Monthly Archives: October 2017

Disaster Recovery Services Help Companies Stay in Business

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Most companies have a plan for addressing unexpected issues, but many lack a plan for surviving a climactic event such as an earthquake or pandemic. Although most companies never experience such an event, those that do can go out of business unless they have a business recovery plan in place-a plan that is tailored to their   unique  needs by a provider of disaster recovery services.

The Reality of Data Loss

Since the beginning of organized commerce, companies have used important information to help them make sales. In the past, this information was held as common knowledge or stored in physical filing systems. Today, it is stored mainly in computers-devices that simplify data storage, but can be more susceptible to destruction than physical files. For example, research shows that most disk drives malfunction when they are dropped from a height of three feet, and tape cartridges do not fair much better.

The solution, of course, is not to revert to storing data in physical filing systems, but to store it offsite on the servers of a disaster recovery service. How important is storing data offsite? Consider the following statistic: After experiencing a major data loss, seventy percent of small companies close their doors within a year. The same thing can happen to large companies when a major event destroys onsite data and a recovery plan is not in place.

Choosing a Provider

The first step in choosing a provider of disaster recovery services is to realize that a business recovery plan consists of more than offsite data storage. Many companies offer cloud-based storage, but few companies combine cloud-based storage with a full range of recovery options. With this in mind, companies should concentrate on evaluating providers that offer the following options as a part of the recovery plan:

  • Hardware on demand– When an event destroys a company’s hardware, having data stored offsite is just one part of the solution. The company also needs hardware on which to recover the data, and use until a permanent solution is reached.

  • Recovery testing– Given the serious nature of data loss, a company must test the recovery plan before it goes into effect. The test should be conducted using the hardware the company would use if the plan were carried out.

  • Center-based solutions– Some companies require conditioned floor space to test and/or carry out the recovery plan. The provider should accommodate this requirement.

  • Basic and advanced options– Because different companies have different needs, the provider should offer basic and advanced options that meet the needs of every customer.

These options provide companies with a complete recovery plan, one that is testable, supportable with hardware on demand, and anticipates the needs of the recovery environment.

Conclusion

A business recovery plan from a provider of disaster recovery services helps companies remain solvent in the wake of events such as earthquakes or pandemics. If your company is not protected against such events, identifying service providers based on the information above is a good place to start.

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Begin With Your Brilliance

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“We all have the extraordinary coded within us waiting to be released.” ~ Dr. Jean Houston

Top of the year reflection, visioning and goal-setting can sometimes feel complicated and overwhelming. The ideas and options are endless and it can really slow you down or stop you completely. Yet, we know some type of forethought and plan is best for success. I am a fan of doing whatever works for you. If you thrive on resolutions, do them, if you like traditional goal-setting – go for it. If you prefer to think out a few years and create an ideal vision, and then back into it, that’s a good one also. To me it just has to work for you. That said, I have found there is something that is key no matter which way you decide to go.

Begin with your brilliance.

Tapping your brilliance means you need to take the time to determine what your most   unique  and powerful skill, talent or gift is–in what area you completely shine, and then really leverage it in as many areas of your life as you can.

Whether or not you know it, you have a gift as  unique  as your fingerprint, that nobody has quite like you. It is the thing that comes most effortlessly for you, and yet has the most impact on others at the same time.

It could be the way you connect people to each other, the way you inspire others one on one or as a speaker, your way with children, your humor in difficult situations or the finesse you have as a leader who people naturally follow and trust. Your brilliance could be your keen intuition or strong ability to solve complex problems. This special gift of yours is usually consistently recognized by friends, family, clients and colleagues alike….so if you are not sure, just ask them. Ask what it is about you that impacts people the most. What is it that they know they can “gain” from you when they need it?

Another way to confirm your signature brilliance or strengths is to use assessments such as Myers Briggs, DiSc or even the StrengthsFinder 2.0 which directly covers this question. Asking others and taking assessments usually is great for honing in on your core brilliance or confirming it. And for many of you, it may only be a confirmation. I say this because deep down, you may really already know what it is.

Regardless of how you come by it, once you figure out what your brilliance is, you are working with your best success-asset.

When you leverage your  unique  gift and fully plug it into your career and life, you are going to be happier, more passionate, more on purpose than you ever were, and it will make it so much easier to reach your dreams.

You will attract people, resources, and opportunities to you to move you forward, and even stuck areas will unhinge and start to shift. This ripple effect is a wonderful part of the process. Working with your core strengths in your career or business, will positively impact your personal life also. Or if you start engaging them more in a personal area, it will then flow to your professional life. For example, when you have a strong personal life, your career can soar. Likewise, when you have career success, you are more energized and positive, and this spills into your relationships.

Focus more on leveraging the positive versus changing what is wrong. Fixing something for the better is always good, but focusing too much on the negative is never a good thing. There is research that shows that it is hard for your brain to have insights when it is focused on the negative. Your insights are such an important part of leveraging your strengths and realizing your dreams. As you more fully move into this year, I would like to suggest you try on these three questions:

  1. Where can you engage and express your brilliance more, personally or professionally? (these will be things that are fun, energizing and impactful)
  2. What are you ready to let go of that has nothing to do with your brilliance? (this is the thing that feels like an obligation or a drain)
  3. Is there something you can do this year, that will be a bold move – that allows you to fully step into your brilliance? (this will be the project that makes you a little queasy to think about, but excited, knowing that it is an ultimate expression of who you are) Even if it is scary, you can name it, and just begin with a small step. Even that will feel great!

See which one of these three questions speaks to you the most, and just start there. And again, as easy as it sounds, it will sometimes feel like a risk. Here are a few thoughts to help support you as you tap your brilliance:

* If it is hard to come by at first, do things to slow down and be more in touch with yourself, and keep trying. Just like the rusty pipe first flows brown water–if you keep it running and it eventually becomes clear.

* Share your plans with your friends or inner circle (fans not naysayers!)

* Use a coach or mentor for a success partner

* Reward yourself for the steps you’ve taken

* Act on the opportunities that will start popping up (more will come!)

So, brilliant you, as Katy Perry would say…”You’re a firework! C’ mon show them what your worth!..” (I opted for a theme song this year instead of resolutions. I know..corny as it is, try cranking this one!)

The world really needs your brilliance now more than ever, so let it shine! It’s just the right thing to do.

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Why the London Riots Created a Greater Business Travel Threat Than a Terrorist Attack

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Introduction to the London riots threat

If you have business travel to London, you need to read this article. In this article you will discover why the London riots created a greater travel threat than a terrorist attack. We will examine the threat posed by the London riots and demonstrations, terrorist attacks and resulting travel delays, disruptions and changes. At the end of this article, you will have a specific understanding of the required business travel management response and awareness as to why this will happen again.

The London riots and demonstrations has resulted in one of the largest business travel disruptions of 2011.

London Riots and Demonstrations

The London riots and demonstrations have come as a complete surprise to many. It is not a unique event and certainly not unique to the UK. The scale, violence, fire and failure of the authorities is often something expected in other countries but the lack of preparedness for destinations like the UK is common and widespread. Therefore, the lack of preparedness and last-minute scramble to respond and the inability to avoid major business travel disruptions are widespread as a result.

Due to the footprint of disruption, many routes and modes of transport have been negatively affected. Simple commute from the airport, trains and ports to planned accommodation options have been altered and continuous review of hazard or threat assessment are required. Furthermore, travel support providers such as taxis, hotels, restaurants, emergency services an other basic amenities have also been affected, to varying degrees.

Travel and risk managers need to immediately identify:

  • Affected areas,
  • Degree of threat,
  • Affected and exposed (inbound and outbound) business travellers,
  • Arrival/departure points,
  • Safe and non-affected areas,
  • Mitigation or eradication options,
  • Cost of implementation,
  • Funds available,
  • Emergency support,
  • Accommodation options,
  • On-going or developing events,
  • Social or non-business activity,
  • Insurance claims and compliance requirements,
  • Cancellation criteria,
  • Resumption of travel criteria,
  • Extended event plans,
  • Travel alternatives (domestic and international)

The London riots have affected multiple support systems related to business and leisure travel. Any leisure travel disruptions will further compound business travel threats such as decreased accommodation options, airport congestion and increased public transport demand. Even simple actions like withdrawing money from an ATM will prove a challenge and compound the hazard/s.

The London riots have had a prolonged affect on UK business travel sector, far greater than the majority of terrorist attacks. Further affects such as planning and preparation for the 2012 Olympics will also contribute to the lingering affects.

A lack of planning and subsequent response capability by businesses could constitute a failure of duty of care, due diligence, corporate social responsibility, workplace health and safety or other related legislation.

Terrorist attacks less of a threat than London riots

With the exception of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, most have limited travel disruption and only affect a narrow band of travellers. Inclusive of the Mumbai terror attack, terrorist attacks typically have clearly defined threat elements (terrorist, bombings, gunfire, etc) whereas the London riots is a constantly changing and unclear threat. Most business travellers will be unprepared for such decision-making demands and lack sufficient experience to make consistent and safe decisions.

Most contemporary business risk management systems focus on location and plausible event threats, then seek to inform or prepare travellers for the best results to mitigate or eliminate the hazards and threats. Therefore, the bulk of business travellers will not be prepared or educated on how to respond in London, with such wide spread disruption and threats. Few will have residual knowledge from information and preparation for such events in other locations, considered more likely to be medium to high risk. Many of the supporting business travel management departments and managers will be equally unprepared and resourced.

A terrorist attack and other similar violent crimes would have a much smaller footprint of disruption, not affected such a wide business travel demographic, not affect business travel support providers so comprehensively or have such a prolonged impact on all exposed.

Routine travel delays, disruptions and changes represent one of the most persistent and probable travel risk management issues.

Travel delay, disruption and changes

Change management and the decision-making involved is one of the most commonly accepted workplace hazard concerns. This is equally relevant to business travel and business travel threats.

The instinctive and guided response of travellers to any delay, disruption or change can significantly affect the outcome of any spontaneous or new hazard as it presents. Particularly when this is the first level of response, before support options and resources can be activated or come into affect.

Travel delays have been triggered due to airport and airline workers unable to get to work, taxi drivers not able to refuel vehicles, hotels and staff overwhelmed, business travellers unprepared and convergence of business and leisure travellers upon all available exit travel nodes.

Access to information, at all levels, the ability to consume and process all the options and explore alternatives is imperative in this and similar travel disruption events. Crisis leadership will succeed more frequently than simple crisis management, to which are dependent upon timely and accurate information from all available resources.

Unfortunately, many will fail to fully understand the gravity of the events, the threats posed and respond or prepare accordingly. While many others exposed will chalk it up to another force majeure or random act that is just part of the rich experience of international travel. Courts, business travellers and peer review increasingly do not share this flippant view.

This scenario and lack of preparedness has been played out numerous times in recent history. Volcanos, volcanic ash affects, Japan’s tsunami, airport closures, airline failure and many others have caught business travellers and managers alike unprepared. This disturbing trend will continue.

Conclusion: London riots threat

You should now see why the London riots have a far greater impact and threat to travellers than you may have originally thought. We have examined the business travel threat posed by the London riots, terrorist attacks and resulting travel delays. You now have a specific plan for this and similar events and the required business travel management and response. This will happen again. Perhaps not in London, perhaps not a city wide demonstration but this kind and scale of business travel disruption event will happen more than once before the end of 2011. Review your plan and make the necessary enhancements now.

Philippine Culture Uniquely Distinct From the Rest of the World

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The Philippine culture defines the unique distinctiveness of Filipinos from the rest of the world. Its richness in culture makes it highly different and more prominent from other countries. The Philippines have diverse cultural heritage, arts, traditions and spoken languages. The country has innumerable museums that take account to the wide historical and cultural evolution of its nation with churches, museums and galleries available throughout the Philippine Islands and are found in the different key cities of its provinces.

Each province has its own cultural folk dances showcasing the elegant styles of Filipino dances and the beauty of its people. They also follow their own unique traditions and have a way of celebrating their cultural practices through fiestas and events. The Filipinos naturally love arts and they can depict certain historical events through paintings, poems, songs and writings.

Historical Influence to the Philippine Culture

The culture of the Philippines is highly influenced by history and the blending of foreign influences and its indigenous civilization. The Philippines has been colonized by Spain for over three centuries. Hispanic influences are dominant in the Philippine’s folk music, foods, art, religion, language and folk dances.

The Malayo-Polynesian has influences to the Philippines during its pre-Hispanic and non-Christian era. It influenced the country’s mythology and indigenous culture along with the Buddhism, Hinduism, Islamic and Christianity traditions.

The United States also has an influence to the Philippine culture signified by the love of the Filipinos to contemporary pop music, film, basketball, music and fast foods. The Chinese and Japanese introduced martial arts, mahjong and other gambling forms. They also influenced the people’s natural preference to Asian cuisines.

The Philippine Cultural Heritage

The culture of the Philippine is diverse. About 90% of the Filipinos are Christians and 5% are Muslims. The rest practice other religions and others do not seem to have any religion at all. Despite the westernization of the country and foreign influences, many of its people remain to believe in superstitions. This cultural belief came from their ancient ancestors.

The country has beautiful traditional folk dances that showcase the elegance, beauty and grace of the Filipinos. They use flaunting Filipino dress and play Filipino music. The dances showcase the Filipino culture.

The Philippines is also a land of artists. Filipino artists are renowned in the world in the fields of music and art. They are highly respectable in these fields and brought honor and glory to their country. The Filipino people are great optimists. They always see light in the midst of darkness and always keep a positive point of view. This makes them endure the various challenges that arise in the economic, political, socio-cultural, religious and other aspects of their way of life.

There are several dialects that Filipinos can speak. They rank high as the country with most dialects spoken. The country has the most traditions to follow which continues to prevail despite its westernization. Most of these traditions are handed down in generations and continue to be practiced by majority of the Filipinos.

The diverse cultures and traditions in the Philippines make the country shine throughout the world. It has solicited fame and uniqueness to the country and its people. There is no wonder that the Filipinos are known for their warm hospitality and innumerable cultural traditions and heritage. The blend of foreign and ancient influences in Philippine culture makes the country uniquely distinct from the rest of the world.

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Business Travel Tips – How to Pack For A Business Trip

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Use these business travel tips pointers to create and plan a stress-free business packing travel plan.

Ladies:

 

  • When you are putting together your clothes for business, experiment with one color instead of all your favorites. This makes it simple for you to combine and present an ideal business persona for your meetings. With a one color-scheme, you will not need to pack multiple pieces of clothing.
  • If you’d like to add a bit of color, you can include a colored shirt or scarf you like (maybe it is your favorite, or it gives you that ‘extra OOMPH’ that you need for self-confidence – or to compliment your look).

 

Tips on packing shoes: As much as shoes are something that some women say they can’t ‘live without,’ pack no more than two or three sets. Make certain you have a set of flats and only one set of high heels in your luggage. If you wear high heels all day and evening long, then during your company trip, when what you want (need) most is to shine, you may be experiencing painful leg and back discomfort.

In addition to sensible shoes, women who travel may want to pack makeup. On a business trip and with makeup – Less is better. Makeup during a business trip really should be minimal so that you present an experienced, knowledgeable and professional look. Foundation, powder, mascara, lip gloss, eye liner, and eye shadow, are a few of the things that you need to consider in packing. Less is more – mascara and lip gloss can go a long way in making a professional looking presentation.

All Travelers:

 

  • Frequent business travelers should make it a habit of packing their bags as soon as they return from a business trip. This way, when they have to travel on short notice, the stress and worry of packing is diminished.
  • Frequent travelers on business really should try to use regional airports instead of major air-ports. Local and small airports are less congested, and then there are fewer security hurdles.
  • When you are on company business, choose the most direct routes instead of the least expensive routes. The least expensive travel arrangements usually make for the longest distance, and this also means you will likely have to use your precious time for traveling and staying in hotels.
  • So, instead of saving money, your cost may actually go up, with the less expensive, less traveled route, Because you’ll make up for the cost with longer flights and maybe even an extra day stay at a hotel – which means more money all the way around (food, cab or car rental,.. ). Consequently, it’s always best to go on a direct flight route to save time and expense, even if you have to fly first class.
  • If you’re able to fly mid-week, you will be happier because you may be able to save money on trip expenses. Traveling on a Monday or Tuesday normally costs more. Take these travel tips into account when you are paying your own personal air flight to help you cut your costs.
  • Also think about the distance from your hotel room to where you are meeting. Have a look on the internet on a map so you see exactly where you’ll be meeting, compared to where you are going to be staying. In case you do not know the local or surrounding area, you might want to stay near a company or civic facility in which your company is holding their business.
  • Business travelers understand how to make the most of the resources offered to travelers specifically on business. Find hotels that focus on the travelling business person. These hotels won’t have amenities for families and neither are they attempting to attract buses of adolescents in route to a camp. When you need to pay attention to business details and not the kids running in the hallway, this will help you find appropriate (and professional) lodging.
  • Packing vital electronic things is likewise one of several business travel tips. In case you are traveling overseas, make certain you are aware of the telecommunications requirements of the country. Make certain you pack a couple of USB memory sticks. You will never know if they may require them.
  • Never pack your laptop inside your luggage. Your laptop may be a pivotal element of your trip. Inside a flight terminal in an unexpected emergency situation, your wireless laptop may be used to adjust reservations so that you can prevent all those long lines for getting your next flight out. You’ll be able to arrange accommodations by automobile or snag just one of the few remaining rooms in hotels in the city straight from the convenience of the seats in the airport terminal.
  • If you plan well, then you can normally just walk to your meeting or hotel, while the people around you are stressed – simply because you knew the way to balance technology plus the need to help yourself out of a situation that could have been a problem.
  • But one way to use your laptop computer to help yourself if there is a situation where the airport terminal is shut all the way down would be the limited electric power of laptop computers. To see your electric battery go lifeless just when you wanted it by far the most is a lot like watching your tire go flat on the freeway because you drove over glass on your way to the meeting.
  • What few people know is that you have open electric-powered outlets in air terminals which are there for cleanup crews. Once you are at the airport – discover exactly where those outlets are. Normally you can find these outlets just underneath the windows that look over the landing strips. If you can secure a seat close to these outlets, it is possible to replenish your laptop computer and maintain your lifeline to everyone you need to.