Business Tips

When you’re growing a small business , you can use all the help you can get. Whether your small business is office-based or home-based, investing in a few innovative devices can make everyday life a little easier. Here are five of the latest and greatest devices for small businesses.  1. Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker  Mr. Coffee takes the idea of programmable coffee makers to the next level with the smart coffee maker that you can control with an app on your phone. That’s right—you can brew coffee with the touch of a button while you’re still cozy in bed. With the mobile app , you can set a weekly schedule, adjust brew times, and even set reminders so you’re never without a fresh cup and can start your at-home workday off right.  2. Energous WattUp  WattUp from Energous is an amazing business tool sure to be a game changer thanks to its wireless charging capabilities. And we aren’t talking the kind of wireless where it still has to be placed somewhere specific. This...

The best company has the best tangible resources from the main building to the equipment. After you have chosen the right location for your business, whether it is a warehouse or office building , the next step is to fill this space with equipment. Here are several ways to find the best equipment for your startup company.  Decide the Type of Equipment You Need  Think of all the rooms or warehouses where you find different types of commercial equipment. For most businesses, it is every room from the lobby to the break room. Also, more owners are investing in streamlined, automated machines to make life easier for customers and employees. In the main lobby, there are kiosks to help them perform simple tasks without the help of customer service agents . In the copy room, there are recent models of digital or laser printers, copiers and scanners. Even in the break room, there are the latest tools from contemporary furniture to energy efficient appliances. Finding the right digita...

Digital security is a big deal for businesses. According to the Heritage Foundation, the cost of cyber- attacks for companies is well over $15 million on average for each company attacked. This is no laughing matter. As such, you need to make sure you have the proper training protocols in place to show your employees how to secure your business . Below are six things you should make sure to include in such a training program.  1. Encryption  One of the only completely trustworthy methods for securing information is the use of encryption. Encryption is even more important now since a lot of company data is now stored in the cloud. While certain cloud hosting companies may claim to encrypt data, encrypting it before it reaches the cloud may be an even better idea.  2. E-Mail Security  Employees must absolutely be trained on how to properly receive, reply to and handle company e-mail. E-mail received on company servers should be scanned for hidden threats like viruses ...

These days, the kind of theft that many businesses are worried about isn’t armed robbery, shoplifting or even employees stealing office supplies. Instead, it’s the theft of a company’s intellectual property. Perhaps there is no intellectual property more valuable than trade secrets. These are what give a business an edge in a competitive market. Below are five strategies that can be used to keep your trade secrets safe.  1. Accurately Identify Your Trade Secrets  Before you can take action to protect your trade secrets, you must first identify them. For example, if you run an Italian restaurant, your pizza sauce recipe could be a trade secret. However, trade secrets don’t have to be secret formulas. They could also be information you have amassed such as customer lists, supplier information, product profit margins and more.  2. Hire An Intellectual Property Lawyer  S econd, you should learn about the laws that were put in place to protect trade secrets. On the feder...

One of the greatest advantages to business owners these days is that they no longer have to worry about building a complex technology infrastructure for their companies. In fact, the modern enterprise can reduce overall operating costs through the smart application of technology. If you are interested in saving money and lowering your IT costs, here are four ideas you should consider.  1. Don't Be Immediately Swayed by New Technology  Business owners should be careful about falling for the latest and shiniest technology that can be implemented in their companies, particularly at the startup stage. When new tech hits the market , it tends to do so at higher prices. It is often better to wait until new technology has settled because there is usually a greater chance of getting better pricing; moreover, competitors are more likely to introduce more affordable options months down the line.  2. Keep IT Spending Proportionate  IT expenditures across corporate America rang...

With the recent uptick in data breaches at major companies and government organizations, cyber security should a focal point of training for every company. The following 5 tips will help keep your employees safe online while using company email and while working on a computer at the office.  1. Watch Out for Phishing Emails  Phishing occurs when a malicious individual sends out a fake email pretending to be a real company asking someone to login. When a person enters their information thinking that they're logging in to their account, sensitive information is automatically compromised. These types of emails are normally used to gather personal information, like social security numbers, full names, addresses, credit card numbers and more. Your employees need to be aware of this threat, and need to dispose of such emails immediately.  Require Strong Passwords  The vast majority of consumers use the same password for every account they own, including those at work. Th...