Are You Spending On Cyber Security Or Just Throwing Money Down The Drain?

by | Blog, Contributed Post

Newsflash; cybersecurity is a big deal in modern business. In fact, given that the average data breach can cost even small companies as much as $2k, it’s unsurprising that most managers spend significant amounts on overcoming this setback. Add this to the fact that more than half of small businesses can expect an attack at some stage, and it’s fair to say that this is a pressing priority. 

Sadly, while the risks speak for themselves, only 6 in 10 managers actually protect themselves here, with a shocking 66% of senior decision-makers believing they won’t be targeted. Even if you are taking adequate steps to stop security breaches from happening, you may be leaving yourself open in unexpected ways. 

The fact is that security can be challenging to get right, especially when those risks are unseen and unquantifiable. With that in mind, even managers who do dedicate plenty of their budget to this purpose could soon find themselves chucking money down the drain if they don’t take care of the following issues in-house. 

Security solutions that aren’t comprehensive

Picture Credit: CC0 License

Cybersecurity is unpredictable by nature. As such, spending a fortune on security measures that protect you from just one risk or platform is never going to work well for you. You’ll simply find yourself chucking money at this issue and still facing problems. By instead seeking comprehensive security offerings with continued monitoring like those offered by Syscomm, you could save yourself money and still improve those defences. That’s because an outside company with experience can provide you with all their know-how and equipment for one fixed fee. Even better, they’ll never leave any security stone unturned. 

Internet use with no limitations

During the day, your employees are going to use your business wifi in all manner of ways. This includes work and…well, less professional pursuits. To some extent, the chance to check private email is a perk of the office job, but you should be wary here, too. Even with the best cybersecurity in place, specific websites or email attachments can breach your defences if employees invite them right in. That’s why limitations on certain site access and private purposes can prove so beneficial to your business. With these in place, you’ll be able to rest easy that no one is undermining the money you’re spending here. 

Security plans that stagnate

Let’s say you invested in a cybersecurity package about three or four years ago. So far, so good, and you see no reason to change as a result of that. Sadly, the cyber risks that you’re facing will have evolved a great deal since then, leaving you open to risks despite your outgoings. It’s fair to say, then, that any stagnant security solution is a waste of company money. Instead, you should either seek ever-evolving outsourced security solutions as touched on above, or revisit your approach at least every six months. That way, you can be sure that the security you have in place is the best possible protection available at all times.

Featured image credit: Unsplash Image: CC0 License

Ways Technology Can Benefit You & Your Business

by | Blog

These days technology is everywhere and is entering homes and businesses regularly. If you’re a business owner, it’s worth taking the time to become more technology savvy and learn how to implement more tech solutions at your workplace.

There are many benefits technology has to offer that you may not be aware of and might be interested to know and understand. Although it can be challenging to keep up with all the latest developments, you can start small and slowly implement changes to how you run your business over time to help you adapt.

Increase Productivity

One way technology can benefit you and your business is that it increases productivity. No longer do you have to wait and meet people in person and face-to-face to discuss matters. Nowadays, you can hop online and complete your work or even collaborate in the cloud. You and your workers have a lot of tasks to complete on any given day. With the help of technology, you can automate many of these to-dos and even decrease the chance of human error. It allows you to work much faster and get more done because you don’t have to rely on tackling your workload manually. You’ll also save yourself money because your workers won’t have to clock in overtime when they’re able to use technology to work smarter and get ahead during the workday. Take this article by marta hall on LiDAR technology and how it can improve how you work in different industries, from car manufacturing to construction, for geological applications and hose in the marine industry too.

Help You to Relax in Your Downtime

Technology can also benefit you and your business by helping you to relax in your downtime. As a busy entrepreneur, you must find ways to rest and recharge. For example, if you travel a lot, then take the time to research the best vpn for Netflix so you can plug-in and enjoy a movie or TV series anywhere and at any time. There are also many apps and games you can download and play on your phone when you have a few extra minutes and need a break away from your to-do list.

Remote Working

Another way technology can improve your business and life is that it provides you and your staff with the opportunity to work remotely. The benefit is that you don’t have to be physically in the office to get your work done. There may be times when this comes in handy if you have a family obligation or appointment and need to be away from the workplace. You may also want to work from home every so often not only as a perk but because you’re able to accomplish more when you’re away from the distractions at the office. It also means your employees can take their tasks with them wherever they go and that there are no more excuses for why someone can’t work late or on the weekends.

Mobile Solutions

Technology can also benefit you and your business by allowing you to offer mobile solutions for your company. It may be a chance for you to provide your customers with an app they can use to manage their accounts and place orders. You can also conduct business and work with clients from your mobile device. Technology makes it possible to conduct a lot of business right from your mobile phone while you’re on the go, which makes your life a lot easier. Utilize these types of advancements in technology to improve customer satisfaction and offer your employees greater work-life balance. 

Allow You to Innovate

One of the best parts about technology is that it gives you a platform and the tools you need to focus on the innovation of your products or services and business. It’s a benefit to you because it can help you attract top talent and surpass the competition. People want to work with and do business with companies who are willing to step outside the comfort zone and experiment with new and better solutions and offerings. There are numerous programs and tools that exist for developers so that they can help your business keep up with the times and offer more desirable outputs that your customers desire.

Better Connect with Customers

Furthermore, technology allows you as a business owner to connect with your customers better. It’s quick and easy to hop online and get in touch with them instantly. However, it’s a wise idea to come up with a marketing strategy you can implement so you can ensure your efforts are paying off. Launch a website and engage on social media to help you market your business. It can strengthen customer service by allowing you to respond to inquiries and questions from a variety of outlets and platforms. It improves communication with your most valued customers and will enable you to build trust and loyalty with them. You can speed up processes and use CRM systems and online chat functions to help enhance the customer service and experience for your clients. 

Alongside connecting with your customers online, technology makes it much easier to reach out to customers in a physical setting, too. Trade shows, product launches, and other corporate events can be an excellent way to drum up business, but you’ll need the tools to handle it properly. Products like AV Equipment will be essential for events like this, but there are plenty of options on the market to help you out.

Boost Security

Online security is vital in this era of technology and always being connected. Therefore, technology can benefit you and your business by making your workplace and files more secure. The last situation you want is you or your client’s information to be compromised by outside parties and intruders. You must have an IT infrastructure set up and find ways to protect your business from external threats and harm. You need to have security measures in place at your business so you can gain the trust of your customers and keep your online information and data safe. Improve your reputation and minimize the risk of any unfortunate circumstances by having firewalls and anti-virus software installed on your computer systems.

Conclusion

These are a few ways that technology can benefit you and your business that you should be aware of as an entrepreneur. There are many good reasons to get yourself up to speed with the latest developments and begin testing solutions in your workplace. You’ll enjoy the benefits of being able to reach your goals at a quicker rate and becoming a top competitor and threat to other businesses in your industry. Growing your business will become a real possibility with these improvements.

this is a contributed post

 

Communication Is The Bedrock Of Business Success

by | Blog

If you look at some of the most successful businesses in the world, they all have something important in common: a clear strategy for where they’re headed. Everyone in the organization knows why they’re doing what they’re doing, helping to improve productivity. 

The statistics for workplace engagement in the US, however, are shocking. As the following info graphic indicates, only around 33 percent of all American workers feel engaged by their jobs, and a further 16 percent say that they are actively miserable. Around half are present but not engaged. 

The solution to this problem isn’t to hire better people. Instead, it is to explain to colleagues why their role is so valuable and what the company is trying to achieve. For people to be engaged in a task, they need to feel as if they have ownership over it. They need to know how their particular responsibility impacts the mission of the rest of the firm. 

At the core of this process is excellent communication. If leaders in an enterprise can’t sell the corporate mission to their employees, they’ll forever struggle with low levels of engagement and poor performance. 

Communication isn’t just crucial for colleagues. It is also important for shareholders and employees too. Companies, for instance, that regularly keep shareholders informed encourage greater loyalty and increases in the value of their equity. 

Would you like to find out more about communications and its value to business? If so, check out the following stats in this info graphic.


Infographic by USC This is a contributed post

Why It Pays to Get to Know Your Suppliers

by | Blog, Contributed Post

Whether you’re a small business or an international brand, getting to know your suppliers comes with some advantages that you simply shouldn’t pass up. It doesn’t matter what kind of industry you’re in, how many employees you have or even if you’re a remote business with no office. You’ve likely got a supplier delivering physical or even digital assets to your business. It could be offering you server space, an internet connection, shipping boxes or even the product you’re selling. Whatever it is, it’s worth getting to know your supplier–and here’s why.

Minimizing the risks of price volatility

Stock pricing can occasionally be volatile because of unpredictable market conditions. A product that you purchase for a low price can often increase in price based on the raw material price. This usually isn’t a problem for digital assets such as server space and bandwidth, but it can still cause an issue when the prices change drastically and suddenly. 

By getting to know your suppliers, you can often get wind of these changes before they have a chance to take place. In some cases, you might even be protected from volatile pricing. This is a fantastic way to help you stabilize your business and ensure that your financial situation remains predictable and stable. 

Immediate delivery and additional services
Many suppliers are more willing to offer additional services, such as immediate deliveries or even weekend services, for companies that they’ve worked with for a long time. For instance, if you need gas oil to power your machines or vehicles and it’s an emergency, then it’s worth building a good relationship with your suppliers so that they can provide you with unique services that most other companies don’t offer. 

By building up a good relationship with your suppliers, you tend to unlock more opportunities for specially-tailored services. You can also make more detailed requests since the supplier is more accustomed to the way you do business and is more likely to accept your custom orders and needs. 

Improved efficiency of your business
Once you’ve defined a solid relationship with your supplier, it opens up the possibility of improving your overall workflow and efficiency. Suppliers can gain a better understanding of how you do business and tweak their services to fit your needs. However, this isn’t possible unless you build a good relationship with the company that supplies you with your essentials. 

A good example is in communication. If you have a dedicated member of staff assigned to your business, you have a direct line of communication that avoids any queues in their support. You’ll also find it a lot easier to speak to the same person instead of a different employee each time. This will help you speed up the service you get from the supplier, resulting in a more productive workflow. 

Reliability is a factor that is highly valued in the world of business since it offers consistency and predictability. That’s why it’s a good idea to get to know your suppliers regardless of what they offer you.

This is a contributed post

Photo Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/MGaFENpDCsw (CC0)

3 Ways Technology Is Aiding Healthcare

by | Blog, Contributed Post

We all know that technology can really boost the way we do things, but this can apply to work and vital areas of our lives and not just for fun. Like healthcare. Here’s exactly how that is happening. 

Electronic Healthcare Records
One of the basic ways that technology can aid in healthcare is with electronic healthcare records (EHRs). This streamlines administration and makes it easier for a patient to be cared for accurately, as all professionals have access to the information. Thankfully, a survey from 2017 shows that almost 90% of hospitals have some kind of basic form. 

Barcoding
Something that is incredibly useful in the process of blood transfusions, is barcoding. It minimizes errors and their subsequent risks. Of a study that was carried out in 2015, research showed that a full range of medical departments were using barcoding technologies, such as laboratories, pharmacies, medication administrators, and radiology departments. This allows processes to be tracked more efficiently. 

Radio-Frequency Identification
Finally, there’s also the addition of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in patient-lead care. Right now, it seems that around 97% of medications are using them, 89% of patients are using them, and 59% of nurses are. And it’s definitely safe to say that communication innovations like this can make it easier for diseases and illnesses easier to monitor. 

You can find out more information about the emerging technologies and innovation in patient centered care in the infographic below.


Infographic Design By Bradley University