Modern Business Essentials – Our 6 Favourite Tools & Resources
It’s essential that you look the part and have practical tools to succeed. Here’s our hand-picked list of favourites, every one is a tried and tested star-performer.
Download our Ultimate Assessment Day & Interview Guide 2022 here. (It's packed with tips, tricks and insider-secrets to help you succeed.)
You can practise real assessment day exercises and the psychometric tests that employers use here.
1) A high-quality folio
There’s no need to spend a fortune on a Lucrin (unless you want to work in the City of London, in which case they’re practically essential to fit in!) – our favourite is the Masters Executive which offers a great balance between style, function and value. The Swiss Alpine range is also excellent. These things look great and are built like tanks. It will last for your entire career. Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
2. Kensington Presentation Pointer
One of the most powerful things you can do to enhance the way you are perceived as a presenter is to use a presentation pointer. This allows you to trigger the next slide without having to stand next to your laptop, frequently clicking buttons. This is huge because it frees you to move around and gives your presentation a level of professional polish that we guarantee your audience will notice.
Our favourite is this Kensington model which is well-made and beautifully simple to use. It’s perfect: Amazon (UK)
(You can also use this to draw your audience’s attention to specific points as it has a laser pointer built in.)
3. Microsoft Office
The standard software suite of the business world. Contains all of the most frequently used Microsoft programs: Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, Publisher & Onenote.
Another genuine ‘must-own’.
Office for PC: Amazon (USA) | Amazon (UK)
Office for Mac: Amazon (USA) | Amazon (UK)
4. Dropbox
Dropbox keeps all your files in sync across all your devices. Desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, you name it. It’s brilliant.
It works perfectly, it’s fast, secure and has transformed the way people access their information and documents. And it’s completely free! Click here to visit the Dropbox site.
5. A Moleskine Notebook
Moleskine established themselves as the business notebook of choice many years ago and their heritage goes back a long way (Hemingway and Picasso were Moleskine fans). There’s a reason these things have been popular so long; the superb build-quality and beautiful acid-free paper are still winning them new fans today. Moleskine notebooks are simply the best. Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
6. The Seven Habits Of Highly Successful People
A business classic which contains a wealth of proven techniques that will not only make you better at your job but will also teach you how to enjoy a balanced and fulfilling life. Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
Four excellent books for further preparation
This is a fabulous book by Denise Taylor that’s packed with useful information and advice. You can find it here: Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
“This book is essential-reading for anyone that wants to feel more confident and prepared for their forthcoming interview or assessment centre.
It covers the different types of psychometric testing companies use, the various forms of interviews they employ, from first interview to panel interview to competency-based interview, as well as other more subtle aspects of performing well at interviews and assessment centres.”
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‘Practise & Pass Professional: Verbal Reasoning Tests’
We often recommend Alan Redman’s excellent book to candidates who are particularly worried about their verbal reasoning tests or those who have struggled in their practice tests. You can find it here: Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
“Written by business psychologists and packed with hundreds of real-life tests. Know what to expect and maximise your chances of passing.
Don’t let the verbal reasoning test jeopardise your job application; with the advice and tips in this book you’ll be well-prepared to perform at your very best and win the job you deserve.”
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This excellent book by James Meachin and Ceri Roderick is a good read and will give you a deeper understanding of psychometric testing, what to expect and how to succeed: Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
“This unique guide is written by two business psychologists who specialise in recruitment. Packed with practice questions, sample tests, tips and expert advice you can be reassured that it will equip you to handle any test thrown at you with confidence.”
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‘Practise & Pass Professional: Numeracy Tests’
This book was Written by business psychologists who specialise in recruitment, it’s packed full of hundreds of real-life tests so you A) know what to expect and B) can practise numerical reasoning tests to your heart’s content: Amazon (UK) | Amazon (USA)
“The tests are supported with tips and advice so you’ll be completely at ease with the process and can take your numerical reasoning test feeling confident and capable. Don’t let a numeracy test jeopardise your job application!”
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What are your recommendations?
Do you have any suggestions for additions to this ‘essentials’ list? If you know of a great tool or resource or have something that you just couldn’t do without get in touch and let us know – maybe it’ll make its way onto this ‘A’ list!
More articles of ours that will help you
We’ve written tons of other articles that will help you succeed at your interview or assessment centre:
- Do you have to take a numerical reasoning test or a verbal reasoning test? If so you may want to check out the aptitude tests section of the site.
- You can find practice tests and tons of free advice on every other type of ‘reasoning test’ too: numerical, verbal, abstract, logical, inductive, diagrammatic, spatial, mechanical comprehension, UKCAT and Watson-Glaser tests.
- Worried about your assessment day? Maybe you’re worried about performing a presentation or preparing for an interview or group exercise or in-tray exercise?
- Perhaps you’d like some guidance on how to deal with nerves & anxiety at your interview?
- Lastly the Tools and Resources page is packed with useful equipment and ‘A’ List recommendations that will make your life easier.
Good luck!
We hope you enjoyed this article? We’d love to hear your feedback so please do get in touch and let us know. Thanks and good luck for the future! 🙂
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