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Life is Attractive

February 9, 2016 by Lindsey Tolino

We’re disheartened and discouraged when there is a lack of life. My husband and I have been searching for a house lately and the ones that are run down and neglected are inherently less attractive than the shiny, polished, inhabited homes. This is because life, and signs of life, are attractive.

We see how life is attractive on social media too. When it looks like people are alive and well, it’s attractive. When they show how their life is creating more life or how they’re breathing life into things, it’s attractive. We want to be near life, we want to be a part of life, we want to bring life.

What does this mean for your business?

If you want your business to be attractive, it needs life. It needs to be evident that your business is both living and giving life. But some businesses look dead, right? They haven’t changed their marquee in years. They haven’t posted on social media in months. Their office lacks life, not just from lack of activity, but also the culture among the staff. They don’t look alive.

When my husband and I look at abandoned homes, we can’t help but wonder if something is inherently wrong with the property. Why else would it have been left to rot? Isn’t it the same in business as well? When businesses seem dead, we worry about their quality.

And so, we want to make sure our businesses are evidently alive. What are some ways we can do that?

We can make sure our businesses show signs of life. We shouldn’t over-automate social media. We need to make sure we are interacting in real, personal ways with people, not just sending auto-replys. We need to change our marquees, update our websites and refresh our storefronts every once and awhile.
We can make sure we are breathing life into our resources. When we creatively use resources, we demonstrate a living, creative business.
We can make sure we are giving life. It should be evident through our interactions with employees and customers that we’re giving them life, instead of sucking it out of them. This could mean anything from literally giving customers some life back by saving them time during check-out to making sure your employees know you appreciate them.

Life is inherently attractive. Let’s make sure our businesses are irresistibly alive.

Cover image info: Original, royalty-free image from Kaboompics.

About the author: Lindsey Tolino comes alongside artisans, craftsman and people monetizing their passions to help them create healthy businesses. She shares her heart at ToBusinessOwners.com. Follow her on Twitter @LindseyTolino.

Your Company’s Data Can’t Be Breached

February 6, 2016 by Thomas

You’ve likely seen the stories in the news in recent years about company’s having their personal and customer data breached.

Whether it is major players like Sony and Target or smaller businesses that you have never heard of before, the financial damages have been staggering at times. Worse yet, a company’s trust with consumers can be severely crippled, leading it to have to try and win back many of those customers.

So, have you taken a look at your Internet security procedures, reviewing where you are strongest and where you need to do some work?

If not, think about how just one data security breach against your company could impact how you go about doing business in 2016 and hopefully beyond.

Security System Reviews

In order to lower the odds of your brand falling victim to a data breach, remember these key tidbits:

Security protection – First and foremost, do you have the proper security system in place to better thwart identity theft thieves? If not, look to see what is available on the market that will best suit your needs. Just as consumers can turn to an ITP Bureau or other such providers who can offer them critical information to protect against identity theft, business owners must do likewise, especially those who run online stores etc. Such a provider has a rating system in place to assess important factors that individuals would take into account when looking for a service to signal warning signs and ultimately thwart identity theft attacks;
Employee awareness – Given the fact those you employ (consider yourself the employee if you run a one-person small business) are your first line of defense against identity theft thieves, it is crucial that those on the frontlines stand guard against any data breach attempts. Yes, identity theft thieves are some of the smartest criminals on the lot, but they can be thwarted with the right security plan. Employees must be aware of and report any suspicious attempts to hack company computers. From questionable emails asking to download attachments to leaving company and customer data exposed in public places when employees might be working in a library, café or while on the road traveling for work, there are myriad of options for hackers to try and break-in to a company’s computer system. It is important that you have the same rigid standards regarding data protection in place for your mobile employees, including those you outsource work to. Whenever any of those employees leave your employ, make sure you change-up username and password entries into your system. While most of those who leave your employ are not ones to worry about, remember, just one identity theft thief can do a world of damage, including those who once might have been on your payroll. Lastly, properly assign customer and company data, so that not all employees have access to the most sensitive items. For example, there is no reason for someone on your marketing team to need access to customer financials, log-ins to customer sites etc. Be sure only those with a need for such data have access to it, along with making sure they do not share it with others in the company;
Are your providers truly secure? – Never overlook the importance of partnering with secure web hosting providers and others in the technology chain of your business. Any third parties you do business with should be required to sign a form indicating they have necessary security in place to oversee your company’s pertinent data. Also look at data encryption, including the idea of encrypting your company’s email when sensitive information is being passed around;
Review and remove – Finally, it is imperative that your company reviews its security procedures and those you do business with on a regular basis. Just like you should be reviewing your company culture from time to time, the same holds true for your company’s security procedures. Search for cracks in the armor, with the plan to fix such holes. Also remove any online data that is no longer of use to your business. This also means properly discarding any and all paper trails as it relates to company and customer data.

With all the different avenues that data breaches can come from, it may seem at times a tad overwhelming for you and your business to stay one step ahead of hackers.

Given all you and your brand stand to lose if a data breach is successfully committed against your business, make sure you’re prepared to stop hackers in their tracks.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology topics on the web.

The most important thing you can focus on today

February 4, 2016 by Rosemary

Have you ever heard the phrase, “all hat and no cattle?”

It’s a colorful description for someone who looks the part, dresses the part, but who actually has no substance.

If you spend all of your time on sales, marketing, PR, website, meetings, and accounting, you’re short-changing something extremely important: your actual product.

You will only achieve true business success when you maximize the time you spend improving your product or service.

All the rest is cowboy hat. Yes, it keeps the sun off your face, but it’s not the THING.

The THING is your service and the customers who buy it. (I’m not saying your customers are cattle…it’s just an analogy, folks!)

So prioritize, and focus on:

Customer ideation, getting actionable feedback
Adding features or services, actively innovating
Talking directly to your customers one-on-one
Re-looking at your offerings with fresh eyes, staying on top of market developments

Put these things in the back seat until the stuff above is done:

Reading Facebook posts
Coffee meetings (unless it’s with a customer)
Webinars on how to use Periscope
Fiddling with a new accounting software every week

If you keep your customer as your guiding star, it becomes simple to focus, and prioritize how you spend your day.

Another way to look at priorities is something I heard Becky McCray (of Small Biz Survival) say during a GeniusShared conference: “Do the things that generate actual revenue first.”

If you do that consistently, you are always building your business.

So stop worrying whether you need to get a SnapChat account, and go take a look at your product. Go get on the phone with one of your customers.

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for Social Strata — makers of the Hoop.la community platform. Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Featured image via Flickr CC: Dave Young

Take Your Web Browsing to New and Safe Heights

February 3, 2016 by Thomas

With all the concerns in recent years over website security, you would think more businesses would make it their number one focus.

Sadly, however, there are still too many companies who fail to put the right time and effort into thwarting hackers at the front door of their computer systems.

As a result, these businesses leave themselves open to an attack, an attack which oftentimes has devastating public relations and financial repercussions.

As 2016 enters its second month, is this the year that you and your brand take a stand against hackers? If so, what are some means by which to do just that?

Have a Plan and Execute It

In order for your business to improve its odds of keeping hackers away from your brand, you must have a plan and execute it.

Part of the plan is regularly checking to see where your business might be most vulnerable (your website, in-house computers, social media etc.) and knowing how to limit the odds of being hit.

To start with, having total freedom in web browsing does come with a price, a price that you must be willing to pay.

Look at the size of your company and exactly how many employees (you might be the only member) are actively engaged online on a daily basis. With that, see where the cracks and holes may be, problems that could lead you to being the most vulnerable to hackers.

Among the potential problem areas to explore:

Working with a web hosting company who does not put an emphasis on security;
Allowing employees too much freedom on social media;
Falling victim to scams that compromise your computer network’s integrity.

In looking at just these three potential problems, first know who you are working with.

If your web hosting company is lackadaisical when it comes to protecting your website, it is time to find a new provider.

Ask them if they regularly do security checks to see what the latest tactics hackers are trying to implement. Does the provider also monitor your website on a regular basis, looking for anything out of the ordinary? Finally, what protocols do they have in place in the event your website is hacked? A provider that acts right away instead of when they get around to it is the one you want to opt for.

Next, how much freedom do your workers have when it comes to surfing the web during the business day?

Should Your Business Be More Social?

Some companies allow for a reasonable amount of time on social media and other approved sites, while other businesses all but forbid it.

You have to decide early on if your employees will be allowed certain Internet freedoms in the office or if they will be asked to focus squarely on their jobs. Keep in mind that social media usage by your workers can actually help promote your brand, so don’t be too fast to discount how it can help you.

On the flip side, social media can pose a danger to you and your business when used improperly.

For example, if one or more of your employees are using social media to discuss company operations, client data etc., a hacker can easily manipulate the conversation and gain access to your computer system.

The same holds true if someone with ill intent sends you a job application/resume. They could post a fake social media link on their resume, hoping you or someone in your office will download it. Once that happens, malware could be installed in your system, allowing hackers to gain access to company and/or client data that should never go public.

One final area to look at is the sites you and/or your employees browse.

Some sites may look innocent, but they in fact can be downright dangerous for your computer/s.

If you are the least bit suspicious about a site you or an employee comes across or someone proposing you download an attachment that just doesn’t feel right, plot the safer course and just avoid it.

Building and refining your brand takes time and effort.

Staying one step ahead of hackers should never be something you take lightly, especially in a day and age where the web is full of people with misguided intentions.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology topics on the web.

10 Life-Changing Ways to Become More Business Savvy

January 28, 2016 by Rosemary

(Updated in 2020)

When I look to hire a new employee, one of the key skills I look for is savvy. It goes beyond education, beyond experience, and beyond talent.

Here’s Google’s definition of savvy:

shrewd and knowledgeable in the realities of life.

synonyms:

shrewd, astute, sharp-witted, sharp, acute, adroit, intelligent, clever,canny, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, sage, wise

People can be savvy about different things— social, political, business, tech, cultural. One of the cool things about savvy is that it can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective. Captain Jack Sparrow is fond of using the verb form, meaning “understand?”

In the entrepreneurial world, if you find a partner or employee with business savvy, you’ve struck gold. You’ve found someone who is resourceful, quick, and probably a leader too.

I recently saw a rant by Gary Vaynerchuk about why people over 40 should be more entrepreneurial, (warning there is a tiny bit of profanity in the video) and he touched on this exact quality. People with a lifetime of actual experience naturally build up savvy. They have learned to adapt to different situations because they’ve been through them. They have context.

But don’t assume that savvy is restricted to the over-40 crowd. Practical experience helps build savvy, but you can encounter young people who are “savvy savants.” Often they are referred to as “old souls.”

How to Become More Business Savvy

Look beneath the surface in any situation; don’t immediately accept things at face value.
Pick up skills intentionally. Communication skills, in particular, contribute to savvy.
Take note of things going on around you. Perceptive is another synonym for savvy.
Don’t be afraid to go against the herd.
Apply insider knowledge to your advantage (like using curbside checkin at the airport instead of inside counter help).
Don’t ignore etiquette; pay attention to the details of social graces, which apply even more in business situations.
Do a lot more listening than talking.
Humility is important, but don’t be a doormat. Savvy people look for a win-win whenever they can. It’s not always about getting an advantage for yourself.
Take time to learn about cultural differences.
Be the most prepared person in the room.

Do you consider yourself a savvy business person? What qualities do you feel make someone savvy?

The Business of Helping Former Military Members

January 28, 2016 by Thomas

Retiring from a military position and moving into civilian life can be a challenge.

It’s a big transition, and if a veteran decides to stay in the work force, the question is what is a good career to take a look at?

Because many military personnel retire at a young age, they still want to work.

More and more companies are making it a higher priority to hire military vets; some that are known for doing a strong here are GE, USAA and Verizon.

Home Inspection – An example of a viable option

Some veterans may choose a career that they can do on their own rather than working for a big corporation, and that’s a good option, too.

One career to take a look at surprisingly could be a home inspector.

Here are 4 Reasons Why Home Inspecting is a Great Career Choice for Vets:

Low Startup Cost – You can start with some basic things like a laptop and a clear space to work – which can even be your kitchen table. Many jobs have higher start-up costs, but with home inspection, it’s fairly low. You will have to pay for training and licensing, but that should quickly come back to you;
Low Overhead – Once you’ve got your business going, it won’t cost much to keep it running. You don’t really need an office to pay rent on or anyone else working with you who you’d have to pay. You’re biggest expenses may be keeping your memberships current and paying for tools and mileage;
Education is easy – Licensing is fairly easy and can be flexible. You can do this at your convenience when it makes sense for you and on your own timeline;
Convenience – You can schedule your own hours and take time off when you need it. You can take clients and appointments on as you see fit, and you are the one who can best know what you can handle so you can keep your schedule manageable. You can set your hours and provide the freedom that may work so well for you.

Whether you are looking at a career in a big corporation, a small business or running your own business, you have some great options.

With a military background, you have excellent training and skills at the ready.

Now you can start something new that provides you convenience and satisfaction.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Heather Legg is an independent writer who covers topics related to social media, small business and education.