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    23Jun, 2025
    Tech and Travel – 5 Key Ways to Protect Your Tech Investment

    I just returned from a business trip yesterday and to protect my tech, I tried to make my travel as streamlined as possible. I kept my carry-on to a single bag—a brief bag with a separate padded section for my laptop. I kept the cords, my phone, and Kindle in the bag but easily accessible so I could get them out for TSA. It was still a little tricky and I worried about my bag making it through x-ray before I did—which happened on the flight back. Still, keeping my items in one bag and simplifying the bag choice made things much easier.

    Here are 5 key ways to fly smart and protect your equipment.

    1. Choose a Professional, Tech-Ready Carry-On

    Business travel demands style and function. Select a carry-on or laptop bag that’s:

        • Equipped with a dedicated laptop compartment

        • Water-repellent for unexpected weather

      Look for brands that cater to professionals—think TUMI, Samsonite, or Nomatic.

      2. Shield Your Devices Like You Mean Business

      Tech damage isn’t just costly—it’s disruptive. Protect your gear with:

          • A hard-shell case for laptops and tablets

          • Durable cable organizers to avoid cord chaos in transit

        3. Streamline Airport Security

        Time is money, especially at the TSA checkpoint. Business travelers should:

            • Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

            • Store electronics in easily accessible sleeves

          If you carry multiple devices, label them subtly (initials or asset tags) to avoid mix-ups in bins.

          4. Secure Your Data, Wherever You Land

          Travel increases your risk of digital exposure. Be prepared:

              • Use a VPN on all devices when using public or in-flight Wi-Fi

              • Disable Bluetooth and auto-connect features when not in use

            Never access sensitive financial or client data on unsecured networks. If needed, tether to your phone instead.

            5. Expect the Unexpected: Insurance, Backups, and Contingencies

            Tech hiccups can derail your day. Reduce the impact by:

                • Backing up files to the cloud or a secure server before departure

                • Ensuring your devices are insured for travel and damage

                • Using tracking apps like Find My Device or AirTags for peace of mind

              Bring a backup thumb drive with key presentations or contracts, just in case your cloud access fails.

              Final Call: Travel Like a Pro

              Zip up your laptop, grab your carry-on, and head to the gate—preparing ahead will make protecting your tech the least of your worries so you can concentrate on work.

              13Jun, 2025
              Podcasting from a beginner’s perspective

              I think of myself as pretty tech savvy. I can design documents in InDesign or Canva. I am using ChatGPT or Google Gemini as virtual assistant and I regularly use Apply Pay on my phone.

              I must admit that my millennial daughter taught me something the other day: I don’t have to open my iPhone to pay for something at the register, I can double-click the right button and Apple Pay automatically opens. How did I not know this?

              But I’m not that old. I have discovered that while my kids know their way around their phones and can tell me all about Discord and Steam Deck, they can get lost trying to find the tabs in an Excel document (true story).

              As technology changes, it becomes more accessible and accessibility means reaching people with ideas in ways never seen before. From TikTok to YouTube, people with all kinds of backgrounds have become influencers impacting buying decisions, health and research, politics, cooking– you name it and it’s covered in some way.

              I’ve decided to try my hand at podcasting. I tried it years ago when it was starting out and more akin to hosting your own radio program. Podcasting in its current form didn’t exist in 2008 but I’m ready to hop on the bandwagon and give it a try. ChatGPT has been helpful– giving me a summary of equipment to buy, hosting services, suggested podcast names and even offering to write scripts for the first five episodes. (Nah, that’s okay. If I have a broad enough topic, I can probably talk my way through it.😅)

               

              5Jun, 2025
              The Intersection of AI and Human Creativity

              As writers and PR professionals, how much do we rely on AI? Where do we draw the line between what is research and what is supplementing our work. If AI learns our voice, language, and nuances– at what point is it “just” AI? Is it possible for AI to anticipate what we would think–and write like we would?

              This week, I was in a time crunch and was asked to do three things at the same time. I’m only one person with two hands and, on occasion, it can seem like I work miracles but even I have my limits. I’m still experimenting with AI and its uses in my job but, for this project, I thought talking points would help me with one of the three projects.

              I uploaded a document and asked ChatGPT to provide some talking points that I could use to craft a press release. Shockingly, ChatGPT used several phrases I’ve used in the past though the document I uploaded came from a completely separate source and writer. It felt like ChatGPT was in my head. I’m not sure if I should be alarmed or impressed.

              What do you think about AI and its uses for writers and professionals?