Archives for September 2019

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A survey released by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Symantec found that 77% of 1,015 small businesses think they are safe from cyber-attacks. However, 83% report that they do not have a cybersecurity plan. Instead, they rely on cloud services and social media for their online safety.

The same survey reported that 40% of the 1 billion cyberattacks in 2012 targeted companies with fewer than 500 employees. This is serious, as starting a new business has its challenges, and cyberattacks could ruin a fragile new business.

RELATED ARTICLE: THE CHALLENGES OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS

Therefore, providing your business with online safety will not only protect your customers’ data from fraudulent attacks but could also save your business from severe loss. Notably, new stories about hackers unfold daily. In short, it is smart to secure your business for better online safety as soon as you possibly can.

Below are a few online safety tips to help:

1.   
Provide Training to Your Staff for
Online Safety

The first thing to do, even before you install the best security software you can find, is to educate your staff about online safety and cybersecurity.

Teach them to recognize phishing scams and advise them about the need for strong, unique passwords. Additionally, ensure they understand security risks and how those could affect the business. This should also apply to remote staff, as their Internet connections could expose the business to increased risks of cyberattacks if they fail to follow proper security precautions.

2. Safeguard Access to Devices and Computers

Malicious attacks by hackers, along with the risk of theft, should be reasons enough to secure your computers and all other devices for better online safety. One key action would be to install remote tracking software. Also, encrypt portable devices such as laptops and USB keys.

Other ways to safeguard your devices and computers include these measures:

• Keep up with system and software security updates
• Enable a firewall
• Adjust your browser settings
• Install antivirus and anti-spyware software
• Encrypt your data
• Use a VPN

3. Secure Your Wireless Networks

Leaving your network open invites anyone and everyone to connect. This includes hackers who could end up compromising your entire system. So secure your wireless networks for better online safety. To this end, use the following checklist:

• Use stronger encryption
• Use a secure WPA password
• Check for rogue Wi-Fi access points
• Provide a separate network for guests
• Hide your network name
• Use a firewall
• Use a VPN

4. Conduct Regular Backups

A cyberattack is a painful way to lose all your records. However, if you fail to back up your files regularly, you stand the risk of losing important financial, personal, and client records to a cyberattack.

Moreover, losing important data for your business, along with your clients’ information, is as good as losing the business itself. Additionally, you will lose company revenue, as recovering from a cyberattack can be expensive.

However, you can avoid this problem entirely by taking steps toward better online safety. This you can do by ensuring that you back up all your data regularly.

5. Monitor Accounts for Better Online Safety

For best online safety, always watch for any unusual activity as you conduct any of your online activities. This is because anything out of the ordinary could be a sign of compromise.

For better online safety, add two-factor authentication. For example, include a security question with every login. This could help reduce the risk of compromise and improve your company’s online safety.

Learn and Use Best Practices for Online Safety

Every business with an online presence must take steps to provide online safety for the company and its data. Therefore, ensure you are protected against cyberattacks by making sure that you always work and play online securely and safely.

Also, outsource expertise to ensure you are using best practices for online safety. Finally, you can’t be too careful when it comes to something that could ruin years of your hard work in a single instant.

The post Online Safety Tips for Small Businesses appeared first on Business Opportunities.

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Do you own a classic car? Perhaps it’s a car you ran across on Craigslist, or maybe it was passed on to you by a close relative. Either way, you have probably wondered about restoring it. But should you? In this post, we consider the angles.

Take Some Time to Think Things Through

Every business owner deserves a chance to unwind. Some like to relax while listening to music, while others prefer to play golf. Still other business owners enjoy watching sports or collecting and restoring old stereos or classic cars.

If you’re a business owner who owns a classic car, you might wonder what it would take to restore your car to its former glory. This is something that requires much thought.

Perhaps yours is a car that you purposefully shopped for and chose. On the other hand, perhaps you inherited it, along with a great deal of sentimental value. Either way, invest a moment or two into introspection before you begin.

Restoring a Classic Car Will Cost Time and Money

Undertaking the restoration of a classic car is no joke, since it will cost you both time and money. Nor will such a project be finished overnight. In most cases, you will have to run through much trial and error before you learn what works best with your car.

For the most part, this will be due to the fact that your classic car is likely no longer in production. Therefore, there will be scarce resources for your project.

The financial cost will be no small matter, and the restoration of a classic car will definitely make a substantial dent in your savings. This is because you will have to look far and wide for parts, and you will need a good mechanic such as the ones you will find at vehicle restoration in West Sussex. Even then, there is no assurance that you will get your classic car running as well as it once did.

What Are The Advantages of Restoring a Classic Car?

However, there are some advantages to restoring a classic car. For starters, there is something about rebuilding something to its former glory that gives a sense of fulfillment.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO TURN YOUR HOBBY INTO A PROFITABLE BUSINESS

This can be especially true if you have a sentimental attachment toward your classic car. Perhaps it makes you feel sad to think of saying goodbye to the car your grandfather drove to work for years. However, if you can preserve it, your grandfather’s car can stay in your possession. Plus, it can get a fresh new look as well.

Here’s a Checklist You Can Use

If you are on the fence about restoring your classic car and you need a little insight, we’ve created a checklist for you. Use it to help you determine if you should start your restoration project.

1. Is It Feasible?

One of the first things you should do is consult an experienced mechanic. Get their expert opinion on whether your classic car can actually be restored. You would not want to spend your money on repairs and parts only to find out later that the expense was all for naught.

2. Will the Restoration Be Financially Reasonable?

There’s no point in sugarcoating the fact that restoring a classic car is expensive. From labor to parts, you will have to shell out a considerable amount of money. So get an estimated quote from your mechanic and figure out if you can truly afford it.

3. What Are Your Motives for Getting Your Classic Car Restored?

A quick rule of thumb is that if it matters to you, then that can be enough reason to get your classic car restored. Moreover, if restoring a classic car has been a lifelong dream, or if you just own a car that you can’t find it in your heart to let go of, then get it repaired if you have the means to do so.

Look into It and Do What’s Right for You

Use our checklist here to search your heart and mind, then do the footwork to determine if restoring your classic car is financially feasible for you. Then, if you feel it’s the right thing for you to do, restore your car and drive it in good health!

The post Is Your Classic Car Worth Restoring? appeared first on Business Opportunities.

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Photo by Patrick Amoy on Unsplash

For many years the IT guy — or gal — was a nerd who sat on the periphery of most businesses, if they even had someone like this at all.

This person was an after-thought in a role that was frequently filled by outsiders or outsourced to other companies. Usually, they were kept at arm’s length.

An outsourced company might still fill the role of IT guy. However, it is a relationship that in the last five years has becoming increasingly important. The truth is that now the role of information technology experts is central to most businesses.

And if it is not central to your business then you are probably asking yourself the question, “What am I doing wrong?” Here are a few reasons why the role of IT expert is not just nice to have, but a critical function in modern business.

No More Mailroom

In days gone by people loved to tell the story of the CEO who began in the mailroom and worked his way up to the boardroom. There probably aren’t too many stories like this that actually happened. However, the point is, back in the day, mail was important.

And it still is.

However, it’s not letters and registered posts that are delivered daily. These days, people send and receive most messages and documents electronically. What’s more, you need to have an IT guy around to ensure that things like your Office 365 email or Outlook are operating and functioning correctly.

For example, if your mail server is down, you won’t be able to communicate with clients and suppliers. Not only does it make your business look bad, but it can also have crippling effects in terms of lost business.

Managing Your Digital Addresses

Once you are ready to go as a business you need to register a domain name. You might even want to register multiple addresses.

Moreover, the registration of these addresses is something that needs to be maintained on a regular basis. You can’t just purchase a digital presence and then expect that it will be fine forever. There are annual payments that need to be made.

What’s more, you need to ensure that hosting and the technical requirements that go along with your addresses are taken care of. It is fiddly at best. Therefore, it is better left to an IT guy to ensure that it happens.

Security

Digital security is a huge thing. It is vital that you do what is necessary to protect your company and your computers from potential hackers.

There are plenty of shady characters out there who are always looking for security weak points. Once they find a way into your network the possibilities of what can happen are almost endless.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW MUCH DO YOUR EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT CYBERSECURITY?

Data theft is one such option, of course, but it could be terminal hijacks or simply the installation of malware onto your machines. These programs could then use your network to try and infiltrate others.

The list of sinister digital activities is endless. However, a good IT guy or gal will ensure that firewalls and anti-virus software are up-to-date and that your network is always secure.

Asset Registers

The things that go missing most regularly from businesses are small electronic devices. Things like laptops and chargers and external hard drives and flash drives can all disappear quickly if not looked after. It is the role of the IT guy to keep a registry. They can ensure that equipment lasts—and sticks around—for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Keep your business running smoothly by either hiring or contracting with an IT guy or gal.

To read more about business essentials, please be sure to visit our blog.

The post Why an IT Guy Is Essential in 2019 appeared first on Business Opportunities.

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Image by Florian Pircher from Pixabay 

Whether you’re planning a trade show or team dinner, when you’re planning an event, it’s all about the details.

Planning an event in New Zealand? Leave nothing to chance. Event planning works best when you use your common sense. Think hard about every potential outcome and plan for it.

Don’t work yourself up over these things, though. Just have something in place to prevent them. Also, make lists! Lists are your new best friend. They will help you keep track of everything. In fact, below we have created a checklist just for you. Keep reading to learn how to plan a successful event.

Decide the Event’s Purpose

Maybe the CEO has asked you to organize a team-building event, or you’re exhibiting a new product at a trade show. The event’s purpose will define the format.

Consider the event’s theme,
how long it will last, and plan the timing. Additionally, consider possible
layouts of the venue, and arrange for any catering as well as the sound.

If the details seem overwhelming, take a look at Event Planner and companies like them. These sites are comprehensive portals for anyone planning an event in New Zealand.

For example, if you need a fire eater for your company’s Christmas party or a suitable venue for an important conference, it’s all available. You just need to do your research for your event and know your specifications in advance.

Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More

List all of the main tasks and add details for specific steps that need them. For example, look at logistics, event content, and promotion.

If you plan to have entertainment before the holiday disco starts, check the length of their act. Also, find out whether the performer or the venue have the right insurance handy in case the act is dangerous.

Additionally, create a master document for sharing with your team. The plan must include a timeline and deadlines for each task. Remember that some tasks will take longer than anticipated so you might need to give longer deadlines to accommodate those possibilities.

Draw Up a Budget for Your Event

Determine the cost for everything on your list of tasks. Remember to include money for when the unthinkable happens. For instance, what if the fire-eater catches a cold and cancels at short notice?

Also, if you’re planning an open air event, remember you can’t control the weather. Have a back-up plan fully worked out and costed in case it rains.

Focus on the Details

Boil your event down to the smallest—probably most important—details. For example, if you’re planning a conference, consider registration, greeting attendees, any background music, team uniform, who will meet and greet, and what happens during intervals. Also, don’t forget that people will thank you for toilet breaks as well as a generous amount of time for lunch.

Check the Location

Visit the location for the event early on in the process, and have a Plan B. What happens if the air conditioning fails? What will you do if there there’s no disabled access or the sight lines aren’t great? Find an alternative if you’re getting a queasy feeling about your original choice.

Delegate Tasks

Don’t be afraid to delegate. Allocate responsibilities among your team for both planning and the day itself. Who will register attendees, be responsible for tech, catering, talking to the press? Keep a master document with team contact details and each member’s assigned areas.

Promote the Event

Create one key message for relevant channels used by your audience. Allow plenty of time to promote your event. Your marketing approach will be affected by how much budget and how many team members are available.

Never Underestimate Service

On the day of the event, ensure your team members are helpful to everyone. Things may not go entirely according to plan, but people remember how they were treated. In fact, they will remember that better than they remember the keynote speech.

Do a Final Check 24 Hours Beforehand

Have you told guests how to reach the location, prepared printed materials, checked the video? Ensure team members understand their tasks. Give each team member a printed copy of the event program with an emergency contact number.

The day before the event check off everything from your list. Then on the day, check that everything is working, in place, and being done on time. And don’t be afraid to double check everything. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

The post How to Organize a Successful Corporate Event appeared first on Business Opportunities.

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