5 Tips For Small Businesses To Successfully Deal With Downtime

5 Tips For Small Businesses To Successfully Deal With Downtime Downtime. Its the bane of every business and something that could happen to any of us at any time. Whether the cause is seasonal and expected or due to a problem with technology, even one hour of downtime could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. source: Pexels Most companies couldnt withstand such a loss. If you dont want to become a statistic, you need to find a realistic way to deal with downtime. The True Cost and Causes of Downtime Downtime has effects that can be measured, such as financial and data losses. There are also intangible effects that cant be calculated but will be felt regardless. These include things like loss of customers, trust, and reputation. In some ways, these intangible effects are more dangerous to the life and health of your brand, and they can take longer to turn around. More than half of SMBs will go out of business entirely within six months of a major disruption. Business disruptions can come out of nowhere. The most common reasons for downtime are: Hardware failuresSoftware malfunctionsSecurity breachesHuman errorSystem overloadsPower loss Every minute that your systems are offline and you cant serve your customers, you risk sending business to the competition. You may not get it back. Such losses can even happen to large, international corporations like Amazon. Just last year, Amazon experienced a system crash during one of their peak business days. The problem wasnt extensive; the disruption only lasted about 15 minutes. Their estimated financial loss during that short amount of time? Two and a half million dollars. Large enterprises have the resources to bounce back and a large customer base to take the sting out of a loss. They also plan for such situations in advance. Rather than learning the hard way and paying the ultimate price, you can learn from the experiences of others by implementing strategies to reduce the cost of downtime. Five Strategies for Mitigating the Effects of Downtime The best way to deal with downtime is to avoid it altogether. Unfortunately, some downtime is unavoidable. For example, no one can predict when a natural disaster or an IT glitch will hit. The strongest companies are those that can withstand adversity and reduce its effects. Perform a Risk-Assessment No matter how big or small your business, one of the most critical steps you can take is to know your strengths and weaknesses, both internal and external. This risk assessment can be conducted in-house or outsourced to a professional with a bit of objectivity and experience analyzing business vulnerabilities. Outsourcing has the added benefit of reducing stress on your staff and containing costs. Comprehensive risk assessments allow you to detect weaknesses in security, problems with efficiency, and identify issues you didnt even know you had, such as staff dissatisfaction. Improve Your IT Oversight Whether youre a sole practitioner or you run a large enterprise with multiple locations, technology is a critical component of your business. Tech issues are also one of the leading causes of downtime. You can reduce the risk of problems by: Using secure services and networksKeeping all of your tech up-to-dateUsing managed IT services, which often come with expertise and resources that are beyond the reach of a smaller company Many companies do take measures to protect tech they deal with every day. But, what is the state of your shadow IT? Shadow IT are those systems that run quietly in the background. They hum along unnoticed until something goes wrong. They also include outsourced systems and apps, including: Cloud-based apps and SaaSOAuth-enabled, cloud-based connectionsHardware or devices brought in by staff Even a medium-sized business can have hundreds of apps and connections that arent directly under their control. These pose a high risk to data integrity. You can avoid such issues by limiting BYOD (bring your own device), using only secure, known networks, and setting policies that curtail the use of external or unauthorized applications. Use Planned Periods of Downtime to Your Advantage You can reduce the chances of a tech-related disruption and keep your customers happy by planning for short periods of downtime and announcing them in advance. This will give you ample time to upgrade or replace redundant systems and avoid the problem of customers visiting an inaccessible website. Try to shoot for planned downtime during times when you would typically have less traffic, and put a notice on your website with the exact date, time, duration, and reason for the shutdown. Have a Backup Plan for Everything If youre in an area that experiences weather-related power outages on a regular basis, make sure that you have a backup power system. You can better protect your databases by using a combination of off-site, cloud-based storage, and physical storage in another location for more sensitive data. When you dont have to replace lost data, you can get back up and running faster. Youll also eliminate the embarrassment of public disclosure and the resulting loss of business. Have a Mitigation/Restoration Plan in Place When the unexpected happens, agility and fast recovery are essential. This requires planning based upon your risk assessment and a periodic reevaluation to address changes in circumstances and goals. You should also incorporate the cost of disaster recovery into your budget. What does an effective mitigation and recovery plan look like? It involves having a detailed overview of your liabilities by the level of risk and cost of recovery. For example, if you lost a critical file, how long would it take you to recover from that loss? How can that cost be reduced? Once youve determined your risk tolerance for various types of disasters, draw up a detailed plan that describes how recovery should proceed. This might include: The stages of your recovery planThe person or department responsible for each phase or componentIn what ways your business will be affected, such as which departments can be back online fastest or which will cost them mostWho will need to be notified in the event of a disruption, when, and by what means Once youve formulated a plan, you need to test its efficiency. Are all components working as expected? Is your backup tech functioning as it should? Have you overlooked anything that could pose a problem in a real-world situation? Its also critical that you reevaluate and re-test your plan periodically and that all stakeholders are involved in the planning, reevaluation, and testing. Final Thoughts Managing downtime is just as important as managing business growth. You can reduce the amount of unplanned downtime by scheduling set times for maintenance and other business disruptions. No one can predict the future. But, we can put safeguards in place to minimize that damage and turn the situation around faster. When you demonstrate that youre in control and ready for anything, it instills confidence in your team and supports brand loyalty. Has downtime been an issue for your company? Tell us about your challenges and success stories. Ashley Wilson is a content creator, writing about business and tech. She has been known to reference movies in casual conversation and enjoys baking homemade treats for her husband and their two felines, Lady and Gaga. You can get in touch with Ashley via Twitter.

Career Corner Career Transition Survival Tip #4 - Hallie Crawford

Career Corner Career Transition Survival Tip #4 Sometimes were so busy taking care of business that we forget to take care of ourselves. Yet, if youre amidst a major career change, there is nothing more important than listening to your Inner Voice and tending to all the little things your body, mind and soul is asking for and needs. Here are some great ways to nourish your whole self and stay balanced while successfully navigating through your career change. 4. Get support. Sometimes when we share our vision of the future with friends, family and coworkers, we are met with resistance, hit with frightening and discouraging rumors about the career marketing or industry of our choosing, and can feel like the wind was just knocked out of us. This is not a healthy way to feel when trying to break out of established ruts and make a motion for improvement in our careers. For this reason, if youre serious about finding a new job that has you springing out of bed each morning, youll want to invest in a career coach. Many people who decide to make a bold move in their career, start up their own business or return to school to learn a new skill or trade, do so with the help of a career coach or counselor. You will find that a career counselor can give much needed practical advice and guidance, while offering an objective viewpoint on your personal situation. For more information about coaching and to explore my own career coaching tools, tips and services, visit my coaching products page. I’m here to help. Heres to having a career you love, Career Coach for Singles

How To Add The Language Skills On Your Resume

How To Add The Language Skills On Your ResumeThose who work in the IT field would be interested to know that it is not so easy to know when you have acquired enough skills in the language of your choice. One of the hardest things for an IT person is to know whether he is making progress in the ability to speak or read the language she uses. This is why a resume with English language skills on it would be very beneficial for your career.There are those who try to argue that if you do not like the language, it cannot affect your career. However, this is one of the problems when you make an application for an IT job in a company with English as the predominant language. For one thing, a job in the IT industry involves a lot of dealing with other people who can not understand your accents and speaking skills.If you are going to get an interview, your first priority would be to appear confident as this will work in your favor. They will see that you have earned the right to work. This als o goes along way in getting you hired.In addition to the language skills on your resume, you would want to include an emphasis in the resume that you are proud of your educational background and did not let the school drop your motivation levels down. They will see you as someone who is capable of finishing your studies with high marks. In the IT industry, this is a must and you would want them to know that this is not due to chance but because you worked hard for it.If you are still wondering how to add the language skills on your resume, there are a few methods. You can include it at the end of your resume where it will be read by the hiring manager. It is good if they are familiar with the language as this will enable them to understand you.Besides the language skills on your resume, you should also add something that speaks for you. This could be a quote from any author, a workbook you use, or a story that inspired you. Show the reader that you are passionate about what you do a nd this is why they should hire you.To sum up, having the language skills on your resume will provide a great advantage over others who do not have it. For a typical IT person, this would mean more job opportunities. Take advantage of this.

This CEO Who Gets Up at 5.15 A.M. Every Day Tricked Himself Into Becoming a Morning Person. Heres How

This CEO Who Gets Up at 5.15 A.M. Every Day Tricked Himself Into Becoming a Morning Person. Here’s How Sam Shank wasn’t always a morning person. Nowadays, though, the HotelTonight CEO starts every morning bright and early. “I get up at 5:15 every morning, and if you’d told me five years ago that I’d be getting up that early, I’d be like, ‘you’re crazy,'” he recently told Business Insider. As someone who wasn’t necessarily hardwired for early mornings, Shank used to exercise after work. However, moving those workouts to the beginning of the day proved “transformational” for his lifestyle: Getting his exercise â€" which varies from HIIT workouts and boot camp classes to pilates and yoga â€" done in the morning allows him to be in the office by 7:30 a.m. and fuels him with energy for the whole day. It also frees up time in the evening to spend with his family. As for the trick that got him to stick to the routine, Shank found the solution in gym classes. “It was committing to an exercise class,” he said. “There’s a penalty if you don’t show up at Equinox or ClassPass … and there’s an expectation where you see the same people all the time.” “That commitment was key for me,” he added. Shank launched the online travel company in January 2011. Users are able to book discounted, last-minute hotel rooms via its app or mobile site, and they can access a wide range of hotels across international destinations. His morning routine puts him in good company. Early mornings are a common feature of many successful peoples’ routines, from actors like Melissa McCarthy, who gets up at 4:30 a.m. and starts her day with a “carefully curated” routine to CEOs like Tim Cook, who reportedly starts his day at 3:45 a.m. But a morning workout is just one way in which the CEO is deliberate with his time. He also noted that he blocks out what he calls “Sam time” on his calendar: two- to three-hour chunks that he purposely leaves unplanned and unscheduled. He uses that time for anything from talking to members of his 260-person team and checking in with mentors to delving into any given detail of his company’s work. “I made it a goal for my assistant to put those in my calendar for five hours a week,” Shank explained. This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com.

Medical Coding and Billing Degrees - Work It Daily

Medical Coding and Billing Degrees - Work It Daily Medical coding and billing is a great career opportunity if you want the ability to choose between working from home or working in a hospital or clinic environment. Many people in this profession do both jobs simultaneously, while some do either medical billing or coding but not both. Regardless of which you choose, you many different school options to get your certificate or degree. Once you have the right schooling, you will be on your way to becoming a medical coder or medical biller. Types of Degrees Most often getting your degree in medical coding and billing will be a certificate that shows you have completed the proper coursework. However there are also Associate and high level degrees. The higher level degrees will simply offer more advanced coursework and additional courses so that your career can actually go beyond medical coding and billing and into management or administrative work in the medical industry. You can get your medical coding and billing degree either online or at local colleges and universities. Completing your coursework online would give you the option of working while you attend school for your degree. Salary You’re most likely wondering if the degree program will be worth it in the end. As an example, the average starting salary for a medical coder is $22,927 and the average starting salary for a medical biller is $12,588. These are starting salaries and only averages so your salary could differ based on the type of degree you get, if you have any work experience, where you live, who hires you and other details. Job Outlook Medical billing and coding are of the highest growing occupations in the health industry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This means that if you pursue a degree in medical coding and billing, you have a great chance at having a rewarding and lucrative career. Some of the places you might work for are in hospitals, clinics, insurance firms, outpatient surgery centers, and for private practice physicians or other healthcare practitioners. About Medical Billing and Coding The medical billing and coding field involves a wide variety of aspects billing patients for their doctor visit, surgery and procedures as well as coding which helps prepare paperwork and charts for the medical biller. You may also perform both of these tasks, especially in a small doctor’s office setting like for a private practitioner. Some of the tasks you can expect to do as a medical biller or coder are reviewing charts, processing claims, reviewing, and updating the policy coverage details, maintaining and creating invoices for patients, consulting with the doctors and nursing staff, coding diagnosis, procedures and treatments, assisting patients with their billing questions, and being sure to maintain confidentiality at all times. Image Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!

As a CEO, Heres Why I Choose to Hire Working Parents For My Companys C-Suite

As a CEO, Heres Why I Choose to Hire Working Parents For My Companys C-Suite Ever breast-fed yur infant while on a video call? I have. How about hiding photos of your kids from your desk for fear of colleague questioning your commitment to the job? Thats my companys head of sales and marketings past experience. Skipping out on your childs soccer game because of a non-essential meeting? Yep, says my companys chief legal counsel head of risk, a working dad of two, about the choices he had to make in previous workplaces.If youre a working parent with young children, youve likely negotiated the dual role of parent and career-minded employee, feeling pulled in both directions and feeling successful at neither. Welcome to the club.As a serial entrepreneur and CEO currently leading MyVillage, Ill let you in on a secret working parents get it done. Thats why Ive intentionally stacked my C-suite and frankly, my entire company with employees who also value being parents. Everyone in my C-su ite is a working mom or dad, and working moms make up the majority of our staff team.I hire with this in mind because, in my experience, working parents make intuitive leaders in a high-growth environment. My current venture helps people (mostly moms) start high quality, in-home childcare businesses, so my team is uniquely positioned to understand the pain point facing our customers and to come up with solutions. But after more than a decade of starting companies and raising more than $250 million in venture capital, Ive seen the dividends that flow from hiring working moms and dads in other sectors, too. There is an old adage if you want something done, ask a busy person. Parents are busy and they dont want to waste time. They focus and deliver, especially in these three ways.1. They use outside-the-box thinking every day.When employees work on a problem they have experienced personally, they are inspired to think outside of the box. Theres no more important skill to have within yo ur C-suite than this ability to see a problem from multiple angles, and anyone with a toddler knows a lot about high stakes negotiation and the need for a diverse toolbox of tactics. Ive also noticed that working parents tend to close ranks to support each other across the finish line, whether thats launching a new product line, solving a tricky UX issue or closing an important sale. 2. They help model a flexible workplace culture.When you create a workplace culture that reflects the reality of working parents, all employees are happier. A recent Deloitte study shows that while companies increasingly understand the importance of creating a positive culture at work, few are doing it well. Hiring a majority of working parents in the C-suite is one way to crack the code, and model inclusive, flexible leadership at the top. At my company, there is no shame felt at the office if you have to take a sick kiddo to the doctor mid-day, and no silent stares if you leave early on a Wednesday to go see your kids big game. When executives leave early and loudly, but still get our work done, our employees are empowered to do the same. In fact, we have a Slack channel to share our kids talents so we can more openly blend our work and life. We have found this especially valuable since some of our team is distributed across several cities and states, so we dont always have lunchtime to compare notes on our kids.Flexibility at work, and prioritizing outcomes over hours, make all employees more engaged. Since most people want to have children or are already parents, companies that think creatively about what perks will attract them to end up with the best talent think subsidized childcare, family health insurance, dependent care FSAs, work-from-home options, access to emergency back-up childcare... the list is only limited by your teams creativity.3. They set the boundaries every company needs.Part of why our company has been so successful in our first two years is because weve attracted a world-class team of executives. Because of our culture, our team knows that they can be fully present with their families, and when they are at work, I know they give our mission their full attention.Certain hacks help us manage this work-life balance. For starters, every employee is assumed offline between childcare or school pick-up and bedtime. We use snooze notifications on our communication tools so that we know when someone is available or not. If something is truly urgent, we know not to assume a text, schmelzglas or Slack message goes through, and that a phone call is required. We trust one another to know if a crisis requires situation room escalation, and we never cry wolf. This helps us not just pay lip service to valuing each others time, but to truly practice it.By embracing my teams whole lives, I am able to get the best from them at work and they are able to give their families their best selves at home. Rather than feeling pulled and unsuccessful in our d ual roles, our team is pushed to succeed in both. And that is a win-win that this CEO can count on.

All About Writing in the Infinitive for a Resume

All About Writing in the Infinitive for a Resume To compose a resume in Spanish for a work application in Mexico, there are plenty of elements that candidates should think about before handing over a conventional Spanish resume. Utilizing a Spanish resume builder will provide you the very best Spanish CV templates with professional examples to comprehend how to optimize your work application in Spanish. Use the checklist to make certain you have included all appropriate data in your resume. Show the employer what you could bring to the table by listing past achievements and notable contributions and you will increase your probability of receiving an interview. Spend some time matching your qualifications to the job to make sure youre including the suitable search phrases and techniques. It is possible to also use a mora global scale if youre applying to work in a Spanish business in the US or elsewhere. Youre not in the work anymore, its in your past. In your previous jobs , you will need to ensure everything is past tense. The Fight Against Writing in the Infinitive for a Resume Captain A should guess the reporting verb connected with the sentence. Lets look at a list of over 1 bullet. exotisch from the language, there are additional aspects that has to be taken into consideration when writing a resume in Spanish. It is a fact that the English language is a difficult subject to study and understand. After you add the new one, each of the tenses need to get changed to past. The most suitable action verbs also get rid of the demand for adverbs, and sometimes, adjectives. At the core of an absolute phrase youll find a noun or pronoun and a number of modifiers. For that reason, it is an excellent instance of how an infinitive can act as an adverb.