by Irina Georgieva | Jan 2, 2025
Martin Večeřa, CEO at lumeer.io, discusses work productivity and demystifies the things that make easy tasks harder to complete.
We are about to start our next project. We have done similar projects many times before. So there should not be any surprise, right? Or is there? How many projects are delivered on time and without a compromise on their size, features, properties etc.?
Fewer than a third of all projects were successfully completed on time and on budget over the past year. And there are even more scary reports on project management.
Fortunately, these troubles can be avoided if we know a few basic facts about our own bodies. Especially, about our brains.
The Future
When we try to estimate a difficulty of a task, we need to imagine a thing that does not exist yet. Something in the future.
Here comes the first issue. People are really bad at thinking about the future.
We know what happened. We can perfectly describe the past and existing things.
FMRI studies show that the future is a complete strangeness to us. When people were tasked to describe the future themselves, their brain did something completely weird.
The brain starts acting like when you describe a completely different person.
The further in time you try to imagine your actions, your personality, the less connected you feel with that person. And not only that. At some point in the future, you even do not care about the person.
Maybe this is just a self-protective mechanism to live with the fact in mind that we are going to die one day.
Nevertheless, when it comes to planning some tasks, why bother feeling all the difficulties it brings when it will be some stranger dealing with the problem?
The Optimism
Second, people tend to be overly optimistic – many people are subject to optimism bias. We are prone to believe that we are less likely to experience a negative event than others. In other words, we view our own risks as less than the risks of others.
It is mostly seen in extreme cases. Just imagine that, while driving on a highway, we came to a traffic jam and stopped at the end of the queue of cars. So we are now the very last car.
Suddenly, you noticed something in the rear mirror. Another car approaching the jam. But it seems like the car is not slowing down. Not at all. Still running very fast. And getting closer and closer.
Somewhere in the back of your head, you believe that the car will ultimately stop. Because the optimism tells you so. Why would anything bad happen, right? Crash!
A neverending squeaking of metal sheets. You are being thrown from side to side. Airbags deployment like in slo-mo. Fortunately, you are not injured.
Optimism bias also happens for positive effects – we tend to believe that we are more likely to win in a lottery than others. However, it is more often observed for the negative effects.
One of the factors causing the optimism bias is a desire for the end state. This means the willingness to complete the project. We can see the benefits of the completed project and we want to be there, no matter what. Nothing can stop us, can it?
In project management, the crashes are not strong and usually not that painful to us. So we tend to keep our positive attitude.
Last time, it was just a coincidence. It won’t repeat this time. This time, everything will go smooth. We took measures to prevent similar failures.
So we have a task, we made our original optimistic estimate. We did not realize what possible risks are there. We start working on the task.
The 80/20 rule
Now, the Pareto principle kicks in. You have spent 20% of the time, accomplishing 80% of the task. That went well, you think.
However, the remaining 20% of the task seems like a never-ending story. And sooner or later, the deadline is due.
This might easily trigger several reasons for demotivation. We might feel overwhelmed by the goal. We lose a track of the goal and thus the purpose. So there aren’t any reasons to continue any longer.
Some people also put very high demands on themselves. Which often leads them to a belief that they should have accomplished much more by now. This then blocks the progress.
The Denial
And then as we move on with the task, we might start seeing the difficulties, risks, obstacles. However, these new facts are in contradiction to our former beliefs. So next, we become victims of cognitive dissonance.
Simply put, people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviours are consistent. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid.
There is a small part of our limbic brain called amygdala. It is a very helpful assistant. It protects our lives. When there is an immediate danger that approaches us, we might need to decide in a fraction of a second. Our high-level brain (neocortex) is smart but very slow for that.
Amygdala can recognize the threat easily, sends a signal to the neocortex “take rest, I have it” (i.e. it blocks higher thinking), and takes action. Like escape for instance.
Unfortunately, the amygdala is very simple. It cannot recognize different types of danger or stress. Is there a tiger getting ready to jump on us? Or is someone threatening our social status? Is someone trying to prove us wrong?
All these situations can lead to an unthinking response. Most people want to hold the belief that they make good choices. If there is a conflict between our perception and reality, we seek explanations. This is a physiological need, like hunger or thirst.
So we started to see that our progress is far from our estimations. We can convince ourselves that we will work harder and the next task will take a shorter time. This is where we’ll get back on track!
Or we can try to blame something outside of our control. Something that we did not count with at the beginning. A brand new risk that just happened to us. We are only poor victims.
I believe it is needless to say that such an approach does not make us good project managers.
How to leverage these factors and work more efficiently?
So how to avoid these difficulties? Or even better, how to turn them into our advantages?
Fine-grained planning
Nikola Tesla described his great imagination that saved him a lot of time, work, and money by first visualising things in his memory. And then turning them into reality.
It might sound too good to be true. Whether we believe his descriptions completely, or not, one thing is for sure. He used imagination to analyze the projects before building them. This is definitely a good way to follow.
Spend the time thinking about the task before you start working on it. Use your imagination! Imagine that you really do it. What happens? What are the outcomes?
Only during a detailed thinking process, we realize what we were missing.
And of course, use a good planning tool. Find the most fine-grained subtasks. Put them all on a board, provide estimates. Review and update everything regularly. Feel free to use the board for project tracking.
Focus on the journey
The optimism bias can be dismantled, if we push our team to focus more on the individual steps. This is easier in agile project management, where our desired end state is a completed sprint. A set of tasks for a 2-week-long sprint can be estimated more precisely.
If you do not follow agile methodologies, we always recommend to set several top priority tasks for the next week or so and focus the team on them. We need to build short term desires. But never forget the big picture.
Create synergies
The fine-grained planning also partially solves the 80/20 problem. If the tasks are small enough, they are easier to complete. However, some tasks contain more unknown variables, some less. It is good to know our team well. What types of persons do we have in our team?
Some people are more creative by nature. They like new things, prefer to kick things off and lose interest when they figure out a working proof of concept.
On the other hand, there are people who like to work on things with exactly defined conditions and borders. Unknown things introduce stress to them.
When you manage to create synergies between complementary personalities in your team, you can achieve better results. This is also described in the famous book of The 7 habits of highly efficient people.
Company culture
The cognitive dissonance is probably the most difficult attribute to deal with. Nobody wants to look bad. A project manager does not want to report that their project is heading towards a disaster. Individual team members do not want to admit that they are not able to manage their tasks.
You can definitely look out for some warning signs that your project is not on the right track.
However, the best approach is to have a company culture where values like transparency, collaboration, and accountability are reworded. A culture where an honest constructive feedback is not punished but rather seriously considered.
Then anyone in the team should be encouraged to speak up and point out the elephant in the room. Or you can easily ask for an independent review from your peer or a different team.
How to give realistic estimates?
The solution to many project planning problems is anchored deep in our minds, and in company values. Like usually, there is no single quick panacea. It takes courage and commitments. You can take the first step today and plan your project in detail.
Connect and do business with Lumeer.io on Enterprise League
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by Irina Georgieva | Jan 2, 2025
Creating boundaries between work and personal life is not an easy thing. The use of digital technologies means that workers can do their job at any time and from anywhere.
As a result, people will be working even when they are at home or during the weekends. This increases stress, reduces happiness levels, and can create confusion.
Therefore, the only way to be satisfied with your life is to find ways to balance your career and personal life. And since you might say that that is easier said than done, keep reading to find out how to balance work life and personal life.
Create boundaries between work and personal life and increase efficiency
Being a highly motivated workaholic is amazing and many consider that crucial if you want to succeed in your career. But, like everything else in life, if it’s not balanced it might cause damage. Hence, if you can’t set boundaries between work and personal life, you will be unfulfilled with your life and that will even kill your biggest asset – motivation.
That being said, keep reading to find out how to find ways to balance work and personal life by still keep being a hardworking and dedicated professional.
Avoid perfectionism
People can develop perfectionist habits from a young age. They will try to do everything perfectly at school and home. While children and teenagers can easily be perfectionists, it is far more difficult for adults to do the same.
If your perfectionism becomes part of your daily habits, you will not balance your work life. Instead, you will dedicate more of your time towards achieving unrealistic work targets. As a result, your personal life will not receive the attention it deserves.
Avoiding perfectionism means psychologically preparing yourself for low achievements and getting a new perspective. You must be ready to miss your deadlines and not attain your targets.
For example, if you have set to work for eight hours a day, you must stop once that time is up. After dedicating more time to your personal life, your creativity and productivity will improve. Eventually, you will be able to do more work because you will have a clear vision.
Therefore, you must write realistic targets and objectives. How much work can you realistically do in a single day or week? Once you have determined that amount, you will set a minimum target.
For instance, if you do 80% of your daily tasks after eight hours, you can dedicate the rest of the day to personal hobbies and activities.
Have a dedicated workspace
Discipline is a crucial ingredient in creating boundaries between work and personal life. It’s easy to become disciplined if you have a dedicated workspace where you do all your work. This is ideal for remote workers who work from their homes. When you have a dedicated workspace, you will avoid distractions and manage your time better.
You can get a chair and desk that will serve as the workspace. The desk should only accommodate items that are related to your work. A decluttered desk reduces anxiety and increases focus. You will complete more activities if no items are slowing down your progress.
The dedicated workspace can be located in an unused room, a spare bedroom, or even the garage. It should also have enough natural light, but be away from noises.
In addition, you should get an ergonomic chair to reduce fatigue. If you have to stand up regularly to stretch your limbs, you may easily get distracted.
You can also try to have soft music playing in the background. Most people perform better when there is some soft noise in the background. If you have to take your meals, you can go to the dining table.
Set a routine
Remote workers have a difficult time following a specific schedule. Wondering how to be productive while working remotely?
Working from home means that you can do your personal and work activities at the same time. Since you want to create boundaries between work and personal life, you will need to create a routine. The routine will specify working hours and leisure time.
For instance, you may want to watch the latest movie during the day. However, if you have decided to work during the day, you have to postpone the film.
It will be challenging to follow your routine when you first create it. However, as you keep doing the same thing every day, it will become a habit. Eventually, following your routine will be a daily ritual that you won’t have to force yourself to do.
It is a good idea to track the effectiveness of your routine. In the initial days, you may only complete about 30% of your scheduled activities. If you do one more extra activity each new day, you may start following your entire routine after two weeks.
Create some time for yourself
Burnouts are very common among workers. It is essential to set aside some time for yourself and rejuvenate. The purpose is to prevent your life from becoming monotonous and robotic. There should be occasional breaks where you take a vacation, exercise, or engage in a hobby.
Taking breaks frees the mind and nourishes your body. Therefore, you should do things such as meditation or yoga regularly. These activities can happen in the morning, during lunch breaks, or after work. They will increase your creativity and improve overall productivity.
Another way to create personal time is to switch off your work devices on Friday afternoon. Your business phone should be off, and clients should know that they can’t talk to you during the weekend. If you go on vacation, make sure to leave somebody to reply to your emails and phone calls.
Engage in constant communication
One consequence of overlapping work and personal life is reducing communication between yourself, your team, and family members. You have to talk regularly to your family and friends. Connecting with family and friends increases affection, support, and social cohesion.
You will work better if there are other people who support and love you. Consequently, you shouldn’t do any work if it is time to socialize with your friends or family. Your team members or boss must also know that they can’t contact you during this time.
You don’t have to meet your family or friends in person. Instead, you can organize virtual meetings, parties, or coffee dates. It’s also possible to go live on your social media and connect with your friends.
Conclusion
Achieving a work-life balance will increase your productivity and reduce stress. You will be more creative and motivated to do your work each day. That’s why you need a strategic planning process to set boundaries between work and personal life. Use the strategies we’ve listed above and start improving your way of living today.
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by Irina Georgieva | Jan 2, 2025
Every month, many small businesses are launched, driven by the passion and determination of aspiring entrepreneurs. But, the stark reality is that the path to business success is paved with challenges, and many ventures face an uphill battle.
Investopedia reveals a concerning trend in the business world: a high failure rate among new ventures. Statistics indicate that a significant portion of businesses face adversity, with 20% experiencing failure in their first year. Furthermore, the rate increases to 50% in five years and an astounding 65% within a decade.
These statistics underscore the difficulties faced by new ventures over an extended period. To withstand these challenges and set your idea for long-term success, it’s essential to prepare yourself with expert tips and strategies, and advice that have proven to be effective.
Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a business owner seeking growth, the insights covered in this article will help you to turn your idea into a business.
Strategies and tips that can help you to turn your idea into a business
Within this segment, we will present concise strategies and tips that will help you to turn your idea into a business.
Business planning and strategy
A crucial step in turning your idea into a business is developing a comprehensive business plan. This plan serves as a roadmap, providing a strategic framework to guide your actions and decisions. It outlines your vision, mission, and goals, while also delving into market research, competition analysis, and financial projections.
Having an understanding of your target customers is essential for customizing your products or services to address their requirements. Conduct thorough market research to gain insights into your target audience’s demographics, behaviors, and pain points. This knowledge allows you to develop targeted marketing campaigns and establish meaningful connections with your customers.
Creating a unique value proposition sets your business apart from competitors. Identify what makes your offerings special and how they address your target market’s needs distinctly and compellingly. This differentiation will help attract and retain customers in a competitive market.
Setting clear goals is essential for driving your business forward. Establish specific and measurable targets that align with your overall vision and mission. Make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to provide clarity and enable effective tracking of progress. Break down your goals into actionable steps and regularly monitor your performance to stay on track and make necessary adjustments along the way.
Building a strong foundation
Establishing a solid foundation is an essential part when transforming your idea into a business. This involves addressing several key factors that can significantly impact your business growth.
Choosing the right business structure is a crucial step in setting up your venture. Consider the various options available to you, which encompass sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or the formation of a limited liability company (LLC). Each structure has its advantages and legal considerations.
For instance, forming an LLC provides flexibility, liability protection, and potential tax benefits. It is worth researching the lowest LLC filing fees and understanding the specific requirements for starting an LLC in your state, such as how to start an LLC in Arizona.
Securing funding is often a challenge for new businesses. Explore different funding options, such as bootstrapping, loans, grants, or seeking investors. Develop a comprehensive business plan and financial projections to present to potential investors or lenders. Furthermore, it is worth exploring alternative avenues for funding, such as utilizing crowdfunding platforms or engaging with business incubators.
Bringing together a skilled and capable team is pivotal for the prosperity of your business. Identify the key roles and skills required to support your operations. Create job descriptions, conduct thorough interviews, and assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
Establish clear and standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain a consistent and efficient approach in your daily operations. Implement reliable systems for financial management, inventory control, and customer relationship management. Leverage technology to automate routine tasks, enhance productivity, and improve decision-making.
Moreover, complying with legal considerations is vital for operating your business smoothly. By engaging legal expertise, you can ensure that your business remains adequately protected and fully compliant with regulatory requirements specific to your industry and location. This involves obtaining the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance coverage, which reliable lawyers can assist you with.
By focusing on building a solid foundation through the right business structure, securing funding, assembling a talented team, and establishing effective systems and processes, you set your business up for success. Also, continuously evaluate and refine your foundation as your business grows and evolves.
Branding and marketing
Direct your focus towards creating a captivating brand identity and messaging that deeply connects with your target audience. Clearly define your brand’s values, mission, and unique selling points.
Craft a compelling brand story that sets you apart from competitors and connects with your audience. Consistently reflect your brand identity across all touchpoints, including your logo, website, and marketing materials. A strong and authentic brand identity builds trust, fosters customer loyalty, and attracts new customers.
Next, implement effective marketing strategies that encompass both online and offline approaches. Tailor your strategy to your target market and business goals. Consider content marketing, email marketing, SEO, public relations, events, and partnerships. Careful planning, execution, and measurement of these strategies are vital for maximum impact and return on investment.
Leveraging digital marketing channels and social media platforms is crucial in today’s business landscape. Develop a digital marketing strategy that contains social media marketing, search engine marketing, influencer marketing, and online advertising.
Identify the channels that strongly resonate with your specific target audience and generate compelling and pertinent content that fosters awareness, engagement, and conversions. Use analytics and leverage data-driven insights to enhance the effectiveness of your digital marketing endeavors and achieve superior outcomes.
Remaining informed about the latest marketing trends and technologies is crucial in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Continuously evaluate the performance of your marketing initiatives and make necessary adjustments. Explore emerging technologies like AI and marketing automation to streamline processes and enhance personalization. Building strong customer relationships through exceptional experiences is vital for fostering brand loyalty and driving growth.
By synchronizing your brand messaging and marketing strategies with the requirements of your specific target audience, you can establish a strong brand presence, cultivate awareness, and realize business growth.
Sales and customer acquisition
Place your focus on developing a sales strategy that is in harmony with your business goals. Identify your target market and understand their needs, preferences, and pain points.
Prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to deliver exceptional experiences at every touchpoint. Establish trust by providing transparent and honest communication, delivering on promises, and addressing customer concerns promptly. Cultivate a customer-centric culture within your organization to promote loyalty.
Train your sales team on effective selling techniques and equip them with the necessary tools and resources. Encourage active listening and understanding of customer needs, and tailor your sales pitch accordingly. Leverage storytelling to engage customers emotionally and demonstrate how your product or service solves their problems or improves their lives. Continuously refine your sales techniques based on customer feedback and market trends.
Customer feedback is a valuable resource for improving your sales and overall business performance. Actively seek customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and direct interactions. Analyze this feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
By focusing on customer satisfaction and delivering value, you can drive customer acquisition, foster loyalty, and achieve sustainable business growth.
Operations and growth
Efficiently managing day-to-day operations and growth, as outlined in your operational business plan, are critical factors in turning your idea into a thriving business.
Establish clear processes and workflows to streamline tasks and maximize productivity. Delegate responsibilities effectively, ensuring that each team member understands their roles and responsibilities. Leverage technology and automation tools to simplify routine tasks and reduce manual effort. Regularly assess and improve operational efficiency to optimize resources and enhance overall performance.
As your business gains momentum, scaling becomes a key consideration. Explore growth opportunities by assessing market demand and identifying areas where expansion is viable. Evaluate options such as entering new markets, diversifying product or service offerings, or partnering with complementary businesses. Conduct thorough market research and financial analysis to make informed decisions. Implement effective project management practices to ensure successful execution during the growth phase.
Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial for tracking the progress of your business. Common KPIs include revenue growth, customer acquisition and retention rates, profitability, and operational efficiency. Leverage data analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into your business performance. Make data-driven decisions by analyzing trends and patterns to identify opportunities and address challenges.
In addition to keeping track of KPIs, it is crucial to remain well-informed about industry trends and the evolving market landscape. This enables you to adapt your strategies, stay ahead of the competition, and seize new growth opportunities.
Efficient day-to-day operations and strategic growth planning are vital for transforming your idea into a business. Focus on managing operations effectively, explore growth opportunities, monitor key performance indicators, and make data-driven decisions.
Financial management
By focusing on budgeting, cash flow management, expense tracking, and seeking financial advice, you can ensure financial stability and optimize profitability.
Develop a comprehensive budget that outlines your projected income and expenses. Take into account both immediate and future objectives and allocate resources in a manner that aligns with them. Regularly review and update your budget as circumstances change. Utilize forecasting techniques to anticipate future financial trends and make informed decisions.
Monitor your cash inflows and outflows diligently to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover expenses and meet financial obligations. Implement strategies to accelerate cash inflows, such as offering incentives for early payments or optimizing your sales and marketing efforts—control cash outflows by negotiating favorable payment terms with suppliers.
Implement robust accounting and financial systems to accurately record and categorize transactions. Conduct periodic evaluations of financial statements, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, to gauge the profitability and financial stability of your business. Identify areas where expenses can be reduced or optimized to enhance profitability.
Gaining insights and guidance from financial professionals, such as accountants or financial advisors, can prove invaluable when seeking financial advice. They can assist you in interpreting financial data, recognizing potential risks, and formulating strategies to enhance your financial position. Collaborate with them to create financial forecasts, analyze investment opportunities, and mitigate financial challenges.
Maintaining good financial management requires discipline and dedication. Stay informed about tax regulations, legal obligations, and industry-specific financial requirements. Implement internal controls and processes to safeguard your business’s financial assets and prevent fraud. Regularly conduct financial audits to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
Risk management and adaptability
Identifying and mitigating potential risks is a proactive approach to safeguarding your business.
Complete a comprehensive risk review to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities. This includes analyzing market conditions, regulatory changes, competitive landscape, and internal factors. Formulate backup plans and strategies to mitigate risks and reduce the potential impact on your business operations. Regularly review and update these plans as new risks emerge or circumstances change.
In today’s dynamic business environment, embracing innovation and adapting to market changes are crucial factors in staying competitive. Encourage employees to generate and explore new ideas, products, and services. Stay updated on industry trends, technological advancements, and changing customer preferences. Embrace innovation by incorporating new technologies, processes, and business models that can give you a competitive edge.
Adaptability is crucial for surviving and thriving in a rapidly changing market. Monitor market trends and customer feedback to identify areas where adaptation is necessary. Be open to feedback and listen to your customers’ needs and preferences. Flexibility and agility in responding to market changes can help you seize new opportunities and address emerging challenges. Continuously evaluate your business strategies and make necessary adjustments to align with evolving market dynamics.
Cultivating a culture focused on continual improvement is crucial for achieving long-term success. Encourage learning and professional development among your employees. Provide opportunities for training, skills enhancement, and knowledge sharing. Regularly evaluate your business processes and operations to identify areas for improvement. Encourage feedback and suggestions from employees, customers, and stakeholders. Implement performance measurement systems to track progress and identify areas where efficiencies can be enhanced.
Risk management, adaptability, and continuous improvement are interconnected pillars of business success. By identifying and mitigating risks, embracing innovation, and fostering adaptability and continuous improvement, you can position your business to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
Conclusion
Turning your idea into a business requires a strategic and well-informed approach. By implementing the strategies and tips discussed in this content, you can navigate the challenges and maximize the opportunities that come with entrepreneurship.
Stay committed, remain adaptable, and continuously seek knowledge and expertise to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
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by Irina Georgieva | Jan 2, 2025
In today’s business world, it is more important than ever to have a strong professional network. As a student, it is important to start building your network now so that you will be ready for your future career. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for developing such a network.
Why is it important to have a professional network?
Employers are often more likely to hire someone who comes recommended by someone they know and trust. Having a professional network can also help you to stay informed about news and developments in your industry. And if you ever find yourself out of work, your network can be a valuable resource for finding new opportunities
.
A professional network is a group of contacts that you can rely on for information, advice, and support. These are people who have expertise in your industry or field, and who can help you to reach your professional goals. A professional network can provide you with custom article review writing service opportunities, introductions to new contacts, and even just moral support when you need it.
How can you start building your network today?
- Attend industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet potential contacts and learn about new developments in your field.
- Get involved with professional associations. Professional associations can provide valuable networking opportunities, as well as access to industry-specific news and resources.
- Use social media. Social media platforms like LinkedIn offer powerful tools for connecting with professionals in your field. By adding your industry keywords to your profile, you can make sure that you’re connecting with the right people.
What are some tips for networking successfully?
One of the most important things is to be genuine and authentic in your interactions. People can tell when you’re trying to fake it, and it’s much more difficult to build a meaningful connection if you’re not being yourself. It’s also important to be a good listener – rather than trying to dominate the conversation, take the time to really hear what the other person has to say. And, of course, don’t forget the follow up! Send a quick email or LinkedIn message after meeting someone new to stay in touch.
What are some common mistakes people make when networking?
One mistake is talking too much about themselves. When meeting someone new, it’s important to strike a balance between talking about yourself and showing a genuine interest in the other person.
Another mistake could be failing to follow up. If you meet someone at an event and exchange business cards, be sure to reach out within a day or two. Finally, some people are not prepared enough. Before attending a networking event, take some time to research the people who will be in attendance. This will help you to start meaningful conversations and make lasting connections.
How can you use networking to achieve your career goals?
Networking can be a powerful tool for achieving your career goals. By connecting with other professionals in your field, you can learn about new opportunities, get advice and feedback, and build relationships that can help you advance in your career.
What should you do if you don’t know anyone in your industry?
If you’re looking to break into a new industry, it can be daunting if you don’t know anyone in that field. However, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, look for online communities or forums related to your desired industry. Many times, these will be populated by people who are already working in the field and can offer advice or mentorship. You can also attend events or meetups related to your desired industry. This is a great way to network and meet potential contacts.
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire in your desired industry. Many people are happy to chat with someone who is interested in their work and may be able to offer advice or guidance.
How can you stay connected with your professional network?
Social media sites like LinkedIn offer a great way to connect with professionals in your industry, and many organizations offer online forums and discussion groups that can help you stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. Additionally, attending industry events and conferences can be a great way to meet new people and learn about new opportunities.
Conclusion
Developing a professional network can be a great way to further your career goals. By connecting with others in your field, you can gain valuable insights, advice, and connections that can help you in your job search and beyond. What are some tips you have for networking successfully? Let us know!
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by Irina Georgieva | Jan 2, 2025
Many web users are familiar with VPN (Virtual Private Network) software and some of its perks. The primary goal of these tools is to change your location, encrypt your web traffic, and bypass geographical restrictions. In short, you have digital privacy and data protection against various online threats.
Naturally, online businesses can benefit from VPN services as well. However, there are some critical differences between VPNs for businesses and consumers. In this article, we’ll cover the common differences and outline the main perks of virtual private networks.
Common VPN service features
You’re likely only familiar with consumer VPNs like NordVPN if you’ve never encountered one at work or school. These services have different features than business-oriented services. But first, let’s overview what common features these services have.
Encryption
Encryption is arguably the most defining feature of any VPN service. It masks your online activities and makes them unreadable to unwelcome outsiders. However, not all encryption is created equal. The most secure VPNs utilize the substantial AES-256 standard to make your activities virtually uncrackable.
True location masking
VPN services redirect your web connection through remote servers. This process hides your actual whereabouts and makes it appear that you’re connecting from wherever the server is. Naturally, your initial IP address is also hidden.
DNS leak protection
A good provider will also mask your DNS requests and prevent leaking issues.
VPN kill switch
You should enable this feature if you want your internet connection to shut down whenever the VPN connection is disabled. This prevents accidental location exposure should the virtual private network encounter issues while establishing a connection.
Fast tunneling protocols
A VPN’s tunneling protocol determines upload and download speeds plus the overall security of the VPN tunnel.
Protection against intrusions
Enabling a VPN makes your connection secure against outside intrusions from malicious hackers. You’ll be utterly immune to DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-service) or man-in-the-middle attacks, data theft, surveillance, and online censorship.
Apps for desktop and mobile devices
A high-quality product should be easy to use regardless of your technical aptitude. The most user-friendly approach is offering fully-featured dedicated apps that are understandable and convenient to install.
These features are present in practically every worthwhile VPN service to ensure airtight security. However, a virtual private network isn’t your only tool for complete cybersecurity.
Business-specific features
Generally speaking, online businesses’ VPN services must be flexible to fit any company’s needs. This is typically done by granting IT administrators a control panel for customizing the organization’s security policy. Besides that, here’s what else you should expect from a worthwhile VPN for your company.
Centralized settings
Your company’s IT team will need an all-in-one control panel for setting up all the necessary security features. Unsurprisingly, administrators will likely use the same dashboard to keep track of user activity.
Account management
It should be convenient to add new users, remove old ones, and configure their permissions.
Static IP address
Using a static IP address is the best way to ensure easy access to shared company resources and prevent unauthorized connections. However, global companies will benefit from a worldwide server fleet to provide excellent connectivity to employees worldwide.
2FA
Two-factor authentication is an essential component of protecting user accounts and preventing breaches.
Biometric authentication
Some organizations may implement biometric authentication (face recognition, fingerprint scanning) as an additional security measure. Naturally, whether you require all these security features depends on your company’s threat model and potential attackers.
Consumer-specific features
Now for a glance at what consumer-centered VPNs usually include. Unsurprisingly, many of these perks are absent from business-oriented options because they’re unrelated to company security.
Unlocking geographically-restricted content
The most popular VPN use case is changing your location to access region-exclusive movies and TV shows on popular streaming services like Netflix.
Apps for home entertainment devices
Customers may want to take advantage of the previously-mentioned perk on various devices like TVs or gaming consoles.
Router configuration
The best way to secure your home network is to install the VPN directly on your router.
Tools for bypassing censorship
A VPN is a perfect way to bypass mass online censorship and avoid surveillance in authoritarian countries.
Antivirus capabilities
Security-focused VPNs can replace your antivirus software and cover its responsibilities, i.e., scan your device and prevent virus-infected files from entering your system.
Personal password management
Nowadays, it’s paramount to use strong and unique passwords on your numerous web accounts. A password manager makes it easy to do so without hindering convenience.
Data breach monitoring
Typically, you won’t be notified when a data breach occurs that affects you. Meanwhile, a well-equipped VPN service can keep an eye out for you and tell you what to do if you’re a data leak victim.
Of course, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg regarding the boons you may find with regular VPN services. Many providers appeal to varying types of users and offer specialized packages for fulfilling their needs.
Conclusion
The main goal of VPN services is to enforce security guidelines and prevent intrusions from malicious threats. They do so through multiple features and allow administrators to customize the finer details.
Contrarily, consumer VPNs usually focus on digital anonymity, removal of geographical restrictions, and protection against cyber threats. Plus, they offer easy-to-use apps to appeal to as many people as possible. Ultimately, your protection needs will guide your purchase decisions. Just don’t mix up business and consumer products when making a final decision.
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