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Is Your Startup Prepared for a Cyberattack

Late last month, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) was hit by a ransomware that completely crippled the operations at India’s largest container port. Besides JNPT, the Petya ransomware is also reported to have hit a number of large corporations including WPP, Maersk, Mondelez and DLA Piper. Just a month earlier, the world was hit by the WannaCry ransomware that infected more than 230,000 computers including those of UK’s National Health Service (NHS), Fedex, Honda and Renault.

Ransomware

Computers getting hit by spyware and ransomware is no longer a hypothetical. If you are a startup, the risks are relatively higher given that you may be dependent on third party tools and services for all your business needs like email, web hosting, file sharing and project collaboration.…

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Why Many Small Business CEOs Fail At Job Search

Have you had enough of being a CEO of a small business?

(Maybe your official title is not CEO – it’s probably MD, GM or similar – but in this article I’ll use CEO as an umbrella term for all of those to aid consistency and comprehension).

Often the pressures of running a small business to small business CEOs and they begin to dream of having a “normal” job.

At least for a little while.

CEO job search

However, getting a job after being a small business CEO is not always easy.

Press any recruiter and they’ll (grudgingly) admit that CEOs who have been running their own business for the past 10+ years often get overlooked during job search.…

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Take Notice! Why You Should Take Workplace Signs Seriously

Almost all workplaces have at least a few signs around to remind employees and visitors to stay safe, as well as to advise them how to do it. These signs are ever-present, they don’t take holidays, they speak the universal language of images and they don’t take a salary. They’re indispensable when it comes to promoting and maintaining safety in the workplace.

Wet floor caution sign

However, not everyone reacts the same way when they see a bright sign telling them how to lift a box properly, to remember their goggles, or to extinguish their cigarette before entering the warehouse.

Some people get a bit affronted – why should some sign order them around?…

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4 Tips for Growing Your Business by Finding and Working Closely With Social Media Influencers

Recent years have seen the emergence of the “influencer economy” – a departure from the typical advertisement venues towards personal endorsements by internet personalities. Influencers command a coveted currency in the ecommerce world: trust. Here are 4 tips to get you well on your way to connecting with influencers to successfully market your product.

Use a Connection Platform

You have a great product, but you don’t necessarily spend your days reading the same blogs as your target audience. So how will you know the best influencers to promote your brand? Enter creator marketplaces, such as ClearVoice. Creator marketplaces are platforms that help connect businesses with relevant influencers, as well as manage and organize promotion collaborations.…

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Healthy and Safe: How to Protect Your Employees in the Workplace

Safety in the workplace starts at the top and if owners and managers recognize and acknowledge the need for a proactive and vigilant approach to keeping their employees away from danger and serious injury it will help improve the odds of avoiding an incident.

Stretching employee

Here is a look at some of the steps you can take to maintain a good health and safety workplace profile, including an overview of one of the most common types of injury, why you can’t afford to be complacent about injuries in an office setting, plus an insight into some hidden dangers to be wary of.…

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Power in Information: A New “Zillow-Like” Service for Small Businesses (Interview)

Q&A with Doug Llewellyn, President and Chief Operating Officer of Purch, a next-generation digital publishing and marketplace platform that is driving the future of publishing by connecting high-intent buyers and performance-driven marketers in consumer and SMB markets.

Doug Llewelyn, Purch

Doug joined Purch in 2013 and, as President and COO, he is responsible for the company’s two core business units, strategic planning, corporate development activities, and Purch’s business metrics and operational framework. As such, he has overseen the relaunch of Business.com and its new business valuation tool, powered by BizEquity.

How does Purch serve small-to-medium businesses?

Purch is a next-gen digital publishing and marketplace platform with 25 brands across lifestyle, technology, shopping and small-to-medium business categories that help intent-based buyers make purchase decisions.…

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Managing Your Cash Flow Online: The Key Considerations

Make no mistake; cash flow is king for modern, small businesses.

Cash flow management

Referring to the flow of money in and out of your accounts and the net difference between incomings and outgoings, cash flow has never been more important to the growth of your business. With consumer spending down in the UK and the nation’s growth forecast having been reduced to just 1.7% for 2017, it is crucial that entrepreneurs maximise the flow of capital that runs throughout their business.

Managing it online a key component of this, but it is by no means the only one. Here are some tips on how to manage your cash flow in 2017:

1.

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Running a Boat Fleet: 5 Ways to Spot Marine Diesel Engine Issues Before They Occur

Are you running a business which operational involves boats? If so, I’m sure you’re aware that maintenance is one of the issues you need to address when running a fleet of boats.

Boat sailing

One that often cripple businesses is marine diesel engine problems. The engines are known to cause quite a few headaches to boat owners if not kept in good shape. Fortunately, many of these issues are easy to prevent and fix even with little or no knowledge of how the engines work.

All you need is a small array of tools and spare parts. However, keeping an eye on these issues and making sure they never occur in the first place is an even more effective method.…

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Policy Protection – Which Types of Business Insurance Are Right For Your SME?

Starting a business exposes you to certain risks. Fortunately, however, all businesses have access to a wide range of insurance types, to protect them from the dangers that could wipe out a small business before it has had a chance to take off. An experienced Business Insurance Broker, can assist you in reducing your exposure to risk, and find an insurance program that is aligned to your specific needs and objectives.

business insurance

There is no one-size-fits-all insurance solution for small businesses. Your insurance needs will vary according to the industry and type of business you are operating.

Here are the types of business insurance that every small to medium business owner should have.…

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How The Pharmaceutical Industry Went From Strength to Strength

Some industries have struggled of late. Post-Brexit anxiety has enveloped a number of areas of the economy, but one area that is thriving is pharmaceuticals. Manufacturers of medical goods and associated services such as pharmacy chains have done very well in recent years, owing to a variety of factors.

Pharmaceutical industry

The industry’s spending on research and development has helped to keep it going. Figures from 2016 reveal that half of the UK’s £16.5 billion of research and development spending came from pharmaceutical companies. Commitment to developing new drugs to fight dreaded illnesses such as cancer and diabetes has created jobs and opportunities within the industry.…

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