Never operate a computer without anti-virus software
Recent ransomware attacks highlight how appealing and lucrative these raids are to hackers. Ransomware is malicious software that installs itself on the computers on your network and encrypts all the files, making them inaccessible to your staff. On payment of the ransom, you typically receive a key consisting of a string of letters and numbers…
Competitive salaries, fitting benefits, flexible schedule, value-based hiring, and creativity
“We just can’t find anybody qualified to do the job for us.” This is a line I hear regularly in working with clients lately. In some parts of the country, there’s a drastic shortage of labour. That’s putting a strain on the ability of many leaders to fill spots in their organizations with qualified staff.…
By following our tips
Most of our focus these days is on digital marketing. We want to make sure we have a well-defined and easily found digital footprint. We pour lots of money into our websites, PPC ads, etc. It’s essential, though, that you not forget about marketing and promoting your business in the 3-D world as well. There…
Having trouble spotting trends in endless spreadsheets? Visual analytic tools can help
With its vast volumes, big data is useless without the analytic and presentation functionality of visual analytical tools. Think how difficult it is to spot anomalies or trends in endless rows of spreadsheet data. Visual analytic tools solve that overload problem. Big data is an in-vogue topic in the information technology world. Many executives see…
By understanding psychological barriers and working on them, we can achieve things thought impossible
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” – Henry Ford Take a look at most leaders and you’ll think that they have it all together. When they’re facing outward, many portray a sense of vision, assurance,…
The largest wealth transfer in history looms, and family-run businesses need to be ready
Stories about bitter feuds in family businesses are everywhere these days. From HBO’s Succession and The Righteous Gemstones to the recent feature film House of Gucci to the true story of infighting at Rogers Communications, the popular imagination can’t seem to get enough of sibling rivalry and other forms of strife in business families. Our fascination with such conflict is hardly…
Your employees can inadvertently be a cybercriminal’s best friend
When breaking through an organization’s security defences, employees who create vulnerabilities are a cybercriminal’s best friend. While technical security safeguards are essential, employees continue to be the weakest link when it comes to protecting corporate information from cybercriminals of various shapes, sizes and motivations. Cybercriminals regularly convince inattentive employees, through a phishing attack, to engage…
Your suppliers want you to succeed. When you're doing well, they’re more likely to succeed too
The relationships we have with suppliers are often critical to our success in business. But most business owners and managers don’t understand how to leverage those relationships for better results and increased profitability. Here are five ways to get the most from your suppliers: Invest in the relationship Your suppliers can make or break your…
Are your big data scientists running amuck?
Some organizations think that big data can only produce significant business benefits if delivered through big projects that require big investments and include big risks. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here’s a look at how to respond to the frequently-discussed issues that create avoidable anxiety and cause big data success to elude you.…
When we don’t care about clients, we create a culture of complacency that infects our whole organization
One of my in-laws spent two hours on hold with an airline company last week after his travel agent had spent four hours on hold with the same company. When I asked him about the experience, he said he was happy he didn’t have to wait longer and said the person who answered the phone…