by Felicien | Apr 10, 2018 | Education
Today’s app market offers the full range of apps for personal use and for work. Everyone seems to be trying to complete household chores and tasks at work with the highest level of efficiency.
Time has become a valuable commodity that we never have enough of. In response to these needs, developers are coming up with all-new and really cool apps that have the features you’re looking for. You can get to-do list apps, reminder apps, and apps for file storage or note-taking. With the right apps on your phone or computer, you can improve your daily performance and get everything completed much faster. This leaves you plenty of time for relaxing and watching a great movie on Netflix. Below, we reveal our top 12 time management apps.
One: Focus booster
Feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks you have to get done today? There’s an app for that. It’s called Focus Booster and it was designed based on the Pomodoro Technique. Using this technique, you can complete more chores each day and it also helps relieve the stress you may feel due to your busy schedule. Helps eliminate procrastination.
Two: Remember the Milk
With so much information coming at us each day, it’s easy to forget the small things like stopping by the dry cleaners. Remember the Milk is compatible with your computer, Outlook, Gmail and mobile devices. Whether you just need to remember a grocery list or you want to share tasks with your team, this is an easy-to-use app that will help you avoid forgetting something important. It’s pretty straightforward to use. Simply enter a task, due date, priority and other pertinent information, then you’re all set. You can even break tasks down into sub-tasks and assign them to other people. It syncs with all your devices.
Three: Rescue Time
Are you using your time well each day or running around in circles? Rescue Time runs in the background, tracking how much time you spend on certain tasks each day. You’ll get a detailed report on all your daily activities. This lets you see where you could be wasting precious time each day. It’s available for smartphones and computers.
Four: Toggl
This unique timer app is advertised as so easy to use that you’ll actually use it. It works with individuals and teams. This time tracker is often more accurate than time sheets and other software of this type. It enables employees across many different industries to become more productive. Get accurate records of time spent on any project.
Five: Evernote
Evernote is a popular productivity app that has been around for a few years. It was originally used by college students for note-taking in class. The developers have continued to add unique features so that today you can capture, organize and share notes. It allows you to clip pages from the web and everything can be stored in one place. Evernote has added other products to its line including Evernote Business with Spaces. This program works about the same but allows a team to collect, store and share ideas. Create notes, add tables and attachments, use handwritten notes, and even add audio recordings.
Six: Dropbox
An old favorite but still the most reliable program for saving, editing and sending large files. This app is free and most people already know how it works so there’s less of a learning curve. Dropbox is available for laptops, mobile devices, iPad and other devices, so you can access and share files whenever and wherever you need to.
Seven: Mind42
This mind mapping tool has become a favorite of users and is considered one of the best on the market. It is browser-based so there’s nothing to download. This is a great productivity app that helps you get organized by showing you a diagram of what you need to be focused on. You can brainstorm, create a to-do list, organize things and share your map with others.
Eight: SyncBackFree
From 2BrightSparks, SyncBackFree is a great little tool for backing up and copying files in Windows. The app is truly free, plus it’s ad-free. There’s no registration or payment required. The app also claims that they do not collect demographic info about its users. You can schedule backups to occur at regular intervals. They also offer a SyncBackPro and SyncBankSE for enterprise clients. Files can be copied in both directions. Unicode is enabled for non-English file names.
Nine: Pocket
We all get side-tracked while surfing the web. You might be searching for information about a new project and find photos or news stories you’d like to read. Pocket gives you a place to store these items until you have time to go back and check them out. The app is available for iOS, Android and for computers and mobile devices. You can store any type of content and the app works with or without an internet connection.
Ten: MyLifeOrganized
This task management app helps users target the most important tasks. It automatically creates your to-do list and highlights those items that require immediate attention. Track your progress, focus on specific goals and achieve your objectives with MyLifeOrganized. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to rearrange tasks in list form or as a tree. This app can be used at work, at home or for special events like a wedding, business trip, or party. Simply enter tasks and due dates, along with a few other pieces of information and MLO automatically generates a smart list of all the actions you need to complete.
Eleven: Launchy
Launch all your files, folders and documents with this simple app. You don’t need to go to the start menu, desktop or file manager to open your favorite programs. Launchy has been named the best application launcher by major publications.
Twelve: Focus@Will
Developers of Focus@Will claim that users can increase their productivity by up to 400 percent. This is the perfect solution for those who get distracted easily while studying or working. The app combines music with neuroscience to boost productivity. Those with a touch of ADHD will find this app very helpful.
by Felicien | Apr 10, 2018 | Education
Google is the number-one search engine. It’s the one people go to when they have a question they need to be answered or are looking for a business to serve their particular needs. Google, like the terms Kleenex and Clorox, has become part of our daily vernacular. When you search for something online, you’re “Googling” it.
What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?
It’s the multi-discipline process of optimizing a website to rank high in organic search results.
Organic search results are those you don’t pay for.
Typically, when people search for companies or information on Google, the first few results they get are those that a business has paid for. If they say “Sponsored” or “Ad” that means someone has paid for them to be ranked at the top.
If you don’t pay for an ad, you must practice good SEO to be listed near the top of a Google search.
What constitutes good SEO?
This is difficult to pin down because It’s often-changing and always updating. Google updates their algorithms and the way that they rate and rank content hundreds of times a year. It’s impossible to keep track of every single change. However, practicing good SEO strategies, in general, will result in better search rankings.
Although it’s easy to understand, SEO is challenging to execute effectively. Here’s some information that should help.
On-Page Optimization
Optimize your entire website as a whole:
Increase the page speed and load times. Google will penalize your website if it loads slowly. Keep this in mind when purchasing web hosting. Make sure they have plenty of uptime, and you have enough bandwidth. If you don’t, Google will penalize you.
Ensure your site can be found using mobile devices. More people browse via mobile today than they do with desktop computers. Take this into account with every element of your website’s design. From your home page to your landing pages, to your contact page–Everything must be optimized for mobile searches. If your website looks great for desktop but isn’t accessible for mobile use, Google will penalize you in your search rankings.
Use HTTPS in your URL even if you’re not selling anything. Just having a secure website immediately gives you a boost in Google search rankings.
Include Social Sharing Links. Pick the social networks that are most relevant to your audience, like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Use the icons for the links on your webpage so people can find you easily and share your content. The more people share your content, the more Google finds you relevant, and the higher they will rank your business in their search results.
Use tools like Woorank, Yoast to test your overall website performance. These and other tools like them will scrub your page much like Google will, and tell you what your results are based on your current level of search optimization. If there are things you need to improve, these tools will let you know what they are, so you can up your search ranking.
Know your keywords and how to use them:
Make a list of topics relevant to your business and your intended audience. These are called Head Terms–words that are used in your industry or line of business.
Get specific and use Long-Tail Keywords. Think of this as the problem you want your customers to bring to you that you can solve. If you’re an attorney, this might be, “How can I save money on a divorce?” or “How do I fight a traffic ticket?” etc.
Do your own search for other keywords and observe user intent. See what problems people are having and which ones you can solve. The more you can solve, the better chances you’ll be a credible authority in their eyes and Google’s.
Scope out the competitor’s keywords. There are some paid tools you can use to do this. Or, do this on your own by visiting your competition’s website and looking at what they’re promoting, what media they use, the headlines they use, and the phrasing they publish. By doing a search for your competition, you can also see where they rank.
Use your keywords within the first 100 words of any of your web pages, including blog posts and videos. The first 100 words are used most heavily when Google scrubs information from your webpage. This is where you want to include your specific long-tail keywords.
Don’t keyword-stuff. You want to use your Long-Tail Keywords throughout the rest of your web pages, but don’t overdo it. Keep your language natural-sounding. If you keyword-stuff, Google will penalize you.
Use headers correctly:
H1 headers are for article or page titles. These are most important for SEO because this tells Google what your page is about. This is where you want to use those well-constructed Long-Tail Keywords.
H2 headers are for your sections. You should use Long-Tail Keywords here as well but be creative with your phrasing. Don’t repeat phrases over and over.
Include your keywords here but be creative with phrasing
Label your images correctly:
Include your keywords in your image file names. These will be your shorter keywords and Head Terms–terms that are broad in scope.
Include your keywords in your image alt text. Include your specific Long-Tail terms here as well.
Test it out.
You can get an optimization check at seo-browser.com.
The Right Content
Write for your audience:
Think of questions that your target audience would ask. Think of what people will be searching for. Think of the problems that they are looking to you to resolve.
Let your keywords be your guide. Phrase them as a question, then write the authoritative answer.
Go the distance whenever you can:
Word count matters. Aim for at least 1,000 words as often as possible. This may not always be possible for things like video descriptions or info-graphics. Don’t worry. Do the best you can.
Don’t sacrifice quality for word count. If you don’t have anything worthwhile to say, don’t just write a bunch of needless content. Google will pick this up and penalize you. Google wants quality content.
Some industries will need more quality content to compete online. If there’s a lot of competition for your service or product, you’ll need to step up your game to differentiate yourself from the others. You’ll need to come up with content that is better and more creative than what your competitors are posting.
Mix it up and keep it fresh:
Share more than just written articles. The broader your library, the more people you will appeal to. Blog posts are great but don’t neglect other options.
Repurpose your best old content:
Rework your old content that performed well into a new format like an infographic, video, e-book, and or blog. Take an e-book that was popular and write an article about it. Take an article and make a video from it, etc.
Don’t forget your Meta Descriptions:
Meta descriptions are the “flavor text” that shows beneath the link in a search result.
Google says that meta descriptions aren’t a ranking factor. However, the text that shows in SERPs can compel people to select your search result. If it gives you an edge, why not use it.
Write conversationally and aim to catch the viewer’s attention. Use 300 words max for your meta descriptions.
Use them on every page of your website.
Try plugins like Yoast if you are using WordPress for assistance writing great meta descriptions. It will rank the meta description and tell you whether or not it will be a positive influence.
Links and How to Use Them
Internal Linking:
Link to other pages, articles, or media within your own site. If you are the authority in your area of expertise, one article you write will surely have relevance to others on your site.
Try to get 2-3 internal links per page. This gives people a reason to stay on your site. It will give them a reason to stay on your page and click thru to other pages. This is important for good ranking results.
External Linking:
Link to authoritative, quality pages outside your website that have relevant information. Use links to news articles, Wikipedia, or other well-known websites. Be selective. Don’t link to blogs. Remember, anything you link to reflects the quality of your website. If you link to reputable sources, Google will consider your site reputable as well.
Be selective as the links you choose as this will reflect on the quality of your site.
Backlinks
These are the “Holy Grail” of links, and the most difficult to obtain. Backlinks are where you link to an outside page, and they link back to you. Here are some of the things you can try to get quality backlinks:
Write case studies on the products or services you use, especially if you’ve had spectacular results. Share these with your vendors and partners.
Write reviews for the companies and products you would recommend to others.
Build genuine relationships online and off.
Become a resource for the media.
Volunteer to speak to groups in your area.
How to Gain an Edge
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews:
Positive user reviews influence SEO ranking. Google Business and Yelp are the most popular and widely used.
Search for your business type in your location to see what other review sites are used by your target audience. Some of these might include Nextdoor, Angie’s List or TripAdvisor.
It’s okay to ask happy customers to leave a positive review, but don’t overdo it.
Location, Location, Location Reviews (and other ways to be relevant):
Don’t forget to include your location in your keywords if you serve local clients. If people are searching for businesses like yours in your location, Google will be able to find you and post your information in their search. Even if the person doesn’t include your city in their search, Google knows where they are and can find you to answer their query.
Consider other ways to signify that your information is relevant and current. Include the year in your title when relevant. If you’re talking about products, consider using a title like “The 20 Best Products in 2018.” People will see your post as relevant, and Google will see that your posts are current and give you a better ranking.
Be the Expert in One Area:
If you find a keyword that gets lots of search action without a lot of competition go deep with your strategy. Be the authority on it and use your internal links to your advantage. When doing your research on your keywords, if you find one that gets a lot of search activity, but there’s not much competition, use those keywords and write in-depth on the subject. You’ll rise the top of Google searches very quickly.
Optimize for Mobile:
This is worth repeating because the percentage of non-desktop searching is going to continue to increase. If your site isn’t easy to navigate on mobile devices, you’ll lose business.
Optimize for Voice Search:
The #1 thing that will set websites apart in the future is the ability to have your web properties appear in voice searches. We are using more Artificial Intelligence functions on our computer devices like Siri and Cortana.
Think of the questions people will ask via voice search and answer them. Again, if you serve local customers or businesses, make sure that you list your location in your keywords.
Use These Great SEO Tools:
The Google Search Console provides great insight into how your site is performing in Google searches. You do have to take some steps to enable access, but it’s very user-friendly. You can see which keyword searches on Google were used most often that lead to your site, and what your click-thru rate was of these listings. It will tell you what people are searching for, when your site came up in their search and how often they are clicking on your link as opposed to others. (It’s free)
SpyFu spies on your competitors. Use this to see what keywords they are using and how well their site performs.
SEMrush provides valuable insight into the world of search. It will show your competitors’ best keywords, help you find competitors you didn’t know about, and reveal how much money your competitors are spending on search advertising. It’s one of the best resources for this.
Utilize Great Resources:
Neil Patel (neilpatel.com) provides great daily information on SEO and search in general.
MOZ (moz.com) has a wealth of great information for businesses that want more from their SEO.
Search Engine Journal (searchenginejournal.com) is loaded with great free SEO resources.
Advanced SEO
Schema.org:
Schema –The semantic web, is the next frontier for SEO. Schema.org defines the best-used terms to use for keywords. This is a definite list of codes that should be used for best practices. If Google sees you using old codes, this will hurt your ranking.
Rankings reviews, ratings, product descriptions, and schedules are now starting to influence rankings.
Speak with your website developer or SEO company to ensure schema.org elements are part of your website.
Rich Snippets:
Rich Snippets are search results that include ratings, reviews, images, video content, and more.
They stand out from all other search results because the search engine has more data about the site. It uses images, ratings, and reviews that can be pulled into the search results.
Setup using structured data found in the Google Search Console.
People Also Ask:
This is often featured with popular search terms. If Google gets the same requests over and over again, they post additional sites with information. The more expert advice you provide for frequently asked questions, and your content answers these very specifically, Google will consider adding your site you to their “People Also Ask” prompt. So, again, think of the questions most people will ask about your product or service and answer these in your website content.
Searches can get immediate answers here and may never visit your site.
It reinforces the need to ensure your website and content solves people’s problems, answers, questions, and offers advice.
Social Media:
Social media does play a role in SEO, and social content will affect your ranking.
The more shares or “social indicators” found, the more relevant Google will consider your content. When someone shares an article from your website, this is called a social indicator. This tells Google where the poster found this information and how many times it’s been shared. The more you get shares, the more Google will find your website valid and increase your rankings.
Reviews from social sites matter.
Social media channels are their own search engines.
Extended reading: “Social is the New SEO” by Neil Patel. This will tell you more about SEO and how important it is in Google rankings.
In Conclusion
The Most Important “Take Aways”
The days of a long list of your services are over. Optimize your page and your content for today’s audience.
Solve people’s challenges
Answer their questions. Use keywords intelligently and accurately, so you’re answering people’s question.
Become a valuable resource online and off.
Become more social.
Find a great web marketer who can help.
Questions? Send an email to us!
by Felicien | Apr 9, 2018 | Education
The digital revolution has changed our world in unimaginable ways – and for the better! Tools and applications like Microsoft Word and Microsoft OneNote aim to make our lives easier, in one simple step.
Have you ever stopped to think about Microsoft’s naming convention? It’s probably not something that crosses your mind as you open a Microsoft application, like Word or Excel or Outlook. There are teams and departments at Microsoft whose roles include the creative scope for brainstorming names for new products in the Microsoft line-up. If you look deeper, there are not only subtle references to what each does within the name, but there are also psychological implications – like subliminal messaging – within the product names.
Microsoft Word is a word processor, but has a vast array of built-in tools to help users improve their finished written product, like a wordsmith! Its thesaurus feature aids users looking for just the right word when the typed word is close but not “it”. The spelling and grammar check gets many a student through assigned papers – and, more importantly, helps prevent professionals from making expensive errors, like errors that affect professional reputations and can impact revenue and profit. Microsoft Word can perform a mail merge, so users can send letters to clients with just a few clicks – after using the app to perfect their letter, of course. Contracts and agreements depend on accuracy!
Microsoft Excel is a bit of a double entendre. To excel is to show an exceptional skill or quality in a particular activity or subject. Within the word “excel” is “cel”, a homonym of “cell” or the individual areas within a spreadsheet where data can be entered. Lots of dry, technical information in that sentence, but the meaning is the same: a database tool that is superior to other database applications for the professional user base. Here is where Microsoft Excel outshines the competition – and why its previous competition, Lotus 1-2-3, is no longer used. Aside from being a spreadsheet application, Excel offers users an endless variety of tools to really make Excel the go-to platform for data analysis. Including charts, data manipulation, and tools like creating pivot tables in Excel was Microsoft’s act of establishing their superior position with this app.
In the list above, we also mention Microsoft Outlook. Outlook reigned king of email for a very long time in the professional kingdom, but Google’s G Suite is a strong competitor for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Outlook, again, tries to be an all-in-one package for professionals, with email communication but also a calendar feature, a reminder system, user-friendly meeting tools and a variety of user settings to customize the experience.
These applications speak to Microsoft’s dedication to being the full professional package for businesses – and their full Office 365 suite is proof. Included are products like OneDrive, SharePoint, and OneNote. OneNote is one of the most underutilized products in the Microsoft line-up, and with new features being added all the time, we think this is because users aren’t aware of the full extent of what OneNote has to offer.
Microsoft designed OneNote as the digital solution for those who grab the nearest sticky note or doodle pad – or open a new Note on their iPhone – to jot down a quick scribble to remember for later. OneNote helps users gather notes, thoughts, and ideas, all in one centralized and organized location. Users can store everything from quickly-jotted notes to meeting minutes, to lengthy details about projects for home or work, in the same place. What’s even cooler about OneNote is that Notes are searchable and sharable.
Did you see where we mentioned the iPhone? That’s right – iPhone users rejoice! OneNote is also available for Mac.
To clarify, OneNote is part of the subscription-based Office 365, but OneNote is free as a stand-alone product. To get Microsoft OneNote, follow these steps:
From a desktop or laptop computer, open a web browser window
Enter OneNote.com
Download the latest version for free
New users will be excited to see that Notebooks stored in multiple locations (SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.) show up within the application the same way, simplifying the user experience. These same users will become experts in no time with the classically straight-forward way Microsoft presents the tools at your disposal.
Cool features inside OneNote for users underscore the built-in ability to share your information across all your devices and with other people. Check out some of these:
Email to Yourself
Set up your email from any email service provider supported, like Yahoo or Gmail, and of course, Outlook, within OneNote and you can send any email in your mailbox to your OneNote with a simple one-step task: forward the email to me@onenote.com, and you’ll see it in OneNote!
Office Lens
This handy little tool lets you capture documents and photos with the camera on your phone, and then send that photo to OneNote – try the Email to Yourself trick we just talked about! OneNote and Office Lens will add some filters, adjust lighting, crop out backgrounds, etc., and show up clearly in OneNote. This is great for receipts you’re afraid you might lose, or other situations you might forget about later.
Clipper
This one helps users integrate OneNote with their web browser.
Go to OneNote.com/clipper
Click on the button to download the extension to your web browser
Now users can “clip” a page into OneNote, like clipping a coupon from a physical newspaper, except it’s now forever stored digitally in OneNote (until a user deletes it). Text on these pages is searchable within OneNote, too, which is very helpful if a user can remember the context of the page clipped but not necessarily when or exactly what was clipped. This is true of words within a picture on the clipped page, too.
OneNote boasts a number of partners that allow users to integrate with featured apps so that the apps can be used conjointly. A few of these partner apps include:
News360
This is a news reader, offering users news stories much like on a news website. Users can click on a story, and with OneNote integration, the story will show a “Save to OneNote” button. As long as a user is signed into their account in OneNote, the story will save in OneNote. Again, words in the story are searchable.
Feedly
Feedly is a website aggregator, bringing together all the pages a user wants to see in a centralized location and updates the pages as they update. This works similarly to RSS feeds and has the same “Save to OneNote” button that News360 has, as well as the words in the story remaining searchable.
Doxie
This one is for users of Doxie portable scanners. If you have one of these lightweight and portable gadgets, you’re going to love saving your scanned documents to OneNote! Any of the text can still be found with a simple search.
Integration is wonderful! Technology is amazing! With OneNote, Microsoft welcomes developers to make their own services with which to integrate for OneNote and share with users. Make OneNote your new best friend today.
by Felicien | Apr 9, 2018 | Education
Check Out These 20 Key Cybersecurity Tips To Help You Stop Stressing Out.
Small businesses are often unprepared for the latest cybercrime tactics used by hackers today. The FCC recently published a helpful Cybersecurity Tip Sheet to help small business owners strengthen their defenses.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports that “theft of digital information has become the most commonly reported fraud, surpassing physical theft”. Hackers are constantly working to break through cyber defenses. Even worse, your small business is attractive to them because you’re an easier target than larger organizations.
Here are some shocking statistics:
43% of cyberattacks target small businesses.
60% go out of business within six months of a successful cyberattack.
48% of data breaches are caused by malicious acts. Human error or system failure are the cause of the remaining 52%.
While small business owners worry about cyberattacks, many aren’t allocating money in their budgets towards risk mitigation. Unless you take precautions to block hackers and computer viruses, you’re opening the doors of your business to cyber theft.
The FCC produced a one-page Cybersecurity Tip Sheet with the following advice for securing your small business:
Train employees in security principles.
Establish basic security practices and policies for employees, such as requiring strong passwords, and establish appropriate Internet use guidelines that detail penalties for violating company cybersecurity policies. Establish rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data.
Protect information, computers, and networks from cyberattacks.
Keep clean machines: having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update. Install other key software updates as soon as they are available.
Provide firewall security for your Internet connection.
A firewall is a set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. Make sure the operating system’s firewall is enabled or install free firewall software that’s available online. If employees work from home, ensure that their home system(s) are protected by a firewall.
Create a mobile device action plan.
Mobile devices can create significant security and management challenges, especially if they hold confidential information or can access the corporate network. Require users to password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on a public network. Be sure to set reporting procedures for lost or stolen equipment.
Make backup copies of important business data and information.
Regularly backup the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud.
Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee.
Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft, and can also easily be lost, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and require strong passwords. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key personnel.
Secure your Wi-Fi networks.
If you have a Wi-Fi network for your workplace, make sure it is secure, encrypted, and hidden. To hide your Wi-Fi network, set up your wireless access point or router so it does not broadcast the network name (known as the Service Set Identifier, or SSID). Password protect access to the router as well.
Employ best practices on payment cards.
Work with banks or processors to ensure the most trusted and validated tools and anti-fraud services are being used. You may also have additional security obligations pursuant to agreements with your bank or processor. Isolate payment systems from other, less secure programs and don’t use the same computer to process payments and surf the Internet.
Limit employee access to data and information, and limit authority to install software.
Do not provide any one employee with access to all data systems. Employees should only be given access to the specific data systems that they need for their jobs and should not be able to install any software without permission.
Strengthen passwords and authentication.
Require employees to use unique passwords and change passwords every three months. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication that requires additional information beyond a password to gain entry. Check with your vendors that handle sensitive data, especially financial institutions, to see if they offer multi-factor authentication for your account.
In addition to the FCC’s Tips above, be sure to do the following:
POS and Payroll
Any devices that handle sensitive information like payroll or point of sales (POS) devices should be on a separate network from computers that access web pages or check email.
Strictly enforce your cybersecurity policies and practices.
Regularly review your cybersecurity practices and policies as to how your employees should protect your sensitive data and personal information. Be sure to include the consequences of violating your cybersecurity policies and practices and enforce them. Your employees must be held accountable for any infractions.
Administrative rights.
Admin rights should only be provided to the most trusted of your IT staff or contracted out to a professional IT Managed Services Provider (MSP).
Web pages
Protect all the pages on your public-facing websites – not just the sign-in and check out ones.
Never leave your business phones, laptops, tablets or other computer devices unattended. Don’t leave them out in public or even in a locked car.
These devices contain your sensitive business information and could fall into the hands of a thief.
Password protect and encrypt all of your devices.
Encrypt the data on all of your computer devices. Consider using full-disk encryption as well. This will lessen the risk to your sensitive business information.
Use encrypted websites when providing sensitive information.
Only trust websites that use encryption to protect your information being sent from your computer to their server. An encrypted website will use https at the beginning of the web address – look for this indicator on every page of the website, not just the page where you log in.
Routers
Make sure your router is set up securely. If you don’t, cybercriminals can gain access to your sensitive business information on your computer devices. Always change the name of the router to something else rather than the default it came with. Furthermore, change the router’s pre-set password to your own long and complex one. Ensure your router software is up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website for new versions. Don’t use any remote management features – if enabled, disable them, and always log out as an administrator. (When it comes to setting up your network you should consider using an expert IT Managed Services Provider.)
WIFI Hotspots
When accessing WIFI Hotspots in airports, hotels or other public places only send information that’s encrypted. Be sure to avoid access mobile apps that require your personal, business or financial information.
If your business is compromised, make sure you take the necessary steps to inform the authorities. The Federal Trade Commission advises that you contact them as well. You can access their Data Breach Response Guide by visiting: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/data-breach-response-guide-business
For more information about cybersecurity for your business, or a complimentary assessment of your overall IT security, contact the experts at {company} at {phone} or {email}.
by Felicien | Apr 9, 2018 | Education
Weather is unpredictable, and this is clear every time a meteorologist gets the forecast wrong! Do you have a contingency plan in place for your organization to be ready on a moment’s notice?
Ah, the weather. The weather decides the fate of so much of what we do. Going to a backyard BBQ this weekend? There’s a good chance of rain, so you may want to check if it’s still scheduled. Heat wave coming? Better re-think that marathon and consider a movie marathon instead. Planning an outdoor wedding – maybe on the beach – in June? You probably want to have a backup plan in case of a hurricane!
But seriously, major storms happen. The reality is the projected path of a storm isn’t set and can shift at any time, putting any of us right in its path, whether a hurricane, a tornado, a nor’easter, flash flooding, or anything in between. With every inch of the globe susceptible to major storms, emergency preparedness is important.
Are you prepared?
Businesses along the coastal United States are aware that hurricane season is predictable. Every year from roughly May through the end of November, though the actual timing varies, it’s expected that a handful of hurricanes will impact life, and force us to consider everything from emergencies to contingencies.
Each year, an average number of 13 major storms, like hurricanes and tropical cyclones, impacts the North American coastal regions. Some storms, like Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, or more recently Hurricane Harvey in 2017, cause tens of billions of dollars in damage.
There are also storms that aren’t classified as major based on environmental impacts, but these still have the potential to impact daily life, especially with damage, power outages, and even temporary flooding. Some cities essentially shut down for days, or even weeks, after the winds calmed, the waters receded, and the sun shone again.
Insurance companies are quick to estimate damage regarding losses, including homes, cars, furniture, and personal items like clothing. Cities and utility companies can speak to the time estimated for restoring power to communities, and critical needs like clean drinking water and medical care. Organizations like the American Red Cross are quick to assist with food and clothing and personal care items like toothpaste and other hygiene help like mobile showers. The list goes on!
There is no “average cost per storm” because the number can’t be quantified. The cost of infrastructure damage is estimated for each instance, yes, but how can you determine the average impact of an occurrence with so many variables and so little that can be predicted?
If a storm or natural disaster affects the power grid, utility companies try to offer estimates until power is restored, yes, but the outage is felt with much deeper impact. Without power, a family loses lighting inside and out (from the bathroom overhead light to the streetlamps that offer guidance in the dark), but also the power to the refrigerator and stove for basic needs like meal preparation. From the commercial standpoint, a business losing power faces the same issues with the refrigerator in a break room, but much more critical items that may be impacted are digital elements like computer servers, email, and communication, as well as file access and data storage.
Even “low-tech” companies feel the crunch. Grocery stores that lose power have to dispose of all frozen and refrigerated items, representing thousands of dollars in revenue lost. When can power be restored? When can deliveries be made to replenish? When can petroleum stations resume fuel sales? When can families shop refill supplies for home? When can electronic payment transactions resume? Those “low-tech” companies are the same companies that supply resources to “high-tech” firms, like basic office supplies for daily operations. Everything is mutually reliant!
Preparedness is key. What can businesses do to protect themselves in case of a situation like this?
Know your risks.
Floods, lightning, hurricanes, tornados, extreme heat, tsunamis, landslides, fires and wildfires…a few of these may seem highly unlikely, but the more detailed your list is, the better prepared your business will be. Don’t wait until the flood waters are at your door, or a tornado watch has been issued, or a wildfire is encroaching and emergency services are banging on your door with evacuation orders and it’s too late!
Know your warning systems.
Local news and weather stations will be the most likely places to inform the immediate community, but these aren’t always the most accurate or reliable sources for information. A “weather radio” is a great investment, and preferably one by NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information from your closest National Weather Service station. Think about this: hurricanes give notice, but tornados don’t!
Have a communication plan.
If your organization is more than just you, have a plan in place with multiple methods to contact each person so that everyone can be reached. Is everyone safe? Does everyone know what is needed and expected of them, and if the workforce needs to be completely distributed until the eye of the storm passes?
Have a backup plan.
While more and more brands are moving to the cloud for data and file storage if any files or records are stored on-site or at a location where storms or natural disasters may impact operations, have a backup plan in place. By this, we mean have a plan to back up your data with a plan in place to safeguard this data. This plan could potentially eliminate your brand’s downtime, which directly translates to minimizing loss of revenue and maintaining continuity of processes.
Whose responsibility is it for maintaining these back-ups and contingencies, and what methods are in place for data or access restoration?
Protect yourself.
What safeguards do you have in place for both physical and digital protection during times of extreme situations? Nobody enjoys spending time worrying about the safety of an office or if their network is secure. Now is the time to assess these safeguards and update to minimize your overall risk.
Storms and natural disasters are not the only dangers we face that require contingency plans.
Did you know that cybercriminals have attempted to gain control of major infrastructure elements in the United States, like the power grid, systems that control water supply, aviation communication and control, and more? These threats give no warning but require equal efforts on your part for safeguard measures. What can you do in situations like this? The same list above applies!
Don’t wait until cybercriminals, weather, or a natural disaster is looming; make a plan now to be prepared IF something should happen and stay ahead of the proverbial storm. Steps you take now may well be the difference between survival and suffocation. Your contingency plan may just save your professional life!
by Felicien | Apr 9, 2018 | Education
Believe it or not, the primary purpose of technology is to improve our lives. Making your tech work to increase productivity and efficiency is the ultimate goal of every CEO – so take your first step today!
Technology can be fantastic! With the push of a button, the average person can:
Make a single cup of coffee
Toast bread or warm something in a microwave
Wash an entire load of dishes in a dishwasher
Adjust the temperature in a room or a car
Call someone on the telephone
Power a television on or off, and the list just goes on.
The push of a button can turn on a computer or smartphone, and the push of mouse or trackpad button can open an Internet browser or desktop application. You get the idea.
Microsoft wants to help and has pushed boundaries in technology over the last few decades. Today’s Microsoft is a far cry from the company that “started in a garage” in 1975. Based on the idea that technology could make using technology easier, Microsoft designed the predecessor to current-day operating systems. Since then, Microsoft has brought us the Microsoft Office Suite and a myriad of productivity software applications, as well as numerous desktop and laptop computers, tablet and smartphone devices, and gaming platforms for the consumer market – but you already know this. Today’s Microsoft is responsible for revolutionizing the workspace and mobilizing workforces around the globe. So long as we can connect to the Internet, we can connect with each other and communicate. Professional continuity is now 24/7, and productivity doesn’t stop.
From Word to Excel to Outlook, the staples of global professionals, Microsoft has brought us software applications that offer a promise of improving our lives with technology. The word processor replaced the typewriter, and the spreadsheet replaced the adding machine. Fast forward to Microsoft Office 365, the subscription-based service that supports absolute continuity with access to files from anywhere, unlocking professionals from their physical workspace or office-with-a-desk and opening up endless possibilities.
Enter OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Flow, and the variety of other applications that Microsoft has introduced in the last decade or so, and we think you’ll agree that Microsoft’s position has truly solidified into simplifying our lives with technology.
Have you tried OneNote?
Microsoft OneNote is a handy app that caters to the crowd that makes scribbles on little slips of paper or the corners of sheets in a notepad during meetings or while on calls. If your desk, wall, or any flat surface is covered with sticky notes, Microsoft OneNote was designed just for you. The simplistic nature of the app is deceptive – the app is designed to function in one way: collect your notes in one place for organized and cohesive thought collection. But what’s really cool is the open environment which Microsoft encourages! There are about 100 add-ins that OneNote users can access, or users can create their own add-in.
One of the developers over at Microsoft, in his spare time, created a cool add-in called Onetastic. Onetastic is a free add-on for Microsoft OneNote that extends – or adds – functionality for users in OneNote. What we now call add-ins would be considered hacks just a few years ago, but because they are designed with usefulness in mind, rather than malice, add-ins are a welcome addition to an application.
In the case of Onetastic, the add-in was designed by a Microsoft developer as a side project outside of the Microsoft realm. To get the Onetastic add-in, follow these steps:
Check for the most recent update of OneNote 2010 or OneNote 2013
You must be using the PC desktop version
Verify which version of Office you’re running:
Click “File” -> “Account” -> “About OneNote”
The first line of text, at the far right, will indicate 32-bit or 64-bit
Visit https://getonetastic.com/ and download the corresponding version of Onetastic
Documentation for this application add-in is currently available in about ten languages to support global productivity
Once the add-in has fully downloaded, restart OneNote
Users will see the add-in in the upper right of the ribbon
If you’re interested in Onetastic, there are several features that are favorites highlighted throughout the Onetastic portal. From calendars and quick tools to macros and shortcuts, here are a handful of features we think you’ll like best.
OneCalendar
The Onetastic add-in scans all of your Notes and organizes them for you in chronological order, and in a calendar view. Users can hover over each entry, and a modal will pop up with additional information and details about each Note.
This is an especially handy feature if you’re trying to remember a specific Note but can’t recall the exact date of the Note. Yes, you can search for the Note, but if you don’t have the search string to help you hunt the Note down, this is another way to discover it.
Pin to the Desktop
Ah, Pinterest – the innovative invention that digitized the concept of “pinning”. In OneNote, with Onetastic, users can pin a Note to the desktop or a Favorites list.
Custom Styles
OneNote doesn’t have the out-of-the-box built-in functionality of Styles or customization. Users have one set of Styles for headings and page titles, etc., but with Onetastic, users can create Styles very simply:
Select text
Save as “Custom Style”
Name the Style
Choose the attributes and formatting you’d like applied with the Style
Universal Adjustments
One item of caution with universal adjustments is that users will get a pop-up message with an alert that you won’t be able to undo a universal change or edit across multiple Notebooks. Universal adjustments will only apply to open Notebooks, and the user can select which Notebooks for these universal adjustments to apply.
One cool trick of Onetastic is the ability to slightly increase or decrease every font size on the page at one time. This is helpful and saves time given a user’s only other option is to select each section of text, one at a time, to increase or decrease the font size.
Users can search and highlight or replace text across pages or Notebooks.
Images
Microsoft gives users lots of tools and options for images in Word and Outlook, but extremely limited functionality in OneNote for images. Onetastic helps users with manipulation options.
Users can re-size an image by a percentage
Right-clicking on an image gives the user more options
A cool feature for users is the ability to select text from an image, copy just the text, and paste the text – for other documents, emails, etc.
Macros
What is a macro? A snippet of code or programming that takes adds on to an existing application by taking existing functionality or a series of existing functionalities within an application and perform these tasks very quickly.
“Super” users – users of any application that are very experienced with advanced tools – love macros. Users in OneNote have likely experimented with tables and other advanced functionalities, but the macro options that users have with the Onetastic add-in offer an entirely new universe of options.
Click the “Download Macros” button
Users are taken to a part of the Onetastic website called Macroland
Search and discover pre-made macros
Popular macros include:
Insert Monthly Calendar – create a quick calendar with a table in OneNote that adds a 7-column table with just a few options and the macro inserts a perfect calendar. Users can customize the physical size of the calendar.
Add a Table of Contents in the current Notebook, and your tabbed screen will have links to each page so you can quickly click from one OneNote to another using hotlinks for every tab in the Notebook
A macro called “Where Am I?” adds breadcrumbs, which are helpful in large Notebooks
Microsoft certainly tries to make all our dreams come true by simplifying our lives with technology, but where they leave gaps there are add-ins to help out. Check out the free tier of Onetastic today and try the features we list – and discover your new favorite ways to use OneNote!
