Over the years, many security experts, and more than a few non-experts, have said that a VPN is an essential piece of security software for travellers and the users of remotely-accessed business systems. When I entered the corporate world in the 1990s, remotely accessing office systems without a VPN was considered a massive risk. But is that still the case? What are the cases for and against using a VPN and is there still a place for them?
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a chance to rearrange my office and set up a reading nook to create a productivity and relaxation haven. But I can’t help injecting a little bit of tech into all that so I’ve also used this as an opportunity to create a microcosm of a smart home in this one room. That lets me play with some neat gear without disturbing the rest of the home. Here’s what I’m using and the lessons I’m learning.
We’ve all heard about elevator pitches. But did you realise that you need more than one. Just as a chef needs more than one knife, your business needs a different pitch for each different audience.
I wrote about this for Kochie’s Business Insiders recently. You can read the whole story here.
If the last few weeks have taught business anything it’s that disruption, that overused term that’s been flung about the business world for the last few years, can cone from anywhere. And it’s the most unexpected things – like a global pandemic – that can destroy even the most detailed and well-intentioned plans. I was recently interviewed for Computer Daily about the tech my media training company, Media-Wize, uses to keep working during the CoVID-19 lockdown.
The CoVID-19 pandemic has put a halt on a lot of activities. Understandably, many of us are feeling shut in and frustrated that many of the things we take for granted are no longer allowable. But some advice from my accountant has resonated and I think it has broader application than financial matters. We have a unique opportunity in front of us.
Over the years, I’ve received a lot of pitches from PR agencies that were clearly created by people that had either never actually communicated with a journalist or were written by someone who thought their message was more important than the actual story. So what makes a great PR brief?
If the CoVID-19 pandemic has shown, it’s that we all need to take some time and invest in our mental health.
Ever watched someone crumble during a media conference or interview? It’s a sure sign that the person wasn’t prepared or trained to deal with the situation. That’s a topic I write about for B and T recently.
You can read the whole story here.
I’ve spent over a decade working from home. I stopped calling it ‘working from home’ a long time ago. For me, it’s just work. But for millions of workers, this is the first time they’ve had to commit to spending weeks on end in their home office. And many CFOs and other senior company leasers are seeing this moment of ‘reset’ as an opportunity to slash rental costs. But this period isn’t the time to make those decisions.
I recently penned a piece for Smart Company on how to get past ‘Hello’ when contacting a journalist with a story pitch.
You can read the entire article here.
