Forbes – Goodbye, 9-To-5: Asynchronous Work Unlocks Productivity And Growth

Goodbye, 9-To-5: Asynchronous Work Unlocks Productivity And Growth

It goes without saying that asynchronization has officially entered the ranks of corporate buzzwords. There’s validity, however, in its leap to mainstream jargon, as the methodology has ushered in unprecedented levels of productivity and growth for businesses across the country.

Forty-two percent of workers in the U.S. were forced out of the office and into their homes last year when Covid-19 struck. Businesses that weren’t able to pivot their operations to function remotely suddenly found themselves in hot water, while others with more agile infrastructures and technologies were in a better position to adapt. From here, paths diverged. Some led their organizations forward with a “business as usual” mentality, while others opted for hyper-cognizance, noting market movements and enacting organizational changes in real-time.

Asynchronous work was that change, and it has opened the door to flexibility for businesses and organizations that proved capable of making the necessary adjustments to implement a new model. Asynchronization offered, and continues to offer, leaders an opportunity to continue to do well, working towards and achieving their business objectives — but also the chance to do good, maintaining jobs and doing right by their people during a time when many faced economic and emotional difficulty. It has worked really well for us at Aura, and I know many other companies are finding similar.

So, What Is Asynchronous Work?

Asynchronous work focuses on the most valuable resource of all: time. Asynchronous is a new way of working where time is reimagined. It means to take the measuring of time and implement systems across your organization that make the best use of it. An asynchronous workforce operates in a mode that sets a decision point and works backward from there, both individually and collaboratively — all at once and without the need for a centralized location. The benefits are realized in increased schedule flexibility while at home, enhanced work-life balance, rediscovering value in the work day-to-day, greater focus during prescribed working hours and much more.

The topic of whether fully remote workforces will become the new normal is deserving of editorial attention entirely on its own; however, in our current corporate reality, asynchronous working models have proven to make a difference.

But how exactly does asynchronous work … work?

Say Goodbye To The 9-To-5

Asynchronization doesn’t have concrete daily working hours — quite the opposite. Finding pockets of time throughout the day and committing to achieving a predetermined list of objectives is the name of the game. Doing so allows for uninterrupted focus and clarity in what needs to get done, inching the team and business closer to its end goal.

Meetings Mean More

In an asynchronous business, meetings don’t occur simply to inform others, especially when the conversations can be covered off in an email or via collaborative tools.

How should leaders adjust? By leaning on prep work heading into a meeting and circulating pre-reads and other necessary information ahead of time so all members join with an understanding of what needs to be discussed and, more importantly, where the call needs to end, so everyone is on the same page as far as next steps and responsibilities are concerned.

This isn’t to say that all meetings will be canceled in the name of efficiency. Having allotted time on the calendar to talk about things other than work, or to celebrate a milestone or special occasion with teammates, can have a tremendous impact on morale. Face time with colleagues is important now more than ever, as working remotely can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion. Finding the right balance of the two in an asynchronous working model is no easy feat, but doing so will net the business a stronger culture in the long run.

Communication And Documentation Are Key

In our increasingly connected economy, communication and documentation tactics have become one in the same thanks to technology. Collaboration tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Teams and Slack merge the two tactics, making it extremely difficult not to communicate and collaborate. Implementing a balance of the many productivity and communication tools available into your business infrastructure to track progress toward goals will help in holding your leaders and employees accountable and will help you identify areas for optimization and opportunity.

But like anything, know there are limits. Encourage autonomy and trust throughout your organization and ensure your leaders are promoting the same at every level. There’s no height a business can’t reach when its people can communicate freely and feel they’re supported and empowered to get the job done.

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Forbes – Business Opportunity Where You Least Expect It

Business Opportunity Where You Least Expect It

Great business ideas can truly come from anywhere, often when you least expect them — that is, if you are open to seeing the opportunity.

A successful business can be the result of years of hard work pursuing the same idea, but many times, inspiration strikes when you least expect it. There are countless stories of chance encounters, personal failures, airplane seatmates, challenging moments and many more things that have led to some of the most disruptive, iconic and successful businesses we have today. I am regularly asked how to identify gaps in the market, and I like to share the story of founding my company Aura as one unlikely example.

Inspiration Strikes Unexpectedly

In 2014, I was the victim of identity theft. Like most people, it was not something I had ever given much thought to, but like many of us that face a personal challenge, I quickly became an expert in the products and services that were available out of necessity. It didn’t take long to discover the complexity of the issue and the solutions available.

I became a customer of a digital security service as a means to remedy the damage that had been done to my personal credit and was impressed by the calm expert who could walk me through what needed to be done. What I remember most was the fear and anxiety that struck me as I dealt with these security issues, especially the moment that I realized that not only was I at risk, but so were my wife and my children. It’s a faceless crime, but it feels very personal nonetheless.

Validate Initial Ideas With Data

As I dug into the data, I came to realize that identity theft was just the tip of the iceberg. Digital crime is exploding around the world as fast as our lives are becoming increasingly digital — account hacking, credit theft, image piracy, catfish scams, social media manipulation, device takeovers, spyware and malware and data privacy and more.

It was in this moment that I realized there was a significant opportunity for a high-touch, consumer-first digital security company that put the well-being of its customers at the center of its services. There was a significant need to bring together solutions to the myriad of challenges that we face in our digital lives — from identity protection and data privacy to antivirus and Wi-Fi protection.

Never Forget Your Personal Experiences

In 2018, I decided to use my personal experience to solve, and eventually even prevent, similar challenges for others. I started by acquiring the very digital security service that had made such an impression on me back in 2014 and set to work integrating them into a complete security offering that gives consumers everything they need to protect their digital lives. Essentially, we were creating the solution that I wished was available in 2014.

Always Take Meetings

We often hear that we are only as strong as our professional networks. In addition to keeping in touch with my circle of friends and former colleagues, I like to make a habit of expanding my network by talking as many meetings as I can with those who come highly recommended by people I trust.

Traveling is often a great time to reach out to old connections and take introductory meetings and through that exercise, I was introduced to two colleagues who were looking at the same problem and had come to a very similar conclusion. In 2019, we realized we could accomplish our shared vision a lot faster together than we ever could apart, and we brought our two companies together.

I share this story because I am now grateful that I faced these challenges. What is unexpectedly inspiring is knowing that you are likely not alone in whatever you face. If you find it difficult to navigate the solutions available, others will likely feel the same, and therein lies the business opportunity.

Endless business opportunities await those who can spot the openings. Think about the challenges you have faced, services you use regularly and the frustrations you might have had. You might just identify your next big opportunity.

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Forbes – The New Normal: Four Lessons From 2020 That Have Reshaped Business

The New Normal: Four Lessons From 2020 That Have Reshaped Business

In what can only be described as a tumultuous year, 2020 will have a lasting impact that will be felt for decades to come. In the early months of 2021, it’s become clear that many aspects of business, and life in general, will never fully return to what they once were.

New ways of working and conducting business were prompted by the pandemic and led to momentous shifts in consumer behavior. Covid-19 forced a reprioritization of creative problem-solving and innovation, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Industrial Revolution.

2020 afforded the world an opportunity to take a step back and consider our approach and, more importantly, question everything. Innovative thinking compelled us to ask better questions and seek superior solutions.

Here are the four most important lessons from 2020 that won’t soon be forgotten. Welcome to the New Normal.

1. Think As Though The Present Is Now The Future

Contrary to what you may think, 2020 didn’t create anything new, per se. When Covid-19 gripped the world, there were a series of changes already underway in the marketplace.

Consumers’ preference for shopping online was eclipsing that of in-store. Countless delivery services were launching apps, competing to change the way goods are received and how fast. The ability to work from home was becoming less rare and recast as a valuable benefit to attract and retain talent. More and more brands were not only speaking out on social justice issues but taking action and inspiring others to do the same.

2020 accelerated the adoption of these trends and phased out what was or near obsolete. What might’ve taken five years to develop in the marketplace, the effects of the pandemic brought about in less than two. What business leaders should take away from this mass acceleration is the need for foresight. The ability to see three, four or even five steps ahead of the competition will be the difference-maker in readying your business to be at the forefront of disruptive trends the moment they are accepted as conventional.

2. Let Demand Be Your Guide

Consumers undoubtedly miss some aspects of in-store shopping. They may even return to brick-and-mortar stores for urgent needs when it is safe to do so, but ultimately, they will continue the convenience of virtual product acquisition they grew accustomed to out of necessity. In many cases, kinks in service and delivery have been remedied, and vendor and service provider preferences have become well-established.

DoorDash is a perfect example. The suburbs are an ideal place to quarantine due to the distance between neighbors and households with plenty of parks and outdoor spaces. This led many to flee more densely populated urban hubs for the suburbs, driving a boom in the housing market as mortgage rates dropped to historic lows. DoorDash’s presence in the suburbs was minuscule compared to city centers, and there was no urgent need for restaurants to sign on. While consumers weren’t leaving their homes often, DoorDash and other delivery services rapidly expanded to these regions to meet this immediate demand.

Let’s also consider luxury brands that sell status items that are meant to be brandished. In 2020, consumers began asking themselves if designer bags, shoes and watches were really worth it. Other than by leveraging social channels, who would they show off their latest luxury purchase to while home for the entirety of most days? Particularly during a period of unrest. This threat forced many luxury brands to pivot their products and rethink their marketing to meet incubated living.

3. Work Isn’t A Place; It’s Productivity

Just over a year ago, a large portion of the workforce began working from home, and like many other business leaders, I was unsure if it would be possible for our team to operate at the same pace in a remote environment. I, alongside many others, quickly learned this was absolutely possible, and then some.

This isn’t to say there weren’t learning moments along the way, but largely, businesses around the world have returned to, and in some cases surpassed, the productivity levels from before 2020. Our team at Aura is working harder and more efficiently than ever before. So much so that in a recent company survey, the majority of Aura employees noted that they would prefer not to return to the office. And we think this trend will continue across many businesses that have successfully pivoted to being fully remote.

Employees are increasingly relocating to warmer parts of the country with lower costs of living. Companies have started exploring the relocation of their headquarters operations to those same markets in order to cut costs and be ever-present to the growing populations in these emerging markets.

4. Asynchronous Is The Future Of Work

The line between what we once knew as work-life balance has been blurred to create what we now know as “asynchronous” ways of working. Asynchronous working is essentially work-life integration, which was on full display over the last year.

Growth-focused leaders have already taken note of this shift and are implementing measures to instill asynchronous efficiencies into their organizations. Efficiencies like a focus on best uses of time, mapping out business plans beginning with the end decision point in mind, and outlining next steps to be assigned and completed out of sight by an agreed-upon deadline. This means companies should begin prioritizing time and shift their operations to function backward, beginning with goals first.

In order to become fully asynchronous, there needs to be a philosophical mindset alignment throughout the organization. We need to accept that normal working hours may soon phase out. Meetings will no longer happen to simply inform others. Instead, there will be a focus on preparation and assigning goals and next steps to make the best use of everyone’s time. Asynchronous means truly ensuring your enterprise is more connected to value time and the employee base at large.

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Forbes – Leadership During A Crisis 2.0

Leadership During A Crisis 2.0

It’s been nearly a year since Covid-19 gripped the world and upended life as we know it. The one-year mark provides an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact the pandemic has had on our lives and business. As we think about 2020, it’s imperative that we continue to adapt our leadership strategies as we navigate new behaviors, patterns and habits.

Last August, I shared my thoughts on the importance of reframing your business plan. Reviewing those themes remains important today as we look at the year ahead.

Themes and Strategies That Still Hold True

Let’s start with a few of the themes that are just as important to consider now.

1. Cutting Costs And Balancing Growth

Growth is a critical component of planning, and it’s important to keep a consistent view of the long-term horizon. As you assess annual objectives, continue to determine what short-term cuts can be made to enable investment back into the company. This disciplined analysis will organically help facilitate growth and create a consistent cadence for the team to be mindful of strategic budgeting.

2. Never Say Never

Prior to the pandemic, the thought of a company shifting its entire operation to fully remote work in just a few weeks would’ve been deemed impossible. However, Covid-19 forced an immediate pivot, where people and enterprises adopted digital ways of working much quicker than many would have expected.

Innovation is often the byproduct of necessity. The ability to be flexible and adapt to this new model proved valuable: Many questioned whether productivity would be maintained from home, but in my own experience, the team at Aura is more productive now than ever before.

This shift may even end up more permanent than we initially thought as many employees simply don’t want to return to offices. Previous aspects of traditional work now seem antiquated, and it’s fascinating to experience this evolution of work in real time along with the rest of the company.

I’ve learned not to be afraid to take on complex problems and lean on my team. They take the opportunity to rise to the occasion and prove that you never know what kind of innovative solutions will arise as a result.

3. Embrace Company Culture

It’s critical to consider the differences between what employees need today compared to a year ago. Gone are the days of in-person events and happy hours, forcing these once-sought-after perks into obsoletion. Priorities, habits and behaviors have shifted, so company cultures need to as well.

Think about ways you can offer the most value to employees during stressful times. Consider implementing a more flexible PTO policy (my company is giving employees a day off on the anniversary of our pivot date to working from home) or offering free subscriptions to apps that address mindfulness, meditation or fitness. Make sure employees know that their company truly cares about them and is prioritizing their holistic mental and physical well-being.

4. Remain A Positive And Steady Leader

The most important lesson about leadership during Covid-19 is to be human, first and foremost. We are all navigating this crisis together and must lean on one another for support. Leaders may feel compelled to put on a brave face for their employees. While staying positive is indeed important, opening up about how you are coping with your own struggles will allow you to connect on a deeper level with employees who may be experiencing the same issues.

New Themes And Lessons Learned from 2020

Reflecting on what we’ve learned from 2020 is of the utmost importance as we give thought to new themes to consider in 2021

1. Identify More Visible Business Opportunities From Changes In Consumer Behavior

The accelerated shift to digital has changed consumer behavior, and companies are modifying their offerings accordingly. We have witnessed a rise in e-commerce, direct-to-consumer models and contactless pickup and drop-off, among other new trends.

Furthermore, work patterns are changing. People are migrating from cities to suburbs for more space, phasing out obsolete ways of working in the short term. However, quickly pivoting to a new style of life and work has presented areas in need of improvement, leaving businesses the opportunity to fill the gaps.

This opportunistic thinking and working extends beyond the corporate world. Consider the vaccine rollout. What normally would have taken years was accomplished in mere months thanks to great minds coming together to attack a singular problem. With this strategy and focus, the level of innovation and results that can be produced quickly is remarkable.

We’re starting to ask better questions, and we’ve shown ourselves that when we come together to solve problems, great things can happen amid the most challenging situations.

2. Prioritize Empathetic Leadership And Take A New Approach To Employee Well-Being

Remote work has blurred the boundary between work and home. Life has become more family-facing and less work-facing. We are no longer able to create a separation between what is going on in the world and our lives at the office. It is paramount that business leaders understand these shifts and are even more in-tune with how employees are coping with world events.

Employee well-being needs to be a top priority. Consider limiting the number and length of daily meetings to allow your employees more flexibility. Shift to a more asynchronous model of work to enable new means of communication and documentation.

Overall, the shifts we have seen over the past year are here to stay. We’ve figured out a new way to work, shop, communicate and live. More questioning is happening. Creative problem-solving is returning to the forefront of innovation, and we are advancing at a faster rate than ever before!

As we dive into the second year of our two-year plan, we must take the lessons we learned from last year and implement them into our strategy so that businesses can keep pace with rapid advancements and thrive in our new world.

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Business Insider – Tech Investors Love These 17 Startups Driving the Work-From-Home Revolution into 2021

Business Insider – Tech Investors Love These 17 Startups Driving the Work-From-Home Revolution into 2021

2020 has been the year of remote working, with coronavirus forcing unprecedented numbers of white-collar workers to leave offices for home set ups.

From video calls to cybersecurity, businesses everywhere have been forced to adapt to the new normal.

Business Insider asked some of Europe’s biggest VC investors to pick out the remote work startups which they think are the most exciting after a massive year for the industry.

COVID-19 has been an accelerant to many industries, from finance through to healthcare, but perhaps no more so than the remote working space.

Companies large and small were forced into what was previously unthinkable — a fully remote workforce.

The trend looks set to become permanent, with one US survey finding two-thirds of firms will be WFH in some form forever. More than 20 blue-chip firms have likewise confirmed permanent remote working in some form, including Google, Microsoft, and Indeed.

That’s led a shakeup in the tech stack that companies rely on, with an uptick in software for video meetings and virtual events, as well as changing requirements around HR software.

Business Insider spoke to nine venture capital investors across Europe, asking them to pick out best startups pushing the remote working revolution forward into 2021.

Check out their picks below:

Aura CEO – Hari Ravichandran

Aura

Cited by: Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, Balderton Capital

In the Balderton portfolio? No

What it does: “Aura products offer a powerful shield safeguarding the digital lives of those you love. Their digital threat protection platform unites best-in-class privacy, identity, and security products that enable customers to manage disparate cybersecurity needs with ease and maximum effectiveness.”

Why it’s hot in 2020: “As we’ve embraced working from home in a year like no other, everyone is living remotely, and all our digital activity is happening from the perceived safety of our homes.

“Unfortunately, identity thieves and fraudsters are taking advantage. That’s why Aura is special. Trusted by millions of customers, Aura is a technology company dedicated to simplifying digital security for consumers.”

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Forbes – Holiday Shopping Cybersecurity Tips

Holiday Shopping Cybersecurity Tips 

The holiday season is upon us, and as we embrace new shopping traditions in a year like no other, we can expect to see online traffic at an all-time high as consumers stay home and search for gifts from the comfort and safety of their homes. Unfortunately, while we adjust our typical holiday activities amid the pandemic, identity thieves and fraudsters remain at the ready to take advantage of the accelerated e-commerce boom that’s driving more shoppers online earlier than in years past.

Why Is This Risky Business?

Hackers like money, and there is plenty of it during the holidays. Holiday shopping this year is estimated to increase between 1% and 2.6% for the three-month period beginning in October compared to last year, which generated $1.1 trillion in sales, according to AlixPartners. As shoppers spend more time and money online, they’re sharing their sensitive data and payment information across countless sites and platforms, putting them at a higher risk of being targeted by hackers than ever before.

Fortunately, there are a few simple cybersecurity tips that consumers can use to help protect their data and information for a merry holiday season.

1. Keep An Eye Out For Phishy Behavior

Be vigilant with your inbox. Phishing — when a hacker sends an email appearing to be from a familiar or reputable company to get personal details like credit card information — is a common method that hackers employ during the holidays. Review all emails closely, especially those appearing to come from retailers with promotions. Remember, a reputable seller will never request credit card details via email. With that in mind, do not open any attachments or click embedded links. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website and search for the promotions there. The extra legwork is worth your security.

2. Use Alternative Payments

According to survey results, shoppers most frequently pay for their holiday purchases using debit cards. When it comes to cybersecurity, think about using an alternate payment method such as a credit card or a third-party online payment system like PayPal or Venmo.

Thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act, consumers are liable only up to $50 in fraudulent charges. fMost major credit card companies, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express, offer policies that afford customers zero-liability protection. Completing purchases using PayPal and Venmo are also good alternatives to debit cards as the store never directly receives your financial information through these third parties. In the event your digital information becomes compromised, you can rest assured that you’re protected against fraudulent charges.

3. Shop Small

For hackers, the street cred for taking down a large retailer follows the adage: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Well-known retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart, and platforms like Etsy and Shopify, are at risk of being targeted and breached during the holiday shopping season. Shopping with smaller businesses may reduce the risk, and it allows you to support local businesses during this important season.

For consumers who choose to shop with larger retailers, be sure to reset account passwords once you finish your holiday shopping. Doing so will help prevent exposure in any potential data breaches following the holiday shopping season.

4. Diversify Your Passwords

You’ve heard it before, but are you actually using different passwords for different sites and platforms? The more diversified passwords you have, the more difficult it will be for your accounts to be hacked. This is the easiest thing you can do this holiday shopping season to safeguard your digital information. In fact, there are many password managers you can use or gift to someone else to ensure your loved ones’ cybersecurity year-round.

5. Spot A Shady Website

There are several tell-tale signs that the site you’re shopping from may not be reputable, starting with its address. Check to see if “https” appears in the URL. The “S” indicates the website is secured by an SSL (secure socket layer) certificate, making the connection secure and safeguarding the sensitive data that passes from you, the customer, to the retailer. While you’re looking at the address, verify the brand is not in a subdomain; be sure you’re shopping from retailer.com and not retailer.buy.com.

Overall, review the site for misspellings, grammar mistakes and even low-quality images — all are a giveaway that a site may not be legitimate. Lastly, look for an email or phone number on the contact page and verify validity. Double-checking when making online purchases is an extra (but worthwhile) step that will help you spot a shady website.

Ensuring A Happy And Secure Holiday Season

With these easy-to-follow tips, consumers can try to keep their holiday season merry and bright — something we all need this year. It’s important to be aware of the risks when online shopping, but with the proper precautions, you can stay safe while still making sure the stockings are stuffed. Let’s believe in the magic of the holidays but approach this shopping season armed with security tips and a healthy dose of skepticism to find fraud before you fall for it.

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Forbes – Step Inside the Mind of a Hacker To Reduce Vulnerabilities

Step Inside The Mind Of A Hacker To Reduce Vulnerabilities
At a time when everyone is spending more hours online, from business owners working to ensure the safety of their networks and employees to remote workforces and kids learning virtually, there has never been a better reason for us to collectively safeguard ourselves from the cyber risks that exist today.

There are many lists of tips and best practices available, but instead of preaching the benefits of a password manager or two-factor authentication, let’s step inside the mindset of a hacker to better understand how their world works. Through that perspective, we can gain valuable insight into how best to protect ourselves from a variety of cyberthreats.

Step One: Identifying A Vulnerability

A hacker first needs to find a way in, and there are several options to explore. They can exploit vulnerabilities within a device, network, system or application to allow unwanted access by outside parties. The CISA explains that you can significantly decrease this risk by keeping apps, operating systems and devices up to date because many vulnerabilities are caught and fixed fairly quickly through this measure.

What hackers often rely on instead are human vulnerabilities, or user errors that can easily expose sensitive data or open the door for unwanted access. This can include weak or repeated passwords, inadvertent downloading of malicious software and much more. Many data breaches — 90%, according to a recent CybSafe analysis (via InfoSecurity) — are a result of a human vulnerability, and with so many users online and working remotely this year, Iomart (via CNBC) found there has been an increase in data breaches as a result.

Finally, hackers can also look to exploit a network vulnerability, which I’ve found occurs most often when a network’s hardware or software is exposed to the potential for intrusion, such as an insecure Wi-Fi network or insecure devices that can be used to gain access to your network.

Step Two: Wreaking Havoc Or Worse

Once a hacker has found a way in, they typically try to take as much advantage of their entry as possible. If an email and password combination works on one site, a hacker will frequently input the same information into hundreds or even thousands of other sites. The program they use might also try slight variations on the password. A hacker hits the jackpot when they suddenly have access to many websites where credit card information and other personal details are stored. Hackers may later post or sell these credentials on the dark web, quickly spreading the victim’s information even further, but usually only after they’ve accessed all your valuable data before you even realize (if you do at all). However, if the program comes back without additional access, usually because the consumer uses unique passwords, the hacker may be forced to move on. Even worse is when the correct email and password requires additional verification, usually via text message or an authentication app, pushing the hacker back to square one. Another dead end is often a secure Wi-Fi network with a strong password that limits their access.

If the hacker gains access to a computer, they can run code, access a system’s memory, install malware or modify data. They look at a system’s hardware, software, network and users, and when they find one that meets their motives, they can leverage these flaws in their attack, putting your identity and personal information at risk in the process. What they’ll be disappointed to find is a user who has an updated OS with firewalls and antivirus software installed.

Step Three: Savvy Scamming

I’ve found that hackers are also always on the lookout for an especially complex system that has a greater chance of misconfiguration or a device that is overly connected. If that isn’t evident, a savvy hacker might forge their way into a system through a phishing scheme using email, social media, phone calls and more to steal valuable data. These scams can be remarkably tailored and are often successful because they outsmart spam filters and use information found on public social media accounts to customize the communication and impersonate people the user actually knows by targeting an email domain that has easily mistaken letters — like “m” instead of “rn.” Phishing schemes are typically most successful when the target is in a hurry and likely discounts a gut reaction to something looking a bit off. These fraudulent communications will often ask for payment details via email or through a questionable webpage without branding or typical payment processes. While these schemes can be convincing, the hacker is beholden to an action from the target and will not gain access to anything of value if the communication is simply deleted.

Staying A Step Ahead

You may not be able to prevent every type of cybercrime. In fact, it’s likely you will experience some form in your life, if you haven’t already. However, all hope is not lost, and there are many actions you can take to protect yourself and your personal information and make a hacker’s job more difficult.

There is an instant advantage in understanding the most common vulnerabilities and what you can do to better manage these weaknesses to prevent successful hacking. Cyberattacks are constantly evolving, so managing vulnerabilities and protecting against them is a continuous process. Luckily, there are a wide range of tools — including password managers, vulnerability scanning software and identity protection services — and easy behavior changes that can help. While it’s tempting to repeat the same password, ignore prompts to update software, and click quickly through emails or pop-ups, taking the time to get these right will make the hacker’s work much harder and may even cause them to move on to their next target.

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Forbes – Leadership During A Crisis: Making Decisions For Growth, Not Survival

Leadership During A Crisis: Making Decisions For Growth, Not Survival

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (via Forbes), the U.S. economy has been in a recession since February.

For entrepreneurs of a certain age, this isn’t news. They can recognize the signs because they have been here before. In fact, this is the third time they’re confronting financial chaos in just 20 years. These entrepreneurs were at the helms of tech companies during the dot-com bubble of 2001, only to face economic turmoil a few short years later following the 2008 market crash. What they learned through those experiences have undoubtedly prepared them to lead their businesses through the financial crisis currently gripping the country.

For those new to business or leadership positions, this is a learning curve. Economic uncertainty is challenging. That said, there are several lessons you can take from the past to ensure your company is best positioned for success.

Rethink Your Business Plan

Tackling uncertainty isn’t easy, particularly when considering your existing plans and thinking about the future. It’s important to come to terms with the new normal as quickly as possible. We aren’t going back. In 2001, when the tech bubble burst, we learned that the world changes after major disruption. Coming to terms with this sooner rather than later can provide a competitive advantage.

As part of this, it’s critical to reframe your business plan for two years. It will take time for your business to adapt, and you need to be prepared for that. At the same time, we don’t know what the future holds, so looking beyond two years isn’t necessarily useful at this stage. When setting the plan, your company’s long-term strategy should not change, but your rate of investment should slow slightly. For example, if you had five key areas you wanted to pursue this year, you might choose to start with two and tackle another the next year.

Contrary to popular belief, it is paramount that you resist the urge to make cuts to survive. Instead, think about cutting costs to facilitate growth. That may seem like a luxury, but it’s the only way to come out successfully on the other side. Again, your long-term business strategy should remain intact, so consider the cuts you can make to help manage costs in the short term but that will actually enable your long-term growth strategy.

Finally, you absolutely need a plan B, and probably a plan C, but don’t give up too soon. Have confidence that you can rely on your backup plans but remain on course. You may be surprised by how little you need your fallback options.

Invest In Company Culture

There is often a debate between prioritizing company culture or business strategy, and particularly in a crisis, business strategy tends to win out. Our current environment has the majority of employees working remotely, many for the first time. Not only have impromptu hallway conversations, coffee breaks and happy hours become nonexistent, but employees’ personal lives have been upended.

Investing in company culture is more important now than ever before. In fact, there has never been a stronger need for companies to facilitate “fun” that employees love to complain about. These activities don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Start the week with a team meditation. Host a daily BYOB coffee break or happy hour via Zoom. Conduct virtual events that offer employees the chance to introduce their significant others, children, pets or homes.

Look for opportunities to show employees their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Maybe that is a gift card for dinner or a subscription to a meditation app. Particularly for those who are new to remote working, the risk of boredom, sense of isolation and loss of community are high. You don’t know just how much someone might need that companionship.

Company culture during a crisis is also dependent upon communication from senior leadership.

Particularly when your staff is remote, there is no such thing as overcommunication. It’s essential that leadership is available to employees and communicates openly about the challenges and plans for the future, for better or worse. When possible, providing employees a forum to ask questions and offer ideas can be particularly beneficial and encourage ownership in the process. This can not only lead to a better company culture, but a more productive, empowered and invested workforce.

Redefine Your Leadership Approach

As the leader of a company, you are likely accustomed to having all eyes on you. During moments of uncertainty or significant change, this is particularly true. As employees continue to balance personal and professional obligations, manage job security fears, deal with financial stresses and health risks while battling remote working burnout, they will look to senior leadership for guidance.

It’s important to remember the full range of outcomes. During stressful moments, you see many people anchor in the possible negative results, but there are a number of ways in which a decision can net positive, and it’s essential to give both sides equal focus. When you do this, you redefine reality and give hope to those around you. It’s OK to show that difficult decisions are painful, but ultimately, it’s your job to show the path forward.

An important opportunity to lead by example exists around work habits. We know that routines are important. Closing your laptop and truly shutting it down is an important part of that routine. Your ability to set structure for yourself will enable your managers and the rest of your organization to do the same. The risk of burnout is high and is easily avoidable. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Learning from the past teaches us how to prepare for the future, invest in our culture and think about our role as leaders so we can succeed. The situation can seem dire, but it’s important to remember that some of the best innovation comes from necessity. Don’t panic, stay true to your strategy and be open to ideas along the way. You might be surprised where you are when you look back on this moment.

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TechRadar – Aura bolsters security offerings with Pango acquisition

Aura bolsters security offerings with Pango acquisition
Aura aims to provide all-in-one security and privacy protection for consumers

The digital security company Aura has announced that it will acquire Pango for an undisclosed sum in an effort to expand its current identity protection and security offerings.

In addition to being the company behind the popular VPN Hotspot Shield, Pango also offers a password manager called 1Password as well as a service called Robo Shield that blocks robocalls. Last year the company partnered with Aura to offer its identity theft protection service IdentityGuard alongside its own products in a subscription service to help protect users online.

Through its acquisition of Pango, Aura aims to become the premier unified security suite that protects consumers and their families with comprehensive, data-driven products. The combined entity will provide all-in-one protection for consumers by combining both firms’ privacy, identity and security products.

Aura and Pango

In a press release, founder and CEO of Aura, Hari Ravichandran explained how the acquisition will allow the combined company to offer a holistic solution to protect users’ privacy and security, saying:

“The momentum Aura is building with the acquisition of Pango uniquely positions our business to continue scaling as we integrate exceptional products that provide a digital halo of protection for consumers. Privacy and security are more important than ever and Aura aims to be the simple holistic solution. The combined global business is profitable with well over $200 million revenue and a talented team of more than 450 all-stars committed to ensuring that our millions of subscribers have the most advanced technology to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Aura recently acquired FigLeaf and PrivacyMate and their products alongside Pango’s will be consolidated into a holistic security and privacy solution over the next four to six quarters.

Once the acquisition of Pango is complete, Ravichandran will remain Aura’s CEO and he will be joined by Pango’s most recent CEO Sujay Jaswa who will serve as chairman of the board.

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Forbes: 16 Tips For Effectively Leading A Distributed Tech Team

16 Tips For Effectively Leading A Distributed Tech Team

Managing a tech team can be a complicated task. When a previously in-office team suddenly becomes distributed, it can complicate matters a lot more. Tech leaders guiding their teams through and after a shift to working remotely need to learn on their feet—fast.

Fortunately, many of the members of Forbes Technology Council have long-term experience in managing distributed teams. Below, 16 of them offer their experience and expertise for tech leaders learning the ropes of the remote workplace.

1. Bring human interaction online.

Our company has always been global, and we’ve been very focused on remote team building. The key is to keep it personal. We are all motivated by human interaction, and successful remote teams bring more human interaction online. Do this by requiring meeting attendees to enable cameras and set an example for active meeting participation. Also, build in time for culture no matter how busy things get! – Einat Metzer, Emedgene

2. Lean more heavily on established tools.

Many are not equipped for this change and don’t have the necessary tools to heighten productivity. Rather than introduce a new work collaboration hub that may cause confusion, I think it’s best to build on the momentum of a tool you’ve already been using. We’ve increased the number of calls we have, intensified our use of Slack and switched on our cameras during Zoom calls to feel more connected. – Harinder Takhar, Paytm Labs

3. Talk to each other.

You have to communicate regularly—not just by email, but by phone and video. As leaders, we always have this need to control things. And right now, as we all face this pandemic, the feeling of control may seem elusive. Regain some of that feeling of control by staying connected with your team daily and encouraging them to avoid knee-jerk decision-making. Keep calm, and talk to each other. – Gail Peace, Ludi, Inc.

4. Keep video conferences open while you work.

For teams that are accustomed to working next to each other and collaborating in real time as they work, I’d recommend hosting a video meeting that everyone can have up and running while they work. This would allow open discussions for whatever is needed. – Russell P Reeder, Infrascale

5. Clarify communication with custom emojis.

Written communication is easily misconstrued, and sarcasm doesn’t always translate in writing or across cultures, so clearly communicating is huge. When meeting face-to-face isn’t an option, emojis can help set the tone for written communication. Creating custom emojis specific to your company culture is another great way to help convey thoughts while also unifying you as an organization. – Keith Valory, PLEX

6. Trust your gut to stay ahead of the curve.

I like to confer with my leadership team across the U.S. so I can see the situation from different angles—geography, family structures, local mandates and more. I also rely on my investors and venture capital community to share how other leaders manage their organizations. My advice is to huddle up with trusted colleagues, listen to your employees and make decisions to stay ahead of the curve. Trust your gut. – Cameron Weeks, Edify Labs

7. Share and store knowledge.

Whether you are meeting one-on-one or with a group, there should be nonephemeral ways of capturing knowledge so that others may learn. It could be notes stored in Google Docs, issues in Asana, recordings in Google Drive or code in GitHub. A culture that encourages team members to help others learn by sharing matters more than the tools you use to share this knowledge. – Paul Duvall, Mphasis Stelligent

8. Introduce rituals and document processes.

Things can get disorganized quickly, so it’s key to set up routines—such as daily standups—to help team members establish effective remote-working habits and boost productivity. It’s also important to have a regularly updated internal process document—a “self-service” manual your team can use to ask questions and share solutions, even if they can’t physically be in the same room. – Fred de Gombert, Akeneo

9. Support flexible work schedules.

Within reason, give remote employees the ability to design their own day. Depending on the job this may not always be possible, but managers who make an honest effort to be flexible will often see teams respond more positively and productively. This flexibility may be even more critical during the COVID-19 crisis when working remotely may be more complicated and stressful than usual. – Rita Selvaggi, ActivTrak

10. Embrace asynchronous work.

Just as transitioning to a fully work-from-home environment can be challenging, managing remote teams can feel disconcerting. Stay connected by supporting and protecting your teams so they have the balance and focus to create great things. Embrace asynchronous work in these uncertain times; empathy and mental health are exceptionally important to retaining and elevating great talent. – Sid Sijbrandij, GitLab Inc.

11. Keep the lines of communication open.

Your team will look to you for guidance. What and how you communicate matter, even if it’s via Zoom, conference calls or other channels. Remain calm and be transparent, and keep the lines of communication open (and constant) via Slack or email. Make sure your employees know you are prioritizing them and they will prioritize the business. – Hari Ravichandran, Aura™

12. Ask clarifying questions.

A lot is lost when you can’t be in the same room together. Don’t assume people are on the same page after a brief video call. Everyone needs to assume that you’re not on the same page and take the time to ask clarifying questions. Many times I think I have given a clear answer, but then found out later I didn’t even answer the question. There can be a question behind the question. – Steff Kelsey, Blues Wireless

13. Empower your team.

Treat Monday like it’s the most important day of the week—schedule recurring key meetings to ensure the team is aligned. I also strive to be available and communicate frequently and candidly with my senior leadership to ensure clarity on priorities and goals, enabling them to have meaningful conversations with their teams. Empowering teams unites us across geographies and boosts employee engagement. – Brian Stafford, Diligent Corporation

14. Actively seek feedback from team members.

It is important to lead with empathy during this period. We should actively seek feedback from our competent team members. Members of my IT team work in four different countries, primarily in the Caribbean and the U.S. Collecting and sharing creative ideas for improving emotional and physical well-being, service-level agreements, and service excellence were thought-provoking. Our teams crave clarity and appreciate empathy. – Londell Albury, Adtalem Global Education

15. Avoid multitasking during meetings.

When teams are on calls or video conferencing, rather than in the same room, it’s tempting to multitask. However it’s clear when someone is distracted or typing away, and it can come across as disrespectful. If you are a manager or leader, make it clear that people in meetings should not be checking email or doing other things. Live that yourself. Block separate time for email, IM or text messaging. – Chris Barbin, GGV

16. Lean in and be helpful.

Now is not the time for unsolicited pitches. As a business that conducts remote technical interviews, it would be easy to dial up our sales campaigning. But instead, we’re focused on being helpful partners and human-centered leaders. The first question I ask—whether I’m speaking with an employee, client, prospect or investor—is “How are you doing?” It gets to the root of what is most important. – Mohit Bhende, Karat

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