business consultants with a technology focus issue …€¦ · secure data backup, greater...

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS WITH A TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

ISSUE 86 April 2016

TECHSAGE TECH TALK "Insider Tips To Make Your Business Run Faster, Easier, And More Profitably"

Which Flavor Of The

Cloud Is Right For

You

April 2016

We are Business Consultants with a Technology Focus and have Leveraged Technology to Propel Our Clients Toward Competitive Success in the San Antonio area for fifteen years. Our goal is to Simplify the use of Information Technology for our Clients so that they can focus on managing and growing their businesses.

Secure data backup, greater reliability, better resource and growth management options,

and improved collaboration are just a few of the reasons to take full advantage of cloud computing today.

Yet understanding the choices you have can help you avoid some VERY costly mistakes you could wind up seriously regretting later. To help you move forward with confidence, here are some important points to consider.

Three "Flavors" Of The Cloud Not all cloud models are the same. A cloud environment that works for a dental practice with a half dozen locations may not be entirely suitable for a new law firm with just a single office.

In determining what the best cloud model is for your organization, it's important to know how cloud services are structured.

Basically, there are three types of cloud: public, private and hybrid.

Public Cloud Services Offer

Flexibility And Lower Cost

A public cloud comprises a collection of data storage and software services that can be accessed on an as-needed monthly basis, somewhat like an electric utility or fitness club. It houses data facilities outside the corporate firewall that you access through an Internet browser without having to make any initial or ongoing capital investment.

Well-known examples of public cloud services include Google Drive, Microsoft Office Online, Apple iCloud and Amazon Cloud Drive. They provide data storage and, in many cases, web apps.

Public clouds are best used where a high level of privacy is not required. They can provide access to a growing pool of newer technologies that would not be affordable if developed individually.

Private Clouds Support Highly Specialized Apps

A private cloud resides within an continued on pg2

This Monthly Publication provided courtesy of John Hill, President of TechSage Solutions.

Managed Server & Workstation Solutions • 24 X 7 X 365 Help Desk

www.TechSageSolutions.com

TECHSAGE TECH TALKBUSINESS CONSULTANTS WITH A TECHNOLOGY FOCUS ISSUE 86 April 2016

“Insider Tips To Make Your Business Run Faster, Easier, And More Profitably”

Managed Server & Workstation Solutions • 24 X 7 X 365 Help Desk


April 2016

This Monthly

Publication

provided courtesyof John Hill,

President ofTechSage

Solutions.

We are Business Consultants with aTechnology Focus and have Leveraged

Technology to Propel Our ClientsToward Competitive Success in the San

Antonio area for fifteen years. Our goalis to Simplify the use of Information

Technology for our Clients so that they

can focus on managing and growingtheir businesses.

continued on pg2

Which FlavorOf TheCloud IsRight For

You

Secure data backup, greaterreliability, better resource andgrowth management options,

and improved collaboration are just afew of the reasons to take fulladvantage of cloud computing today.

Yet understanding the choices youhave can help you avoid some VERYcostly mistakes you could wind upseriously regretting later. To help youmove forward with confidence, hereare some important pointsto consider.

Three “Flavors” Of The CloudNot all cloud models are the same. Acloud environment that works for adental practice with a half dozenlocations may not be entirely suitablefor a new law firm with just a singleoffice.

In determining what the best cloudmodel is for your organization, it’simportant to know how cloudservices are structured.

Basically, there are three types ofcloud: public, private and hybrid.

Public Cloud Services Offer

Flexibility And Lower Cost

A public cloud comprises a collectionof data storage and software servicesthat can be accessed on an as-neededmonthly basis, somewhat like anelectric utility or fitness club. Ithouses data facilities outside thecorporate firewall that you accessthrough an Internet browser withouthaving to make any initial or ongoingcapital investment.

Well-known examples of publiccloud services include Google Drive,Microsoft Office Online, AppleiCloud and Amazon Cloud Drive.They provide data storage and, inmany cases, web apps.

Public clouds are best used where ahigh level of privacy is not required.They can provide access to a growingpool of newer technologies thatwould not be affordable if developedindividually.

Private Clouds Support HighlySpecialized Apps

A private cloud resides within an

continued on pg2

Leveraging Technology to Propel Our Clients Toward Competitive Success

organization's firewall, and is typically owned, managed and supported by that business. IT resources are available to members of the organization from their own data center.

Private clouds can support highly specialized and/or privacy-restricted applications, like medical-records software for a health -care organization concerned about HIPPA requirements, for example.

And, while it can be more expensive to set up initially, a private cloud may deliver a higher ROI in the long run since you're not paying for ongoing shared services.

Hybrid Clouds: Balancing Complexity With Flexibility

Merging the flexibility of public cloud services with the control of a private cloud, a hybrid cloud can provide the ideal infrastructure for some organizations.

A hybrid cloud enables you to put some of your apps and data - archives and e-

mail, for instance - in a public cloud, and the remainder in your private cloud. This provides the cost savings and benefits of the public cloud while retaining the customization and security advantages of a private cloud.

While it can be more complex to deploy and manage than a pure public or

private cloud, a hybrid cloud may deliver the best blend of control, flexibility and cost-effectiveness for some organizations.

So Which "Flavor" Is Right For You?

There is no perfect solution - each type of cloud has its own pros and cons. That being said, here are a few key factors to consider when determining the best approach for your particular business:

Public cloud solutions are best suited to the flexibility and budget requirements of smaller businesses that want access to the kind of IT resources that bigger organizations can afford, without the cost of development and ongoing support and management.

A private cloud, managed and supported by an in-house IT team, may be ideal for your organization if control and privacy are of paramount concern.

A hybrid cloud could be the ideal solution for any enterprise that wants to manage sensitive data in-house while availing itself of third-party software and data storage for uses where the data involved isn't as sensitive.

How To Get The Best Professional Help

While hiring a cloud-computing expert can prove extremely beneficial in the long run, it's critical to work with a professional who has depth of experience in all types of cloud environments.

We've helped dozens of companies set up and run cost-effective, powerful and secure cloud networks.

For a Free Cloud Readiness Assessment, contact us at (210) 582-5814 or jhill (7, techsagesolutions.com today.

"Eadv type/ of cloud/ ha4( its- ow 1/1/ pros- awl&

con* "

Referral Contest! Refer a friend to TechSage Solutions between February 1, 2016 through May 31, 2016 for a chance to win a New Samsung Galaxy Tablet and matching carrying case.

How the Contest Works: 1) Call or email us with your referral information. 2) We will call to schedule an appointment. 3) We will pay you or donate $25 to your favorite charity for anyone that you refer to us, who we get

an appointment with. 4) When your referral becomes a client (and spends $1,000 or more), we will pay you $75 more or

donate $75 more to your favorite charity. Plus, we will give your referral $100 off the purchase. 5) What makes a good referral for TechSage Solutions? A business owner who has 10 or more PC's

and needs help with their network, data backups, email server or is just interested in having a sec-ond opinion on how they are doing things now. We provide service to the San Antonio area and surrounding cities.

Send an email to [email protected] or call (210) 582-5814 with your referral details. Or, you can go to httpWwww.techsagesolutions.com/about-us/referral-program/

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Cloud Solutions • Co-Location • Disaster Recovery Planning & Data Protection

www.TechSageSolutions.comPage 2

Referral Contest!Refer a friend to TechSage Solutions between February 1, 2016 through May 31, 2016 for a chance towin a New Samsung Galaxy Tablet and matching carrying case.

How the Contest Works:1) Call or email us with your referral information.2) We will call to schedule an appointment.3) We will pay you or donate $25 to your favorite charity for anyone that you refer to us, who we get

an appointment with.4) When your referral becomes a client (and spends $1,000 or more), we will pay you $75 more or

donate $75 more to your favorite charity. Plus, we will give your referral $100 off the purchase.5) What makes a good referral for TechSage Solutions? A business owner who has 10 or more PC’s

and needs help with their network, data backups, email server or is just interested in having a sec-

ond opinion on how they are doing things now. We provide service to the San Antonio area andsurrounding cities.

Send an email to [email protected] or call (210) 582-5814 with your referral details. Or, you can go tohttp://www.techsagesolutions.com/about-us/referral-program/

organization’s firewall, and is typicallyowned, managed and supported by thatbusiness. IT resources are available tomembers of the organization from theirown data center.

Private clouds can support highlyspecialized and/or privacy-restrictedapplications, like medical-recordssoftware for a health-care organizationconcerned aboutHIPPArequirements, forexample.

And, while it can bemore expensive toset up initially, aprivate cloud maydeliver a higher ROI in the long runsince you’re not paying for ongoingshared services.

Hybrid Clouds: Balancing ComplexityWith Flexibility

Merging the flexibility of public cloudservices with the control of a privatecloud, a hybrid cloud can provide theideal infrastructure for someorganizations.

A hybrid cloud enables you to put someof your apps and data – archives and e-

mail, for instance – in a public cloud, andthe remainder in your private cloud.This provides the cost savings andbenefits of the public cloud whileretaining the customization and securityadvantages of a private cloud.

While it can be more complex to deployand manage than a pure public or

private cloud, a hybridcloud may deliver thebest blend of control,flexibility and cost-effectiveness for someorganizations.

So Which “Flavor” IsRight For You?

There is no perfectsolution – each type of cloud has its ownpros and cons. That being said, here area few key factors to consider whendetermining the best approach for yourparticular business:

Public cloud solutions are bestsuited to the flexibility and budgetrequirements of smaller businessesthat want access to the kind of ITresources that bigger organizationscan afford, without the cost ofdevelopment and ongoing supportand management.

A private cloud, managed andsupported by an in-house IT team,may be ideal for your organization ifcontrol and privacy are ofparamount concern.

A hybrid cloud could be the idealsolution for any enterprise thatwants to manage sensitive data in-house while availing itself of third-party software and data storage foruses where the data involved isn’t assensitive.

How To Get The Best ProfessionalHelp

While hiring a cloud-computing expertcan prove extremely beneficial in thelong run, it’s critical to work with aprofessional who has depth ofexperience in all types of cloudenvironments.

We’ve helped dozens of companies setup and run cost-effective, powerful andsecure cloud networks.

For a Free Cloud ReadinessAssessment, contact us at (210) 582-5814or [email protected] today.

“Each type of

cloud has its

own pros and

cons.”

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If you found a USB flash drive, would you plug into your computer?

There is an article posted on the Sophos blog written by Li-sa Vaas titled "Almost half of dropped USB sticks will get plugged in".

Generally it is intentionally when a USB stick is found lay-

ing on the ground. First, we are excited that we can always use a USB drive finders keepers right? Second, our curiosity gets the best of us-we want to know what is on the drive.

As an experiment, CompTIA littered within four cities 200 un-branded drives in public high-traffic areas. Their experiment noted nearly one out of five users engaged in opening text files, clicking on unfamiliar web links or sending messages to a listed email ad-dress.

In 2011, Sophos (security company) studied 50 USB keys bought at a major transit authority's Lost Property auction found 66% of them were infected.

So what do you do if you find a USB stick on the ground? Do not plug it into your computer! The drive was likely left with the inten-tion of the finder plugging into their computer not only infecting your computer but the whole network.

How do you protect your data if you accidently lose one of your USB drives? Per Sophos site, below are a few tips.

1. Encrypt personal and business data before you store it on a USB drive so it can't be accessed if you drop the drive.

2. Use security software on your computer, and keep it up to date. 3. There is software that can be purchased to password protect

your USB drives.

Another Security Resource for you:

If you would like to keep up to date on security issues, Brian Krebs has a blog at his site address http://krebsonsecurity.com/. He also has a book called Spam Nation. I have the book and it is next in line to be read.

Office 365 • Email Spam Filtering • Email Archiving & Encryption www.TechSageSolutions.com


Office 365 • Email Spam Filtering • Email Archiving & Encryptionwww.TechSageSolutions.com Page 3

Tips for Windows 10

To lock your screen, instead of thetypical Alt + Ctrl +Delete, a simpler wayis to

Click

Your account name, then chooseLOCK

There is also an option to Sign Outas well.

Another option, L

To unlock your screen Swipe up or click anywhere on

the screen Sign in

To Sleep, shut down, or restartyour device Click

Power and then choose youroption

There is an article posted onthe Sophos blog written by Li-sa Vaas titled “Almost half ofdropped USB sticks will getplugged in”.

Generally it is intentionallywhen a USB stick is found lay-

ing on the ground. First, we are excited that we can always use aUSB drive finders keepers right? Second, our curiosity gets thebest of us-we want to know what is on the drive.

As an experiment, CompTIA littered within four cities 200 un-branded drives in public high-traffic areas. Their experiment notednearly one out of five users engaged in opening text files, clickingon unfamiliar web links or sending messages to a listed email ad-dress.

In 2011, Sophos (security company) studied 50 USB keys bought ata major transit authority’s Lost Property auction found 66% of themwere infected.

So what do you do if you find a USB stick on the ground? Do notplug it into your computer! The drive was likely left with the inten-tion of the finder plugging into their computer not only infectingyour computer but the whole network.

How do you protect your data if you accidently lose one of yourUSB drives? Per Sophos site, below are a few tips.

1. Encrypt personal and business data before you store it on a USBdrive so it can’t be accessed if you drop the drive.

2. Use security software on your computer, and keep it up to date.3. There is software that can be purchased to password protect

your USB drives.

Another Security Resource for you:

If you would like to keep up to date on security issues, Brian Krebshas a blog at his site address http://krebsonsecurity.com/. He alsohas a book called Spam Nation. I have the book and it is next inline to be read.

If you found a USB flash drive,would you plug into your computer?

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Security Is Important to TechSage Solutions Take The Challenge and Test Your Internet Security IQ from Microsoft

Since security is important to us, I thought we would challenge you to take the quiz. Submit your answers to www.techsagesolutions.com/security10 and fill out the form. For questions 4 and 7, you should refer to the above in order to answer the questions correctly. Ensure you fill out your name and email address so I will be alerted with your answers. On May 2, 2016 I will draw from the submitted correct answers. The prize will be a $40 Amazon Card. Good Luck!

Firewall & Network Solutions • Cloud File Sync Solutions



Firewall & Network Solutions • Cloud File Sync Solutions

www.TechSageSolutions.com Page 4

Security Is Important to TechSage SolutionsTake The Challenge and Test Your Internet Security IQ from Microsoft

Since security is important to us, I thought we would challenge you to take the quiz. Submit your answers towww.techsagesolutions.com/securityIQ and fill out the form. For questions 4 and 7, you should refer to theabove in order to answer the questions correctly. Ensure you fill out your name and email address so I will be alertedwith your answers. On May 2, 2016 I will draw from the submitted correct answers. The prize will be a $40 AmazonCard. Good Luck!

Shiny New Gadget Of

The Month:

New Printer Fits In Your

Pocket So, what's about the size of a deck of cards and prints instant photos from your smartphone — with no ink needed?

Yes, there is such a thing, and if you guessed the new Polaroid Zip, you'd be right.

Selling for $129.99, it prints full-color 2x3-inch prints with an optional peel-off sticky backing. Each print costs about 25 cents and they look okay, all things considered — just don't expect ink-jet print quality.

How does it not need ink? It uses Polaroid's Zink zero-ink paper, embedded with cyan, yellow and magenta crystals. They turn into the appropriate colors when activated by a heat process. And since there's no ink, there's no stickiness, smearing or waiting for photos to dry.

Connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, then just shoot and print!


Forget Something? A while back I did a huge favor for someone and never heard anything from them... Zip, zilch, nada, nothing. Just a simple "thank you" would have been nice...but they acted as if it was expected of me. To say that I was disappointed is putting it mildly.

To me, disappointed is a very powerful and scary word. You see, disappointed can turn into other "dis" words, such as disgruntled, discouraged, disenthralled, disillusioned, disheartened and possibly even dissatisfied with our current personal or business relationship. I might start noticing that this relationship (business or personal) is really all about YOU and how YOU can benefit; the words reciprocation or gratitude don't seem to be in your vocabulary.

Everyone likes to be remembered, thanked or appreciated for doing favors, going above and beyond, being courteous, considerate, thoughtful or kind. Being "taken for granted" stinks. Forgetting to show any kind of appreciation for someone who did something for you...that they didn't have to do... can end up causing you problems later on. You will never know when someday you may need a helping hand, and all those people you took for granted and/or never thanked might NOT be so readily available to help you out.

Francesca Gino, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, did some research on gratitude and looked at 41 fund-raisers at a university, all receiving a fixed salary. The director visited half of the fund-raisers in person, telling them, "I am very grateful for your hard work. We sincerely appreciate your contributions to the university." The second group received no such expressions of gratitude. What was the impact of the director's thanks? Gino said that "the expression of gratitude increased the number of calls by more than 50%" for the week, while fund-raisers who received no thanks made about the same number of calls as the previous week.

Organizations and leaders who miss chances to express gratitude lose opportunities to motivate people that actually cost them nothing. Simply stated: gratitude is free and profitable. People may not show that they are upset about not being thanked...but when the time comes for them to help YOU out again, they may just be a little too busy that day. You can transform your relationships, business and personal life with the Power of Gratitude! Never underestimate the power of a thank-you and never pass up on the opportunity to say those two words.

"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy." — Anonymous

Robert Stevenson is a highly sought after, internationally known speaker. He is the author of the best-selling books How to Soar Like An Eagle in a World Full of Turkeys and 52 Essential Habits For Success. Robert is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and is a former All-American Athlete. He started his first business at 24 and has owned several companies. Robert has international sales experience dealing in over 20 countries, and his client list reads like a Who's Who in Business. He has shared the podium with such renowned names as Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, Former President George H.W. Bush, Anthony Robbins and Steven Covey. www.robertstevenson.org/

Security Audits • HIPPA Compliance • IT Consulting


Security Audits • HIPPA Compliance • IT Consulting



Shiny New Gadget Of

The Month:

New PrinterFits In Your

PocketSo, what’s about the size of a deck of

cards and prints instant photos from

your smartphone – with no ink

needed?

Yes, there is such a thing, and if you

guessed the new Polaroid Zip, you’d

be right.

Selling for $129.99, it prints full-color

2x3-inch prints with an optional peel-

off sticky backing. Each print costs

about 25 cents and they look okay, all

things considered – just don’t expect

ink-jet print quality.

How does it not need ink? It uses

Polaroid’s Zink zero-ink paper,

embedded with cyan, yellow and

magenta crystals. They turn into the

appropriate colors when activated by a

heat process. And since there’s no ink,

there’s no stickiness, smearing or

waiting for photos to dry.

Connect to your smartphone via

Bluetooth, then just shoot and print!

Forget Something?A while back I did a huge favor forsomeone and never heard anythingfrom them… Zip, zilch, nada,nothing. Just a simple “thank you”would have been nice…but theyacted as if it was expected of me. Tosay that I was disappointed is puttingit mildly.

To me, disappointed is a verypowerful and scary word. You see,disappointed can turn into other “dis”words, such as disgruntled,discouraged, disenthralled, disillusioned,disheartened and possibly evendissatisfied with our current personalor business relationship. I might startnoticing that this relationship(business or personal) is really allabout YOU and how YOU canbenefit; the words reciprocation orgratitude don’t seem to be in yourvocabulary.

Everyone likes to be remembered,thanked or appreciated for doingfavors, going above and beyond,being courteous, considerate,thoughtful or kind. Being “taken forgranted” stinks. Forgetting to showany kind of appreciation forsomeone who did something foryou…that they didn’t have to do…can end up causing you problemslater on. You will never know whensomeday you may need a helpinghand, and all those people you tookfor granted and/or never thankedmight NOT be so readily available tohelpyou out.

Francesca Gino, an associateprofessor at Harvard BusinessSchool, did some research ongratitude and looked at 41 fund-raisers at a university, all receiving afixed salary. The director visited halfof the fund-raisers in person, tellingthem, “I am very grateful for yourhard work. We sincerely appreciateyour contributions to theuniversity.” The second groupreceived no such expressions ofgratitude. What was the impact ofthe director’s thanks? Gino said that“the expression of gratitudeincreased the number of calls bymore than 50%” for the week, whilefund-raisers who received no thanksmade about the same number ofcalls as the previous week.

Organizations and leaders who misschances to express gratitude loseopportunities to motivate people thatactually cost them nothing. Simplystated: gratitude is free andprofitable. People may not show thatthey are upset about not beingthanked…but when the time comesfor them to help YOU out again,they may just be a little too busy thatday. You can transform yourrelationships, business and personallife with the Power of Gratitude!Never underestimate the power of athank-you and never pass up on theopportunity to say those two words.

“It is not happy people who are thankful.It is thankful people who are happy.”– Anonymous

Robert Stevenson is a highly sought after, internationally known speaker. He is the authorof the best-selling books How to Soar Like An Eagle in a World Full of Turkeys and 52Essential Habits For Success. Robert is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology(Georgia Tech) and is a former All-American Athlete. He started his first business at 24 andhas owned several companies. Robert has international sales experience dealing in over 20countries, and his client list reads like a Who’s Who in Business. He has shared the podiumwith such renowned names as Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, FormerPresident George H.W. Bush, Anthony Robbins and Steven Covey.www.robertstevenson.org/


More glitches ahead. Software bugs have been around for a while now. But with so much new technology going online - often without sufficient testing - the interactions are getting harder to predict. A glitch grounded 5,000 United Airlines planes for two hours. Other glitches have halted trading at the New York Stock Exchange. And a glitch at Netflix caused this odd summary: "This Disney film follows a gentle, crippled bell ringer as he faces prejudice and tries to save the eyes of individual dinosaurs." Unlike software bugs, which can be tested and corrected, glitches happen when technology breaks in unexpected ways. Bottom line? No need to abandon technology - just monitor systems and communicate with IT managers more frequently. -Harvard Business Review

Naturally successful people "sprint," then relax. An American schoolteacher who moved to Finland in 2014 was skeptical of the Finnish practice of giving students 15 minutes of free time every hour. Until he tried it. He was astounded when they went from dragging their feet to having a bounce in their step and more focus in their studies. The makers of DeskTime, a software that tracks employee time use, studied the

habits of the most productive 10% of their 36,000-employee user base. The surprising results? They work for 52 minutes then break for 17 on average. They treat the 52 minutes like a sprint. During the break they tend to go for a walk or tune out, rather than checking e-mail or Facebook. -Reader's Digest

Your tech: Productive...or distracting? With constantly evolving technologies, it's getting harder to know where your time is best spent. To help you stay on track, here are three questions to ask about any situation in your business where technology is involved. 1) Who's the right person to handle this? For example, let your IT partners help employees with tech support questions. 2) Will this save us time and money? Cloud-based productivity solutions, for example, can give your firm access to the resources of big IT without the need to build it yourself. 3) Is this making your job easier or harder? Syncing devices, for instance, could free you and your sales force from the desk to meet with customers. -Entrepreneur

What's your business missing by not accepting bitcoin? Here's what you need to know: on the plus side, bitcoin allows direct transactions between end users and product or service providers. That makes it fast and free from transaction fees. It's also extremely difficult to counterfeit, and virtually guarantees user anonymity and security. And promoting that you accept it could enable you to tap into a lucrative demographic. On the other hand, since bitcoins aren't maintained by a single repository, daily exchange rates can fluctuate rapidly. A bitcoin payment you accepted yesterday could be worth half as much today. That, along with a lack of regulatory oversight and ambivalence toward bitcoin by the U.S. Treasury Dept., suggests a wait-and-see approach. -CBS Pulse

Managed Network 24X7 • Security Audits & Solutions • VolP (Voice Over IP Phone)


Managed Network 24X7 • Security Audits & Solutions • VoIP (Voice Over IP Phone)



More glitches ahead.Software bugs have been around

for a while now. But with so

much new technology going

online – often without sufficient

testing – the interactions are

getting harder to predict. A

glitch grounded 5,000 United

Airlines planes for two hours.

Other glitches have halted

trading at the New York Stock

Exchange. And a glitch at Netflix

caused this odd summary: “This

Disney film follows a gentle,

crippled bell ringer as he faces

prejudice and tries to save the

eyes of individual dinosaurs.”

Unlike software bugs, which can

be tested and corrected, glitches

happen when technology breaks

in unexpected ways. Bottom

line? No need to abandon

technology – just monitor

systems and communicate with

IT managers more frequently.

-Harvard Business Review

Naturally successful people

"sprint," then relax.An American schoolteacher who

moved to Finland in 2014 was

skeptical of the Finnish practice

of giving students 15 minutes of

free time every hour. Until he

tried it. He was astounded when

they went from dragging their

feet to having a bounce in their

step and more focus in their

studies. The makers of

DeskTime, a software that tracks

employee time use, studied the

habits of the most productive

10% of their 36,000-employee

user base. The surprising

results? They work for 52

minutes then break for 17 on

average. They treat the 52

minutes like a sprint. During the

break they tend to go for a walk

or tune out, rather than checking

e-mail or Facebook.

-Reader’s Digest

Your tech: Productive…or

distracting?With constantly evolving

technologies, it’s getting harder

to know where your time is best

spent. To help you stay on track,

here are three questions to ask

about any situation in your

business where technology is

involved. 1) Who’s the right

person to handle this? For

example, let your IT partners

help employees with tech

support questions. 2) Will this

save us time and money? Cloud-

based productivity solutions, for

example, can give your firm

access to the resources of big IT

without the need to

build it yourself. 3) Is

this making your job

easier or harder?

Syncing devices, for

instance, could free

you and your sales

force from the desk to

meet with customers.

-Entrepreneur

What’s your business

missing by not accepting

bitcoin?Here’s what you need to know:

on the plus side, bitcoin allows

direct transactions between end

users and product or service

providers. That makes it fast and

free from transaction fees. It’s

also extremely difficult to

counterfeit, and virtually

guarantees user anonymity and

security. And promoting that

you accept it could enable you to

tap into a lucrative

demographic. On the other

hand, since bitcoins aren’t

maintained by a single

repository, daily exchange rates

can fluctuate rapidly. A bitcoin

payment you accepted yesterday

could be worth half as much

today. That, along with a lack of

regulatory oversight and

ambivalence toward bitcoin by

the U.S. Treasury Dept.,

suggests a wait-and-see

approach.

-CBS Pulse

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