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How to Use a Smartwatch for Business

Business News Daily Editor
Business News Daily Editor

That digital assistant on your wrist actually can improve your effectiveness at work.

  • Smartwatches can be an asset to businesses of all kinds. They are great business-related accessories because they allow employees and business owners the ability to easily and efficiently juggle an array of assignments and tasks.
  • Some of the benefits of using smartwatches for business is that they help employees to keep up with calls and texts, make it easier to take notes throughout the day, and they help you keep your tasks in order.
  • Other benefits of using smartwatches for business are that they make it easier to pay bills and stay abreast of current events.

That smart and tech-savvy computer on your wrist is good for more than just counting your steps and reminding you when it's time to get up from your chair. Your smartwatch will be good for business. An always-connected, smart digital assistant can improve your effectiveness and ability to juggle those unending tasks of the workday. Whether it's Apple Watch, Android Wear or one of Samsung's popular Gear watches, you'll find a lot of power to be had on your wrist.

Don't miss a call

One of the initial appeals of a smartwatch is that you can no longer miss an important call because your phone is buried deep in your pocket or purse. When you run a business, be it a small shop or a larger operation, not taking that call might cost you money.

How extensively you want to use this capability depends on the watch you get. The Apple Watch Series 3 promises the ultimate freedom since it offers cellular connectivity. So wander as far away from your phone as you wish.

If Apple isn't for you, there are other choices. The Samsung Gear S3 or the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition both offer connectivity and work with iPhones and Android devices.

However, keep in mind that cellular connectivity is going to cost you. With most carriers, you'll pay $10 extra per month for your watch to access the mobile network. It's a little steep considering you're not going to use that much data, but it might be worth the freedom for those who want to be better connected.

Take a note

Inspiration strikes at all times. Smartwatches give you the ability to dictate a quick note so you can expand on that thought later. Services such as Evernote and OneNote enable you to quickly add a note via voice while you're on the go.

You can also check current notes or get reminders from several different services without needing to take your phone out of your pocket. Use the Apple reminders app or your favorite third-party service to ensure that nothing slips by. No matter your favorite service, there are several ways to make sure those fleeting thoughts you have to get documented for later use.

A key travel tool

Business might often take you on the road. A smartwatch is an extremely useful extension of the type of information you're used to getting from your phone.

Updates from services such as TripIt can ensure that you don't miss any important itinerary details. Also, regular calendar alerts, and the ability to pull up a map, help make that information more easily accessible. It may seem like a first-world solution since that information is already on your phone, but the time savings and convenience that a smartwatch offers with your daily network interactions add up over time.

Keep your tasks straight

Smartphones have eliminated the need to scratch out your daily to-dos on pieces of paper; however, it's not always convenient to reach for your phone, especially if your hands are full.

This is another area where a smartwatch is an ideal companion. With just a couple of glances, you can check on what you need to accomplish or pull up essential meeting notes. Services like Todoist, Any.do and others can help you.

Communication

Such a tiny screen isn't going to replace the convenience of messaging from a smartphone. But it's useful in this regard in other ways. For example, you can make an innocuous glance at your wrist to find out when your next meeting is – while you're currently stuck in a meeting. Apple Watch, in particular, makes it easy to sketch out a note or reply with a preprogrammed phrase while you're otherwise preoccupied. While it may not be the most polite way to keep in touch, the option is there when you need it.

In the end, a smartwatch offers a lot in the way of connectivity and convenience. For some, it strikes the right balance between using your smartphone less while not missing any important calls or notifications.

Stay abreast of current events

According to Modus, smartwatches make it possible for people to read documents on their downtime to keep up with information of all kinds. No matter if it is a document created for work or a trending topic affecting the industry at large, a smartwatch makes it possible for users to stay abreast of knowledge of all kinds. In particular, users can access, read, and review open text files of all kinds, search for facts and data for upcoming presentations, etc.

Bill paying

No matter if the bills are in relation to the job or not, missing payments can create a distraction in the workplace. A smartwatch can help business owners stay on top of work and home expenses, and they may also be able to pay pending bills in a quick, efficient manner. Additionally, smartwatches include tip calculators, which make it possible for users to easily calculate tips on lunch breaks, business lunches, for ride-sharing services, etc. Either way, smartwatches make it possible to manage bills and expenses without the use of a cell phone, computer or wallet.

Image Credit: Don Fiore/Shutterstock
Business News Daily Editor
Business News Daily Editor
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