Randi Zuckerberg's Blog, page 44

Match.com Teams Up With Mensa

Finding love can be tough no matter who you are, but the folks at Match.com think it’s particularly tricky for those of us who are smarter than the rest of the world. The site recently announced its new partnership with Mensa. Only users who fall in the 98th percentile on an IQ test can sign up for the exclusive dating portal, launched last week.

The focus on intellect developed after Match.com quizzed its users on what they wanted from a potential mate. According to the site, more than 80% of singles claim a partner’s equal or higher intelligence is a “must have.” “Intelligence is correlated with many benefits, including higher income; sense of humor; creativity; social skills; coordination; and problem solving. These are sexy,” said Match’s Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. Helen Fisher in an online statement. This is not the first time Match.com has provided services tailored to very specific interests. In March, the site partnered with MLB to create a dating website for relationship-seeking baseball fans.

Through July 6th, Match is inviting brilliant singles who are ready to mingle to take the Mensa Home Test for $1. Should you pass, you can peruse the site’s infograph of the 20 smartest cities in the U.S., based on percentage of Ivy League graduates. Ithaca, New York, Washington, D.C., and Ann Arbor, Michigan, top the list.

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The Great App Purge

I’m a hoarder when it comes to apps. For months (ok, years), I’ve downloaded new apps with alarming frequency. My motives are pure: I’m constantly interested in ways to bring new content, shortcuts, time-saving methods, and all around fun to my smart phones. What could be wrong with that?

Well, all that app love resulted in smart-phone hell. With so many choices, I couldn’t find—much less use—half of what I had. Some apps would literally go out of business before I had time to try them. And the apps I used the most were lost in the sea of apps I barely ever opened.

When I could no longer find my phone’s camera among all the camera apps I had downloaded, I knew it was time for a purge. I took stock. My Facebook app had mysteriously ended up in a folder with a London tube app. And the Starbucks app that was supposed to make my morning drive-through so easy? It had found its way into a folder with AP news alerts.

I approached the purge with the same steely-eyed method I used a few months ago on my shoes. I pulled them all out of my crowded closet and assigned every single pair to one of three piles. The same with my apps—each one got a virtual number. #1 was for the essentials, the apps I used at least a few times a week, just like the shoes that get the same wear. The app that organizes my favorite podcasts (I use Downcast). My tweet schedulers (Buffer and Hootsuite). The photo tools I really use (Snapseed and Fuzel). The shoe equivalent? Favorite ballet flats, that pair of boots I wear all year long, and my comfiest platform sandals. #2 was the category designated for just-for-fun apps. Not daily necessities, but the ones that distract—in a good way. An app from the Poetry Foundation that’s a lovely complement to relentless news alerts, or Style.com’s app to peruse runway eye-candy photos. Just like my green velvet sling-backs and the navy suede ankle boots with the perfect wedge, more decorative than useful. Category #3 went to the virtually never-used apps. Interesting, intriguing, but impulsively downloaded—or bought. Like those four-inch heels covered with gold glitter that I can’t walk in. And the app that shows webcams around the globe or the entire collection of the Louvre Museum.

In every category, with both apps and shoes, some ruthlessness was required. It was painful, but the ache was short-lived. Post-purge, I feel so much better. I probably still have too many apps. And  shoes. But at least, I can remember what I have and find what I want. Apps I love to use, and shoes I love to wear. And now, if I download a new app or get tempted by a new pair of shoes every now and then, I allow myself to give in.

A semi-technical note: All this purging meant deleting. Really deleting. In my case (and yours, if you use an iPhone), it meant a long session in iTunes, filling the “trashcans” so those apps are gone for good (or until I download them again). Otherwise, I’d have tangled myself up in syncing nightmares between devices and the cloud.

By Cindy Wall 

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Inexpensive Summer Activities

Summer is my favorite season. There’s something about the sun and longer days that puts me in a good mood, and makes me want to get outside with my friends. However, as much as I like splurging on concerts, romantic destinations and sailing classes, I know there is only so much I can afford. My solution: Make sure I balance the more expensive activities with things that have a lighter impact on my wallet. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for summer:

Dive in

You can cool off on the cheap when the temperature climbs, even if you don’t own a pool or have a gym membership. Find your local city or community pool, where you can purchase a day pass for just a few dollars.

Another option is make a day out of a trip to a public beach or lake, which you can visit for free or for a nominal fee. And most of us don’t have to go far to find water, since it turns out that about 39% of Americans live in counties near a coast, according to the National Ocean Service, and another 10% live in the Great Lakes Basin area. For everyone else, there are countless lakes, rivers and streams to explore. While you’re there, rent a rowboat, canoe or kayak for a few hours.

The world’s a (free) stage

You would be amazed to discover how much free entertainment comes out of the woodwork during the summer. Take a look at your local websites and newspapers, where you’ll find events from local musicians rocking the town gazebo to theater groups performing Shakespeare in the park and other free entertainment under the stars all season long.

In addition to outdoor venues, you can also find fun — for the price of a drink and a tip — at small cafes and bars featuring live music. And don’t forget local universities and community colleges, which produce summer musicals, dramas and concerts at reasonable prices.

Still have your heart set on a play at a big-city theater, but the tickets aren’t in your budget? You might be able to volunteer as an usher and see a show or two for free.

If you’ve got kids, help them create their own plays, talent shows and movies. The homemade movie idea was a huge hit with my young nieces on their last visit. We wrote a script, put together costumes from stuff in my closet and filmed the movie with my phone. Then, we played it on my laptop, which was a big thrill for the girls to see themselves on “the big screen.”

Visit the past

You don’t have to be rich to soak up a little culture this summer. The warmer days are a perfect time to visit local (air-conditioned) museums and historical sites, places where you can also find gorgeous, landscaped grounds to explore. Admission is usually affordable — often along the lines of a voluntary donation — and many museums have free admission days, too.

Play ball

Sports fans don’t need to pay crazy prices for a game at the ballpark. Minor league games can be more exciting than the major leagues and tickets and snacks are much more affordable. If you want to watch some real local sports, walk down to a neighborhood field or join a recreational softball team.

 Go outside

When it comes to enjoying nature on a budget, the options are almost endless. Here are a few of my favorites:

• A romantic picnic

• Biking along a scenic path

• Berry picking at a local farm

• Hiking on wooded trails

• Camping near a lake

Even doing a handful of these free activities has helped me look for other options instead of spending money every time I want to stay outside on summer nights with my friends. I still enjoy major concerts and other big-ticket events occasionally, but the less expensive alternatives have helped me — and my wallet — experience sunny days clear of summer debt.

Posted on 6/30/14

Writer bio: Alexandra Rice is a writer who loves talking about all things education. After living in the Mid-Atlantic, South and Midwest, she has finally settled down out West in San Francisco. When not thinking about education, Alexandra can be found at the beach, playing with one of the many dogs at her office, or searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Catch her on Twitter day or night at @Alexandra_Rice.

Company bio: NerdWallet has been around since 2009, helping consumers make smart financial decisions. We cover the spectrum of consumer finance — banking, credit cards, education, health care, insurance, investments, mortgages, shopping, small business, travel — you name it. We’re Nerds who create great tools, crunch numbers, check the fine print and give consumers all the results — unfiltered and transparent.NerdWallet has been featured by outlets such as CNBC, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Kiplinger, LifeHacker, The New York Times, Reuters, TIME magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Money Magazine has named NerdWallet the web’s Best Credit Card Site, and consumer advocates Clark Howard and Liz Weston have recommended NerdWallet’s products.

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AllPaws, the OK Cupid for Pets.

Online dating is how most happy couples meet these days, so it’s no surprise that someone would create an OK Cupid for pet adoption. Enter AllPaws, a free online matchmaking service that pairs shelter animals with loving owners.

Type in your zip code and pick your preferred animal–a cat, a dog, a bird, even a horse. The site will then generate all adoptable pets in your area. Lest you choose your new pet on the basis of an adorable photo, you can refine your search by breed or age, and terms like “housebroken” and “good with kids.”

Once you’ve zeroed in on a potential pet, message the shelter or rescue organization directly and set up a time to meet. A piece of advice: It’s a good idea to create a profile so those parting with their animals know what kind of home they’re going to.

AllPaws was founded by Darrell Lerner, an entrepreneur whose previous ventures involved dating websites for actual people. Five to seven million animals enter shelters each year and three to four million are euthanized, he says. AllPaws seems like a no-brainer means of helping these pets find great homes.

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How To Ask For More: Negotiating Salaries And Raises

When friends or loved ones are getting a raw deal at work, it’s easy to come to their defense. But when it comes to speaking up for myself, that takes real effort and preparation. Asking for more on the job is never an easy thing to do, but it’s a skill set anyone can master.

Do your homework

Any proposal carries more weight when you back it up with hard facts. Before approaching your boss about a raise or bonus, or interviewing for a new job, research what comparable jobs are paying to create a realistic proposal. Here’s where to start:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor, has an A to Z index that lets you select your job title and see an instant snapshot of the national average wage.

CareerOneStop lets you search average salaries by state.

Salary.com, SalaryExpert.com and Glassdoor.com allow you to tailor average salary data to your city, so you’re armed with the knowledge of what’s reasonable to ask for in your area.

Understanding general economic trends comes in handy as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that employee wages on average rose 1.7% in the past year. Senior executives who switched jobs fared even better, with an average salary boost of 17% in 2013, according to Salveson Stetson Group research. Knowing that so many employees have increased their incomes in the past few years should give you the confidence to ask for better pay.

It also helps to familiarize yourself with your company’s specific policies for salaries, raises and bonuses.

Prepare your case

Your boss may have no idea how much you handle on the job, so start by making a list of all your responsibilities. Next, highlight your important accomplishments, which can include bringing in new business, solving a long-standing problem or coming up with an idea used at the company. Finally, don’t forget to bring the relevant salary data to the table, especially if you discovered that you’re earning less than average for others in your field. Know what you’re worth, and chances are your boss will realize your request is reasonable. Being prepared is the difference between negotiating and begging.

Your timing matters

If you wait until your annual review to ask for a raise, you may be too late. You need to discuss your salary goals before your company finalizes its compensation budget. The tricky thing: Don’t jump the gun. The best time to talk with your boss about money is when you can highlight a new responsibility or a recent achievement, such as completing a difficult project or resolving a company issue.

When interviewing for a job, try to wait till the last possible moment to negotiate salary. If you mention the money up front, prospective employers might be so focused on that dollar amount and whether you’re worth it that they may miss out on your best selling points. Use the interview to present all of your accomplishments, strengths and enthusiasm. Then, when the time comes to talk about money, you’ll have set the foundation for a discussion focused on compensation for what you bring to the job.

What if the answer is no?

Sometimes no matter how good your case, you’ll run into a wall. Try these approaches to keep your possibilities open:

• If your boss says this isn’t a good time, ask for a firm commitment to a future date to talk about your salary.

• If you’re told the company can’t afford raises this year, negotiate for a one-

time bonus instead. If appropriate, you can also ask for a new title, which gives you better leverage if you decide to look for a job elsewhere.

• If you’re denied a merit raise, ask exactly what you need to do to earn that salary bump in the future. Negotiations are common in the business world, but when it comes to negotiating for yourself, be ready to justify why you deserve a raise. You’ll feel and sound more confident.

Posted on 6/26/14

Writer bio:
Alexandra Rice is a writer who loves talking about all things education. After living in the Mid-Atlantic, South and Midwest, she has finally settled down out West in San Francisco. When not thinking about education, Alexandra can be found at the beach, playing with one of the many dogs at her office, or searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Catch her on Twitter day or night at @Alexandra_Rice.
 
Company bio:


NerdWallet has been around since 2009, helping consumers make smart financial decisions. We cover the spectrum of consumer finance — banking, credit cards, education, health care, insurance, investments, mortgages, shopping, small business, travel — you name it. We’re Nerds who create great tools, crunch numbers, check the fine print and give consumers all the results — unfiltered and transparent.


NerdWallet has been featured by outlets such as CNBC, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Kiplinger, LifeHacker, The New York Times, Reuters, TIME magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Money Magazine has named NerdWallet the web’s Best Credit Card Site, and consumer advocates Clark Howard and Liz Weston have recommended NerdWallet’s products.





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7 Tips For Rising Above The Glass Ceiling

Many companies are struggling to hold onto their talented leaders in the midst of an aging workforce, a growing global market, and an increase in competition. How, then, can we make sure that women leaders and women rising in the ranks make it to the top?

For any organization the best and easiest way to continue to grow and thrive is to expand the use of talent that already exists within the organization, and maximize that talent to its fullest extent – and that means including talented women. In my experience designing a program called “The Leadership Circles” at MetLife I focused on development tools that would work to attract, develop, and retain the company’s talented women.

 

Numerous studies have shown that having women in leadership is beneficial to business outcomes, yet women are under-represented at the top, particularly among financial advisors. I believe that the way for women to lead well is to live well, so the following tips, derived from The Leadership Circles Program at MetLife, are designed to help women lead from within to break through the glass ceiling:

1. Get Clarity. Ask yourself: What do you want? Your vision should incorporate both personal and professional goals, including specific goals aligned to the success of the company you represent. Your vision should be unique to you, and build on your own strengths and passions.

2. Find Focus. Ask yourself: Where will you put your attention? Focus on top priorities related to your vision, break those down and create a focused approach to follow. Focus is a vital skill for leaders who often report feeling “fractured” and “scattered” in today’s busy world.

3. Take action. Ask yourself: What do you need to do? Turn the priorities from the previous item into action items, so that you are always driving toward making the biggest impact with your efforts.

4. Tap into your brilliance. Ask yourself: What’s unique about you? Strength-based leadership is taught as a method to leverage your natural strengths.

5. Feel fulfillment. Ask yourself: What motivates you and makes you happy? The role of values and fulfillment will help you to experience a sense of personal and professional well-being.

6. Maximize your time. Ask yourself: How can you achieve more with less? Learning to make the most of the time you have is key, and this practice will help to reduce stress and increase not only productivity but a sense of peace.

7. Build your team. Ask yourself: Who can support you? The mentors, coaches, sponsors, and partners you surround yourself with will help to support you and expand your potential along the way.

Overall, the goal is to provide a structure that supports success over time, and is rooted in a content area of particular interest to you. These tips, when developed into a practice, can be adapted to almost any content or curriculum.

In many organizations I have worked with, including MetLife, one of the most common comments women in leadership make is, “I feel so alone.” They worry about reinventing the wheel and are plagued by questions about whether they’re doing things right. Becoming part of a large group of other women in similar roles gives them a solid sense of community.

Personal leadership practices such as these can help to develop a long future for women in leadership: an organic, self-sustaining model of women helping women to succeed. Putting these tips into practice will also help high-performing women advisors into move into stronger roles of leadership companywide.

Posted on 6/26/14

Dr. Joelle K. Jay is a principal with the global leadership development firm, Leadership Research Institute (LRI) and the author of The Inner Edge: The 10 Practices of Personal Leadership. As an executive coach, author and speaker, Dr. Jay helps leaders leverage their talents to achieve top performance and business results. Her clients include global businesses in investment services, finance, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education,communication and technology. Dr. Jay earned her Ph.D., with an emphasis on learning and leadership, from the University of Washington. She also has a master’s degree from Boston University, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, and the highest level of certification awarded by the International Coach Federation.

For more, you can visit her website.

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Here’s My Phone

Four weeks ago we handed each of our two Pre-K children a smartphone to play with as payment for simply getting in the car to go to school.  Riding in silence for 10 minutes really hit me.  Did we really, metaphorically speaking, just give our kids a candy bar before dinner because they whined enough?  Buy that worthless toy at the checkout stand because they started to embarrass me?  Go to Chuck E. Cheese’s on a Friday night?  I dropped them off, got on my commuter train, realized that my battery on my phone had been drained to 12% at that point, actually turned it off, and thought.

When our first was born in 2006 I never fathomed a world where “here’s my phone” would be uttered almost as much as “good night, I love you.”  As new parents in the Era of iPhone, my wife and I struggle on a daily basis to hold fast and not give in to our kids’ everyday demand to play some Digital Device, namely the phone.

We are pioneers, a very small generation of parents where the birth of our first child converged with the birth of the iPhone.  You see, if your child was born in 1999, then likely you and she purchased your first smartphones together in 2009.  And if your child was born in 2010, then he listened to Angry Birds in utero.  We however, are on our own.

But is Apple really to blame? They manufacture, we consume.  And beyond indulgence, we as parents establish what the acceptable patterns of usage are. When it comes to phones, let’s be honest, aren’t they pretty fun little toys to have in your pocket or purse?  These mini-computers with connections now so strong you can stream Netflix as if you are plugged in at work on a T3 network.  C’mon, we all will justify to ourselves and friends that we just HAVE to be on the phone a lot, but I didn’t think Facebook, Instagram, Candy Crush, and TMZ.com were as essential to one’s daily diet as fruit and vegetables.  So when my child wants to mess around on the phone, should I be mad at Samsung or me?

SO, three weeks ago, my son got in the car with his sister to go to school and asked for the phone.  I said “no” and over cries and anger that spurned his sister to join in the demand, I calmly explained that this time is important to me.  And to you.  And to our relationship.  Even if it’s 10 minutes, I want to hear your voice and see your eyes.  I don’t think they heard much of my explanation that day.

I fly (enough) for work.  When’s the last time you’ve been to an airport and seen how adults consume media today?  I remember a time when you would have cordial exchanges with like passengers in the gate or even causal conversation with the person you happened to be sitting next to on a plane.  Now, both he and I can’t wait to fire up the Digital Device and indulge in our music, movie, or some mindless app game that I’ve already played 1,000 times.

SO, two weeks ago, my daughter took the reins and asked on behalf of her brother if he could have the phone since we were driving to school.  I said “no” and got angry stares, but no crying.  I calmly explained that this time is important to me.  And to you.  And to our relationship.  Even if it’s 10 minutes, I want to sing a song together that comes on the radio and not one we pre-selected from the phone.  The stares continued, probably because I barely even know how to work the radio today.

I ride a train to work.  And including me, 4 our of 5 people stare at their screen of choice.  It’s refreshing to see some older people thumb through a book, but over the four years I’ve commuted, those old fogies now have been given a Kindle from their family for Christmas and joined the masses.  And it’s eerily silent nowadays.  Suffice to say I don’t know a world before smartphones as it relates to mass transit and commuting but I presume some people chatted or rustled a newspaper.  Honestly, if there is any sort buzz today, I wouldn’t know because like most, I have my headphones on.

SO, one week ago, my son sheepishly asked on the walk to the car to go to school if he could have the phone.  I said “no.”  And saving them the explanation, I immediately started to talk about how cloudy it was.  And what the temperature read on our display.  And how I hope school will be fun today.  And we had a nice exchange of words and thoughts between father and children, if but for 10 minutes.

And when I’m not flying or riding, I’m driving.  And I am constantly battling myself to put the phone down.  I’ve gotten away from texting, so good job PSAs, but checking traffic, seeing what exit I’m supposed to get off at, changing songs, and taking a sneak peak at Fantasy Baseball are habits I have not broken.  It’s like having an endless supply of your favorite snack food constantly at your fingertips.

In retrospect and in coming clean on my own personal consumption habits, I’m glad that my child is not a silent observer of me on that plane, train, or automobile.  What example would I be sending? Don’t talk to people.  Don’t look at the world around you.  Don’t read a book.  And it’s okay to look at your phone real quick because you are only reading a text and not typing one.

Yesterday, getting in the car to go to school, my son said that he wasn’t going to ask me for my phone because, in the words of a 4 year old, this is when we “hangout for 10 minutes.” You’re right buddy, and I’m going to make the most of them.  ”Can I have your phone later tonight?” he asked. “Yes” I replied, “I think that would be an appropriate time to unwind and have some fun.”

In the continued battle of Dad (and Mom) versus Digital Devices, I’ll take my 10 minute win every time.  And now, six years into the iPhone Revolution, I’m going to let me kids have my phone or tablet or computer or likely soon, some cool digital wearable product because they are here and they are now an integral and growing part of our world.  But, I made a promise to myself to lead by example and even when I’m not with my family, to turn off my phone every now and then and be present, unless I don’t like the person I’m sitting next to on the airplane.

Posted on 6/26/14

Matthew J Beshear is a Dad. And a husband, too. And along with his wife, they struggle each day to find the balance for their children between an ever evolving world of digital, devices, technology, and instant gratification and breathing fresh air, interacting with other humans, and having conversations with family when going out to dinner.

 

 

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5 Carry-on Bags That Are Tech-Friendly, Too.

For frequent fliers, the “personal item” has become an increasingly crucial piece of luggage. Most airlines won’t let you get away with a carry-on bag and a laptop case—and if you try, you might be Twitter-shamed (yes, #carryonshame is trending).

With the need to repurpose and reuse as much as possible when flying, I went on a mission to find decent-looking bags that can hold both my travel essentials and my tech. Below, five multi-purpose carry-ons that all fit underneath the seat in front of you (and don’t cost more than $300).

Lo & Sons OG (Overnight & Gym) Bag ($295). This is one of the most highly recommended travel bags on the market, and for good reason. It’s designed specifically to hold technology while you’re traveling, and it’s spacious enough for all of your overnight necessities. There’s a padded pocket for a laptop and an additional, smaller pouch for a tablet. A patented, adjustable back panel sleeve slides over larger luggage handles so you don’t have to deal with sore shoulders. Genius. Dimensions: 17″Wx15″H x6.5″D.

Land’s End Large Natural Zip Top Canvas Tote ($37.50). This extremely roomy canvas tote can fit almost any size laptop (just be sure it’s stored in a case), and has a water resistant base. The front pocket is a perfect place to store your smartphone and wallet. Monogram up to six letters for $6. Dimensions: 22 ½”Wx9 ½”Dx17″H.

Stella and Dot Getaway Bag ($138). The Getaway Bag comes in a ton of fun prints like Ikat and Zebra. This bag also fits almost any size laptop (again, with a case) and leaves room for clothes and books. The bag also has an expandable mid-section—so you have room for souvenirs—and comes with a messenger strap and a small pocket in front for easy iPhone access. Dimensions: 15″H (expanded 19.25”) x23″ Lx8.”

Lululemon Om For All Bag ($118). From the gym, to work, to travel, this bag basically has it all. It comes with an interior padded pocket that holds laptops measuring up to 15,” can store up to 50 pounds, and includes padded straps, a compartment for shoes, and an exterior pocket for your smartphone. Dimensions: 17″H x 8″D x 14″W.

Ju-Ju-Be Legacy Better Be Bag ($135). It’s billed as a diaper bag, but Ju-Ju-Be’s tote makes for a very functional travel/laptop carrier. It’s super lightweight and has a zip-down front pocket for easy access to your phone, wallet, and keys. It’s also washing-machine friendly, and has Teflon on the outside to ward off stains. Bonus: The side insulated pockets will keep your water bottle cold. Dimensions: 14″W x 11″H x 5.5″D.

By Veena Goel Crownholm

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A Day Without My Phone

The worst has happened. I thought I’d be prepared but there’s no way that I am. Do I go home? Do I continue on? Can I continue on?

I left my phone at home.

This morning, I raced to catch my train, managed to squeeze myself on board, reached for my pocket and found it empty. Checked the other pocket—also empty. Though many San Franciscans would have you believe otherwise, I don’t think it’s socially acceptable to freak out on public transportation, so I’m going to try to get through this as best I can.

8:43 I’ve already reached for my pocket twice. It’s like my brain is refusing to accept that this is really happening (and honestly, I’m with you, brain!).

8:44 Okay, this isn’t terrible. Only five people are actively on their phones (trying to make me jealous, probably), and one other person is writing in a notebook, like me! Maybe she left her phone at home, too.

8:45 Alright, I can do this. I spent the first fifteen years of my life without a phone. This is no big deal.

8:47 I can’t do this. Two more people just took their phones out. I feel so uncool.

8:48 This is the longest train ride I’ve ever taken.

8:52 When did people stop making eye contact? What is this, Finland?

8:55 Finally off the train. I’m officially late for work but have no way of letting my manager know. Will he fire me? Or think I’m dead? This is stressful.

8:57 Thank goodness watches are fashion accessories or I would have no idea what time it is.

9:10 I can see what people mean when they suggest you “unplug” from your devices. Colors are brighter, sounds are louder, I’m much more in tune with what’s going on around me. It doesn’t feel great, but I can see how much attention my phone demands. That said, I genuinely feel like a piece of me is missing. Probably like what a dog feels like when you take its collar off: scared, but free.

9:12 Just reached for my phone again. Oops.

9:23 Finally at work, and this whole situation has made me paranoid. I’m probably missing so much on social media. I need to calm down.

10:03 Went downstairs to get tea, and made eye contact with everyone along the way. For some reason staring down at the floor to avoid looking at people is way more awkward than staring down at a phone.

10:21 I wonder if anyone has texted me today?

10:37 I’m in a meeting for another hour and a half, and my computer is at 20%. This must be what dying feels like.

11:05 I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

11:17 I’m in charge of my company’s corporate Instagram account, and just realized I don’t know how to post to Instagram without my phone. Oops.

11:35 Dead. No phone, no computer, no life. I feel like I’m floating through space. Naked.

11:57 Back at my desk, computer plugged in. That was a harrowing 22 minutes.

12:15 I’ve gone to the bank to make a wire transfer to a foreign company. I printed out the bank information, but neglected to write down how much money I’m supposed to send. I could find that info on my phone, but…

12:40 Figured it out. $146 Euros.

1:17 Back at work, money transferred. We’re all good.

1:18 Just reached for my phone (again), as if this whole day has been a dream.

1:50 This is starting to be not so bad. I’m more focused on what people are saying and where I’m going, and less focused on getting Facebook updates. That dog collar analogy is starting to make more sense, but the sensation that something is missing has lessened considerably.

2:45 Went almost an hour without thinking about my phone! Success.

2:58 Okay, there are definitely ups and downs, but the small moments of panic when I realize I’m disconnected from everyone aren’t quite so extreme anymore. That said, only a few more hours until I’m reunited with my phone!

3:30 No phantom phone grabs recently. Maybe I could actually do this regularly!

3:37 Sigh. I really, really want to know if anyone has called or texted me today. Because Facebook, Twitter, and email aren’t enough, I tell you!

3:55 Coworker just told me that I have iMessage on my Macbook Pro, so I can just get texts there. I think I’m actually going to try to hold off until I get home.

4:30 Okay, forget this. I’m going home early…to take care of chores.

5:05 Reunited with my true love, iPhone 5S. Four missed calls, seven missed texts (one was spam), and a whole lot of catching up to do on Instagram.

Today started off extremely stressful. I felt like I was missing a piece of myself—but fortunately this was mixed with a pleasant sense of detachment from technology. While I’d like to have my phone with me the majority of the time, I realized that I could stand to put the phone away more often, especially during those times when I should be giving people or situations my full attention.

By Ali Wunderman

 

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Why Employees Should Advocate for a BYOD Policy

Despite early resistance by many companies, mobile devices have finally found their place in today’s work environment. Initially, employee-owned smartphones, tablets and even notebooks were only for personal use in the workplace, and even then, normally not allowed during working hours. However, thanks to the trending strategy called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), these personal devices are not only acceptable by many companies, but are being used professionally as well.

Bulk purchasing of smartphones or notebooks for entire workforces is becoming dated as more companies are embracing the BYOD policy that allows employees to conduct business on- or off-site using personal mobile devices or similar electronics owned by a company.

This office-changing implementation not only helps businesses with their bottom line, but allows them to keep up with technological advancements. It also offers workers a more flexible work schedule. BYOD is something that many employees should see as not only beneficial to their employer, but something that can simplify their lives as well.

 

Why BYOD is Beneficial to Employees

Employees who want flexibility in their schedules should consider working in an environment that promotes BYOD. Besides the hassle of not carrying two devices (one for work and the other for home), this strategy gives workers a chance to work at a remote location if necessary while still having access to much of the company’s data and documents.

Depending on a person’s technical knowledge, learning to use one mobile device may be enough work. But adding a second one such as a laptop or tablet for business use could become quite cumbersome and can lead to errors in worker production. Nonetheless, corporate training can be done remotely where workers can take measures to improve their own performance.

How BYOD Benefits Employers

While there are some advantages of BYOD for employees, there are quite a few for employers as well. Implementing this initiative can help build and retain a productive team of workers, as well as provide an edge over competing companies by offering a more flexible work schedule.

Bringing one’s personal device for use in the workplace can also save a business money. Employers will no longer have to purchase numerous pieces of office software or hardware, pay as many licensing fees or for support. A study by Cisco agrees that a comprehensive BYOD policy can decrease employer costs and increase productivity. It all depends on how the plan is implemented. Each employee should have a sound understanding of how business data and documents should be accessed outside the office. This will decrease any chance of breaches in security.

Finally, employers who implement a BYOD strategy are freeing up their IT departments to focus on other strategic initiatives. These workers won’t need to spend nearly as much time maintaining a multitude of devices, thereby creating a simpler infrastructure.

Between the benefits that are available to employees and management, there’s no reason why an workers shouldn’t advocate for a BYOD policy.

Posted on 6/19/14

Written by Jennifer Thayer who is an editor at a technology blog called Freshly Techy. She enjoys covering other subjects like entertainment, food and deals. You can follow her on Twitter to see what useful tricks and fun tips she uncovers next.

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