(BPT) – If you work for a small business, you’re in good company. There are 28 million small businesses in the United States that provide 55 percent of all jobs, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.Travel is a necessary part of growing …

(BPT) – If you work for a small business, you’re in good company. There are 28 million small businesses in the United States that provide 55 percent of all jobs, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Travel is a necessary part of growing a small business. In fact, two out of three small-business owners and employees travel specifically to meet clients face-to-face, a Holiday Inn Small Business Traveler Study found. However, 56 percent of those surveyed note the stress of travel is the top pain point for business trips, plus nearly a third feel they aren’t treated as well as business travelers who work for large companies.

To put the joy back into traveling and to help small-business travelers get the most out of their money, consider these expert tips and tricks.

Research hotel amenities and extras

The hotel you choose should enable your success, not hinder it. That’s why you should research options and select a hotel that offers the amenities and extras you need to grow your small business even when you’re away from home.

A few hotel essentials for small-business travelers include free high speed Wi-Fi, comfortable and quiet lounge areas, business centers and meeting facilities. Additionally, a full-service hotel with a restaurant, bar and workout rooms will save you time and help you find the balance between work and relaxation.

Seek small-business perk programs

Some hotels offer programs specifically for small-business travelers. For example, The Holiday Inn brand’s “Inn Business” offer awards small-business travelers with Gold Elite status in IHG Rewards Club following just one-night stay, as well as complimentary room upgrades, priority check-in and late check-out, and the ability to earn rewards nights faster. Learn more at www.holidayinn.com/innbiz.

Another program to explore is Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club, which provides access to exclusive rates to save money plus a streamlined booking process. This is a major time-saver considering it takes an average of nine steps to book a hotel room, according to the Holiday Inn Small Business Traveler Study, and now it can take a little as two steps.

Stay organized and save time

Disorganization fuels stress. A little proactive thinking can eliminate worries and headaches from small-business travel. First, make a travel checklist even if you’re frequently on the road. It’s easy to forget necessities when you’re in a hurry.

Next, if you’re flying, opt for non-stop flights to save time. A flight labeled non-stop arrives at a destination without a layover. This is not to be confused with direct flights which can have a stop, but travelers wouldn’t be required to get off the plane. This results in a longer trip time compared to a non-stop flight.

Finally, it’s easy to get confused when traveling frequently. Take cell phone photos of your hotel room so you can easily reference the number. Also, take photos of your car rental and where you park so you can find your vehicle-of-the-moment without a hitch.

Eat well and maintain a schedule

Traveling can throw off your schedule which can make you feel tired and impatient. First, pack a protein-packed snack and remember to stay fueled and hydrated to avoid headaches, fatigue or worse.

Next, try to stay at hotels that offer room service from a full onsite restaurant. This makes it easy to save time by starting your morning in-room with a wholesome meal, or, kick back after a long day with a tasty dish enjoyed from the comfort of your private suite.

To avoid burnout and stay healthy, sleep is vital. A portable white noise machine helps induce sleep, especially when changing time zones. Also, keeping up an exercise routine at the hotel’s gym is great for melting away stress and allowing the body rest come nighttime.

 

(BPT) – Today’s high school and college students rely on technology for a lot more than entertainment and socializing; their devices are vital for their academic success. With the right tech in hand, young adults are primed to work and study more effic…

(BPT) – Today’s high school and college students rely on technology for a lot more than entertainment and socializing; their devices are vital for their academic success. With the right tech in hand, young adults are primed to work and study more efficiently.

If you’ll be sending your teen back to high school this year, or off to college, the back-to-school experts at Staples offer tips on must-have pieces of technology:

* Streaming devices – Sometimes your student will want to watch video, listen to music or access online content on a screen bigger than his smartphone. For those times, streaming devices like Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire Stick plug easily into the USB port of a TV or home theater system and deliver internet content from a variety of online services.

* Earbuds — Whether they’re listening to the newest download from a favorite singer, reviewing their latest physics class lecture or having a private conversation with Mom on their smartphone, students need quality earbuds that can plug into a range of devices. Earbuds not only allow users to catch every nuance of sound for whatever they’re listening to, they can also help keep the peace between roommates sharing a cramped dorm room!

* A 15-inch laptop — Sure you can find laptops with bigger or smaller screens, but for students a 15-inch laptop is the sweet spot for size, convenience and utility. Options like the Dell Intel Pentium Notebook and the Dell Inspiron Notebook, each available at Staples for just $249.99, are powerful for work and play, plus are light enough to go easily into a backpack or tote for a hike across campus.

* Tablets — For something even lighter and more versatile, students may opt for the Microsoft Surface 4 Pro bundle exclusively from Staples. It features the ultra-light Surface 4 Pro tablet with Windows 10, a Microsoft Surface Dock, Microsoft Office 365 software and a wireless mobile mouse. Even better, all desktops, laptops or all-in-one PCs from Staples qualify for 30 days of free tech support.

* Tech cords — It’s easy to lose track of charging cords, USB cables and other critical cords when a student is running from class to class. Equip your student with spare cords and power plugs for every device, and add in a Jansport Digital Burrito Pouch to keep all their cords and accessories organized in one place.

* Backpack/computer pouches — When they head off to high school or college, students need a backpack that can handle everything they want to carry, including their tech. The Designed by Students Back 2 Back Backpack features a removable hardshell laptop compartment, to ensure their device is well protected. Or, if they prefer to carry a tablet, look for a backpack that offers a separate, removable tablet sleeve.  

* Wearables — Whether it’s a smartwatch, a fitness tracker or a GPS, chances are good your student will want wearable technology. Smartwatches put the power of a smartphone on a student’s wrist, while fitness trackers can help them monitor (and feel good about) all those steps they’ll take while trekking around campus. And students who are going to college in a new city can navigate securely from home to school, around town and around campus with the help of a wearable GPS device.

You can find all the tech your students need to succeed this year at Staples, where the Staples Less List for School offers the lowest prices on school supplies, from laptops and tablets to USB drives, ear buds, batteries and more. Visit www.staples.com/backtoschool to learn more.

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(BPT) – The evolution of American families and their changing lifestyles is a popular topic these days. As family dynamics and lifestyles morph, they drive a change in home design. Aside from the enduring presence of a TV and seating, today’s living ro…

(BPT) – Many Americans are avid sports fans, and technology has made it easier than ever for them to enjoy their favorite sporting events in the comfort of their own home. From annual events like January’s Big Game and month-long college basketball tou…

(BPT) – Many Americans are avid sports fans, and technology has made it easier than ever for them to enjoy their favorite sporting events in the comfort of their own home. From annual events like January’s Big Game and month-long college basketball tournaments, to international competitions that draw athletes and audiences from around the world, Americans love to gather together to celebrate their favorite sporting events.

If you are hosting the ultimate game-viewing party for the 2016 summer games, here are five technology devices to outfit your home that can help you score entertaining gold with family and friends:

* Sports apps. Leagues and sporting events of virtually every kind have free apps you can use to keep up on what’s happening with your favorite teams and athletes. You can even download an app with news and schedules for the 2016 summer games, a searchable database of medalists, records and more. Use it to host a party under a theme tied to a specific game and help everyone keep track of the latest.

* Portable projector. You can take advantage of good weather by taking the viewing party outdoors with a portable projector. The lightweight “Minibeam” LED projector from LG, for example, is easily transportable,  weighing only 1.43 pounds with an embedded battery that provides up to 2.5 hours of run time, eliminating the need to plug in every time you use the device. Bluetooth connectivity means it can connect and share content between Bluetooth-enabled devices while delivering high-definition picture quality that’s clear and bright with sharp contrast and rich blacks. It can also stream content directly from premium content providers like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu, among others.

* Wireless speakers. Pick up on every cheer and capture the emotion in every winner’s voice when you use wireless speakers arranged to optimize sound. Wireless speakers like Music Flow can connect to your TV, surround sound system and even your mobile devices to ensure no one misses a moment of their favorite sporting events.

* Fan Fridge. Let your guests help themselves! Many LG refrigerators feature a “door-in-door” compartment, which makes it easier for your fellow fans to quickly and easily access must-have snacks stored in the interior door compartment. Just stock the compartment with their favorites, and they can access the food and drink they want with a touch of a button — and without ever having to open the entire refrigerator.  Not only is this convenient, but opening just this section of the fridge will keep cold air in to help food stay fresher for longer – most useful during those hot summer days to prevent cold air escaping from where it matters most.

* A smart cooler. If you’ve decided to move your sports celebration outdoors, you’ll need a way to keep beverages and snacks cool and fresh. A smart cooler can do the trick, and some of them will even charge your cell phone. From smart coolers that are equipped with a solar panel that can charge small mobile devices, to ones that have removable blenders and built-in Bluetooth speakers, or interior lights that make night-game snacking a cinch, today’s smart coolers are a far cry from the Styrofoam boxes of your childhood!

To learn more about electronics and appliances that can help you score a win during game-day entertaining, visit www.LG.com.

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