Voice tech punches the clock

It’s infiltrated our homes in the form of smart speakers. Now, voice technology is poised to make a big splash in the workplace, as more companies adopt enterprise solutions like Alexa for Business and other speech-enabled tools and conversational interfaces designed to enhance productivity, manage common tasks and improve communication.

Which begs the question: Is your company ready for voice tech, and vice versa? In my newest article for Speech Technology, I explore this topic with the help of industry experts. Read it here.

To rent or buy? That is the question

Seeking a new lease on life? Many renters are often advised to ditch their leased dwellings and become homeowners. But is it really worth it to buy instead of rent? Which is the smarter choice financially?

Folks on the buy vs. rent fence now have fresh facts that can help answer this question. Get the 411 by reading my newest piece for The Mortgage Reports, available here.

A real estate resource you can rely on

In basketball, every position on your starting five plays a major role. Your point guard sets up the offense. Your center serves as a pivot and low post threat. And your power forward is often a key defender and rebounder. But it’s your go-to scorer whom you typically rely on to rack up the points and win the contest. In the game of real estate, this role is played by your agent, who serves as MVP of your home buying squad. Think of him or her as your personal LeBron James—a versatile expert skilled at many positions who can lead you to the promised land of your first home by putting you on the right path to the right property—right away.

Discover why an agent is so invaluable in the home buying process by reading my new article on this topic, published in the Omaha World-Herald.

Home sweet hamster

Thankfully, the days of the all-purpose aquarium serving as surrogate for a proper pet rodent residence are long gone. So, too, is the era of the ultra-flimsy plastic domicile that functioned more as a disposable chew toy that could be gnawed through faster than you can say “chinchilla.”

Indeed, the good news in 2018 is that there’s no shortage of quality-built, brand-name small animal abodes on the market for owners of mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils to choose from. Many, of course, are modular, chromatically eye-catching, and expandable thanks to a seemingly endless array of interconnecting accessories tailor-made for the Lego and Minecraft generation.

Learn more about small animal pet habitats by reading my latest column for Pet Age, available here.

Renting out your property? Try these decorating tips first

You’ve caught the Airbnb fever and are eager to promote your property online. Your short-term rental has a desirable location and many an amenity that should make for an alluring listing. And you’re even prepared for the grunt work required—like DIY property management, maintenance and marketing.

But you may be overlooking a key ingredient that could lead to poor reviews and low leasing activity: esthetic appeal in the form of fresh furnishings and décor. Ignore these elements at your own peril, say the pros. Learn what they have to recommend in my latest home improvement article, this time published in the Dallas Morning News, found here.

Bottom dollar battles

If convenience store operators want more Washingtons in the drawer, they need to pay more attention to rivals where George rules the roost. Because chances are, dollar outlets - including Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below, and 99 Cents Only Stores - are steadily garnering greenbacks from the 7-Elevens of the world in key categories where they shine, like snacks, beverage, tobacco and even fresh edibles, say the experts.

Learn more about the pressure that dollar stores are putting on convenience retailers by reading my most recent story for CSP Magazine, available here.