According to this article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at least 75% of small businesses today use technology in some form. They use it to communicate with customers, manage sales, and advertise their services and products.

Many businesses only made it through the last two years thanks to the remote working capabilities offered by technology, combined with the benefits of outsourced IT management to keep everything running smoothly.

Now that things are returning to normal, many businesses are still enjoying IT outsourcing benefits to keep growing and thriving in a competitive environment.

Keep reading to find out what outsourced IT services can offer you. 

1. Boost Your Remote Working Capabilities 

A recent survey by McKinsey indicates that remote work is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with 50% of respondents saying they’d prefer a hybrid work arrangement in the future. 

Employees enjoy the flexibility that remote work brings, while businesses can benefit from various cost savings when they opt for a remote work environment. 

The obvious benefits to employers are savings on infrastructure expenses since they require less office space for fewer in-house employees, as well as increased job satisfaction. 

It’s difficult for an in-house IT team to see to the needs of remote workers as effectively as usual. In these cases, businesses can consider a variety of options for IT services.

Outsourced IT works remotely to ensure your workers stay online and ready for action at any time of the day. 

2. Cost-Saving IT Outsourcing Benefits

Hiring an in-house team of IT experts is an expensive undertaking, for instance, you can expect to pay an IT manager at least $159,000 per year.

Plus, you’ll need to pay for the costs of onboarding these professionals, training, and paid leave. You’re bound to need more than one IT professional to deal with common IT issues, too.

These may include:

• Web developers
• Technicians
• Programmers
• Helpdesk personnel 

Technology is a vast, quickly evolving field and unless you’re an IT expert yourself, you may never know if you’ve hired the right person for the job. 

On top of that, there’s an extremely high demand for qualified IT personnel. That means these expensive team members might find another higher-paying job at any moment.

When they, do, you’ll need to start the long and expensive process involved in replacing them all over again. Plus, nobody wants employees who’ve had access to their operational secrets heading out the door.

Your IT outsourcing budget needn’t cater to any of these uncertainties. When you work with a certified IT service, you’ve got 24/7 access to a team of highly-qualified personnel to cater to all your IT needs.

Your service provider deals with all the costs of hiring, training, and replacing these team members when necessary. 

Some business owners might feel uncomfortable having ‘strangers’ running their technology, but you can rest assured, that your IT provider only allows employees of the highest level access to your confidential information.

They’re also well-versed in all the latest regulations regarding client confidentiality and ISO standards in their field.

It might seem like you can count on an in-house team to show a vested interest and loyalty toward your business. In truth, they can always find another job.  

By contrast, an outsourced IT provider views you as a valuable client in an increasingly competitive industry. 

You needn’t lose the personal element when you choose outsourced IT, either.

When you work with local IT services, you can still meet with them face to face when necessary, so you don’t lose the human touch in your interactions.  

Most of these businesses prefer an initial consultation to review your current infrastructure and processes, so they can help you plan a way forward. 

3. Uninterrupted Service and Support

Most IT in-house support teams work office hours. That means they’re usually off duty at critical times, like when you’re burning the midnight oil to meet a critical deadline.

If you encounter a technical issue after hours, and you call them for assistance, you’re expected to pay them overtime rates for their services.

In-house team members also take time off and get sick from time to time, leaving you without the help you need for extended periods.  

Managed IT services offer always-on support and assistance. They can help you and your remote workers by accessing their systems remotely and assisting telephonically with particularly complex situations.

When you upgrade your systems, they can guide remote workers through any new concepts, saving you the hassle and expense of extra training. 

By proactively monitoring your services 24/7, outsourced remote IT professionals can identify and correct any looming issues before they impact your business.

These businesses often have representatives around the globe, so you’re covered in any time zone. This is particularly useful for larger businesses with branches all over the world.  

4. Take Advantage of Evolving Technology 

Since the use of technology became the norm in business, it’s evolved incredibly rapidly. That makes it easy for your larger, more prosperous competitors to outpace you when it comes to the latest tech unless you can move with the times too.

When you hire an outsourced IT provider, they bear they can help you take advantage of the most up-to-date solutions for your business needs.

That way, you don’t need to spend hours researching the best options for your business, only to find they’re outdated in a few months. Again, unless you have considerable knowledge of IT yourself, you probably won’t even know where to start. 

An outsourced IT provider saves you the time, money, and stress associated with finding and enjoying the benefits of modern-day technology. 

5. Stay Online and Up To Date

Outsourced IT vendors make it their business to stay updated on the latest advancements. They’ll also ensure your current software is always running the latest version thanks to regular updates.

Anyone who has ever worked with a modern operating system knows that updates can eat into your productive time and sometimes cause serious problems in the hands of the uninitiated.

Yet, these updates are vital to prevent viruses and keep your systems operating at their best. 

Your outsourced IT team completes all necessary updates after hours, so you don’t miss a beat while enjoying the benefits of running the latest version of your software.  

They also hire the most experienced and qualified personnel to ensure you get to enjoy the benefits of advanced industry knowledge. 

They’re responsible for training these professionals in the most advanced troubleshooting methods and techniques, so you’ll never face delays caused by inexperienced employees trying to resolve IT issues themselves.

6. Enjoy State-of-the-Art Security

As fast as technology advances, cybercrime does, too. These hackers and phishers never rest in their quest to infiltrate businesses and disrupt their operations.

A data security breach can result in the loss of vital data, lengthy disruptions in your operations, and even costly lawsuits. Don’t take chances with run-of-the-mill security software.

Outsourced IT services monitor your systems around the clock, so they can respond to a suspected attack instantly. They run consistent security updates and backups to ensure your systems stay safe from the devastating consequences of a cyberattack.

They keep these backups in secure locations, remote from your premises. This keeps your data safe from system failures or any disaster that could befall your business, like a fire.  

These offsite locations keep your data secure and safe from prying eyes, too. They’re protected by the most secure and innovative encrypted security measures available. 

If you experience potentially crippling data losses, outsourced IT services can easily wind the clock back to your latest update to limit the damage. That way, you’ll only lose a day’s worth of work if a disaster strikes.  

7. Flexible, Scalable Services

When you hire a team of in-house IT professionals with diverse skills, there’s a chance you might not have enough work to keep them busy all day.

With outsourced IT, you only pay for the services you need. These companies offer scalable packages that you can increase according to your needs.

They can also offer invaluable advice about enhancing your technology gradually in line with your business growth and budget. That way, you don’t end up paying expensive salaries to team members who aren’t working full time.

Instead, you pay only a portion of the costs of these employees’ salaries in proportion to how much you use their services.

When you have a special one-off project to complete, your outsourced IT provider has the team to assist you with this. You won’t need to hire expensive temporary employees or end up with new hires you don’t need after the fact.

You only pay for the time you use this personnel. 

8. Outsourced IT Boosts Your Business

Leaving your IT operations to a team of professionals can enhance your business in a variety of ways. These include:

Bolstering Your Business Efficiency

Technology can help your business perform optimally in many ways, but it can also cause frustrating and costly delays due to malfunctions, system errors, and user inexperience.

No business owner wants these frustrating issues to hamper how well they can run their business. Outsourced IT services eliminate these unpredictable occurrences, so your tech does what it’s meant to do. 

Improving Productivity 

The latest technology and software simply get things done faster. You can link all your departments via your network, for instant updates on orders, payments, and more.

That means your customers get what they need much faster. Your team can resolve customers’ queries more efficiently when they have updated information at their fingertips, too. 

An outsourced IT service provider will assist you with sourcing and implementing increasing levels of efficiency in your operations. They’re firmly focused on your future goals and can cater to your current needs with this in mind.

In this way, you can look forward to better productivity, now and as your business grows.  

Happy Customers

Modern-day consumers expect instant gratification. If you consistently tell customers your systems are down, they’ll soon find somewhere else to spend their money.

Slow, outdated software can’t meet the demands of your customers. Consumers who enjoy fast, efficient service post glowing reviews online and tell their friends about it, too.

In this small way, advanced, functioning technology helps attract more customers, and even benefits your digital marketing efforts. 

In this way, choosing a competent IT tech partner is an investment in a more prosperous future for your business and your employees.  

9. You Can Focus on Growing Your Business

As a business owner, you’ve got enough on your plate without having to worry about updating software and handling system errors. With outsourced IT, you don’t need to spare a thought for the day-to-day IT operations of your business.

They can quickly resolve issues that may have you spending hours at a time looking for solutions.

That way, you’re free to focus on what you’re best at. That is coming up with innovative ways to grow your business, market your offering and increase your profits.

Outsourced IT is an excellent way to streamline your operations within your budget. 

With these professionals at your side, you can tick IT issues off your to-do list once and for all.  

Move with the Times

It’s difficult for small businesses to compete with larger enterprises in a technologically-advanced environment. These giant corporations can employ many highly skilled IT professionals in-house and afford to implement the latest tech at a moment’s notice.

In this light, one of the most significant IT outsourcing benefits is that they level the playing field for small businesses in this regard. Outsourced IT services give you access to advanced technologies and experienced technicians at a fraction of the price. 

This helps you stay competitive in areas you could never consider on your own.

Are you always looking for innovative ideas to take your business to the next level? Browse our website for all the best advice and up-to-date information. 

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Given the high percentage of online content in English, is it worth it to translate your company website? Well, it depends on the products or services you provide, among a few other factors. If you’re interested in determining whether or not you should translate your business website, consider reading ahead. Translating is Essential for Business There’s some confusion as to why businesses should translate information on their site to other languages. This confusion comes from the high number of users that can engage with content in English. The truth is, many online users have English as a second language. This limits their scope of comprehension, to a degree. This, in turn, limits how well a business can communicate with their users. To maximize engagement with users, you need to offer translations in their native language. 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Even if a local company might not have as many accolades as a different business, the content will sound like it is written by a local when you hire a local SEO company. 3. Be Wary of Guarantees and Quick Results You may assume SEO result guarantees and promises of fast results are good. All businesses want to see immediate returns on their investments. You should be wary of these promises from an SEO agency. SEO is a long-term strategy. Many marketing strategies can provide quick results, but SEO needs time for search engines to recognize your content quality. Yes, SEO techniques are essential, but quality content and consistent output will win out in the end. An SEO company can never guarantee results in SEO. They can only try new tactics and adapt over time. 4. Avoid Low-Cost SEO Companies When investing in SEO services, you almost always get what you paid for. Business reputation always grows with a company. When it comes to SEO services and how important experience is, settling for a low-cost web agency will often mean low-quality SEO. The best agencies charge what they are worth, and making a more significant investment in marketing usually means high growth over time. 5. Think Through Your Strategy A quality SEO company will know all the techniques and tricks associated with a strong SEO strategy. When they begin to craft their plan, they must know precisely what your goals are for your business. Before hiring an agency, you need to determine your goals, target audience, and intended results. An SEO agency can then help you refine these things into a unified SEO strategy. Invest in a Sarasota SEO Company Investing in a Sarasota SEO company is a big step for any business. With these five tips, you should be able to make the best hiring decision possible for outsourcing SEO services. If you enjoyed this article, take a look at our other marketing content. Small Business Brief Marketing, Technology & Software 7 Steps to Improve Your Small Business Digital Marketing Results According to research, small businesses make up 99.7% of all employer firms in the US, employing nearly half of the private workforce. However, they also have a high failure rate, with about 30% of small businesses failing within the first two years. One of the main reasons for small business failures is a lack of marketing knowledge and understanding. In today’s digital world, small businesses need to be proactive and invest in digital marketing to reach new customers and grow their businesses. Here are seven small business digital marketing steps you can for successful digital marketing results: 1. Build Your Buyer Personas One of the first steps in creating a successful digital marketing campaign is to understand who your target audience is. This means taking the time to build buyer personas. A buyer persona takes into account factors such as age, gender, job title, interests, and pain points. Creating one helps you understand your target audience better so that you can create content that appeals to them. It also allows you to segment your email list and target ads more effectively. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some questions to help you build your buyer personas: Who is your ideal customer? What are their demographics? What are their interests? What are their pain points? What content do they consume? Where do they hang out online? With the right target market in mind, creating engaging and compelling content will be the easier part. 2. Take Advantage of Video Marketing In today’s digital age, video marketing is one of the most powerful tools you can use to reach your target audience. People love watching videos, and they’re a great way to convey information in an engaging and entertaining way. According to HubSpot, including a video on a landing page can increase conversions by 86%. Not sure where to start? Try creating a product tour or an Explainer Video that introduces your brand and tells your story. You can also create how-to videos, share customer testimonials, or give a behind-the-scenes look at your business. 3. Create Compelling Content Content is still king when it comes to small business digital marketing. Creating compelling, original content is one of the best ways to reach your target audience and engage them. When creating content, you need to keep in mind what your audience wants to see. What are their interests? What are their pain points? What kind of content do they consume? Some of the most popular types of content include: Blog posts How-to guides Infographics Videos Podcasts Ebooks Remember, the key is to create relevant and interesting content for your target audience. If you can do that, you’ll be on your way to success. 4. Master Social Selling Social media is a powerful platform for small businesses. It allows you to connect with your target audience, build relationships, and drive sales. One of the best ways to take advantage of social media is to use it for social selling. Social selling is using social media to build relationships and drive sales. It’s a great way to connect with potential customers and create a sales pipeline. Here are some digital marketing tips for social selling: Find your target audience on social media Connect with them by liking and commenting on their posts Share their content to help them grow their reach Offer helpful advice and resources Ask questions to get to know them better Send personal messages to connect on a deeper level Offer discounts and promotions Social selling is a great way to connect with your target audience and drive sales. If you can master it, you’ll be well on your way to success. 5. Optimize Your Website for SEO One of the most important aspects of digital marketing is search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of optimizing your website for Google and other search engines. The goal of SEO is to rank higher in the search results so that you can get more traffic to your website. To do this, you need to make sure your website is optimized for search engines. Here are some tips for optimizing your website for SEO: Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions Use relevant keywords throughout your content Optimize your images with keywords Create backlinks to your website Use social media to promote your content Apart from SEO, there is so much that goes into creating the best website, such as having the right UX design, easy navigation, and compelling content. Most of these require professional assistance like web design and UX design services. 6. Use Email Marketing to Your Advantage Email marketing is one of the most effective small business digital marketing strategies. According to research, email marketing has an ROI of 4,200%. That means for every $1 you spend on email marketing; you can expect to make $42 back. Email marketing is a great way to connect with your target audience and drive sales. It allows you to send personalized messages to your subscribers. Here are some tips for email marketing: Build a list of subscribers Segment your list into different groups Personalize your messages Send targeted messages to each group Use a call to action in your emails Measure your results Email marketing is a powerful tool that you should be taking advantage of. If you can follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to success. 7. Leverage Voice Search Voice search is a relatively new technology that’s becoming more and more popular. Voice search allows users to search for things by speaking into their devices. Here are some tips for optimizing your website for voice search: Use long-tail keywords Optimize your content for natural language Structure your content in an easily digestible format Use schema markup Optimize your website for mobile Voice search is a powerful tool that small businesses should leverage to improve their digital marketing results. By optimizing their website for voice search, they can ensure that potential customers easily find their content. An In-depth Guide to Small Business Digital Marketing Small business digital marketing can be a great way to connect with more customers and grow your business. By following these seven steps, you can create a digital marketing plan that’ll help you achieve your desired results. That said, if you need help getting started or want more ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional digital marketing agency. With the right team in your corner, you can take your small business to the next level. We hope you loved this blog post. For more interesting content, keep reading our articles. Small Business Brief Photography 5 Editing Tricks That Help Improve Photographs When you run a small business, you don’t always have money to hire the best photographers or editors. But no one wants to work with a business with low-quality visual content. So, how do you get your photographs to look as good as what a big corporation could produce? With some easy-to-use editing tools!  Keep reading to learn the top 5 small editing tricks you can use to improve photographs. 1. Healing Tool This tool is often used to fix cosmetic issues. It is also known as a blemish tool. With this tool, you can cover up small blemishes like pimples, spots, or any other small distraction from your image.  When using this tool, you click on a part of the image as your reference point and then use that to cover up the blemish. As long as you keep it small, it is unnoticeable to your viewers.  2. Color Correcting Sometimes you’ve got the perfect image, but it just isn’t popping. This can result from a few things, like poor lighting and exposure issues, poor saturation or the object itself being a little washed out. Color correcting is one of the most popular editing techniques. You pick the part of the image that isn’t looking great, and you adjust its color to be more impactful. It could be something small like adjusting the eye color of the model, or something big like making the sky a more vibrant shade of blue. But remember, there are limits to what looks natural. As long as you’re trying to adjust something to a color close to what the photo captured, it shouldn’t be noticeable.  3. Resize Your Photographs Sometimes the initial framing of an image can be improved. With photo editing, you can resize images and reposition the object in the frame. This helps with shifting the focus of the photograph, making the object more or less prominent as needed.  4. Remove the Background If you’re in a business where you need to upload stock or product images, a crisp background can make you stand out. But how do you get that perfectly clear background? By removing it.  Removing the background of an image lets you replace it with a solid color, another background, or keep the background transparent. These can all bring focus to the object of the image.  Click here to try out a great background remover app.  5. Enhance the Image There’s nothing worse than taking a great photograph and realizing it’s blurry when you see it up close. This can happen when your camera was out of focus, or your initial image sizing was off. In this case, you should use an enhancing tool. These tools find the blurry edges of your image and sharpen them up.  Improve Photographs With Editing You’re now all set to improve photographs with these editing tips. Play around with them to find out what works best for your business’s visual content style.  If you enjoyed this article, please take a look at our blog for more content! Small Business Brief HVAC What Is a Cooling Tower? Ever wondered what is a cooling tower? If you look down from a building and see square units with fans on the buildings below you, those are cooling towers. Those units are responsible for keeping water cool and getting rid of excess waste heat that gathers up within a building. Most large office buildings, schools, and hospitals employ the use of a cooling tower. They are a cost-effective and energy-efficient way of keeping the area cool, similar to a large-scale air conditioner. Want to know why and how cooling towers are effective methods for heat transfer? Continue reading to explore how a cooling tower works and why commercial buildings use them so much. How Does a Cooling Tower Work? Within a cooling tower, waste heat is removed into the atmosphere through a process of evaporation and recirculation. Portions of overheated water get mixed with cooler air, which releases heat from vaporization and causes the water to cool down. The process then repeats itself over and over again, with the heat being removed into the atmosphere. The fan that is on top of the cooling tower helps bring air located at the bottom of the tower towards the top of it. Earlier versions of this were for rooftop units on buildings or placed as free-standing structures on their own. Types of Cooling Towers There are different types of cooling towers that a designed for various purposes. Crossflow cooling towers have water that vertically flows through a fill with air flowing across water horizontally. Air doesn’t need to pass through the distribution system because of the crossing flows between both. A counter flow cooling tower has air flowing upwards counter to the water flow. It uses pressure spray systems like pipes spread out to spray water towards the top. Another type is a natural draft and fan-assisted natural draft cooling tower. This is where fans induce a draft that pulls air up and outward. With a natural draft cooling tower, there are no fans that let the air flow upward, while fan-assisted have a fan placed either at the top or lower part of the tower. Are Cooling Towers Friendly to the Environment? There have been some concerns about the impact that cooling towers could have on the environment. Traditional versions of the towers were made with sheet metal cladding, which was maintenance-intensive and environmentally challenging. But cooling towers made with seamless plastic were a better alternative that was beneficial to the environment and energy costs. Some traditional commercial cooling tower units only last a few years within their given applications, but also came with high disposal requirements and increased chemical use. Going with HDPE plastic-designed cooling towers allowed businesses to have more water treatment options and avoid some of the negative parts of traditional units. They saved a lot of money in operating costs and solved many other issues related to water and chemical use. Understanding What Is a Cooling Tower After reading our overview of what a cooling tower is, you should have a better understanding of how it functions and why it is so useful.  When generating a lot of excess heat within a location, a cooling tower is an effective way of getting rid of it and keeping things cool. For more insightful articles on business and technology, check out more on our website! Small Business Brief Safety & Loss Prevention How Does OSHA Respiratory Protection Training Work? Pulmonary (aka respiratory) issues have been getting more attention over the last decade or so. Nearly 16 million Americans were diagnosed with some form of respiratory disease last year alone. While some causes are self-inflicted (looking at you, smokers), there are also many cases that are caused by an individual’s work conditions. Employers are required to offer OSHA training and a safe workplace – including safety training pertinent to their positions. Therefore, OSHA respiratory protection training and implementation via approved materials are not only prudent – they are a requirement. Whether you’re an employee or an employer, you need to consider the following when it comes to respiratory protection around hazardous materials. OSHA Respiratory Protection Respiratory protection training is a vital requirement on a job site that involves the potential handling of airborne hazardous materials. If you are subject to these conditions, your employer is required to either provide you with “in-house” safety training or pay for a course that meets OSHA standards.  This isn’t just important to meet a requirement, it’s important because it can help protect you or your employees from long-term health issues. On-The-Job Safety Programs It’s not just important, it’s required that every employer that employs people who might come across hazards while on company time have to implement some form of safety training, monitored in part by OSHA. Employees who empty trash cans in a public area must undergo training that has been pre-approved by the local government and OSHA to keep them safe. Otherwise, if they end up with some sort of injury or blood-borne illness, your company or organization is liable for negligence. Gather Your Materials Like any good training program facilitator, you should pick up some “dry-run” training materials to mock up a live emergency. Pick up a respirator, oxygen tank, and eye protection. Test the equipment. Gather up any other dust or fume screens you might need, depending on your job site. For heaven’s sake, make sure you’ve got some eyewash on hand! Run A Quick Mock Emergency Treat it like a fire drill. Pretend you’ve got a dust storm or some kind of major chemical leak – the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Use the practice-run gear you acquired that we talked about above and have your crew run an unannounced emergency, for example. Fold It In with CPR/First Aid Training A great aspect of OSHA respiratory protection training is the fact that it gives you an opportunity to fold it in with CPR and First Aid Training. The more staff members that you have certified, the better prepared your company will be in the event of an emergency. Keep Checking Back We’re here to help small businesses keep up with the resources of the big box folks. If this article has you breathing a little about OSHA requirements, make sure to check back soon and often! Small Business Brief Employees How to Increase Employee Motivation It’s a rare thing to love your job. In fact, studies show that 50% of Americans hate their jobs. Of course, we would all prefer to be home watching Netflix, pursuing our hobbies, or hanging out with friends. But wanting to be home doesn’t mean you should hate going to work. A large factor of determination comes down to how employees are treated at work. What are you doing to improve employee motivation? The more satisfied and content your employees are, the harder they’ll work for you. We want to help you improve your numbers. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to motivate your employees.  Become a Better Leader Employee motivation often mirrors the way you run your company. Attitude reflects leadership. If you want your employees to work harder, become more efficient, and have a better attitude, start by assessing your leadership skills. Learn how to improve your communication skills and resolve conflicts effectively and fairly. Lead by example and show your employees the type of work ethic you’re looking for through your own actions. Emphasize Acceptance and Inclusion Establishing solid employee relationships is essential in any dynamic between a superior and subordinate. No matter what your personal feelings are, establish a workplace environment that is open and accepting of people from all backgrounds and experiences. You must strive to achieve diversity and inclusion if you want to maximize employee motivation. People need to feel accepted and cherished in a diverse workplace. Reward Employees for Good Work If you want to see better numbers, motivate your employees to work harder through rewards and incentive programs. Run an employee of the month program for the top performers from each department. They should earn special privileges like longer lunch breaks, reserved parking, and cash prizes. To keep everyone motivated, run incentive programs where employees earn points based on performance levels. These points can be cashed in for prizes. We also recommend keeping things light around the office with Casual Fridays, pizza parties, etc. Make Workplace Saftey a Top Priority We cannot emphasize enough the importance of a safe workplace. Employee motivation will be non-existent if they don’t feel safe and secure. This includes property security such as cameras, alarm systems, security guards, etc. Use your best judgment to determine your security needs. However, to improve employee motivation, your staff must also feel protected from one another. Bullying and sexual harassment cannot be tolerated in the workplace. If anything is brought to your attention, you must handle it immediately. Never allow an employee who reports this type of behavior to be shamed or ostracized. It’s your responsibility to make sure people under your employ do not become victims. Want to Improve Employee Motivation Around the Office? Employee satisfaction and employee motivation go hand-in-hand. If you want your business to thrive, you must ensure your employees are content. Use our guide to motivate your employees and improve your business. For more management advice or small business tips, stick around. Before you go, take a look through the rest of our blog to find more helpful articles. Small Business Brief Technology & Software An Overview of Common IT Roles The IT job market grew by more than 17,000 jobs in April. Businesses of all sizes are hiring IT staff in light of inflation and a potential drop in economic activity. If you’re hiring an IT specialist to join your business, do you know what you’re actually hiring for? There are dozens of different IT roles within information technology. Understanding some of the jobs in IT will help you decide exactly the type of employee you need. We’ve got you covered because you’re about to learn more about the most common technology jobs. Read on to find out what they are. Security Specialists Hackers love to target small businesses. They send phishing emails every day, hoping some unsuspecting business owner gives up passwords or bank account information. Unfortunately, it works all too well. That’s why it’s one of the top cyber threats businesses face. IT security specialists get your business ready to prevent and respond to cyber threats. They also keep up with new threats so your business is secure. Data Analysts Businesses generate a ton of data every day. They collect data on their customers. That have powerful insights right in front of them. The problem is that they don’t know how to gather and interpret the data they have. Business owners lose a competitive advantage because they can’t make strategic decisions.   Data analysts collect data, scrub it for accuracy, and generate reports. They present their views and interpretations to the company’s executive team. Cloud Engineers Do you know what a zettabyte is? It’s the number one followed by 21 zeros, or a trillion gigabytes. That’s how much data is going to be in cloud storage by 2025. Cloud engineers help businesses migrate their operations to the cloud, secure their systems, and optimize the network infrastructure. If you’re going to hire a cloud engineer, make sure you work with one that specializes in cloud technologies like AWS. Reach out to AWS recruiters to make sure you hire the right candidate. Technical Support A technical support person is there to help your employees or customers solve minor technical issues. Employees lose too much time trying to diagnose why their computers don’t work or why they can’t connect to the printer. Tech support is one of the important IT roles because of the amount of time it saves. If you need tech support for your customers, you’ll realize how it impacts customer retention. Web Designers and Developers About 23% of small businesses still don’t have a website. A website designer and developer can help you build or redesign an existing site. Web designers focus on the user experience and look of the site. Developers work on the backend to make sure your site performs well. You should have both when you work on your website. The Most Common IT Roles Information technology encompasses a wide range of critical functions. The IT roles presented here only cover the main IT roles you can hire for. In the end, your business will become more efficient and secure because you hired IT experts in the areas you need. For more business tips, check out the other business articles on the blog. Small Business Brief Employees, Marketing How to Become a Digital Marketing Manager Do you have a unique view on digital marketing? Do you think you can come up with strategies to help various clients gain customers through online advertising? If so, becoming a digital marketing manager could be the gig for you. It takes certain skills and an education to go down this road. Keep reading to learn how to become a digital marketing manager. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Step one on how to become a digital marketing manager is to earn a bachelor’s degree. A digital marketing manager has different roles and duties which allows students from different backgrounds to pursue the career path. Typically, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as communication, digital media, marketing, or graphic design. English and liberal arts degrees are also common. Learn Important Digital Marketing Skills Digital marketers should have a variety of skills to help their clients make informed decisions about marketing campaigns. While you can learn specific skills, there are some general ones every marketer should have. They include: Data analytical skills Content writing Communication skills Creativity Discovering your skills and finding out what you are good at will help you with the next step of the process. Choose a Path The digital marketing field is broad, so it’s common to select a specialty that suits your interests. Some of the most popular digital marketing jobs are: Content Manager VR Developer SEO Specialist UX Designer Email Marketing Specialist Some digital marketing managers play an active role in different paths as well. Continue Your Education One of the best digital marketing tips to become a marketer is continuing your education throughout the life of your career. New technology, trends, and business approaches are constantly emerging. For example, it’s important to stay on top of digital marketing trends like the top inbound marketing apps. You might find that technical certifications are necessary depending on your niche. Even if they aren’t necessary, having these certifications might better your chances of getting a job. Get an Entry-Level Digital Marketing Job Most digital marketing managers don’t start off with that job title. It’s common to work your way up from an entry-level digital marketing job. An entry-level job is a great way to gain experience and build a portfolio. It’s also a way to get a better idea of the path you want to go down if you still can’t decide on a niche. If you struggle finding an entry-level marketing job you might want to consider completing an internship or offering your services for free in exchange for testimonials. How to Become a Digital Marketing Manager Explained Learning how to become a digital marketing manager involves different steps depending on the path you want to go down. However, no matter what you choose, it begins with getting a bachelor’s degree. From there, you can learn digital marketing skills, choose a niche, and get your first entry-level job. During your career, continue learning as trends change. For more articles on marketing, check out the other posts on our blog. Small Business Brief Plumber Does an Automatic Flush Toilet Save Your Business Money? Did you know there are approximately 27 million self-flushing toilets in America? Automatic flush toilets are becoming more and more popular, but there are a lot of misconceptions about how they impact your business budget. Businesses need to weigh the pros and cons of installing an automatically flushing toilet before making a decision. Keep reading because our guide will help you understand the true costs of an automatic flush toilet so you can make the best decision for your business. What Is an Automatic Flush Toilet? An automatic flush toilet is a device that flushes the toilet automatically after each use. There are many types of automatic flush toilets on the market, but most operate using a sensor that detects when someone has left the seat and then triggers a mechanism. Advantages of an Automatic Flush Toilet You now know what an automatic flush toilet is. Let’s look at some of the benefits of automatic flush: 1. More Sanitary There are many reasons why automatic flush toilets are more sanitary than manual flush toilets. First, they flush automatically after each use, which prevents the build-up of bacteria and other germs. Second, they have a self-cleaning feature that helps to remove any residual dirt or debris. Third, they are made with smooth surfaces that are easy to clean and disinfect. Finally, automatic flush toilets typically have a stronger flush than manual flush toilets, which helps to remove more bacteria and other contaminants. 2. More Convenient Automatic flush toilets are a more convenient option than manual flush toilets for a variety of reasons. Firstly, you don’t have to remember to flush after each use, which can be especially helpful in busy households or businesses where people may forget. Secondly, they often offer a more powerful flush than manual toilets, meaning that waste is cleared away more effectively. Finally, automatic toilets are often equipped with sensors that help to conserve water by only flushing when necessary. As a result, they can save you money on your water bill in the long run. 3. Save Water You might be thinking, “does automatic flush save money?” The answer is yes! Automatic flush toilets can also save water because they only flush when necessary. This is opposed to manual flush toilets which are often over-flushed, wasting water. Automatic flush toilets typically have sensors that detect when someone has used the toilet and then trigger the flushing mechanism. This means that the toilet will only flush when it is needed, which can save a significant amount of water over time. 4. Reduce Clogs Another advantage of automatic flush toilets is that they can help reduce clogs. Automatic flush toilets only flush when necessary, as opposed to manual flush toilets which are often over-flushed and can lead to clogs. Over-flushing manual toilets can not only lead to more frequent clogs but can also wastewater. In contrast, automatic flush toilets are designed to conserve water by only flushing when necessary. As a result, using an automatic flush toilet can help reduce the likelihood of clogs while also helping to conserve water. Disadvantages of an Automatic Flush Toilet Yes, automatic flush toilets have a lot of positives. But let’s now look at the disadvantages: 1. Higher Initial Cost One of the main disadvantages of automatic flush toilets is that they can be more expensive than manual flush toilets. This is because they require electricity to operate and often have more complex mechanisms. 2. Requires Regular Maintenance Another disadvantage of automatic flush toilets is that they require regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly. This includes regularly cleaning the sensors and flushing mechanism to prevent build-up and corrosion. 3. Can Be Less Reliable Automatic flush toilets are a convenience that many of us take for granted. But as any homeowner knows, they can also be less reliable than manual flush toilets. That’s because they rely on electricity and sensors to function properly. If there is a power outage or the sensor becomes dirty or damaged, the toilet will not flush automatically. This can be a real hassle, especially if you have guests over or if you’re trying to avoid touching the handle yourself. Manual flush toilets may not be as fancy, but they’re more dependable. So next time you’re considering upgrading your bathroom, think twice before going automatic. 4. Not Always Eco-Friendly Automatic flush toilets are a convenient way to save water, but they are not always eco-friendly. This is because the manufacturing and shipping of these toilets often create a large carbon footprint. In addition, the sensors that trigger the flush can often be inaccurate, leading to unnecessary water use. While automatic flush toilets can be a helpful way to conserve water in some situations, it is important to consider the environmental impact of these devices before choosing to install them. 5. Not Always Available Another downside of automatic flush toilets is that they’re not as widely available as manual flush toilets. This is because many businesses and households still use the latter type of toilet. Automatic flush toilets are more often found in newer buildings or renovations. While this may not be a concern for those who always have access to a modern bathroom, it’s worth noting that you may not be able to find an automatic flush toilet when traveling. In these situations, you’ll likely have to resort to using a manual flush toilet, which can be inconvenient if you’re not used to it. If after reading this guide, you are interested in getting an automatic flush toilet, check out concept-hygiene.co.uk. Ready to Install an Automatic Flush Toilet? Although an automatic flush toilet may seem like a costly investment at first, it can save your business money in the long run. By reducing water waste and promoting hygiene, you can improve your bottom line while providing a valuable service to your customers. For more information on how to make the most of your bathroom facilities, check out our blog for more articles like this one. Small Business Brief Retail Clothing Label Requirements and Regulations Imagine a fashion designer, business owner, or entrepreneur. They’ve worked so hard on a piece of clothing and set a date to sell it. The day soon rolls around as they double-check every operation. It all seems to pass the white-glove test.  But wait: what about the label? That small, unnoticeable tag appears insignificant, yet can have legal repercussions if it lacks certain information or goes missing altogether. In fact, such information differs per country.  Learn what the proper clothing label entails to prevent legal trouble, now! Who Handles Labeling?  Different people and organizations manage label requirements per country. The U.S. has the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB). The FTC dispenses such requirements, while the CPB examines and reviews them. Both implement stricter regulations that meet or exceed most other countries’ rules. Additionally, they impose harsh monetary consequences when label requirements go unmet that make manufacturers pay up to thousands of dollars.  What to Find in a Clothing Label The U.S. requires that all textile, garment, and apparel labeling includes: Country of production/origin Care instructions from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Manufacturers English Material/fiber makeup Some countries might even restrict or require certain amounts of material in various apparel. Labeling requirements aside, we can then design our labels as we wish. We can choose how to orient the label, set dimensions, incorporate logos, color them, and so on.  We’ve mentioned earlier that U.S. regulations cover most regulations in other countries. Yet some places, like the EU, have separate rules for children’s clothing. They aim to protect children from preventable clothing accidents. How Should We Attach or Add Labels? We have a few different options to consider when we attach labels. That said, we want to ensure our labels stay on permanently (rather than fall off, unstick, or diminish).  Use any one of these FTC-approved methods to label garments/textiles: Ironed at collar Sewn into garment Embroidered into garment Try to avoid tagging labels as people can easily remove them.  Label attachment, in addition to its decor (as mentioned in the previous section), contributes to a brand’s image. It becomes a hallmark for where and how a brand does something. For example, Levi’s accomplishes this so one can easily determine whether they have a real or genuine product. Obviously, companies must dedicate a lot of thought, effort, and care to their textile labeling. Furthermore, it helps save money plus legal troubles. Thus, they need someplace like this online shop so they can make the best label (and brand) possible. What to Say About Clothing Labels A clothing label, albeit small, carries plenty of legal weight. It holds valuable information for consumers to be safe, care properly for their garments, and makes it easy for countries to regulate.  Label requirements become more important than ever as garments, textiles, and apparel diversify. Labeling serves as an opportunity for brands to establish themselves, while it shows transparency toward consumers. Like this article? Then check out our site for more information on other fascinating topics! Small Business Brief Accounting, Employees, Safety & Loss Prevention What Is Time Card Fraud and How Do You Prevent It? Did you know that time-theft schemes affect around 75% of US businesses? Timecard fraud is a big problem for employers. You’d like to believe that all your employees are trustworthy, and the vast majority are. However, the time card cheaters among your workforce are stealing directly from your company. Learning about time card fraud and how to prevent it will help you implement a time card fraud policy. This guide explains how to get started. Read on for more information. What is Time Card Fraud? There’s more than one way for time card thieves to steal company time. Let’s take a look at some of the most common forms of time card fraud: Buddy Punching Buddy punching is when employees clock in or out on behalf of each other, giving the impression that they were in attendance when they weren’t. This scam is easier to achieve if your company still uses paper timeslips.  Exaggerated Hours This is one of the most common ways that employees steal company time. By adding 15 minutes here and there, untruthful time card frauds can quickly start to become a drain on the company. This can happen with both paper and digital clock-in systems unless monitoring is practiced.  Extended Breaks Again, this is often just 5 or 10 minutes extra on scheduled lunch breaks. However, this amounts to hours in the long term, especially if your company is relaxed around breaktimes. Employees who take longer than their mandatory break commit time theft, whether intentional or not. Not Working If your employees work out in the field, on job sites, or visiting clients, your company is particularly vulnerable to time theft. Because workers clock in on a remote app, it’s easy for them to go online while also taking care of their personal business. Overtime Favoritism Sometimes, your employees need to work overtime to achieve goals and deadlines. In terms of productivity, it makes the most sense to assign a worker who has not reached their 40-hour week yet. With overtime favoritism, managers may allocate overtime to preferred employees who have already worked a full week, costing time and money. Preventing Time Card Fraud If you want to stop time theft, develop time monitoring and reporting procedures. If you use paper time tracking methods such as timesheets and time clocks, going digital is also a good idea. When you track employee hours digitally, it makes it more difficult to falsify data and guarantees that your firm can readily record when and where workers are working. Your time card fraud policy should be thorough, dealing with all types of potential abuse. Immediate dismissal is the only fair time card fraud punishment. Dealing With Time Card Fraud By an Employee There’s no place on your team for time card fraud. You need employees who are trustworthy, reliable, and honest. While being diligent at the interview stage is crucial, you also need a time card fraud investigation procedure to root out those who fall through the cracks. We hope this brief guide has offered some clarity on one of the biggest challenges facing employers today.  If so, check out the rest of our blog for more forward-thinking advice. 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