Zachary Amos

The rollout of 5G networks is helping business operations and opening new opportunities for innovation and a better customer experience. However, these advancements also bring cybersecurity considerations.

More organizations are prioritizing the adoption of 5G, and they face several challenges and evolving threats. Without the right security policies in place, several risks can compromise sensitive data and disrupt operations. Fortunately, knowing about the potential downsides and benefits of 5G can help businesses invest with safety in mind.

Employers are getting creative with how they upskill and protect their workforce. Encouraging them to polish their knowledge through exercises requires innovative thinking, which is why many corporate training programs consider gamification. It is an ancient technique with a modern twist, inspiring many to see mandatory training as competitive and enjoyable.

The way performance reviews have been handled for years is broken. Managers can spend countless hours preparing ones that feel biased, outdated and disconnected from performance. Meanwhile, employees typically dread the annual ritual of subjective evaluations that may not reflect their real contributions. With artificial intelligence (AI) promising to automate routine work, eliminate bias and deliver data-driven insights, it may be tempting to let it handle your performance review tasks.

However, there's more to consider. Before you hand over this critical HR function to algorithms, there are crucial benefits, risks, and implementation strategies business and IT leaders need to understand. 

Many entrepreneurs dream of expanding their reach, customer base and industry impact. However, the scaling journey is filled with financial complexities that, if overlooked, can quickly transform a growth opportunity into an unforeseen challenge. Discover signs that indicate if a company has the required fiscal resilience for successful and sustainable scaling.

One corrupt table or misconfigured bucket can stall an entire supply chain run. Fortunately, a clear-headed backup strategy turns that existential threat into a five-minute inconvenience.

Data Loss Reality Check

The numbers behind data loss read like a cautionary thriller. IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report pegs the average incident at $4.88 million, including everything from emergency forensics to months of churned customers. Yet budgets alone can’t capture the scale of disruption.

Surveillance cameras are supposed to protect assets and deter criminals, but they can easily become a liability if a hacker hijacks them. Luckily, if the organization has a robust security posture, this fate is relatively easy to avoid. What can information technology (IT) teams and business leaders do to secure these systems?

How Secure Is Your Surveillance System?

Many modern surveillance systems are constantly online to streamline data transmission and enable remote, real-time monitoring. This connection makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybercriminals can use the Shodan search engine to browse internet-connected devices until they find an open network port. 

Employee benefits are more than a desirable perk. The top candidates expect an extensive benefits package when considering a job. Excellent offers can also help companies retain high performers and reduce employee churn. While business leaders may offer various programs, considering the return on investment (ROI) is wise for ensuring profitability. Knowing which benefits drive value helps align hiring strategies with organizational goals. 

The only way to calculate the effectiveness of benefits is to look at the ROI across different programs. Once leadership knows value versus cost, they can manage their company accordingly.

An effective employer brand gives quality job seekers a good reason to choose an organization over its competitors, helping it build an expansive talent pool. Discover the many benefits of building an employer brand and how to create a targeted impact.

Why Should Businesses Build an Employer Brand?

At face value, asking candidates what they want and giving it to them seems like the best way to attract and retain talent. However, according to the Harvard Business Review, this approach tends to be a trap. 

Implementing a new customer relationship management (CRM) system can be an excellent way to increase conversions and retain customers. It offers a platform for improving sales pipeline visibility and enhancing customer engagement.

However, the road to a successful CRM rollout can be difficult. Many organizations encounter obstacles that delay adoption or prevent them from fully extracting the value from their investment. These challenges can be due to various factors, but fortunately, many solutions exist to overcome them. 

Data is a powerful asset for small businesses — but only when it’s well-managed. It can quickly become fragmented, inaccurate or a liability in the absence of coherent policies and oversight. A data governance framework for small businesses ensures their records are secure, consistent and valuable for decision-making.

Why Data Governance Matters for Small Businesses

Implementing data governance isn’t only for large enterprises. Small businesses can also reap measurable benefits by proactively managing their data.