There’s a common misconception that small businesses are safe from the threat of cyber-attacks. After all, the successful attack of well-established corporations and larger enterprises can be much more profitable. However, it’s also much more challenging to achieve. And it is for this reason that smaller companies are far more likely to be targeted, and why it’s critical for them not to take it lightly. So apart from hiring the services of an exceptional IT support specialists for your cyber security London needs, here are a few more tips that should keep your business less susceptible to attacks.
1. Make sure that your employees are trained in security awareness In order to implement cyber-security measures, it’s crucial to ensure that your workforce is educated in security awareness first. When you get down to it, your employees will have access to critical data pertaining to the business and its operations. And by making sure that they are trained on cyber-security – from the basics of using the internet and password creation to the careful handling of sensitive company files – you’ll be able to avoid data breaches that can be financially catastrophic for the company. 2. Enforce a strong password policy for the company As obvious as this might sound, you’ll be surprised at how many people take passwords for granted and in turn, make themselves much more susceptible to cyber-attacks. So to add an extra layer of security, you must implement and enforce a firm password policy for all of your employees. The chosen passwords must not only be more than ten digits, but they should also contain special characters, lower case and capital letters, as well as numerals. You can use multiple-factor authentication to further enhance and improve the cyber-security of your company as well. In this way, even if the login credentials become compromised, another factor will still need to be met to gain the desired access on the account. 3. Regularly update your business software Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in business technology is a lot more critical than it’s given credit for. After all, not only do they make things more efficient. But they also address any vulnerabilities found in software. As such, it’s critical to regularly update your business software. As tedious as it might be to apply patches and keep business software up to date, it can go a long way in keeping your IT infrastructure secure. 4. Ensure that all sensitive files are backed up In this day and age, businesses live and breathe through the data that they possess. And in the event of a cyber-attack, there’s always a possibility that these files can become corrupted. As such, it’s critical to ensure that all sensitive information is backed up. In this way, you’ll always be able to recover the data. The threat of cyber-attacks is always a possibility, no matter the size of the company. But by adopting the tips and practices listed above, you’ll be able to reduce the risks of any successful attacks on your company. And, in turn, give you peace of mind that your business is safe from cyber-attacks.
1 Comment
Different products have different product labels, and they can run the gamut from simple and straightforward to lavish and striking. Any designer of product labels would tell you that there are various trends in product label design – and while some of these trends have remained and have gone on to become a standard, there are trends that have become obsolete as well. There are certain trends, however, that are worth taking note of if only to make sure that you are up-to-date – and if you can incorporate some of these trends into the design of your product label and make it work, then all the better. So what are the top design trends in product labelling for 2020? Here's your ultimate guide.
1. Bold, clear, and simple One trend regularly on the table in some form or another is bold, clear, and simple. It’s a basic design that has always had its appeal, and rightly so. If you want something that clearly articulates what your product is all about and is compelling to your target audience, go for something bold, clear, and simple. There is one reason why bold, clear, and simple works: when you minimise different elements in your package and product design, this can elevate your product in a whole new way. Remember that audiences are busy and don’t have the time to peruse every product label they come across, so you have to give them something simple, bold, and easy to understand from the get-go. 2. The use of customised lettering Another noteworthy trend for product label design in 2020 is the use of customised lettering, as labelling machinery specialists like Atwell Labellers attest. Almost all designers love creating a design from scratch, and craftiness is appealing in many different ways. If you would like something more organic for your product label, then go with customised lettering. Irregular lines or natural-looking imperfections can give your product a distinct look, which is definitely appealing to audiences who are tired of seeing perfect, digital representations everywhere they turn. 3. The proliferation of bright and vibrant colours Colours can undoubtedly make an impact as they evoke a variety of emotions in viewers and can influence your audience's buying decision. Because of this, the use of the right colours has always been emphasised, but today, there is a proliferation of bright and vibrant colours as well. It is interesting to note that different colours are now being used by companies to denote variations in a certain item or product – a product with different flavours or scents, for instance. More often than not, buyers won't even remember the product's name, but they will remember the colour. Colours have shown their importance time and again, and where words aren’t necessary, colours take precedence, so remember this as well. 4. The use of patterns Patterns are also capable of attracting an audience's attention, especially if they are beautiful, well-made, and well-chosen. Repetition is the key when using patterns, so if you want something out of the ordinary, be wise with your use of patterns. When you have a visual motif for your products, and you repeat this motif, it will capture your audience and can convey a strong and robust message. But what matters with patterns is not really boldness or playfulness – what's important is that they give your brand a stronger identity, and this is what customers will remember. A projector is an expensive piece of equipment, and you have to check all the details to ensure its proper mounting, which will have a significant effect on how it works. One of the most essential things to consider is the type of projector mount you choose.
Proper projector mounting is vital if you do not want to have distorted pictures or worse, a broken projector. As most projectors are ceiling-mounted, your choices include a standard or universal mount or a dedicated projector mount. How do you find the correct mount? We're here to tell you how, by giving you the answers to some vital questions. Where are you putting the projector? Your choice of where you are going position the projector will determine the type of system you'll purchase. Different types of projectors work with different kinds of mounts. It might be convenient to just put the projector on a bookshelf or table, so you'll only deal with the issues of stability and security. If you do not have ample space for the projector and you are worried that it is not going to be secure, you can choose to mount it on the wall or the ceiling. For most projectors, mounting it on the ceiling is the ideal option. Modern projectors can resize the image despite its location. While older models may not invert the projected image, the newer models have settings to make the projector work upside down. You will not need a unique mount with a platform. You can purchase a projector ceiling mount instead. Universal or dedicated mount You have two choices when deciding which mount to purchase – a dedicate mount or a universal mount. A dedicated type works only for a specific projector brand and model. The screw holes on a dedicated mount align precisely to the screw holes on the projector. On the other hand, you can adjust the screw hole patterns on a universal projector bracket to fit the projector model. The arm extensions extend down to hold the projector mount. Construction of the projector mount A projector generates a lot of heat when in use, which is why it needs proper ventilation to prevent the unit from overheating and breaking down. Even with its built-in cooling fans, there should be enough space around the projector. It would help if you chose a bracket that will not cover the fans. The shape of the mount affects the amount of heat it can trap. Choose the one that will cover less space on the projector but can securely hold it in place. Consider purchasing an aluminum mount instead of steel, which is known to trap heat. Structure and weight Choose a project mount made of high-quality material that can securely support the projector's weight. Fixed or movable mount If you do not intend to move the projector and screen, you can purchase a flat or fixed projector mount. It keeps your projector stable and safe in one place. If you plan to move the projector, choose a bracket that can swing out and around. This type is ideal if you need to change the location of your screen to accommodate more viewers or to move away from the glare. Learn more about your projector and the area where you plan to put it so that you'll know the type of projector mount you should purchase. Whether you are running a business, or you simply have a website for your blog, you need to make sure that you are updating it regularly. An outdated website can not only look unprofessional, but it can also affect your chances of showing up on a search engine. Many people neglect to update their website, and this leads to issues down the line.
Here, we are going to look at some of the reasons why you should update your website more regularly. Keep reading to find out more. It Makes It Easier We’ve all been there - late night website updating sessions, espresso in hand, struggling to stay awake. Updating your website in bulk can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming and so it is often best to avoid doing this. When you update your website more regularly, you can save yourself some time and make it much easier to do. Working on it a little bit at a time will allow you to have an updated website with much less hassle. Google Ranking If you run a website, then you must already have a basic understanding of SEO and how it works. Did you know that Google regularly updates its algorithms, meaning that all of your hard work might not actually benefit you at all? Google is often very secretive about how they rank, and their updates can be hard to decipher. You need to make sure that you are updating your website regularly if you want to stand a chance of outranking your competitors. Are You Still in Business? When a customer heads to your website and notices that it hasn’t been updated in months or even years, they might wonder if you are still in business. This is the last thing that you will want if you are hoping to make some sales and generate some leads. An updated website shows that you are still around and that you are keen to sell your products. If you can’t update your product listings, consider writing a blog as this will show activity on the site. Improving the Customer Journey Finally, you should make sure that you are updating your website regularly if you want to improve the customer journey. When was the last time that you checked your analytics? These are extremely valuable and can provide you with the information that you need to make some real changes. Are your customers leaving your site on a certain page? Why are they doing this? If you can figure out the reason, you can improve the journey and get those conversions. The only real way to achieve this is to update your site more often. If you are hoping to improve your website and increase your conversions, you need to make sure that you are updating your website regularly. Make sure to consider everything that we have discussed in this article and update your website today. Everything You Should Know about Chartered and Non-Chartered Accountants: Which is Best for You?7/1/2020 We’ve all heard of both chartered and non-chartered accountants in the UK, but not many of us have the slightest idea of the difference between the two. Is one better than the other? More importantly, which is one is best for your needs? If you are running and operating a small or medium-sized enterprise or are self-employed and are thinking of getting professional help when it comes to your finances, then you have probably decided to get an accountant. Accountants can help you not only with bookkeeping and the regular updating of your financial records and transactions, but they can do so much more besides. But if you're wondering what the difference between a chartered and non-chartered accountant is, here's everything you should know about them – and which is best for you.
The general role of a chartered accountant A chartered accountant is there to give you professional advice and information regarding your business’ status and financial records. Your chartered accountant can also be involved in taxation, financial reporting, auditing, corporate finance, forensic accounting, insolvency, and business recovery. Whatever accounting processes or systems you need, your chartered accountant will provide you with the proper system or process, and they can also make strategic forecasts, letting you know where your business is going. In order for an accountant to be called a chartered accountant, they will have to have finished a bachelor’s degree in accountancy, and this is then followed by a special CTA or Certificate in the Theory of Accounting. This certificate is taken as a separate degree following their bachelor’s degree. The difference between chartered and non-chartered accountants The main difference between chartered and non-chartered accountants is that a chartered accountant needs to finish post-graduate studies after their bachelor's degree, and they need to have had at least three years' work experience working with a CA expert who is in charge of mentoring them through this period. Chartered accountants are specialists in the accounting field, in business, and finance, compared to non-chartered accountants who have a more transactional role in finance. Additionally, chartered accountants such as the accountants in central London from Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co will be members of either the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants) or the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and these organisations will only allow someone to become a member once they have passed certain qualifications and have gone through a three-year work experience period. Theoretically speaking, anyone who has completed an accountancy course or received a diploma in accountancy can already refer to themselves as accountants, regardless of their experience. Accountants will usually specialise in one area, like VAT submissions, tax, or payroll, but a CA or chartered accountant will be well-versed to provide information and advice for a business’ existing and future financial forecasts and aspects. Which one do you need? If you need someone who can simply keep track of your financial transactions and records and perform duties such as payroll and taxes, then an accountant can do the work for you. But if you need someone who can plan as well as manage audits and help formulate strategies on taxes and plan mergers and acquisitions, plan budgets, and serve as a professional advisor or consultant, then a chartered accountant will be your best choice. |