Tech Tools to Make the Rep’s Job Easier

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Small Recorder Gets Results

Recently I had the opportunity to review the H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom. This diminutive professional recorder is designed for on-the-go professionals who need studio-quality audio. It is used a lot with recording artists and for capturing group singing (think choirs, social gatherings, etc.).

However, this device also has some serious capabilities for mobile professionals who want to tap into the power of the net for relationship marketing. For example, you can record audio of satisfied customers and then post those testimonials to your website. You can also use it to record instructions. (Chances are, you can speak faster than you can type!) Dictating responses to employees announcing new products or discussing company issues can help personalize messages.

A nice feature about the H2 is that is has the ability to do a two-way interview. The microphone has the ability to record on both sides, front and back. This way an interview can be conducted quickly and easily so that both interviewer and interviewee are recorded clearly and with rich, full-body sound.

I was pretty impressed with the quality of sound — and this ‘ole radio and now Internet audio guy is hard to impress. The quality generated was nothing short of full professional quality. Think NPR (radio) quality.

It runs on your choice of the included AC adapter or 2 AA batteries which is nice when you’re on the road and don’t have access to electricity. Just carry a few extra batteries and avoid the need to rely on a proprietary power source.

The recording process took me a little time to figure out, but once I did, it was easy to use. The unit can record with the internal, built-in microphones (plural) or with an external microphone. Just a note, the external microphone must be self-powered.

I wish the larger microphones would convert to speakers on playback. You need to play the audio back through the included ear buds or another device. You can also play the audio back by loading the SD card into a computer.

Speaking of the SD card, they include a 512K card with the unit, which is nice. Many manufacturers don’t do this which then requires an extra step or extra trip to get it. You can also use an SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) card (up to 16GB) with the updated software available from Zoom.

All in all, this recorder is great for producing no-excuses, professional quality recordings for business or other use. Consider audio on your website or podcasts — this could be a handy tool to generate more customer response and interaction.

(H2 Handy Recorder, Zoom: www.zoom.co.jp. Support available in the United States through Samson Technologies Corp, www.samsontech.com.)

Discover Baggage Weight Before Leaving for the Airport

It is yet another hassle of flying today. You know what it’s like. You rush to get to the airport. Traffic is a nightmare. Then you get to the ticket counter to check in your luggage and find out it is 10 pounds overweight. Ugh! If only you knew before leaving, you could have left that sack of potatoes at home!

Well, good news is on the horizon for you. The folks at Balanzza have come up with the Balanzza Ergo. You wrap the strap around your luggage and lift up. The device signals with a series of beeps, once the weight has been locked in. You can use two hands to lift those heavier bags; weight can be read in pounds or kilograms. Maximum weight capacity of the device is 100 lbs., but for most of us, lifting more than 100 wouldn’t be advisable anyway!

I travel a lot so I’m familiar with the challenges of the new weight restrictions. I’ve had to move items around in that embarrassing display of packing and unpacking while anxious fellow travelers watch the charade. Now, when you’re leaving from your hotel back to the airport to come home, the Balanzza Ergo comes to your rescue and tells you the weight.

Since weight is becoming more important in the ever-challenging travel world, this is a handy tool to have. It can also work in many situations where you need to know the weight of an object you are going to lift. Just make sure you can connect the strap around it.

(Balanzza Ergo: www.Balanzza.com.)