Top 10 Wearable Payment Devices

StrategyDriven Recommended Resources Article
 
Innovators are coming up with all types of new ways to pay for things. The days of keeping your checkbook in your purse are long gone.

From paper checks to plastic credit cards, we always try to find new and convenient ways to pay for items. Cards have had their reign, but it seems like the public wants something even more convenient.

Wearable payment devices are the next big thing. Just ask all the new inventors and entrepreneurs who are pushing their brand of payment devices you can wear.

Ahead of the game are 10 devices we think are the absolute best.

Fitbit

Most people are aware of Fitbit and the fitness tracker craze. The thing is, Fitbit doesn’t just count your daily steps.

Fitbit Pay is your credit or debit card worn on your wrist. No more pulling your card out or counting cash. Fitbit Pay lets you pay right then and there at participating establishments.

They insist on their security, so you won’t have to worry about fraud or identity theft.

Your rewards and miles won’t be affected when you switch over to Fitbit Pay. You will still earn, you’re just changing to an easier device.

Fitbit is top of the line, but there are ways to find discounts and promo codes online if you know where to look!

Apple Watch

Everyone’s favorite cell phone company has made it super easy to pay from your device. If you’re a Apple Watch wearer, you got it made easy.

Apple Pay is growing in popularity and more and more places are accepting that way of payment. Apple is making deals with banks and settling into becoming one of the biggest payment giants.

Setting up Apple Pay is easy. What’s challenging is running into retailers who don’t use it. However, the future is wearable payment devices, so they’ll eventually come around. While also a hefty price tag, there usually aren’t too many Apple promo codes out there. However, there are sometimes deals where you might be able to get a free watch with the purchase of a Macbook Pro.

Amazfit

Another useful wearable payment device is the Amazfit. Alipay is the third-party mobile payment service that Amazfit uses, so you can pay for anything anywhere.

Look stylish and pay easily with this cutting-edge watch. Amazfit watches are sold at a ton of retailers like Amazon, Gearbest, etc. We did some scouting, and the best place to purchase an Amazfit is FastTech, since they often offer a ton of promo codes.

Kerv Ring

With convenience in mind, Kerv Ring was created to replace a purse or wallet when it’s not practical to carry those items around. If you don’t want to lug around a bag or keep your credit cards in your pocket, the Kerv ring is for you.

This ring is considered a “contactless” payment device, so that means it uses RFID technology and the user can simply tap their ring on the sensor.

Kerv is a fantastic choice for those looking for a sleek look. Just look at this awesome interior colors you can choose from!

Infineon

Touted as the first NFC payment ring, Infineon offers a wearable payment ring that works great and looks simple.

Show off this wearable technology as a perfect conversation piece. Infineon has partnered with Visa, so you know it’s supported by a reputable brand.

This band is waterproof, so you can wear it when you’re swimming or showering.

Token

With it’s cute name, Token is another smart ring leading the way of payment innovation. It works the same as other smart rings and supports Visa or Mastercard. You can also use the key as your transit or access card.

A very interesting element of this ring is that it has a home security system offered with it. All you have to do is tap this device below that you set up in your house, and that locks up your home safely.

Not only that, you can use it as your car key.

With all these services in one little ring, it really is “one ring to rule them all.”

Samsung Gear S2

Samsung is throwing a hat in the ring with their Gear S2 Smart Watch. This wearable payment device uses Samsung pay to let the wearer make quick and easy transactions. You can find this watch on Groupon, and you’ll likely be able to find a Groupon promo code as well if you’re browsing the web!

Unlike newer brands, Samsung is a trusted mobile brand that has been around for a long time. Going with Samsung, you’ll know you’re getting quality backed by a major corporation.

If you’re a watch person, you might as well own a watch that lets you pay for things easily instead of carrying all your credits cards, cash, and coins around with you.

Store your credit/debit card information into your watch, and you’re good to go!

bPay

Another contactless payment device is the bPay. You can pay for anything $30 and under if you see the “contactless” symbol at the counter.

The idea is that it’s a prepaid account that you load up and pay with, sort of like a debit card. This is perfect for fun-spending like a quick coffee or cocktails with friends.

It’s easy and you can either wear your bPay or keep it on a keychain. If you’re worried about running out of funds, don’t be! You can add funds to your account anytime, anywhere from your mobile device.

You can’t make big payments, but it’s a fun way to add a little convenient luxury to your life!

Jawbone UP4

Are you an American Express person? The Jawbone UP4 may be the watch for you.

The Jawbone is your standard fitness tracker, but you can actually pay with American Express. It isn’t always easy to find payment options compatible with American Express, so this is exciting for AMEX users!

Luckily, the watch looks cool, so although your choices are limited as an AMEX user, you do have awesome choices!

MyKronoz ZeCircle2

Finally, the MyKronoz ZeCircle2 bracelet is another super stylish way to make contactless payments.

You can also receive calls, calendar reminders, emails, etc. all from a little watch on your wrist. No more worrying about dropping your phone!

The MyKronoz is technically still an activity tracker, so you can still track your sleep and physical activity just like every other wearable payment device on the list.

Pay for Convenience

Cards have had their run, but now it’s time to let new technology step in. The credit card chip situation hasn’t been a smooth ride for cards, so it may be necessary to count their losses and give into the future.

Whether it’s a ring, watch, keychain, or something else, make sure to add innovation to your wardrobe.

Recommended Resources – Whole Business Thinking

StrategyDriven Recommended ResourcesWhole Business Thinking – A Guide To Exceptional Business Performance
by Robert S. Block

About the Book

Whole Business Thinking by Robert S. Block provides operational executives and managers with the insight needed to relate ‘shop floor’ decisions and activities with the organization’s financial future. Robert reveals how to connect the decisions and actions of today with the financial consequences they will have on the organization and how these results will be portrayed with the company’s several financial statements.

Some of the specific topics addressed within Whole Business Thinking include:

  • Financial Statements
  • Business Metrics
  • Strategy Management

Robert concludes Whole Business Thinking with a comprehensive list of business terms and performance indicators.

Benefits of Reading this Book

In order for an organization to be successful, executives and managers must understand how their decisions and employee actions affect the achievement of established mission goals. As financial returns are a key component of every for-profit company’s success, leaders must be particularly aware of the relationships between long-term and day-to-day activities and the bottom line.

StrategyDriven Contributors like Whole Business Thinking because it clearly illustrates the relationship between decisions, actions, and financial outcomes. Throughout his book, Robert places the reader in common business situations and in plain language conveys how various decisions influence financial results. Robert goes a step further by translating those results into the several key financial indicators (performance metrics, balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement) used by board members, executives, and investors to measure the health of the company.

Whole Business Thinking promotes the alignment of the organization’s mission and values with its decisions and actions. While acknowledging the non-financial contributors of organizational success, Robert’s book focuses primarily on those activities directly impacting financial performance drivers. In our opinion, the reader would benefit from additional case studies highlighting the application of Robert’s aligning principles and practices to non-financial performance contributors.

Whole Business Thinking reflects many of the organizational alignment, strategic planning, tactical execution, and decision-making principles recommended on the StrategyDriven website making it a StrategyDriven recommended read.

Special Offer

Robert has made a complimentary book sample available to StrategyDriven readers at www.wholebusinessthinking.com/video/.

Recommended Resources – Mood-lites

Mood-litesMood-lites
A Mood-Factory product
www.themoodfactory.com

About the Product

Mood-lites are light bulbs that emit soft, colored ambient light; helping to positively influence affected individuals’ mood. Mood-Factory introduced its first incandescent Mood-lites in 2004 and expanded the line to include flood, porch, and compact florescent bulbs in 2012.

Mood-lite colors were developed by applying expert color research concepts to lighting. Colors and their corresponding mood affects include:

  • Mood-litesRed = Passion (shown)
  • Dark Pink = Sassy
  • Orange = Energy
  • Yellow = Happiness
  • Green = Renewal
  • Light Blue = Serenity (shown)
  • Deep Blue = Tranquility
  • Purple = Creativity

Mood-lites are most effective when used in lamps with shades that permit the bulb’s color and ambiance to shine through. White or translucent shades are ideal. They can be inserted directly into fixtures, wall mounts, and any other bulb socket that uses the base standard for each particular bulb.

Why We Recommend This Product

StrategyDriven Contributors tested the Mood-lites for over a month and found that their soft ambient glow did, in fact, positively impact the mood of those affected by the light. Our personnel working in the ‘Energy’ (orange) light reported feeling more alert throughout the day and, in particular, during the mid-afternoon slump. (We actually stopped consuming our mid-day caffeinated and energy drinks.)

Our research and personal experience suggests there is merit to the notion that the color of light can affect how individuals feel. As a former U.S. Naval Officer, I’m familiar with the Navy’s use of color (light pastel green) to help create a calming atmosphere within the otherwise stressful environment onboard submarines.

Mood-lites are easy to install and provide a soft, consistent light. The 25W bulbs tested provided ample lighting to perform office tasks (hard copy document reading, email, other computer work) within a 12 foot by 12 foot space with no other lights on. We found the impact of the Mood-lites to be significantly diminished with white lights turned on within the same space.

For their positive impact on workplace mood, Mood-lites are a StrategyDriven recommended product – and we will keeping our Mood-lites on!

Mood-lites can be purchased at a Lowe’s Home Improvement Retailers.

Recommended Resources – FixnZip Product Review

FixnZip zipper slider replacement productFixnZip
A CTF Enterprise
www.fixnzip.com

About the Product

FixnZip is an easy-to-use replacement zipper slider that fits a range of zipper sizes and works with teeth and coil zippers that are either metal or plastic. The FixnZip slider comes in three sizes: small, medium and large and two colors: nickle (silver) and graphite (dark grey). It has a patented spring plate design consisting of two slider plates, a thumbscrew, and spring; all manufactured in the United States. The slider parts are made of zinc die cast and the spring and thumbscrew of stainless steel.

FixnZip can be used on open ended (such as a packable rain jacket) or closed ended zippers (such as a suitcase) and can be started anywhere on the zipper. In the event the zipper is missing some teeth, the FixnZip glides over these areas and realigns the remaining teeth; restoring the functionality of the zipper.

Why We Recommend This Product

FixnZip zipper slider replacement productStrategyDriven Contributors tested the FixnZip product and found it to be a very easy-to-use replacement for broken and/or missing zipper sliders. As frequent travelers, we often damage or lose zipper sliders from suitcases. FixnZip provides a durable replacement slider enabling on-the-go repair of the suitcase and alleviating the need to buy an expensive replacement case.

The FixnZip is light and compact, making it easy to take one or more of these repair kits when traveling. We found the FixnZip instructions easy to follow and the device easy-to-use. A quality product that is a must-have for business travelers, FixnZip is a StrategyDriven recommended product.

FixnZip replacement zipper sliders can be purchased by following the links below:

Nickle

Graphite

Recommended Resources – Promote Yourself

StrategyDriven Recommended ResourcesPromote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success
by Dan Schawbel

About the Book

Promote Yourself by Dan Schawbel provides tangible advice for gaining the visibility necessary for career advancement without appearing to be overtly self-serving. Dan delves into the hard and soft skills needed for success in today’s professional world as well as what managers are seeking when deciding whom to promote. Once presented, Dan provides actionable advice for developing those skills required for advancement.

Some of the specific topics addressed within Promote Yourself include:

  • Hard skills required to be more than your job description
  • Soft skills necessary to make every impression count
  • Online skills to use social media to your advantage
  • Gaining visibility without being a self-promoting jerk
  • What managers look for when deciding whom to promote
  • Building a network at work and beyond

Benefits of Reading this Book

StrategyDriven Contributors like Promote Yourself because it provides immediately actionable steps to take charge of one’s career in a positive and effective manner. Dan tackles the unique challenges of today’s workplace environment – social media, advancing technology, generational gaps, and workforce mobility – revealing how to successfully deal with each by leveraging resources and opportunities internal and external to one’s company. He also provides an insightful discussion of addressing the need for change with one’s boss and knowing when it is time to move on. Dan’s recommendations align with our personal professional experiences, many of which are echoed on the StrategyDriven Professional website.

Promote Yourself focuses on professionals within the workforce and, in our opinion, would not be as useful to non-professional workers. Our experience also suggests Dan’s insights best apply to management consultants and that some additional and/or modified actions would better support those professionals working in more traditional, hierarchical organizations. Lastly, we believe Promote Yourself more ideally fits entry, lower, and mid-level professionals than second tier managers and above.

Promote Yourself reflects many of the professional development and career advancement principles recommended on the StrategyDriven Professional website making it a StrategyDriven recommended read, particularly for college seniors and professionals below the first-line manager level.