4
Nov, 2015
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Tip of the Week: 3 Ways to Take Back Your Day From Workplace Distractions

b2ap3_thumbnail_distractions_at_work_400.jpgIn today’s competitive workplace environments, productivity is at a premium. Although, thanks to our gadgets, the allure of the Internet, and of course, having to interact with people, working at the modern office isn’t without its fair share of distractions, which hinder productivity. Here are three tips that you can use to tune out the distractions so you can get more work done.

Active “Airplane Mode” On Your Smartphone
When you really need to hunker down and focus, having your smartphone nearby may not be the best move. Unless you’re an extremely disciplined individual, it can be very difficult to ignore the slew of notifications periodically hitting your phone. Yet, it’s likely that you need your phone for what you’re working on, like to access your contacts, calendar, and clock. One way to still access basic apps like these while eliminating the distractions of the Internet is to set your phone to airplane mode. When you’re done with your project, simply turn off airplane mode and any notifications that you missed will promptly appear, as well as voicemail messages.

Bonus productivity tip: If you use your smartphone as your alarm clock, use airplane mode while you sleep in order to avoid being awakened by notifications and even phone calls.

Headphones Keep People at Bay
By putting on a pair of headphones, you’re essentially communicating to the world, “I don’t want to be bothered.” Of course, not everyone will take the hint and you’ll still have a few people tap you on the shoulder to ask a question. Hopefully, the inquires will be essential and they’ll think twice about offering you their opinions regarding what’s trending on social media.

Using your headphones, you might be able to listen to music in order to help you focus better (if you use Spotify, check out their Focus playlists). Although, not every worker has this ability. Therefore, you can also try listening to white noise in order to drown out the noisy distractions in the room. If neither of these options agree with the way you’re wired to work, then you can simply wear the headphones without actually using them for music as a way of communicating to your coworkers that you’re not to be bothered.

Schedule Times For Checking Your Email
If you’re one to keep your inbox open throughout the day, then you’re going to keep one eye on it while trying to be productive. This spells trouble for any project you’re working on because you’ll get slammed with notifications often and at random times. Actually, this applies to other forms of digital communication as well, like social media. Instead, try scheduling times throughout the day to check your email so that you can focus better on the task at hand. You can even take advantage of an email autoresponder tool that lets people know what time you’ll be checking your email. This way, people won’t wonder what’s wrong with you or their computer because they didn’t get an instant response. Remember, if it’s an urgent matter, they can always just pick up the phone and give you a call.

These tips may seem overly simple, but they’ve got the potential to enhance your focus and revolutionize productivity in your office. Try them out and let us know in the comments how they work for you!

17
Jul, 2015
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2/3 of Fired Employees Can Access Their Former Company’s Cloud Data AFTER Leaving

b2ap3_thumbnail_rogue_employees_400.jpgAs an employer, you understand that employees come and go. The same group of professionals who helped you build your business will probably be drastically different ten years, or even five years from now. While employee turnover is a natural occurrence, it also presents a certain risk. Believe it or not, a surprising percentage of employees will leave your business one day, and they’ll take some corporate information with them.

A survey from SailPoint shows that a quarter of your employees might take copies of corporate data with them upon leaving a company. The survey, which specifically dealt with cloud computing usage, was issued to at least 3,000 employees worldwide. As explained by SailPoint president Kevin Cunningham, “The survey results are an eye-opener of how cloud applications have made it easy for employees to take information with them when they leave a company.” With so many employees taking advantage of their mobile technology (aka Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD), IT administrators need to be more cautious than ever in how their information is deployed throughout for their business.

A slightly more disturbing statistic is that one in five employees upload this corporate data to a cloud application (Google Docs, Dropbox, etc.) with every intention of sharing it with others. It might feel impossible that your employees could possibly think about stabbing you in the back like this, but it happens more often than you might think. Some people just don’t leave on a positive note. If they storm off with a flurry of curses, it’s fair to consider that they might attempt to sabotage your business.

Here are some more statistics from the survey:

  • 66 percent of employees said they were able to access a business’ cloud storage applications after they left their last job.
  • 60 percent said they were aware that their employer strictly forbids taking intellectual property when they leave the company.
  • Only 28 percent said their employer’s corporate policies describe who can access mission-critical software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps.

These issues pose a unique challenge for IT departments, as it forces them to consider what happens with your business’s corporate data outside of the network. When an employee is terminated or simply leaves the company, it’s more important than ever to ensure that their permissions to access restricted company files are revoked. This can make it easier to protect your business’s data.

If this is a primary concern of your business (as it should be), give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455 to determine the best approach to protecting your confidential corporate information from rogue employees and other malicious entities.

10
Jul, 2015
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“It’s Dead Jim:” When to Walk Away from Your Failing Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_sow_the_seeds_of_business_400.jpgRunning a business can be an exhilarating experience, mainly due to the degree of risk that’s involved. When you’re the one calling the shots, your success is only limited by your ability to lead. Then there’s the chance that things won’t work out and you’ll fail miserably. When your business goes the way of the latter, how do you know when your your company is finished and it’s time to call it quits?

If you’re stuck in a hopeless situation, it’s better for your personal sanity to throw in the towel than it is to try and stick it out and make it work. To discover if you should hang in there or close up shop, ask yourself these three questions.

Do You Enjoy What You’re Doing?
Granted, few people actually love every minute of their job; by its nature, work comes with a level of discomfort. Obviously, you should expect some hardships when running a business. To get more specific, the question we’re asking here is, “Have you reached a point where you hate every minute of being a business owner, even to the point where you can’t find any reason to celebrate?” If you’ve reached the point where you can’t get any satisfaction from something that requires so much from you, it’s time to leave your company and seek out something more fulfilling.

Although, if you truly believe in the mission of your business, then you’ve got what it takes to make it through a hard spell and see a problem through to the end. Digging down deep and tapping into your passion to do what you do, and not letting your dreams just be dreams, is what will carry you through a rough patch and lead you to success. This principle quickly becomes evident after talking to any successful leader in your industry who has been where you are today.

Are You Connecting With Your Market?
You might have a business idea that you’re extremely passionate about and believe in wholeheartedly, but if it’s not connecting with your target market, then it might be time to invest in a different idea. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop doing what you love; it just means that, perhaps it would be wiser to have your passion be a hobby, instead of a business for which your livelihood depends on.

Before you give up on a dream because the market isn’t coming around, try taking a different approach and do what you’re doing in a different market. Or, try taking surveys of your target market to find out what they’re really looking for. Of course, if making a major change like this still fails to yield the results you need to be profitable, then maybe your great idea is only great in your head and you should call it quits.

Is it Meant to Be?
Call it fate, or a deep intuition, or even a bad economy, but sometimes seemingly-good ideas just aren’t meant to be. If it feels like nothing is ever going your way and the universe is out to see you fail, well, then maybe it is. Instead of fighting fate, it may be better to just throw up your hands, accept fate, and give up. Who knows, maybe your business can be sold or acquired and you can walk away with some cash in your pocket.

Of course, by their nature, business owners have a can-do attitude and won’t give up until they’ve tried everything they can in order to make their dreams come true. To that end, NuTech Services can arm you with a host of solutions that will streamline operations and provide answers to many of your most pressing problems. After all, it would be a shame to call it quits because you’re stuck on something that could easily be prevented with the right technology.

To learn how technology can help your business climb out of a rut and get back on the fast track to success, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455.

29
May, 2015
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Is Your Cloud Provider Meeting Your Expectations?

b2ap3_thumbnail_expecations_from_cloud_computing_400.jpgWhen cloud computing was first introduced to the consumer market, the technology required a fair amount of explaining. Today, the cloud is widely utilized by consumers, despite the fact that 51 percent of the public believe that actual clouds are somehow involved. Due to so many people using the cloud, consumers are now approaching computing much differently.

Even though most consumers may not know exactly how the cloud works, they have changed their expectations about computing because of their exposure to it. Namely, consumers expect whatever cloud service they use to be reliable and accessible. When it comes down to it, these expectations about the cloud actually trump all other expectations for computing technology.

Think about it, there was a time when consumers put a lot of stock into getting the most powerful home PC they could afford. Today, the average consumer has multiple devices of varying quality, spread out between their home and office. Thanks to the cloud, users are able to access their needed files on each one of these devices, meaning that the specs of the hardware take a backseat to the reliability of the device’s cloud software.

Additionally, the development of cloud services has gone in the direction of making the technology ultra-convenient for consumers to use. This too has influenced the expectations that consumers have regarding their cloud software, making it so that users expect installs, upgrades, and issues be resolved with just a few clicks. This is quite a leap from the days of purchasing software on CD-ROM and transporting files via USB thumb drive.

One tech blogger who does a good job articulating the high demands of today’s consumers is ZDNet’s David Gewirtz. Speaking on behalf of the consumer, Gewirtz compiles an accurate list of what today’s consumer looks for in a cloud service offering:

  • Some cloud services are free, but we expect premium upgrades.
  • If paid services are involved, we expect to easily and smoothly add or remove services merely with a mouse-click and a credit card.
  • As soon as a service plan’s capacity is reached (or just before), we expect the service to offer us an upgrade, not require us to go hunting to make things work.
  • We also expect fees to be tiered, so that each new tier provides more value than the last, with an incremental fee or jump.
  • Fees are usually all-you-can-eat for a year or smoothly scalable as soon as more capacity is needed.
  • We expect to be able to use the service on any compatible machine.
  • And we generally expect the service to work on pretty much anything.
  • We expect all our service-related data to just be there, wherever we are. How that happens is not our problem.
  • Installation is a click or a login. That’s it. It’s just there. There are no longer installers, updaters, zip files or other things to download and run on the desktop. Just click and run.

Does your company’s current cloud solution meet these expectations? If it doesn’t, then there is likely another cloud solution available that does. NuTech Services can provide you with the cloud services your business needs to succeed. In the same way that the cloud has completely improved utility computing, we feel like revolutionizing your IT infrastructure is a reasonable expectation to ask of your IT company. Call us at 810.230.9455 to learn more.

18
May, 2015
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Do You Trust Your Employees Enough to Offer Unlimited Vacation Time?

b2ap3_thumbnail_unlimited_paid_time_off_400.jpgAs a business owner, you know how difficult establishing a paid time off policy is. Providing too little can make your business seem unfair, but giving away too much might make you feel like you’re losing money. Therefore, it might come as a shock to even suggest the idea of unlimited PTO. Some business owners, on the other hand, find it completely effective, and that it can even improve the quality of work.

The current state of PTO in the workplace is pretty standard, regardless of where you look. Employees are either given a set amount of hours at the beginning of the year which they use at their leisure, or they accrue them on a monthly or yearly basis. These employees put in a two-week notice of their designated time off, and they’re all set, so long as their absence is approved for that time. This puts a limit on recuperation time. While this might seem like it doesn’t matter, proper rest can help your team push above and beyond, to their maximum productivity.

Zach Ferres, CEO of Coplex, is a big advocate of unlimited paid time off, and for good reason. He claims that it offers a unique return on investment that’s beneficial to your business’s operation:

Employers who offer unlimited PTO report increased employee satisfaction, improved work-life balance and greater productivity. Plus, unlimited PTO can be a huge selling point when you’re recruiting, and it will actually save your HR department an average of 52 hours per year.

One popular company that has implemented this policy with great success is the video streaming service Netflix. Last year, Virgin founder Richard Branson followed suit, as reported by Business Insider:

Virgin founder Richard Branson recently declared that the company’s employees can take as many vacation days as they want, provided that “their absence will not in any way damage the business — or, for that matter, their careers!” Branson said that he got the idea from Netflix.

Of course, one of the greatest benefits that an unlimited PTO policy has is that it can make your team feel like you care about them and their personal lives. This can drastically improve operations and inter-office relationships. According to Feres, here’s how it’s done.

Trust Is Key
Before you even consider integrating an unlimited PTO policy, it’s important that you ask yourself whether or not you can trust your employees to not abuse the privilege. If they start to take days off willy-nilly, it might be time to reconsider your policy. If you take the leap of faith, however, it also shows your team that you trust them; a valuable asset that can make working for you that much better.

Create a Mandatory Minimum PTO Policy
Some employees work too much and don’t take time off, even when they do have it available. This can be harmful, especially if they get burned out from working too hard. Mistakes happen when employees are tired or overworked, so the best way to avoid this is by making them take time off once in a while. This lowers stress and keeps your employees happy.

Use a Time-Off Request Process…
Naturally, employees should have to go through a certain process in order to use their PTO. People can’t randomly be coming and going as they see fit. Generally, you should know at least a few weeks ahead of time when someone wants to take time off. You can use this time to divvy up urgent tasks to others who will be in the office.

… And Keep Track of the Requests
This is primarily so you know who is taking the most time off and why. This helps you keep track of your employees and whether or not they’re taking advantage of your PTO policy. On the other hand, you’ll also know who isn’t taking enough time off, which will make it easier to encourage them to do so.

What are your thoughts on unlimited PTO? Is this leap of faith something you’re willing to try? Let us know in the comments.

20
Apr, 2015
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Find Out Why the Open Office Isn’t for Everybody

b2ap3_thumbnail_open_office_problems_400.jpgOne of the more recent office trends seems to be the open office. While this is more space-efficient and supposedly helps foster productivity and communication, there’s also the possibility that it can do exactly the opposite. According to a 2002 study from Environment and Behavior, the open office can be a hindrance to unlocking the full potential of all employees.

In this survey, Environment and Behavior tracked employees as they were moved from a private office to an open office. Overall, these workers felt that the open office decreased their performance as employees. They felt worse about their work environment, their work performance, their attitude, and their co-worker relationships.

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Architectural and Psychological Privacy
When you’re at home, you can shut the door and a whole new world of privacy and productivity can commence. However, when you’re at the office, this feeling is somewhat diminished and is only furthered by the open office. According to Inc, this concept is called architectural privacy. Being able to shut the door to the world around you can be somewhat therapeutic. Even the walls of a cubicle, with your own personal space, can be effective.

This architectural privacy is what initiates psychological privacy, which is the feeling that you can control who has access to you during the workday. This is crucial to improving performance and satisfaction in the office. Open office workers reported higher levels of impaired memory, aggravated migraines, and ulcers; stress-related symptoms that drag productivity to a halt. Just having a door that you can use to separate yourself from the rest of the office can mitigate background noise and workflow disruption. This, in turn, leads to lower levels of stress, leading to a better overall working environment.

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Unsurprisingly, Introverts Dislike the Open Office
As a business, your workforce is probably extremely diverse with many different types of workers. This means you have some introverts working for you; people who generally like to work by themselves or simply aren’t social butterflies. It’s been proven that solitude leads to more creative behavior, so introverts can achieve their maximum potential by having their own space. The open office restricts their potential by the immense amount of background noise and disruptive conversation.

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Multitasking Can Reduce Quality of Work
While the open office was first introduced to increase the amount of collaboration in the workplace, it’s been shown that moving from one task to another rapidly can decrease the quality of a worker’s overall performance. Concentration isn’t easy, especially when you’re constantly moving from one task to another. According to The Wall Street Journal, it can take up to 27 minutes to regain focus on a task after being disrupted. If this happens constantly throughout the day, that time adds up quickly, leading to a lot of disruption and a lot of wasted time.

How Technology Helps the Open Office
While the open office environment doesn’t generally foster a healthy environment at times, there exist several technology solutions that can help alleviate some of its more prevalent issues. Unfortunately, since the effects of the open office depend heavily on the psychological makeup of your workforce, it’s difficult to find a technological solution that fits every situation. For those who have problems concentrating due to disruptive background noise, there are applications out there that play ambient noise and allow workers to move elsewhere, if they’re allowed to do so. Ultimately, these apps won’t be a reliable solution for all of your open office woes.

These issues, compounded by the fact that germs can quickly spread and cause illness amongst the office, are one reason why many workers might prefer their own private office rather than one big open room. What does your office look like? Would your workers, if surveyed, agree that it’s an environment that fosters productivity? Leave your thoughts in the comments.