TechMyBiz for all things “IT” Aren’t you glad things are running efficiently right now at your organization. But, as any tech-savvy entrepreneur knows, if you aren’t really effective, your competitors will quickly gain a competitive edge. That’s while you’re holding unproductive conferences or postponing tasks because of an absence of communication, they’re growing their organization. So, how can you make sure that your tech-savvy company is really efficient? Start using these 7 techniques. Here goes: Make Your Digital Business More Efficient1. Eliminate what isn’t working in your tech-savvy business.I’m talking specifically about inefficiencies like redundant processes and relying on outdated information/procedures. For tech-savvy businesses, however, they may also implement way too many systems in order to be cutting edge. As a result, these inefficiencies hold you back from moving. That’s why you need to be aware of your business capabilities by eliminating what isn’t working. If you need a place to start, focus on these common sources of IT inefficiency;
2. Improve your recruiting.In order to have a truly efficient tech-savvy business, you need to surround yourself with the right team. This means having employees who fit into your company’s culture but are also proficient with your technology and industry. Of course, this can get experience – what with advertisements, job boards, and tracking systems. The good news is that you can improve your recruiting on the cheap by:
3. Limit interruptions.Email notifications. Staff meetings. Colleagues popping-in and asking if you have a minute. These are just a couple of the interruptions that we have to deal with on a daily basis. That’s why as a business leader you need to limit these interruptions for you and your team so that you can stay focused.
4. Automate whatever tasks you can.By automating monotonous tasks, such as paying employees or scheduling social media posts, you’ll save everyone within your organization some time. It also allows them to focus on more productive tasks that require critical thinking or a little human touch. Implementing automated processes may be pricey when starting a business, but it will ultimately reduce costs while increasing business efficiency. 5. Be a tech-savvy business, but make time for face-to-face interaction.Take advantage of virtual private networks (VPNs), customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, interactive calendaring, video conferencing, and tools that unify communications. This will allow you and your time to communicate and collaborate with each other anytime, anywhere. It also improves both employee and customers’ satisfaction since it empowers your team while delivering superior customer service. At the same time, you shouldn’t completely rule out face-to-face interaction – even in the digital age. While digital communication has helped with efficiency, face-to-face communication builds relationships, enhance trust, and makes your team feel valued since they can ask questions or share feedback. Most importantly, it keeps your business running like a well-oiled machine. Instead of spending all day emailing and messaging a team member or customer, you could have resolved the issues with a five-minute face-to-face chat. 6. Single-task to get more done.As people who are plugged-in 24/7, we believe that we can multitask. I mean I should be able to write this article while responding to emails and tweeting, right? Here’s the thing. Multitasking doesn’t work. It’s been proven time and time again. As Jim Taylor Ph.D. explains, people don’t multitask. Instead, they serial-task. “Rather than engaging in simultaneous tasks, you are in fact shifting from one task to another to another in rapid succession.” This isn’t effective because when you switch from task-to-task “ there is a lag time during which your brain must yank itself from the initial task and then glom onto the new task.” Even more alarming, research has found that it can take up to 40 percent more time than single-tasking. Single-tasking helps you get more done quickly and effectively because you’re focused on doing one task at a time. Once completed, you move on to the next. If you’re having trouble getting started, here’s a couple of pointers:
7. Be proactive about security.Finally, you need to be proactive regarding security. This not only allows your team to have access to information, but it also prevents security breaches. That may not seem like a big deal, but having to manage a security breach means that you’re not focused on more important tasks. Thankfully, there are some simple actions you can take to become a more secure tech-savvy business:
Republished by permission. Original here Image: Due.com This article, “Make Your Tech-Savvy Digital Business More Efficient With These 7 Tips” was first published on Small Business Trends IT Services for Small Businesses Greater Chicago IT Services for Small Businesses in Colorado Springs The post 7 Tips to Make Your Business More Tech Savy appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/11/08/7-tips-to-make-your-business-more-tech-savy/
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TechMyBiz for all things “IT” Well we’ve heard of faster chips bringing good speed increases but the new google quantum chip is insane. Read all about it… From Google AI: “We developed a new 54-qubit processor, named “Sycamore”, that is comprised of fast, high-fidelity quantum logic gates, in order to perform the benchmark testing. Our machine performed the target computation in 200 seconds, and from measurements, in our experiment, we determined that it would take the world’s fastest supercomputer 10,000 years to produce similar output. “ Google AI article: https://ai.googleblog.com/2019/10/quantum-supremacy-using-programmable.html Picture credit from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1666-5/figures/1 Since the Sycamore Quantum chip is not available yet…perhaps you should just have the fast and cool guys from TekMyBiz come over and upgrade your computers on-site for you with an I-9 chip or something like that. On-site Computer Repair for Small Businesses in Colorado On-site Computer Repair for Small Businesses in Illinois The post Made for Speed – New Chip Mind Boggling appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/29/made-for-speed-new-chip-mind-boggling/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT”
By the year 2030, Millennials will amount to 75% of the total workforce. With this reality approaching, it’s crucial for business owners to know how to motivate Millennials and find as well as develop the leaders of the future. On The Small Business Radio Show this week, Chris Tuff, author of USA Today bestseller, “The Millennial Whisperer” discusses proven strategies for improving communication between Millennials and other workers on your teams. Keys to Millennial MotivationResearch shows that Millennials view things differently that prior generations: 1. Work Flexibility: Companies need to let employees have the freedom to work more where and when they want. This is critical because work is now “always-on” and it can be done anywhere. Chris says this is the only way they can integrate life and work. 2. Freedom to Work: Micro-managing should be reduced as Millennials want more freedom to pursue the things that interest them including any side-hustle businesses. Chris points out that Facebook has a program called “Fuel” that supports this type of work. 3. Pats on the Back: Every small business needs to focus on this for Millennials since they are the generation that grew up with helicopter parents, participation trophies, and social media. According to Chris, public rewards and recognition are critical to them. 4. Truthfulness & Relationship: Chris believes that gone are the days where you can’t be friends with your boss. Millennials demand real connection and inspiration from their leaders. They want to know why they’re making the decisions that happen. 5. Company and Job Loyalty: Chris believes that job jumping is a much bigger issue with this generation than ones in the past and leaders must teach their employees that this is not always the case. Social media is one of the biggest culprits here. Chris says “we must stop comparing our insides to other people’s outsides”. His “70/30 rule” is accepting the fact that “30 percent of your job and life will just suck, but the other 70 percent should fire you up.” He also suggests that for Millennials, mindfulness and meditation will become more mainstream within organizations with an increased emphasis on mental health. Listen to the entire interview at The Small Business Radio Show Image: Depositphotos.com This article, “How to Motivate Millennials at Your Small Business” was first published on Small Business Trends IT Services for Small Businesses Greater Chicago Area IT Services for Small Businesses on the Front Range in Colorado The post Motivating Millennials at Your Company appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/motivating-millennials-at-your-company/ Be Aware of Emerging Cyber ThreatsA simple cyber-attack might easily crush your business and even put you out of business. A recent study showed that 60% of businesses that did go through a cyber-attack closed their doors within 6 months. Sadly, cyber-criminals are working overtime to find loopholes in the present security landscape, making it necessary for companies to be on their toes to outmaneuver the bad guys. Ideally, your data security is only as strong as your weakest security link. As long as you can work to get rid of the emergent security dangers, you can protect your company’s track record and acquire a competitive advantage in your market. Is it a simple job? No, it isn’t. Keeping up with current security threats requires a keen eye and a skilled IT team, however leaving things to opportunity is never an option. The technique is to build a robust danger evaluation program and to use the required security controls. Here is why danger evaluation is vital and how to battle all cyber dangers: Contents
Focus On Risk AssessmentComprehending your present risk landscape and where your business vulnerabilities are, security-wise, is an important part of developing a solid security posture. Preferably, you need to recognize the most vulnerable parts of your security system, whether the existing security tools are capable enough, and how to seal any loopholes. Threat evaluation helps to determine the best methods to eliminate threats. It also assists to rank the risks, making it simple to take full advantage of a company’s available resources. When it comes to your IT group, it assists to determine weaknesses that you have talent-wise and offer sustainable solutions. For instance, you can contract out a task, hire more experts, or intensify staff member training. It likewise makes it easy to determine the very best individual to use the role of monitoring a specific danger. Basically, the threat evaluation will give you a overall view into your entire security risk landscape and support your decision-making process. 4 Key Threats and Their SolutionsZero-Day ExploitsA zero-day attack is simply an attack that exploits unidentified vulnerabilities in your business’ systems. IT teams barely have enough time to patch the vulnerability, and often have to work towards fighting against attacks to regain control. While it can be possible to stop some attacks before they even happen, it is difficult to fight against something that you barely know exists. Even worse, some software updates might expose your business to vulnerabilities, which at times results in zero-day exploits. Patching these vulnerabilities before they can turn into an attack is essential, especially considering that zero-day attacks are becoming more refined. To solve the problem, IT teams need to watch out for vulnerabilities in their company’s systems constantly. Also, it is essential to install security updates as soon as they are sent out. Sadly, Wannacry affected a lot of businesses that ran under the Microsoft OS, despite Microsoft having sent out a patch for the ad hoc vulnerability. Lastly, you need to use both AI-based security tools and data-based ones. While data-based tools are effective in identifying and preventing known threats, AI-based tools can be effective in keeping your business from unknown threats that cause your business’ system to behave abnormally. Threats in Shadow ITHow well do you know the IT assets that employees use in their daily operations? Sometimes, employees might download applications that are outside the scope of what your business provides to streamline their work. While they will mostly use these unsanctioned applications without meaning any harm to your business, there is the chance that the applications can expose your business to security risks. For instance, if a hacker were to find a vulnerability in these applications, they can quickly gain access to your sensitive data. Worst of all, it might be tough for IT teams to identify the threats since they do not know the applications that employees are using. Your IT team needs to take inventory of all applications that employees are using to battle shadow IT. You should outline the application that you sanction for use by employees and have policies warning against using unsanctioned apps. Since employees tend to mostly use other applications due to shortcomings in the ones you provide, it is ideal for collaborating with employees in choosing these applications. This ensures that they will stick to the applications that you provide as a business. Warshipping Is Becoming a Major ThreatWarshipping is a simple phishing threat in which hackers use the mail delivery system to launch their phishing attacks. They attach remote-controlled devices to packages that they send out to organizations and use these devices to access an organization’s network remotely. Once in the network, they can collect credentials and make costly changes to your data. Worst of all, it might take some time for the inattentive IT teams to identify the looming threat. Start by asking employees to have their personal packages delivered at home, not at work, as this reduces the chances of an attack. Quarantine packages delivered into your premise, and place them in an area that has little to no access to the corporate network. Such packages should be scanned for any threats before the recipients accept them. Lastly, be on the lookout for unsanctioned Wi-Fi devices that may connect to your network or any rogue wireless access points that employees can confuse for your business’ network. IoT AttacksIoT devices are gaining traction in today’s convenience-oriented business world. You might already have devices such as cameras and sensors that help make your business’ daily operations smooth. Sadly, most of these devices are made with security as an afterthought, making them easily vulnerable to attacks. If hackers manage to gain access to such devices, there is no limit to what they can have access to in terms of sensitive data. Realizing this, IoT device manufacturers have started creating devices that are designed with security as a key consideration. The best device manufacturers are also always looking for vulnerabilities in their current devices and sending out ad hoc updates to patch them. Ideally, your business should continually update its devices once a patch is sent out. Partnering with security-conscious companies might also pay when it comes to identifying the best IoT tools to use and the security precautions to follow. While the threats above are plaguing businesses at the moment, more threats are bound to arise with time. The initial step to creating a safe environment for your business is to indulge in risk assessment religiously. Follow the tips above to keep your business protected from the outlined threats. Original Article Cyber Security Experts Colorado Cyber Security Experts in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/17/risky-cyber-threats-how-to-stop-them/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT” A survey conducted by GetApp reports 43% of employees do not get regular data security training while 8% have never received any training at all. The report highlights the level of exposure businesses have towards cyberattacks such as ransomware. This comes as cybersecurity remains one of the most challenging issues for small business owners. Small businesses bear 43% of the brunt of cyber-attacks, opening them up to huge liabilities. This includes business closure. Of those attacked, 60% will go out of business within six months. Web-based attacks, social engineering and general malware are often the top three culprits of cyber-attacks among small businesses. As the techniques to exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, businesses need to bolster their security. Using Employee Vulnerabilities to Launch AttacksAmong the areas where employees are routinely targeted include social engineering, the art of manipulating someone into divulging secret information. Through phishing attacks, hackers use social media and research to strike up a relationship with employees. They then exploit this relationship to gain their trust with the goal of eventually stealing the information they need. For example, getting a password might allow them to infiltrate a company’s cybersecurity architecture. Very often unsuspecting employees are duped into providing scammers access to sensitive company data. Scammers typically investigate an individual or organization before carrying out attacks such as spear phishing or business email compromise (BEC). Phishing is the practice of sending e-mails appearing to come from a well-known organization asking recipients information such as credit card numbers, account numbers, or passwords. However, only 27 % of companies provide social engineering awareness training for their employees according to the survey. And almost 75% of businesses are vulnerable, thus endangering customers’ records, employee data, intellectual property and more. It goes without saying there is an urgent need for more robust cybersecurity. A Need for a More Robust Cyber SecuritySmall businesses are as much of a cyberattack target as large enterprises. But investing in enterprise cybersecurity alone is not going to cut it. small businesses need to invest in regular training for their employees in order to fully address this threat. This will help in adding yet another layer of protection for the company’s sensitive data. For this reason, it is important to assess the knowledge of your employees when it comes to cybersecurity. This is because more often than not, employees are the soft targets that scammers use to access your organization. With employees connected to the internet round the clock, businesses are more vulnerable than ever to attacks. Regular and up-to-date training can help arm employees with the necessary tools to prevent attacks. Not only that, but it will also heighten the security of the company. If employees are equipped with the knowledge of the characteristics of cyberattacks, then they are more likely to avoid the pitfalls. In addition to training, companies should also empower employees to use good judgement and have a security mindset. You can ensure your company and the people who work for you are up to date by regularly carrying out audits. The Importance of AuditsYou probably conduct a number of audits of your business to make sure you are on the right track. But in today’s digital ecosystem, it should also include the audit of your current cybersecurity policies. A strong audit goes a long way in assessing the vulnerability of your business to cyberattacks. The audit can assess password policies, employees’ knowledge of phishing techniques, and adherence to security policies, to name but a few of the issues it can address. Once the audit highlights the gaps, companies can bolster their security by providing tailored courses to address security issues. Moreover, training materials and learning management system software are available that are easy to use for small businesses. Going forward, simple investments and regular training often can make a huge difference in strengthening a company’s cybersecurity. Image: Depositphotos.com This article, “43% of Employees Lack Regular Cyber Security Training” was first published on Small Business Trends Cyber Security Experts – Colorado Cyber Security Experts – Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs Related Posts:
The post 43% of Employees Lack Regular Cyber Security Training appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/43-of-employees-lack-regular-cyber-security-training/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT” The Videos Below Give Us a PictureFor decades, humans use technology to make everyday life more comfortable and simple. Science has evolved and become more sophisticated to meet specific needs precisely. The entertainment sector has also benefited from these technological advances through the incorporation of virtual reality into immersion experiences. Technology has changed the world in many ways in recent decades, but the breakthrough of innovations promises that by 2020 the world of business and day to day will change even more. It is worth mentioning that 2020 has been baptized as the “year of the great technology leap”. Technology has completely revolutionized the way we do business and is advancing in different industries. Below, we present a list of the seven most important emerging technology predictions that will be incorporated in 2020 and that will change all or almost all aspects of working life. Artificial Intelligence One of the main objectives of the digital agenda is the advances in the development of systems capable of learning and adapting to improve performance. In this sense, artificial intelligence is the first big bet today as it makes its way and will become the base tool to improve the customer experience, improve services, facilitate the search and management of information and reinvent a wide variety of business models, since it comprises a series of technologies capable of learning to perform very specific tasks effectively, such as understanding and processing human language.Some technologies available to the consumer that include AI, involve video consoles, like the Sony PS5 Home. New patents filed by Sony have revealed a new feature that Sony is developing for its PlayStation video game consoles called PlayStation Assist. The application will give players tips by taking advantage of user data and artificial intelligence. It will be able to detect a player’s progress and provide specific advice reports Gamerbolt.com. Rise in Social MediaThe most interesting thing about our century is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to become the next generation technology of recent times. Like Facebook, in a few years Artificial Intelligence in digital marketing and social media networking will become such an important pillar of our daily interactions that future generations will not be able to contemplate what life was like without it. The future of social networks depends largely on Artificial Intelligence. Facebook has been using Artificial Intelligence to analyze its users’ activity and demographics and improve their experience. That is, Facebook algorithms, among other things, track user comments on different topics and use them to find out what content is located at the top of a particular user’s news. This new technology has also helped social network users better identify themselves through face recognition and easily find friends through user location and other provided data. Twitter, on the other hand, uses Artificial Intelligence to track trend and determine which #hashtag to rank. In social media, AI, is driving growth for many platforms by providing personalized experiences and engagement for users. For instance Chinese video app TikTok is gaining popularity very fast through ingenious methods of engagement and body part recognition. Driving it’s success and more followers for tik tok is advanced technology capabilities like machine learning, algorithms, body recognition and sourcing news made possible by its developer who specializes in AI and big data analysis. Internet of Things (IoT) IoT forms the basis of the next industrial revolution and is considered the next great novelty in home automation technology. Today we see that there is an invasion of IoT in our lives, homes and offices and even in big cities and transportation. By 2020, we intend to see 50 billion interconnected objects. Owners can control everything in their homes, from lighting to temperature. Experts predict that by 2020, more than 50 billion “things” (physical objects) will be interconnected. With all this, it will no longer be just the internet of things. It will be the “internet of everything” and “everywhere.” 5G Networks Directly related to the evolution and implementation of IoT is 5G technology, which is postulated as the high-speed highway through which all data will travel in the most immediate future. Its deployment will allow new business models in the field of Industry 4.0; major advances in the development of services linked to IoT and will provide improvements in speed and latency. Not only would it enrich the user experience by offering higher data rates when we talk about virtual reality or augmented reality, but it will also favor security, which is where the latency point comes in. It is anticipated that when a movie takes 26 hours to download on a 3G network, in 5G the time will be reduced to 3.6 seconds. Blockchain Blockchain allows companies to track a transaction and work with un-trusted parties without the need for a centralized part (i.e., a bank). This greatly reduces friction in business. Blockchain could potentially reduce costs, reduce settlement times of transactions and improve cash flow. The current state of Blockchain shows everything about its uses and will continue its position in the top technology predictions of 2020. Slowly, but surely, it is positioning itself among the many industries. By 2020, the maximum companies will adopt it for their website. Edge Computing Perimeter computing is a computer element in which everything, from information processing, content collection and delivery, is close to the source of information. This new model greatly reduce latency (time required for sending data). Being an important part of a new 2020 technology predictions, we are expected to witness that more attention is paid to perimeter computing to enable smart grids, in which the connected devices will perform the necessary analyzes in place and use the results to perform them. 3D Printers The 3D printer has been strongly adopted in recent years. It is a growing technology that has opened a new door of possibilities in different industries. 2020 will be a year of take off for 3D printers, which will constitute the next technological revolution. This new manufacturing system will bring major changes to current business models. It should be mentioned that 3D printing is called the third wave of the industrial revolution. This imparts power to people, to produce whatever they want. This new manufacturing system will bring major changes in current business models. Cybersecurity It is one of the most important perditions in the current technology landscape and will continue to be in the coming years, since it influences in a transversal way in any sector. With the rise of cyber attacks, all those matters related to defense against external threats and Internal data protection are the main concerns of IT managers in almost all organizations. In addition, by 2020, organizations must already be fully adapted to the new data management and protection framework. Final WordsThe technology predictions for 2020 closer than we think In this era of globalized economy, we see that there is an unprecedented invasion of changes in the social, economic and technological areas. Technology predictions will change the way we do business in the future. The possibilities and benefits offered by these seven technological trends are apparently endless. Most experts believe that taking advantage of these highly advanced technologies in our society and workforce will definitely improve our lives, both professionally and personally. The pace of technological innovation in any organization will create substantial opportunities to grow and provide the right service at the right time. The year 2020 is just the beginning of the revolution that is yet to come. When we reach 2050, the world as we know it will have completely transformed to be better. Technology year by year surprises us and we must be prepared to adapt it to our business. Original Article CyberSecurity for Your Company from Ransomware IT for Small Businesses Greater Chicago Area IT Services for Small Businesses in Colorado
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The post What Will the World Be Like in a Year or Two? appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/09/what-will-the-world-be-like-in-a-year-or-two/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT” A report by NICE inContact says 70% of businesses have their entire contact center technology in the cloud or are planning to partially move next year. The Customer Experience (CX) Transformation Benchmark study shows businesses are benefiting from having their contact center in the cloud. They are experiencing customer satisfaction (CSAT) that is 18% higher than those with on-premises services. Growth of the Cloud Contact CenterThe growth is being driven by the customer-centric culture digital technology has made possible. Consumers now want personalized services and real-time access to the resources they need to solve their problems. And this is not only taking place with large enterprises. Small businesses also have to provide quality service if they want repeat customers. The good news is there are more affordable tools than ever to make this possible. The challenge comes in making sense of all the data these tools generate to deliver great customer service. This is exactly what Paul Jarman, NICE in Contact CEO, explains in the press release for the report. Jarman says, “From social media messaging, to text, to chatbots, the customer relationship takes place across a wide and diverse range of channels in addition to voice.” The study says companies want to provide true omnichannel experience for their customers. They want to bring together voice and digital as well as agent-assisted and self-service channels with seamless integration. Businesses Anticipate Further InvestmentsTo raise their customer satisfaction game, 52% of the firms surveyed are looking towards improving their overall website. While 42% are planning on continuing with their customer satisfaction measurement programs. implementing new customer service training schemes factored high among the 38% of businesses surveyed. And 38% are eyeing towards upgrading communications technology such as chat, text and e-mails. The study further points that 40% of business are very likely to invest in four or more channels to improve the customer service experience. These businesses are more likely to now offer eight of the 11 channels including communicating with customers on social media, chat, SMS / text, video, mobile apps, and others than those with on-premises services. Incidentally more US businesses are investing in online chat compared to 2017. On agent-assisted interactions, the majority expect an increase (49%) or at the same level (34%) of resources. Those in the US are especially likely to expect an increase of 55%. This need for more agent-assisted resources stems from the overall increase in customers interacting with their organization. This is creating more agent-assisted experiences. And it is prompting 36% to report they plan to add staff to customer support positions in the coming year. Dealing with the Omnichannel ConundrumDespite customer demand, investment plans for omnichannel functionality are lacking, the report notes. Key findings also point to the need for companies to provide true omnichannel experiences that seamlessly blend voice and digital as well as agent-assisted and self-service channels. Only 25% of businesses are likely to invest in new services that allow channels of communication to work together seamlessly. Jarman adds, “As more customers embrace multiple digital channels to communicate and engage, it becomes increasingly important for businesses to be able to quickly adapt and integrate digital channels into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. The SurveyThe NICE inContact Customer Experience (CX) Transformation Benchmark was carried out in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Over 900 contact center decision-makers make up the participants in the survey. Image: Depositphotos.com> This article, “70% of Business Contact Centers Move to the Cloud” was first published on Small Business Trends A Cloud Computing Company You Can Trust On-site IT for Small Businesses in Colorado On-site Computer Repair for Small Businesses in Illinois Related Posts:
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This is an important article for everyone rooting for female entrepreneurs: According to the 2019 State Of Women-Owned Businesses Report, the number of women-owned businesses climbed 21% between 2014 and 2019. Being a women entrepreneur, you must have felt proud of seeing your fellow women establishing their businesses. Let’s explore how businesses owned by women have been doing for the last few years. Growth of Women-Owned Businesses Vs All FirmsBusinesses owned by women have seen more growth than that of all businesses combined over the last five years. As you see from the below graph, the women-owned businesses have increased by 21%, but all businesses combined grew only by 9%. ![]() Businesses owned by women have witnessed more than double the growth rate that of all businesses combined. When it comes to creating employment and generating revenue, women-led businesses have outperformed all businesses combined. ![]()
Why do Women Start Their Own Businesses?Over the past couple of years, the number of net businesses owned by women has increased significantly. Necessity, flexibility and opportunity are the main factors driving net new numbers. 1. Necessity EntrepreneursWomen who cannot find good jobs or who are unemployed fall into this category. These women don’t have any other option except starting their own businesses. Employed women who cannot survive on their salaries and have to start their businesses to supplement their incomes are also necessity entrepreneurs. 2. Flexibility EntrepreneursSome women don’t find workplace policies flexible enough and want more control over what they do, where they do, and when they do. And starting their businesses is the only way to have the desired flexibility. 3. Opportunity EntrepreneursThese entrepreneurs enter the market to exploit the existing possibilities. As such entrepreneurs choose to start their businesses at a good time, they have a higher chance of survival and growth than necessity entrepreneurs and flexibility entrepreneurs. Which Industry Has More Women-Owned Business?According to the report, the participation of businesses owned by women is high in the following three industries: 1. Other Services (including hair and nail salons & pet care business) This segment has the highest concentration (22%) of women-owned businesses. And the number of women-owned businesses in this category climbed 29% that is more than the growth of all women-owned businesses (21%). Necessity and flexibility entrepreneurs often started their businesses in this segment. 2. Healthcare and Social Assistance (including child daycare & home health care services) This segment of women-owned businesses has witnessed a growth rate of 14% that is lower than the growth rate of all women-owned businesses combined. Women entrepreneurs in this category tend to be full-time entrepreneurs. 3. Professional and Technical Services (including PR firms, bookkeepers, and lawyers) This category of women-owned businesses also has a growth rate of 14% lower than the growth rate of all women-owned businesses combined. This category often attracts sidepreneurs. ![]()
Final ThoughtsBusinesses owned by women, representing 42% of all businesses, are an economical growth driver of the US. Though they are already having revenue of $1.9 trillion and employing 9.4 million workers, there is still size disparity between women-owned businesses and others. And making policy to bridge the gap helps everyone, not only women. To realize the true economic potential of businesses owned by women, many changes are required in business practices and attitude. Women entrepreneurs still have to overcome funding challenges. But the incremental growth of women-owned businesses heralds a brighter picture. The StudyThe report took data from the United States Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners (SBO) into consideration. To know more about the Survey of Business Owners, visit here. Image: Depositphotos.com This article, “Number of Women-Owned Businesses Up 21% Since 2014” was first published on Small Business Trends On-site Computer Repair in Colorado Computer Repair for Small Businesses in Illinois
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The post Women-Owned Businesses Up 21% in Last 5 Years appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/10/01/women-owned-businesses-up-21-in-last-5-years/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT” (One of our favorites) Information Technology Blog – – How to Protect Your PC from Viruses and Malware – Information Technology Blog Knowing the fact malware threat is not limited to any user base or country, as it is looming large and causing serious data security threat, it becomes important to apply preventive measures. In this article, we have discussed a few simple yet most effective ways to protect your PC from viruses and malware. Update SoftwareOutdated software brings you a lot of troubles. These troubles aren’t limited to performance issues, instead, it also causes security issues as well. If you are running on old software, then it’s time you should immediately update your system software. To do this, Windows sends you regular software updates which help you keep your system software up-to-date. In case you have missed these automatic updates, then you also update system software manually. To do this, follow these steps:
Enable FirewallA firewall is an effective security solution on your PC that keeps your system protected from malicious content coming online. It builds a security wall between your system and open network where it tracks and blocks all malicious content effectively when you are online. While it comes built-in on all Windows versions, not necessarily it comes enabled. Thus, you can consider enabling it on your PC along with antimalware software for complete security. To enable this feature, follow these steps:
Here, make sure the firewall is ON for domain network, private network, and public network. Scan system for virusesNext effective solution to keep the system protected is to scan your system storage on regular intervals. It will help you find and remove all malicious content on your device effectively. To do this, you can find an effective built-in security utility called Windows Defender that will run multiple scan types for effective security. To use this tool, follow these steps:
Here, you will find multiple scan options to select from including Quick Scan, Full Scan, Custom Scan, and Windows Defender Offline Scan. You can select one of these options as per your needs. Use Best Malware Protection SoftwareUsing the best anti-malware software, you not only manage to keep your system safe from various malware threats, but it also helps you boost system performance with various features. While there are tons of malware protection software available, you can choose one based on the advanced features it offers. Here, it should provide real-time protection to your system, it should provide database updates to keep you protected from existing & emerging malware threats, it protects your system from all malware & virus families, and more with best malware protection tools Avoid Clicking on Unknown LinksYou get tons of emails & messages the whole day from unknown senders. While few of them are related to marketing & promotion, lot of them brings serious security threats. Here, scammers and cybercriminals send you unsolicited attachments & links which could compromise your data & system security once clicked or opened. Thus, you should remain vigilant to these suspicious emails & attachments. You should strictly avoid clicking on links & attachments found in these emails and messages. So, these were a few quick tips to keep your system protected from malware and virus threats. If you have encountered any such threat, then feel free to share how you dealt with it. You can also comment if you have more suggestions to fix malware issue on your PC. The post How to Protect Your PC from Viruses and Malware appeared first on Information Technology Blog. See the Original Article Cyber Security Experts Colorado Cyber Security Experts in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs On-site Computer Repair for Small Businesses in Colorado Related Posts:
The post Protect Your Computer from Malware and Virus Attacks appeared first on TekMyBiz. from https://tekmybiz.wordpress.com/2019/09/26/protect-your-computer-from-malware-and-virus-attacks/ TechMyBiz for all things “IT” Information Technology Blog – – 5 Major Tech Trends That Are Transforming the Construction Industry – Information Technology Blog Digital Construction Industry Trends to Watch out For: The next generation of “digital natives” are constantly bringing new technology to the workplace. Discover the latest digital construction industry trends here. In the United States, the construction industry employs about 10.7 million people. The construction industry is one of the markets that have the largest opportunity for growth in innovation and technology. The year 2019 comes with new construction industry trends. We expect these trends to improve productivity and efficiency. Below are five major technology trends that are transforming the construction industry. The Internet of Things (IoT)IoT is transforming various industries to develop smarter working environments. It’s made up of central control systems and sensors. IoT creates a connected worksite, which enhances better site regulation and improved safety. Managers of construction sites take more control over the worksite without having to struggle with time. These construction site managers use mobile data, wearable construction technology, and centralized software. Some of the major benefits of IoT include giving workers a warning when they are about to enter a danger zone. This helps to ensure that the workers at the construction site are safe. Also, the Internet of Things allows workers to check-in and out of the site efficiently. In case of emergencies, managers can send broadcast messages to the employees in the site using IoT. Additionally, it is possible to track footfall on the site using the Internet of Things. On-site cameras and construction management software make it easy to report actual-time status. These also help to view the progress of the project. It is easy to track usage and know when products are running out when the equipment in the site have sensors. Using IoT, you can turn things off by simply moving a button. This reduces the environmental harm often caused by the activities in construction sites. IoT gives important information. This data forms part of the operational management of a construction site. This construction technology also affects the flow of a project. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine LearningWhen you use technology to improve the quality of your work, then you’ll have more data to process. Construction companies now rely more on real-time information to achieve efficient project management. Thus, they need systems to organize and add data. AI and machine learning help to improve efficiency. This is by automating the workflows in a construction site. These construction trends make suggestions based on trends in historical data to enhance the quality of work. Machine learning and AI are going to be vital in the construction industry. They are expected to analyze and collect large quantities of data from a workflow. AI, that’s appropriately trained can separate data quicker compared to a human operator. This makes it possible to get a clear picture of the activities in the construction site at a short time. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence maximizes efficiency by reducing costs. Also, the construction technologies will help in educating the employees on how to create safer working environments. Including these technologies in the construction industry can reduce the estimated cost. It can also develop generative designs. Machine learning and AI technologies provide solutions. These help construction companies to focus on and track risks in the worksite. Thus, project teams can use their limited resources and time to focus on the largest risk factors. Artificial intelligence helps in the automatic ranking of factors. By including AI and machine learning, constructors can work with high-risk teams to achieve risk mitigation. Machine learning is useful in creating opportunities for other uses of technology. In the coming years, we expect more innovative applications of this technology. Virtual Reality and Augmented RealityVirtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are known to revolutionize various industries. In the past, VR enabled stakeholders and project teams to view their proposed schemes even before the start of the project. Among the industries that VR is revolutionizing in 2019 is the world of construction. With the help of this advanced technology, construction managers can oversee each level of the project from the lowest to the highest. AR and VR tools reduce the need for rework. Virtual reality makes it possible to check progress and offer guidance in the digital job. It also helps in co-design, safety, and health. For instance, the Daqri helmet gives the users better situational awareness. This makes users more aware of their surroundings. They can spot unsafe conditions and temperature changes. The Daqri helmet also makes complex installations more precise. Virtual reality uses 3D modeling. This allows people to engage in a project and provide them with real-life experience. Through the 3D modeling software, it is possible to create an accurate and detailed model. Also, 3D modeling enhances the sharing of these models across teams in the construction company. Besides, virtual reality allows workers in different locations to tour the site together. This ensures that the colleagues work on projects together regardless of their locations. VR allows workers to have a picture of how the project will look even before it’s complete. Thus, employees in the construction site can have expectations for the project. They can prepare for it during its development stage. With the help of augmented reality, construction workers and managers can view a clearer image through a camera lens. This technology is likely to open several new opportunities for the construction industry. Virtual reality is developing a world of new possibilities. It allows collaboration between builders and innovative designers. ConnectivityThe construction industry technology is improving. There’s a need to have a support system for the large data quantities required and for greater speeds. So, connectivity is crucial in construction sites. WiFi6 and 5G are some of the technologies that are becoming more popular. These make it easier to provide greater reliability and speeds. They also provide solutions to enterprise-grade. Integrating mobile broadband is associated with various advantages. For instance, it is portable and can be moved easily with the project. Also, mobile broadband is easy and quick to install. Providers of mobile technologies offer short-term contracts. Traditional broadband has fixed lines. However, 5G offers less congestion, better handling of traffic, and greater speeds. Cloud technology makes it possible for colleagues in a construction site to access information of all types. This is regardless of their physical location. Connected construction sites improve safety, productivity, and communication among the workers. This is through information provided by geolocation. Also, location tracking of personnel, remote site monitoring, and live mark-ups enhance connectivity. The JSU builder is among the services that allow construction managers to manage their Job Safety Analysis (JSA). This service makes it possible to share knowledge about safety across the construction site. Check this service to ensure your construction site is safer and reduce the costs. Bluebeam “Atlas” is a technology that has been made available in 2019. This technology beneficial for geospatial mapping and improving access to mobile information. DronesDrones are popular in most construction sites. These drones help in saving time. For instance, it is easier for surveyors to survey all areas of a construction site in a few minutes. Surveyors can use drones to create 3D mapping pictures to use in zoning a particular area. Drones are equipped with Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), cameras, and other technologies. These enable them to collect information and access remote areas. In the past, surveyors took months or weeks to survey a site. Drones also help the construction industry to save a large amount of money. In the coming years, drone technology is set to develop even more. Thus, less human involvement will be necessary. Most companies hesitated to use drones in the past. This is because they required the involvement of a controller. However, most construction companies are embracing the use of drone technology. This is as a result of the growing technology. Drone technology is also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It allows site teams and managers to access updates on real-time progress. Construction managers can also use drones to check problems in safety and health that they missed earlier. Besides, the use of drone technology attracts agents and surveyors. This is because construction companies can use drones to get the time-lapse footage of projects in progress. Construction Industry Trends BenefitsIt’s without a doubt that 2019 is a breakthrough year, especially for the construction industry. Some of the technology trends in the construction industry in 2019 are drones, connectivity, and the Internet of Things. Also, Virtual Reality, and AI and machine learning are new construction technologies. The industry will be one that operates on data. It will emphasize real-time communication and collaboration. The above technologies and construction industry trends are vital. They ensure less unpleasant delays and increased productivity. Also, having connected digital workflows will help to define collaboration. Construction managers and stakeholders will have better access to decisions and status about the ongoing projects in the site. Drones are among the new-old technology that will move the construction industry to new levels in the future. If you enjoyed this article – don’t forget to bookmark our site to never miss any of our latest posts! The post 5 Major Tech Trends That Are Transforming the Construction Industry appeared first on Information Technology Blog. IT Services for Small Businesses Greater Chicago Area IT Services for Small Businesses on the Front Range in Colorado Related Posts:
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AuthorHi I am James Solari from Hicksville, NY. I am an IT consultant at local IT solutions company. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |