by Felicien | Nov 27, 2018 | Education
In July 2018, after much speculation throughout the business and technology sectors, Microsoft revealed the highly anticipated Surface Go tablet. The 10-inch device was the first Surface-branded tablet to be released since the non-Pro Surface 3 was introduced across Canada in May 2015. With the release of Surface Go, business owners were able to perform intricate tasks on-the-go, while simultaneously enjoying all of the benefits that the new tablet provided. Now, four months later, Microsoft has released the Surface Go tablet with LTE throughout Canada.
Surface Go Attributes
The Microsoft Surface Go is an Intel-powered tablet that offers a wide variety of features, advances, and benefits. For example, the Surface Go is automatically equipped with Windows 10. It also features immediate access to all of the apps within the Windows Store. However, it is important to note that the Surface Go tablet is automatically locked to “S Mode” for both consumer and commercial models. Unlocking the “S Mode” is a relatively straightforward process that will enable the tablet to access a variety of other apps.
Like many of the Microsoft products, the Surface Go tablet features a multitude of productivity-enhancing apps. It also has standard web browsing and advanced video conferencing capabilities. The addition of Microsoft Office enables businesses to use the Surface Go tablet in the office and at out of office presentations. Speaking of, the addition of LTE, now ensures that tablet users will have access to the Internet anywhere that they go.
Surface Go with LTE in Canada
In today’s digitally driven world, where important messages can’t be missed and deals can be completed in a blink of the eye, having 24/7 access to the Internet can mean the difference between business success or failure. The recent release of the Microsoft Surface Go with LTE enables Canadian business owners (and employees) to access the Internet via their tablet from practically anywhere. Additional features and benefits include:
The easily stored and accessible 10-inch size makes the tablet the perfect travel device.
An extended battery life ensures that the tablet can be used throughout long meetings and during train or air travel.
The dual-core 6W TDP processor is strategically designed to use the minimum amount of power when completing light productivity tasks.
The Surface Go with LTE can easily be paired with the Microsoft TypeCover and used with the Surface Pen to increase productivity.
An extended warranty is available with the Surface Go commercial model.
In addition to the above features and benefits, the Surface Go with LTE consumer model is equipped with 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, and an Intel 4415Y processor. The latter attributes allow the tablet to complete more complex tasks, which is especially beneficial to Canadian business owners who need to review presentations, leverage interactive apps, complete video conference calls, and a wide variety of other time-consuming activities. The commercial version of the Surface Go with LTE features an even more robust Windows 10 Pro operating system that is essential for the on-the-go employee or business executive.
Canadian Business Owners Can Leverage The Benefits Of The Surface Go With LTE
Did you know that the Surface Go with LTE was strategically designed to inspire employees to work more naturally? From its people-centric design to its flexibility to its accessibility, the Surface Go is meant to boost the work experience for entire organizations. In fact, a recent survey of more than 1,000 employees from global companies, found that the Microsoft line of Surface tablets can achieve the following ROI enhancing business benefits.
75 percent of employees said that Surface devices increased their productivity levels.
Up to nine hours are saved when mobile or remote workers are completing everyday tasks.
IT manageability is improved by ensuring that security and compliance protocols are followed (even when employees or business executives are working on the road or from home).
Teamwork, creativity, and mobility are enhanced.
The moral of the story is simple, the Microsoft Surface Go tablet with LTE can help Canadian businesses thrive in the modern digital age. When clients expect companies to respond instantaneously, and more employees are interested in working remotely, the Surface Go with LTE offers the ideal solution to increase productivity levels, enhancing mobility, and generating ROI-enhancing results for Canadian business owners.
by Felicien | Nov 27, 2018 | Education
Businesses of all types and sizes today must navigate a complex matrix of vendors and partners. In many cases, there is frequent sharing of data, including sensitive and proprietary information, that could be problematic if hacked or stolen.
The advent of new technologies, including the Internet of Things, automation and cloud systems, make for the collection and sharing of information more accessible than ever before. However, the increased volume, accessibility and transfer of data creates problems and added risk for companies. To help companies protect information and minimize the risk of data theft, here are 6 answers to common third-party security questions.
1. How Can I Assess My Company’s Data Security?
The place to start is with an internal audit of your system. Which vendors have access to which data? How are they connecting to your networks and what can they access?
It’s smart to map your third-party partners, understanding who they are, how they access data and what data they can access. Make sure third parties only can reach information that is necessary. Often these audits can detect access that was given long ago to third parties that no longer should or need to have access.
2. What Can I Do to Assess My Third-Party Partners?
There are basic things you can do to ensure that third parties have the right safeguards in place when using your data. Asking for copies of their data security policies and audit results is an excellent place to start. If there are practices or results of concern, you can ask for more details. Some companies require their vendors to undergo a thorough security audit with detailed questionnaires or independent verification of processes and systems.
The practice is not just good business sense. Many new regulatory mandates, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require companies to ensure that third-party vendors are also compliant with the appropriate requirements.
3. What Foundation Do I Need to Data Security and Third Parties?
Be sure your organization has clear policies and procedures that govern data access and security related to third parties. Policies should be evaluated regularly to reflect new technologies or practices.
4. Who Is Responsible for Data Security?
Often, risk ownership can be a gray area as companies exchange data, update it and enter it into each other’s systems. A risk assessment matrix should be created that defines and tracks data within your corporate ecosystem. The matrix should include:
Vendors, partners, customers and subcontractors throughout your supply chain
Classifications of each third party based on how they interact with the organization
Risk types mapped to each third party
Risk levels assigned to each vendors’ assigned risk types
This exercise allows you to build a comprehensive risk assessment model to inform decisions, policies and access.
5. What Technologies Can I Use to Help With Security?
Ultimately, control rests with your organization. You can control the parties with access, the types of access, and the assets that can be accessed. Here are some tools to deploy to assist with that control:
Encryption is effective in protecting data stored in your systems and transmitted to other parties. Encryption need not be applied to everything, but high-risk information merits investment in encryption tools.
Two-factor authentication is another consideration. If you use multi-factor verification tools for internal access, you most certainly should do the same for external access.
Risk-based authentication goes a step further. Rule-based access, such as only allowing access from a particular domain, can be incorporated into your security plan. If an access request does not meet the pre-defined rules, additional authentication layers are applied.
Monitoring networks is a wise move. Monitoring what is accessed and by whom allows for a better understanding of information transfer. Firewalls that inspect data packets and issue alerts when unauthorized data are in play help prevent unwanted extrusion.
6. What Documentation Does My Company Need?
When you’ve determined your guidelines, policies and rules, be sure to put it in writing. Make it a part of your new contracts and insist on amendments to any existing agreements with third parties. Contractual guidelines help to protect companies from litigation as more plaintiffs go after multiple parties in the case of a data breach.
Not all contracts need to be the same when it comes to data access provisions, although it is good practice to establish a baseline of minimum requirements in all applicable third-party agreements.
With the growing threat of cyber attacks, an active approach to data security is a way for organizations to mitigate risk and ensure that data stay in the right hands.
by Felicien | Nov 26, 2018 | Education
Running a business is an expensive proposition, and it only starts with paying your vendors and employees. The tax codes can be a quagmire of confusion for many business owners, especially when it comes to more complex concepts such as the depreciation laws around technology. The good news is that there have been some meaningful changes around Section 179 for 2018, meaning you may be able to recognize compelling savings if you quickly take action before the end of the year. Here is how you can take advantage of this advanced tax savings while fitting in that technology spend before budgets reset in January.
Upgrade Your Tech, Earn a Tax Credit
While the Internal Revenue Code’s Section 179 sounds complicated, the net effect is quite simple. If you upgrade your technology during the year, you’re eligible to reduce your tax liability for that year by depreciating the equipment — even if you made the purchase on December 31, 2018. This accelerated deduction allows you to write off the entire cost of your technology upgrade, up to 1 million dollars for 2018 on purchases of up to $2.5 million in technology products. This effectively represents a 100% bonus depreciation for both new and used equipment. The government hopes that this extensive benefit will help support the growth and infrastructure investment of businesses throughout the country — which is quite likely considering the full breadth of the discount you can expect to see by taking full advantage of the tax credit.
What Are the Benefits of Accelerated Depreciation?
The accelerated depreciation that is a part of Section 179 of the tax code allows you to see immediate reductions to your tax bill. Applying for the tax credit is relatively straightforward, and there is a high degree of flexibility available in how the credit is utilized throughout the year. The savings can be substantial, especially if you decide to lease or finance your equipment for several years. Your tax professional may be able to help you properly structure a financing agreement that allows you to add software and equipment to your business without a net cash impact for the year.
What Are IRS Section 179 Guidelines for 2018?
The benefits that you can derive from Section 179 will change from year to year, so it’s essential to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about this exceptional savings opportunity. For 2018, you can find the latest information on Section179.org, including details on timing, calculators to determine how the deduction will impact your organization, answers to frequently asked questions and more. The types of equipment that are included in Section 179 are:
Construction equipment
Farm equipment
Medical equipment
Printing equipment
Vehicles
Tools
Office supplies
Office furniture
Computers
Mobile devices
Other electronics
Software
Of all of the technology solutions that can be covered by Section 179, software is the most popular — but some limitations are involved with receiving your full tax credit on software.
Does IRS Section 179 Have Any Limitations?
Along with the total dollar cap, IRS section 179 does have some limitations. There are a few types of equipment that are excluded, but the tax credit is valid for most types of software and equipment. This credit is simple to use and can provide a significant boost to your bottom line — along with providing your business with some exciting new tech to start the new year. The purchase of software is one of the most popular ways for companies to utilize their Section 179 tax credit, but there are some considerations. The software must be available to the general public and must not be custom-designed for your business. The software must also have a determinable useful life of more than one year, be used for an income-producing activity and be financed with a specific type of qualifying lease or loan. Missing any of these requirements can negate your ability to utilize Section 179.
Currently, the following types of software are not eligible for Section 179 tax credits:
Websites — although this may change in 2019
Databases that are not part of the public domain
Software that is highly customized for your organization
Want to learn more about IRS Section 179 and how your organization can leverage this savings opportunity? The official Section179.org website should be your first stop for any questions, but there is also a great deal of useful information on Investopedia.com. While it may be a little more difficult to wade through, you can always get your information straight from the source at the IRS.gov website, where they detail Section 179 deduction information, special depreciation allowances, MACRS and more. Need assistance working through how Section 179 can benefit your particular organization and the value that you can gain from new technology?
Watch our Section 179 training video.
by Felicien | Nov 26, 2018 | Education
We all know that social media can play a significant role in marketing your product. In the world today, more people are getting hooked up to social media meaning that the market is shifting in that direction. Social media calendar is, therefore, able to help you understand your audience’s preference. As a business person, you can interact with your followers and get their say concerning your product.
This is how the calendar helps.
Achievement of Goals
An organization is driven by its goal; both long term and short term. This is the main reason for the calendar. This step should be realized even before you find out how to create the social media calendar.
The goals set on the social media calendar are realistic and achievable. With everything set on the platform, you can easily track the record of your performance and do away with what holding you back. At the end of the day, you’d have met your goals of the said timeframe.
Consistent Results
Apart from meeting the achieved goals, social media calendar is responsible for positive results you set in your business. Organizing and setting of responsibilities bring the feeling of working in the business sector. At the end of the day, results are yielded since everyone wants to accomplish his/her set goals before time.
It’s Convenient and easy to Operate
The main idea behind Microsoft Excel social media calendar is to turn data into insights. Also, it enhances collaboration in the business as you are able to share what each one of you has, to come up with one perfect organized calendar.
What to Note while Creating a Social Media Calendar that’d Yield Results
Why are social media calendars so important?
As a business, your primary goal is to reach many customers that leads to more sales hence more profit. To make this happen, your social media calendar should?
Be Audited
Everyone dreads this word but you shouldn’t be worried. Social media audits are essential and it yields results to your business.
During the process, you are able to realize the content that is shooting high regarding engagement and which one isn’t. What follows is the measures that increase the performance of the least and how to optimize the whole content.
Tracked on the days you Share content
After creating the calendar, you apparently have planned what you’d be sharing daily or weekly. To ensure there is effectiveness on your content, track what you’ve shared, when and where. Spreadsheets will ideally help you here.
Promoting your content is helpful and this assisted by the spreadsheet. Also, you should add descriptions and text for each post.
Meet your Content Mix
Everyone in social media is sharing their preferred type of content. However, you should be careful to create content on the calendar that is specific to your niche or industry to avoid confusion for your audience.
The Takeaway
With the calendar, you can achieve a lot in your business. This only happens when it well organized and result oriented though. In conclusion, excel social media calendar is integrated to bring together increase productivity and safeguard your business.
by Felicien | Nov 25, 2018 | Education
Understanding your past financial data is essential to forecasting for the future. Without analysing the data, your emotions or your opinion of what you’d like to happen with your business in the future are likely to colour your forecast. One easy way to use your past data to predict your business future is to build a financial prediction using Microsoft Excel.
How to make an economic forecast using Microsoft Excel
1. Select your past sales data in Excel. The first step in creating your financial business forecast is to select the previous sales data that you wish to use. In most cases, you’ll choose the past three to five years. However, if a singular event, like the Stanley Cup Finals or the Winter Olympics being in town, dramatically impacted your sales and is likely to repeat in the future, your forecast will be more accurate if you leave that year (or at least that period) out of the data you use for your projections.
2. Click on Forecast Sheet on the Data tab. The next step is to click on “forecast sheet” located on the tab marked “data”. It’s located at the top of the page on the left side.
3. Enter the required information and hit Create. Next, you’ll need to enter the necessary information, such as the time period you’d like to forecast and, finally, hit create. You’ll have a forecast report projecting the sales and/or income into the period you selected.
How to use your forecast report to make smart business decisions
What can your forecast report be used for? If you know what your sales and income are likely to be for the next quarter or next year, you can make sure that you have the inventory, raw materials, staff and marketing that you need to support that level of sales. You can also use this report to discuss funding with your bank or another lender.
