One of the classic necessities for professionals is the briefcase. A well-stocked briefcase does more than just carry papers around. It is a mobile office- a desk away from the desk- and it is the hub of a busy business life.
With a briefcase being so important in business, it makes sense to take the time to select the right one. Cheap briefcases will not survive long in the rough, knock-around world of the business professional. Closures can get bent, hinges torn off, and the case itself scuffed and ripped. Not a very professional image to portray to customers and suppliers.
A quality briefcase will show attention to detail. The hinges and clasps will be durable and move freely. There will be metal or plastic “feet” on the bottom of the case to protect it from scuffing and marking when set on the floor. The handle will be attached with a solid ring to the body of the case. The briefcase may also sport metal or leather caps on each corner of the briefcase to avoid damaging the material.
The material most used over time in the best quality briefcases is leather. Although leather certainly looks stylish, the main reason for its popularity is its durability. Leather can withstand scratches, scrapes and scuffs and still look great. Scratches can be buffed out of high quality leather and they are harder to inflict on it than with cheaper materials. And, unlike with other materials, leather looks better over time as the grain becomes more pronounced and the feel more buttery and softer.
While looks are important, so is the inside of your briefcase. In order to have a truly organized briefcase, you must start with the right briefcase. It should contain at least three different pocketed areas to segregate files and papers. It should also have several pockets for small business supplies like business cards, a cell phone, pens and paper, and some compact discs. If you have a briefcase that is nothing but a fancy box, all of the contents will become quickly jumbled and this makes it hard to locate anything quickly and does not provide a professional appearance to your customers.
Business briefcases come in many styles including the rigid box-type attaché, the flap-over satchel and the soft-sided bag. The appropriate style depends on the intended use of the bag, the contents it will hold, and the formality of the business situation. An attaché case is like the standard gray business suit- right for any occasion. The satchel and soft-sided bags are less formal and more often carried by younger professionals. If the briefcase will be transporting delicate items such as product samples, the attaché case will provide more protection against damage from everyday bumping and banging around. If a large amount of material will be carried around, a wider pilot’s or audit bag is handy. Some come with a handle and wheels to make transportation easier.
Briefcases will always be an important part of business attire. A quality briefcase is an investment that will last for years.