10 Boredom-Busting USB Desk Toys

Let’s face it, unless you’re an astronaut or a rock star, work is pretty darn dull most of the time. Don’t despair though, as technology can help fill the gaping void of boredom that being stuck in the office creates.

Thanks to the wonders of USB gadgetry you can cram your time at work chock-full of fun, frolics and laughter, making your cubicle the cool place to hang.

We’ve selected 10 excellent examples of USB desk toys and gadgets for your perusing pleasure, so take the first step to banish boredom in your workplace today by having a little look below, and let us know your own favorites in the comments.

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1. USB Whack It

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A modern take on the vintage arcade classic, USB Whack It is a great way to take out all your pent up frustration in the workplace.

Cost: $20

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2. Tengu

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Tengu lights up and lip syncs to audio with a variety of facial expressions to amuse you and your fellow cubicle-dwellers.

Cost: $30

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3. USB Touch Drums Set

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Although desktop drumming with pencils can also do the trick, why not try rocking out on this small-scale USB-powered drum set instead?

Cost: $22

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4. USB Plasma Ball

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A tiny model of the Tesla original, this plasma ball will add a mesmerizing dash of science to your desk. It’s educational and fun!

Cost: $12

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5. Riff Rocker

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If drums aren’t your thing, then how about the Riff Rocker? This pocket-sized guitar is compatible with sites likeJamLegend, meaning you can enjoy some Guitar Hero-style gaming in the office.

Cost: $14.95

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6. Tiny USB Rechargeable Helicopter

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We can only begin to imagine the fun flying missions you and your colleagues can come up with using this mini chopper. Just don’t get caught.

Cost: $44

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7. USB Missile Launcher

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Office warfare can bond co-workers together, boost morale and lift spirits. It can also poke your eye out, so watch where you point that thing.

Cost: $49

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8. USB Robot Owl

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A very “kawaii” Japanese import, the USB Robot Owl doesn’t do much (he blinks his eyes and turns his head from side to side), but he looks so darn cute doing it, he’ll more than earn his perch on your monitor.

Cost: $19.99

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9. USB Basketball Desktop Dunk

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Complete with a scoreboard and cheering crowd sound effects, we think a desktop one-on-one should be the way all office disputes are settled.

Cost: $19.99

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10. Pop-up Pirate USB Hub

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Finally, another retro classic gets the USB treatment. You know that filing can wait when there are pirates to be popped.

Cost: $63

Why Webcasts Are Perfect for Tapping Into Emerging Markets

Lara Fawzy is co-author of Emerging Business Online: Global Markets and the Power of B2B Internet Marketing, and currently a marketing manager for Cisco’s African region. Lara is also Director and founder of her own firm, ebocube Consultancy, and conducts online marketing training.

The term “emerging markets” refers to countries experiencing relatively recent industrial and technological change, resulting in rapid economic growth. These markets were hit by the recession, but many remain in a robust growth position. Trading with businesses in these economies can offer a high return, but the endeavor involves a lot of uncertainty and risk.

However, Internet penetration in emerging markets is growing at a dramatic pace, and businesses are particularly enthusiastic early adopters. Commerce and lead generation in these markets are now just a click away, and one way to pique interest is through video webcasting.

Webcasting is relatively new in emerging markets, and has proven to be extremely popular. While the media in developed economies often outshines the humble webcast, business leaders in emerging economies have taken to it with enthusiasm.

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How Webcasts Work

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Webcast content can be in the form of video, audio, PowerPoint, other presentation software, or any combination of the above.

A good webcasting platform will be streamlined, reliable, and enable “attendees” of your online event to access your live content with ease from any Internet connection.

Additionally, many platforms enable you to make your event viewable after you broadcast through a video-on-demand feature. That way, your valuable content doesn’t disappear after the show’s over, but can continue to engage an international audience for as long as there is interest.

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Webcasting for Marketers

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Webcasting is a flexible and enduring marketing technique that has a variety of uses:

1. Raising brand awareness
2. Acquiring and retaining loyal customers
3. Generating sales leads
4. Communicating product/service launches
5. Training
6. Seminars

Benefits include:

1. Cost-effectiveness: While marketing budgets are being cut or scrutinized, webcasting is an extremely inexpensive way to drive engagement and supplant costly physical events. There’s no space to rent, travel expenses to incur, or staff to pay.
2. Interactivity: Because webcasts occur in real time, they are ripe for interactivity. Ask your audience to participate in Q&As, through polls, or by communicating with them one-on-one.

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Measuring Success in New Markets

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The success of webcasts can be measured in ways similar to live events with the added advantage of tracking attendees in real time. Metrics include:

Registrations: Determine how many attendees you can expect prior to the event.

Attendees: Once the webcast is over, determine your full audience.

No shows: Once the webcast has begun, you can determine how many registered attendees never log in.

Drop-off rate: While the webcast is in progress, most tools will tell you when attendees drop off. Connect this with the content in motion at the time of the drop-off to improve the retention rate of future webcasts.

Cost per attendee: Divide the production cost of the webcast by the number of attendees to better determine your return.

Number of questions asked or submitted and by whom: Take a look at reports on how many questions you received and who asked them. You can also advise attendees to e-mail you or the speaker if you are unable to answer all questions during the webcast.

The exact time a question was asked: Questions may have increased during a specific section of the broadcast. This may highlight specific areas of interest in the local market

Voting/polling in real time: Measure the participation of attendees in opinion polls. The results can be insightful.

Attendee evaluation: Use a questionnaire at the end of the event. Feedback is likely to be more honest because the attendees are not face to face with the presenter, and their opinions are not biased by a free lunch.

Leads and lead conversions: These are registrants who have answered lead qualification questions while registering or have requested contact by sales in your evaluation questionnaire. These leads or potential leads should be added to your sales management tool.

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Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

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While reaching out to emerging markets is a global endeavor, you must think about the local business community you are targeting. Webcasting is a great way to tailor your local marketing strategy. Before jumping in, think about language, business culture, and timing.

While there’s certainly a lot to consider, the potential ROI is can be significant.