Security is Everyone’s Responsibility

For most of us the internet is an intrinsic part of our lives. We rely on it to get us where we are going, connect us to friends and family and answer all of our questions, no matter how banal. It has also quickly become an integral part of most businesses, enabling them to complete business transactions in mere minutes as well as connect to their customers and a global network.

As we take advantage of the opportunities the internet has to offer it is critical that online security becomes a priority. As Xero partners and customers, you are all operating online and with this comes a need to be vigilant about keeping sensitive data and information secure from hackers and cybercriminals – the same way you keep your home or your car safe by locking it. Statistics from online security software vendor Norton show that globally 689.4 million (31%) people were affected by cybercrime in the past year. Additionally 63% of people also believed it’s become harder to stay safe and secure online over the past five years. The fact of the matter is that the impact of cybercrime has become a reality for all businesses. We continually remind all of our customers – small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers – to ensure that they are taking precautions to keep their data safe from hackers.

As the Head of Security at Xero I have a team working around the clock and throughout every timezone to monitor and detect suspicious activity. We identify patterns of malicious activity and after discovering harmful activity we then take the appropriate steps to notify users and guide them through protecting their account. Protecting our platform against cyber attacks is a top priority and we are constantly evolving our systems to ensure they are as robust as possible. However, a system is only as good as the weakest link in the chain. Security needs to be strong on all fronts and it’s important that our small businesses and advisors are invested in protecting themselves and their customers from attacks. As a business it is your responsibility to safeguard not only your own information but more importantly that of your customers who have entrusted you with sensitive data. By keeping informed about cybersecurity and instilling the importance of security practices throughout your business, together we can build a stronger, more secure online community.

Here are some simple, easy-to-implement steps that will help you better protect your information and that of your clients online Tax Accountant Services

Have strong, unique passwords
I cannot stress the importance of having strong passwords enough. One of the most common ways that people’s accounts get taken over is through people successfully stealing or “cracking” your password. Always use a strong, unique password for each site you log in to. While this may seem extreme, particularly in an age where we have multiple logins, having different passwords will help prevent a compromise of one login becoming a compromise of many. You can use Password-manager software to help you navigate your multiple logins, and to generate strong passwords for you. We would also advise that you clearly communicate the importance of password hygiene to your staff, in particular that reusing personal passwords, e.g. for social media sites, is not acceptable.

Use 2SA
2SA or Two-Step Authentication essentially equates to having that extra deadbolt on the door. 2SA works by having two layers of security, firstly through you entering your existing password and then through another verification code generated by an app on your smart device. Having 2SA enabled for your Xero account significantly reduces the risk of account takeover, as stealing your password isn’t enough to get access. 2SA (or 2FA, MFA or 2SV) is extra important for your email account, which is usually the means to hackers being able to reset your passwords for other sites.

For more information about Xero login and 2SA, visit our new landing page.

Update your software
Security threats are changing all the time and new software vulnerabilities are identified every day. Keeping your operating system and applications up to date is your first line of defence against many attacks. Set your system preferences to update automatically and delete applications that you don’t use.

Having up to date anti-malware (anti-virus) software is another simple but effective way to protect yourself. Anti-malware software will scan your attachments and downloads as you use them and alert you to any malicious software detected. Make sure your anti-malware software is updated regularly so that it will be able to detect any new viruses, trojans, ransomware, etc.

Security is of the utmost importance for Xero and like every other online business we have to be constantly vigilant about phishing attacks and account takeovers. We all have the responsibility to ensure we are utilizing security procedures and continually investing in online security. As an online community we need to work together to make sure we are all protecting one another and keeping our data secure from cyber criminals.

For more details visit here:  http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-12-17-security-is-everyone-39-s-responsibility

Why you should take UX seriously

UX (User Experience) is at the heart of every good design. It’s the difference between your customers groaning in wretched frustration, or grinning with enjoyment; with them shaking a defeated fist at your site and hastily clicking away from it, or completing a satisfying purchase and wanting to return for more.

UX is about putting the customer first – who would be a more suitable candidate for the pole position? Your ecommerce store is for them, so it should be designed for them. They’re the person who you want to satisfy the most, and engaging in UX allows you to accomplish this. It can help to turn your site from a means-to-an-end, to a steamrolling ecommerce powerhouse. In a cutthroat global economy with ruthlessly fierce competition, your site absolutely must stand out in order to excel. UX is a tool that can help you achieve this.

Though complex in nature, UX doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ve hand-picked a few of the most cost-effective UX practices that can make a big impact on your webstore and that you can start using right away!

Reduce Cognitive Load (Eraser at the Ready)
Every element and word on your webstore needs to be absorbed and understood by your users. This is called cognitive load – the mental effort being exerted by the user’s working memory. The more cognitive load that you burden your users with, the more stressed and discouraged they’ll become. This is why it’s essential to seize your proverbial eraser, and remove everything that is unnecessary from your webstore.

Pioneering UX professional Steve Krug advises the following:

Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left
– Krug’s Third Law of Usability Tax Accountant Canada

Using concise language is one way to reduce cognitive load and speed up the user’s journey. It’ll also reduce the noise level of the page, make your important content more prominent, and result in each page being shorter.

“Happy talk” such as “Welcome to our webstore” should be avoided at all costs. The primary reason people come to your site is to purchase goods and this kind of unnecessary fluff just serves as a hindrance. Consider removing gratuitous pronouns like the “Our” in “Our products”, or the “My” in “My account”. Try to re-write any sentences that might be just a tad too overinflated and wordy. With a little effort, you’ll end up with a more succinct site.

Design for Scanning, Not Reading
Your webstore isn’t primarily a blog; most people aren’t arriving at your site with the intention of filling their heads with knowledge, they’re turning up to make a purchase. Over 20 years ago, usability god Jakob Nielsen discovered that people don’t read websites, they scan them. You should keep this top-of-mind whenever writing or reviewing copy for your website.

There’s many UX aspects involved in creating a scannable ecommerce site, with four of the best being conventions, gestalt theory, well-formatted text, and visual hierarchy.

1. Conventions
Being conventional may be considered dull and unoriginal by some, but it’s a fundamental part of a good design. Elements that adhere to convention are instantly understandable, and so require little cognitive effort. This means that you should think twice before including a whacky, animated “Add to cart” button on your webstore, or a navigation menu that just uses icons because it looks super-cool.

Users don’t want to mentally strain their way through the shopping experience, they want to make purchases as quickly as possible, and then get out of there. Using conventional elements throughout your design will give it a comfortable, recognisable facade. You can suffuse your site with originality using shape and colour; leave conventional elements such as search, navigation and forms to their effective predecessors. They were designed that way because they work.

2. Gestalt Theory
Gestalt theory is a complex psychological theory which explains how we perceive the world, but for the sake of UX, it’s a principle of proximity. A simplification of this principle is as follows: things that are close to each other, similar in design, or enclosed within a border are understood to be related.

This is the reason that designs with little whitespace tend to baffle us – we just can’t figure out how to separate the content into manageable and understandable chunks, because it appears to be one gigantic mesh of information. Using ample whitespace, or placing a border around your elements, gives each section a unique identity and clear purpose, allowing your users to easily distinguish and navigate your webstore.

3. Well-formatted text
Well-formatted text will enable your customers to quickly find the information that they’re seeking. This can be achieved by using concise, large headings to group information (Gestalt theory again); short, quickly-consumable paragraphs; bullet lists whenever possible, and the highlighting of key words. Lists of links should include the most important and relevant words first.

4. Visual Hierachy
Visual hierarchy is a scale of importance, it illuminates where your attention should be focused, with the option to consume less important content if desired. The more priority something has, the more prominent it should be.

Importance can can be increased using size, weight, colour, or additional surrounding white space. A classic example is colouring your “Add To Cart” button with a hue that stands out in your webstore – painting it the same shade of blue as your header background just means that it’s less likely to be spotted, with potentially expensive consequences. Similarly, a product’s name is more important than its description, so using the same font size for both is communicating that they have the same priority. Good visual hierarchy encourages your customers to focus on what they should be focusing on.

A/B Testing
The most UX-savvy design team in the world can’t anticipate a user’s every desire or action. Every one of us is beautifully unique, and our behaviour exhibits this fact. With A/B testing, you can present different customers with two slightly altered designs, in order to determine what works best for their particular nuances. A simplified example best illustrates this:

Test name: “Complete purchase” button on checkout

If we want to understand which text on the button at checkout performs best we would test two variations:

Design 1: Button uses the text “Complete purchase”

Design 2: Button uses the text “Complete sale”

Conversion goal: Clicking on the button and completing the sale

Randomly displaying the two different designs to customers over a period of time will help you to determine which one converts best.

A/B tests can be set up with Google Analytics or Crazy Egg, both of which are available to install for free in Neto’s add on store.

Conclusion
UX doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. With the above practices, you can make radical improvements to your webstore’s design, which will enhance the overall experience and increase the likelihood of purchases. Guide your customers effortlessly through your webstore – make UX a primary focus.

For more details Visit here: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-12-17-why-you-should-take-ux-seriously

Five important business negotiation strategies

Business negotiation is a world of contradictions. You’ve got to be firm but flexible open and sharing, but a little cagey. There’s a lot to get your head around. But your state of mind might be the most important thing. Aim for a mutually beneficial outcome, and you’ll find the whole exercise more comfortable. Follow these five tips to prepare for your next negotiation.Q

1. Do your homework
Before starting business negotiations, always do your research. You should come to the table understanding as much as you can about the company you’re dealing with – and the industry they’re in.

Learn the main terms and concepts they’re likely to use, so you’re not confused or intimidated by jargon. But if something comes up that you don’t understand, it’s okay to ask for clarification.
Familiarise yourself with their products or services, their industry, and their competitors. It’ll give you a sense of their strengths and weaknesses, and help you predict what’s negotiable. Social media is a great tool for this type of research.
Understand your position. It’s important to know what you bring to the table, and why they might prefer to do business with you. Money isn’t always the main factor. Perhaps you’re easier to work with because you’re close by or more responsive. Don’t be afraid to promote the things that set you apart.

2. Don’t be anchored
Being the first to say a number can be a good way to take control of a business negotiation. That first figure often becomes a reference point for the rest of the conversation Financial Consultation Services

Some negotiators will open with an extreme number – either very high or very low. They’re hoping the other party will be anchored by it.

If you find you have to move someone a long way from their original position – and that makes you feel uncomfortable – you’ve been anchored. It probably happened when you bought your first car.

This can be a confronting tactic, and it may not suit your style but – even if you don’t want to try it – you should be aware of it when someone tries to anchor you. If that happens, don’t feel awkward about saying you’re a long way apart. It’ll send the message that you’re not going to be steamrolled.

3. Know where you can compromise
As a small business owner, you may need the deal more than your negotiating partner. Be realistic about that. Don’t let your pride get in the way.

Decide what you need from the deal to make it worthwhile and be prepared to compromise on everything else. You can do this strategically.

Identify opportunities to give way on your least-valued terms and communicate it clearly when you do. Don’t whine about it – just make sure your negotiating partner can see you’re moving. They’ll be more likely to reciprocate with their concessions.

4. Aim for a win-win (be nice)
Negotiating isn’t about trying to dominate an opponent. This is business – you’re trying to find a profitable outcome that benefits everyone. Treat it that way.

A win-win mentality is scientifically proven to enhance business negotiations. When people are cooperative, their brains release oxytocin – a hormone that makes them trusting and sharing.

On the other hand, a person who’s losing an aggressive negotiation feels attacked, and their brain releases cortisol. This makes them negative and potentially resentful – which harms the chances for repeat business.

Always remember that both parties can win and don’t underestimate the power of being nice.

5. Have a plan B
What happens if you both walk away from the deal? Figure out what you’ll do if business negotiations fail and ask if you can live with that outcome.

This exercise will help you decide how hard you negotiate. If you don’t have a strong position, you need to be realistic about it from the start.

Having a plan B also means you can keep moving if negotiations hit a snag. You’re never surprised. But once you have a plan B – keep it to yourself. If the other party knows too much about your alternatives, they’ll know how much they can push you.

Practice makes perfect with business negotiations
Negotiation can be tricky, which is why many of us don’t like doing it. But if you have a small business, you probably can’t avoid it. Don’t be intimidated by it. You’ll find a negotiating style that suits your personality.

As long as you know the strength of your position and respect the other party, you’re off to a good start. After a while, negotiating will become second nature – and your business deals will be better for it.

For more details visit here`: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-12-11-five-important-business-negotiation-strategies

How to make price quotes work for you

When a customer asks you for a quote, they’re giving you a golden opportunity. With the right response, you can close the deal quickly and win new business. Here’s how to make the most of price quotes.

A price quote is a call to action
A quote is a formal document. It explains your pricing for a job or order and gives your customer a clear cost for the work.

When a customer asks you for a quote, it means they’re seriously considering doing business with you. All your sales and marketing efforts have paid off! You’ve shown that your service has value, and you’re one step away from closing the deal.

But don’t celebrate just yet. The quotation process might seem like a formality, but it isn’t. New business is won or lost at this stage, so it’s important to get it right.

In this guide, we’ll look at how you can make price quotes work for you. With the right approach, you’ll get a better response. This will also help you pitch your services at the best price – for you.

Why quotes are good for business
Price quotes are an essential part of running some types of business, especially service businesses. They are useful because they:

Help you and your customer understand each other.
State the price, terms, and conditions of business clearly.
Bring you closer to a sale by encouraging the customer to make a decision.
Legally protect buyers, which makes them more likely to do business with you.
Help you structure your pricing and the services you offer.
Encourage transparency between you and your customers.
The difference between a quote and an estimate
If you’re starting your own business, it pays to know the difference between the two. A quote is usually a fixed price offer. It means that you have:

Studied the work involved carefully.
Discussed the requirements in full with your client.
Calculated the materials and labor required.
Once accepted, it has legal status in many countries. So you usually can’t charge more for the work than you’ve quoted.

An estimate has less legal value than a quote. It gives the client a rough idea of what the job might cost, but there’s no guarantee that the price won’t change when the work is carried out.

You may have to explain this difference to some of your customers so that they know what they’re getting. They will probably prefer a quote to an estimate because it gives them peace of mind.

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Why thinking negatively isn’t always a bad thing

Contrary to what you’ve always been told, thinking negatively can very much be a good thing.

Willie Nelson, one of my favorite artists, is quoted as saying, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”

With all due respect to The Red-Headed Stranger, I suspect Mr. Nelson was a little off-base when he said this. Not everyone is motivated and successful when they think positively. Some people are motivated more when they think negatively.

Now, before you write me off as crazy, try to keep an open mind. Believe it or not, harnessing the power of negative thinking may help you work harder and achieve more.

Sound too good to be true? Too bad to be true?

Read on to discover exactly why negative thinking isn’t always a bad idea.

Overthrowing the positive thinking paradigm
It’s hard to challenge modern conventions, but psychologist Julie Normen decided to write The Positive of Power Negative Thinking. Anyway. In the pages of her book, Normen explains that we’re often urged to “look on the bright side,” but this advice isn’t helpful for most people.

In fact, it’s self-defeating

When people think negatively, they’re likely to convert their anxiety into action. Negative people are well aware that they could fail, so they may take more time preparing for possible worst-case scenarios.

This research was enough to get people intentionally thinking more negatively. (Great, right?) But, before you try it yourself, you may want to consider a few more factors. For instance, the power of negative thinking depends largely on your frame of reference.

Stick with me …

When Normen studied negative thinking, she found that there were two types of people: strategic optimists and defensive pessimists. In other words, the glass-half-full people and the glass-half-empty people.

Interestingly, these groups succeed best under different circumstances. For example, if you tell a defensive pessimist to visualize failure before they throw darts at a board, they’re more likely to perform positively. On the other hand, if you ask strategic optimists to do the same, they’ll perform worse than they would if they did something positive before playing darts — like listening to relaxing music.

This is interesting on its own, but here’s where things get fascinating: If defensive pessimists listen to relaxing tapes before they throw darts, they’re 30 percent less accurate than if they visualized missing the target.

You might assume from the research that different personalities are just motivated by different things — and you wouldn’t be wrong. But, you wouldn’t be looking at the full picture, either.

Not all mindsets are created equally. There’s a downside to positive thinking. One serious enough that it might convince you to ditch optimism altogether — even if you think of yourself as glass-half-full type person.

Positive thinking’s dark side
Decades ago, researchers met with a group of women who were in a weight loss program. They presented each with a variety of scenarios. After outlining each scenario, they asked the women how it made them feel.

For example, they would tell a participant to imagine that she had completed the program successfully, and then ask if the thought made her feel positive or negative.

They also asked participants to imagine their emotional response if they’d been thrown out of the program for cheating. After the women responded to the questions, they went back to their weight-loss programs.

One year later, when the researchers checked in on these women, they found something striking: The women who reacted positively to these scenarios lost less weight than those who responded negatively — regardless of their predisposition.
Follow-up studies showed the same results. There’s actually quite a bit of data suggesting that thinking positively can hinder people from realizing their goals.

Don’t take it to the limit
Before you go full Eeyore, consider taking some of this with a grain of salt. There are problems with pessimism too. The trick is to strike a balance between positive and negative thinking.

When we’re overwhelmingly positive, we’re unlikely to experience stress or anxiety — two emotions that galvanize us to try harder and strive for more. Conversely, if we’re too pessimistic, we can be so paralyzed by stress that it’s hard to take action. So, what do we do?

Explore the space in the middle

One of the easiest ways to harness the power of both mindsets is to positively visualize and catastrophize how a situation might play out. Before you start a new business or embark on any significant venture, take time to think about what might happen first. This can be done mentally, or it can be recorded on paper.

First, get specific about the worst-case scenario. What exactly will happen if your new business totally flops? Will you lose a lot of money? Will people in your field lose their trust in you? Whatever it is, make sure that you write about it vividly, in a way that’s personal to you.

Then consider the best possible outcome. What’s the greatest thing that this business could achieve? Again, get specific, and get personal. After you’ve explored both extremes, take a deep breath, and try to get in touch with reality.

Sure, either of these outcomes is possible, but reality will probably fall somewhere in the middle. Online Payroll Services for Small Business Canada

Harness your thoughts
Beyond positive and negative visualization, meditation is another good way to hone your thought patterns. Instead of fixating on outcomes, people who practice meditation learn to create a healthy separation between themselves and their thoughts.

Sounds good, right? Would you believe me if I told you it’s easy to do?

Seriously, all meditation requires is a bit of time. Ideally, people practice for 10 minutes or more per day, but if you’re new to the practice, consider trying it for just two minutes.
Will you adapt?
We all want to succeed, but it’s easier said than done. There will be countless roadblocks we encounter along the way — some of which may help us, some of which may hold us back.

So, what’s right for you when it comes to positive and negative thinking?

Chances are you already know. Find a mindset that leads to mental wellness and productivity. But, next time somebody tells you to think positively, remind them that negative thinking is a more-than-valid option.

For more details Visit here: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-12-11-why-thinking-negatively-isn-39-t-always-a-bad-thing

Make a mobile office work for your business

Offices used to be essential for most businesses. But mobile technology and new working practices mean that many small businesses don’t need any office space. Here’s what you need to know about having a mobile office.

Running a business without an office

It often makes sense to start a new small business from home, because it keeps costs to a minimum. But these days, some businesses continue to operate without offices even once they’ve become established.

Technology has made this a practical option. Ten years ago, the likelihood of finding public spaces with free wireless internet and power outlets was almost zero. Today most cities have them – in libraries, cafés and even on buses and trains. Casual-use shared office space is widely available for meetings and short-term work, too.

Mobile devices and cloud-based software have helped drive the change in working practices. For many small businesses, it now makes perfect sense to operate with no fixed office location.

Could it work for you? In this guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of working without an office, with tips on making the most of this new and potentially liberating way of doing business.

A seven-point checklist to see if you could go without an office
Instead of traveling to work, technology allows work to come to you. For some types of business owners (especially those who don’t need to see their clients face-to-face on a regular basis), an office is no longer essential. Here’s a short checklist to see if your business could work without an office:

You mostly do business by phone, email, messaging and social media.
You run a service business or a ‘drop ship’ retail business, not a manufacturing business or a bricks-and-mortar shop.
You rarely see your clients in person.
Most of what you sell is digital, for example, software, graphics, words, photography, video, audio.
You don’t need large equipment to do your job.
You’re a good communicator.
You’re happy working alone.
Three benefits of a mobile office
People run businesses without offices for a variety of reasons. Here are three of the most common:

Not having an office can save you money
Office space can be expensive, especially for a new business. Furniture, electricity and internet access must all be paid for too. And as your business grows, your office would have to grow with it – which means relocation expenses. That money could be better spent in areas that directly affect the bottom line, such as marketing or hiring more employees.

Without a commute, you’ll save time
If you don’t have to commute to an office, you could gain an hour or more every day compared with people who do. Whether you use that time for work or relaxation, it’s a big benefit.

Fewer distractions increase productivity
If you manage your environment properly, remote working can increase your productivity. There will be fewer distractions and fewer meetings – making it easier to concentrate and think clearly about your work.
Where will you go?
For the office-less worker, there are many possible venues. Most ex-office workers need an internet connection and a power supply for a laptop or other mobile device – and not much else.

Home
The obvious place, with both advantages and drawbacks. Power and internet are already available and the commute is easy. On the other hand, working from home can cause relationship stresses and work-life imbalance. It can be hard to switch off at the end of the day when your home is your office.

Cafés
Many provide free wireless internet and power outlets to customers. They may not be happy if you buy a single coffee and stay there all day, though.

Libraries and other council buildings
Public spaces often have free or cheap wireless internet these days, and many allow visitors to plug in their laptops too.

Shared workspaces
There are many shared workspaces available, particularly in larger cities. They usually have flexible terms, so you only pay for the hours or days when you use them. Payment gives you access to printers and other office equipment, communal areas, internet, and power. They’re good for business networking too.

Hotel rooms
Expensive to use on a regular basis, but great for those times when you need to get away for a few days and concentrate on a big project with no distractions.
Think about meeting places too. It’s more professional to meet a client in a shared workspace or hotel lobby than in your makeshift office at home.

Use the right tools
You can’t work properly without the right equipment. But for many office-free workers that’s a relatively small investment:

Laptop/ computer
Unless you need a lot of processing power, a basic one will be sufficient. As long as it has an internet connection you can work collaboratively with people all over the world.

USB flash memory sticks or hard drives
Always keep backups of your work – and use encryption software to keep them safe.

Mobile phone
Make sure your clients can reach you easily. You can also use this for internet access if you can’t get free wireless internet.

Tablet
With a tablet, you can take advantage of the larger screen to work on the go – from anywhere.

Cloud or online applications
This is what’s really driving the office-free revolution. Everything you’re likely to need is available online, using cloud-based software.
Some of the more popular tools include Google Apps (such as Drive, Docs and Calendar). There’s also Evernote for keeping lists, Dropbox or Box to store your data and backups and Basecamp for collaborative project management.

Instant messaging software and video-conferencing tools such as Skype or Google Hangouts are essential if you’re working in a remote team. Make sure you get quality online accounting software too, which you can access anywhere at any time.

There are many clouds or online products available, so you should be able to find whatever you need to do your work remotely.

How to cope with the downsides
Working without an office has its disadvantages, but you can overcome them if you’re prepared. Here are some of the issues you may face, with tips on how to cope.

Avoiding loneliness
The first few weeks may feel liberating – you’re free from office politics, commuting, and unnecessary meetings! But humans are social creatures, so make new friends and acquaintances wherever you can. Don’t limit yourself to online contact – that’s not enough to keep you happy and sociable.

Staying in the loop
Office chit-chat can lead to the exchange of important business information, new ideas and new projects. Some office spaces are even designed to encourage this interaction. You’ll miss out on such conversations by not being there. Try to make time to meet your colleagues and work partners socially, perhaps after work on a Friday.

Getting new work
If you work on a freelance basis or as a contractor, then one of the best ways to pick up new work is to be physically present. You may only need to do this once a month. Visit your clients’ offices, talk to the people who commission you, and be friendly and professional. The next time new projects are assigned, you’ll be remembered.

Maintaining motivation
It can be hard to stay motivated if you’re not in an office full of working people. If you have a work deadline next week it can be tempting to take time off today. But that just increases your workload later. Learn to plan and schedule your work sensibly. And build up your willpower – it will help you succeed.

Meeting clients at the office isn’t an option
When you don’t have an office, you’ll need to utilise other spaces to catch up with clients. Some cafés will have relatively quiet areas for you to meet with clients – but bear in mind that you won’t always have complete privacy!

Finding the right balance
Office workers have clearly defined working days. They start when they arrive in the office and stop when they leave. If you don’t have an office then it can be hard to know when to switch off. Be disciplined about this. You’ll work better and more creatively if you find a good work-life balance.

For more details Visit here: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-12-11-make-a-mobile-office-work-for-your-business

Are you being data smart with your smartphone?

A few weeks ago, the new shiny iPhone XS entered the market. For all the Apple lovers out there, this might mean being the first to wrap your hands around the irresistibly smooth all-glass design, or finally upgrading your old glitchy iPhone 6 to the new model.

If this is you, I’m guessing you’re focused on the opportunity to start afresh, buy a new case, clear all those apps cluttering your current device, and start playing with its new features. Right?

But have you considered the security aspects?

According to online security software vendor, Norton, the scary reality is that 978 million people in 20 countries were affected by cybercrime in 2017. In New Zealand and Australia, one in four small businesses experienced a cyber attack or hacking attempt.

“It’s an unfortunate fact that the impact of cybercrime is a reality for all businesses,” Xero Head of Security, Paul Macpherson, said at our recent conference, Xerocon Brisbane. “We continually remind all of our customers – small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers – to take precautions to keep their data safe from hackers.”

Sure, you’ll be eager to try the cool Face ID feature and of course you wouldn’t dream of breaking your shiny new phone. But are you mindful of how you’ll keep its contents safe too?

Obtaining a new phone is the perfect opportunity to get everything set up correctly right from the start. And if you don’t plan to upgrade your mobile phone, there’s no time like the present to make changes.

Are you too relaxed with your data security?

While many of us are looking for convenience of easy-to-find or easy-to-remember passwords, in reality you’re making yourself vulnerable to digital identity theft.

Xero Head of Industry, Matthew Prouse, says “the biggest mistake people make is keep highly confidential information in their phone, such as in ‘Notes’ or disguised as a contact. You’re walking around with a pocket of very sensitive data.”

Prouse recommends that you do not –

• Add passwords and pin codes to the ‘Notes’ app
• Try to disguise passwords, bank account numbers or your tax file number as phone contacts
• Choose obvious passwords (such as your date of birth or cat’s name) that even your kids can work out
• Replicate the same codes everywhere (such as your bank account pin)
• Allow your computer or phone to automatically save passwords
• Hand over old mobile phones to your kids without clearing all sensitive data first

Think about the worst case scenario: your phone gets stolen. For many of us, this doesn’t just mean losing a device. It also means losing passwords. And your digital identity.

Every day, there are reports of email accounts being hacked, phishing emails being sent with the aim of collecting credit card details and bank account numbers, and credentials stolen from one website and then used against other sites to see if username and passwords have been replicated.

Macpherson says over 80% of breaches occur via stolen or weak passwords, with email as the primary method of attack. So it’s highly important to keep sensitive employee and customer data safe via modern security practices, especially while running a sustainable and trusted modern business.

How can I improve my mobile phone security?

Now is the time to brush up on your security awareness.

Prouse recommends utilising apps such as LastPass and Google Authenticator for encryption and a second layer of

security for important business and personal websites. However, you can’t just download them and consider yourself completely covered.

“As a business owner, your smartphone itself needs to be safe and secure too,” says Prouse. “Make sure there is a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, and good password security.”

And when it comes to passwords, Prouse suggests thinking outside the box.

“You might like to check out Stay Smart Online for some good tips and policies around passwords. Don’t just use your date of birth, postcode, or banking pin numbers. Pick random numbers; the authorisation apps will remember them for you.”

It’s also key to remember that if you have an existing authenticator app setup on your old phone, you need to set it up on your new device before disposing of your old one.

Keeping it secure with Xero

At Xero, we know the importance of keeping your private information, well, private.

Since March 2018, we’ve been rolling out a two-step authorisation process (2SA) in response to the ATO’s new security framework. So in addition to your standard Xero username and password, you also have to enter a six-digit code provided by an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator.

All accountants, bookkeepers, subscribers and payroll administrators on Xero already have 2SA turned on. Everyone else accessing an Australian organisation will need to turn it on by the end of November 2018. Anyone who doesn’t won’t be able to log into their Xero account.

But don’t worry – you’ll be guided through the process.

“For Xero, security is a team effort,” says Prouse. “It’s about people understanding security, but we can only do so much. People who work for and in businesses need to respect the information and keep their digital identity as safe as possible.”

So if you’re getting your hands on the new iPhone XS, take some time to set up the security as a priority. Because, admit it, downloading Instagram was otherwise first on your list.

For more details visit here: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-11-are-you-being-data-smart-with-your-smartphone

4 Email Personalization Tactics That Are Sure to Get Clicks

Email is a notoriously fickle channel. Something as simple as tweaking the subject line can be the difference between an 8 percent or an 80 percent open rate.

Email is a notoriously fickle channel. Something as simple as tweaking the subject line can be the difference between an 8 percent or an 80 percent open rate.

Companies that get it right earn an average of $38 per dollar spent, the most of any marketing channel. But for every success story, there are half a dozen marketers wondering why their campaigns fell flat.

Although email campaigns fail for all sorts of reasons, most boil down to a single sin: irrelevance. In the attention economy, one-size-fits-all messaging simply doesn’t work. According to a studyconducted by personalization provider Monetate last year, four out of five marketers who met their revenue goals had a documented personalization strategy; just 8 percent of those who missed their revenue targets had one.

Make Them Feel Heard

With email volumes rising by double digits each year, however, crafting effective campaigns is no longer as simple as slapping on a personalized greeting. Consumers want brands to make them feel individually appreciated and understood.

How can you do that for thousands of email subscribers? Try the following tactics:

1. Ask their opinion.

What better way to get personal with recipients than to give them a voice? After its subscribers tuned out one sales email after another, Ticketmaster tried something new. Three days prior to the Video Music Awards, it sent out a live poll asking readers to vote for winners in each of the event’s main categories. The results were unlike anything Ticketmaster had ever seen: an open rate 182 percent above its average, a 0 percent unsubscribe rate, and 80 percent of readers returning to the email to cast a second vote.

Although tools like SurveyMonkey let marketers create their own polls, these methods require readers to click through to a third-party website to cast their vote, reducing engagement. Email customization services like Mixmax enable brands to embed polls and call-to-action buttons, including multiple-choice questions and Q&A surveys, within the body of their emails. This makes it easier for recipients to respond and also helps start a relationship with prospects. Personalized matchmaking service Three Day Rule discovered that sequences including in-body calls to action freed up staff time, allowing their matchmakers to work with 50 percent more clients.

2. Tell them a story about themselves. 

Brands are all too happy to tell customers their story, but they tend to leave out the most important character: the customer himself. Consider how EasyJet wrapped its “How 20 Years Have Flown Campaign,” sent for the brand’s 20th anniversary, around the customer’s own experience. The storyboard email includes each customer’s first EasyJet flight, total distance traveled, number of countries visited, frequency of window seating, a trip suggestion, and more. According to EasyJet, the campaign’s open rate was twice that of its typical newsletters.

Customer data is key for this type of campaign. Begin by augmenting your CRM with a customer data platform, which is a marketer-managed system that unifies customer data across multiple sources. Unlike most CRMs, CDPs update profiles in real time, ingest all kinds of data, and offer cross-company access.

3. Recognize their loyalty. 

“Happy birthday” emails are fun, but they’re a dime a dozen. Take event emails a step further by rewarding longtime readers for their loyalty. To celebrate one user’s two-year subscription anniversary, news service TheSkimm asked her if she’d like to become a brand ambassador. To receive the title, she had to share a link with 10 friends — an easy, brand-building task that gave her the sense she’d earned it.

Not only do anniversary emails work for all subscribers, but they also work for all brands. Recipients don’t have to input any additional data, and companies can adjust the timeline according to their product cycle. All this tactic takes is creative copy and planning around the award.

4. Warn them about the weather.

When it comes down to it, the weather is just about the only report that’s relevant to everyone. Fortunately, it’s also relevant for plenty of companies. Poncho, the now-defunct weather cat, built an entire business model on customized weather emails.

Although daily weather updates wouldn’t make sense from most brands, companies ranging from REI to John Deere can deliver personalized value by warning subscribers when severe weather might threaten their outdoor adventures or harvests. Best of all, marketers can use Zapier to integrate weather and email marketing tools without writing a single line of code.

Dozens of factors influence an email campaign’s effectiveness, but most trace back to a single question: Do they make the reader feel valued? From the subject line to the greeting, effective campaigns are built around that principle. Those that don’t won’t convert — assuming they’re even opened — and no amount of clever copy or mobile optimization can change that.

Source URL: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-11-4-email-personalization-tactics-that-are-sure-to-get-clicks

$20,000 instant asset write-off extended

The $20,000 instant asset write-off threshold has been extended to 30 June 2019. This means you can continue to claim the cost of new or second-hand assets that are less than the threshold of $20,000.

What does it mean for your business?

Your business must have a turnover of less than $10 million to take advantage of $20,000 instant asset write-off.

Using simplified depreciation rules, you can:

• instantly claim the business portion of most depreciating assets that cost less than $20,000 in your tax return for the relevant income year
• only claim a deduction for the portion of the asset used for business or other taxable purposes and not for the portion for private use.

Assets of more than $20,000 can be put into a small business asset pool where you can claim gradual amounts each year.

What are depreciating assets?

A depreciating asset declines in value over time, such as:

• computers
• electrical tools
• furniture
• curtains
• carpets
• cars.

For more details visit here: http://www.vedamani.com/u/2018-11-20-000-instant-asset-write-off-extended

Bookkeeping and accounting firms in Canada

Proper Bookkeeping and Accounting is vital part of any running business. Whether you hire an professional accountant or capable of doing it by yourself fact of matter is cleaning bookkeeping is required for better records. Better financial records can help is so many ways to a running business.

Hiring an accountant for Business accounting in Canada during your startup phase may be advantageous because from day one you will have better control on records.  Now let’s discuss few benefits of well track record.

Bookkeeping services in Canada helps business owner in following ways.

• Track your business position by comparing past and present details.
• Plan and forecast future financial position
• Financial planning services introduces new technology to manage records
• Satisfy reporting obligations, notably to the Canada Revenue Agency
• Save time and energy in case of business get audited.
• As per law one should keep financial records for six years so these well documented records will not become burden as years get passed.
• You can also discover how uses of technology and professional help in growth of business.
• You will always stay on top of information about your business.

There are many more benefits so now to avoid any misconduct of law get a professional help for  Business Accounting Canada.