Businesses across the world are closing up shop and sending employees home to get their jobs done. If you own or work for a small or medium-sized company, are you prepared for that scenario? I’ve got a few essentials you can use to make the transition easier.
How NOT to run an election
When it comes to software development and deployment, rushing is never the right answer. Just ask the company that created the tech behind the embarrassing Iowa caucus. What’s the solution? I have a novel idea.
Parents: Should kids be taught to be polite to Alexa?
Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo smart spreaker was among the company’s bestsellers this past Christmas. Parents are asking if they should teach their children to say thank you and please when dealing with Alexa. What do you think?
With Uber, everyone is taking a big chance
Rideshare company Uber just released its first-ever safety report, revealing data on the number of crashes, deaths and sexual assaults reported during its rides in 2017 and 2018. The numbers are alarming, to say the least.
Why online retailers might start calling you
You’re browsing the web for a new couch, and all of the sudden, a call comes through. It’s the company whose website you were just scrolling. Creepy? Definitely. Marketers have a new tactic to get to you, but I’ll tell you how to stay one step ahead.
Airbnb is banning 'party houses' after shooting
Airbnb’s CEO says the company is banning rentals marketed as “party houses” — and taking other steps to keep users safe — after a Halloween party gone horribly wrong. Now the question is, how will Airbnb enforce this?
Why 80% of all businesses will monitor employees by 2020
I know you’re probably not too happy Big Tech is tracking you, but how often do you consider what your employer is watching? It may surprise you how much spying your company can (legally) get away with. I’ll tell you why they’re watching so closely.
Facebook doesn't care about your privacy
Every chance Mark Zuckerberg gets these days, he says privacy is Facebook’s number one concern. But in court this week, the company said its users have “no expectation of privacy.” Like always, someone at Facebook is lying.
New list: Worst companies for data privacy
A Texas-based tech company launched a new system that rates websites that collect your personal data. They’ve recently published their “data privacy misleaders board” — a list no company wants their website to be on. Who’s on it? Osano CEO and co-founder Arlo Gilbert talks about the companies that are the best and worst at collecting and sharing your personal information.
Break through the noise and market your business on social media
Whether you work for a Fortune 500 company, a small mom-and-pop shop, or act as a “solo-preneur,” you need to market your business online. With so many digital channels, where do you get the most bang for your digital marketing buck? We talk to Jeremy Wood of Hootsuite about using social media to connect with your audience. And Mike Huber of Vertical Measures tells us about using social media to build an “owned” audience. Is there some magical formula that works? Listen to this conversation and find out.
Genderless voice assistants for AI
Voice assistants have typically been female. Now a company has created a gender-neutral voice. Listen to what it sounds like and tell me what you think.
Social engineering through the use of fake news
Social engineering is the phrase that describes how people with an agenda use real names and sites to spoof you. And it seems that no one is immune to these elaborate manipulations. In this podcast, Kim looks at the latest scheme that spoofed the world’s largest asset management company as well as some news organizations.
Amazon - Too big to fail?
Over the years, we’ve seen big companies that have been in business a long time eventually shut their doors forever. In many cases, the rise of Amazon has been used as a reason companies don’t survive. But even Amazon itself is not immune to being “too big to fail.” In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at statements made by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his thoughts on the company’s future.
The Big Problem with crowd source funding
Crowdfunding has gone mainstream, but how do you know who’s sincere and who’s not? A start-up company just walked off with over $3 million, leaving investors with nothing. Listen to my Consumer Tech Update to learn more about why I don’t contribute to crowdfunding.
Why the Sprint and T-Mobile merger could hurt consumers
Two of the largest cellular carriers are merging into one company. That’s good news for investors but bad news for consumers. Both companies have been in desperate financial waters but are making a comeback. What does the future hold?
For Facebook, the worst is yet to come
Facebook’s lawyers had hoped since Zuckerberg’s disastrous appearance before Congress, that things would begin cooling off. Instead, Facebook’s real problems are only just beginning. A company executive from Cambridge Analytica came forward saying that much more data theft is about to be revealed!
Mark Zuckerberg's first day before Congress
Day one of the two-day marathon Congressional hearings with Facebook’s CEO is over. Another is about to begin. The big question is: How did Mark Zuckerberg do? Surprisingly enough, Zuckerberg is very uncertain about how his own company operates.
The world's most trusted brand names
The most valuable thing that a business owns is its brand reputation. Simply put, it’s the foundation: What people think of the company. So, who’s on top? And who’s not? The brands that I’m going to tell you about are not necessarily the ones doing the most business. They’re the ones we respect and admire the most.
Big brother in your backseat
This time it’s Allstate Insurance Company
Blatant age discrimination in the tech industry
Americas top tech companies hiring based on age