4 Small Business Password Management Techniques to Try

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4 Small Business Password Management Techniques to Try

Security is a critical issue for any business. It may be a more technologically advanced era, but that also means that there is a greater need to protect your data since there are increasing numbers of digital techniques for breaching security that you must guard against. It’s not only about protecting your data within your business headquarters. When security breaches are discussed, it is inevitable for people to think that insider company information — like their employees’ personal details, their customers’ payment information, and key corporate files — is the target. The truth, however, is that a business must also keep an eye on its social media accounts. Hacking is quite common — there have already been a number of high-profile hacking incidents involving more established companies in the past.

Digital damage

You might not lose sensitive or confidential information when an individual with malicious intent gains control of your Facebook or Twitter accounts, but think about the entirely different kind of damage that this can cause. A hacker could publish false information that gets shared in a flash, misleading everyone who reads it. Images or photos could be released, damaging the brand. Even simply preventing a company from accessing its own social media accounts could potentially result in significant losses, marketing- or profit-wise.

Keeping your accounts safe

There are ways to prevent your social media accounts and profiles from falling into the hands of hackers. Choose and protect a good password.  Effective small business password management is your first line of defense against malicious attacks. Choose a solution that would allow even multiple individuals to edit and publish content without having to enter the actual password. Monitor social accounts every single day. Keeping a close eye on your accounts is also a simple way to detect any strange activity that could indicate a hack. Have you noticed any posts that are different in subject or scope from what your company typically posts? Is there a pattern emerging regarding the times that content gets published — or has the posting schedule become erratic? Have there been changes made to the account information? Any of these could be signs that the account has been breached. Be wary of third-party apps that access your social accounts.  It has become common to access third-party apps through Facebook or Twitter for greater convenience, but pay attention to the permissions they are asking you to grant. When you agree that the app can “post to your account,” you could be opening your account up to unknown users.  Create a contingency plan. Finally, if a hacker does succeed in taking control of your social media account, you need to be prepared to take action. Consult the professionals and establish a policy that all concerned team members must be able to execute to begin recovery from the security breach.

Why Having a Business Coach is a Must

Why having a business coach is a must for a new business owners

Earlier this month I had a chance to be featured on the growing podcast, The Six Figure Side Gig. Not because my PR skills are amazing or because I’m running a multi-million dollar business but because I happen to be fortunate enough to work with business coach, Dr. Mark Costes. You see, Dr. Costes is not only a successful business owner and business coach he is also the host of Six Figure Side Gig Podcast. This episode is a case study series we are working on that covers the progress of my first year as an entrepreneur.

Why having a business coach matters

business coachA lot of people ask me why I have a business coach, more importantly how can I justify the investment in one when I’m only in my first year of business. The truth is, I don’t think I can afford not to have a business coach if I want to be successful. Surviving in the online marketing space is not easy. There are thousands upon thousands of companies who do SEO, SEM and build wordpress websites like I do. While I know what seperates me from other digital marketing companies and can clearly deliver a solid value proposition, I needed some help prioritizing, being effective with my time and being smart with my money. So, for those reasons and many more, it was never a second thought when I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Costes. In all of my years in business and marketing, I have always felt it was important to attach myself to someone further along in their career than me.

A Mentor was not enough

I have so many amazing mentors, who I love and appreciate so much, but there is something very different about hiring a business coach. There is hardcore accountability when you are goal setting with someone who you are paying to keep you on track. Do I meet all of my goals all of the time? No. But, I absolutely make my best effort which is something I would not have the focus or self discipline to do on my own. Life gets in the way, or client projects takeover and scheduling time just to focus on my business goes to the wayside. So for me having mentor’s was not enough.

Choosing the right business coach

I can’t say I am the authority on this and there are some great articles on what to look for in a business coach, like THIS ONE. But, I can help you narrow it down. First, decide what your budget is. A business coach can range from $500 to $5,000 a month. Being a new business owner, I had to be mindful about budget. Next, ask for referrals, listen to business podcasts and look at online reviews. You should do your homework before hiring someone, rather than hiring the first person that comes along. Last, measure their own business success. If you are looking for a business coach, you want to work with someone who has been successful in building other businesses besides their coaching one. I chose Mark Costes because he has several successful companies that he currently operates so he is able to share pitfalls, successes and best practices from real life experience.

six figure side gig

To hear my Six Figure Side Gig Podcast Interview with my Business Coach, CLICK HERE.

I love this article from Entrepreneur.com, 4 Reason You Should Seek Out a Business Coach.
To read the full article click HERE.

A business coach will challenge your thinking, goals and willingness to grow. As somebody who has “been there, done that,” a coach also acts as a role model because of the experience that he or she shares. Additionally, a coach has unique insight that broadens your business awareness.