The Hack Newsletter - Edition 40 | Think Cloud
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đź’Ąđź“ŁEdition 40 of The Hack - AI Innovation: The Future of Work: Adapting Leadership in the Age of AI
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Welcome To Our Monthly Newsletter,
The Future of Work: Adapting Leadership in the Age of AI
As AI becomes an integral part of business operations, leadership roles are evolving in unprecedented ways. To thrive in this new landscape, leaders must adapt by integrating AI-driven strategies while maintaining the human touch that sets successful organisations apart. Here are three essential tips for leaders navigating the AI-driven workplace:
1. Foster a Culture of Continuous
Learning In an AI-driven environment, the pace of change is relentless. To keep up, leaders must champion a culture of continuous learning. Encourage your teams to stay curious, upskill regularly, and embrace new technologies. By investing in ongoing education, you ensure your workforce remains agile and ready to adapt to the latest AI advancements.
2. Prioritise Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
As AI handles more routine tasks, the value of human skills like empathy and communication becomes even more important. Leaders must hone their emotional intelligence to connect with their teams on a deeper level.
By understanding and addressing your employees' concerns, you create a supportive environment fostering creativity and collaboration, which are critical components in an AI-driven world.
3. Lead with Innovation
AI opens up new possibilities for innovation, but it requires a leadership approach that encourages experimentation and creative problem-solving. Empower your team to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and explore AI-driven solutions that can propel your organisation forward. Leading with innovation ensures that your business remains competitive in the rapidly evolving marketplace. In this new era, effective leadership is about balancing the power of AI with the irreplaceable value of human connection. By fostering learning, prioritising EQ, and leading with innovation, leaders can confidently navigate the future of work.
Unlock Your Business Potential with AI
Transform your business by discovering the 5 AI-powered Digital Drivers. Download this free blueprint to fuel growth, boost productivity, and outpace the competition.
Get Your Free Blueprint Now!
IT IS TIME...
Here’s a story about a business owner named Alex. Alex runs a successful marketing agency, and business has been booming. But with growth comes growing pains, and Alex has become increasingly bogged down by IT issues.
At first, Alex tried to handle everything himself. After all, he was good with computers. It seemed to work for a while. Alex fixed minor issues and kept things running.
But then, one Monday morning, disaster struck. Malicious software had infected the company’s main server, devastating their operations. Alex spent days trying to fix the issue, losing valuable time and money in the process. It was a wake-up call: Doing it himself wasn’t a sustainable solution.
Determined to avoid another disaster, Alex decided to train his top employee, Sarah, to handle IT alongside her regular duties. Sarah was smart and quick to learn, but the additional responsibilities quickly became overwhelming. She found herself stretched too thin, and her productivity in her main role started to suffer. Not to mention, the fast-paced tech world was challenging to keep up with, and soon, Sarah felt like she was drowning in a sea of updates and security threats.
Realising this wasn’t working, Alex considered hiring an in-house IT team. But the costs were daunting. Recruiting skilled professionals, providing ongoing training, and equipping them with the right tools would require a significant investment. For a mid-sized business, this was a heavy financial burden.
That’s when Alex discovered the benefits of outsourcing IT. He found a reputable IT service provider with a team of experts ready to step in.
Here’s what Alex found:
1. Expertise on tap: The outsourced IT team brought knowledge and experience. They were always up to date with the latest technologies and security threats, making sure the agency’s systems were secure and efficient.
2. Cost savings: Instead of paying salaries and benefits for a full-time team, Alex paid a monthly fee based on the services he needed. This was a much more affordable solution.
3. Focus on core business: With IT taken care of, Alex and Sarah could focus on what they did best – growing their business. Productivity soared, and so did their client satisfaction.
4. Scalability: As the agency continued to grow, the outsourced IT team easily scaled their services to meet the increasing demands. No need for Alex to worry about hiring more staff or buying new equipment.
By outsourcing IT, Alex not only solved his immediate problems but also set the stage for sustainable growth. The agency was now protected from cyber threats and was running smoothly, all without the hefty price tag of an in-house team. Alex’s story is a great example of why outsourcing IT is a smart move. It frees up time and resources, allowing you to focus on what you do best, while experts handle the complexities of IT.
THE HACK PODCAST
Unlocking Leadership Potential with the 5 Voices:
Insights from Lydia Jourdain of GiANT London
In today's fast-paced business world, understanding and leveraging your leadership strengths is essential for personal and team success. This week on the Think Cloud's Hack Podcast, Leon, Dean, and Paul are joined by Lydia Jourdain, a Partner at GiANT London, to explore how the innovative GiANT OS platform and its unique Five Voices tool revolutionise leadership across industries.
NEW TO MICROSOFT 365
Excel on the web has a revamped look
Microsoft is giving Excel on the web a facelift. It has new features that make it faster to add and resize rows and columns, rearrange elements with drag and drop, to highlight critical information, and improve readability.
The Excel app for Windows and Mac has also got new features, such as checkboxes and support for OpenDocument format.
NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE
Use Forms for automatic data entry
Instead of manually entering survey responses in a spreadsheet, use Forms. Create your survey in Forms and send responses instantly to a spreadsheet in Sheets. The spreadsheet is linked to your survey, so new responses appear in real time.
TECH FACTS
In 2002, Welsh website llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.co.uk won the title for the longest website URL in the world. It lost the title in 2006, when 6 other people registered longer URLs, but in 2007, the Welsh URL was upgraded from 63 to 68 characters and regained its title.
The first computer password is believed to have been created in the 1960s, by Fernando CorbatĂł, who worked on the Compatible Time- Sharing System (CTSS) at MIT. He created it so that several people could share the computer he built.
The microwave oven was an accidental invention. A researcher, Percy Spencer, discovered that every time he walked past a cavity magnetron tube the chocolate bar in his pocket melted.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Transparency within your organisation is the difference between having a business that’s simply running and having one that’s moving in one direction.”
Michael Riedijk
CEO of PageFreezer Software
Cyber Extortion has increased by 96%
Cyber extortion is when cyber criminals threaten to damage, steal, or expose a business’s digital data unless a ransom is paid.
And the number of victims has grown 77% year on year.
In the UK, attacks have risen by 96%, and businesses of any size are targeted.
To stay better protected, the usual advice applies: Make sure all software is up to date, back up your data, and implement multi-factor authentication (where you get a code on another device to prove it’s you).
Tech Update
Average ransomware demands are soaring
Cybercriminals are getting confident. And they’re asking for obscene ransoms to give you back your data after a ransomware attack (that’s where they lock or encrypt your computer files and demand payment to unlock or decrypt them).
The average demand in the first half of this year? More than $5 MILLION (around £3.85 million). It’s time to get the right security measures in place.
FUN TECH QUIZ
Let’s go back to school with September’s fun tech quiz!
What language is used most on the internet worldwide?
How many apps are in the Apple App Store?
What’s the official name for the “prove you’re not a robot” test?
What does URL stand for?
What was the first emoticon ever used?
Answers at the bottom of the page!
Thanks to your valuable feedback
Our team has been diligently working this quarter, and we are thrilled to share some uplifting news with you. Thanks to your valuable feedback, Think Cloud has been able to make a meaningful impact through our charitable initiative.
For every positive feedback we receive, we contribute ÂŁ1 to a charity chosen by you. This quarter, we are proud to announce a donation of ÂŁ336 to the Batten Disease Family Association. Your support not only helps us grow but also makes a difference in the lives of many. Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Secure Your Success with a Cyber Risk Assessment
In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than a technical requirement; it's a strategic asset for business success. That's why we're introducing our Cyber Risk Assessment service, designed to enhance your cybersecurity posture while mitigating risks before they escalate.
Guaranteeing Peace of Mind
We understand the importance of trust in business decisions, especially when it comes to cybersecurity investments. To ensure you can make this critical decision with confidence, we offer our Cyber Risk Assessment with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, you face zero risk.
PROMPT TUTORIAL: Accountant Prompt
AI Accountant Prompt
I want you to act as an accountant and devise creative ways to manage finances. You'll need to consider budgeting, investment strategies and risk management when creating a financial plan for your client. In some cases, you may also need to advise on taxation laws and regulations to help them maximise their profits. My first suggestion is “Create a financial plan for a small business that focuses on cost savings and long-term investments".
Cyber Security Is A Team Effort
There are loads of important things you need to think about for your business. Loads. But we’re adding another one to your list: Cyber security awareness.
You’d be forgiven for thinking this is an IT problem; something for them to sort out. Sorry to say, but you’re wrong. Everyone in your company needs to be on top of it, from the big boss to the latest hire.
You see, cyber threats are always changing and getting more sophisticated. A one-time training session just won’t cut it. You need to keep everyone in the loop with regular updates. Think of it like this – in the same way you need regular check-ups to stay healthy, your team needs regular cyber security training to keep your business safe.
What does this training look like? There are a couple of ways to do it. First, there’s the good old traditional method – you know, lectures and presentations. One way training. These are great for laying down the basics and introducing new concepts. But let’s be honest, they can be a bit... boring.
That’s why it’s a great idea to mix in some interactive training too. Imagine phishing simulations where your team learns to spot fake emails before clicking on them. Or hands-on workshops where they can use the security tools and protocols they’ve heard about. These methods are more engaging and help the info stick better.
Combining these traditional and interactive methods is where the magic happens. Start with solid grounding through presentations, and then get everyone involved with practical exercises.
This way, the knowledge isn’t just in one ear and out the other – it’s learned, remembered, and applied.
Let’s talk about frequency. Since cyber threats are constantly evolving, training shouldn’t be a once-a-year thing. Regular sessions throughout the year will keep your team sharp and ready to handle anything that comes their way.
Creating a robust cyber security culture in your company is critical. This means making cyber security everyone’s responsibility.
Encourage a culture where if someone spots something fishy, they speak up right away. Communication is super important here.
And remember, this starts at the top. If the leaders in your company are taking cyber security seriously, everyone else will too. So, make sure the big shots are not only participating in the training but also showing how important it is. Lead by example, right?
Cyber security is something that affects the whole business. Every email, link, and password matters. By making sure everyone is trained and aware, you’re building a strong first line of defence against cyber threats.
BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH
Flexispot Electric Standing Desk
We all know that sitting down all day is not good for us, but it's unavoidable when you have an office job. Or is it?
The Flexispot Electric Standing Desk lets you stand while you work, making it easier to
move around and boosting your posture.
It has a silent motor, is quick to assemble, and has a digital keypad that allows
you to add height presets (including a sitting position, of course).
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
QUESTION
Should I let my employees use company apps on their personal phones?
ANSWER
Ideally not, because you have less control over the security of personal devices. If they need to work on a phone, better to provide a company-issued one.
QUESTION
Should I ban my team from working in coffee shops because of public Wi-Fi dangers?
ANSWER
You don’t have to. Just make sure they’re aware of the risks of using public Wi-Fi and that they’re vigilant when connecting to new networks.
QUESTION
Should we delete phishing emails, or should they be reported?
ANSWER
Any spam or phishing emails should be flagged as such because it teaches your email provider what spam looks like. You can also forward it to The National Cyber Security Centre
Take a look at our latest blog posts
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AI's Icebox Moment: Like Coca-Cola, Innovate and Protect Your Recipe
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Reaching End Of Life, Windows 10 Says Goodbye.
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The Power of 5 Voices: With Lydia Jourdain of GiANT London
Answers To Fun Tech Quiz
English
Almost 2 million
CAPTCHA. It’s an acronym for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart
Uniform Resource Locator
In 1982 by computer scientist Scott Fahlman. Emoticons are made up of keyboard characters, whereas emojis are little images
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