Monthly tech talk from BetterWorld's Thought Leaders
Sept 2023, Reston, VA USA
TECH TALK “Expert Advice to Boost Your Business Efficiency, Simplicity, and Profits”
INSIDE THIS Newsletter:
1 Spot Fake LinkedIn Sales Bots
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3 Technologies to Help Run Your Small Business Better
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4 Tech Trends to FuelYour Growth
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6 What Should You Expect in the New iOS 17?
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Life, like technology, is a dance of opportunities. It's our mission to meet challenges, daring adventures, and transform luck, not just in life but in our digital world too.
Join us in this journey, not for a sales pitch, but to explore how we can better secure and optimize your technological potential and play the game of life more effectively together.
- James F. Kenefick
Founder & CEO
What's the buzz about endpoint managers? They aren't exclusive to major corporations. Utilizing an endpoint manager like Microsoft Intune is vital even as a small enterprise. Wondering why? Consider the numerous employee devices accessing your business data; there's a pressing need for security measures.
But there's more to it than just security. Picture an endpoint solution as your reliable assistant, streamlining your daily operations. You can promptly roll out software updates, implement security guidelines, and solve issues across all devices through centralized oversight. Say goodbye to draining hours and resources on manual updates or individual problem-solving.
Want to elevate your small business's security and productivity game? Drop us a line here to set up a discussion.
LinkedIn, the go-to platform for professionals to connect and uncover business opportunities, isn't without its challenges. With its surging prominence comes a rise in deceptive LinkedIn sales bots. These bots, masked as genuine users, aim to dupe unsuspecting members.
The FBI even recognizes such LinkedIn scams as a notable risk. Dive into our blog as we unpack the tactics of these faux accounts and arm you with insights to discern and guard against them, ensuring a secure LinkedIn journey.
Identifying Fake LinkedIn Sales Connections
Social media scams prey on our innate desire to be valued and recognized. A simple connection request can evoke a sense of importance, leading many to accept without a second thought or a quick profile check. Add a tantalizing business offer to the mix, and it's even easier to ensnare individuals.
Job seekers or those on the lookout for business ventures might be particularly vulnerable, given their eagerness and lowered defenses. The professional sheen of platforms like LinkedIn also inspires more trust than casual networks like Facebook. So, how do you sift genuine connections from the deceitful ones?
Read on for insights on distinguishing authentic requests from the crafty schemes of scammers and bots.
• Incomplete Profiles and Generic Photos
Fake LinkedIn sales bots often have incomplete profiles. They’ll have very limited or generic information. They may lack a comprehensive work history or educational background. Additionally, these bots tend to use generic profile pictures. Such as stock photos or images of models.
It could be a red flag if a profile looks too perfect or lacks specific details. Genuine LinkedIn users usually provide comprehensive information.
• Impersonal and Generic Messages
One of the key characteristics of fake sales bots is their messaging approach. It’s often impersonal and generic. These bots often send mass messages that lack personalization. They may be no specific references to your profile or industry. They often use generic templates or scripts to engage with potential targets.
• Excessive Promotional Content and Unrealistic Claims
Fake LinkedIn sales bots are notorious for bombarding users. You’ll often get DMs with excessive promotional content and making unrealistic claims. These bots often promote products or services aggressively. Usually without offering much information or value.
• Inconsistent or Poor Grammar and Spelling
When communicating on LinkedIn, pay attention to the grammar and spelling of messages. You may dismiss an error from an international-sounding connection, but it could be a bot.
Fake LinkedIn sales bots often display inconsistent or poor grammar and spelling mistakes. These errors can clearly indicate that the sender is not genuine. Legitimate LinkedIn users typically take pride in their communication skills.
• Unusual Connection Requests and Unfamiliar Profiles
Fake LinkedIn sales bots often send connection requests to individuals indiscriminately. They may target users with little regard for relevance or shared professional interests. Be cautious when accepting connection requests from unfamiliar profiles, especially if the connection seems unrelated to your industry or expertise.
Microsoft Designer, one of the latest entrants in AI-powered design tools, is perfect for everyone: from graphic experts and marketers to small business owners or those just looking to craft a humorous meme.
This tool is packed with features that simplify your design journey.
A Seamless Experience for all with an intuitive and user-friendly layout, Microsoft Designer ensures a smooth experience for novices and pros alike. Some standout features are:
Easy drag-and-drop capabilities
Handy contextual menus
Straightforward navigation
Prompt text suggestions to kickstart your design
Upon launching, it immediately prompts, “Describe the design you’d like to create.” This straightforward approach welcomes even those without a design background. Depending on your input, the AI springs into action, crafting graphics, although you're free to upload personal elements too.
A Wealth of Design Resources at Your Fingertips
Looking for a business card design, a captivating flyer, or a vibrant social media post? This tool stands ready. It also boasts an extensive asset library, featuring:
Crisp images
Distinctive icons
Array of fonts
Diverse color palettes
These resources empower you to craft designs that not only captivate but resonate with your brand's ethos. With such an extensive suite of assets, you're at liberty to fully express your creativity and make your design ideas come alive.
Smart Layout Suggestions and Design Recommendations
Microsoft Designer goes beyond being a mere design tool. It’s a knowledgeable design assistant. The tool employs artificial intelligence to act as a “design assistant.” It can analyze your design and provide smart layout suggestions and recommendations. So even if making images isn’t “your thing,” you can make something decent.
The AI help is useful for those who may be new to design or seeking inspiration. Your design assistant can offer optimal font pairings, appropriate image placements, and more.
Seamless Collaboration and Integration
Collaboration is essential in today’s digital workspace. Microsoft Designer understands this need. The tool offers seamless collaboration capabilities. It allows several users to work on the same design project simultaneously.
You can easily share your designs with team members or clients. As well as get real-time feedback and edits. Furthermore, Microsoft Designer integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications such as PowerPoint and Word.
Accessibility and Cross-Platform Support
Microsoft Designer recognizes the importance of accessibility and cross-platform compatibility. The tool is available both as a web application and as a desktop application. You can use it on Windows and Mac.
Use it working on your desktop computer or from a mobile device. The tool also adheres to accessibility standards.
TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP YOU RUN YOUR SMALL BUSINESS BETTER
Running a small business can be challenging. But advancements in technology have opened a world of opportunities. Small business owners can use digital tools to streamline operations. As well as improve efficiency, and boost productivity.
But trying to navigate the options yourself can be confusing. Just buying apps because someone told you one was cool, might not be the best strategy. You need to focus on needs and target optimization. Let’s explore some game-changing technologies for small businesses.
Cloud Computing for Scalability and Flexibility
Cloud computing has transformed the way businesses store, access, and manage their data. Apps like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace allow small businesses to afford more including enterprise-class functions formerly enjoyed only by large companies.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
Spreadsheets can only take you so far. CRM software can help you improve your sales process. As well as personalize marketing campaigns and provide top-notch customer support.
Collaboration Tools for Seamless Teamwork
Efficient collaboration is crucial for small businesses. This is especially true when employees are in different offices or working remotely.
E-commerce Platforms for Online Sales
Platforms like Shopify, Woo-Commerce, and BigCommerce make it easy to expand your sales territory online.
Data Analytics for Informed Decision-Making
Leveraging data analytics tools can provide valuable insights for informed decision-making.
5 SMALL BUSINESS TECH TRENDS TO FUEL YOUR GROWTH
Small businesses have more opportunities than ever in today's ever-evolving digital landscape. Many of these call for leveraging technology to their advantage. Embracing the right tech trends can help businesses compete. It enables them to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and fuel growth.
Here are 5 small business tech trends that have the potential to drive success as well as propel your business forward in an increasingly competitive market.
Cloud Computing: Expanding Possibilities
Artificial Intelligence: Automating Efficiency
E-commerce and Mobile Commerce: Expanding Reach
Data Security: Safeguarding Trust
Automation and Workflow Integration: Streamlining Operations
6 REASONS ACCESS MANAGEMENT IS NOW CRITICAL TO CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity has become paramount for businesses and individuals alike. Cyber threats abound, and data breaches and malware attacks are costly. Attacks come from all vectors, including the cloud tools you use every day.
You need to ensure you’re addressing access management in your cybersecurity strategy. Otherwise, you could suffer serious financial consequences.
Reasons Why Identity & Access Management (IAM) Should Be a High Priority
Mitigating Insider Threats
Strengthening Data Protection
Enhancing Regulatory Compliance
Streamlining User Provisioning and Deprovisioning
Enabling Secure Remote Access
Improving Productivity
Apple’s iOS updates have always been eagerly anticipated. iPhone and iPad users around the world get excited to see what their devices can do next. The newest major release is iOS 17. This fall, Apple is set to introduce a host of exciting new features and improvements.
iOS 17 promises to deliver an even more intuitive and seamless user experience. There will also be big changes for Messages and sharing across phones.
Here are the feature highlights:
Get an Instant Transcript of Voicemails
Personalized Contact Posters
Leave a Video or Audio FaceTime Message
More FaceTime Enhancements – Reactions & Apple TV
New Emoji Stickers & Live Stickers from Photos
AirDrop & NameDrop for Easier Sharing
Smarter Autocorrect & Dictation
StandBy Glanceable Screen Mode
New Mental Health Features in the Health App
Technology Newsletter Trivia of the Month
Each month you have a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Voucher by being the first person to email us with the answer to our Technology Newsletter Trivia Question of the Month!
