Choosing the right phone for your business may feel like a bit of a nightmare. You not only have to consider the performance quality of your phone, but you also need to have one that is data secure. Penalties for data breaches are no fun and potentially could cost your business dearly.

It would be best if you had a phone for your business. At some point, clients and customers will want to contact you, and urgent matters arise from time to time. Such is the nature of business.

As such, the choice of phone is important. You need one that can perform in all the right areas such as streaming speeds, connection reliability, coverage, and cloud compatibility, but also security encryption.

From a business perspective, here are phones for consideration.

Apple Business Phones

Apple was one of the pioneers of the smartphone industry. Many people swear by Apple products with their elegant designs and clean lines. In terms of performance, Apple phones always put forward a great product for the price. They may cost a little bit more than an android equivalent, but you are simply paying for a high-end version that often has a significant edge in terms of performance and build quality. They are not one of the biggest brands on the planet for nothing.

You can see a good comparison of the various models here; idealo.co.uk

With this in mind, three phones stand out for business performance.

• iPhone 7 – A good entry point phone from Apple that offers all the functions you need to run a business on a day to day level. For that, it is fine, and like most Apple products is reliable and fast. It is, however, coming to the end of its life, and it may well be more cost-effective to consider a newer model.
• iPhone 8 – The iPhone 8 is a reworked phone with upgraded features. It is quite different from its predecessor, which may come in handy depending on the nature of your business. Features such as wireless charging and up to a 70% increase in speed may make you look twice at the iPhone 8, despite criticisms over its battery life.
• iPhone XR – The Apple XR brings back the full-screen design (no bevel) and has ditched fingerprint ID for facial recognition. According to Apple, your image is not stored on an external server but contained in the phone itself. The XR features an enhanced processor and larger screen and offers plenty of storage space.

Privacy and data protection wise, Apple states that it uses encryption in key areas of their mobile devices. They also use layered protection to prevent security breaches from apps.

Blackberry Business Phones

At one time, the only smartphone available was the Blackberry. It was quickly superseded by the rise of Apple and Android phones, and their operating model became obsolete as developers went where the users were.

They did, however, offer the best security on the market.

In 2020, they are making a come back featuring the Android operating system. So what’s on offer:

• Blackberry KEY2 – Featuring Blackberry’s famous keyboard and now armed with the Android operating system, Blackberry is now making a competitive offering. The price is quite high, however, and may be off-putting despite the above-average battery life.
• Blackberry Key2 LE – It doesn’t perform as well as its bigger, bolder cousin, but this is considerably cheaper and competes with other mid-range phones.
• Blackberry Keyone – Considered to be the best Blackberry phone for sometime on its release in 2017, this phone could be for you if you like a real keyboard to type on, but don’t want to lose the ease of the Android operating system.

From a security perspective, the Blackberry range is hard to beat. As well as standard protections, each device on the KEY2 is injected with unique cryptographic keys. This is advanced tampering protection, so should the phone detect something is wrong it won’t boot. This makes it considerably harder to hack than its competitors.

Samsung Business Phones

Like Apple, Samsung needs no introduction and is the dominate player in the Android market, offering classy smooth design and a good range of phones. They offer some of the best performing phones available today.

Here’s a sample:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus – With great storage options and a large screen, the elegant design is backed up by phone performance. It is also expensive and arguably suited to a more photography minded phone user.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – With unquestionable performance and ready for the future, there are little criticisms that can be made of this phone. Again, the high price may make it an unnecessary purchase for most business users.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 – Another great offering and more affordable as well, this phone could be the option to choose for business if you love the brand and want something that can perform. Storage options may be disappointing for the money.

Samsung Phones run a Knox security protection on their devices. This comprises of data encryption, run-time protection, data isolation, and chip-up manufacturing. Samsung boasts government agencies and security experts trust their security.

Huawei Business Phones

Huawei is arguably the third most significant player in the market behind Samsung and Apple. Their offerings are on the whole excellent and can easily compete with the best. That said, their reputation is tarnished on both sides of the Atlantic over 5G and other issues.

They are still worth considering as a business phone.

• Huawei P30 Pro – The Huawei P30 Pro is an excellent model phone and has very good camera capabilities. It offers good performance and storage.
• Huawei Mate 20 Pro – The phone is an excellent all-rounder, but offers less storage capacity than the P30. The phone has also received criticism for its lack of UI finesse which you may find frustrating.
• Huawei P30 – The little brother of the P30 Pro offers a very good phone for the price. Like most Huawei phones, it seems to be aimed at the photographer.

With its reputation tarnished by high-level government decisions both here and abroad, you may want to avoid Huawei’s offering as a business phone.

Google Pixel Business Phones

Google Pixel is a popular range of phones produced by the Android creator. The phones offer good design details, and competitive price points compared to other Android manufacturers. As Google releases them, they tend to get more pomp and circumstance than other brands.

Here are three for you to consider.

• Google Pixel 5 – The latest offering from Google was released in October 2020. The phone has received decent reviews with plenty of praise heaped on its camera technology. With good phone specs but not exceptional ones, you may find other phones at better prices with similar capabilities.
• Google Pixel 4 XL – Although arguably dated, many believe that this is the best Pixel phone. From a business perspective, it lacks storage, and as technology advances, this phone will be left behind.
• Google Pixel 3 XL – A perfectly fine phone but has the same limitations as the 4 XL. It has also been discontinued from production, so if you have an issue replacing parts is going to be that little bit harder.

Google’s security takes the form of full-disk encryption, file-based encryption, and Trust-Zone security.

The current UK economy follows a linear ‘take, make and dispose’ approach. For example, when a new iPhone is released, we immediately ditch our old model even if it is working just fine. Similarly,  we purchase on-trend clothes which may only be worn once and eventually thrown away.

As this approach relies on the world’s finite resources, it isn’t sustainable in the long term. Only 9% of the world’s economy has moved away from the linear model and far more organisations need to get onboard to help preserve the planet. One alternative is the so-called circular economy. Here we explain what the circular economy is and why your business should consider switching to this model.

What is the circular economy?

The circular economy is a closed-loop economic system focusing on reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing and recycling items and services instead of disposing of them. There are seven key elements, including rethinking business models, designing for the future, and preserving and extending existing products and services. This aims to reduce the volume of resources used and avoids creating waste, pollution and carbon emissions.

This sustainable model considers the full life cycle of products and aims to design these to ensure we get maximum value from the natural resources used. All potential waste should fuel another process. For example, London waste management company Bywaters offer food waste collection as part of its recycling services. During the decomposition process, the gases given off can be used to produce energy which helps to provide electricity to the UK. A circular system aims to eliminate waste, keep materials and products in use, and power the economy with renewable energy.

The benefits of a circular economy

A circular economy benefits businesses, citizens and the planet by promoting resource efficiency, encouraging eco-friendly product innovation and supporting green companies. Many industries including hospitality, fashion and technology will benefit from this economy model, increasing performance and reducing costs. This will help to make non-green industries green which will boost GDP by nearly 1% and create two million additional jobs.

A McKinsey study in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation revealed that the circular economy could boost Europe’s resource productivity by 3% by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 48% by 2030 and 83% by 2050. While it could also help save EU countries €600 billion. What’s more, businesses will benefit from reimagining its products, packaging and services to meet the demands of a sustainable environment, and consumers will be purchasing better products meaning they won’t need to keep paying to replace them.

Why businesses need to adapt now

The UK government has introduced laws on greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to reach net zero by 2050. This involves things like introducing greener transport, carbon efficient agriculture technologies and the Climate Change business tax. As well as ensuring emissions are offset by measures like planting trees or using carbon capture and storage. As a result, it makes sense for businesses to adapt now rather than later when restrictions and laws may be stricter.

Using the circular mode will help create a consistent supply chain that is beneficial for both your business and the planet. For example, Katie Leggett, sustainability manager at drinks company Innocent told The Telegraph: “The benefit to the business may not be short term but may instead be for the planet, and the knock-on impact associated with that. For example, less extreme weather means more predictable harvests and therefore more consistent supply across the global agricultural system.” Adapting your operations is worthwhile in the long run, helping to reduce environmental damage and costs, innovate products and services, and protect against reputation damage.

Failing to pay attention to the impact of consumerism on climate change may impact your reputation as customers may be less likely to do business with you. Considering 25% of UK consumers want to shop more sustainably, this is a great opportunity for your business to build and retain its loyal customer base. It will enable you to stay relevant and ahead of the competition in an ever-changing consumer market. In fact, taking action now will enhance your branding and place you as a sustainable company.

It is hugely important for small businesses to build product reviews. These reviews get the business out there – people often look at reviews before buying, after all. A small business relies on these reviews for a lot of its custom.

People Read Reviews

The biggest change the internet has brought to people’s lives is change. Instead of being limited to their immediate area, they can now buy things from all over the world! People can now compare and contrast before they buy what’s on offer. They read reviews of the various businesses that offer that product! A small business needs reviews because that is the only way they will be seen. Customer reviews bring the business to a whole new level of visibility! If there are no reviews, no one will see what the business offers. They will get no new custom.

People Now Get Suspicious of No Reviews

Strange as it may sound, people are so used to seeing reviews for almost anything online that they get suspicious if they don’t see any. Even one review can be enough. No reviews will make people pass over your wares for somebody who has reviews. Reviews ae therefore essential for drawing people into your business. They make people stop and think. They make people come into your site, however briefly. The more people who come to your site, the more likely it is that some of them will stop and shop there.

You need a Healthy Mix of Good and Bad Reviews

People are automatically wary of reviews that can seem too extreme. If you have all negative reviews, then people will assume that your product is terrible. But if you have all positive ones, then they will still avoid you. People now assume that positive reviews with no negative ones mean that you have bought all the positive reviews. A small business therefore needs as many reviews as possible. It could unintentionally be caught in the trap of having too many of either kind of review, which can affect sales.

Small Businesses Rely on Word of Mouth

Small businesses often don’t have the marketing budget that big ones do. They have to rely on word of mouth to a far greater degree. In the modern world, this now includes product reviews. If a business has no reviews, this will have a huge effect on sales and profits. Even one review can mean a product turns up in an internet search. Word of mouth leads to more people using the business and leaving reviews. Then the cycle repeats itself with other products, and other areas of the business.

Visibility is Key

Reviews mean visibility for small businesses. Think about it. When people search for reviews, the sites that have the most reviews come up first or second in the results. If a small business has no reviews, it won’t turn up in the search results at all! No results means that no one will know about the products. No one knowing means no sales. Reviews are absolutely vital for putting a small business on the map. Most sites now put reviews on their own site. When somebody searches for reviews, they are then taken directly to the site itself. If a small business does this, it could mean more sales.

You spend the majority of your adult life working, so it’s important to choose a career that’s going to satisfy you. However, securing your dream role doesn’t happen by accident. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already made it a few rungs up the career ladder, you’ll want to do everything you can to impress potential employers.

If you want to be ready when the next promotion opportunity comes along, take a look at these three ways you can increase your employability now:

1. Gain Experience

If you don’t have the right experience, you’re going to struggle to land your dream job. Of course, it can be difficult to gain experience when you can’t get your foot in the door. Fortunately, you can get more experience in your chosen industry by volunteering, taking internships and honing your skills outside the workplace.

People tend to assume that they can’t take an internship while they’re in full-time employment, but this isn’t always the case. Many firms offer short-term vacation schemes which allow you to gain experience over a two or three-week period. This can be a great way to boost your skills without leaving your current role.

2. Get Qualified

Being well-qualified will indicate to potential employers that you have the requisite skills they need, and it could put you a step ahead of your competition. With a Diploma of Business Administration, for example, you can gain theoretical and practical knowledge across managerial, technical and specialised business functions. What’s more – studying for a Diploma of Business Administration with TrainSmart Australia gives you the opportunity to complete your qualification online in just 12 months. Their rolling enrolment ensures you can start at a time that suits you and fit studying around your existing commitments.

3. Make Contacts

Although companies are required to adhere to strict policies and regulations when it comes to recruiting new employees, the old saying, ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’, still rings true. If you have an extensive professional network, you’re more likely to hear about potential vacancies as soon as they become available. Furthermore, having a stellar reputation in your industry will ensure that potential employers receive positive feedback when your name comes in conversation.

It’s important to extend your professional network regardless of what stage you’re at in your career, so make time to attend industry events, socialise with colleagues where possible and be active online. By doing so, you can widen your network and make important contacts that will stand you in good stead for the future.

Prioritising Your Employability

If you’re not actively looking for a new role, you might think you don’t need to focus on your employability right now. In reality, however, you should always be taking steps to maintain your employability. It will help you to retain your position if redundancies occur, for example, and it could mark you out for imminent promotion. Additionally, being a top candidate will help you to build a profile within your industry and give you a wider range of options to pursue.