The way you choose to carry your work speaks volumes about you professionally. A good business case can make all the difference in the respect shown to you by the colleagues in your business organization. It makes sense, too; your choice of briefcase or laptop bag shows the level of business concern you have for your work. Of course, the admiration of your coworkers isn't the only benefit provided by a great business case. The right briefcase can also help you stay organized and may even add an underlying dash of style to your work life. Picking the right case requires a number of considerations and can be slightly complicated, though. This business case buying guide will help you figure out how to buy the best possible case for your work and style.
Save the hard work for when you're on the clock: finding a perfect business case shouldn't be a confusing mess of frustration. To simplify the task of finding a good case for your needs, break it down. You will want to consider several attributes for your new business case, including how you will be using it, the sort of shell that best suits you, your preferred material, and the carrying style that will fit your work.
With the world changing more often than you punch in, it's no surprise that business styles are, as well. Countless jobs call for the use of business luggage and bags, and for every one of those jobs, there are even more possibilities as to how business cases can be used. Before picking a new briefcase, think about the tasks you will be using it for.
Papers and files
Briefcases earned their name for carrying paper briefs for lawyers, and they are still used for such purposes today. Because document protection and organization are just as important to businesspeople now as ever, there is no shortage of excellent options for paper-focused briefcases. When looking for a business case to fill with corporate documents and communication files, look for a few key attributes. First, what sort of organization and management does the case offer? Generally, if you are looking to fill a briefcase with papers, you will want one with multiple file dividers for goal setting. Be careful, however, to find a case with spacious, easy-access file dividers of quality construction. Next, look for a business case with the ability to adequately store other work-related items. Small pockets are excellent for pens, paper clips and other items to get the job done.
Laptop
If the only files you're concerned about carrying are clickable, you will want to find a good laptop bag. As the world market becomes more and more focused on technology, a computer briefcase is essential for the development of a successful busisness plan. Laptop cases are produced in a variety of styles, so it's good to know the differences of some of the more popular types selling today. The two most sought-after styles of laptop bags are computer briefcases and top-loading bags.
Computer briefcases operate similarly to traditional briefcases but offer more room and padding to keep your laptop safe. A worthwhile computer briefcase will provide you with space for your laptop as well as its accessories, such as its power adapter and mouse.
Top-loading laptop bags are perfect for the CEO, businessperson, sales or administration employee or the college student. These bags open from the top, giving you easy access to your laptop, contract, report or newspaper and other items. For the seasoned traveler, this means less hassle with airport security, and for the A-student, this means an excellent desk-side companion.
Different business cases offer different methods of protecting your things, but the two basic types you will need to choose from are hard cases and soft cases.
Hard
The classic briefcase style is generally produced with a hard casing. Business cases with hard shells often provide a good level of security for your work. For example, attache-style briefcases often have combination or key locks to protect your budget, accounting or operational documents. In addition to such security features, hard-cased business cases are highly durable, making them excellent for the abuse often associated with corporation business activity and travel.
Soft
As workplace and business firm atmospheres have become more and more casual, briefcases constructed in soft forms have risen in popularity. This certainly isn't your father's rigid briefcase form. Soft business cases offer a wide range of benefits, from being more public-transportation friendly (your fellow passengers' shins will thank you) to providing more flexible space for the things your expertise requires you to carry. Soft laptop bags are often built with more padding to provide extra protection for your valuable electronic devices. Another case with soft construction is the brief bag, which is a hybrid of the more traditional hard briefcase and the flexibility of a soft business case.
Business cases are built for every possible businessperson and consequently are offered in a variety of material options. Choosing a material for your briefcase will depend on your durability desires and personal style.
Depending on what sort of work you do and how you get there, the way you carry your business case will vary. The three most prevalent carrying styles are briefcases with handles, shoulder straps, and the no-handle envelope fashion.
Handle
Traditional briefcases are most often designed to be carried by hand with short top-connected handles. This style of case is great for the businessperson who drives or has a short commute to and from their place of work.
Shoulder strap
Business cases with shoulder straps are designed to be used by those who have a long way to carry their documents and laptops. Whether walking or riding a bus or train, a shoulder strap can be a life saver. Just make sure the briefcase you pick has a sufficiently padded shoulder strap to keep a sore upper-arm from ruining your work day. Depending on the atmosphere in your workplace, you may also want to consider a backpack.
Rolling
If airport layovers are the closest thing to an office that you get, rolling briefcases are extremely convenient. A rolling briefcase can help you avoid "airport shoulder" caused by lugging too much of your work on your arm. Most business cases with wheels have adjustable handles, so they can be quickly picked up when going where wheels don't roll, such as staircases. These business cases also double as excellent carry-on luggage.
Envelope
Handle-less business cases are usually referred to as "envelope style." These portfolio briefcases are generally more compact than other options, making them easier to hold underarm. Envelope cases are terrific for carrying large amounts of documents office-to-office.
What's the best way to maintain a leather briefcase?
The best way to maintain a business case constructed from leather is prevention. Keep your briefcase away from all liquids. Make sure any pen stored in your case is in a separate container to avoid ink stains. If by some unlucky accident your leather business case is stained, you can use commercial leather cleaner or the combination of warm water, mild soap and a soft rag.
Are laptop bags one size fits all?
Yes and no. While a larger laptop case will fit most sizes of computers, that doesn't mean they offer the most protection. Look for a laptop bag designed specifically for your size of laptop, as a snug fit will keep your laptop from being jangled around when you are on the move.
Aren't business cases with combination locks dangerous for the forgetful?
If you're more absent-minded than most, a briefcase with a combo lock may seem slightly risky. However, the combinations required on most business cases are generally short, so memorization shouldn't be a problem. Plus, you can always write your secret code down. In the unfortunate circumstance that you should forget your combination, you can always take your briefcase to a locksmith to have it reset.
Organization should go beyond the business case
If you're hoping to get things straight in your business life, a brand name day planner is just as vital as a new briefcase. Take a look at the variety of quality day planners at discount prices on Overstock.com and find one to help store important dates, addresses, and phone numbers. There's no organization combo quite like a great deal on a new business case and planner!
Work hard, play hard
After putting in some hours at the office with your new briefcase, think about treating yourself to a break. A vacation with a new luggage set will help refresh you from the everyday toil of your office.
Set your heart racing
The sedentary time you spend at work should be balanced with a lot of moving around. Pack a duffel bag and head to the gym for an intense game of basketball or a relaxing swim. You'll be surprised at how much your work improves with your increased energy levels.
