How 5G Technology Is Changing the World

Posted on October 27, 2020 by admin

5G technology is being called “the investment for the next decade” and the “key growth driver of all “tech” stocks in 2020”.

Every industry relies more and more on innovative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and machine learning, the stock market continues to be dominated by tech stocks that are effectively disrupting life as we know it.

The fact is, over the last two decades, technology has become such an integral part of our lives from the moment we are woken by our intelligent tablets to when our smart homes turn off the lights in the evening.

This continual shift towards faster speeds and greater interconnectivity offers investors an entirely new sector to capitalize on. Indeed, we are referring to 5G or fifth-generation technology, and there are a handful of small-cap tech stocks that could offer major upside.

5G is much more than the next generation of wireless technology–it is expected to be a game changing wireless network technology. 5G stands for fifth-generation cellular wireless.

Essentially, 5G network technology is projected to have greater bandwidth capacity, significantly faster mobile data speeds (around 1Gbps according to Qualcomm’s CEO) and lower latency. It is expected to usher in intelligence cities and to allow vehicle-to-vehicle communications which is critical to self-driving cars.

One speaker at CES 2020 described 5G as an use case technology; that it will enhance everything we do, and improve how we live, work and play. 5G is expected to deliver faster download speeds, real-time responses, and enhanced connectivity permitting improved mobile streaming and and gaming experiences. Basically, 5G will herald in new possibilities like smart cities and self-driving cars.

Harvard Business Review reports that 5G is positioned to be…

Nicki Palmer, the head of technology and product development at Verizon, observed that 5G will usher in speeds 100X faster and bandwidth 1,000X greater than 4G networks. Industries that 5G is set to completely transform are:

The $1.8 trillion energy industry: 5G will help unleash a wave of “smart grids,” electrical networks designed to handle the advanced technical requirements of the 21st century. This could save our economy $36 billion a year.
The $5 trillion agriculture industry: 5G will usher in a massive upgrade to our nation’s farms. Autonomous tractors will sow seeds, sensor-equipped drones will monitor the crops, and cows will wear 5G-connected collars that tell farmers everything from what they’re eating to how they’re sleeping.
The $7 trillion healthcare industry: The healthcare system deals with a projected 2.3 quadrillion gigabytes of data, from patient information to high-resolution MRI images. 5G-enabled systems will be able to process this data efficiently, with practically no lag.
The $22 trillion retail industry: Mobile shopping is already massive. More than 100 million Americans made a purchase on their smartphone in 2018. Just imagine how many more purchases they’d make if their internet connection were 100 times faster. The profit potential is HUGE.
The $35 trillion manufacturing industry: The remarkable power of 5G networks will encourage the adoption of augmented reality (AR) in factory settings. This is PROVEN to boost productivity by up to 50%.

As you can see, the economic impact of 5G could exceed $70 trillion. In other words, 5G is TRULY – as The Washington Post puts it – “the mother of invention.”

5G networks using millimeter wave spectrum.

Testing has shown that millimeter waves enable lightening-quick over-the-air transmissions. But, for all their speed, millimeter waves have really poor propagation techniques — i.e. 5G millimeter waves can’t penetrate buildings exterior shell.

References:

Owning a Successful Business Is the Single Best Way to Accumulate Wealth

Posted on October 25, 2020 by admin

Successful investing for the long term and accumulating wealth are about owning a portion of a successful business. It is the single best way to accumulate wealth.

It is extremely difficult for individuals to accumulate wealth by earning income and slugging their way through a 9 to 5 job. It’s very hard to get truly wealthy by renting out your time. Bottomline…you can only work so many hours.

Even high earners like corporate executives, doctors and lawyers don’t typically earn millions of dollars a year. Instead, the path to amassing vast fortunes is paved by owning assets like stocks of a successful business and allowing the assets to to appreciate in value and work for you.

The single greatest wealth-building secret on the planet and the path to amassing vast fortunes is paved by owning a successful business through investing for the long term in stocks. Controlling vast sums of stock market wealth is a common thread among the world’s wealthy.

That doesn’t mean you have to create and build the next Tesla, Amazon or Walmart. You can “piggyback” on billionaire CEOs like Bezos by buying shares of their companies on the stock market. This is the playbook many wealthy folks follow.

Recent data from investment bank Goldman Sachs shows the wealthiest 1% of US households own more than half the stocks in America. At the end of 2019, they controlled $21 trillion in stock market wealth.

Over long term, ownership of companies through stocks have outperformed bonds and most other asset classes. This makes sense when you think about it. Stocks are riskier than bonds, so you expect to earn a higher return on capital.

When you save for the future by paying yourself first and invest for the long term your capital in a successful business, you accumulate assets that earn money while you sleep. For example, by owning Amazon shares, every time the stock soars, your net worth increases.

When Amazon crushes earnings, you win, too. Think of it as a second income that often brings in more than your main job.

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/08/19/why-owning-stocks-is-the-single-best-way-to-get-rich/#6ede923248ec

Healthy Aging and Lifestyle: Happiness and Gratitude

Posted on October 24, 2020 by admin

Gratitude is the expression of appreciation for what one has.

Attitude of Gratitude and why gratitude sprouts happiness

“The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side” refers individuals who are not satisfied with their own lot in life and always assumes that there are better things in other places. This view appears to be a common human quality of always wanting something different than what you have. It assumes that your neighbor’s yard ( or circumstance) is greener (or more desirable) than yours, when, in reality, they are the same or your neighbor is actually coveting what you have.

“The grass is greener” expresses the idea that people often think a different set of circumstances would bring them greater happiness and joy in life; however, the phrase is often used in the context of reminding people that this is not usually the case. A more apt phrase is “the grass is greener where you water it., ” suggesting that good situations come from the energy you put into them, not from dreaming about them.

Developing an attitude of gratitude means that over time, gratitude can boost happiness and fosters both mental and psychological health, even among those already struggling with mental and physical health problems.

According to Psychology Today, “Gratitude is about feeling and expressing appreciation: for all we’ve received, all that we have (however little it may be), and for all that has not befallen us.” Studies show that practicing gratitude curbs the use of words expressing negative emotions and shifts inner attention away from such negative emotions as resentment and envy, minimizing the possibility of ruminating, which is a hallmark of depression.

Gratitude is a key tenet in all major philosophies and religions. That’s because gratitude is the foundation of happiness. We only have a limited amount of focus, so when you are able to be appreciative of what you have, your brain is unable to give life and energy to thoughts about what you don’t have. Seeing events in your life as gifts allow you to perceive how they may help you grow and become a better person, and the application of this attitude during tough times is the hallmark of resilience.

“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking every day. Cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.”

“Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude—and there are important social and personal benefits to doing so. It is possible to feel grateful for loved ones, colleagues, animals, nature, and life in general. The emotion generates a climate of positivity that both reaches inward and extends outward.” Norman Vincent Peale

Happiness is arguably one of the most important goals in life.

“Happiness has to do with your mindset, not with outside circumstance.” Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

“Happiness is best described as coming from between — that is if you get the right kind of relationship between yourself and other people, yourself and your work, and yourself and something larger than yourself… if you get those three relationships right … it will draw you out into the world, it will engage your passions, it will give you the kind of support that you need and want and it’ll give you a sense of meaning and purpose in life,” according to happiness expert Jonathan Haidt, the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, based in the Business and Society Program at New York University.

“Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.” Benjamin Franklin

What makes a person feel happy and grateful depends on the person and the degree to which we are inclined to experience and express gratitude. It can be something as simple as a call from a friend or a pleasant evening dinner with family. Engaging in a more specific act and how we think about an act, such as volunteering your time and talent to help others, can make people feel good about themselves.

“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Tips to Foster Gratitude

Keep a journal of or in some way note big and little joys of daily life.
Write down daily “three good things”—identify three things that have gone well for you and identify the cause.
Write thank-you notes to others.
Think about people who have inspired you and what about them was most significant.
Engage in “mental subtraction.” Imagine what your life would be like if some positive event had not occurred.

“Gratitude is the appreciation of things that are not deserved, earned or demanded – those wonderful things that we take for granted.” – Renée Paule

Learning to be thankful and regularly expressing gratitude is an important part of personal happiness. Being thankful gives us an appreciation for what we have.

Wear a Mask in Public

Posted on October 23, 2020 by admin

Wear a mask when you go out in public.

CDC Director Robert Redfield said “face masks are the most important, powerful public health tool” to protect people from coronavirus infection and community spread.

Long Term Thinking and Planning

Posted on October 22, 2020 by admin

Long-term thinking and planning are core values

In the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey explains in the book’s second habit that it’s important to “Begin with the End in Mind”. This habit is all about knowing your purpose and what you’re trying to achieve. Beginning with the end in mind is all about asking yourself questions to determine your long term objectives and the reasons behind wanting to achieve them.

Habit 2 is based on imagination–the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes, according to FranklinCovey. It is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default.

“Are you–right now–who you want to be, what you dreamed you’d be, doing what you always wanted to do?” FranklinCovey

According to Covey, before you can live a purposeful, meaningful life, you’ve got to have a vision of what that life looks like. When you know how you want people to talk about and remember you at the end of our life, you can start taking action now to make that scenario a reality later. With the ‘End in Mind’, you’ll know what you need to do day to day and week to week to get there.

‘Begin with the End in Mind’ means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen.

It’s never too late to change course.

“People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope with all of their might.” Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Personal journeys are all about defining your direction and moving towards it with consistency, perseverance and persistence. It’s important to remember that you are in control of developing your personal journeys to wealth, health and emotional well-being.

It’s imperative to understand that if you don’t have an end goal in mind, how will you know where are you going. How can you possibly know whether you’ve succeeded, failed or reached a place somewhere in between, if you don’t know your destination. Knowing your end goal can give you the continued motivation you need to achieve success.

Yet, the end product (goal) isn’t as important as the process. As Covey explains, “writing a mission statement changes you because it forces you to think through your priorities deeply, carefully, and to align your behavior with your beliefs.”

Additionally, it’s important to ‘focus on the process’. Remember, the important thing is that you’re intentionally thinking about what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning on a daily basis and how to get there.

References:

COVID-19 is Spreading in U.S. with Pandemic Fatigue, Cooler Weather, Eased Restrictions

Posted on October 21, 2020 by admin

Coronavirus cases are surging again across the U.S.

New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to increase in the U.S., which could be an indication of a ‘fall surge’ of respiratory virus infections predicted by public-health officials.

For multiple times since October began, newly reported cases nationally ticked above 50,000, fueled by infectious outbreaks in several regions of the country.

The seven-day moving average of new U.S. infections, which smooths out day-to-day fluctuations, was above 50K, the highest since mid-August. The 14-day average stood at 47K. When the seven-day average is higher than the 14-day average, as it has been since early October , it suggests cases are rising.

While circumstances differ locally, many regions across the U.S. have a seven-day average of new cases greater than their 14-day average, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins figures.

Hospitalizations also have increased across the U.S. in recent weeks, though deaths haven’t surged at a similar pace. Deaths often lag behind new cases and hospitalizations, given the duration of the disease. The seven-day average of daily deaths attributed to Covid-19 has been hovering around 700 for about three weeks, down from around 1,000 two months ago.

Thanks to improved detection, most people infected in the summer had mild or no symptoms. But as cases soar, hospitalizations and deaths are also expected to rise.

U.S. has more fatalities than any other country in the world

The U.S. has more fatalities than any other country in the world—more than 217,600 since the pandemic began. But it doesn’t have the highest percentage of cases that are fatal. About 2.7% of reported cases in the U.S. have been fatal, according to data from Johns Hopkins. That figure has declined in recent months as treatments have improved and testing has expanded, allowing more mild and asymptomatic cases to be detected.

“I long for the day when each and every day we see fewer cases than the day before,” said David Aronoff, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. “But if you were to ask me when that day would be, I don’t honestly know.”

Daily case-count tallies are likely to increase or remain at high levels without concerted use of such strategies as enhanced testing, widespread mask-wearing and clear, consistent messaging, epidemiologists and public-health researchers said.

Since summer, younger people make up a growing share of new U.S. infections.

Despite the rising numbers of infections, many have grown tired of restrictions on their social life and say they would rather risk catching the virus than stop seeing family and friends.

Additionally, mixed and inconsistent messaging from federal and local officials over preventive measures has sowed confusion and complacency. Some local governments have eased restrictions on businesses and requirements to wear masks. Meanwhile, college students returned to campuses, leading to some spreading of the virus, and the onset of cooler weather has led many Americans indoors, where the virus is more transmittable, public-health researchers said.

References:

Making the American Dream Available to Every American – CEO Newel Brands

Posted on October 21, 2020 by admin

How can we make the American dream available not just to a select few Americans, but to every American?

African Americans don’t feel fully part of the fabric of America society because systemic racism, discrimination and economic/social injustice have been barriers that have effectively denied people of color their full rights and privileges of American citizenship. Blacks and people of color have had to fight and to demand for decades for their inalienable civil and human rights and privileges, which are accorded freely to the majority, to become full citizens in America.

“As Americans, we need to proactively address aspects of our society in which discrimination and racism are systemic and root them out,” Ravi Saligram, Newel Brand’s President and CEO wrote. “We need to open our hearts and truly believe that every one of us is equal, not succumb to tawdry stereotypes or allow the insidious hand of unconscious bias to seep deep into our souls.”

Saligram wrote in a letter to Newel Brand’s team members entitled “Embracing Our Humanity” that “his hope [is that] this tragedy will galvanize Americans—black, brown, white, Democrat, Independent, Republican, male, female or however one identifies—to come together to acknowledge and reject racism and discrimination of any kind. As Americans, we need to proactively address aspects of our society in which discrimination and racism are systemic and root them out. We need to open our hearts and truly believe that every one of us is equal, not succumb to tawdry stereotypes or allow the insidious hand of unconscious bias to seep deep into our souls.”

Social scientists say crises like COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd are “focusing events,” events that recalibrates public policy and cultural norms. It often takes a crisis or tragedy to get society to wake up, look in the mirror, face up to uncomfortable truths and find a better way forward.

We require new and innovative thinking and actions in America to solve deep rooted societal problems of systematic racism and economic inequality, to repair the economic devastation caused by the pandemic and to heal and bring spiritual peace (free of the burdens of uncertainty, fear and anxiety) to the country and the world.

“It would be tragic if the narrative that the general public remembers is property damage and violent acts instead of focusing on the real issues at hand, namely justice, equality and ending systemic discrimination,” Saligram wrote. “We cannot revert to the old normal of ‘Us versus Them’ and perpetuate senseless killings of people of color.”

References:

Shopify and Operation HOPE to Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses by 2030

Posted on October 20, 2020 by admin

Operation HOPE and Shopify Join Forces to Help Create One Million Black-Owned Businesses by 2030

Operation HOPE in partnership with Shopify today announced a new initiative called ‘HOPE One Million New Black Business & New Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB)’. The initiative’s goal is to help create one million new Black-owned businesses in the U.S. by 2030. To realize this mission, Operation HOPE is working with Shopify, a leading global commerce company. Shopify intends to provide up to approximately $130 million of resources through 1MBB over the course of this initiative.

Shopify advances mission with up to ~$130 million of resources

Shopify’s mission is “Making commerce better for everyone” The ‘all-in-one’ e-commerce company helps “people achieve independence by making it easier to start, run, and grow a business.” They “believe the future of commerce has more voices, not fewer, so…[they’re] reducing the barriers to business ownership to make commerce better for everyone.”

“We [Shopify] work to break down the barriers to entrepreneurship every day,” said Harley Finkelstein, Shopify President. “By collaborating with Operation HOPE and working together on our shared passion for helping underserved communities succeed, we believe we can help unlock even more economic opportunities for Black business owners across the country, leading to greater choices for shoppers everywhere.”

Historically, the Black community has faced systemic barriers to entry that have prevented their full participation in the entrepreneurial journey. Together with Shopify, Operation HOPE aims to reduce these obstacles, encouraging more aspiring Black entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses, and provide them with the tools, resources, and education they may need to succeed.

Operation HOPE research has shown that 58% of Black businesses were deemed at risk or distressed and suffering from low profits, low credit scores, or income shocks in the months immediately following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020). Over the course of the pandemic, the number of Black workers and business owners fell sharply, over 40%, a more severe economic impact compared to other racial groups. The pandemic’s disproportionate effects on Black businesses result in both acute and long-term impacts on Black families and future generations. At present, four in 10 Black adults belong to families in which someone lost a job, was furloughed, or had hours cut, or lost work-related income because of the COVID-19.

To level the playing field, 1MBB intends to focus on critical tools for business success such as technology and resources, educational programs, and the opportunity to access capital. Through this program, Black business owners have the opportunity to sign up for Operation HOPE’s programs of community uplift, financial literacy and education, and upon graduation, Shopify plans to provide aspiring Black entrepreneurs a tailored education with tools and resources to launch or expand their businesses.

“Creating generational wealth through the creation of new Black businesses and Black entrepreneurs is a direct gateway to social justice. The creation of ownership, jobs and opportunity in a generation helps to strengthen democracy and ensure freedom through self-determination. This is empowerment at scale,” said John Hope Bryant, CEO and Founder of Operation HOPE. “To have Shopify actively supporting the 1MBB Initiative is a true game changer. Working together, we can scale our business creation platform to help underserved communities and enhance economic prosperity across America.”

To learn more about this initiative, visit www.HOPE1MBB.org.

References:

Bill Campbell – Trillion Dollar Coach

Posted on October 19, 2020 by admin

“In business, compassion is a key factor to success.” Bill Campbell

‘Bill’s passion for innovation and teamwork was a gift to Apple and the world’. Tim Cook, CEO, Apple

‘Bill shared his wisdom generously, expecting nothing back but the joy he got from teaching others.’ Sheryl Sandberg , COO, Facebook

Bill Campbell helped to build some of Silicon Valley’s greatest companies — including Google, Apple, and Intuit — and to create over a trillion dollars in market value. Campbell believed that teams, not individuals, are the fundamental building blocks of organizations. Leaders can help their team be more productive, more innovative, and just plain happier by leading like a coach, not just a manager.

A former college football player and coach, Bill mentored visionaries such as Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Eric Schmidt and coached dozens of leaders on both coasts. When he passed away in 2016, “the Coach” left behind a legacy of growing companies and successful people, and an abundance of respect, friendship, and love.

Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle experienced firsthand how Coach Bill built trusting relationships, fostered personal growth—even in those at the pinnacle of their careers—inspired courage, and identified and resolved simmering tensions that inevitably arise in fast-moving environments. To honor their mentor and inspire and teach future generations, they have chronicled Bill Campbell’s wisdom in the guide entitled Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell.

Trillion Dollar Coach is a guide for bringing out the best in others and teams, for being simultaneously supportive and challenging, and for giving “more than lip service to the notion of putting people first”.

“A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” Tom Landry, former NFL Dallas Cowboy’s Coach

Good coaches employ encouragement, honesty, and caring to help every team member flourish. And according to Bill Campbell, business leaders should do the same, infusing their workplaces with compassion and people-first values that inspire employees to do their best work—and love their jobs.

Based on interviews with more than eighty people who knew Bill Campbell, Trillion Dollar Coach explains the Coach’s principles and illustrates them with stories from the companies and people with whom he worked and coached. The result is a blueprint for forward-thinking business leaders and managers that will help them create higher-performing and faster-moving teams and companies.

“Bill was the greatest executive coach the world has ever seen,” according to the authors. He coached executive leaders and also coached entire teams as a group coach. In the technology sector, innovation and speed are paramount, according to the authors. It is high-performing teams that lead to success.

“He always gave you a sense of perspective…what really matters at the end of the day is how you live your life and the people in your life.”

Bill cared about people. He treated everyone with respect, he learned their names, he gave them a warm greeting. He cared about their families, and his actions in this regard spoke more loudly than his words. “He cared about the whole you,” says Ruth Porat, Google’s CFO.

Bill would start meetings by asking about a colleague’s family and weekend and talking about his own. He always gave you a sense of perspective. That whatever you were doing was important, but he showed you that what really matters at the end of the day is how you live your life and the people in your life. It provided his coachees a respite in a busy day and a chance to ease their work-family conflict at least momentarily.

Bill made it okay to bring love to the workplace. He created a culture of what people who study these things call “companionate” love: feelings of affection, compassion, caring, and tenderness for others, according to the authors. He did this by genuinely caring about people and their lives outside of work, by being an enthusiastic cheerleader, by building communities, by doing favors and helping people whenever he could, and by keeping a special place in his heart for founders and entrepreneurs.

Bill Campbell’s Manifesto:

People are the foundation of any company’s success. The primary job of each manager is to help people be more effective in their job and to grow and develop. We have great people who want to do well, are capable of doing great things, and come to work fired up to do them. Great people flourish in an environment that liberates and amplifies that energy. Managers create this environment through support, respect, and trust.

Support means giving people the tools, information, training, and coaching they need to succeed. It means continuous effort to develop people’s skills. Great managers help people excel and grow.

Respect means understanding people’s unique career goals and being

Key takeaways from Bill Campbell and The Trillion Dollar Coach:

Your title makes you a manager. Your people make you a leader.To be a good leader, you need to first be an excellent manager by accruing respect and not demanding it.
It’s the people.The top priority of any manager is the well-being and success of his/her people.
Start with trip reports.To build rapport and better relationships amongst team members, start team meeting with personal or non-business related topics.
5 words on a whiteboard.Have a structure for one-on-one’s and take the time to prepare for them, as they are the best way to help people be more productive and to grow.
The best idea, not consensus.A manager’s job is to run a decision-making process that ensures that all perspectives get heard and considered. If necessary, to break ties and make a decision.
Lead-based on first principles.Defining the “first principles” for the situation, the unchangeable truths that are the foundation for the company or product, and help guide the decision from those principles.
Manage the Aberrant Genius.“Aberrant Geniuses” are high performing but difficult team members, should be tolerated and even protected as long as their behavior isn’t unethical or abusive and when their value provided outweighs the toll their behavior takes on management, colleagues and teams.
Money’s not just about the money.Compensating people well demonstrates love and respect, which ties them firmly to the goals of the company.
Innovation is where crazy people have stature.The purpose of a company is to bring a product vision to life. All the other components are in service to the product.
Build an envelope of trust.Listen attentively, practice complete frankness and be an evangelist for courage by believing in people more than they believe in themselves.
Only coach the coachable.Traits that make an individual coachable include honesty, humility, willingness to persevere, hard working and a constant openness to learning.
Practice free-form listening.Listen to people with your full and undivided attention without continually thinking ahead to what you’re going to say next. Instead, ask questions to get to the real issue.
No gaps between statements and fact.Be relentlessly honest and candid, couple negative with caring feedback. Give feedback as soon as possible, and if the feedback is negative, deliver it privately.
Don’t stick it in their ear.Don’t tell people what to do, instead offer stories and help guide them to the best decisions for them.
Full identity front and center.People are most effective when they can be completely themselves and bring their whole identity to work.
Team first. The team is of utmost importance; the most important thing to look for in people is a team-first attitude.
Work the team, then the problem. When faced with a challenge or an opportunity, the first step is to ensure the right team is in place and working on it.
Pick the right players.The top characteristics to look for are smarts and hearts. E.g. the ability to learn fast, a willingness to work hard, integrity, grit, empathy and a team-first attitude.
Pair people.Peer relationships are critical and often overlooked, so seek opportunities to pair people up on projects or decisions.
Get to the table.Winning often depends on having the best teams consisting of a mix of genders.
Solve the most significant problem first.Identify the biggest issues, bringing it to the front and tackling it first.
Don’t let the bitch sessions last.Air all negative issues, but don’t dwell on them. Learn to move on and move on as fast as possible.
Winning right.Strive to win, but always win right with commitment, teamwork and integrity.
Leaders lead.When the going gets tough, teams are often looking for even more loyalty, commitment and decisiveness from their leaders.
Fill the gaps between people.Listen, observe and fill the communication and understanding gaps between people.
It’s OK to love.People on your team are human beings by nature, and the group becomes stronger when you break down the walls between the professional and human personas, embracing them with love.
To care about people, you have to care about people.Ask about their lives outside of work, understand their families and show up.
Cheer demonstrably for people and their success.Don’t just sit there, stand up and show them the love for the work they are doing. Energize, motivate and inspire people to keep them moving.
Always build community.Build communities inside and outside of work. A place is much stronger when individuals are connected.
Help people.Be generous with your time, connections and other resources.
Love the founders.Hold a special reverence for and protect the people who are the founders of the company, often these people are the ones with the most vision and passion for the company.
Build relationships whenever you can. Be it when you’re in the elevator, passing someone in the hallway, or see your teammates in the cafeteria, take the time to stop and chat about their lives and share a little about yours.

What makes great companies great is not solely the culture but also the people that help to build that culture.

About the Authors

Eric Schmidt served as Google CEO and chairman from 2001 until 2011, Google executive chairman from 2011 to 2015, and Alphabet executive chairman from 2015 to 2018.
Jonathan Rosenberg was a Senior Vice President at Google and is an advisor to the Alphabet management team. He ran the Google product team from 2002 to 2011.
Alan Eagle has been a director at Google since 2007. Formerly Eric and Jonathan’s speechwriter, he currently runs a set of Google’s sales programs.

References:

Be Cyber Smart: Prevent Identity Theft and Internet Scams

Posted on October 18, 2020 by admin

Americans are more vulnerable than ever to cyber attacks arising from the pandemic.

Today’s technology allows Americans to connect around the world, to bank and shop online, and to control their homes, smart devices and cars from their mobile phones. And with the advent of 5G, this capability to connect and to control will expand exponentially. With this added convenience comes an increased risk in cybercrime of identity theft and internet scams.

Additionally, most Americans and business owners are not well versed in cybersecurity, nor understand the financial impact it can have on their everyday remote work and online lives and businesses. Meanwhile many people approach security as a purely technical challenge dictated by technology and security updates. With this change in behavior brought by COVID pandemic comes additional cyber security risks to privacy and personal information.

Cybercriminal activity is one of the biggest challenges that humanity will face in the next two decades and it causes far more financial damage than people can imagine, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. By 2021, Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that cybercrime could cost upwards to $6 trillion to protect and/or recover from cybercrime. When companies like Yahoo or Equifax are hacked, it causes the size, sophistication, and cost of these crimes to grow at an astronomical rate.

Did you know

The average financial cost of a data breach for a US company in 2019 was $8.19 million. That’s an increase of 130% since 2006!
7-10% of the U.S. population are victims of identity fraud each year, and 21% of those experience multiple incidents of identity fraud.

Cybercrime costs include damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data, embezzlement, fraud, post-attack disruption to the normal course of business, forensic investigation, restoration and deletion of hacked data and systems, and reputational harm.

Common internet scams

As technology continues to evolve, cybercriminals will use more sophisticated techniques to exploit technology to steal your identity, personal information, and money. To protect yourself from online threats, you must know what to look for.

Cybercriminals — from government-backed groups to organized crime gangs — are using the public’s fear, uncertainty, and curiosity about the pandemic to adapt their techniques, tactics, and targeting strategies.

There has been an increase in the number of phishing, malicious sites, and business email compromise attempts linked to the pandemic. This malicious content can appear as fraudulent news updates, precautionary guidance, virus maps, friend requests, or employer’s memos.
Cyber criminals, conducting data theft for economic gain, extortion, disruptive or destructive ransomware attacks, have targeted individuals and organizations perceived as under pandemic-related stress and strain.

Some of the most common Internet scams include:

COVID-19 Scams take the form of emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.
Imposter Scams occur when you receive an email or call from a person claiming to be a government official, family member, or friend requesting personal or financial information. For example, an imposter may contact you from the Social Security Administration informing you that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended, in hopes you will reveal your SSN or pay to have it reactivated.
COVID-19 Economic Payments scams target Americans’ stimulus payments. CISA urges all Americans to be on the lookout for criminal fraud related to COVID-19 economic impact payments—particularly fraud using coronavirus lures to steal personal and financial information, as well as the economic impact payments themselves—and for adversaries seeking to disrupt payment efforts.

Simple tips for online safety and protection

Getting educated and savvy on how to recognize and react to phishing emails and cyber threats may be the best way to protect yourself virtually and financially against cybercrime.

Double your login protection. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that the only person who has access to your account is you. Use it for email, banking, social media, and any other service that requires logging in. If MFA is an option, enable it by using a trusted mobile device, such as your smartphone, an authenticator app, or a secure token—a small physical device that can hook onto your key ring.
Shake Up Your Password Protocol. According to NIST guidance, you should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible. Get creative and customize your standard password for different sites, which can prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to these accounts and protect you in the event of a breach. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. Read the Creating a Password Tip Sheet for more information.
Be up to date. Keep your software updated to the latest version available. Maintain your security settings to keeping your information safe by turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it, and set your security software to run regular scans

Protect yourself from online fraud

Stay Protected While Connected: The bottom line is that whenever you’re online, you’re vulnerable. If devices on your network are compromised for any reason, or if hackers break through an encrypted firewall, someone could be eavesdropping on you—even in your own home on encrypted Wi-Fi.

Practice safe web surfing wherever you are by checking for the “green lock” or padlock icon in your browser bar— this signifies a secure connection.
When you find yourself out in the great “wild Wi-Fi West,” avoid free Internet access with no encryption.
If you do use an unsecured public access point, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities (e.g., banking) that require passwords or credit cards. Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi.
Don’t reveal personally identifiable information such as your bank account number, SSN, or date of birth to unknown sources.
Type website URLs directly into the address bar instead of clicking on links or cutting and pasting from the email.

If you discover that you have become a victim of cybercrime, immediately notify the business and authorities to file a complaint. Keep and record all evidence of the incident and its suspected source.

For more information about how you can Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart, visit www.cisa.gov/ncsam

References:

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