If you could connect to the world’s business professionals, in the time it takes to check your email, wouldn’t you? Welcome to the world of online networking, where valuable business connections are made every day on social and professional networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.
“IT budgeting can’t be that difficult, right? You just add up the cost of your computers. Simple! Oh wait, we have to factor in the cost of software. So it’s still a piece of cake. Oh yea, what about staff training? And repairs? And tech support? And consulting fees? What happens if my server crashes?? AAAHHHHH!!!!! Will this nightmare ever end?”
We live in a world that constantly forces us to “do more with less”. Employees are expected to be more efficient. Multi-function devices are becoming the standard on many desktops. We multi-task by answering email, talking on the phone and reviewing a spreadsheet – all at the same time.
We hope you have have successfully weathered the summer storms. Now is a good time to check your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices and surge protectors because there is a good chance they have taken some voltage hits and suffered power outages.
Do you remember when owning a car used to be simple? 20 years ago we felt competent enough to do a lot more with our cars than just fill them up with gas. It wasn't even uncommon for the average guy to carry out some solid repairs without ever calling a mechanic. Today, it is rare to see anyone opening the hood at all. The complexity of automotive technology has grown so much that it is now easier and more cost effective to just let experts handle it and focus on enjoying the drive.
These days, wireless computing means freedom in business. No longer must people be tethered to their desks, bound by the mass of cables and cords that connect their equipment. Wireless means work can be done beyond office walls, from anywhere there is a wireless hotspot - which these days seem to be everywhere - the airport, coffee shops, hotels, and many homes. The possibilities for mobile working increase exponentially with wireless, translating into increased productivity. At the same time, wireless introduces a new set of security issues, and all too many businesses are jumping on the wireless bandwagon before they understand the technology and all the risks associated with it.
It's hard not to admire the sleekness of flat-panel displays. They are a perfect example of form melding with function to create a superior product. Is it time for you to trade in your trusty cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor for a stylish new liquid crystal display (LCD) model?
In life, when you order a meal in a restaurant, you know that the chef has received your "message" because your food arrives a short while later (provided you've ordered off the menu and haven't angered the chef by making too many suggestions). When it comes to e-mail, however, things aren't so black and white. How can you be sure that someone has received and actually read your message? To put it bluntly, you can make it easy, but you can't make it happen. You can set it up for your recipients to let you know if they've read your note, but it's really up to them. I'll get to that in a minute. First, let's figure out how to set up message tracking. Because if you don't do that first, they can't use it.
Ergonomics is not a four-letter word — even though many business owners may think otherwise. That's because when business people hear the word ergonomics, they immediately think of dollar signs — as in what it will cost to outfit employee workstations with new setups to prevent sometimes crippling injuries.
