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Productivity

Handy Tips to Optimize a Dual-Monitor Setup for the Best Experience

Two monitors are often better than one when it comes to getting things done efficiently. A dual-monitor setup can significantly enhance your productivity. This is true whether you're a gamer, a creative professional, or an office wiz who loves to multitask.A study by Jon Peddie Research found that dual displays can increase productivity by 42%. But it’s not as simple as just setting up an extra screen.It’s common for people to feel “off kilter” when trying to work from two monitors. They may even find it harder despite having more screen real estate. The cause is usually the setup. They either have the screens positioned wrong or aren’t optimizing the settings.We’ll dive into some dual-monitor setup best practices. These should help you improve your two-screen experience and take it to the next level.Best Practices for a Great Two-Screen Setup1. Match Size and ResolutionBefore you jump into the excitement of a dual-monitor setup do some matching. Make sure your monitors are well-matched with each other. Try…
Nicholas Salem
October 20, 2023
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Productivity

9 Reasons to Use Airplane Mode Even If You’re Not Traveling

Most people are familiar with their device’s Airplane Mode. You've probably used it when jetting off to exotic locations. But did you know that it's not just for globetrotters?That's right! Airplane Mode isn't only for flying; it can be a handy feature for your everyday life. Here are some top reasons why you should consider toggling it on, even if you're not traveling.1. Save That Precious Battery LifeWho doesn't want their smartphone battery to last longer? Airplane Mode can be your secret weapon against those battery-draining apps. The ones that are constantly running in the background.By switching on Airplane Mode, you effectively shut down all communication functions. This includes Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth. This can be a lifesaver when you're running low on battery and need your phone to last until you can find a charger.2. Boost Your Charging SpeedWe've all experienced those moments of panic when our phone's battery is about to die. We desperately need to charge it ASAP. Well, here's a…
Nicholas Salem
October 5, 2023
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Productivity

These Technologies Can Help You Run Your Small Business Better

Running a small business can be challenging. But advancements in technology have opened a world of opportunities. Small business owners can use digital tools to streamline operations. As well as improve efficiency, and boost productivity.From innovative software to cutting-edge hardware, there are a lot of tools to choose from. The right technology can help small business owners stay ahead of the competition.But trying to navigate the options yourself can be confusing. Just buying apps because someone told you one was cool, might not be the best strategy. You need to focus on needs and target optimization.What are the top two challenges that SMBs experience with cloud use? They are managing costs and security. The 2023 State of the Cloud Report also found that 47% of SMBs said they lacked resources and expertise.We can help guide you to the best tech for growth and ROI. First, let’s explore some game-changing technologies. These tools can revolutionize the way you run your small business.Game-Changing Tools for Small Business…
Nicholas Salem
September 25, 2023
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MicrosoftProductivity

Align Your Team to Company Targets with Microsoft Viva Goals

You often hear the words “digital transformation” and “collaboration.” But what do they actually mean? What do they mean for the day-to-day of running your business?Collaboration can’t happen without shared goals. When departments are siloed and unconnected, priorities can conflict. People are doing their best but may not be moving in the same direction.Digital transformation is simply the use of technology to better reach business goals. This encompasses moving from analog ways of doing things. Transitioning to tools that are more automated and connected.Microsoft has been at the forefront of digital transformation and collaboration. Its Viva platform drives an improved employee experience. It does this by use of AI, automation, cloud connectivity, and more.In this article, you’ll get an overview of Microsoft Viva. Then, we’ll dive into one of the newest Viva offerings, Viva Goals. We’ll explore what it does and how it can help your company meet its targets.What Is Microsoft Viva?Microsoft Viva is a line of employee experience applications. These connect to the…
Nicholas Salem
January 15, 2023
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CybersecurityProductivity

5 Ways to Balance User Productivity with Solid Authentication Protocols

One constant struggle in offices is the balance between productivity and security. If you give users too much freedom in your network, risk increases. But add too many security gates, and productivity can dwindle.It’s a fine balance between the two, but one you can achieve. Organizations need to recognize the importance of both. And not sacrifice one for another.A recent report from Microsoft notes a dangerous lack of authentication security. Just 22% of Azure Active Directory users had multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled. This means that over three-quarters were at a much higher risk of an account breach.Why do organizations fail to adopt important security protocols, like MFA? We know that it's as much as 99.9% effective at stopping fraudulent sign-ins. Yet so many companies aren’t adopting it.User inconvenience is the biggest reason. MFA is not expensive. In fact, it’s free to enable in nearly all cloud applications. But if users say that it’s hurting productivity and is a pain to use, companies may not bother…
Nicholas Salem
January 5, 2023
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MicrosoftProductivity

Simple Setup Checklist for Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a lot of things. It’s a video conferencing tool, a team messaging channel, and a tool for in-app co-authoring, just to name a few. During the pandemic, the popularity of Teams skyrocketed.User numbers for MS Teams jumped from 20 million in November 2019 to 75 million in April 2020. As of this year, Microsoft reports a user count of 270 million for the platform. This makes it the most popular business tool for team communications.But one of the things that makes the app popular is also one that can make the setup complex. Microsoft Teams has many moving parts, but to use them effectively they need to be well organized. Additionally, users need to have a chance to learn the system and train on best practices.What Can Microsoft Teams Do?First, let’s look at the different areas of Microsoft Teams and what it can do. Then, we’ll give you a simple setup checklist to help your team get up and running productively.You can…
Nicholas Salem
December 15, 2022
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Productivity

5 Mistakes Companies Are Making in the Digital Workplace

The pandemic has been a reality that companies around the world have shared. It required major changes in how they operate. No longer, did the status quo of having everyone work in the office make sense for everyone. Many organizations had to quickly evolve to working through remote means.During the worst of the pandemic, it’s estimated that 70% of full-time workers were working from home. Even now that the pandemic has hit a new waning phase, remote work is still very much a reality. 92% of surveyed employees expect to still work from home at least 1 or more days per week.This transformation has forced companies to rethink the tools and policies they use. Many have also needed to completely revamp how they work. They've had to switch to a cloud-based digital workspace to enable a hybrid team.This transition has brought newfound benefits, such as:Lower costs for employees and employersBetter employee work/life balanceHigher moraleThe same or improved productivityMore flexibility in serving clientsBut, the transition to…
Nicholas Salem
October 5, 2022
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Productivity

Get More Unplugged Laptop Time with These Battery-Saving Hacks

One of the big draws of a laptop computer is that you can use it anywhere. You don’t need to have it plugged in all the time because it has an internal battery.Your laptop may start out with several hours of battery life when you first buy it. But the lifespan can get shorter as time goes by and battery health takes a hit. Sometimes this can be due to a lack of PC maintenance. Other times, it's due to the environments the laptop is subject to (such as a hot car).Seeing your laptop’s battery capacity shrink can be frustrating. But there are several things you can do to increase the time you can go without needing to plug it in.Lower the Display BrightnessThe brighter your display is, the more battery power it’s taking. Have you ever hit the automated low battery mode on a laptop? Then you know you immediately notice a difference in brightness. This is because that setting turns down the brightness.…
Nicholas Salem
August 10, 2022