Part 2 of “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software and People,” presented by Capt. Grace Hopper at NSA in 1982.
Secrets to growing your business quickly
I’m proud to say that I built my multimillion-dollar enterprise with no debt and no investors. It’s rewarding for me to help the many small business owners who call and need a hand getting their company off the ground or breaking past a big hurdle. I’ve been there myself.
Here’s my advice from the trenches.
1. Know your competition
Unless you’re going rogue with an all-new product or service, your customers already exist and spend their money elsewhere. Competitor research is one of the best ways to get a feel for what works and doesn’t work in your industry.
It’s also an intelligent way to understand your customer’s needs, including what they expect to pay and how much you can earn.
Find a handful of companies doing what you hope to do and be a student. “How much can I learn here?”
- Study their websites. What stands out and what isn’t so great? You can monitor website changes over time with Visualping. This free tool allows you to enter a website you want to track, and you’ll get email alerts any time that site changes. You’ll know if your competitor created an excellent new landing page copy or swapped out photos. Tap or click for a direct link to try it out.
- Follow your competitors on social media and subscribe to their newsletters. Take note of any posts that generate a high number of comments or shares.
- Sign up for Google Alerts for your business name, your competitors, and an industry term or two that makes sense. Tap or click here for steps to set up a Google Alert. I suggest you go with weekly alerts, as daily alerts can get overwhelming.
2. Brand yourself with a memorable domain
A strong web presence is essential; securing a great domain name is the first step. You want something easy to remember, clear, and concise. No one is going to remember a six-word URL.
Doctors, lawyers or other professionals who use their names for their businesses have an advantage. Hey, my website is Komando.com.
How much will a domain cost you? Let’s use GoDaddy as an example. For a .com address, you’ll spend about $25 annually, paying just a penny for your first year with a three-year purchase.
Of course, the best domain idea means nothing if it’s taken. Namechk shortcuts the process for you. Enter your idea and see if it is registered or open. We’re not talking just .com or .net, either. It checks for .us, .info, .biz and lots more.
Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'
If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.
Capt. Grace Hopper on future possibilities: Data, hardware, software and people (Part 2, 1982)
Trojan horse: If your phone is infected with malware, it’s worth doing a full factory reset. A royal pain in the rear, yes, but it’s the only way to ensure your phone is clear. You also need solid security software for your phone.
Hardware nerds are snapping up old Redbox DVD machines: They’re figuring out how they work and trying to release the movies still inside. But there’s a weird issue — nobody can get the 1996 disaster flick “Twister” out. It’s a problem across all kiosks, with theories ranging from a licensing dispute to a software glitch. What in the hail?
Around this date 41 years ago, Microsoft released its very first software application. Was it … A.) Flight Simulator, B.) Excel, C.) Notepad or D.) Word?
This tool is 99% effective against malware
Too many cybercriminals are trying to worm their way into your system and steal from you. Even the most tech-savvy folks can be fooled. You don’t even need to click anything to download malware anymore.
That’s why you need powerful software to sniff out malicious files. I trust my sponsor, TotalAV. It’s simple to install and use, and it’s received the VB100 award for detecting more than 99% of malware samples for the last three years in a row. (Yeah, that’s a big deal.)
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
Capt. Grace Hopper on future possibilities: Data, hardware, software and people (Part 1, 1982)
Part 1 of “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software and People,” presented by Capt. Grace Hopper at NSA in 1982.
🥽 So long, farewell: Microsoft is pulling the plug on its HoloLens headsets, once promised to power the future of virtual worlds. Womp, womp. The HoloLens 2 will receive security and software updates until the end of 2027. If you own the original HoloLens, software support ends Dec. 10. Don’t buy one if you see it on sale.
🎤 AI’s got talent: A software architect posted a delightful duet with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode (AVM). With it, the man and the chatbot performed The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” Usually, AVM won’t sing due to built-in copyright guidelines, but the guy found a loophole — he turned it into a game, strumming four pop chords and asking if the bot recognized the song. After a few rounds, the bot unexpectedly started singing along. The video is amazing.
💰 Google paid $2.7 billion to get back an employee: Software engineer Noam Shazeer quit in 2021 after Google refused to release a chatbot he developed (paywall link). He went on to found Character.AI, and now Google’s shelling out to license the tech. How’d you like to explain this to the Board of Directors?
Hackers are targeting VPN wireless routers: ASUS, TP-Link, Zyxel and Ruckus have already been hit. How it works: They break in, infect your router with malware, then use it to infect others. Warning signs you’re part of a botnet: Weird PC behavior, slow speeds when your internet is working fine, and strange emails and messages you didn’t send. Keep your router updated and run antivirus software.
Ram recall: Over 1.4 million Ram 1500 pickups from 2019 and 2021 to 2024 have a bug in the antilock brake system that could lead to crashes. Major red flag: Warning lights for your ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control and forward collision systems. Call your dealership ASAP for a software update.
🚨 “Malvertising”: That’s the snazzy term for malware that spreads through “sponsored content” results at the top of Google searches. One click and you’re off to a shady site that steals your personal info or worse. Stay safe: Double-check URLs for misspellings or type them in manually. Keep your OS and browser updated, too. The best defense? Strong antivirus software.
📄 Office freebie: Unless you absolutely need Microsoft 365, don’t waste your money. For years, I’ve recommended LibreOffice, the free, open-source office software suite. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
How to rock a remote interview: Tips for shining over the phone or on video
Remote interviews are the present and the future. Why? The pandemic forced many companies nationwide to move to a remote system nearly overnight.
Now that we’ve been operating remotely for a while, many employers have seen the positive benefits of having remote employees. Increased productivity is one of them.
🗣️ Alexa’s makeover is going to cost you: This is interesting. Amazon’s in-house Alexa AI software struggled, sometimes taking seven seconds (a digital lifetime) to reply. Now, they’re using Anthropic’s Claude AI. Amazon invested $4 billion in Anthropic. A smarter Alexa is coming in October, costing $5 to $10 a month.
Amazing Grace: Meet Grace Hopper, the legendary computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, who gave a lecture in 1982 called “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software and People.” This iconic talk has been unavailable to the public because it was stuck on outdated AMPEX tapes. Now, it’s digitized. Here’s Part 1 and here’s Part 2.
Small business owners: Simplify your life with one financial tool that does it all
Are your finances as organized as you’d like them to be? Come on, be honest. For most business owners, the answer is a reluctant no.
As your company grows, you will have more expenses, contractors, KPIs and hands managing it all. If your communication happens through email, over the phone, in messages, and via spreadsheets, you will hit a wall sooner or later.