Tech News

Three ways to help land a digital job

The massive digital market has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Not just for companies in terms of sales and marketing, but also highly skilled people looking for work in the industry. Most organizations are wanting to get in on it, maximizing their use of the web and social media to raise their profiles and to drive up revenues. It’s not just a case of hiring external consultants to do it now; there are lots of dedicated job opportunities appearing with companies who are keen to get the most out of digital, but at a competitive price. So, if you’re looking for work in this industry, here are three ways to help turn you career goals into reality!

Skill-up!

Depending on what stage of life you’re at, you’ll want to think about getting some formal training or experience to develop your digital skills. You can do this through all sorts of options, ranging from dedicated university courses to less formal and shorter, workshop-style training to get you up to speed. Potential employers will be looking for various digital skills, depending on the job you’re focusing on, including text and video content production, web design and SEO, digital marketing and commerce and so on.

You could also pick up the skills you want ‘in-house’ if you’re already working within a company. Maybe, for example, you are already a marketing expert but want to incorporate much more of a digital element now. Picking up the experience in-house could help you do your existing job more effectively and help you with any future internal job applications.

Get your resume ready

When you’re looking for a job in digital, you need to stop for a minute and think about it all from your potential employer’s point of view. They’ll be wanting to know why they should take you on, how well qualified you, what experience you have, and what kind of person you are as an individual. Wage expectations will also come into it.

The point is when you’re thinking about putting an application in, make sure you get together a great resume and cover letter that really ‘sells’ you as an individual. Have a good look at the job description in hand, and tailor your application around what they are looking for. So, for example, if the digital job requires video content skills and you’ve worked in film and video before, then highlight any shooting, editing and compression skills you may have. Have a look around on the net for some tips; you can find inspiration for all sorts of CVs including a web graphic designer resume.

Focus your job search

When you’re looking to land a job in the digital industry, really focus in on what it is that you want to do so you can tailor your search and focus on the companies that matter. You’ll be wanting to take into consideration the location of the job, whether you’re best suited, whether the role will give you a challenge and development opportunities and, in addition, pays you the right level of salary for where you are in your career. Be ambitious, but don’t set your sights so high that they are unrealistic.

Have a good look around on the net for job opportunities, do loads of research about potential employers and go to any interviews armed with lots of digital ideas and suggestions for what you can bring.

How to Avoid Using Technology as an Excuse for Procrastination

In today’s world, most of us are so used to having our electronic devices on hand at all times, that we often struggle to remember what life was like before these devices went everywhere that we went. While modern smartphones are amazing pieces of engineering, they can be both a blessing and a curse. Their advanced capabilities mean that while they can help to accomplish a lot of useful tasks, they can also be a persistent distraction that keeps us from doing what we need to.

Procrastination has always been a challenge of course, it is not something which suddenly appeared alongside the smartphone. However, for some people, technology turns a minor character flaw into a debilitating problem. The good news is that help is here! It is possible to keep yourself surrounded with all the latest and best tech without succumbing to the scourge of procrastination! Here are some simple things you can do to make sure that your tech is helping and not hindering your efforts at being productive.

Put Your Phone Away!

This is the most important tip of them all! Phones are great, but when the time comes to do some work and to actually get stuff done then you should only use your phone when it can help you to accomplish whatever you are aiming for. This does require self discipline, so it’s best to keep your phone well out of sight so that it doesn’t tempt you.

If you have a draw or somewhere nearby where you can hide it out of sight, then do so. If you still can’t keep yourself from picking it up, then perhaps ask your significant other if they can take it from you. If your significant other isn’t cooperative, or even nonexistent, then every time you catch yourself wasting time on your phone, stop and put it in another room before you get back to what you’re doing.

Find Good Background Noise

Some people can only work in silence, whereas others find that with no external sounds they are unable to focus their minds. Each group will never understand the other; they are fundamentally different experiences of the learning process and so what background noise, if any, helps a person will depend on them individually.

Some people find that music helps them to concentrate. This isn’t necessarily the music that they would normally listen to for fun, although it can be. Finding the right background noise is mostly a case of trial and error so try some different genres of music. Some people find background voices helpful, in some cases familiar and predictable voices are preferred whereas others prefer voices that they don’t know and haven’t heard so their brains can’t preempt the next words.

Remember to Unwind

It is important that you reward yourself for working well and avoiding procrastination. Websites such as Big Samo are full of free browser games to play. Or you could always reward yourself with a bit of Reddit browsing, whatever floats your boat!

Technology is both a friend and an enemy, but with a few minor adjustments and some self-discipline, you can make your technology an ally in your quest for productivity!

Cool Devices & Gadgets That Are Worth The Investment

Devices play an important role in people’s lives these days. In the past, people were unaware of the impact devices would have; this has changed significantly in more recent years. People of all ages are starting to use gadgets and devices on a daily basis. While some consider that devices are not worth the hype, because they make people lose track of their life and spend a lot of time unproductively, it is good to keep in mind that, if they are used for short periods of time they can actually improve the quality of life and facilitate certain aspects.

Almost every day there are various gadgets that are being launched on the market. Devices are popular gift ideas, but with so many options it can be a bit difficult to know where to start. They come in different shapes and have all kinds of amazing functions. The great thing is that people can find great devices on the market no matter what their interests might be. Purchasing a gadget can be a bit overwhelming and costly if you don’t do any research beforehand. The following gadgets and devices might give you an idea of which items are worth the money.

Compact Photo Printer

Thanks to the development of technology, people are now able to take pictures on the go. Despite this, no matter how many picture folders you have on your computer or phone, nothing compares to a photo album. Back in the day, people used to take stacks of pictures and keep their memories in shoe boxes under the bed. Due to smart and compact devices available on the market, the whole process of printing pictures has become particularly quick and easy. The quality of the photograph is maintained, and further, they can be labeled according to your taste. If you wish to digitalize your pictures and store these in photo albums that you can flick through whenever you want, it might be a good idea to invest in a compact photo printer.

Outdoor Home Security Camera

Keeping a safe and secure home at all times is on everyone’s list of priorities. Even though there are a lot of smart technologies that provide great security services, most of the time they tend to be quite expensive. Instead of using an old gimmick that is outdated and does not offer a lot of security, it might be a better idea to consider an outdoor home security camera. This type of camera records everything on an SD card and can also send alerts if it detects something suspicious. With the ability to connect to your WIFI, the device only uses data when you open the app to check any updates. Another advantage of this security camera is the fact that can distinguish between people, cars or animals and provide infrared vision to record in the dark.

Entertainment Gadgets

Everyone relaxes in different ways, especially when regarding their choice in entertainment. Whether it’s listening to music, playing computer games with friends or reading a book, there are many practical ways to de-stress. That said, sometimes the devices that provide those kinds of activities can be a bit daunting; with a bit of research, everyone can find the best devices for their needs. E-readers that allow you to read in the sun are a great invention for those passionate about reading. Instant cameras offer excellent opportunities for those who like to keep their memories close to their heart and capture moments instantly. Those who are passionate about gaming will argue that a gaming computer is the best option. If you wish to build your custom gaming PC, you can count on BLD. They keep your preferences and budget in mind and create something unique for you.

Voice-activated Speaker

Even though this is not a novelty anymore, it is important to remember its advantages. Voice-activated speakers are a great invention that facilitates people’s lives greatly. They can play music, set timers, order food if you don’t feel like going out, give you information about the weather forecast or tell you how good or bad the traffic is before leaving the house. Voice-activated speakers are easy to use and a great addition to any modern household. Last but not least, they provide good sound quality which makes a real difference for music lovers. This gadget is designed to enable the user to control and commence various commands and activities without a significant amount of participation; this can be particularly handy if you are multitasking. The smart technology includes a powerful microphone, meaning you do not have to be directly within range of the device when using it.

Durable Tablet

There are many tablets on the market these days. It can sometimes be challenging to find a durable one that is within your price range. Even though laptops are appreciated by a lot of people thanks to their versatility, tablets are gaining more popularity between people of all ages, due to the compact design meaning they can be easily carried in your purse. Tablets offer music, movies, games and app access whilst traveling. Most tablets come with a camera that allows you to take photos and store your memories in a single place. Tablets make a great gift idea regardless of the occasion. They are incredibly user-friendly and provide amazing advantages that facilitate people’s lives so much.

Smartwatch

There are a lot of gadgets in this category on the market. While some are quite expensive, others are affordable for almost everyone. All in all, smartwatches have a lot of advantages.  At first, they might seem a little complicated and confusing, but after using them for a more extended period of time, the user can adapt and understand the device more. There are various features including receiving notifications without having to remove the phone from their pocket. Secondly, they can control other smart devices; not forgetting that answering the phone is a lot easier with the help of this kind of device. A smartwatch can be particularly helpful when driving or walking around. Last but not least, you can keep track of your fitness in a straightforward manner.

When it comes to purchasing gadgets, one has to keep a few aspects in mind. Consider their preferences, interests, and budget. Last but not least, doing a bit of research could also help make a decision.

Security Tips

8 Security Tips Every Business Owner Should Know

Ranging from accidental breaches of data and hacking to on-site break-ins, there are plenty of security threats for businesses to worry about, and that’s why many businesses are turning to the expertise of a security service Australia.

In the wake of more serious business break-ins, like the Charlie Hebdo attack and online hackings like the WannaCry hacking, business security has become even more crucial than ever before. Risks that didn’t exist ten years ago, now do, which means that when it comes to how you take care of your business, it’s vital that you take security seriously and have all the right precautions in place.

If you think that criminals are only targeting larger corporations, then you need to think again. When it comes to business crime, it’s important to realize that it’s not just larger corporations that are at risk, smaller ones are also at risk, which is why it’s essential that businesses of all sizes make security a priority. Did you know that on average, 43% of cyber attacks are performed on small businesses? Of those involved, more than half go out of business within six months of the breach, due to a lack of customer trust and loyalty. That’s a scary thought, isn’t it? Your business going out of business because of a break-in or a cyber attack, if totally terrifying.

The good news is that there are steps that you can take to prevent your business falling foul to cyber attacks and break-ins. For everything that you need to know, have a read of the eight ideas shared below.

  1. Make a security protocol

Create company-wide policies on how to stay safe while at work, both online and while at the office. Make an action plan, explain the plan to your employees, and place it where everyone can see it, so that should a security breach occur, you know what to do. It’s a good idea to outline who is responsible for what, as well as what steps need to be taken in the event that a security breach does take place.

  1. Implement team training

When it comes to reducing the likelihood of a serious security threat occurring at your business or virtually, it’s vital that you implement effective team training. Plan regular employee training days where you educate your team members on what security measures your business has in place and how they work, as well as what to do should a security threat arise. This is a great time to discuss common risks, such as phishing email scams, how to spot them and what to do about them. If you want to ensure that your team knows how to act if something bad should happen, training is crucial.  

  1. Regularly update security software

Installing security software, both online and in-house isn’t enough. If you want to ensure that your security has the power to stand up to any threats, it’s vital that you keep it updated. Often updates for online systems and in-house systems, like a wireless security alarm, for instance, address gaps in protection and enhance how effective they are. That’s why making time to make these updates is so vital.

  1. Invest in your protection

While there are some areas of business that it’s perfectly fine to scrimp on, your business’s security is not one of them. If you want to ensure that your business is as secure as possible, it’s vital to invest in the right security measures for you. If you’re unsure what protection you require, speaking to the experts could help. For instance, O.B. One Communications voice and data cabling offers high-quality installation services for security solutions that can be tailored to meet your business’s exact needs. These kinds of specialist services may come at a cost, but with all the benefits they offer, it’s clear that the cost isn’t something that you should worry about.  

  1. Understand the threats

The fact is that if you don’t really understand the threats that your business is under, then you will find it incredibly complicated dealing with them. If you are going to protect your business, then it’s vital that you understand the threats it is under, from the risk of burglaries to the risks that come with IT. As a business owner, it’s crucial that you have a clear understanding of what exactly the risks are so that you can better mitigate them.

  1. Keep documents and data safe

When it comes to storing confidential data, it’s vital that you know how to keep things safe. If you want to protect your business and keep your clients on side, it’s vital that you ensure it’s highly unlikely that any of your sensitive documents or data can be stolen. The fact is that hacking is often done to gain access to a company’s network so that sensitive documents and data can be stolen. So it’s vital that you know how to keep your sensitive information secure – if you’re not sure the best steps to take to do this, speak to a specialist. On-site documents and data can be locked away in a secure room, but protection virtual copies of this information can be more complicated. 

  1. Use strong passwords

Of course, one of the most vital steps for keeping anything sensitive secure is a strong password. In addition to protecting your files online, a strong password can also prevent your security alarm from being hacked and turned off, for instance. So knowing how to create strong and secure passwords is vital. The key is to create a password that is random – and not easy to guess – has letters and numbers, including capitals, and can also include symbols. Random passwords are the best passwords, as there’s no way for anyone to guess them, unlike passwords with sentimental value, which is what most people use.

  1. Get insurance

In case the worst should happen, and your company should get hacked or broken into, it’s vital that you have adequate insurance protection in place. That way, you are able to claim back any losses that occur as a result and get your business back up and running as quickly as possible.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are under threat from all kinds of things, from cybercrime to politically motivated attacks, which means that having effective security protection in place has become more critical than ever.

Business Ideas Perfect For Anyone With A Passion For Tech

For anyone with a tech-savvy mindset, when it comes to starting a business, a tech-based venture could be the ideal option. When it comes to a businesses success, the key is knowing as much as possible about the area that you are going into, which is why it’s important to think carefully about your passions and interests before settling on a business type to focus on.

The fantastic thing about tech-based businesses is the fact that there’s always something new to focus on. You see, when it comes to the rate that technology is changing it, it’s fast – there’s no getting away from that fact. So to be able to keep up with the rate at which technology is changing, you need to be a tech-minded individual. Otherwise, you may struggle.

Do you believe that your mindset for technology, will allow you to build and run a successful technology-based business? If you do, then you may want to take note of some of the business ideas below that are perfect for anyone with a passion for technology.

Blog consulting

Are you a blog expert? Have you been successfully running your own blog for years or have a sound understanding of WordPress and Blogger and the whole blogging platform? If the answer to this is yes, then working as a blog consultant could be a fantastic business choice. Believe it or not, blog consulting is a highly lucrative business, especially as there are more bloggers than ever before attempting to make their blog their main income stream. The problem is that many bloggers don’t understand what it takes to rival the world’s most successful bloggers, which is why they may struggle to monetize their sites and make a success of them as a business venture. Luckily, this is something that you can help with, which is what makes a business in blog consulting so indispensable.

Computer repair and maintenance

Do you have a technical background and a good understanding of computers and how they work? If the answer is yes, then perhaps starting a business that offers computer repair and maintenance services could be an excellent move to make. You can choose to cater your service to one PC operating system, such as Windows, or you can choose to cater to all systems – it depends on where your knowledge and specialism lays. The fact is that you will find businesses in every sector struggling with their computer repair and maintenance, sick of over-priced fees and poor service, so if you can offer a higher quality service, you will be set for life with a client base that will convert to using your services.

IT training

Do you have an exceptional gift for IT? If you are the kind of person that knows everything that there is to know about IT, then perhaps you could consider working in IT training. When it comes to using IT confidently, there are a lot of people – mostly older people – who lack confidence and are unable to make the most out of IT, which is something that you could change with some basic IT training classes. You could also choose to offer some more advanced classes, depending on how your ‘students’ progress and how much knowledge you have. You could offer these classes for small groups, on a 1-to-1 basis, as well as online, so that people who aren’t local to you can still take advantage of them.

IT support

A large percentage of smaller companies don’t have the money for full-time IT support. This can mean that should their systems go down, it could cause major problems for their business. That’s why so many smaller companies are now choosing to outsource their IT needs to freelance IT support specialists. If you have a deep knowledge for computers and software, and a strong understanding of how to deal with common IT issues, such as malware attacks, then starting an IT support business could be an option worth considering.

Social media consulting

For businesses of all shapes and sizes, social media is a powerful marketing tool. However, the businesses that benefit most from this form of marketing are small businesses, as they can’t always afford to utilize all other, more expensive, marketing platforms that are available to them. What with there being a high number of small businesses starting each year, as you can imagine there is a strong call for social media expertise, assistance, and management.

App creation

Apps are big business today, which is why running an app creation business could be a good move to make. Providing, of course, that you know enough about app creation to do so. If you want to succeed in app creation, you need to have a strong insight into creating an indispensable mobile app, and what it takes to do so. You need to know how to design and create apps, how to market them, and how to ensure that they are highly successful.

Web design

If there’s one thing that every single business needs to have, it’s a smart and stylish website that has been impeccably designed. While a lot of small businesses owners make the mistake of attempting to create their website themselves to cut costs, the fact is that without a professional website that is fully responsive and set up to work well on mobile devices, a business has a much higher chance of failure. If you can offer an affordable and professional web design service that is suitable for smaller businesses, you could have a highly profitable business of your own on your hands.

When it comes to starting a successful business, one of the most important factors is that you choose to run a business that you have the knowledge and experience to make a success of. That’s why, if you have a passion for technology and a keen understanding of various areas of tech, it makes sense to consider launching a business that’s technology related. Bearing that in mind, hopefully, the ideas and suggestions above have given you a better insight into the types of technology-focused businesses that have the potential to be successful.

Tech Products Fail

Troubleshooting When Tech Products Fail

Current technology has progressed to such a state that you can carry a smartphone in your pocket with such advanced capabilities and memory that it would be thought of as nothing more than science fiction a decade or two ago. Nowadays you can use your tablet to create a piece of artwork that is every bit as stunning as a painting or photograph can be. You can also take photos using your smartphone that are of print quality, you can join business meetings from anywhere in the world using video chat, and you can whittle away hours using your handheld tech as a games console.

There is a common nightmare that affects many of us, however, of being right in the middle of drafting an important document or making a vital point via video meeting when your phone, tablet or laptop crashes, losing any unsaved work and leaving you frustrated and confused as to what the issue is. Although in some cases specialized help is necessary, below are some top tips for troubleshooting when your tech product unexpectedly fails on you, ranging from spilling water on your smartphone to an unresponsive touchscreen.

Your smartphone gets wet

One common issue is smartphones getting wet, from dropping it in a toilet bowl to accidentally spilling a drink on it, even a tiny amount of liquid can be the cause of chaos for your phone. Firstly, remove the battery. If this is not possible then, as quickly as you can, turn the phone off to try and prevent a short circuit. Wipe the liquid carefully off any parts that are accessible, and then put the phone in a bowl of uncooked dry rice for 24 hours to help absorb any excess water. In order to protect your phone while you do this, wrap it very loosely in some kitchen roll or paper towels.

If you don’t fancy submerging your precious smartphone in a bowl of rice, then you could try buying a desiccant bag which acts in a similar way, providing a sealed container and a desiccant which will help to absorb all liquid and dry out your phone.

A cracked screen on your smartphone

A cracked screen on your phone is surprisingly easy to do, all it takes is your phone dropping from your jeans pocket or accidentally being trod on. However, before you panic and think you have to buy a new one, there are some things you can try. If you feel confident in your abilities, then you could perform a DIY repair. If, however, the thought of pulling apart your expensive and vital phone yourself brings you out in a cold sweat then try contacting the manufacturer to ask them to repair the screen, which they should do but it won’t be free. Alternatively, search ’fix an iPhone screen near me’ and find professional technicians who will fix your device with a fast turnaround time.

If your phone has a cracked screen, but you are unable to mend it yourself and have to wait for an appointment nearby, then a temporary fix is to apply a screen protector as a short-term solution. This should stop the screen from cracking further and allow you to continue using the phone while you arrange a more permanent fix.

Of course, to try and ensure these things don’t happen in the first place, invest in a robust phone or tablet cover that will protect your device from any knocks or accidental drops.

Touchscreen on your phone or tablet is frozen and not responding

If your touchscreen has frozen, then first try to reboot or force restart your product. Sometimes simply restarting it can help to reset any issues, presenting you with a machine that works perfectly once again. If, however, this does not solve your problem there are a few other tips to try and get things moving. Firstly, try cleaning the screen to ensure there is no residual dirt, which could be stopping it from registering your touch.

If the touchscreen is not working only in certain apps, then delete and reinstall them, to see if that solves the issue. Or perhaps your screen protector is no longer working well, in which case, remove it and test your screen. If it registers your touch now then invest in a new screen protector and throw away the old one.

If you have an iPhone, you could try restoring your phone to the factory settings, which can solve many problems, although it will wipe out your data so make sure it is all backed up first.

Slow startup

If your phone, tablet or laptop is very slow to startup, then the problem could be your storage. If you have overloaded your device the response time will likely be very slow so to solve this delete any unused apps, and store photos and files on the cloud, a hard drive or another device to free up space. If you have an iPhone, you can check how much free space you have available to see whether this is your problem. Go to ‘Settings,’ ‘General’ and ‘About,’ and look at what is ‘available’ under 500MB and you need to create more space to speed things up. To do this, for example, you can set up auto delete for all your old SMS messages, setting it to permanently erase all messages from a set time ago. To further add to your space make sure only the app you are using is open. Sometimes your phone can be running apps without you knowing it by leaving them suspended in memory. Double click on the home button and you will be able to see what is still running and can close any apps you don’t need by swiping up on the phone.

Any other issues

For any issues not covered here, you can contact the manufacturer of your product. For example, all Apple stores have a genius bar where you can take your product for a free consultation with an expert who can hopefully solve your problem, or if not, they can advise you on the best course of action.

Why Hosting With a Magento Host Can Make Your Shop Run Faster

Magento is a popular platform for running online stores, and it’s one of the leading solutions on this market at the moment. It shouldn’t be surprising, with that in mind, that there is a huge variety of options available for hosting a Magento site, including some specialized hosting providers that offer solutions aimed directly at Magento users.

Some might brush those off as unnecessary – after all, Magento is not that complicated to install on your own in the first place, and the platform has a very active community of users that are constantly ready to help out in case you get stuck. That said, there is actually a lot to gain from choosing a dedicated Magento host, and if you care about running your shop in the most optimized, streamlined way possible, you should definitely look into some of these options.

The only caveat here is that Magento hosting services can differ just like regular hosting companies, and you should take the time to compare what’s available before settling on any particular provider. This can save you a lot of potential headache in the future if you run into any issues with your host and realize that you need to switch.

Your site’s performance will be better 

Running a Magento site on a dedicated Magento host means that you’ll see a much better performance from it, especially if you have a large volume of users on a daily basis. If you’ve seen a significant growth in your operations lately and it’s started to affect the performance of your operations, you should definitely look into a dedicated Magento hosting solution as your first remedy. In most cases, that’s enough to address the problem completely and set you on the right track.

Site performance can also affect you in more ways than are immediately obvious. For example, many search engines will use it as a metric to determine where your site ranks against others, and if it takes a lot of time to serve a single page to your users, you’re going to have a real problem on your hands. With the help of a dedicated Magento host though, this doesn’t have to be an issue, and you can ensure that you’re getting ranked fairly by all popular search engines.

You will be able to focus on your customers more 

When you don’t have to constantly tinker with your shop’s settings and the configuration of the host behind it, you’ll have a much smoother experience working with your customers as you’ll be able to focus your effort in that area. Many shop owners who run a Magento store eventually find themselves having to hire extra help to deal with the inflow of customer service requests as their shops grow larger – but in many of those cases, the solution is as simple as switching to a Magento host and serving your customers yourself!

Sure, some kinds of issues will still persist, regardless of the specific type of host that you’re using, but when you’re serviced by a dedicated Magento hosting provider, you’ll have the reassurance that the most common types of issues will be dealt with as swiftly as possible, and that you won’t have to lift a finger to get some problems out of your hair.

Sometimes this will cost a little extra, but in other cases you may actually be able to get your Magento hosting at a discount compared to a regular hosting service. It all depends on the range of features you’re looking to get – like with every other host – and the quality of the company itself. Some companies have a long-standing presence on the market and will be able to give you a far better deal for your money compared to others.

But in any case, remember that spending a little extra can sometimes go a long way if it means getting prioritized service and a more secure platform to work with. One of the worst things that can happen to your e-store is finding yourself in the middle of a data breach that you have completely no control over. This won’t just jeopardize your operations, it will make your customers angry while you’re unable to explain that it’s not your fault.

For all these reasons and more, specialized Magento hosting is your only real option if you need to run a serious e-store, and you should settle for nothing less. As long as you take the time to compare the deals on the market carefully, you can’t really go wrong here.

Why it Makes Better Sense to Hire Your Construction Equipment

More and more companies adhere to the practical philosophy that hiring plant equipment is much better than purchasing machinery outright, and there are very good reasons for this. Not only does it allow the company to save a lot of money when it comes to initial investment, it also ensures they get the right tools for the right job, for the term that they need it.

It’s a trend – and it’s a global trend. But why is this so? The answers go far beyond simple economics. It’s about risk and project planning as well. Here’s why it makes better sense to hire your construction equipment.

Saving capital

It should come as no surprise that 80% of all heavy equipment due for construction is actually meant for rental companies; it’s an expensive endeavour to acquire. Not only does it require a heavy down payment (which eats up precious capital), there are monthly fees in a long-term commitment. Hiring settles that problem – you save capital and are able to avoid long-term commitments.

Maintenance and repairs

When you buy, you need to hire crew with specialised knowledge – employees who understand specific mechanical and electronic components. This is often an expense requirement (and long-term commitment) which can be eliminated by hiring.

Eliminating risk

You never know what you will need for the next project, and buying equipment that could possibly have a lot of down time (depending on future projects) simply doesn’t make sense.

Reliable cash flow

When you hire, especially from plant hire Chesterfield experts like Ruttle, you have a periodical bill which remains steady as per contract – and it lasts only for as long as you need the equipment. This ensures a reliable and predictable cash flow, and it also means you can make better management decisions when it comes to allocating funds.

No disposal hassles

If you own it, there will be a time you have to get rid of it – this is not something you have to worry about when you hire. You use it for as long as you need to, and once you’re done, it’s no longer your problem.

Here’s one more aspect that needs consideration: you may be able to partner with a provider of equipment that actually has more to offer than just the equipment; it’s also about being able to get perfectly trained operators who know exactly what they are doing. Even better than this: you may be able to find a partner that can help you with other needs, such as recommending removal services for debris and garbage, construction materials, and other important considerations. When handling a project, it’s always better to make a deal with whoever understands your needs and can help you in more ways than one.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com

PPC Management – Don’t Make These Classic Errors

We all make mistakes. Hopefully, once made, we learn and then never repeat them. But what if we could learn from the mistakes of others, and gain knowledge and foresight from their experiences, meaning that we ourselves don’t have to suffer the consequences (often costly) of making the same mistakes as them. In other words, a collective pool of knowledge from which we could all take guidance meaning mistakes are never repeated.

This would be great. But many people and businesses make the same mistakes as others because the knowledge gained is never shared – perhaps through embarrassment who knows. However here, we will hopefully identify some classic mistakes that people have made in relation to PPC Management, including no doubt the odd PPC Management Agency themselves. By considering these errors as they have happened to others, you can hopefully avoid the same pitfalls in the future.

Simple

You have to learn the basics of PPC before you engage. It is dangerous to think that you can learn through trial and error – errors can be very costly indeed. You need to understand keywords, ranking, bids etc. and how to adjust/act to boost traffic and conversion rates.

Data

Facts prove reality, assumptions create fools. Always use hard data and not guesswork to see how things will work and remember that precedents may not suit your product or business model. Try and create a bespoke solution – a role that a professional agency such as https://www.trafficsource.co.uk/services/ppc-management-agency/ can offer.

Time

Spend it wisely with a correct focus. Again, your expertise may be limited here, so engage the skills of an expert such as a PPC Management Agency – use your skills though to select the right one for the job!

Detail

The devil is in the detail they say. Your site should be detailed and not generic, but not to the point of losing any interest. Bold claims do not impress, good reviews and feedback do.

Try Everything

If you do 20 things at once, and it works, which one of the 20 was effective? You’ll probably never know. So introduce things incrementally and carefully, watching for data shifts and patterns that demonstrate positive results.

Wordy

They are called keywords for a reason – you need to use appropriate, effective and relevant keywords for your business/product.

Home

Getting traffic is great, but what are you doing with it – is your landing page effective at converting interest into sales, have you even considered the transition process through your own website – it may make sense to you, but it’s your site. Viewed through the eyes of a client, would they stay engaged? Spelling mistakes, incorrect detail or poor transition/navigation will lose business, and still cost you the click. A great site gets sales and is the primary go to place next time for that same client without the PPC fee.

Change/No Change

Too much and you’ll lose any chance of meaningful data, and not enough will lose placement and custom. It needs regular maintenance but only the occasional makeover – subject to data confirming this.

PPC Management done badly is costly, ineffective and more or less a waste of time and money. Contrast this to PPC done well, where you increase traffic, sales, interest and retention. The difference is in the detail, the constant considerations, data reviews and input. PPC demands attention, be that yours or a PPC Management Agency. It isn’t safe to leave alone for too long, in other words, it’s an ongoing project, which if done well from the start and throughout can be wonderfully beneficial for your business.

 

3 Common Network Vulnerabilities to Watch For

IT security is in a constant battle between open access and security. Firewalls, hardened routers and password protected wi-fi make the networks we rely on for daily communications safer, but they are by no means completely secure. Here are 3 common network vulnerabilities to watch for. We’ll also discuss some of the options for addressing these vulnerabilities.

Thumb Drives

Thumb drives seem ubiquitous. They are easy ways to transfer very large files that you may not be allowed to email to someone and let you carry information into a company network without waiting for the bandwidth. Their low price means they’re even given out for free at many trade shows. And their banality means we often pop an unlabeled thumb drive in our computers to see who it belongs to, giving the malware on the device an opportunity to install itself on the computer and infect the rest of the network. You don’t even have to open files on the thumb drive to introduce the malware, since the Conficker worm was designed to execute the moment the device was merely plugged in.

Personal Devices

One of the risks of allowing personal devices to be used to handle company information is the challenge of control. If someone downloads personally identifiable information of other employees as part of their work for personnel and the system doesn’t meet IT security standards to protect said information, you’re technically in violation of the law. If the person is working on company data on a personal laptop that is then stolen, you have a security breach on a device that may be much harder to track or try to wipe remotely. If someone accidentally accesses data they shouldn’t have, you may be obligated to wipe their device completely.

You can run into this problem even when employees aren’t processing sensitive information on personal devices, such as when they access local wireless access points on the company network to check personal email or download music. If you’re earning an online computer science masters, you’ll learn the various methods of securing the wireless connections that get used by everyone from guests to the VP. Conversely, even digital photo frames and music players brought from home and connected to a PC for charging or an internet connection can bring a virus into the network, which is why they are commonly banned, as well.

The Human Factor

No discussion of network vulnerability is complete without discussion of the human factor. Intrusion detection systems don’t stop the disgruntled employee from copying and sharing data without authorization. Network security built into hardware doesn’t stop employees from selling your data to outside organizations.

A particular Office of Personnel Management hack by Chinese hackers not only copied the entire database but put in code to copy all updates of the OPM database. It is thought the OPM hack was done by unvetted contractors. These inside hacks are driving demand for more people with an online masters computer science degree and expertise in IT security, as well as a clean record.

Network vulnerabilities can be neutralized better when understanding the nature of the threat, may they be external or from within.