The 2009 Consumer Electronics Show featured various items After 55 women can love.
After three days at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer volume of sights and sounds.
Imagine nearly 2 million square feet under one roof filled with enormous televisions, exhibit after exhibit of audio equipment, computer accessories, digital cameras, camcorders, digital picture frames, digital storage components, cell phones, land line phones, VOIP phones and an incredible hot orange Lamborghini all being promoted, explained and hawked . . . and that was just the Las Vegas Convention Center. There was another venue at the Sands/Venetian, while other companies displayed their wares in remote locations. There were parties, keynotes and breakout seminars.
I knew I couldn't even scratch the surface so, after a quick look at a small part of the convention center, I decided to filter my exploration through three unscientific lenses:
Using this filter, I was able to enjoy several hours wandering around the Sands/Venetian. Here are five products that caught my attention:
Designer Sleeves -- As you may know, travelers don't have to remove laptops in simple, non-metallic padded cases that meet the Transportation Security Administration's approval. What a boon to business travelers. Designer Sleeves caught my attention with tons of different prints--some pretty wild. Then I saw the leopard print. I was all over it. The company has a variety of sizes to protect many types of computers. Always keeping an eye out for my other criteria, Designer Sleeves is a second-generation family-owned company whose vice president of marketing--and daughter-in-law--is a woman.
If you're interested in the company's products, it has developed a way to do small runs--for us After 55s, I'm thinking promotional, commemorative or branding.
Smart-Leaf markets a computer kiosk that looks different from anything I've seen. I was impressed that it was designed to increase the "dwell time" in a place of business. Customers can quickly check their e-mails or dig deeper into your programmed product information, all the while spending more time in your store or coffee bar. It can even be used to amuse kids while their moms shop.
It has home applications, too. A big plus is that the vice president of marketing, Bernadette Freeman, is an After 55 who joined the fledgling firm because she believes so much in the product and the management team. The young CEO kept trying to tell me how it would work in my home to amuse the grandkids--even after I told him about my WomenEntrepreneur.com column. It took a quick assessment by Freeman to get our conversation on track.
emWave Personal Stress Reliever. A friend introduced me to HeartMath daily quotes several years ago, and HeartMath now offers a handheld product that uses LED displays, audio feedback and a powerful stress-relief technique "to help you significantly reduce your stress and increase your feelings of well-being." From the crowd of people gathered around, it was clearly a hot item. The emWave also won CES' 2009 Last Gadget Standing Award. With all the stress of the uncertain economy, this looks to be a must-have.
On a purely fun note, I came across a hot pink (or blue or white) roll-up keyboard. It's full size, flexible and rolls up for easy storage. This isn't anything you'll ever need, but wouldn't it be fun to walk into your office in the morning and see a hot pink keyboard waiting for your great thoughts?
Telephone headsets have been around forever. I used one in the early '80s during my stint as a stockbroker. However, I was really taken by the clean look and great features of an AT&T wireless headset I saw at the show. It can link to either a corded or cordless phone and has the new DECT system, which produces a higher quality of sound. Because it works on a different frequency, there are fewer interruptions from other wireless products--microwaves included. (Full disclosure: Price's husband is an executive of the manufacturer.)
After 55 women entrepreneurs are not only looking for the fastest, easiest way to get a job done, but also want to find small ways to add joy to the process and stay centered while dealing with the challenges they face. Each of these products does that . . . with style!
