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This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here. I like thinking on paper. Thats why Ive got a box under my desk with 27 old idea notebooks. But when Im looking for a specific note scrawled early in 2020, digital notes are helpfully searchable. Given that paper and digital have distinct advantages, Ive been experimenting lately with hybrid approaches. Read on for what Ive found to be most useful. My current notebook of choice: The reMarkable Paper Pro What it is: A specialized paper tablet originating from Oslo, Norway that feels like a cross between a Kindle and an iPad. Its designed for writing and reading, not Web surfing, games or social apps. In touch and sound its closer to paper than any digital device Ive used. Its simple to use, well-designed, and I rarely need to charge it. Choose this if . . . You like the feel of paper but prefer having a single, organized device to piles of paper notebooks. Its great if youre easily distracted by multi-purpose devices (thats me) or if you spend a lot of time taking notes by hand and want a luxurious, minimalist device. My favorite features: Feels like paper. You can adjust the marker (stylus) to look and feel like various pens or pencils. The screen somehow even sounds like paper. Backup and sync. See any of your notes later on your phone, tablet, or laptop app as editable PDFs. During an online meeting you can even use the paper tablet as a whiteboard to screenshare live notes or diagrams. Flexible annotations. I like annotating PDFs as I read. You can toggle your notes on/off to return to the original. Unlike the Remarkable 2, this model lets you add color annotations, though I rarely do. You might find it handy to have distinct hues for highlighting facts or quotes. Distraction-free. No apps, email, browser, or notifications to tug at your attention. Easy import. You can easily import articles or documents from your Web browser or from Google Drive or Dropbox. Eye-friendly Its easier on your eyes than an iPad or computer, and works well in the dark, too, with an adjustable, built-in backlight. Templates. You can start with a blank page or your choice of lined or dotted page templates; calendar or task list templates; or even a Bullet Journal from the new template and workbook collection. Caveats Single-purpose device. If you need a multi-function tablet, this isn’t it. If you already have a digital watch, phone, tablet, & laptop, you may have enough. Premium investment. The $579 price point makes this a luxury device for those who can afford to invest in a fancy note-taking tablet. Doesnt work with Kindle books or other reading formats. Its great for PDFs and ePub files, and you can even import Web articles with a bookmarklet in your browser. But you cant use it to read your Kindle books. Feels large for reading. If youre used to holding a small Kindle in your hand, this device feels big at 274 x 197mm (10.8 x 7.8). The reMarkable 2 is a little smaller and cheaper ($399). No multi-document view. Unlike a laptop or an iPad, this device doesnt let you view multiple documents at once. Thats good for staying focused, but it adds friction when youre switching back and forth between two reference documents, as Ive been doing lately. Slower page turns. As with other E Ink screens, you have to wait a bit longer for each new page to load on this device than on LCD or LED screen devices. Clunky handwriting to text conversion. You can convert handwritten notes into digital text, even if you have messy handwriting like mine, but the process involves multiple clicks and I havent been thrilled with the resulting conversion and formatting. Slight learning curve. Its easy to use out of the box. But for advanced features, like triple-tapping to cut and paste text or adding multiple annotation layers, youll need a bit of practice. Pricing: $579 with the Marker (stylus) or $629 with the Marker Plus, which has a built-in digital eraser. The Book Folio protective cover is $89, while the Type Folio cover, which lets you type notes, is $229. The eraser tip is worth the extra $50 for quick corrections. The cover with built-in keyboard is only necessary for those who type all the time or use the device in place of a laptop. The optional Connect subscription for backing up your device and syncing to mobile and desktop apps is $30/year after a free 100-day trial. My flexible, reusable backup notebook: Rocketbook What it is: A reusable notebook with plastic pages (made with Polyester/ Polypropylene) that you write on with erasable FriXion pens. How it works: To digitize notes, use Rocketbooks free smartphone app (iOS or Android) to scan a page and send it to Google Drive, Evernote, Slack, Dropbox, Box, Trello, OneNote, OneDrive, iMessage, iCloud, or Google Photos. Then wipe the page off to reuse it. Choose this if . . . You like writing with an ink pen but want to keep notes organized in your preferred digital hub. It works well if you want a relatively low-cost, reusable notebook and dont want another digital device. My favorite features Reusable pages. Wipe off the ink with a damp cloth and you can repeatedly use the same pages. Easily scan notes to your digital hub. By marking a symbol at the bottom of a given notes page, you can send that particular page to your preferred destination. You can send some pages to one place, others to another. No subscription cost. The app is free, with no monthly fees. Lightweight design. The spiral binding and fold-back cover makes it easy to quickly return to any page. Easy page titling. You can write a double-hashtag at the top of any page to set its title for simpler digital categorization. Text conversion. Transform your handwriting to searchable text as long as its not illegible. Caveats Requires a special pen. Youll need a backup supply of FriXion pens. Different writing feel. Plastic pages feel different from traditional paper. Occasional smudging. The erasable ink can sometimes smudge before it dries completely. Be careful about leaning your hand on fresh ink. Cheap, light material. This is essentially a collection of coated plastic sheets, so it doesnt have the heft of a thick notebook or a digital tablet. Pricing: $30 to $50 depending on the size and style. These go on sale periodically. FriXion pens cost a few dollars each. Tips: I like the $38 Fusion model because it includes 42 pages with seven different page templates. It includes monthly and weekly calendar pages, dotted, lined and list pages, and project, goal and idea templates. Size: I prefer the executive size (6 x 8.8 inches) because its a bit more portable than the larger letter format. The mini size can be handy if you like keeping a notebook in your pocket. I also like a new hybrid alternative, the Boogie Board Blackboard 2.0 This reusable smart notebook has a permanently dark screen. It feels like writing on black glass with a special smart pen/stylus. Like the Rocketbook, you link the Blackboard to a free mobile app. From the app you can send an image or PDF of anything youve written or drawn to another app like Dropbox or Apple Notes. Like the Rocketbook, you don’t have to worry about recharging the screen. There is, technically, a battery in the Blackboard, because it’s a passive LCD screen, but you can use it for years without an issue. Ive used other Boogie Board screens and never had to change a battery. I think of it like a grown-up Etch a Sketch. It’s a fraction of the cost of the reMarkable tablet or an iPad, but its flimsy case gives it a much cheaper, more plastic-y feel. Limited space: The Blackboard 2.0 has just one page to use and then sync before running out of space. The Rocketbook, by comparison, gives you 42 pages to write on before you need to sync or erase. The reMarkable can store hundreds of thousands of pages of digital notes. Charging and syncing: If you get the Blackboard version with the Smart Pen, you do have to recharge the stylus. Its easy to misplace either the pen or the pen cover. On the plus side, it’s a little easier to sync and erase than the Rocketbookjust press a button to sync your writing or drawing to your online notes. Press another button to erase a page and start fresh. Pricing: $150 for the Blackboard 2.0 with the Smart Pen, or $45 for the same Blackboard minus the smart penin which case you use your phone to scan what you write into the Blackboard app, much like the Rocketbook. If you want a digital pen: Livescribes LivePen What it is: A digital pen that records what you write on special paper and converts it to digital text. Consider this if you like the feel of paper and want to backup your notes digitally without a tablet. Youll still have to buy special notebooks so the pens built-in camera can track your words digitally. I like that the newest model is ultra-portable. I had an old version of this pen that felt like a chunky highlighter. The $65 LivePen bundle includes four 158-page journal-sized notebooks. Keep them in distinct locations so you can use them with your digital pen wherever inspiration strikes. Caveats Special paper required. Youll have to repeatedly buy Livescribe notebooks or download and print special paper files with the required micro-dots. Easy to misplace. The LivePen is smaller than the other note-taking tools, meaning its easier to lose it. Comfort considerations. Its smaller than older models, but may not be as sleek as your favorite Cross pen. Battery dependent. Youll have to charge it every couple of weeks. Prefer plain paper? Try Leuchtturm1917 What it is: A traditional, sturdy, paper notebook, with a table of contents section at the front to help make it easier to organize notes inside. Choose this if . . . Youre a traditionalist who wants zero distractions or if have no interest in additional gizmos to plug in. Or maybe you just enjoy the tactile experience of pen on paper. No batteries, charging, cords or software updates needed. Tips: Snap picturesof important notes and upload them to ChatGPT, which excels at recognizing handwriting and converting it to digital text. No special app needed, and you can send the converted notes to your digital hub of choice. Options: I like the $17.50 dotted model with numbered pages, two page markers, a pocket and an elastic closure band. If you often write outdoors, consider the $29 Outlines model for extra durable waterproof paper and a water resistant cover. Or if you draw, try the 120g model for $29 for low-transparency paper that wont let ink run or colors show through to the back. Want a cheaper choice? This similar Rettacy notebook is just $8. Bottom line: I rely on a blended system No one tool satisfies all of my note-taking needs. Other explorations: I use Letterly to take audio notes, and I experiment occasionally with Goodnotes and other iPhone and iPad apps. Why all-digital isnt optimal: I need to get away from screens on Saturdays, and periodically at work. So no digital-only system will work for me. Why all-paper doesnt work: Having filled up desk drawers and storage bins with old reporting notebooks, Im not eager to accumulate more paper. And my urban life is variableI often dont have a paper notebook with me. What I prefer: For now, the reMarkable Paper Pro is my preferred note-taking tool when Im at work or doing extended brainstorming at home. An occasional replacement: When in meetings or with my children, I sometimes prefer my Rocketbook to remove any hint of digitalia. Paper lives on. I sometimes pull out an individual piece of paperor index cardsand later digitize it with ChatGPT. This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here.
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Two powerful forces are dramatically reshaping the current world of workartificial intelligence and an aging workforce. While we can see that the way we work is changing, we need to move quickly to effectively cope with both. Currently, AI, machine learning, digitization, automation, and other technology shifts are continuing to drive big changes in how we work and evolving the skills we need. In fact, new Workday research into the AI skills revolution shows that 81% of workers globally recognize that AI is changing the skills needed for their jobs. At the same time, throughout most countries, midcareer and older workers (people aged 45-64) make up a growing portion of the workforce, thanks to steady advances in health and longevity, and comprise 40% of the workforce in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. For these older workers, especially those who are currently unemployed, advances in new technologies could be a concern. In fact, Generation, a global employment nonprofit organization, conducted research in 2023 in eight countries that showed nearly half of long-term unemployed people are aged 45 and up, and 60% of midcareer workers view their age as their greatest barrier to new employmentand their perception is correct. With this worker demographic shift, a looming social and economic challenge is facing most countries around the globe. To ignite progress and elevate potential for midcareer and older workers, three imperatives stand out: 1. Bust the myths: Age and performance Many employers underestimate and are less likely to hire midcareer candidates than their younger counterparts. Not surprisingly for those who have encountered age bias, research shows that preference for younger candidates intensifies when considering roles that regularly use AI tools. Hiring managers are three times more likely to consider job applicants who are 35 or younger, compared to those 60 and older. However, the 2023 Generation research also shows that 89% of employers who have hired people aged 45+ reported that these individuals perform as well as or better than their younger peers, and 83% of employers said they learned as quickly or even better than their younger counterparts. Its imperative that employers stop clinging to persistent and harmful age biases. 2. Green shoots of opportunity: Where the jobs are There are jobs out there already with the magic mix of an immediate hiring need and a large supply of enthusiastic midcareer candidates. Green jobs are an exciting and unexpected opportunity. In Workdays collaboration with Generation in Spain, more than half of the program participants in our Solar PV Installer Program were over age 40, and most were non-degree holders (only 6% had a post-secondary degree). Within 6 months, 90% of them had been successfully placed in jobs. Green jobs are a clear win-win for candidates and employers. 3. Beyond degrees: Skills-based hiring and mobility Moving to skills-based hiring and assessment, rather than relying solely on 4-year college degrees or very specific previous work experience, will open opportunities for older workers and qualified candidates of all ages. By focusing on assessing skills and giving all hiring teams exposure to interviewing older candidates, we can decrease the likelihood that talented individuals will be overlooked. Moreover, once workers are on the job, employers canand shouldmeasure job performance and use that data to bust myths around midcareer candidate potential. To get candidates into new positions, training and mentorship also play important roles. In Generations 2023 research, 48% of successful midcareer and older job switchers had recent and relevant training prior to being employed, versus only 34% of unemployed individuals. On top of training, mentorship can help smooth career transitions. Workday and Generation developed customized mentor support focusing on the midcareer experienceincluding cultivating a growth mindset and moving seamlessly to a new industry. It was well-received, helping midcareer candidates improve their resumes and better prepare for interviews, with 96% saying they had a positive mentorship experience. The path forward: A two-way street Change takes collaboration, and both workers and employers should prioritize upskilling. Embracing equity, being inclusive of age differences, and hiring for skills is also good for business. There is research which shows that hiring for skills is five times more predictive of positive job performance than hiring for education alone, and 2.5 times more predictive of success than hiring for past work experience. Additional research shows that those who are hired on based on skills have, on average, a 9% longer tenure at their organizations than traditional hires, saving companies money on turnover and backfilling. Supporting workers in their career journeys helps ensure that individuals, businesses, and societies all thrive. Carrie Varoquiers is the chief philanthropy officer at Workday. Mona Mourshed is the founding global CEO of Generation: You Employed. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.
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With the advent of generative AI and other advanced technologies like quantum computing, we are entering a period of massive innovation. It is likely we are about to see more future-facing products and services than we witnessed in the past 25 years. These companies will disrupt current industries and change the way we work, live, and play. This creates a new paradigm in how companies identify the best opportunities and how those ideas are developed, branded, and activated. For the past 40 years, I have had a front row seat to some of the worlds most valuable brands early days. Lexicon Branding played a role in developing names for hundreds of iconic brands and productsmost that were new to the world at the time. Brands like Blackberry, Impossible Foods, Lucid, Sonos, Pentium, and many more. Having an innovative name is just one part of building a future-facing brand that connects with consumers, while also being memorable and distinct. The industry-disrupting brands weve worked with have taken a unique approach to building their brands and finding their unique place in their industries. These brands adopted the following principles to set them up for success as they build their next iteration. Think zero to one Zero to one is a phrase that describes the process of creating something radically new and taking it to its first growth step. A zero to one idea is not about disruption, but market expansion. They start small, very small, and then scale. Future-facing brands behave differently. They come with attitude. They depart from the past. While Gatorade was invented in 1965, it is a perfect example of a brand that reflects risk-taking thinking. Risk is an essential element of attitude. Using one of earth’s oldest predators to bring an entirely new idea and attitude to the market was risky, but it worked. Gatorades name makes us think: Whats in that bottle? On the other hand, Coca-Colas highly suggestive competitive entry, Powerade, is both safe and mundane. Sixty years after launch, Gatorade is still the leader. Brands that embody a zero to one attitude, behave differently from others in the market. SpaceX is the poster child of a zero to one brand. SpaceX isnt just a new type of space travel, it is the foundation for entirely new, multi-billion-dollar industries such as space tourism, space-based solar power, and moon/asteroid mining. A relentless focus on achieving firstsfrom landing on ocean platforms to being the first privately owned company to send astronauts to the International Space Stationepitomizes what it means to be a zero to one company. Another example is OpenAIs ChatGPT. ChatGPT defined a new paradigm for consumers and businesses to use generative AI in day-to-day work and life. Since its launch, ChatGPT has continued to dominate consumer interest, with 10 times the search traffic of the next four AI models combined. Cultivate distinctive behaviors Future-facing brands embody unique, novel attitudes. They depart boldly from the past. They do not rely only on their product, they must cultivate behaviors that stand out in the marketplace. In a market dominated by serene imagery of pristine islands and alpine springs, Liquid Death boldly subverts the beverage industry norms. It packages mountain water in tallboy cans resembling craft beerscomplete with heavy metal-inspired brandingand turn a simple product into a nonconformity statement. Its marketing strategy reinforces this unique behavior with taglines like “Murder your thirst,” helping Liquid Death double its valuation since 2022 to reach $1.4 billion today. Naming new brands a strategic imperative In today’s hyper-competitive market, a brand name can no longer be viewed as a labelit’s a strategic asset. It must work harder, reach further, and resonate across multiple platforms and cultures. We’re moving from tactical naming to strategic decision making, where the right name can be a powerful competitive advantage. Comfort is the enemy of great branding. The most impactful names are risky. As Oscar Wilde aptly put it, “An idea that isn’t dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.” Remember: The name you choose is often your first and most enduring marketing asset. Choose wisely, and let it be the cornerstone of your strategic advantage. Impossible Foods (formerly Maraxi) aligned an audacious name with an audacious goal: producing great tasting and completely vegan alternatives to meat products. Although Beyond Meat was the first alternative meat brand to appear in restaurants, Impossible has become the household name, maintaining a lead over Beyond in Google Search interest. The brand continues to invest in its brand fame with bold moves such as sponsoring Joey Chestnut, the hot dog eating world record leader. Uberstarted out as a premium black car service before transitioning to offer rides in just about any type of car. The name Uber, meaning above all the rest, served as a point of reference not only for customers but also for employees. It is a surprisingly familiar termrecognizable but not commonplacewhich lends itself to consumer curiosity and interest. Today, more than 170 million people use Uber each month and Ubers market capitalization is over $155 billion. Solve bigger problems Future-facing brands dont chase trends; they create the future. These brands should focus on addressing significant challenges that open doors to new possibilities and positive outcomes. For example, Seatrain Linesrevolutionized maritime shipping in 1928 with a forward-thinking approach. Founder Graham Brush designed ships capable of carrying entire loaded railroad cars, transforming traditional cargo handling. This innovation allowed for seamless loading and unloading of train cars, saving time, and reducing damage risks. Seatrain’s concept wasn’t just an improvement; it reimagined shipping entirely. By creating a new market for intermodal transport, Seatrain expanded the industry beyond disruption, laying the groundwork for modern container shipping and reshaping global freight movement We forget that Amazonstarted out by making books easier to buy online. Its focus on customer convenience sparked innovations like Amazon Web Services, which has revolutionized cloud computing and become a cornerstone of its business, was expected to hit a $110 billion revenue run rate in 2024. While retail is still the largest piece of Amazons revenue with online and retail combined, its AI-driven products like Alexa and exploration of drone delivery continue to redefine ecommerce. What all of these brands have in common is the attitude and acumen to take risks and see beyond their initial idea. By rethinking the way brands are developed, conceptualized, and ultimately named and introduced to the world, expect more future-facing brands to disrupt our lives for the better. David Placek is founder and CEO of Lexicon Branding. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.
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