small business management Archives - Uno Deuce Multimedia

Guest Post: 4 Cybersecurity Myths Your Business Might Have Fallen For

The world of cybersecurity is new for many business owners. Without understanding how it all works, it can be very easy to fall for some of the most common myths thrown around about how cybersecurity works. Here are four myths that your business may have fallen for which you should remedy as soon as possible.

A Strong Password Will Protect Your Business

Just because you set password requirements to make it hard to guess, that’s not the only form of login authentication that you need. Rather, you should be utilizing two-factor authentication alongside data monitoring. This will ensure that if hackers can get through the initial password login, they can still be stopped by the second authentication step.

Only Specific Industries Get Targeted By Hackers

While IT companies do tend to target select industries when it comes to their services, it’s important to note that all industries can be targeted. As long as you have some sort of sensitive data, hackers are willing to breach your system. This could be sensitive data about your customers or your business itself.

Anti-Virus Software Is Enough to Keep Out Intruders

This is one of the biggest cybersecurity myths that is out there. While anti-virus software programs are a necessity for business owners, they’re one part of the entire cybersecurity strategy. Your business will need multiple tools to protect against online intruders. Don’t just purchase anti-virus software and assume that you’re fully protected from hackers. That’s simply not the case at all.

Small Businesses Aren’t Targets for Hackers

There are many fish in the sea and it’s easiest to go for the big ones instead of chasing the small ones. That is what we’ve all been mistakenly told when it comes to cybersecurity. This just isn’t the case. Rather, small businesses made up over half the data breaches for businesses last year. Hackers know that small business owners don’t typically take the security measures that big businesses do. Therefore, they know that they can breach small businesses with ease as compared to large businesses.

There are a lot of myths flying around when it comes to the concept of cybersecurity. Understanding what these myths are and what the facts actually are about cybersecurity, you can get a better idea of what your business needs to be better protected in the future. You should enlist the help of a professional IT consultant when it comes to understanding the truth about cybersecurity.

Anica is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. https://plus.google.com/u/0/110201410531526652293

Guest Post: How to Maintain a Professional Business Aesthetic

Every public business should maintain a professional image in its physical appearance. Prospective customers often judge a book by its cover, so to speak, and are likelier to do business with an attractive building than one that appears neglected or poorly maintained. Here are four tips for projecting a professional appearance.

Exterior Cleanliness

No matter the company building size, it can and should be kept clean through annual pressure washing, window cleaning, and debris removal. Sidewalks and parking areas should be weed-free and kept in serviceable condition, with cracks periodically repaired. The parking lot may need occasional resealing, depending on the type of surface it is.

Curb Appeal

At a glance during a drive-by or for customers’ first visits, the building should be inviting and attractive. Seasonal potted plants add a decorative touch. Window blinds, if any, should be kept open or closed uniformly, and broken blinds should be replaced. Visitors appreciate seeing a neat and well-kept parking area as well as walkways to the building. The overall effect should be polished. Anti-graffiti paint helps to deter defacing of exterior walls, fencing, and ancillary structures, such as stairs and porticos. A brick building can be sandblasted if it becomes dusty or sooty from pollution.

Well Maintained Facilities

The entrance needs to be aesthetically appealing, with clean doors, updated signage, tidy flooring, and a fragrant odor. Indoor or outdoor trash cans and recycling containers should not overflow or impede foot traffic. Reception areas and waiting areas can offer tasteful décor to make guests or customers feel welcome. Wall hangings, floral arrangements, and reading material or informational signs need to be neat and functional rather than overbearing. Even the mailbox, if visible, can be updated and kept clean to project a positive image.

Furnishings

Outdoor tables, chairs, or displays ought to be stylish and in good working order. Avoid displaying anything that has chipped or scratched paint or rust. Indoor furniture is expected to be clean, comfortable, and suitable to the business. A small company that boasts expensive furniture may seem to be operating over its budget, which can be alarming to some customers. Conversely, a large organize with cheap furnishings may cause visitors to question whether the company’s money is being managed effectively. The overall image should suggest quality without being ostentatious.

Maintaining a business structure does not have to be expensive or time consuming. Thoughtful planning, a methodical approach, and a low-cost budget can do wonders to keep the company looking its best.

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700

Guest Post: How to Better Understand Your Business’s Big-Picture Finances

When you are a business owner, there are many important tasks that you need to be able to participate in. One of the most important areas of any business are the finances and as an owner you will need to constantly understand your business’s finances. There are four tips that can be followed that will help you to better understand the finances of your business.

Hire Accountant

One of the best things you can do to better understand your business’s big-picture finances is to hire an accountant. When you hire an accountant, you will have someone that is able to prepare financial records and then present them to you in a fashion that is easy to review. At the same time, you will be able to receive a report and analysis that can explain to you why certain trends are occurring and what can be done to change them.

Use Software Programs

Another great thing that you can do to better understand the finances of your business would be to use a software program such as aggregatespend.com. When you have a software program for your business finances and to help with agrregate spend solution, you will receive a variety of reports that can help to make it easy to pull financial data. This will allow you to stay on top of your business finances whenever you need to have access to them.

Open Communication

It is very important that you have full communication with your company at all times. You should make sure that you are speaking with all department heads to get a better understanding of current performance. If things are trending in the wrong direction, you will want to make sure that you have time to react.

Stay Involved

Most importantly, you need to stay involved with your business. Depending on the size of your business, you may have to rely on other people to run certain functions of the organization. While you can hire people to do certain things, you do still need to stay involved with the company. It is important that you understand what is going on with your company on a daily basis. This will help you to better predict financial outcomes and understand your business finances.

When it comes to understanding finances, no two businesses are the same. Because of this, you will need to truly be connected with your organization in order to fully understand it. This will allow you to stay on top of the company and continue to do well.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.

Guest Post: Overexertion Leads to 34% of Workplace Injuries: Top Tips to Keep Employee Exhaustion at Bay

Workplace injuries are jarringly common, and according to the National Safety Council, 34 percent of these injuries are connected to overexertion. While you do need your employees to complete tasks during the day, you also want to prevent exhaustion. Implementing some useful strategies into your workplace can combat this serious issue.

Provide Ample Sick Time

Some of your employees are likely overexerting themselves because they are fearful of calling in sick. In other words, they worry about the loss of pay that results when you don’t allow for sick days. While you need not permit an excessive amount of sick days per employee, you should establish a plan that does not penalize employees’ pay for calling out sick a reasonable amount of times per year. You should also establish a protocol for doing so. For example, make it clear whom employees should contact and when they should do so if they need to call out. Giving employees the time to recover allows them to recharge and come to work fully energized.

Create a Workplace of Wellness

Encouraging wellness is about more than having a sick-days policy. If the break room is loaded with sugary snacks, you probably have a number of employees who crash by middle of the afternoon. Offering healthy foods can give your employees the necessary boost to attend to their tasks and to fuel their bodies. Depending upon time constraints, considering allowing for wellness breaks at work. For example, you might encourage to relax and rejuvenate with a meditation session shortly before or after lunch.

Stagger Computer-Related Tasks

The American Optometric Association notes that Computer Vision Syndrome is an issue that can come with spending too much time on the computer. Some of the effects include headaches and blurry vision. Consider how tired a constant headache or blurry eyes can make you feel. By staggering computer-related tasks and getting your employees away from the screen, you can notice a more productive work environment.

Organize Yourself

Part of the problem might be that you don’t give employees enough time to complete their tasks because you’re behind yourself. Dedicate a day this weekend to getting caught up. Before you assign more work to your employees, ask how long you would realistically take to complete the task. Setting up reasonable deadlines means that you’re employees aren’t going to be working late into the night and early in the morning to meet your demands.

An aggressive problem with employee exhaustion at work could lead to injuries, consultations with lawyers, and requests for funds. Instead of creating more of these issues, work to fight against employee exhaustion.

Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.