Archive for April, 2011

Ensure your online safety with these tips

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

The recent Playstation security breach has opened many Internet users’ eyes to the importance of online security. If the wrong person gets their hands on your information, there is a possibility that the outcome could be harmful. Luckily, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to better protect your online identity.

 

Use an encrypted connection

Using an encrypted connection is an incredibly easy way to attain greater online security. Many websites, including most social networking sites, have recently adopted more secure connections, although you sometimes need to change the settings to get the extra level of security.

 

In order to see whether or not your connection is safe, check the URL. A secure connection will have a URL that begins with “https” instead of simply “http.” Unfortunately, all sites don’t use encrypted connections, so this is not always a possibility.

 

Use strong passwords

 

Strong passwords are quite easy to create and can make a tremendous difference in online security. Using a combination of numbers, symbols, spaces and upper- and lowercase letters can help to create a strong password. If you can’t see yourself using a lot of different characters, at least be sure to use a password that can’t easily be guessed.

 

 

Also, using a unique password for each site is vital. If you use the same password for multiple sites and one of those sites is hacked, you could be opening up all of your other accounts to hackers as well.

 

Look out for phishing

 

Phishing is quite a common practice because it so often works to help hackers obtain sensitive information. It is essentially when a hacker poses as a reliable business, such as a bank, to try to get your passwords, account numbers or usernames.

 

Epsilon’s recent data breach was a great example of the possibility of phishing. Their network was hacked into and thousands of names and email addresses were exposed, making thousands of people vulnerable to phishing attempts.

 

 

These three tips are particularly easy to follow and do not take much work on your part. If you are interested in a few more tips, check out this article.

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Doing business from the road can be tricky – simplify it with these tips

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Many people travel regularly for business. Unfortunately, many business travelers don’t know how to be most productive while they’re on the road. We have put together a list of tools and tricks that can help you to be more productive and keep your work and devices safe while you’re on the go.

Tools for easier travel

There are hundreds of tools out there that are made to make your business travel easier. From computer bags to organizational apps, the possibilities are practically endless.

One tool that can take a lot of stress out of traveling is TripIt. It is an app that organizes all of the travel information for you. You can email your itinerary to TripIt and it keeps track of your flight times, hotel information, and frequent flier numbers, all in one place.

Good luggage is also vital. It makes getting through the airport easier and can help keep you organized – a big plus when you’re doing business on the road. These are some key features to look for in your luggage:

  • Laptop compartment – It’s best to have a separate compartment for your laptop so that finding it at security, or even once you get to your destination, is a breeze. Nobody enjoys being the person who’s holding up the security line.

  • A wire pouch – Having a specific spot to place all of your chargers and other wires is perfect for anyone with lots of gadgets. You no longer have to wonder where you placed everything, as there is a designated pocket for it.

  • Convertibility – A convertible bag is best for someone who goes on a variety of business trips. If you need to carry everything through the airport one day and carry only your laptop the next, finding a bag that can serve both purposes is beneficial.

Security tools

It can be nerve racking to travel with all of your worldly possessions and then be required to leave them unattended in the hotel room or unfamiliar office all day. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools such as laptop locks that can keep your devices secure. You can also use personal safes to keep all of your smaller items secure.

Typically, it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to securing your belongings. Place your items in a safe or lock them up whenever you can in order to reduce your stress level. For other security tips, take a look at this article.

Boosting productivity

Oftentimes, we are less productive when we’re traveling because we are in unfamiliar settings. We often work fastest when we are at our own desks, with our usual mouse, keyboard and other tools. There are certain items, however, that can make on-the-go productivity much less difficult to achieve.

For most jobs, it’s essential to have Internet access, particularly when you are away from your coworkers. Some hotels do not have access to the Internet, and if that is the case you should consider bringing a wireless card or mobile Wi-Fi device that would let you easily access the Internet and your email.

Finally, consider bringing a back pillow. Hotel desk chairs are generally not ergonomic and can be seriously painful for your back if you sit in them for too long. Back pillows generally aren’t too bulky and can make all the difference when you’re working in an unfamiliar chair.

Although productivity can be hard to attain while on the road, it’s imperative in order to be successful. Luckily, tools like these can help make it possible.

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Tips for conducting virtual meetings

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

Although many prefer face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings are a popular part of today’s business environment. It is vital, however, to consider certain things when you’re conducting these meetings.

Etiquette is the key to most meetings, and it’s no different with those of the virtual variety. This may seem rather obvious, but many people think they can be more casual during virtual meetings – and that isn’t always the case.

Below you will find several additional tips that can help your virtual meetings go more smoothly.

1. Be prepared

Preparedness is vital for any meeting, virtual or not. When you’re conducting a virtual meeting, it can be easy to forget who your audience is. You want to make sure that the information you’re presenting is appropriate for each participant.

Also, ensure that everybody invited to the meeting has the appropriate login information. If the invitees can’t actually access the meeting, the entire function is lost.

2. Engage participants

Although it might seem normal to jump right into the presentation, taking a moment to introduce participants can go a long way. This helps build relationships, and makes the meeting feel less rushed.

Although it may seem somewhat cliché, it is always helpful to give people the chance to share a little personal information – such as the highlight of their weekend, or a fun fact. It may seem awkward at first, but it will go a long way in making people feel more connected to the other participants.

3. No side conversations

Side conversations can be extremely distracting to all participants, even if you’re not on screen at the moment. Not only can side conversations grab the focus of the presenter, it can distract other attendees and deter from the point of the meeting.

These are just a few of many tips for conducting virtual meetings. If you’d like to check out even more tips, take a look at this Inc. article.

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Is an e-reader ideal for you?

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

E-readers have become very popular recently. Those who use them love them for their convenience and portability. Everybody doesn’t share their enthusiasm, however. There are quite a few things to take into consideration before you decide if an e-reader is right for you.

 

What are the choices?

The Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble Nook are some of the most popular of the e-readers. Although some e-readers have Internet capabilities, their main purpose is to display e-books.

 

Some people are also utilizing tablets like the iPad for their e-reader capabilities. However, these tablets generally do much more than just display e-books.

 

Pros

  • E-readers are extremely portable, which is perfect for anyone who likes to read during vacation or a business trip
  • Yet another travel perk – if you are in a foreign country, you can still download an e-book in the language you choose, instead of looking for an accommodating bookstore.
  • Books are often cheaper than you will find in regular bookstores.
  • Privacy – you most likely don’t want everyone to know if you’re reading a self-help book. If you’re using an e-reader, they won’t be able to tell.
  • All of your books are in a single place.

 

Cons

  • Depending on the style of e-reader or tablet, you may not be able to read in direct sunlight because of screen glare.
  • Cost – even though you might pay less for books than you normally would, e-readers usually cost more than $140.
  • If you’re accustomed to shopping in used bookstores, these books will cost much more than you’re used to spending.
  • Lending books isn’t always a possibility.
  • All of your books are in one location – if you lose your e-reader, you’re losing all of your books unless you buy a replacement.

 

Overall, when you’re figuring out whether or not an e-reader meets your needs, it’s all about personal preference. Some prefer the simplicity of having all of their books in one convenient device. Others prefer the weight and feel of a book and like to show off the books they’ve read on a bookshelf somewhere.

 

For more insight into the debate between e-readers and traditional books check out this article.

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Keep your employees motivated with these 4 tips

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

Inspiring employees can often be hard to do when you’re running a small business. Funds are often limited and there is not a lot of time to spare. Keeping your employees inspired, however, is imperative to the success of your business.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to inspire employees that don’t include big bonuses. A little creativity can go a long way in terms of showing employee appreciation. Here are a few excellent, simple ideas:

1. Ask for input

It means a whole lot to most employees to know that their thoughts and opinions are taken into consideration. By asking for input and applying the best suggestions, you are showing them that you cherish their opinions and that they play a significant role in the company.  For example, at CNS a few employees got together recently to preview our health care options for our renewal.

2. Change it up

Often repetition can lead to a reduction in motivation. When this happens, it’s important to remember the cause for the tapering motivation and mix things up a little. If you know an employee is willing to exercise a certain skill, try giving him or her a project that allows for that. It can be anything, from a technical project for a new customer to an internal project, such as planning the holiday party.

3. Focus on a great company culture

Some of the best companies to work at are the ones that employees feel are unique. Building a great company culture can actually be quite simple and may help you to find and retain strong employees. A game room where employees may take a break and decompress when they’re feeling burned out can do wonders.  At CNS, we take pride in our company culture program we call Attitude!.

4. Recognize people for a job well done

One of the biggest possible motivators is acknowledging your employees for doing a good job. When you’re working away at something and feel like nobody appreciates it, it can make your effort seem completely pointless – regardless of its effect on the company.

Something as simple as a company-wide email highlighting their accomplishments can re-ignite motivation and make employees want to continue working hard. Although the attention may embarrass some, many people like to know that others appreciate their effort. At CNS we reward people every month with “kudos” written by management; every quarter with Attitude! awards; and every year with a President’s Award.

All of these techniques are simple, affordable and can do wonders when it comes to motivating employees. Consider one or two of these ideas to see how they may affect employee morale and motivation.

For more examples of inexpensive employee motivators, check out this article.

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Getting a Lot of SPAM Lately? Thank a Major Marketing Firm

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Over the past few days I’ve been monitoring a pretty major security breach at Internet marketer Epsilon. This firm is hired by many Fortune 500 companies for email marketing campaigns. While the breach only revealed email addresses, the risk for virus and spyware infection is great. In a nutshell, millions of legitimate email addresses from Citibank, Verizon, Chase Bank, Best Buy and many other companies have been released to spammers, who may now pelt you with seemingly legitimate emails that will infect your computer. To avoid this, follow the following safety guidelines:

  1. Be aware of the emails you are receiving on a regular basis. If it is not normal for your bank to email you, DO NOT CLICK A LINK IN THE MESSAGE. Rather, login to the main website and find the information the long way. You will most likely find the reason for emailing you is false.
  2. Mouse over (DON’T CLICK) the link in the email and look at the Status bar in the lower left hand corner where the link will be displayed again. Does it match? Is it going to the right company’s web site?
  3. If you do click the link and you notice the website is different than what you thought, you most likely have been infected (it can happen that fast) and you will need make sure the machine is properly cleaned using a virus and mal-ware scanner. Your best bet it to contact your IT help desk in a business or use free tools like (Avast! Anti-Virus and Malware Bytes). If you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help!
  4. Do not ever, EVER, E-V-E-R share any personal, financial information over the Internet unless you have typed the URL in yourself and are confident in the legitimacy of the site. Treat your logins in this same manner.
  5. Look for the Lock! Any reputable company that asks for any personal or financial information will encrypt the connection with an SSL certificate. You’ll know the connection is encrypted by the lock that appears next to the address bar, the link will change to say httpS:// and in many cases, the address bar may even turn green to show that the site is legitimate.
  6. Make sure your security software is running and updated at all times.
  7. The best advice of all – never click a link in an email from an untrusted or unsolicited source.

For more information about the breach, click here: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/market-news/epsilon-security-breach-protect-your-p/19901868/

For help cleaning your computer or any questions about the security tips above, contact CNS.

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