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Talking and Typing

7/22/2010

1 Comment

 
Posted by BJ
​​
My latest addition to my office is a wireless head set. Not for my cell phone, for my landline. I’ve used a headset for my cell for quite some time (as I’m a firm believer that holding a phone while driving is both dangerous and dumb.*). However, I was, up until a short while ago, using a phone (both corded at my desk and cordless in the outer offices).

With either my cordless or corded phone I found myself cradling the phone in the crook of my neck or holding it, both ways making it difficult to listen and type. (It also caused significant pain in my neck… different from the kind caused by challenging people.)
As I tend to do, I contemplated getting some kind of wireless device that would let me have my hands free to type while speaking on the phone. As I am wont to do, I did some research, found a few suitable products, read some reviews and debated whether to spend the money. The product I thought would best suit my purposes was more than $300… yikes! Hard for me to justify.

I finally broke down and ordered the product (a Plantronics Voyager 500A. Woo hoo. Doesn’t that sound sexy?) and, as often happens for me, I’m kicking myself (or I would if I were a bit more flexible and thanks for the kind offer of handling that for me Jon) for not having utilized such a device a long time ago.

This device lets me sit with my head straight up, type comfortably with both hands free. In addition, I have the added benefit of being able to be on my feet and pace while speaking. As you’d probably expect, this has changed my conversations as I’m now able to get some ‘body English’ into them.

I highly recommend such a device for anyone who spends a fair amount of their day on the phone and it’s going to be part of my recommended tool for clients.

Now I’ve got my eye on one of those scanners for receipts… but so far I haven’t been able to mentally justify it. Anyone for providing the needed kick?

PS I’d love to hear what some of required tools are that you’re currently using or have on your ‘wish list’.

*The comedian Craig Shoemaker, whom I find to be very funny and insightful, does a great bit on driving while on a cell phone. He says, “Remember when you got your first cell phone? You’d call your friends and say, ‘Hey, I’m calling you while I’m walking my dog.’ ‘Check it out. I’m calling you while I’m driving.’ ‘Hey, I’m calling you after I just ran over some guy walking his dog.’​
1 Comment
Jessica
3/25/2016 04:24:27 pm

At the top of my wishlist is a desk that easily (and I mean easily) converts from a height that is ideal for sitting to a hight that is ideal for standing. I read about it in the NYT and I can’t get it out of my head:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/technology/personaltech/22basics.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=stand%20desk&st=cse

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    BJ Lownie and Jon Williams are the co-founders of Strategic Proposals.

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