Posts in category: Advisory

Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, made a prediction in September 2018 that the internet will split in two – one part being led by China and the other by the United States. The reasoning behind this involves China’s active monitoring of all internet activities, as well as technological products and services from the country. Other reasons include a different leadership regime, controls and censorship.

Although it's just speculation, the splinternet phenomenon has been around since the 1990s. Also known as cyber-balkanization, the concept is slowly taking root as governments seek to fence off their internet to create national internets.

How Realistic is Splinternet?
The United States has maintained dominance over the internet since its inception and going public. But in the modern digital landscape, rules and regulations are expected to curb the global internet into smaller networks. The idea is being driven by nationalism as well as concerns surrounding digital colonization and privacy issues.

China is one country known to be taking steps to compartmentalize the internet through its Great Firewall. Other countries that have taken steps to control domestic access to the internet include Russia and Iran. Europe is also taking steps toward reducing U.S. dominance by increasing regulations that require data localization. They have facilitated this with the 2018 introduction of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In the United States, there is a drive to increase internet fragmentation to reduce the domination of large companies. This is because of the need to increase personal data protection and reduce data control by large companies. With the world becoming more global, we continue to see cases of large companies like Facebook or Apple having more influence as well as centralized power.

Though a small fraction of the internet interactions, this provides a good example of the splintering. With such fragmentation of the internet increasing, it’s bound to have an effect on economic interests.

How a Split Internet Would Affect Businesses
Data has become a critical resource, from influencing purchasing decisions, behavior dynamics, health and other aspects. But with the changing internet landscape, businesses could be affected in one way or another. Businesses have had an easy time operating in a standardized web. But with the unity of the internet shattered, they would have to adjust their planning and metrics to fit into the new environment. For instance, due to China’s domestic internet control, it’s impossible for some companies in the United States to carry out business operations in China.

This situation presents a challenge for businesses – and especially those whose operations are purely internet based. Increased regulation means disruption of operations.

For small companies expanding to other countries, it would be difficult due to the overhead costs of compliance to various regional regulations. As a business, failing to comply with the laws of a different region would subject it to hefty fines.

Be Prepared
Whether this is going to be a reality or not, the fact is there are big changes happening on the internet. The days of an open internet are dwindling with different countries and companies erecting digital walls on the internet every other day.

Unless we have a new set of global rules that enhance openness and public interest, businesses and consumers will have to navigate complex laws and regulations that will not only affect the economy, but also disrupt seamless communication.

Since data today plays a big role in the digital economy, businesses can’t afford to ignore the possibility of a splinternet. As a business owner, you need to stay steps ahead as it would be a challenge connecting with your customers when caught up in the changes.

Businesses need to know how to follow consumers to new environments – and this could mean a bigger budget is required for development and testing different markets. Given that technological changes happen gradually, it’s advisable to keep tabs on tech trends and adjust accordingly. 

It may be hard to believe, but the end of the year is upon us. During this time, many of us might reflect on the year and tally up the good and the bad, the pros and the cons of the past 12 months. In a society that focuses on success and getting ahead, probably the most common thing to do is zero in on what you didn’t accomplish, or what went wrong. But science tells us that if you’re smart, you’ll look back with gratitude. And the best news is: it’s good for our health.

Gratitude Changes Your Brain – For the Better
When you give thanks for positive things in your life and show appreciation, it literally changes the structure of your brain, according to UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center. It keeps the gray matter functioning and causes synchronized activation in multiple brain regions, lighting up parts of the brain’s reward pathways and the hypothalamus. It’s kind of like an anti-depressant: it boosts neurotransmitter serotonin and causes the brain stem to produce dopamine, a chemical that mediates pleasure in the brain. In short, thinking about what you’re grateful for is kind of like free therapy.

Make a List of Your Successes
So now that you know how gratitude works, make a list of what you’ve accomplished this year. It doesn’t have to be big and dramatic; for instance: you ate at home more often. You decided to recycle. You drank more water. However, if you got a promotion and raise, by all means write it down and feel good about it. Besides, there’s more that happens: when you’re feeling grateful, you generate higher levels of activity in your hypothalamus, the area which controls a large array of essential body functions, like eating, drinking and sleeping. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), this activity prompts you to exercise more, get better sleep and, best of all, decreases depression and bodily aches and pains. How’s that for some motivation to put pen to paper?

Keep a Journal for Next Year
As you can see, being grateful is beneficial, both mentally and physically. So why not keep a journal for the upcoming year? It doesn’t have to be fancy. Granted, a journal helps organize your thoughts and can be your go-to source should you start feeling down. But practicing gratitude can be as simple as jotting down your thoughts on a sticky note and posting it on your mirror. Another way to do this is to pick a gratitude buddy. When you think of something you’re thankful for, text or email a friend. Don’t worry about it sounding right, just do it! Chances are, it’ll not only make you feel better, it might brighten your friend’s day, too.

Just Look for Positive Things
According to Dr. Alex Korb in his book “Upward Spiral,” the simple act of seeking things to be grateful for has as much if not more benefit than the things you are actually grateful for. Korb says that the search “forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. This simple act increases serotonin production in the anterior cingulate cortex.” This area of the brain not only regulates blood pressure and heart rate, it’s also responsible for decision making and evaluation processes. Serotonin is good stuff: it’s known as the happy chemical. See how good this gratitude thing is?

So, in the coming year, if you start feeling blue and negative, here are some quick remedies:

1) Look in the mirror and name five things you like about yourself.

2) Write someone a thank you note.

3) When something bad happens, think of something good that’s happened.

4) Give someone a compliment. The act of giving is soul-nourishing: to give is to receive.

Here’s to looking back and feeling good, then moving forward with positive vibes!

Sources

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-gratitude-actually-changes-your-brain-and-is-good-for-business/

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx

http://ebooksdownloadfreeed.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-upward-spiral-pdf-free-download.html

https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Anterior+Cingulate+Cortex

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/kc/serotonin-facts-232248

Small Business Technology Trends to Watch For in 2020

This article discusses how technology is changing the way small businesses operate on a day to day basis. From working from home to social media marketing, these tech advancements are vital to staying up to date as your business grows. 

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

Digital Marketing Trends to Watch

This article discusses how marketing has changed over the years and what you can expect/need to know heading into the new year. Whether it is the use of A/B split testing or integrating AI to do simple, repetitive tasks, marketing is changing the way businesses are operated.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content. 

Growing Your Business Without Breaking the Bank

This article outlines the best practices that your business can take in order to increase growth. The best part is that none of them require more money! Whether it is billing faster or streamlining your marketing message, these tips can really propel your business as we approach the new year. 

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

Tips for Sustainable Growth

This article discusses the instant gratification that we seek when it comes to the business industry. We want to buy low and sell high as soon as we can, but that may not always be the best move. From establishing autonomous operations to leaving your own unique footprint, these tips can help you sustain growth as we head into the new year.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

Do’s and Don’ts For Workplace Productivity

Staying focused while on the job is a challenge for many workers. Distractions are many and varied. Here are some helpful tips for having a successful and productive workday.

Things to Do

Define Your Goals
Having a plan in mind helps you to know how to get started, where to go, and where you want to end up. Consider setting goals for the year, the quarter, the month, the week, and/or the day—try a few time spans to see what works best for you. Your goals are your to-do list for whichever period of time they cover.

Manage Your Workload
There are a number of strategies for good task management. A couple of our favorites are:

• Do dreaded tasks first. It‚Äôs a nice feeling of relief to get the worst out of the way first. Plus, that way you eliminate a source of anxiety early on in the day.
• Group like tasks together. You‚Äôll likely accomplish tasks more easily and efficiently if you focus on one subject or area, rather than jumping around.

Organize Your Day Well
This will likely look different for each individual person, but here are some tips to inspire you:

• Know when you‚Äôre most productive, and plan accordingly. Are you a morning person? Or an evening person? Do you feel a slump after lunch? Or are you energized after eating?
• Rather than visiting your inbox each time a new email appears, schedule a specific time or times for checking email into your day.
• Take a break! If you‚Äôre feeling scatterbrained or weary, rather than suffering through, consider pressing pause for a few minutes. Get up, walk around, fetch a drink or a snack, or have a conversation with a co-worker. Spending a few minutes away from your desk is a great way to refresh and reset.

Employ Helpful Technologies
Get yourself organized using an online calendar and/or to-do list. Take advantage of any automation features it offers, such as setting up recurring tasks or meetings. Consider acquiring a second monitor in order to increase the size of your workspace and do less switching between computer windows.

Listen to Music
Music is a fantastic tool for helping you to stay focused and productive. It might take some trial and error to figure out what style of music is best for you (some people like classical, some prefer something electronic). It might sound odd but consider giving video game music a try—it’s designed to keep the listener relaxed and focused on the task at hand. One thing to avoid is music with lyrics, as this can easily become a distraction.

Things to Avoid

Now that we’ve covered the “do’s,” let’s take a quick look at some things to avoid:

Spending Time on Your Cell Phone
Phones are a big source of distraction and productivity loss. While it’s not realistic to disconnect entirely, consider shutting off notifications that aren’t relevant to your work during the day. Perhaps make checking your phone something you do only during a quick break.

Having Long, Non-Work Related Conversations with Co-Workers
“Water cooler talk” isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but sometimes it can take up much more time than you think. Simply being aware of this can help you curb the time you spend chatting. If you’re having an issue with people stopping by your desk to talk or simply distracting you by conversing nearby, consider closing your door while you’re working (if you have one) or putting on headphones.

When it comes to workplace productivity, a big part of the solution is simply knowing yourself and figuring out what works best for you, personally. Give some of these tips a try today and see if you can make productivity happen!

Mental Health in the Workplace

This article
discusses the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace.
According to this article, 1 out  of 5 people suffer from some sort of
mental health condition. Because this number is so high, it is worth looking
into the health of your employees as better mental health can lead to an
improvement in other areas.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

Strategies and Tips for Your Business

This article discusses the major trends occurring in the general business world as we leave 2019 in the past and look to the future. It is important to be aware of these trends for the future of your business and know how to manage/take advantage of them.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

Keeping a Positive Attitude in the Workplace

Do you find it hard to stay positive during your work day? This article discusses the importance of having a positive attitude in the workplace because it is contagious and can rub off on the people who may need it most. It also highlights how easy it can be to have a positive attitude at work, and it also highlights how to deal with negative attitudes during the work day.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.