By: Leah Turner, Senior Marketing Consultant

Are you an ‘umbrella’ person? You know, the type of person that actually carries an umbrella with them if there is the slightest chance of rain in the forecast? Well, I am unequivocally NOT an umbrella person! Umbrella people are also the same people who always have aspirin, kleenex, hand sanitizer, safety pins, and other mystery items in their purse!

‘Umbrella’ people are ALWAYS prepared for the unexpected!

I’m not knocking the ‘umbrella’ people of the world, I am actually very envious of them! In fact, once right before I was about to go on stage and give a presentation to a very large group of people, I spilled some barbecue sauce on my WHITE blouse. I was just about to ask the gentleman next to me if I could borrow his shirt, when all of a sudden an ‘umbrella’ person appeared! And she just happened to have a TIDE stick instant stain removal pen in her purse (I didn’t even know such a thing existed!) which she magically used it to remove the stain! Viola!

Even though I was not innately born to be an ‘umbrella’ person, I have tried to kick up my ‘umbrella’ skills a notch, especially in my business. Ironically enough, improving my ‘umbrella’ skills has made my life a lot easier! It’s the little things!

So, here are six business tips I have come up with to help all the ’non-umbrella’ folks out there like me!

1. Always buy printer ink in packs of 3 or more. There is nothing worse than running out of black ink the night before a big presentation in which you are in charge of printing the hand-outs!

2. Have two cell phone chargers. Keep one in your office and one in your car. You don’t want your phone to die on you while you are talking to an important client!

3. Invest in a wireless USB. Don’t depend on Starbuck’s or Panera for your WiFi. I just bought a Sprint 4G and LOVE it!

4. Keep an ‘emergency supply’ bag in your car. This should include such items as scissors, pens, safety pins, mini-sewing kit, the ALL IMPORTANT Tide stick, almonds (or some type of snack), bottled water and any other items you may need.

5. Always have at least $20 cash on you. I can’t begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have to pay a $2 parking garage fee with a check! Trust me on this one.

6. Keep an umbrella in your car. You never know when it might rain!