If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

The success of Roku can be attributed to the simplicity of the device and the platform, and of course the content. This has resulted in a total of 43 million monthly active accounts in the U.S. as of this year. And while Roku is easy to install and use, there are many people who want the platform in their TV.

The best TVs on this list have some great smart features and technology at a budget-friendly price. One of the best features of these TVs is the price, in addition to the content you get with Roku.

The number of TV manufacturers incorporating these streaming services is growing, but as of now, it is limited.

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Best Roku TV

 

TCL 75-inch 4K UHD QLED ROKU Smart TV

Top Pick: At 75 inches, this TLC Smart TV has 4K UHD with Mini LED and QLED screen with the TCL propriety Natural Motion 480 refresh rate. With these features, you can watch the latest HDR movies and play games without any lag or flickering. Other features include Dolby Vision, 4 HDMI inputs (1 eARC), and THX Certified Game Mode to name a few.

TCL 75″ 6-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR QLED ROKU Smart TV

Buy on Amazon

 

Hisense 65-Inch 4K ULED Roku Smart TV

Runner Up: This bezel-less design 65-inch TV is very affordable, but it does not skimp on the features. A 4K ULED screen delivers up to 700 nits of peak brightness with Dolby Vision HDR, motion rate 240, and full local dimming. The sound comes from a Dolby Atmos optimized system and it uses the built-in WiFi for connectivity.

Hisense 65-Inch Class R8 Series Dolby Vision & Atmos 4K ULED Roku Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility

Buy on Amazon

 

Westinghouse 55-inch Roku 4K Ultra HD LED Smart TV

Best Value: This Roku enabled TV comes in at 55” with a 4K Ultra HD LED screen and HDR. The built-in dual-bank WiFi and Ethernet will connect you to your favorite streaming content and the Dolby Audio will deliver optimal sound.

Westinghouse 55-inch Roku 4k Ultra HD LED Smart TV with HDR

Buy on Amazon

 

TCL 55-inch 4K UHD QLED Smart TV

The 6-Series of the TCL Roku Smart TV also has Mini-LED and QLED screens delivering 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and HDR10. The AiPQ Engine optimizes color, contrast, and clarity using machine-learning algorithms. This optimization delivers a high-quality 4K HDR experience. You also get WiFi, USB, and HDMI ports and connectivity for adding more peripherals to your TV.

TCL 55″ 6-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR QLED ROKU Smart TV

Buy on Amazon

 

Hisense 55-Inch 4K ULED Smart TV

The 55” version of the Hisense is part of the R8 Series and it comes with the Dolby Vision and Atmos sound. This includes the 4K ULED screen, 240 motion rate, a bezel-less design and built-in WiFi for connectivity. You can use your voice to power the TV, change channels, search for shows and more using an Alexa enabled device.

Hisense 55-Inch Class R8 Series Dolby Vision & Atmos 4K ULED Roku Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility

Buy on Amazon

 

Westinghouse 50-Inch 4k Ultra HD LED Smart TV

This Westinghouse Roku TV is a 4KUltra High Definition (UHD) with HDR delivering more than 4 times as many pixels as a traditional HDTV. Using the Roku Mobile App, you can control the TV with your voice or keyboard. If you want to share videos, music, and photos from your smartphone, use the Roku Mobile App on your TV. The built-in dual-band Wi-Fi makes all these connectivity features possible.

Westinghouse 50 Inch Roku 4k Ultra HD LED Smart TV with HDR

Buy on Amazon

 

Hisense 50-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV

This is not part of the R8 Series it is the R6, but the 50” screen still comes with a 4K UHD monitor and a brightness rating of 300 nits. Alexa compatibility means you can use your voice to control the TV and other smart devices. You also get 3 HDMI ports along with USB, Ethernet, optical digital audio output along with RCA composite video and audio input.

Hisense 50-Inch Class R6090G Roku 4K UHD Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility

Buy on Amazon

 

Features to Look for in a Roku TV

Screen size: The current display technology offers a wide range of screen sizes. Take the size and lighting of the room into consideration when choosing a screen size.

• 8K, 4K or HD: The higher the resolution, the more options you have when it comes to accessing HDR, 3D and other types of content.
• Panel technology: Dolby Vision, High dynamic range (HDR), light-emitting diode (LED), organic LED (OLED) and quantum-dot LED (QLED) are all options.
• Memory and storage: 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage is a great start.
• Connectivity and ports: WiFi and Ethernet port is key for good internet connectivity. HDMI, USB and other audio/video ports are also essential to connect multiple peripherals.
• Contrast ratio and refresh rate: Look for high contrast ratio and refresh rate of 120Hz
• Built-in sound technology: If you are not going to add a sound system, look for the best possible sound from the TV. This includes remote wireless headphone capability.

When you are looking for a TV with Roku integration, your choice is going to be limited. This however does not mean you cannot find a TV with many Smart TV features. The TVs in this list are featured packed and affordable.

ALSO READ:

Images: amazon.com

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If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

Emergencies can and do take place anytime and anywhere without warning in a place of business. If said emergency requires a first-aid kit, having a fully equipped kit that can address minor injuries or illness is essential.

When it comes to regulations, all industries must comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 no matter what kind of work employees perform. This rule states “Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available” in 29 CFR 1910.151(b). However, the first aid program needs to correspond to the hazards specific to the workplace. An office and a construction site are completely different, and the first aid protocol needs to take that into consideration.

It is important to remember the goal of a first-aid kit is to take care of the injured person until emergency care arrives. This is if it requires medical professionals. The key is to have the best first aid kit for your business capable of addressing the emergency.

All the first aid kits on this list are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and/or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) compliant.

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Best First Aid Kits for Businesses

 

Rapid Care First Aid 3 Shelf All-Purpose First Aid Kit Cabinet

Top Pick: This Class A+ first aid kit is OSHA/ANSI Z308.1 2015 compliant. It has a full spectrum of first aid products that meet these standards. It can service up to 200 people with more than 1,000 items in the kit. This includes unitized and color-coded items for easy identification along with a first aid booklet.

Rapid Care First Aid 80098 3 Shelf All-Purpose First Aid Kit Cabinet, Class A+, Exceeds OSHA/ANSI Z308.1 2015

Buy on Amazon

 

Rapid Care First Aid 4 Shelf All-Purpose Extra Wide First Aid Cabinet/Trauma Center

Runner Up: The 1,063 first aid and medical supplies in this kit can service 250 people. The kit meets ANSI 2015 Class B standards and OSHA guidelines. It comes with a tourniquet, blood stopper, reusable splints, and trauma pads along with scissors, bandages and an assortment of medications.

Rapid Care First Aid 865-15-1F 4 Shelf All-Purpose Extra Wide First Aid Cabinet/Trauma Center, ANSI 2015 Class B+

Buy on Amazon

 

First Aid Only 50 First Aid Cabinet with Medications

Best Value: This kit exceeds the 2015 ANSI Class A requirements. You can treat 50 or more people with the contents in the case which include medications, bandages, masks, gloves and more. The SmartTab ezRefill System comes with the FAO SafetyHub app so you can monitor the usage and inventory. When you run low, the app will remind you it is time to resupply the kit.

First Aid Only 50 Person Large Plastic SmartCompliance First Aid Cabinet with Medications

Buy on Amazon

 

First Aid Only 195 Piece First Aid Kit

Not all OSHA or ANSI compliant first aid kits have to be big. This kit from First Aid Only is 10.75 x 3 x 11 inches and a little under a pound. But it is still OSHA compliant. It includes 195 essential first aid supplies to treat minor injuries for 50 people.

First Aid Only 195 Piece First Aid Kit, OSHA Compliant

Buy on Amazon

 

Xpress First Aid 250 Piece First Aid Kit

This kit meets ANSI A+, Type I&II Standards as well as OSHA compliance. You get 250 essential first aid supplies that are enough to treat 50 people. It features items for wound care, burns and swelling, and medication in a storage case with a compartment for easy identification.

Xpress First Aid 250 Piece First Aid Kit, ANSI/OSHA Compliant

Buy on Amazon

 

Be Smart Get Prepared – 351 Piece First Aid Kit

This is a comprehensive kit that meets and exceeds OSHA ANSI/ ISEA 2015 guidelines for 100 people. The case has tilting shelves to easily access the items in the box. You will find sterile eyewash, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, instant cold compress, and first aid guides in English and Spanish in the kit.

Be Smart Get Prepared – 351 Piece First Aid Kit – Exceeds OSHA ANSI/ISEA Standards for 100 People

Buy on Amazon

 

Rapid Care First Aid with 16 oz Eye Wash Station with First Aid Kit

There are some industries that require an eyewash station. This kit is OSHA/ANSI and FDA compliant for eyewash and it also includes a 25-person first aid kit. The eyewash kit comes with a 16 oz bottle of a sterile isotonic buffered solution. You can use it to flush or irrigate eyes to clear dust, chemicals, and other foreign material as well as to relieve itching and burning of eyes and skin.

Rapid Care First Aid, 16 oz Eye Wash Station with First Aid Kit, OSHA/ANSI & FDA Compliant

Buy on Amazon

 

Things to Consider About Emergencies and a First Aid Kit

As a business, you should hold emergency drills regularly to keep your employees safe. This includes going through a first aid kit to learn what is in it and how to use the tools. If you can have one or more employees get first aid certification, it will be that much better.

The goal is to be prepared when there is an emergency so you can help each other.

• Expiration date: Regularly check the supplies in your first aid to make sure they are not expired. Expired medication can have unintended consequences. These days it is easy enough to set a reminder on your computer or app on a phone.
• Keep the kit in the same place all the time: There is nothing worse than not finding the kit when you most need it. Make keeping and replacing the first aid kit a company policy in your place of business.
• Consider specialized kits for your industry: Beyond a regular fist aid kit, consider a specialized kit if there are hazards specific to your industry.
• Restock used items: Some items will likely run out before others. So, make sure to regularly check your supply.
• First aid kit information guide: Make sure the information guide in the first aid kit comes from a reliable source. Moreover, go over it so you know what it is in it. This will make it easier to help the injured person under the stress of an emergency.

It is worth mentioning a first aid kit is not a mobile trauma center. But a quality kit should treat minor traumatic injuries such as burns, cuts, stings, splinters, sprains, abrasions, and strains. You can also get some heavy-duty kits suitable for EMTs. However, you also must remember you are a phone call away from medical emergency personnel. If you are not, you should consider a more extensive kit to address more serious emergencies.

ALSO READ:

Images: amazon.com

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As more people get online because of the pandemic, more businesses are also creating websites for the very first time while others improving their digital presence.

Zoho is holding a free online event titled, ‘Business Website Basics: Elements of Design and How to Talk with a Designer,” so you can effectively communicate with a designer when going through this process. You will learn a basic understanding of visual hierarchy to create a more appealing website as well as how to use a grid.

Whether you’re making your own website, hiring a web designer, or using a drag-and-drop website builder this is a great resource.

If you are not able to attend the webinar, you can register for it and Zoho will send over the recorded session to you shortly after the session finishes.

The webinar will take place on November 10, 2020, from 7-8 p.m.

Click the red button and register now.

Register Now

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Featured Events, Contests and Awards

Webinar: Elements of Design and How to Talk with a Designer
November 10, 2020, Online

Join to gain a basic understanding of visual hierarchy, how to use a grid, and how to effectively communicate with a designer. This webinar is a great resource whether you’re making your own website, hiring a web designer, or using a drag-and-drop website builder.

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LinkUpConferenceShow
November 12, 2020, Online

LinkUpConferenceShow (LUCS) is a digital networking conference that merges the incredibly dynamic worlds of tech and comedy to provide informative and personalized networking opportunities designed to help executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders and tech professionals grow and scale their businesses. LUCS is the tech conference that combines Silicon Valley insights with New York’s nonstop energy to bring the technology community a totally new virtual experience designed to inspire, engage and entertain.

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Zoho Webinar: Converting Visitors to Leads
November 17, 2020, Online

Want to learn how to turn website visitors into leads? Then look no further! We’ll go over CTAs, web forms, and Zoho PageSense so you can see how to optimize your website through iterative testing.

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Getting Started with Zoho One
November 24, 2020, Online

A walk through overview of Zoho One using real case studies from Zoho customers to demonstrate different ways Zoho One can support your business. Join us!

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Small Business Saturday: #ShopSmall
November 28, 2020

Small businesses are counting on all of us – let’s show them how much they mean to our communities. From getting takeout to shopping online, every time you
#shopsmall, you’re supporting small businesses at the heart of your community.

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More Events

• Brewing Good Business in the Face of Global Crisis: A Conversation with Anheuser-Busch CEO Michel Doukeris
  November 10, 2020, Online
• neXco National B2B Virtual Speed Networking
  November 11, 2020, Online
• Webinar: More Clients, Less Marketing
  November 12, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Revolutionizing Retail: The Omnichannel Experience
  November 12, 2020, Online
• Reveal Your Inner Awesome
  November 13, 2020, Online
• Get Known Everywhere: Exposure For Authors
  November 15, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Gen Z: Leading a Retail Revolution
  November 18, 2020, Online
• Diving Deep into Passive Activities and Real Estate Professional Status
  November 19, 2020, Online
• Yield Bookkeeping Small Business Owners Roundtable
  November 19, 2020, Online
• Tech Outlook 2020
  November 20, 2020, Online
• The Investment Summit
  December 3, 2020, Online
• Social Media Strategies Summit for Small Businesses – Virtual Conference
  December 8, 2020, Online
• LinkUpConferenceShow
  December 8, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Beyond 2D: The Rise of Immersive Commerce
  December 9, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Mind The Gap: Womxn Designing for Womxn
  December 10, 2020, Online
• DataScience Contest
  January 1, 2021, Online
• Rail Cybersecurity Summit USA
  February 9, 2021, Online
• 5th Advancing Project Controls Summit 2021
  February 22, 2021, Online
• HR Benefits Conference, April 2021
  April 7, 2021, Las Vegas, NV
• TECHSPO New York 2021 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  April 15, 2021, Online

More Contests

• OnBoard’s Annual Awards, Keynote Speaker LPGA’s Mariah Stackhouse
  November 11, 2020, Online

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.

Image: Depositphotos.com

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The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study reveals it is at a record high during the pandemic. This is taking place even though customers are having less access to branch offices, a remote workforce, and the administration of the $669 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by banks.

Overall, the study says the performance in the small business sector is strong. However, there is a gap between the satisfaction of smaller businesses and their larger small business associates.

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JD Power Small Business Banking Satisfaction Survey

Paul McAdam, senior director of banking and payments intelligence at J.D. Power, further explains the challenge in the press release for the study.

McAdam says, “… the performance is not balanced across all small business segments… That’s a sign that many banks still need to refine their small business formulas to address this highly diverse market.”

The Study and Key Findings

the 2020 study was carried out from June through August 2020 with the participation of 7,507 small business owners or financial decision-makers at small businesses that use business banking services.

• On a 1,000-point scale, the overall satisfaction among small businesses is 822. This is up two points from 2019.
• The role of PPP is big in small business customer satisfaction. When the loans are approved satisfaction was higher (838) and lower when denied (796).
•  Overall, 36% of small business banking customers applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan through their primary bank.
• Trust, advocacy and retention are significantly higher when customers are happy with their bank’s support of PPP issues.
• Dedicated account managers make a big difference in banking customer satisfaction. This also includes their PPP loans and solving problems addressing pandemic response and concerns.

Bank Rankings

The result of the bank rankings differs depending on the region of the country. In the Midwest, Bank of America ranks highest with a score of 847. Fifth Third Bank (846) and Chase (839) take up the second and third place, respectively.

image: J. D. PowerIn the Northeast region, Capital One takes the top spot with 857 and in the South region, Capital One is first with a score of 856, while in the West, Chase keeps the top spot for the eighth year with a score of 828.

Image: Depositphotos.com

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Being in startup mode can be exciting and crippling at the same time! On one hand, you may feel a sense of triumph over the challenges thrown at you. On the other hand, the inability to manage crises effectively can make you wonder how you’ll keep your dream venture afloat.

Scaling a startup isn’t easy. Every entrepreneur aims at building a successful business; yet, the bitter fact is that startups often have to face hurdles that threaten their existence. The recent Global Startup Ecosystem Report reveals that only 1 in 12 are able to steer their venture towards success. So, a whopping majority of startups do not know what it takes to survive the odds of failing.
Crisis is inevitable!

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Prevent a Small Business Crisis

What makes a startup stand out from the rest is how they prepare for them. In this post, we have enlisted effective strategies to protect your venture in a crisis.

1. Keep a Check on Your Financials

According to recent data shared by Fundera, a whopping 82 percent of startups fail due to cash flow problems. Owing to heavy investments in product development, R&D, online marketing, and other business operations, expenses tend to be higher than the revenue during the early stages of startup growth.

Here are a few tips to get hold of your startup financials.

Have a Strategic Financial Plan in Place

A strategic financial business plan enlists your sources of income, business expenses, and future investments and keeps a check on your cash reserves. This plan will help you outline a clear business goal, spend your money wisely, and cushion you against the economic crisis.

Ask for Upfront Payments

Working with clients without money exchanging hands can put a strain on your cash flow, proving to be a huge financial headache in the future. Make sure you include the payment terms in your project agreement, converting your cash flow crunch into a cash flow surplus.

It may be tough to convince certain clients to pay before rendering services. Try setting up a customer-friendly payment system in which they can pay you a certain percentage of the payout as and when a checkpoint is achieved.

Secure Your Funding

Prepare for tough economic crises by securing your lending options. Firstly, stay updated on the changes in lending procedures and check whether or not your industry is affected by a crisis. Talk to your bank about your options and the amount you can borrow.

Moreover, maintain a healthy credit score to improve your financial worthiness.

Cut Down Costs

Look for ways to minimize overhead costs. For instance, allowing your employees to work from home or a shared workspace can reduce costs while improving business productivity.

Similarly, hire freelancers through platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr to gain access to a wider talent pool while reducing the cost of hiring a full-time employee.

2. Play to Your Strengths

In a crisis, it’s best to stick to what you do best. This isn’t a good time for experimenting with new products or services. So, work on perfecting your existing skills and offer solutions that meet customer needs.

Prioritize Customers

Customers are the lifeblood of any business. If they stay loyal to your business, anything’s possible! Top-notch customer relationships can help your business stay afloat, regardless of the circumstances.
A startup cannot afford to lose even a single customer. So, think of ways to add to customer delight. Deliver exceptional CX and add value beyond a purchase. This will encourage customers to be your loyal brand ambassadors.

Offering an after-sales incentive program or excellent after-sales service, for instance, can give your customers a reason to visit you again.

Stay Consistent on Your Brand Promise

As mentioned earlier, this isn’t the time to experiment. Stick with what you are known for. So, instead of looking for new markets, do what your brand promises while looking for innovative ways to manage customer issues and improve services.

Leverage the Power of Digital Marketing

Ensuring an up-to-date online presence is the sure-fire way to keep your venture afloat during tough times. Invest in digital marketing strategies and small business SEO to keep customers informed and engaged and boost your online reputation.

3. Know How to Tackle Security Concerns around IoT Devices

IoT has played a huge role in transforming startup owners’ visions into tangible business models and products. The internet of things forms the basis for various applications and helps startups deliver high-quality solutions, improve cost-effectiveness, optimize their operations, and improve customer service.

However, greater connectivity raises multiple security concerns as IoT devices are attractive attack vectors for cybercriminals. For instance, vulnerabilities in one device can make way for hackers and increase the number of possible points of attack.

Startups are the favorite targets for cybercriminals. A recent handbook titled ‘Cybersecurity for SMEs & Startups’ by CyberPeace Foundation (CPF) revealed that startups and SMEs are most vulnerable to such attacks. Further, home-based entrepreneurship, ongoing work-from-home policies, and increasing dependence on freelancers have exposed businesses to security risks like data breach and attacks on IoT devices.

All this makes it critical for businesses to plan and execute strategies to protect their network without breaking the bank. Here are a few security precautions to consider –

Map Your Attack Surfaces

Get an idea of all the IoT devices and services on the company network and work with your cybersecurity team to gauge the risks.

For instance, most company devices need not be accessible to the public. Make a list of such devices and put them behind a firewall. Similarly, gauge the need for continuing with outdated legacy systems that could be exploited by hackers. Also, have a robust system in place to update company software and apply security patches.

Improve Your Ability to Detect Unusual Activity

Equip your IoT security team to detect unusual activity on the company network, including traffic from any IoT devices installed. This will help you identify hackers infiltrating your system and eliminating threats if any.

Encourage Your Remote Team to Use Encrypted Messaging

Statistics shared by Flexjobs points out that remote working has increased by 44 percent over the past
5 years and more so since March 2020.

Source

Though remote working is a great way to reduce overheads and mobilize your business plans, it’s important to be wary when exchanging sensitive data online. Use messaging apps and email service providers like Signal, Telegram Messenger, and Microsoft Outlook that have in-built encryption features, preventing any third-party from intercepting sensitive business information.

Further, remote employees often work from libraries, cafeterias, or other public places. This increases the security risks associated with connecting to public WiFi. Hence, it’s best to invest in a VPN service like Switcherry VPN to prevent hackers from intercepting data sent or received over public networks.

Encouraging your remote team to use Switcherry VPN, ExpressVPN or any of the other highly rated VPN platforms will mask their internet traffic. Thus, sensitive information will not be detected by hackers who are looking to exploit such vulnerabilities.

4. Have a Crisis Management Team in Place

Crises are often accompanied by controversies. The unexpected twists and turns, the rising anxiety, and the pressure to respond to the situation can trigger uncoordinated actions, leading to bad press and reputation damage.

Inaction is the worst response to any crisis. Plus, a disorganized response not just causes panic but also attracts reviews from a host of departments, including the legal, corporate affairs, and senior management.

Therefore, it’s wise to have a crisis management team of trusted and cognitively-diverse employees.

These employees should be experts at crafting a fitting communication and making rapid tactical decisions during this period. However, make sure you choose your spokesperson carefully. They should be fluent in the language and communication style necessary during the crisis.

Summing Up

Startups and small ventures are among the worst hit in a crisis, often forcing them to shut shop. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

The strategies shared above can help minimize the impact of these trying situations on your business. Use them to crisis-proof your venture and give it a fighting chance through these tough times.

Image: Depositphotos.com

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It is not surprising 2 in 3 small business owners believe a political stance can hurt their business in the current climate. This is the conclusion of a survey carried out by Skynova addressing small business and politics.

A further look at the results reveals half of the conservatives and 2 in 5 of liberals feel the pressure to hide their political beliefs. And in a somewhat more surprising (perhaps not) revelation, 47% of conservatives and 45% of liberals believe it is acceptable to refuse to engage in commerce with a political opponent. Considering the large groups in each political affiliation, this can be a big mistake.

According to the Pew Research Center, 34% of registered voters in the U.S. identify as independents, while 33% identify as Democrats and 29% identify as Republicans. No matter which segment you choose not to do business with, that is a huge percentage of the population. And as a business, the goal is to grow your business and not limit it by refusing customers.

image: Skynova

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Key Survey Results

This survey delivers some contradictory data from the small business owners who took part in it. Even though overall 43% think it is OK to refuse to do business with a political opponent, 66% also recognize taking a political stance could hurt their business. Another 39% think it is inappropriate, and 19% state it is unethical. However, 36% say it could help their business.

• 1 in 4 small business owners says their business took overt political stances. And 3 in 4 of these owners say it positively affected their business.
• As to the reason why they express their beliefs, 56% feel a responsibility, 44% right to, 42% it is necessary.
• When it comes to why they do not express their beliefs they say they do not want to alienate 49% and do not want to foster division 40% followed by lack of interest, concern about backlash and feel inappropriate.
• The top five issues they are willing to fight fore are Black Lives Matter, LGTBQ, free speech, climate change, and healthcare

Why You Open a Business

For the most part, a person opens a business to make money and grow. Anything that gets in the way of this is going to defeat the purpose. If the rewards of making your political views known along with turning down people of the opposite political view is high, go for it.

However, overall and in the long run, it is not a good business model. In this survey, the respondents say the reward does not outweigh the risk.

Image: skynova.com

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Small businesses have been especially hit hard during the pandemic. American Express is shining a light on small businesses across the U.S. and sharing stories about how they are persevering in these challenging times.

#ShopSmall is an initiative to get people to support the small businesses in the heart of their community. Whether you are ordering takeout or shopping online, the goal is to make a concerted effort by frequenting these businesses as much as possible.

And with the holiday shopping season around the corner, this is a great time to start supporting local businesses in your community.

So #ShopSmall starting now and continuing long after the holiday shopping season and Small Business Saturday, into the new year and the pandemic ends.

Click the red button to find out more about #ShopSmall

#ShopSmall

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Featured Events, Contests and Awards

Establishing Your Brand Story and Voice Webinar
November 3, 2020, Online

Learn how to find, incorporate, and use your brand’s voice throughout your website to increase website traffic, improve customer engagement, and drive brand loyalty. See how to write an awesome About Us page and use keywords for SEO.

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Webinar: Elements of Design and How to Talk with a Designer
November 10, 2020, Online

Join to gain a basic understanding of visual hierarchy, how to use a grid, and how to effectively communicate with a designer. This webinar is a great resource whether you’re making your own website, hiring a web designer, or using a drag-and-drop website builder.

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LinkUpConferenceShow
November 12, 2020, Online

LinkUpConferenceShow (LUCS) is a digital networking conference that merges the incredibly dynamic worlds of tech and comedy to provide informative and personalized networking opportunities designed to help executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders and tech professionals grow and scale their businesses. LUCS is the tech conference that combines Silicon Valley insights with New York’s nonstop energy to bring the technology community a totally new virtual experience designed to inspire, engage and entertain.

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Zoho Webinar: Converting Visitors to Leads
November 17, 2020, Online

Want to learn how to turn website visitors into leads? Then look no further! We’ll go over CTAs, web forms, and Zoho PageSense so you can see how to optimize your website through iterative testing.

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Getting Started with Zoho One
November 24, 2020, Online

A walk through overview of Zoho One using real case studies from Zoho customers to demonstrate different ways Zoho One can support your business. Join us!

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Small Business Saturday: #ShopSmall
November 28, 2020

Small businesses are counting on all of us – let’s show them how much they mean to our communities. From getting takeout to shopping online, every time you
#shopsmall, you’re supporting small businesses at the heart of your community.

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More Events

• San Jose’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
  November 5, 2020, San Jose, CA
• Oregon and Washington State and Local Tax Update for Real Estate Businesses
  November 5, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Safe & Seamless Shopping for the Holidays
  November 5, 2020, Online
• San Diego’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
  November 7, 2020, San Diego, CA
• Brewing Good Business in the Face of Global Crisis: A Conversation with Anheuser-Busch CEO Michel Doukeris
  November 10, 2020, Online
• neXco National B2B Virtual Speed Networking
  November 11, 2020, Online
• Webinar: More Clients, Less Marketing
  November 12, 2020, Online
• VIRTUAL – Revolutionizing Retail: The Omnichannel Experience
  November 12, 2020, Online
• Reveal Your Inner Awesome
  November 13, 2020, Online
• Diving Deep into Passive Activities and Real Estate Professional Status
  November 19, 2020, Online
• Yield Bookkeeping Small Business Owners Roundtable
  November 19, 2020, Online
• Tech Outlook 2020
  November 20, 2020, Online
• The Investment Summit
  December 3, 2020, Online
• Social Media Strategies Summit for Small Businesses – Virtual Conference
  December 8, 2020, Online
• LinkUpConferenceShow
  December 8, 2020, Online
• DataScience Contest
  January 1, 2021, Online
• Rail Cybersecurity Summit USA
  February 9, 2021, Online
• 5th Advancing Project Controls Summit 2021
  February 22, 2021, Online
• HR Benefits Conference, April 2021
  April 7, 2021, Las Vegas, NV
• TECHSPO New York 2021 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  April 15, 2021, Online

More Contests

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.

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The benefits of using a hand dryer is even more evident as people look to limit their point of contact. The key is to install an automatic hand dryer that is fast and powerful, so it quickly dries the hands. This eliminates the chances of bacteria lingering on your hands.

The best commercial hand dryers for work also have to be reliable, with a long work life because they are being used constantly. Whether you are installing a hand dryer in a restroom, kitchen or handwashing station, the units on this list will provide a valuable buying guide.

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Best Commercial Hand Dryers for Work

 

Goetland Stainless Steel Commercial Hand Dryer

Top Pick: The polished stainless steel Goetland hand dryer uses 1800 watts to dry hands within 10-12 seconds by moving air at 200 mph. The infrared sensing distance is set between 2-5.9 inches with noise ranging between 70-72 decibels. Ideal for commercial use this hand dryer weighs 10.1 pounds.

Goetland Stainless Steel Commercial Hand Dryer 1800w Automatic High-Speed Heavy-Duty Dull Polished

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VALENS Electric Hand Dryer

Runner Up: At 1800 watts, this dryer uses an infrared sensor to automatically start blowing air at 224 mph. This allows it to dry your hands in 8 seconds while removing 99.9% of particles from the air with the HEPA filter. The 70 – 72 decibels of noise it produces is suitable for installations in place looking to limit noise pollution.

VALENS Electric Hand Dryer with HEPA Filter, Efficiency Max Touchless Hand Dryer

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JETWELL 2Pack High-Speed Commercial Automatic Eco Hand Dryer

Best Value: The JETWELL 2Pack UL hand dryer uses 1400 Watts to dry hands within 7 to 10 seconds. It comes with an infrared sensor that works up to six inches and it is tested to work more than 500,000 times. The brush motor operates at 72 decibels and uses 80% less energy.

JETWELL 2Pack UL Listed High-Speed Commercial Automatic Eco Hand Dryer with HEPA Filter

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XLERATOR XL-SB Automatic High-Speed Hand Dryer 

The XLERATOR  hand dryer is made with brushed stainless steel cover accompanied by a noise reduction nozzle that lowers the noise by 9 decibels. This surface-mounted hand dryer with a high-velocity air stream can dry hands in 10-15 seconds. It also has an automatic infrared optical start/stop sensor that runs the dryer for 35 seconds or until hands are removed from under the sensor. It runs on 1500 watts and comes with a five-year warranty.

XLERATOR XL-SB Automatic High-Speed Hand Dryer with Brushed Stainless Steel Cover

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AIKE AK2903 Heavy Duty Commercial Hand Dryer

A built-in HEPA filter, automatic heating that heats up to save more than 70% of energy use per day, UL approved and 45 second overtime protection are all features of this dryer. The company guarantees the device for two years with worry-free replacement. The carbon brush motor can dry your hands in 10 – 15 seconds.

AIKE AK2903 Heavy Duty Commercial Hand Dryer with Hepa Filter Polished Stainless-Steel UL Approved

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ASIALEO Commercial Hand Dryer

This dryer takes up less space because of its patented horizontal compact design. It dries your hands in 8 – 10 seconds using a motor tested for more than half a million times without any issues. The noise level comes in at 70db with an airflow of 76.5 cubic feet per minute.

ASIALEO Commercial Hand Dryer High-Speed Automatic Electric Hand Dryers

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Dyson Airblade dB Hand Dryer AB14

The Dyson hand dryer is one of the fastest hand dryers you can get, but the price puts it out of reach for many small businesses. It moves air at an amazing and unmatched 420 miles an hour. A dry time of around 11 seconds, high-grade HEPA filter, 5-year warranty and a long-life brushless motor all make it a quality dryer. This hand dryer is not for everyone, but it gets rave reviews from suppliers.

Dyson Airblade dB Hand Dryer AB14

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Qualities to Look for In a Hand Dryer

• Speed: New generation of hand dryers are fast, with 10 to 15 seconds drying times now the standard for quality devices.
• Automatic Hand Dryer: An automatic dryer is more sanitary and uses less energy because they turn off as soon as the hand is removed. Push-button models have a timer cycle that continues to run until it is over.
• Noise: Fast, powerful hand dryers can be noisy. If this is a concern, look for units with adjustable motor speeds or low decibels.
• Energy Use: Contrary to the name, high-powered automatic units are in reality more energy efficient. This is because they dry hands quicker and cut off when not in service.
•  Vandal Proof: Depending on the location, hand dryers can be roughed up. In this case, you do not want the most expensive/high-end unit. Look into vandal-proof dryers so they can last longer.
• Disabled Restrooms: When you install hand dryers in a disabled restroom it is more of an installation issue than a specific unit. But a quitter dryer can be beneficial to someone in a wheelchair.

Commercial hand dryers have become a standard in the vast majority of public restrooms. As a matter of fact, customers now expect a hand dryer in order to avoid another point of contact. The good news is you can find hand dryers across all budgets and quickly install one in your place of business.

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Businesses aren’t always built around complicated ideas. In fact, many just solve a simple problem. For example, HydroSport offers a product line to help people get more water while they’re on the go.

You can read more about the company and its signature product in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.

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What the Business Does

Sells water bottles you can wear on your wrist.

The line is called Swiggies. And they also offer promotional products that can include company logos.

Business Niche

Selling a one-of-a-kind product.

Founder Julie Austin told Small Business Trends, “It was a NASDAQ product of the year semi finalist and are sold in 25 countries.”

How the Business Got Started

After a bout with dehydration.

Austin explains, “I passed out from dehydration and came up with the idea for a hands-free wrist water bottle.”

Biggest Win

Getting their first large order

First, the company 72,000 water bottles to the Dublin Marathon. However, that wasn’t the only win for the brand.

Austin adds, “It helped jumpstart other large orders.”

Lesson Learned

The importance of product licensing.

Austin says if she could do it over again, she would have licensed the product earlier. However, the process allowed her to understand more about the manufacturing process.

She says, “But I learned a LOT by manufacturing it myself. It was a huge learning curve!”

How They’d Spend an Extra $100,000

Inventory and a pad printing machine.

Austin adds, “I turn down orders all the time because I can’t print small quantities.”

Side Business

Public speaking.

Austin explains, “Being a woman inventor and manufacturer is a very small group. For that reason I book a lot of corporate speaking jobs who are looking for that combination.”

Favorite Quote

“Life is a daring adventure or nothing.” –Hellen Keller.

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Image: HydroSport

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