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How Simple Intranet Software Solutions Enable Remote Workplace

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Businesses may have a physical location to mark their presence in the real world, be it an office or a storefront. However, remote working has made this ‘physical location’ thing more of a luxury than the necessity. Today, organizations can operate from multiple locations and serve customers all around the world. Using simple intranet software solutions as collaboration tools, they can stay connected with remote employees and make them work together.

Cloud-based intranet tools work as centralized platforms where employees can collaborate while remaining miles away from each other. In addition to managing people, these digital solutions allow organizations to develop remote workplaces where productivity or company culture is not compromised.  

Here are some ways an intranet can be leveraged to power remote workplace:

  • Communication with Ease

As per research, an average employee spends at least 2.5 hours a day on emails. This includes reading emails and responding to them. The time increases in the case of a remote workplace when these emails are sent for communication.

Using intranet software, organizations can create employee profiles and add them to chat and instant message groups. After that, these employees can communicate with each other in real-time, instead of sending countless emails. 

Chat features of an intranet solution work similar to a social media platform. Users can connect with others and send text, images, videos, and other materials. 

  • Collaboration for Projects

Managing projects is a challenging job, especially when people working on them are in different locations. In such a situation, tracking progress and staying in touch with project members become a time-consuming task. All these challenges can be overcome with the help of an intranet solution.

Intranet solutions allow collaboration for projects with ease. They bring all project members on a common platform, where authorized members can work together in real-time for common objectives. They can communicate, discuss, share plans, and work on them simultaneously, while staying miles away from each other. 

Using various features for collaboration, project leaders can track progress and give feedback to their team members. Also, employees receive feedback and make changes in their work, which can be noticed by project managers. 

  • Virtual Meetings

An average employee spends around 50% of his work life in meetings, as per research. Although meetings are an essential part of an organization, they can be more productive and time-saving with the help of intranet software.  

Cloud-based intranet solutions bring employees on a common platform for virtual meetings. Remote workers do not need to travel several miles just to take part in meetings. They can create groups and discuss several things during online meetings. 

Virtual meetings not only save time for employees but also limit the cost of meeting accessories like stationery, projectors, files, and others.

  • Knowledge Sharing in Real-time 

In addition to communication, authorized remote workers can share knowledge with their colleagues in real-time. They can use simple intranet software to store their files and share documents with others. 

Multiple users can work on the same file, despite being miles away from each other. Their changes are visible to everyone in real-time. 

Apart from sending/receiving files, intranet solutions allow authorized members to share knowledge in the form of blogs, forums, and other types of posts. 

The Takeaway

Cloud-based Intranet software solutions are effective, reliable, and inexpensive solutions to enable/manage the remote workplace. Using various features of an intranet solution, remote employees can collaborate for projects, work together on the same files, and share knowledge. In this way, intranet platforms help overcome the limitations of the remote workplace and promote productivity within an organization.

Adam Ferrari Reveals 12 Powerful Steps to Run a Virtual Meeting Like a Boss

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Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many businesses had to adapt to remote work. Teleconferencing and virtual meeting rooms are technological tools implemented into daily business processes and workflows that make a career from home possible. Some companies will continue to utilize the option to work remotely, moving forward. Others will see this alternative as obligatory only during times of crisis or when distance separates a team.

Adam Ferrari, an accomplished chemical engineer, is the founder of his own mineral acquisition company, Ferrari Energy. Bootstrapping his own business from the ground up, Ferrari took on his new venture knowing the importance of being an effective leader regardless of the events happening in the world. The deeper reliance on technology for workplace communication means managers and team members must step up their virtual meeting game. Below, Ferrari details twelve necessary and powerful steps to help you lead a video conference like a boss.

Step #1: Focus on your mental approach

The workplace incorporates employees of all ages, so it is no secret that many individuals struggle with adapting to and embracing technology integration. When making use of these contemporary office tools, a positive mindset can make all the difference when technical difficulties occur.

Step #2: Distribute a pre-meeting agenda

Preparation is key to any video conference success. Get everyone on the same page the day before a meeting by distributing a pre-meeting agenda.

Step #3: Double-check time zones

For companies working in multiple locations or internationally, paying attention to time zone differences is crucial. Decrease confusion by communicating conference times beforehand and stating when the meeting will start according to specific time zones.

Step #4: Always do a technology test

Avoid kinks in technology that will kill a meeting’s productive capacity by checking your machines’ functionality ahead of time.

Step #4: Plan team involvement

To help keep employees engaged during a virtual meeting, plan who you would like to involve in conversation during specific talking points.

Step #5: Take notes and record

It drastically helps to have someone take notes during meetings for company files. Jotting down detailed discussion summaries along with recording the group conversation helps keep those who cannot attend in the loop.

Step #6: Ask for permission

Help keep things flowing with a more respectful leadership approach by asking your audience permission to get back on topic when the conversation veers off or when you want to call on individuals for feedback.

Step #7: Progression, not micromanaging

Attempting to micromanage workers’ productivity during a meeting will squander time. Ask a manager to check on work proactivity beforehand, so that conference hour can entirely focus on progression.

Step #8: Make promptness a standard

Your team members will dread Zoom meetings less and thank you frequently if you continuously lead video calls with a set standard of promptness.

Step #9: Unmute reminder

It is never a bad idea to voice a reminder during meetings to turn off your mute before speaking over your microphone.

Step #10: Assign a greeter

A great start to a smooth meeting follows when a leader delegates an employee to log in to their video chat five minutes ahead of everyone else to serve as the greeter, welcoming co-workers as they join in for the conference and settling poor connectivity in advance.

Step #11: Keep a time check

Delegating a secretary or office assistant to keep track of time during a meeting will help everyone, including yourself, to stay on track and never allow a meeting to go over predicted concluding time.

Step #12: Do not be afraid to end early

Many meeting leaders feel a need to expand a discussion to fit the allotted time. Do not be fooled by this productivity killer. Your time, as well as your employees’ time, is not something to be wasted; don’t be afraid to give time back when you can.

About Adam Ferrari

Adam Ferrari founded his own company, Ferrari Energy, to educate landowners on how to manage their acreage best. A chemical engineer by degree—he graduated magna cum laude—he also has experience in finance from his time at an investment banking firm. Under his leadership, his company made meaningful donations to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Freedom Service Dogs, Denver Rescue Mission, Coats for Colorado, and Next Steps of Chicago.

How Smart Products Can Positively Affect the Elderly

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It is no secret that we are living in the golden age of technology. But besides social media and smartphones, these technology perks can also help us all live easier, safer and healthier lives. Seniors are starting to appreciate these benefits by incorporating smart devices into their households and lifestyles.

Benefits of Smart-Home Technology  

Smart home efficiency can not only save you money and give you more control over your daily routine but it can also greatly improve the quality of life for all members of the household.

Smart-Home Benefits  

Smart home technology generally refers to any device, appliance, or a system that connects into a common network. To put it simply, your home’s thermostat, lights, TVs, security cameras, locks, appliances are all connected into a common system. Also, you get to control this entire infrastructure through your smartphone.

Convenience

Theoretically, by managing all of your home devices from one place, all you have to do is learn to use a single app. This is a great feature for seniors as it significantly cuts back on the learning curve.

Security and safety

Home automation systems can connect motion detectors, surveillance cameras and automated door locks. You will sleep peacefully and when you are out of the house, you will choose security alerts if anything is out of ordinary.

Remote control

On a hot summer day, you can come back from work to an already cooled house. You can even get your dinner started by having the system preheat the oven.

Increased energy efficiency

Smart systems can suggest the best energy efficient settings throughout the day.  Lights can be programmed to switch to an evening mode as the sun sets. They can be just turned off as soon as you leave the room, all of which will help you to avoid wasting energy. Eliminating energy waste can significantly trim your electricity bill which makes the greatest share of your monthly utilities.

Make your home more enjoyable

A smart TV will help you find better apps and channels. A smart oven will assist you to become the perfect cook who never has to worry about overcooking or undercooking a meal!

Valuable insights

You can track how often you watch TV as well as what content you watch, what kind of meals you cook, the type of foods you keep in your refrigerator, and your energy consumption habits.  From these insights, you can analyze your daily habits and behaviors, making it easier to make adjustments. For example, just by making minor changes in your usage habits, you can significantly reduce your electricity bill. Also, by understanding your consumption, you can perhaps find an even better electricity rate as TriEagle has many different plans that can benefit your budget even more.

The Best Smart Devices for Seniors  

A recent survey shows that 65% of seniors are ready to embrace the “smart home life” and it is for good reason. These appliances show exactly how smart devices enhance the lives of seniors:

·       Alexa – with Amazon Echo, it can help keep tabs on medication reminders, doctor appointments and serve as a call for help. But, it can also be a great aid during isolation as you can leave voice messages to other Alexa Users and provide your grandparents with audiobooks etc.

·       Fall Detectors – smart detectors can learn a person’s routines. They can constantly scan for movement and identify a fall which is the leading source of hospitalization when it comes to seniors.

·       Smart Plugs – there are smart plugs which will turn off the stove when it has been left longer than usual or at least notify you. This can be of use to younger generations as well.

·       Smart Bulbs– turning lights on and off with voice commands is so convenient, especially when you add dimmer-compatible light bulbs that can really set the mood.

Conclusion  

Smart home devices are not just for the young and tech-savvy but also for the elderly who want to age gracefully. Smart home automation has provided the world with high-tech functionality and luxury that wasn’t possible in the past. This technology can help us turn a smart house into a smart home. And as this technology keeps being developed further, so will the possibilities to further enhance the quality of life as it makes everyday living both easier and more enjoyable.

Technology is Changing the Media Industry

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Ken Kurson has been an advocate of democratization of the media for decades. There have been many changes to the traditional media model – some of which have literally redefined the ways in which consumers have been viewing and consuming their media and information. These changes have had several and substantive effects on the consumption patterns of audiences.

According to Ken Kurson and others, these changes will continue accelerating as we continue seeing an emergence of technology that spreads these changes. The changes are indeed rapid; but their velocity is also a function of the times in which we live. There’s no way of gauging what the future will hold for the media industry with all these changes, but there are ways for publishers, news properties and media outlets to anticipate changes and prepare accordingly.

One of the defining and distinguishing features of technology are the ways in which it can develop a thorough reaction to real world events. After all the greatest advents of the last century have all been a response to changes and a desire and hunger on the part of technological innovators to resolve issues in the most efficient manner possible.

One of the different ways that folks in the media world have done that is through the utilization of digital and social media platforms to get their messages and narratives across to their audiences. The changes that have come to this industry have engulfed many; and have impacted news channel and news properties’ staffs and the like.

But those properties that have been able to prepare for the changes have been able to harness their power in ways that have proven enormously beneficial for them and their businesses. Their publications and outlets have been able to use these changes in a way that allows them to harness creative energy to capitalize on the situation.

This has led to increased readership and viewership in many cases. There have been other benefits, such as the ways in which news outlets can now familiarize themselves with their audiences’ reading and viewing habits. Analyzing these patterns can be beneficial and extremely constructive for a whole litany of reasons, not the lease of which is then being able to produce valuable content in a way that’s better-informed.

Cloud-Based Tech Solutions to Streamline your Business

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Living in this digital age, it’s hard to keep abreast with emerging technology and failing to do so could have a negative impact on your business. Business automation software has made giant strides, empowering businesses of all sizes by streamlining and automating certain processes and the cloud is the perfect platform to store all your critical data.

What is a Secure Cloud-Based Network?

If you talk to a tech company that provides managed cloud services, they can build the network according to your needs, and part of the package would be cyber-security, thus ensuring that your critical data is secure. Once complete, you need to ensure that all of your data is digitalised (the provider offers this service) then it can be uploaded onto the network, thus allowing authorised users full access. You need to create a hierarchy, a permission-based system that controls who has access to what, which means you have complete control over your data, with the network administrator holding full permissions.

Cyber-Security

Of course, you need to be certain that your critical data is being protected and by talking to https://polarseven.com/services/p7-managed/ you can find out about the many cloud-based services that are on offer. Part of the managed service is cyber-security and all patched and updates are automatically applied, and with penetrative testing, you can rest assured that your data is secure from hackers.

Authorised Access from Any Location

If, for example, you have a nationwide sales force that cover Australia, each member of the team has access to client data and they can create their own appointment schedule, updating in real time. There is no need for bulky software, as the user can access their data using a smartphone or tablet and a web browser.

Business Communications

Of course, every organisation needs to have good communication, and using VoIP and your cloud network, you and your staff can enjoy voice and video calls at any time and from any location. With your own dedicated network, you will have crystal clear reception and this is much cheaper than using traditional telecommunication networks that charge by the minute. VoIP can be used for both internal and external communication, plus the network administrator can record all calls and log information on call duration and location.

GPS Vehicle Tracking

You can keep an eye on all of your delivery vehicles, with data on route, stop-off locations, unscheduled stops and you can even monitor driver behaviour. This can transform your logistics and boost productivity, with improved route planning and real-time communication with drivers, allowing to make schedule changes.

If you would like to learn more about managed cloud services, talk to a leading provider who can show you the many benefits switching to the cloud offers, and with tailored solutions and round the clock support, your business will enjoy a new dimension in productivity. The above services are only a few of the powerful ways that you can use a managed cloud network that is designed around your business.

Ken Kurson on Technology Affecting Media

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Ken Kurson has led a career in the media industry spanning several decades. The impact that technology has had on the media industry has been vast and multi-dimensional. For one, the ways that consumers read and watch news has changed dramatically in recent years. The internet and the advents of digital and social media have played a central and pivotal role in totally redefining the landscape in a drastic way.

According to analysts like Ken Kurson, these changes aren’t necessarily bad. Instead, they actually can present opportunity for savvy media professionals seeking to communicate their messages and work to as vast an audience as possible. With the continued proliferation of the blogosphere for example, there have been an incredible amount of opportunities for journalists and writing professionals to take advantage of, in order to share their thoughts and insights about a wide array of different subjects.

The Forward and other outlets have been ahead of the curve in terms of recognizing the future of journalism, and how digitally-oriented it has and will continue to become. The reality is that television has also become a somewhat stale medium. We’ve seen an increase in consumption on the part of viewers, of Youtube and alternative digital platforms that stream video as opposed to watching television or cable news.

This has also been reflected in the ratings which have dropped steadily across television news, in recent years. These diminishing audience trends and patterns will only continue as technology continues developing. People prefer watching short sound-bites of their favorite programs and on-air personalities on Youtube or other streaming services, as opposed to having to sit through an entire program.

As digital media and the blogosphere have continued developing at a rapid pace, these patterns and trends will only continue speeding up in terms of their velocity. The changes that have developed do indeed present some opportunities for those working in media, on the production side. The opportunities can indeed be used in constructive ways that allow publishers and others in senior level positions to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the make-up of their audiences.

For example, due to technology programs available to them such as Google Analytics, a publisher can sort through the demographic make-up of their audiences, and develop a better understanding of the needs, wants and desires of their audience members. They can also more deeply hone into the type of reading or viewing patterns those audience members have.

Which personalities or journalists do they especially enjoy reading? This can be done or judged based on how much time an audience member might be spending watching or reading a particular piece. Of course, beyond an analysis across these bounds, it can also be done according to subject or topic.

This allows publishers and editorial staffs to gain a better understanding of the type of written or broadcast work their readers and viewers especially appreciate. Of course, it then leaves their staffs with the opportunity to capitalize on this information in a way that proves to be beneficial for both parties involved. They can produce content that’s ultimately valuable and an accurate reflection of the desires of their outlet’s respective audience members.

Helen Schifter on Technology Promoting Wellness

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Helen Schifter has been an outspoken advocate of the need for the health and wellness industries to embrace the tremendous amounts of change that are transpiring all around us, in so many different ways. Technology has indeed affected so many different industries – not only in terms of the way those industries are commercially operating, but also in terms of the ways in which consumers are able to interact with retailers.

According to observers like Helen Schifter, these changes have been a net-plus in the aggregate and when viewed in such terms, the changes can certainly be appreciated. But why aren’t we collectively using the emerging technology platforms that have developed over time as a source of goodwill to engage our nation’s youth in this important conversation.

It is frustrating to see the opportunity that technology has afforded so many and yet squandering the constructive opportunities and import that it could be employed for, which we simply haven’t utilized properly. The changes that have taken place as a result, have not been productive.

Instead, we should be looking to advocate for a movement that’s ushered in seeking to enlighten the public (with a special emphasis on certain demographic groups, such as our nation’s youth), of the importance of health and wellness, and why it ought to be prized, appreciate and valued over all else.

So how can one go about leading such a movement? There shouldn’t be one singular leader for such a movement. Instead, it should be a coterie of different influencers who are carefully selected and curated according to their popularity with certain groups and demographics.

This should be done in a surgically focused manner to ensure that opportunity is maximized. We want to ensure and be clear to elucidate the fact that health and wellness cannot be taken for granted any longer. There needs to be ample effort invested into ways that one can engage with healthier aspects and facets to a properly-led lifestyle.

There are all sorts of ways such an influencer-driven campaign can be mounted. But however it’s done, it must use digital and social media platforms in order to ensure the largest and widest audience possible is on the receiving end of the valuable information that is being spread and communicated. Only then, will there be considerable effect and impact.

Technology has Transformed the Real Estate Industry

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Shalom Lamm has been working in the real estate industry for the better part of the last three decades. The ways in which technology has transformed the industry can certainly not possibly be understated. Advances in the technology space has of course affected and transformed so many different industries; but the ways in which it has impacted the real estate industry have been rather remarkable.

There are investors like Shalom Lamm who maintain that these changes have actually been a net-positive; in terms of the new means of exposure residential and commercial listings now have to the public. These are certainly important facets and factors that need to be considered when analyzing these changes in a broader way.

When it comes to the work of real estate agents and brokers, the technological advances that have occurred have lent themselves very well to their industry and specialty. For instance, consider the ways brokers and agents normally pre-dating technological advances, would showcase apartments and their residential and commercial listings.

They would physically have to find ways of communicating the availability of their listings, along with the price tags associated with them. Of course, considering the enormous efficiency that comes with technology and the various platforms that have emerged and developed, this has streamlined the process for real estate agents, in an incredible way.

Now there are all sorts of digital outlets they are able to use to list their residential and commercial offerings for interested members of the public to see. Whether it be StreetEasy or other sites that showcase residential and commercial real estate listings in terms of availability, there are numerous ways brokers and agents and other salespeople can showcase availability inventory without having to manually approach people in the street and in other areas to share this information.

Of course, this not only makes their jobs easier; but it also in turn makes the lives of sellers far easier; as it simplifies the process and greatly increases the base and network of untapped buyers and interested consumers. So for both sides of the coin and for both aspects of the transaction, technology has truly streamlined the process – in terms of efficiency and beyond.

So of all the industries technology has affected, its impact on the real estate industry has unquestionably been felt in a remarkable number of ways. But those affects have been beneficial and constructive in the aggregate. There’s no questioning or doubting that. The future of the ways brokers and agents interact will continue to be streamlined through technology.

Technology Changing Events

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Helen Lee Schifter has been an ongoing presence at many social receptions over the years. The events’ space has been totally devastated by the recent pandemic, and it’s obvious why. The changes that technology have brought to the events space haven’t all been taken into account in a responsible and managerial fashion. They should be; but they haven’t been.

According to Helen Lee Schifter, these changes need to come now. In some ways the Coronavirus pandemic will emphasize the need for these changes to be implemented. There needs to be an understanding of the changes and the ways that they are being brought about. In due time, if these changes take their course and are received in a responsible fashion, the events’ space will be the beneficiary of them.

But of course, if the status quo is maintained, we’re afraid that won’t be the case. One of the many aspects of the events’ space that technology has been a catalyst for, is streamlining the process of not only producing events, but also hosting them. For example, even greeting cards and the way they are transmitted and sent out has changed drastically. No longer do you need paper cards. No longer are envelopes or mail stamps needed.

Instead, there’s a need for communicating the message using technology platforms. This also is about environmental needs and being sure to preserve all the environmental protections imaginable. Without the usage of paper that inevitably ends up being thrown out, communicating invitations and others like it electronically, ensure that they get to the recipient in an expeditious fashion while ensuring a paperless environment.

There are other aspects of the events space that technology will continue transforming. The difference between any other industry or sector and the technology sector is the sheer speed at which the industry has moved – both in terms of advances, inventions and all the rest. The velocity at which things have changed and technology has literally transformed industries is tremendous. It’s time for the events space to start adapting accordingly.

Technology in the Real Estate Industry

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Shalom Lamm is someone who has a keen understanding of the ways the real estate market has been affected by changes and advances in technology. Every industry of course has had changes and effects exhibited due to technology; but none have been the subject of more transformation than the retail sector.

According to Shalom Lamm, there are segments of the real estate industry that have been equally disrupted. For instance, if one were to observe the changes in the commercial real estate landscape, there are portions of it that are dominated by brick and mortar retail spaces. That inventory matters and is of great value to some real estate developers.

If the retail business is suffering, inevitably there will be difficulty and serious challenges among those that are in the real estate space revolving around that specific area. This should be a subject of intense examination and fascination.

For good reason, that ought to be the case. When one considers the health of the retail sector, the ability of owners and investors to lease their retail spaces is critical. If there aren’t purchasers, there is going to be a severe reduction in sales, and therefore far less cash on hand for those in the industry.

By extension, this leads to a shortage of funds available for leasing spaces for retail businesses, and for doing similar oriented things. This by extension, obviously affects the real estate industry in a severely adverse fashion. This is understandable, given the dynamics of business in general.

As more and more purchasers that are shopping for retail go from brick and mortar businesses to the web, this transformation will continue. The e-commerce platforms are especially in favor now, given the current health conditions on the ground – because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The technology sector has changed many industries. Those changes are ongoing. The real estate industry is certainly one of a number of affected spaces that has no sign of slowing down.