhaps a bit more unique and ‘artistic,’ I have to admit that my Apple Watch is indispensable. It tracks everything for me, from my nighttime sleep of eight hours, to calories burned, daily running, and heart rate,” he shares. “But perhaps even more crucially during my work hours, it manages my mental well-being, keeps me informed about important meetings and, most importantly, [silences] texts from my wife during those meetings.”
He describes the watch as his personal ecosystem, as it links to his phone, home, computer, and other devices. He wouldn’t consider any other option because “it’s like driving a BMW while using a Mercedes key… it just doesn’t work.”
Entrepreneurs may appreciate notifications regarding order statuses, urgent task assignments, and the ability to converse on the run, eliminating the need to dig for your phone, especially during busy travel.
Embrace nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air
A 2014 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology investigated “lean offices”—those characterized by a bland and minimalistic design—and found a 15% productivity boost when greenery was added. Incorporating a few plants in your office can lift your mood, enhance air quality, and rejuvenate your workspace. Choosing a desk lamp or plant that resonates with you can also make your workspace feel more inviting.
The Arbor Day Foundation provides a variety of low-maintenance, office-appropriate plants that can be delivered directly to your workplace with detailed care instructions. They recommend the ponytail palm, a low-care houseplant that brings a tropical feel year-round. “When positioned in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight, the ponytail palm can also thrive as an outdoor plant, provided it is brought indoors during the chilly fall and winter months,” the organization advises.
If you lean towards tradition, consider the money tree as an option, which also serves as a delightful gift for bosses or employees during holiday seasons. “The money tree is often linked with financial success, making it an excellent present for new homeowners or as a goodwill gesture for businesses,” notes a representative from the Arbor Day Foundation.
Alternatively, explore a fiddle leaf fig. “Fiddle leaf fig plants excel at purifying the air. Their broad leaves filter impurities, ensuring a healthier breathing environment in your office,” states Kasey Hurd, e-commerce manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Moreover, its striking shape makes it an ideal centerpiece. With proper care, this plant can reach heights exceeding 10 feet, adding a bold and elegant touch to your office. And with each purchase through the Arbor Day Foundation Tree Nursery, you’ll be supporting our vital mission to enhance our planet.”
Obtain tech assistance—particularly if a tech team is lacking
Imagine having a tech expert visit your home office to evaluate your small business and provide useful recommendations for smoother digital operations.
Verizon Business Checks offers such a service for free throughout the year. They deliver a thorough examination of your current tech solutions to assess their alignment with your business needs. Through the Tech Check program, business owners work with Verizon Business specialists to create a tailored plan that addresses their specific technology demands, encompassing elements like communication, connectivity, and cybersecurity.
Aparna Khurjekar, chief revenue officer of Verizon Business Markets and SaaS, explains, “Our Tech Checks enable small businesses to gain insights into technologies and solutions that foster growth. At Verizon Business, we assist our clients daily in navigating vital technology components, including connectivity and cybersecurity.” During certain promotional periods, they may also provide a complimentary phone alongside their free Tech Check offer.
The resurgence of planners
With a plethora of digital planning tools, platforms, and services designed for tax organization available, some find it simpler to track everything using traditional pen and paper—especially if a dedicated tax planner is right on your desk year-round.
Wealth coach Dr. ShaTonya “Rosie” Thomas suggests the Thomas Tax Academy Tax Pro Planner, particularly for those who are relatively new to tax deductions. This planner features pages and monthly calendars for logging events and expenses. It highlights various deduction categories that may not immediately come to mind or that you may forget to discuss with your accountant. Sometimes, in a world filled with online tools, sticking to basics is wiser.
Speaking of planners, they’re making a notable comeback this year. If your tax documentation is ready, but you’re intrigued by the idea of a planner/journal/workbook hybrid, consider the Maniscripting Journal. This workbook presents a series of lessons, prompts, and journaling directed at helping you develop a better vision for your life and business. It balances self-help with business planning—an essential duality for some.
A virtual calendar: the productivity tool that ensures everyone stays aligned
Whether you’re a solo remote worker or part of a larger in-person team, a digital display board that shares calendars in real-time is crucial. Skylight, for instance, can also serve as a family planning calendar if you’re managing domestic responsibilities while working from home. It can display chore schedules, meal plans, and all the necessary lists for a busy parent alongside a synchronized calendar featuring various virtual options.
If you seek a more expansive wall display capable of showing photos, weather updates, and more, check out the DAKboard wall display. Not only will it help attendees arrive on time for meetings, but it also fosters camaraderie by showcasing images from your last company gathering or sharing news about upcoming social events.
