Tag: 'small
Asus Zenfone 9 review: one for the small phone superfans
A little phone with big performance
Meet The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’s Small But Mighty Harfoots
Lord of the Rings fans are all very familiar with Hobbits. And while the new prequel series The Rings of Power doesn’t have any Hobbits that we’ll recognize, it does introduce Harfoots, proto-Hobbit characters that certainly look like they’ll stand in for the Second Age equivalent of Frodo and Sam.
Best VoIP for small business owners — whether you’re WFH or not
Small businesses have to find ways to compete with the big box stores and companies with more resources and recognition. The best way is to stand out by developing a reputation for reliability and top-notch service. One of the keys to achieving that is by always being available and easy for your clients and customers to contact. There’s a secret weapon that small businesses can utilize to stay connected: VoIP.
The best VoIP services (it stands for voice over internet protocol, in case you were wondering) go a long way to making this possible while keeping costs low.
So what is a VoIP, exactly?
Think of it like using FaceTime or Skype but as a professional service, or as a souped-up and internet-connected version of your standard landline connection. Everything businesses need from their phone system, VoIP can do better — and often cheaper.
But, how do you know what to look for when seeking out a great VoIP service for your small business? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with a look at the best VoIPs for every kind of small business and every budgetary need.
Why does your small business need a VoIP service?
When it comes to running your business, there is perhaps nothing more fundamental to the operation than communication, from organizing your team to getting in touch with customers and clients. VoIP services provide an enhanced version of what you’d expect from a standard business phone provider. A VoIP service gives you crystal clear phone calls and video calls because you’re connected to the internet and have a digital connection that can transmit more data at faster speeds. Even better, you can typically get service from a VoIP provider at a lower price than a landline service.
That makes it ideal simply if you’re trying to communicate with other employees remotely, but it also offers so much more. Many VoIP providers offer services for small businesses that will give you toll-free numbers, automatic call recording, and even features like a switchboard feature or virtual receptionist assistant. All these capabilities make your business seem more professional to potential clients, as well as help you organize your work practices more effectively.
How does a VoIP work?
Essentially just a fancy term for making calls over your internet connection (rather than your landline or mobile network), VoIP services are simpler than you may imagine. Basically, VoIP systems connect to a server that lets you place calls to other telephone networks across your internet connection. It then converts your analog voice signal into a digital data packet by your VoIP service provider, compresses it, and transmits it over your internet connection — much like sending an email message or mp3 file. On the other end, the experience is nearly identical to placing a call over a mobile network or landline, but the cost is typically cheaper and the quality is typically better.
Why VoIP is ideal for the remote workplace
We already covered call quality and some of the additional features that you can get from a VoIP service, but there are other benefits as well. Key among them is the fact that VoIP systems can integrate seamlessly into your existing workflow. That is a big deal. Anyone who has ever been a part of an office that tries to switch over their CRM software knows just how big of a disruption it can be. The best VoIP services often offer options that allow you to use it with your existing software without any interruption.
It’s also the ideal tool for the modern workplace. As more and more companies are going remote — or staying remote after the pandemic — staying in touch with your team is as important as ever. So is making sure they have access to the tools that they need to do their job. VoIP services aren’t limited to the hard-wired connection of a landline. You’ll be able to set up conference calls and access the full suite of tools from your VoIP’s digital dashboard no matter where you’re working from.
What to look for in a small business VoIP
There are dozens of different VoIP companies out there, so it’s crucial that you know what elements you most need. The smallest of small businesses may only need a cheap landline replacement and some basic collaborative features for remote workers. Still, it’s likely you also want extra features, like being able to record calls or a virtual receptionist to handle multiple clients at once.
Avoid overpaying for services you don’t need. If your business doesn’t rely on CRMs, then you shouldn’t go out of your way to find a VoIP service that includes CRM integration. Make sure your VoIP can grow with you, such as by ensuring that you can upgrade your service as you develop. It’s good to have a business plan for the future.
Here are our top picks for a VoIP service for small businesses in 2022:
Small Faces’ Kenney Jones: “I feel like the keeper of the flame”
Celebrating 20 of the Small Faces’ greatest songs with Kenney Jones, friends, labelmates and collaborators
The post Small Faces’ Kenney Jones: “I feel like the keeper of the flame” appeared first on UNCUT.
These robot vacuums make the most sense in a small apartment or home
I live in a studio apartment that’s about 20 x 9 feet, plus a bathroom, and honestly, I’ve always thought my place was too small to house a robot vacuum. I mean, one arm of my sofa practically touches my bed while the other side of the couch is mere inches away from the fridge.
I rely on my Swiffer and stick vacuum to keep my minimal amount of floor space clean. But living modestly shouldn’t rule out the convenience of outsourcing chores where you can — and it turns out that robot vacuums can actually make a lot of sense in a small space. You just have to get creative with it.
Are robot vacuums worth it for small spaces?
The 10 minutes it takes to manually vacuum a 600-square-foot apartment probably isn’t enough to send someone over the edge as far as chores are concerned. While the time-saving factor may be a moot point here, it doesn’t completely diminish the appeal of using a robot vacuum in a small space. (Plus, the less floor there is to cover, the less you need to worry about battery life.) We’d even argue that there are some instances where robot vacuums make more sense than a manual vacuum.
Limited floor space sets the stage for a jam-packed furniture arrangement sprinkled with miscellaneous crap that doesn’t have a permanent home. While basic row-by-row robot vacuums would crash and burn in a tricky setup like this, robot vacuums with smart mapping and precise small obstacle avoidance could save you the headache of trying to maneuver a stick vacuum in tight areas. Ditching an upright vacuum also frees up sweet, sweet closet space.
The convenience of a robot vacuum hits a new level if there are animals in the house. Having pets in small spaces usually means that their items heavily overflow into your high-traffic areas, like the classic litter box in the living room that you’re hoping is sufficiently inconspicuous. You could set the robot vacuum to sweep while you’re away, welcoming you home to floors free of rogue litter or kibble that made their way over.
What to consider when getting a robot vacuum for a small space
Size: Think about size both in terms of the dimensions of the vacuum itself and how much space the vacuum takes up while it’s charging. The shortest robot vacuums are around three inches tall and will be the safest choice for homes with low-hanging furniture. Most non-self-emptying docks aren’t bigger than a shoe and can be squeezed inconspicuously into an awkwardly-sized corner or under a side table or desk to maximize your space. Just make sure there’s sufficient space out front for the botvac to return.
Automatic emptying: Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small and require frequent emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock that holds weeks of dirt without needing to be dumped. Obviously, you’ll want to rule out those with a behemoth of a base, but some slim auto-empty docks don’t require much more space than the width and depth of the robot vac itself.
Mopping: If the majority of your space is hard flooring, a robot vacuum that can also mop can save space in a closet after you ditch your upright Swiffer or steam cleaner.
Smart mapping and virtual boundaries: All robot vacuums, even cheap ones, are equipped with sensors and drop detection. But more advanced models take a more strategic route by using LiDAR scanners to map out your home (rather than bumping around or cleaning in uniform rows). This boosts the vac’s chances of making it out of a cramped furniture arrangement alive, and through an app, allows the owner to draw virtual no-go lines around areas like a kid’s toy corner or pet’s food bowls. Though a small space might render specific room cleaning abilities relatively useless, even a studio apartment could benefit from the perks of such customized cleaning.
Noise: The drone of a vacuum feels a lot louder in close quarters. If you’re concerned with keeping kids, roommates, or neighbors on the other side of a thin wall undisturbed, you’ll want a robot vac that’s been hyped for its sound level. Some are naturally quiet and some use special technology to dull the roar. Keep in mind that auto-empty docks create the most noise of the whole process, though the whoosh only lasts for 10 or 15 seconds.
Check out our picks for the best robot vacuums for small spaces in 2022:
Legal Requirements Every Small Business Should Know
Starting a new business is a busy time for an entrepreneur, you’re developing a business plan and getting your finances…
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UFO Activity Ongoing in Pennsylvania-Encounters with Small Spheres of Light Close to the Ground Increasing – Stan Gordon…
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Introducing the new Uncut: Joni Mitchell, Small Faces, Kraftwerk, The Fall and more
Come from Joni and the Small Faces, stay for The Byrds, Suede, Bonny Light Horseman and a brilliant free CD
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