THE BEST TECH STOCKING STUFFERS At this point in the holiday season, you’ve probably (read: hopefully) taken care of most of the big-ticket items on the wish lists of your loved ones. However, we’re guessing you may still be on the hunt for stocking stuffers and other small items. To help make that project a little easier, we wanted to share our picks for awesome tech gifts you can find for around $20. SUPER IMPULSE TINY ARCADE CABINETS The perfect gift for both the young and young-at-heart, these cabinets replicate the look and feel of vintage arcade games, only on a much smaller scale. Super Impulse has created portable versions of classics like “Pac-Man,” “Dig Dug,” “Frogger,” and more. JACKERY PORTABLE CHARGER BARS In today’s hyper-connected world, a dead battery can put you out of action in a hurry. With this clever device, you’ll never have to ask for a spare outlet again. It can charge an iPhone from zero to 100 real quick, ensuring you’ll never miss an Instagram-worthy moment. CAILLU CORD ORGANIZERS Tangled cords stink, but you can’t zip-tie your headphones like you do the wires behind your TV or computer. These handy leather-and-button snaps solve that problem and look stylish, to boot. For Last-Minute Shoppers
When you’re a dedicated pet parent, traveling can be stressful. Most vacations are not dog- and cat-friendly, and you want to make sure your pets are cared for while you’re away. Traditional boarding options tend to be anonymous and impersonal, giving you pause about the care your pet will receive. The founders of Rover sensed that there had to be an alternative, so they looked to sharing services like Uber and Airbnb for inspiration. Rover pairs pet owners with a network of individual pet sitters and dog walkers. They use robust data science to pair owners with the best caretakers for their needs. Customizing your search based on any number of criteria ranging from the type and length of service to the size and needs of your critters. All care providers are rated, and the vast majority are pet lovers who view Rover as more of a passion than a profession. “It’s a great side job to make some extra cash pretty easily,” says one caregiver. “And since I love animals, it’s just something fun to do that I get paid for.” Transparency regarding care is just as important to Rover as creating ideal pairings. Clients are constantly in the loop regarding what’s happening with their pet. They can receive updates, photos, and maps of walks featuring GPS data. Rover CEO Aaron Easterly says, “We let you know the quality of care being delivered.” That gives users peace of mind they’d never have from traditional dog-sitting arrangements. The total value of Rover’s services was $225 million in 2017, and that number will be significantly higher this year. The company now operates in over 50 cities, connecting pet owners with people who will care for their fur babies as if they were their own. It was only a matter of time before the sharing economy catered to animals in addition to people, and Rover is leading the way. A 4-LEGGED SPIN ON THE GIG ECONOMY UBER FOR DOGGOS AND KITTIES
ALISON GREEN’S ‘ASK A MANAGER’ Will Help You Communicate More Effectively Good communication skills are essential whether you’re a customer-facing employee or not. In all aspects of our business lives, we need to be
able to speak and listen effectively. Workplace advice columnist Alison Green realized that communication issues are among the most common professional difficulties. Her new book, “Ask a Manager: How to Navigate Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work,” compiles years of insight into a handy, easy-to-use guide for workplace conversation. “A theme I’ve seen over and over again is that people end up significantly less happy at work because they’re hesitant to speak up about what’s important to them,” Green recently told The New York Times. Giving people the tools and systems to have these conversations is what “Ask a Manager” is all about. Green has organized her book into four main chapters — Conversations With Your Boss; Conversations With Your Coworkers; Conversations When You’re the Boss; and Conversations With Your Job Interviewer — making it very easy to use the book as a reference whenever you need it. Whether you are a confident conversationalist or not, you’ll find a wealth of wisdom within “Ask a Manager.” Given the book’s wide-ranging applicability, it’s the perfect gift for every member of your team.
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