The Editors at Levenger - Archive

Striving for accomplishment and success in the group dynamic of the workplace requires strong, smart leadership. The following commonsense ideas can help make a good manager into a great one. Here are five simple things supervisors can do to increase their effectiveness:

1. Share your vision. An inspired staff, guided by a leader who charts a course and sets a direction, can be an unstoppable force. When everyone on a team shares the same goals and vision, and understands how their role contributes to the success of an endeavor, the focused energy that results increases productivity dramatically.  Communicate your plans and strategies with enthusiasm.

2. Listen. A savvy manager understands exactly what each staff member does, the challenges they face on a daily basis, and how each team member and task fits into the big picture of the organization’s goals. The only way a leader can achieve this knowledge is to listen carefully to staff members’ issues and concerns. As a result, the manager can work to solve problems and make improvements with greater efficacy.

3. Empower. Make sure your staff has the resources and information they need to do the job efficiently. Encourage them to make decisions on their own. Publicly recognize and promote the members of your team at every opportunity, and give credit where credit is due. You’ll build loyalty and trust that way, and your staff will work even more diligently to make you look good.

4. Prioritize. Juggling multiple projects and deadlines is a way of life in most companies these days, but the most effective managers are able to focus staff energy and resources on the tasks that have the greatest potential impact on the company’s growth. Which projects are crucial and urgent, and which require more development and focus at a later time? A talented leader knows.

5. Be accessible. Even though you are probably kept incommunicado by hours of high-level meetings, your direct reports need to be able to reach you. A do not disturb or ivory tower mentality is not an effective leadership strategy. Respond to e-mails and calls on a consistent basis. And even the busiest manager should establish regular “office hours” where the door is open. Despite the convenience of digital interfacing, the face-to-face conversation is still the most powerful means of communication.

Levenger can help managers get organized with a host of unique project management tools. And we’d love to hear from you…leave your comments below. 

Do you Tweet? Is your company on Facebook? If your answer is no, why not? A social media presence can enhance your business in so many ways. Here are just a few:

1. It’s an additional storefront and showcase. Experts say that a potential customer has to see or hear of your business at least three times, preferably in three different places, before they will shop. Social media may be that additional avenue to enhanced visibility and brand recognition.

2. You’ll meet your customers. Receiving real-time feedback from real users of your product or service is valuable to everyone who runs a business. You’ll know what you’re doing well, what needs improvement and what customers really want and expect.

3. It’s word of mouth on steroids. The traditional power of word-of-mouth advertising is increased exponentially on the World Wide Web. Each of your followers is now extolling the virtues of your product or service to their own hundreds (sometimes thousands) of friends and followers. The potential for new customer acquisition is virtually limitless.

4. You can target your niche. Groups, forums and those of like-minded interest naturally flock together via social media, which gives you an instant entree to the kind of targeted advertising that marketing experts only used to dream about.

5. It bumps up your search ranking. Customers need to find you quickly online, and social media can help. Top social sites consistently rank high in Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines.

6. You can post up-to-the-minute news. In this fast-paced world, what’s quicker than posting your latest information and updates on Twitter and Facebook to get the word out?

7. Your competitors are already using it. From huge conglomerates and multinational corporations to neighborhood mom-and-pop stores to solo freelancers, practically every type of business concern now has a visible Web presence through social media.

8. It enhances your customer relations. You’ll build trust and loyalty by communicating with your customers via social media, and you’ll create a brand image of transparency and accessibility.

9. It promotes creative marketing. Today, the tried-and-true ad or commercial doesn’t have the impact of a viral video, an engaging infographic or a compelling online contest. Using social media forces you to think outside the box to capture new customers.

10. It’s virtually free. Setting up an initial social presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and many other sites is free of charge. Maintaining and creating content does require resources, but often little more than you’re already doing marketing-wise.

New to social media? Check out the Facebook page of Levenger for an example of it works. And we welcome your feedback below.

Work & Play iPad Mini Folio

Digital life is real life. Sometimes you ’pad, sometimes you write. You stream and surf, too. The Work & Play iPad Mini Folio combines the best of two technologies we use every day…tablet computer and note paper.

Like the original version for the full-sized iPad, the Work & Play for the Mini is a triple-threat for tablet users. It’s a case that converts to a stand for streaming, surfing and typing on your iPad Mini. It has a detachable holder that allows you to take photographs or record video while continuing to protect your device. And it includes a junior-size notepad for jotting those important notes that you need to write by hand. (Of course, there’s a loop inside for your favorite pen and/or stylus.)

Both notepad and iPad Mini can be inserted from either end, making this the perfect folio for both right- or left-handers.

This compact case is designed for easy portability, and can slip unobtrusively into a bag or tote. For those who find themselves working remotely or on the road, it’s the equivalent of a mini office.

The Work & Play does more than just save space in a bag by bringing iPad and notepad together in one sleek case. It accommodates two distinctively different ways of working by combining traditional and digital technology. Use your iPad Mini for exploration and communication, and your notepad for contemplation and reflection. That’s the way to harness the best of both technologies.

If we’ve piqued our interest in this or other Levenger Digital Life products, we invite your feedback below. 

The psychological aspects of left- and right-brain orientation are fascinating because they give us clues to the mysteries of personality and our different affinities. According to the theory, which developed from the work of Nobel Prize scientist Roger Sperry, the way we see the world and operate within it is vastly different for the left-brain and right-brain individual. Which are you?

The brain is indeed divided into two hemispheres, with each specializing in different areas of concentration, and we obviously use both. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. But there is a phenomenon known as brain asymmetry, which makes one side dominant. Left-handedness, for example, is a general indicator of right-brain dominance.

The left brain, which controls the right side of the body, is the part that seeks to analyze and organize data into systems. The disciplines of mathematics, language and logic are said to spring from the left brain. The left brain is the home of rational thought, linear and sequential organization, precision and logic.

According to the popular psychological theory, a left-brain individual could be described as organized, analytical, logical, traditional and dependable.

The right brain, which controls the left side of the body, is considered the creative and associative aspect. Art, music, storytelling, metaphysics, curiosity and even romantic love are believed to originate from this area of the brain. The right brain is the dreamer, the visionary, the part that “thinks outside of the box.”

The right-brain person is often described as imaginative, restless, seeking, unpredictable, creative or artistic.

Of course, all of us use both aspects in our daily lives, and not everyone buys into the right-brain/left-brain dominance theory. An accountant can play the guitar, and an actor can be good at math and science. A film editor must use both hemispheres on a daily basis, as must an architect. Scientist and mathematician Albert Einstein comes to mind as someone who was obviously working brilliantly from both sides of his brain.

Levenger caters to both left- and right-brain preferences, with products that combine beauty with function, for all our brainy customers.

We live in a fast-paced world, and trying to keep in step can be stressful. We think we need to push ourselves harder in order to produce and be of value. Unfortunately, too much stress is not only debilitating and dangerous, but ultimately unproductive. Finding ways to reduce stress makes you healthier, happier and infinitely more effective in your work. Here are a few tips:

1. Make time for pleasurable activities, every day. Don’t forget the me-time. The hot bath. The gym. Spending time with people you love. Reading a novel. These are the simple pleasures that make life worth living. Schedule some into every day.

2. Make lists. People who keep written lists tend to be more organized in general and feel less overwhelmed. And smart listmakers know they don’t need to complete everything on their list every day. For an added stress reliever, after you’re finished making a list, go back and cross off all non-essential tasks. The sense of relief will be palpable.

3. Break down large projects into actionable tasks. When you take the time to formulate a simple step-by-step plan and execute each component one by one, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment at each stage of completion.

4. Delegate. Sometimes we think it’s easier and faster to do something ourselves rather than show someone else how to do it. But taking the extra few minutes to train someone else to handle the task will free up a tremendous amount of time later. Delegating empowers others, too.

 5. Regroup.  Whenever you feel tense, it’s time to take a breather. Get up and stretch your legs, get a breath of fresh air. If you’re in a particularly long meeting, suggest a five-minute break. Your colleagues will silently cheer.

 6. Prioritize laughter and fun. Stressful work environments are often cheerless and overly serious. A sense of humor is like an oasis in the desert. Lighten up, and add a little fun to the proceedings.

7. Unplug. When you prepare to tackle an important task, silence your phone and turn away from your e-mail. If you have an office, close the door. Distractions cause mistakes, and mistakes cause stress.

8. Do your best, but leave well enough alone. Perfectionism is a negative habit in disguise. The most stressed-out people tend to have abnormally high standards, and are usually too critical of themselves and others to be truly effective. Perfectionists also tend to be procrastinators, because they fear their efforts won’t be good enough.

 9. Fuel yourself properly. The busy-person diet of low-nutrient fast foods, candies, cookies, cake, donuts and other eat-on-the-run fare will run you down. Take the time to seek out more wholesome foods that keep your vehicle running in tiptop shape.

10. Make time for exercise. In addition to its well-documented physical health benefits, exercise is a master stress reliever. As little as 15 minutes of continuous movement distributes oxygen throughout the bloodstream and releases endorphins, resulting in increased energy, mental clarity and an overall feeling of well-being.

Bottom line: When you spend the time to take good care of yourself, you improve your overall performance, at work and in life. A little organizing and prioritizing is a great first step.

A precision-engineered writing instrument of solid machined metal, the Levenger L-Tech has long been a favorite among those who write by hand. With the recent addition of a stylus tip, the L-Tech Plus is now a double-duty power tool, worthy of both paper and screen.

Bringing together the best of both digital and traditional technologies, the L-Tech Plus is crafted in solid brass with a silver metallic finish, and is available in ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pen modes. Architects and engineers have used such machined metal as this for years, as it renders the touch of quality. Expertly weighted for a satisfying heft, the L-Tech’s barrel starts off faceted, which keeps it from rolling off your desk, and finishes in a smoothly textured grip for comfort.

One customer calls our streamlined L-Tech “my idea of a perfect everyday pen. Its sleek design speaks to simplicity and function.” Another enthuses, “It looks, feels and writes beautifully. Just what I wanted.”

Stylus users love it, too. A customer from Atlanta writes, “My husband received this for Christmas and loves it! He works exclusively with his iPad and meets clients daily. This pen enables him to neatly move data on the iPad and write notes as the clients communicate with him. He loves the weight and says it is very comfortable in hand. In a highly specialized, high-end field, it is a professional accessory without looking pretentious.”

Finally, a stylus that’s as well-crafted as the tablet you use it on—the L-Tech Plus, available exclusively from Levenger.

Personality is the spice of group dynamics, especially in workplace situations. Do any of the following 6 personality types describe you? Hint: You may have characteristics of more than just one of our Workplace Archetypes.

1. The Expert
You’re the go-to guy or gal for in-depth information on your area of concentration. People depend upon and trust you to provide accurate data. In meetings, when questions come up, your name is often invoked: “Let’s ask [your name]. He/she will know.” When you give a presentation, your Power Point is likely to be chock full of interesting statistics, graphs and charts.
Pros: Knowledgeable, well-informed, can be depended upon for statistical accuracy
Cons: Know-it-all tendencies, sometimes considered dull, didactic or pedantic

2. The Entertainer
You know how to work a room and tend to start off most presentations and meetings with a little joke to lighten the mood, or a story to get your audience focused. You have that magic ability to get others to whistle while they work, no matter how mundane the task at hand.
Pros: Great sense of humor, a spellbinding speaker or storyteller, never commits the cardinal sin of being boring
Cons: Sometimes superficial, often can’t be bothered with the details, not always taken seriously by others

3. The Charmer
You believe frequent eye contact, being a good listener and nonverbal communication speak louder than words. You’re full of insight and are exceptionally persuasive. You do equally well interacting with the higher-ups as you do with any other level of the workplace hierarchy. Your ability to focus energy on others and make them feel important is almost hypnotic.
Pros: Power of persuasion, feel-good energy, confidence and poise, a master of one-on-one interaction
Cons: Sometimes too intense, often written off as a flatterer or apple-polisher

4. The Cheerleader
You’re a spirited supporter of your team, your company and your industry. Passion and enthusiasm are you watchwords. You believe that all new ideas are valid and should be fully heard—talent and enthusiasm must be nurtured.
Pros: Enthusiastic, supportive, helpful, lends energy to team enterprises
Cons: Indiscriminate, tends to be a follower or bandwagon jumper, can come off as phony or insincere

5. The Voice of Reason
You are the great equalizer and balancer, avoiding extremes and finding comfortable middle ground. When making a major decision, you tend to make lists of pros and cons and consult others for their opinions before coming to a conclusion. The arts of diplomacy, negotiation and compromise are second nature to you.
Pros: Analytical, methodical, organized, can make judgments without drama or emotion
Cons: Sometimes robotic, dispassionate, tends to think inside the box and do things by the book

 6. The Iconoclast
You’re a natural born leader. You’re the risk-taker, most likely to “go rogue” and make decisions without consulting the group. Success or failure matters less to you than action, but your willingness to go out on a limb makes you a trailblazer and visionary. If you are working under someone else’s supervision, you tend to ask for forgiveness rather than permission when it comes to acting on your ideas.
Pros: Proactive, energetic, someone who knows how to get things done
Cons: Not a team player, not willing to listen to alternate viewpoints, doesn’t follow directions

No matter what your workplace personality, we hope you’ll be able to find useful tools to help you achieve your business goals at Levenger.com.

Traveling for work doesn’t have to be a grind when you’re well organized—in fact, it can (and should) be fun. Make business travel more pleasurable by keeping the following tips and suggestions in mind. Bon voyage!

Passport Jacket

• Organize your paperwork. Planning ahead paves your way to a more pleasant journey. Map out your itinerary, and organize your tickets, confirmations, directions and other travel documents in a folder, keeping the papers in chronological order of your travels. Travel cases and document holders can help you keep everything in proper order.

• Bring cash on travel day. It’s always a good idea to keep a little cash–$100 or less–when traveling. If you’re going overseas, you might want to visit your bank before traveling and avoid the busy (or sometimes un-manned) foreign currency exchanges in airports. A divided travel wallet can help keep currencies separate.

• Travel light.Professional travelers save the time of checking luggage and baggage claim by carrying a bag that can fit in the overhead bin, or be stowed in front of them on the aircraft, and keep a smaller briefcase or portfolio inside the larger bag for business meetings.

• Wear layers.  Bring a scarf, jacket, sweater, hat and  gloves that you can easily put on or remove to keep yourself comfortable in varying temperatures. Check the weather for the location and time of year.

• Remember chargers and adaptors. A dead cell phone or a hairdryer you can’t use can leave you less than calm, cool and collected on meeting day. Many phone and electronics cases offer extra space for these necessary gadgets.

• Have plenty of business cards on hand. You’ll make a favorable impression when networking if you dispense them from a simple monogrammed card wallet.

Card Wallet

• Bring pen and paper. As we all know, cell phone service and Wi-Fi are not 100% reliable at all times. Keep a pen and jotter handy to capture quick notes, phone numbers, directions, etc.

• Bring a good book. If you can engross yourself in a real page turner, unanticipated delays are a bit less stressful. Today, seasoned travelers carry entire libraries and film collections in their tablets or e-readers–all in one slim case that slips into a shoulder bag.

• Plan something fun. Many business travelers complain that they never get to see the city they’re visiting because they’re “too busy.” With just a little advance planning, you can enjoy a museum tour, a meal at an iconic restaurant, even a matinee or evening performance on your off hours. Often, just planning ahead can make the difference and allow you to enrich your experience and make business travel exciting and fun.

Shirt Pocket Briefcase

Many of us need to take notes on the run—during lunch, at impromptu meetings or while traveling. Smartphones and tablets are helpful for capturing information, but sometimes jotting by hand is just quicker and easier. Enter the pocket tool for note-takers. The super-slim Shirt Pocket Briefcase, available only from Levenger, could become indispensable to your daily arsenal of organizing gear. This handy leather tool allows you to keep note cards within easy reach for writing reminders, notes and ideas.

A Levenger customer from New York finds the Shirt Pocket Briefcase “easy for notes, lists, phone numbers, etc. It fits well in a shirt pocket, or inside my suit coat pocket…I carry it not just when at work, but also at home, on weekends and traveling…I never am without it.”

“Jotting down notes on 3 x 5 cards still works better than anything technology can come up with,” concurs one Pocket Briefcase user from Virginia.

The Shirt Pocket Briefcase boasts a simple and sleek design, with a writing surface plus two pockets for 3 x 5 note cards, so you can keep blank cards separate from completed cards.

The timeless technology of the handwritten note will never go out of style. Balance your digital devices with the direct, productive pleasure of writing by hand on note cards cradled by a beautiful full-grain leather holder that can bear your monogram or company logo.