Category: Insights

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Insights

How Contract Lifecycle Management Contributes to Your Business Success

on May 20, 2022

Contract lifecycle management is managing the contract’s life cycle as you use it in the business. It is a process that ensures that the contract business and its stakeholders are aligned to achieve desired business outcomes.

You can use it in any scenario where there is an agreement between two parties. For example, there is an agreement between an employer and their employees or between a company and its suppliers.

It helps companies manage their contracts, employees, and vendors in an organized manner. It ensures that the company’s contracts are up-to-date with the latest information, new vendors are added and removed when needed, and that you assign projects efficiently to your employees.

Many companies use contract lifecycle management to make sure they can keep track of the contracts they have signed with their vendors and employees. It also helps them make sure that they have all the information about these contracts at hand to work efficiently.

Here are specific ways that contract lifecycle management can contribute to your business’ success.

Standardize the process from start to finish

Contract lifecycle management is a tool that can help a company to standardize the process from start to finish. The business must standardize the contract management process to help with business success.

Contract lifecycle management is helpful for companies when they need to recruit talent and when they want to retain it. It helps them stay on top of their employees’ expectations by providing them with feedback on their performance or by giving them clear goals that they have set for themselves.

The contract lifecycle management also helps with managing the contract itself. Companies can track the time spent on a project, what they’ve finished, who did it, and how much time they spent on each task. You can use this information for billing purposes, analytics, or quality assurance.

Reduce the need for manual tasks

Contract lifecycle management is a process that automates the contract management process. It can reduce the need for manual tasks in this process and provide better visibility into contracts and their statuses.

Contract lifecycle management can be a tedious process that requires careful monitoring and timely responses. However, it is necessary to ensure the success of a business.

It reduces the need for manual tasks, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Aside from that, it avoids mistakes by providing a centralized repository of all contracts related to an organization.

Simplifies tracking and monitoring

With CLM software, you can improve your business’s tracking and monitoring of contracts, contract approvals, and renewals.

The benefits of using contract lifecycle management are many. For example, it provides a centralized location for all contracts, simplifies the contract approval process, and allows easy access to all contractual information.

Tracking and monitoring seem like a relatively simple job, but it can be tedious over time. With CLMs, it becomes a lot easier to do so you can still do the job in a good enough quality without tiring yourself out.

Eases collaboration

Companies that use contract lifecycle management are more successful than those that don’t. It is a way to streamline the entire collaboration process between different departments, and it is a crucial step in business success.

Contract lifecycle management is a system that manages all the contracts that a company has with its partners, clients, and vendors. This system includes negotiating contracts, preparing them for execution, and executing them after all parties have signed them.

Improved revenue

The contract lifecycle management software is a valuable tool for any company. It can help manage the contracts and streamline the contract management process, eventually leading to better revenue.

Contract lifecycle management is a process that ensures that you’ve managed all the agreements between the company and its clients in a timely and organized manner. It helps to reduce risk, mitigate disputes, and improve customer satisfaction.

Due to these benefits, it becomes much easier to close deals with a potential customer.

Simplify the process of personalizing contracts

Contract lifecycle management is a process that can help companies maintain a healthy contract portfolio and reduce the risk of violating any laws or regulations.

It starts with identifying the legal and regulatory requirements for specific contracts. The company then needs to map these requirements to the existing agreements. This step will help them determine which contracts need to be updated and those that require you to draft from scratch.

The contract lifecycle management process should also include an assessment of risks associated with each contract, such as breach of confidentiality, data security, and intellectual property rights infringement.

A CLM can help simplify these complicated parts of managing a contract. It doesn’t take as much time as it usually would, especially since you have different agreements with different customers.

Effective risk and compliance management

Contracts are an essential part of the business. They are a legally binding agreement between two or more parties, and they help the company protect itself from legal risks. However, it is not easy to manage contracts with all their complexities.

Effective risk and compliance management are one of the main benefits of using contract lifecycle management software. It helps companies identify risks early to avoid any potential negative consequences later on.

Saves money and time by eliminating delays

Contracts are an essential part of a business. You can use them to protect the company and its employees from risks while also providing a clear roadmap for how things will happen. The contract lifecycle management process can help companies save time and money by eliminating delays in the contract process.

The contract lifecycle management process starts with defining the project’s scope and determining what type of contract is needed. After this, contracts are drafted, reviewed, executed, and managed throughout their life cycle. These steps can be tedious and lengthy, so CLM software is a welcome approach to ensure there are no delays.

Boost customer trust and brand reputation

Customer trust
Customer trust is very important to the business

Another benefit of investing in CLM is that it can help organizations boost customer trust and brand reputation by making sure that they are not violating any contract terms.

This process can help reduce the risk of being penalized for violating the contract by a third party. It also helps ensure no gaps between what the company promised and what they’ve delivered on those promises.

Wrapping up

Contract lifecycle management is not something you want to overlook, especially when you’re starting to deal with several contracts all at once while running your business. It will make you more efficient, but it can even improve your reputation with clients, which can generate even more business for you. If you can, consider investing in CLM software today.

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DevelopmentInsights

Student’s Guide: How to Start Learning Coding

on April 14, 2022

The technology industry is one of the most important industries in the world. We use technology daily to keep us better connected, yet we know little about how it’s all created. As much as it may seem like magic, it was actually made by coders, programmers, and other computer science geniuses.

In this fast-growing industry, you might be wondering how you can get started and become part of it? It may seem difficult to find your initial bearings, but once you make that leap, it will be life-changing.

Why Learn to Code?

There are many benefits to learning to code, here are a few that we think should spark up an interest;

  • It is a booming industry so a lot of related jobs are in demand. Whether you are looking to work for a company or freelance, there are lots of opportunities.
  • When coding you’ll find new challenges and be continuously learning. This really boosts your problem-solving and logic skills, giving your left side of the brain a proper workout.
  • It’s fun! Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your technological creations come to life before your eyes. After you’ve passed the initial stages of getting started you can delve into specific parts you are more passionate about and be more creative.

What Languages are Best for Beginners?

Coding is a vast subject, where there are hundreds of different coding languages, each with a different purpose to what they can do. It’s not always easy to figure out what’s the best one to start with and that’s really because there is not just one answer. There are multiple different languages that work well in the beginning, but it’s best to start with the one that fits in with your coding goals. Below are some coding languages that beginners often start with and a little summary of how they can be helpful.

  • HTML – used as a foundation of the internet, and can set up content for web pages. HTML is a great starting block for beginners and often you’ll find even when you are more advanced you’ll be referring back to HTML.
  • CCS – HTML and CSS go as a nice pairing, so often you can learn them together. However, CCS handles the colors, sizing, fonts, and layouts of web pages. If you want to sparkle up a page, this is the one for you.
  • JavaScript – JavaScript helps make web pages more interactive. You can learn how to add videos, maps, and animated graphics.
  • Python – Python is another good option to start with as a lot of its code reads more like English so it’s easier for beginners to get a good grasp of. It isn’t built for a specific task, it instead helps build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis.

Don’t feel that you have to keep to just one of these, you can switch between a few, and in the next section, you’ll learn more about how best to learn these.

Coding Tutors

The best way to learn to code thoroughly and quickly is with your very own coding tutor. In a one-to-one environment, your tutor can focus on key areas specific to your needs, track your progress, and you will be able to learn at your own pace. Tutor House, a top online tutoring platform, provides online coding lessons for students. Their tutors are highly experienced in many coding languages, and you can opt-in for a free trial call to find out how they will help achieve your goals. Learn at a time convenient to you and get personalized feedback to see a positive improvement.

Online Tutorials

If you prefer to go the longer route and be self-taught, there are numerous online coding tutorials and resources out there for you to pick up on. Tutorialspoint is a coding channel that carefully explains concepts to you and provides beginner tutorials for many different languages such as HTML, CCS, and Javascript. Self-teaching can be tricky, so make sure you go through these tutorials and resources at your own pace and practice each point thoroughly before moving on to the next. This will move you in a positive direction where you can track your own progress.

Books and Podcasts

Books
A young girl has a lot of books to read in the short time period

There are many books and podcasts that can help educate you on topics on coding. Books are a great way of learning more about coding history and how people have developed in the tech industry. Podcasts can inform you on current and specific topics on coding; such as cyberwarfare, and the socio-economic impact of artificial intelligence. This will help you have a deeper understanding of your discipline and find interests in particular areas in your free time. It’s especially useful to read about topics that are difficult and it helps you see things from a different perspective.

Mini Projects

Most importantly, learn coding by doing. Start yourself up on a mini project and challenge and see how well you can adapt. Whether that is through your lessons with a tutor, an online course, or learning with friends. Sometimes it’s easier to learn when you have a particular motivation to create. The more action, the better the results, and it builds up your problem-solving skills along the way.

Have You Learned The Secret Language Yet?

Like with traditional language learning, to learn a coding language, you need to be passionate, you need to be patient, and you need to practice. There is so much you can do and learn in the coding world, you’ll never get bored. That’s why often coders, new and old, can learn from each other as each person learns with a whole new perspective. Coding is worthwhile to learn – don’t miss out!

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Insights

7 Best Practices to Prevent DDoS Attacks and Protect Your Business

on April 1, 2022

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become rampant over the last couple of years, primarily because of the pandemic. Many people are working from home and accessing online services throughout the pandemic. 

In a report from NETSCOUT, about 10 million DDoS attacks occurred in 2020. It primarily targets remote and other essential services that are often used to make it through the lockdown. 

Industries hit hard by these attacks are healthcare, e-commerce, and streaming services.

What is a DDoS attack?

In a nutshell, a DDoS attack involves bombarding an IP address with substantial traffic volumes. So, if the IP address points to a web server, legit traffic can’t reach it, and your site becomes unavailable.

A flood attack is another type of DDoS attack. Groups of servers are flooded with requests which need processing by victim machines. It’s often generated in huge numbers by scripts that run on compromised machines that are part of a botnet. As a result, it exhausts the server resources of the victim, such as the memory or the CPU. 

As networks become more and more diverse, now is the time for network observability. What is network observability? It’s the ability to answer questions about your network quickly and efficiently. 

A DDoS works in the same principles except that malicious traffic comes from several sources but comes from one central point. Since traffic sources are distributed worldwide, DDoS attack prevention is more complicated than preventing DDoS attacks from a single IP address. 

Fortunately, you can avoid these attacks. Here are some of the best practices for preventing them and protecting your business: 

1. Make a DDoS response plan

Do you know what you’ll do in case of a DDoS attack? How do you respond? Having a definite plan right from the get-go will allow you to react quickly and efficiently whenever your network is being targeted. 

Creating a response plan can take some planning. The more complicated your site infrastructure, the more detailed your response plan is. Regardless of the size of your company, your goal should include the following:

  • Systems checklist
  • A professional response team
  • Clearly defined notification and escalation procedures
  • List of internet and external contracts which should be informed about the attack. 
  • Detailed communication plan for stakeholders.

2. Keep security infrastructure up to date

Your network is as strong as your weakest links. You need to know of legacy and outdated systems in your infrastructure since these can be entry points for attacks once compromised. 

Your data center and systems should also be up to date. It will help if you patch your web application firewalls and network security programs that you might have. Also, when working with an ISP or hosting provider, a security and data center vendor for implementing advanced protection capabilities is an excellent idea. 

Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Your data centers should be placed on different networks to ensure that all your data centers aren’t in the exact physical location and on various data centers. You need to ensure that these aren’t places wherein traffic bottlenecks in your network. 

3. Identifying your network’s traffic

Every organization’s infrastructure has internet traffic patterns, so you need to know yours. Once you know the typical traffic pattern of your organization, then you have a baseline. 

Doing so ensures that you can quickly identify the symptoms of a DDoS attack if any unusual activity happens. 

4. Always look out for the warning signs

Again, DDoS attacks come with classic symptoms. The most common symptoms are intermittent site shutdown, spotty internet connectivity, and disconnection. 

But the problem is that these warning signs are pretty similar to other issues that you might be having in your system, like a slower internet connection and viruses. 

If these problems become prolonged and severe, your network will likely suffer from a DDoS attack and utilize proper prevention actions. 

5. Use a cloud-based service provider

Cloud providers are offering high levels of cybersecurity. It includes firewalls and monitoring software protecting your business assets and networks from cybercriminals. It also has much greater bandwidth than most private networks. Therefore, it’s unlikely going to fail with increasing DDoS attacks. 

Similarly, reputable cloud providers have network redundancy, duplicating systems, data, and equipment. Therefore, if your services become unavailable and corrupted because of an attack, you can quickly switch to secure access on your backed-up versions. 

6. Sufficient server capacity

Hosting
A word hosting is displayed as a central figure of the picture

Since many DDoS attacks work by overwhelming network bandwidth, overprovisioning bandwidth is one way to counter this attack. 

Therefore, you need to ensure that your server capacity can handle several heavy traffic spikes by adding bandwidth. 

Doing so ensures that you’re ready for any unexpected surges of traffic that are caused by these attacks. Although it won’t completely stop a DDoS attack, it will provide a couple of extra minutes to prepare your defense before all of your resources are used up. 

7. Practice good cyber hygiene

You should also engage in the best security practices. It includes regularly changing passwords, securing authentication practices, knowing when to avoid phishing attacks, etc. 

The more minor the errors you’ll be committing right from the get-go, the safer it will be for you if there’s an attack. 

Over to You

Considering how complicated and devious attacks are, you’ll hopefully follow these best practices to prevent DDoS attacks effectively. 

Doing so keeps your web property secure and that you’re more than ready to fight off any of these attacks. Good luck!

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Insights

How to Enhance Photo Quality by Removing Your Backgrounds

on March 29, 2022

Did you know 71% of people enhance their selfies? With the rise of social media, users have a need to enhance photo quality quickly and easily. Lucky for the world, there are apps and software for that! 

The more tech-savvy users can use photo editing software to make glamorous photos. For the rest of the world, there are many apps available to help you create good-quality images that stand out in social feeds. 

Keep reading for easy ways to enhance your photos. 

1. Use an App to Remove Backgrounds 

Did you know there are apps to remove backgrounds? And once you do that, you can replace it with something else?

For example, let’s say you took an awesome selfie in the bathroom at work. Naturally, you don’t want to have the bathroom in the background, so you can edit it out! You could even replace it with flowers or nature to make it look like you were somewhere else entirely. 

Not sure which app to choose? Check out this cool background remover app. 

Streamline with Background Remover Apps

For a cleaner and more polished appearance, try background remover apps. Easily eliminate unwanted backgrounds and replace them with more attractive settings, creating standout photos for your social media feeds.

2. Use Image Enhancement Tools

There are so many tools available to improve images! You can use filters on most social media platforms that do this. If you want to step up your game, you can download apps that make it a few steps further. 

You can use filters, add text, or insert stickers. You have the option to zoom in on pictures or add an overlay to change the color. There are several enhancement tools that erase red eyes or blemishes, too. 

Cropping or creating a collage is another innovative idea to change up your images. Some apps will even add natural-looking makeup to your photos! Many of these apps require subscriptions, but the features are limitless! 

3. Color Adjustments

Adjusting the color, saturation, and lighting of a photo can make all the difference. An easy way to enhance photos, using this tool that most phones already have installed is a quick fix. There are several areas you can make adjustments to: 

  • Saturation
  • Color
  • Lighting
  • Brightness
  • Tone 
  • Contrast
  • Vibrance
  • Sharpness
  • Clarity
  • Noise

If you aren’t a photographer or an artist, some of these may be confusing. You can click this link to learn more about each. 

4. Adjust the Resolution 

Resolution
A girl is adjusting resolution on her photo camera

A good-quality image has a high resolution. If your photo doesn’t have a high resolution, there are ways to fix it! You can use software such as Photoshop or Adobe to improve it. You can also download many photo apps to your devices that will allow you to adjust. 

When you have a higher resolution, you have a clearer picture. It’s not blurry and doesn’t look pixelized. The more pixels the image has, the clearer it looks. 

Read More Interesting Articles

Did you enjoy this article about how to enhance photo quality for your pictures? We hope you learned cool techniques for your next photo editing session! 

Interested in reading more fun articles? Check out our blog!

Insights

Tips to Increase the Longevity of Your Air Sanders

on March 14, 2022

Air sanders play an essential role in getting the best results for any woodworking project. Hence, selecting the best quality product is highly important. But, apart from that, you also need to take special care of the products for better service quality and longevity. In fact, the quality sanders will help you get the best finish as well. 

Following are some tips that can help you take care of the air sanders well. So, please read below to know how to do it properly. 

Check the RPM

Some orbital sanders are specifically designed to work at 10,000 RPM and 12,000 RPM. But, if you don’t take care of it, then the RPM will reduce with age. So, it is best to check the RPM of your sander regularly. Hence, you can use the Tachometer to know about its speed. So, if the sander is not spinning with the correct RPM, you can go for some oiling primarily. 

Detect the Air Pressure 

Secondly, air pressure is also one of the essential things to maintain in the sanders. In case there are any sanding marks or swirls, then it’s time to check the air pressure. If the air sanders get the right air pressure, you can get the right RPM. Thus, you can use different tools to check the Air pressure and fix the problem in a swift manner. 

Maintain the Backup Pads 

Now, people tend to ignore this tip that reduces the longevity of the sanders eventually. So, if the backup pads degrade, you need to replace them with new ones. Hence, if you don’t do that, then you will not get the right finish. So, you need to use proper techniques and clean the backup pads properly. In this regard, replacing them within every 3-4 months is necessary. Also, notice if you are getting the right results to understand if any further action needs to be taken. 

Oil the Equipment Regularly 

Regular oiling is highly important if you want the air sanders to work properly. With extensive use, the speed can reduce drastically. As a result, it will cause uneven scratches and poor quality of work. So, if you don’t do oiling in a timely manner, it will cause friction which will not be good. Therefore, oiling them regularly can help you get the best results in the long run.

Types of Air Sanders

Now, let us understand different types of air sanders that you can select for different purposes: 

Random Orbital Sanders

This kind of sander holds the sandpaper in a circle shape; it vibrates properly. In this way, it reduces the chances of any swirl marks. In addition to this, this machine offers speed control and is much quieter than other sanders. 

Detail Sander

This one might be a little noisy but lightweight compared to the other options. This is ideal for any smaller projects through which you can get into tight spaces and corners. 

Belt Sander

A belt sander is an aggressive tool. It has a 3-4 standing belt. They are best for smoothening large surfaces like wooden floors. You must choose a model that has a built-in compartment for dust collection. 

Drum Sander

The Drum sander is a highly aggressive tool that needs careful handling. It is used for vast areas that require heavy sanding. Hence, it is mainly used to remove the bevels of prefinished flooring, etc. 

Edge Floor Sander

This is a comparatively strong sander that is used for smoothening the edges or corners. To use this, you need to lean it at a specific angle which will help in reducing the damage. 

Workman
Workman is using the special air sander to finish the job

Conclusion

These are some important tips that you need to know to improve the quality of air sanders. Also, make sure to check the sanders regularly to enhance their longevity. 

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DevelopmentInsights

Exit Interviews to Reduce Employee Turnover and the Role of Leadership

on February 23, 2022

1 in 4 people quit their job in 2021. The number continues to grow and is not likely to subside this year.1 As the “Great Resignation” upsets companies across every industry, employers are searching for ways to reduce employee turnover.

The interest in turnover is more relevant than ever. Unemployment levels and job openings returned to pre-pandemic levels. Losing trained workers requires the organization to invest significant time and money to recruit, interview, train, and onboard new hires. Turnover disrupts an organization because it requires managers, peers, and human resources to divert resources and takes time away from the organization’s primary service goals.

As the pandemic played a huge role in upheaval, more workers now cite on exit interviews the desire to stay working remotely as a reason to resign. The contrast is universal. Many worked increasingly long hours at home. At the same time, higher numbers than ever claim less work-life balance as a result of being “always-on”. The lack of opportunity and growth many employees experienced contributes to the mass exodus from current employers. Whatever their specific reason for leaving, workers are confident enough in their job prospects to try something new. What more than 50% don’t want to change, is going into the office.

How has workplace culture changed today?

The days when managers simply “command and control” employees are gone. Organizations have changed. Employees bring different needs, wants, and expectations than just two years ago. As people rethink what work means to them and how they are valued, how they spend their time has greater consequences. There are not enough people to replace the retirees that permanently left the workforce. The common goal for any company today is to retain the valued employees they have. Managers, even unknowingly, can create an environment that cultivates or hinders employee morale, undermining the investment HR or leadership makes in benefits, reward programs, and training.

Managers are hired for both their subject matter expertise and also their “soft skills”. As stressors rose for them as well, some were not able to translate those valuable assets into managerial communication or employee motivation.  A study by Life Meets Work found that 56% of American workers claim their boss is “mildly” or “highly toxic”.2 The staff enduring high-stress situations can suffer from emotional exhaustion and recurring anxiety, significantly decreasing performance, creativity, and problem-solving. With strong exit interview reports that compare and contrast microculture experiences, disconnects are clearer to see. A microculture is a mix of demographic and organizational aspects that form a unique cultural envelope for a given population. A single company can have dozens of unique experiences that exit interview analysis reveals.

For example, when employees feel supported at work, they are more likely to indicate a highly fair work environment. According to Gartner, creating a better employee experience will be the most important initiative for HR executives in 2022. “To do this, organizations need to go beyond policies and develop philosophies.” (Brian Kropp, Chief Researcher) One of the challenges is not knowing if these manager breakdowns exist, or where they are most prevalent. Organizations that conduct exit interviews with meaningful exit interview questions about direct supervisors, can unlock hidden insights.

Exit interview
Schematic representation of the procedure of the exit interview

Consider…How well do existing employees trust their manager?

How do those same employees feel about your “employer being a good place to work”?

The negative correlation is high. Employees that don’t trust their manager are less likely to promote that employer to others.

What manager insights are built by conducting exit interviews?

 Why do so many great employees leave their job?

Only 27% of those who say they have “good managers” are thinking about quitting in the next 12 months, versus 63% of employees who have a “bad manager”. Manager relationships can more than double the intention to leave.

So, the best exit interview questions include and inform specific manager actions and unearth areas for which an underperforming manager can see gaps to develop. Most helpful on an exit interview template include:

  •  Accessibility
  • Fairness and equality
  • Trust
  • Respect / Appreciation
  • Nature of feedback
  • An inclination for career development

The role of supervisors is key to an employee’s job experience. They control the degree of structure and potential conflict in the work itself. Managers provide informal and formal feedback to staff on their work behavior and control rewards and even the job security that the employee may enjoy. All these parts of the job experience are particularly important to employees who are trying to adjust themselves to a volatile environment.

Millennial employees are especially less tolerant of mismanagement. Those who feel stifled by their manager are far more likely to quit. They desire an environment that allows them to grow, accept, and use their ideas. Millennials desire greater freedom and trust, and consistently quit jobs when they don’t feel that with their manager.

Managers must be sensitive to the desires of all generations of workers, not just millennials, and must treat all fairly and with respect to avoid issues such as age discrimination.

How can you prevent staff turnover with exit interviews?

What can exit interviews do to slow staff turnover and retain top talent? Those exit interview questions are a crucial step in the offboarding process. An employee’s experience contains valuable information and is the cornerstone of any long-term retention strategy. Good exit interview questions anchor the data that can drive specific changes across:

  • Benefits
  • Compensation
  • Staff Training
  • Recruiting
  • Recognition Programs
  • Manager Coaching

Exit Interview Action Items

Employee turnover triggers a complex chain of events within organizations. When similar exit interview trends are reported across departments, titles, locations, divisions, we have a compelling argument for change. How do the managers of those departments or locations compare?

Learning the precise gaps in management skills allows leadership to fill those gaps with targeted training and support tools. Helping managers to master interpersonal skills gives them the ability to hone their positive influence as well as curb negative impact. Increase the chance that your managers are one of the 27% who is “good managers”.

Author Bio: 

Reka Barna is a Senior Talent Management Associate at Retensa, the world’s leading innovator of employee retention strategies, that provides the tools to predict and prevent breakdowns across the Employee Lifecycle. Her work at Retensa focuses on supporting retention consulting projects on staff turnover, employee engagement strategies, and composing Talent Management research. She is a graduate of Touro College School of Health Sciences, New York, and pursuing her master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 

References:

  1. Viser. (2021). Outsmart. Retrieved from Four Things We Learned About the Resignation Wave- and what to Do Next: https://www.visier.com/blog/trends/four-things-we-learned-about-the-resignation-wave-and-what-to-do-next/
  2.  Abbajay, M. (2018, September 7). Harvard Business Review. What to Do When You Have a Bad Boss: https://hbr.org/2018/09/what-to-do-when-you-have-a-bad-boss
  3. Retensa. (n.d.). Blog. Avoiding Managerial Dysfunction in your Workplace: https://retensa.com/blog/avoiding-managerial-dysfunction-in-your-workplace/

Everett Spain and Boris Groyberg ( 2016, April) Harvard Business Review. Making Exit Interviews Count: https://hbr.org/2016/04/making-exit-interviews-count

Plumber
Insights

Is a Gas Plumber the Same as a Plumber?

on January 27, 2022

Do they really need a gas plumber or any ordinary plumber will do? This is a question that often confuses homeowners and they often end up making the wrong choice. As a matter of fact, some plumbing services do offer gas fitting services but homeowners are required to understand that plumbing natural gas lines are an area that requires specialized knowledge.  

Plumbing services normally deal with water and sewer lines and gas plumbing is only a specialized area in the field that requires special knowledge and training on the part of the professionals.  

What is plumbing work? 

Defined by Australian standard regulation plumbing services can undertake operations or work-related with installation, repairing, replacement, maintenance, and removal of pipe systems and fixtures that carry clean water inside a house and liquid waste out of it. In Australia, every plumber is required to undergo a four years apprenticeship at the completion of which he can apply for a professional license for offering Plumbing Sydney services.  

Basic gas fitting is included in this course and plumbers are required to procure an interim gas license to qualify for undertaking gas works. But they can still operate only under the supervision of a gas fitter who is fully qualified.  

What is gas plumbing? 

Australian standard regulations define gas plumbing as operations or work-related with installation, repairing, maintenance, or replacement of gas installations and for undertaking such projects plumbers are required to procure a full license from the department of mines and energy. For getting this license and operating as gas services Sydney professional plumbers are required to complete certificate IV in plumbing.  

For obtaining a full gas license, plumbers are also required to work on an interim license for a minimum period of 12 months after successfully completing level IV certification.  

Important differences between a plumber and a gas plumber 

Some of the notable differences between plumbers and gas plumbers that homeowners are required to take into consideration are –  

  • They are different occupations with different training and qualification requirements  
  • It is the building construction commissions those issue plumbing license 
  • Gas licenses are issued by the department of mines and energy  

When to call a gas plumber? 

There are a number of situations for which homeowners should seek services from licensed and fully qualified gas plumbers for ordinary plumbers are not qualified to handle those projects. Some of those situations are –  

  • Issues with furnaces or HVAC systems  
  • Water heaters and dryers 
  • Stoves, outdoor grills, or fireplaces those run-on natural gas  
  • For repairing gas pipeline leaks etc. 

Advantages of hiring a qualified gas plumber 

Pipes are used to transporting gas

Some of the major advantages of hiring qualified gas plumbers when there is a situation are –  

  • They can safely handle all-natural gas projects  
  • Ensuring all your gas-powered appliances are correctly installed and safely operating  
  • They are capable of doing work to the code that is required for passing building inspections  
  • Most professional gas plumbers in Sydney are known to offer excellent customer service and guarantee their work so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your appliances or family members. 
Data
Insights

How to Protect Your Data When Working from Home

on January 25, 2022

The health crisis has caused many companies to decide and let their employees stay at home and work remotely. Businesses have been forced to adhere to strict social distancing measures and implement health protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  

Although the transition to the work-from-home setup appears seamless to many businesses, there are unseen security risks that come with it. To ensure business continuity, they have to provide their employees with the necessary tools and technologies to make it possible to work from home. This is obviously a challenge to the entire business, not only for their respective IT departments.   

Now, employees, on their part, can do something to make the WFH transition seamless, and at the same time, minimize the security risks involved. In this article, we’ll enumerate some handy tips to protect any forms of data when working from home.  

Tip #1: Protect your home office  

Cybersecurity and information protection must begin with the physical setup. The same as when you shut down your office computer when you wrap up your day, you have to do the same when you’re working from home.   

At home, there is a chance that your devices can get stolen. So, when you go out for lunch or when you prepare dinner, lock the screen of your device. This is an important tip to secure your home office.  

Tip #2: Secure your router

After protecting your home office, the next thing you should do is to secure your router. Cybercriminals nowadays take advantage of the default passwords of routers because not many users bother to change it. As a result, their home network becomes vulnerable and at risk.  

Changing the password of your router from the default to something strong and unique is an easy step to protect your network from threats. Once you have changed the password, you can take further security measures, such as installing firmware updates.  

Tip #3: Keep personal and work devices separate

This may sound easier said than done, but it is essential to set boundaries between your personal and work life, especially when working from home.  

Yes, there are instances when you need to log in to your device to perform a quick online transaction. But as much as possible, keep your personal and work computer separate. Otherwise, both personal and work information will be compromised in the event of a data breach.  

Tip #4: Make sure to encrypt your device

If your device hasn’t been encrypted yet, enable it as soon as you can. This can help in reducing the risks involved when devices get stolen or lost. When encryption is enabled, strangers and cybercriminals cannot access files and information without the PIN or password.  

How you enable encryption depends on the device that you are using. For Windows devices, you can use third-party tools and apps like BitLocker. For macOS, FileVault can be used.  

Tip #5: Update your operating system

Ensure all the devices you use for work are updated. If security patches for the operating system are available, install them right away. Though some modern devices will automatically install the updates for you, sometimes you need to manually restart your PC to apply the changes.  

Tip #6: Keep your applications up to date  

Always remember that operating systems are not the only aspects that can be exploited by hackers. Any applications or programs can also be targets. So, just like your operating system, it is important to keep any installed program or app up to date.  

Tip #7: Set your device to automatically lock when not used

If you are on break, lock your computer or device. While many already practice this, by nature, humans tend to forget. So, to prevent the worse from happening, set your PC to lock automatically when unattended.  

Set a specific amount of time that is reasonable. For desktops, five minutes is ideal. But for mobile devices, 30 seconds is recommended.  

Tip #8: Use a strong password

All the previous tips will be useless if you don’t use a unique password. If possible, do not use a password that is easy to guess. Also, do not repeat number sequences nor use common passwords.  

When generating passwords, you can use a password manager. This way, you can keep yourself from using any information that is related to you, such as your contact number or home address. A strong password is one that looks random to any stranger. Think you’re safe? Here’s how long it takes a hacker to guess your password.  

Tip #9: Install an anti-malware suite

An anti-malware program can protect your PC from threats like spyware, ransomware, Trojans, and other malware entities. As the name suggests, an anti-malware suite is a program designed to work against threats. It can identify threats and remove them from your system.  

Tip #10: Enable two-factor verification

Two-factor authentication is a new authentication method that only grants access to a user when two pieces of evidence are presented to an authentication mechanism. This method has been used to reduce the risk of malware infections and phishing scams. With this authentication method, the attackers cannot log into an account because they don’t have access to another piece of evidence.  

Tip #11: Clean and wipe any devices before sharing or disposing of them

Yes, you can always clean up your junk files and folders, but that isn’t enough. Expert hackers can still access your data when you just delete them temporarily. What you should do is return your devices to factory settings should you plan to lend, give away, or throw them.   

Tip #12: Use a VPN

VPN
The woman is holding a tablet with a VPN sign-up tab opened

If you are trying to access data from your company’s servers, make sure you use a virtual private network. This private network secures your data, allowing you to send and receive packets safely, anytime, and anywhere. A VPN establishes an encrypted network over the internet, so all your traffic is routed through it.  

Wrapping Up  

We can never tell how long this COVID-19 pandemic will last. What we can conclude at the moment is that this health crisis will force people to continue working from home. So, to adapt to the new normal and keep information secure, consider these tips and equip yourself with basic PC repair knowledge. 

Bulb
DevelopmentInsights

How Technology Can Help Your Business Stay Environmentally Friendly

on January 6, 2022

Globalization embodies growth and progress but it also has major negative impacts on the environment. The production, importation, and exportation of goods produce waste, carbon emission, and pollution, and consumers are being alarmed by this matter, now more than ever. This amplifies the need for conversation and action towards becoming environmentally friendly, from the smallest ways to bigger commercial and industrial-scale initiatives.

From a macro perspective, major corporations have been making pledges to be more environmentally friendly, especially in cutting their carbon emissions. But the pressure is also on smaller startups, who must consciously work to avoid increasing the carbon footprint. Ambitious goals like going green can be costly but have become a necessary consideration for businesses to serve customers in a way that does not harm the environment.

How Technology Can Help Businesses Stay Environmentally Friendly

  1. Go Paperless

About 399 million metric tons of paper was consumed globally in 2020, and these numbers are projected only to increase yearly. As wood is required for more paper production, going paperless and saving trees can help reduce emissions.

Going digital can be a huge adjustment for any company considering the time, cost, and learning curve. But it doesn’t have to be a major leap. There are simple tools and solutions for a business to transition from paper to paperless. Starting with easy-to-use web-based project management and customer relationship management systems can help reduce the need for paper forms and files. 

There are also communication solutions that leave minimal physical paper trails in processes, especially cloud-based telephony systems or VoIPs. To learn more about how VoIP is used in business, a quick search on what is VoIP lists its numerous advantages. 

  1. Work Remotely to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Almost 25 percent of the global carbon emission comes from the transport sector, and among the major contributors are cities with business districts and heavy traffic. One way to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is by considering remote work—even if it’s once a week. Eliminating the need to commute to work also reduces the usage of office facilities and energy while also empowering your employees to support a significant cause.

  1. Use Renewable Energy

Any business in almost all industries requires power to operate and produce products or deliver services. However, electrical energy, which is commonly used globally, negatively affects the environment, but there are several alternative sustainable energy sources. 

Renewable or clean energy basically comes from sustainable sources or materials that do not deplete. This includes solar, wind, water, and biomass. These energy sources generate electricity with lower carbon emissions. It may need a significant investment, but switching to clean energy is an ideal step if the goal is to be eco-friendly on a larger scale. It can also help cut costs on energy bills, generating a long-term benefit for a business.

There are renewable energy systems that can be used in today’s businesses, like wind, solar, and geothermal power, but this will depend on your business’s location. It is also important to note that some jurisdictions require regulatory and legal permissions before using or installing renewable energy technology. So be sure to plan and research what renewable energy will work best for your business.

  1. Improve Office Recycling
Office paper is ready to be recycled

Among the most known ways to be environmentally friendly is the “3 Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Even in business, this still applies and must be employed. Prioritize implementing responsible waste disposal and strengthening recycling initiatives in the workplace. You can invest in waste management technology, like bins with sensors, and this can make recycling more interesting for employees, encouraging more enthusiastic participation. 

Using recycled products like pens and notepads for your daily business needs also encourages the eco-friendly efforts of others. It just needs mindful planning and research to find the materials that will work best for your business.

Committing to becoming an eco-friendly business requires long-term efforts. More than the potential positive impact on your brand, making your business more environmentally friendly is also a social responsibility. Studies suggest that environmental and climate issues will only progress as time passes. The combined efforts of individuals and businesses can drastically slow down climate changes. And as you grow your business, relish the opportunity to be part of the solution in facing and addressing environmental issues today.

Wind Power
DevelopmentInsights

The Different Types of Renewable Energy and Why They’re Important

on December 3, 2021

Researchers have been warning that if we don’t reduce emissions, our actions will have a permanent, irreversible impact on the environment. Fossil fuels commonly used worldwide are responsible for much of these emissions linked to rising temperatures.  

As companies and governments emphasize solving the climate crisis, demand for clean energy is on the rise. It’s estimated that renewable energy sources will account for 90% of the increase in the world’s total power capacity this year. Renewable energy sources provide a cleaner alternative to non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.  

Read on to learn about the different types of renewable energy and why they are beneficial.   

What Is Renewable Energy?  

Non-renewable energy comes from sources limited in capacity. They take such a long time to replenish that they are gone for good once we run out. Types of non-renewable energy include coal, oil, and natural gas.  

Renewable energy comes from Earth’s natural sources that are constantly replenishing, like wind and sunlight. These types of energy do much less harm to the environment than their non-renewable counterparts.  

Types of Renewable Energy  

Although we think of renewable energy as the power of the future, it has been around for centuries. But, recent advances in technology have once again put it at the forefront. The most common types of renewable energy sources include the following:  

Solar Power 

Solar power harnesses the limitless supply of sunlight and turns it into electricity and heat. Solar power uses photovoltaic cells to convert light into energy.  

Solar power has become accessible renewable energy in the consumer market as individuals can have solar panels installed on their homes from companies like Blue Raven Solar. Solar panels can provide clean energy to a single building or an entire neighborhood.  

Wind Power 

Wind power harnesses the wind to turn the blades on a turbine, and this motion then powers a generator to produce electricity. Wind turbines are often located in rural areas but are also placed offshore. Although wind power doesn’t generate any emissions, people do find the large turbines noisy and unsightly.  

Hydroelectric Power 

Hydroelectric power station
A hydroelectric power station is located in the natural environment

Hydroelectric power uses fast-moving water in rivers to turn a turbine and power a generator to produce electricity. Dams often have these turbines to make hydroelectric power. Although dams produce renewable energy, they aren’t considered clean energy because they divert natural waterways and negatively impact animals and humans.  

Geothermal Energy  

This type of renewable energy captures the heat released naturally by the Earth to heat water and bring it to the surface to turn turbines. To reduce its environmental impact, geothermal plants pump water back underground.  

Tidal Power 

Tidal power is a newer form of hydroelectric power that uses the force and motion of the tides to generate electricity. It is a reliable and relatively constant method of generating power. Energy is often collected in tidal barrages, which are like dams.  

Benefits of Renewable Energy  

Renewable energy sources aren’t all clean since they do produce some effects on the environment. But, many of these sources produce no emissions. As the world becomes more reliant, we can reduce the impact our emissions have on the climate.  

In addition to the environmental benefits, the growing renewable resource industry creates more jobs to develop and install renewable energy sources.  

Renewable Energy Is Here to Stay  

Renewable energy has sparked a revolution in the energy industry as the world attempts to solve the climate crisis. Rising demand has led to advancements in the industry. With so many types of renewable energy, we have many ways to change how we get our power.  

Are you looking to keep up with the latest renewable energy news? Check out our website for the latest technology news and trends. 

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