The Russia-Ukraine conflict has influenced the global economy.  The US and its allies have started the financial war against Russia by launching a series of unprecedented sanctions.  The West froze foreign reserves at the start of 2022, expanded banking restrictions, and removed Russian banks from Swift, a company used for cross-border payments.  U.S. companies have suspended operations in Russia and companies attempting to continue business operations cannot send capital or take profits out.  Sanctions are a non-military option to influence geopolitical events and are applicable beyond the enforcing of a nation’s borders. 

Sanctions can be ineffective because they must be applied aggressively to prompt change and often affect vulnerable populations more than the target government.  Russia is deeply integrated into global markets and this sudden economic isolation may have massive impacts around the world.  Russia has taken aggressive action to try and stabilize its currency in the face of sanctions.  Concerned Russian citizens began to invest in gold and other precious metals for some sense of financial security. 

How does this conflict impact your finances?  The United States imposed restrictions on exports and oil imports.  Russia is the 2nd highest producer of crude oil in the world, so gas prices have risen.  Ukraine is one of the world’s largest producers of wheat and grain, so you can expect higher prices for grain, beer, bread, and more.  Gold is often considered a low-risk investment in times of market volatility, and gold can be a great hedge against uncertainty.

Sales departments in companies of all sizes can benefit from using visual workflow software. By automating and streamlining sales processes, businesses can improve efficiency and close more deals. In addition, by using data visualization features, businesses can track progress and performance, identify issues and areas for improvement, and make better-informed decisions.

Here are some businesses that can benefit from using visual workflow software:

1. E-commerce businesses

In order to streamline the sales process and reduce cart abandonment, e-commerce businesses can use visual workflow software to automate tasks such as sending follow-up emails and providing customer support.

2. SaaS companies

SaaS companies can use visual workflow software to automate the process of onboarding new customers and providing them with support. In addition, SaaS companies can use data visualization features to track customer engagement and identify areas for improvement.

3. Online marketers

Online marketers can use visual workflow software to automate the process of lead generation and lead nurturing. In addition, online marketers can use data visualization features to track the performance of marketing campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

4. Web design agencies

Web design agencies can use visual workflow software to streamline the process of designing and developing websites for their clients. In addition, web design agencies can use data visualization features to track the progress of projects and identify areas for improvement.

5. Social media agencies

Social media agencies can use visual workflow software to automate the process of creating and managing social media campaigns for their clients. In addition, social media agencies can use data visualization features to track the performance of social media campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

6. Event planning companies

Event planning companies can use visual workflow software to streamline the process of planning and managing events. In addition, event planning companies can use data visualization features to track the progress of projects and identify areas for improvement.

7. Recruiting agencies

Recruiting agencies can use visual workflow software to streamline the process of recruiting candidates for their clients. In addition, recruiting agencies can use data visualization features to track the performance of their recruitment campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

8. PR firms

PR firms can use visual workflow software to automate the process of creating and managing PR campaigns for their clients. In addition, PR firms can use data visualization features to track the performance of PR campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

9.Law Firms

Law firms can use visual workflow software to automate the process of managing their cases. In addition, law firms can use data visualization features to track the progress of cases and identify areas for improvement

10. Non-profit organizations

Non-profit organizations can use visual workflow software to automate the process of managing donations and organizing fundraising events. In addition, non-profit organizations can use data visualization features to track the progress of their fundraising campaigns and identify areas for improvement.

By using visual workflow software, businesses can improve efficiency and close more deals. In addition, by using data visualization features, businesses can track progress and performance, identify issues and areas for improvement, and make better-informed decisions.

Organizations are always searching for ways to improve employee productivity. In today’s business environment, technology plays a big role in how productive employees can be. Therefore, it’s important for businesses to have a reliable and effective IT infrastructure in place.

One way to ensure that your organization has a top-notch IT infrastructure is to invest in managed IT services. Managed IT services can help improve employee productivity in a number of ways.

1. Increased communication and collaboration

One of the biggest benefits of managed IT services is that they can help improve communication and collaboration between employees. By having a central point of contact for all IT needs, employees can easily get in touch with each other to discuss projects or problems. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity as well as better problem-solving.

if communication fails  between employees, it can lead to big problems. Managed IT services can help prevent these types of communication breakdowns from happening.

2. Improved access to information

Managed IT services can also help improve employee productivity by providing them with better access to information. When employees have easy and quick access to the information they need, they are able to work more efficiently and effectively. This can lead to increased productivity as well as improved decision-making.

When information is spread out across different departments or locations, it can be difficult for employees to access the data they need. Managed IT services can help bring this information together so that employees can easily find and use it.

3. More focus on core business functions

When businesses outsource their IT needs to a managed service provider, they free up resources that can be better used to focus on core business functions. This can lead to increased employee productivity as well as improved business results.

More time equals more productivity. When businesses outsource their IT needs, they can focus on other tasks that need to be completed. This can lead to increased employee productivity and improved business results.

4. Increased flexibility and scalability

Managed IT services can also help businesses to be more flexible and scalable. This means that businesses can easily add or remove services as needed, which can lead to increased employee productivity.

By having options, customers can be more easily served. This can lead to less frustration, and in turn, increased productivity from employees. You can save yourself and customers time and money.

5. Improved disaster recovery

Finally, managed IT services can help improve employee productivity by providing improved disaster recovery. When businesses have a reliable and effective disaster recovery plan in place, they can quickly get back up and running after a disaster, which can minimize downtime and lost productivity.

Managed IT services can provide a number of benefits to businesses, all of which can lead to increased employee productivity. If you’re looking for ways to improve the productivity of your employees, investing in managed IT services is a great option.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, businesses must take data security seriously. Compassion and care for your business means protecting your customers’, employees’, and vendors’ information from cybercrime. As cybersecurity becomes more and more  complex, it can be difficult to keep up with the best practices for data security.

Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of four tips for securing your business data:

1. Develop a comprehensive security strategy.

Your security strategy should take into account all potential threats to your data, including hacking, malware, and physical theft. By identifying all possible risks, you can develop a more comprehensive security plan.

The first step in setting up this strategy would be  to conduct a risk assessment. This will help you determine which security measures are necessary to protect your data. You’ll be better off if you have a plan in place before an incident occurs.

2. Implement strong authentication measures.

One of the most important aspects of data security is ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive information. Strong authentication measures, such as two-factor authentication, can help you achieve this.

Two-factor authentication requires users to provide two pieces of identifying information before they are granted access to a system. This could include something they know, like a password, and something they have, like a security token.

By doing this, you can be sure that only authorized users will be able to access your data.

3. Encrypt your data.

Data encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect information from cybercriminals. By encrypting data, you make it unreadable by anyone who doesn’t have the encryption key.

When encrypting data, you should use a strong encryption algorithm, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). You should also generate a new encryption key for each file or piece of data you encrypt.

This also includes any data that is in transit, such as emails or files being transferred between devices. You can use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt data while it is in transit.

4. Train your employees on security best practices.

Your employees are one of your biggest assets, but also one of your greatest risks when it comes to data security. They can help you identify potential threats and take steps to prevent them.

Make sure your employees are aware of basic security measures, such as not sharing passwords and not downloading files from unknown sources. You should also provide them with more comprehensive training on data security best practices on an ongoing basis.

By following these tips, you can help keep your business data safe from cybercriminals. However, data security is an ongoing process, and you should regularly review your security measures to ensure they are effective.

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) are always looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. One way to do this is by moving to the cloud. 

Cloud migration can be a smart financial move for SMBs because it can help them save money on infrastructure and other costs, while also providing them with greater flexibility and scalability.

In fact, a recent study by Forbes Insights found that nearly two-thirds of SMBs are already using cloud-based applications and services. And of those who aren’t currently using the cloud, nearly 60% said they plan to do so within the next 12 months.

Cost

So what’s driving this migration? For many SMBs, it simply comes down to cost savings. The upfront investment in cloud infrastructure can be expensive, but it’s often more than offset by the long-term savings on things like hardware, maintenance, and energy costs.

One way that SMBs can save money with cloud migration is by using a pay-as-you-go model. With this type of pricing, businesses only pay for the resources they use, which can be a major savings compared to traditional on-premises infrastructure.

In addition, SMBs can avoid upfront costs associated with buying and maintaining on-premises hardware and software.

Flexibility

Another big factor is the increased flexibility that comes with cloud-based applications and services.

The cloud provides SMBs with the ability to scale up or down as needed, without having to make a significant investment in new hardware and software. This can be a major advantage for businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations in demand.

Security

And then there’s the issue of security. The cloud is often seen as a more secure environment than on-premises data centers, thanks to the increased level of control and visibility that cloud providers offer.

SMBs need to make sure that their data will be safe and secure in the cloud. This can be achieved by working with a reputable and experienced cloud provider.

All of these factors add up to one thing: Cloud migration is a smart financial move for SMBs. If you’re thinking about making the switch, now is the time to do it.

The way in which you go about recruiting new hires can be an intense and nuanced process. It’s no longer as simple as throwing a job posting up on Indeed or LinkedIn. Employers have to work to attract solid candidates.

Recruitment marketing has changed drastically over the years, and more so now that company cultures have changed since the onset of the pandemic.

The way your brand is portrayed is paramount.

People are getting more and more picky about where they would like to work as industries become more competitive.

Having a strong brand presence from the start is vital to success in drawing in candidates.

A candidate who can clearly see what a company’s mission and goals are and if they align with their own are more likely to gravitate towards that company when looking at potential jobs.

They also want to know what it’s like to work for you. Highlight employee testimonies on your website and social media. Put emphasis on things your company offers that others may not, such as covering gym memberships, flexible schedules, or other non-salary incentives.

It’s not about a short relationship.

The biggest opportunity in recruiting comes from building strong long term relationships with candidates.

You’ll want to work to capture a candidate’s information so that if they are not the right fit for a current open position, they can be easily reached in the event a future position that suits them better becomes available.

Wouldn’t it be nice to already have a pool of candidates at your fingertips when hiring for a new position because you’ve already sourced them through previous recruitment efforts?

Data will tell you all you need to know.

As you post jobs and gather candidates, you’ll want to keep track of hard data surrounding that. Where did you place a job posting that brought in the highest quality candidates? What job posting garnered the most attention?

Keeping track of these things will better inform the way in which you post opportunities in the future. It will also help you bring in higher quality candidates to make the hiring process more seamless.

The candidate experience should be personalized.

It’s crucial to provide an engaging experience for a candidate nowadays, and may make all the difference if they have several employers they are considering working for.

Candidates expect you to know who they are and not see them as just another resume in a big pile of them.

Every touch point you have with the candidate should reflect your company’s values and show in some way that you are aware of who they are as an individual.

Use personal engagement instead of blanket emails or correspondence.

Cater to the mobile side of things.

We are constantly on the go these days, and we bring our technology with us. Optimize the way you advertise jobs for mobile platforms, as many people will be looking at your postings on their phone.

Ensure the way in which potential candidates look at job qualifications and submit information is easy to do in a mobile capacity. If they find themselves frustrated at the onset of applying, odds are that frustration will carry through the whole potential hiring process.

Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals try to trick you into giving them sensitive information or money. They may do this by pretending to be a trusted organization or person, or by creating fake websites and emails that look real.

There are many different types of phishing scams, but some of the most common include:

Email Phishing

One of the most common types of phishing is email phishing. This is where scammers send out emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company or organization, in an attempt to get you to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on your computer or device.

Website Phishing

Website phishing is another common type of phishing, where scammers create fake websites that look almost identical to a legitimate website. They then share these fake websites with people, in an attempt to get them to enter their personal information, such as their login details or credit card number.

SMS Phishing

SMS phishing (also known as smishing) is a type of phishing where scammers send text messages that look like they’re from a legitimate company or organization, in an attempt to get you to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on your phone.

Social Media Phishing

Social media phishing is a type of phishing where scammers create fake social media accounts or posts, in an attempt to get people to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on their computer or device.

Phone Call Phishing

Phone call phishing (also known as vishing) is a type of phishing that uses voice messages or phone calls instead of emails. The criminals will call you and pretend to be from a legitimate organization, such as your bank. They may try to trick you into giving them sensitive information or transferring money to them.

How to avoid phishing scams

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from phishing scams:

Never click on links in emails or text messages from people or organizations you don’t know. If you’re not sure if an email is real, go to the organization’s website directly instead of clicking on the link in the email.

Be cautious of any emails or text messages that contain spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. These are often signs that the message is not from a legitimate source.

Never enter sensitive information, such as your login details or credit card number, on a website that you’re not sure is real. If you’re not sure if a website is legitimate, look for signs that it is secure, such as a URL that starts with “https” and a green padlock icon.

Install cyber security measures , such as antivirus software and a firewall, on your computer or device. These will help to protect you from malware.

Keep your software and operating system up to date, as updates often include security patches that can protect you from new types of attacks.

We all know that feeling. You run into an issue with your computer, smartphone, or another type of technology and realize you need professional help. But then you start to think about the cost.

How much is this going to set me back and Is it really worth it?

For many people, these thoughts lead to one conclusion: it’s not worth it. They would rather suffer through the problem or try to find a workaround than pay for professional IT services. After all, those services can be expensive – especially if you need on-site support or repairs.

But what many people don’t realize is that there are ways to get affordable IT services. And in most cases, the benefits of professional help far outweigh the cost.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re trying to decide if IT services are worth the investment.

Does it Fit Your Budget?

First, it’s important to understand that not all IT service providers charge the same rates. Some companies charge by the hour while others charge a flat rate for certain services. There are also companies that offer monthly plans that include unlimited IT support.

So, if you’re worried about the cost, it’s important to do your research and find a provider that fits your budget.

Will it Save Money in the Long Run?

Second, keep in mind that preventative IT support can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if you have a monthly plan that includes unlimited IT support, you can call for help with any problem, no matter how small.

This can save you from having to pay for more expensive repairs down the road.

Will Managed IT Services Increase Productivity?

Third, professional IT services can increase your productivity and help you avoid costly downtime.

If you’re constantly dealing with technology problems, it’s going to impact your ability to get work done. But if you have a reliable IT support team to turn to, you can quickly resolve any issues and get back to work.

Will it Give You Peace of Mind?

Fourth, IT services can give you peace of mind. When you know there’s someone you can call for help, it’s a lot easier to relax and not worry about every little thing that could go wrong.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to invest in IT services comes down to your specific needs and budget. But in most cases, the benefits far outweigh the cost. So, if you’re having doubts, it’s worth at least considering professional IT support.