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Cal Wilson / March 29, 2021

Networking  in a Virtual World

If you’re not networking, you’re missing out on significant career-growing opportunities. It’s that simple. Building professional relationships can make the difference between staying professionally stagnant and climbing the career ladder to success.

As we continue to see activities slowed by the overwhelming disruption of COVID-19, and with social restrictions and regulations introduced to stop the spread, face-to-face networking has understandably taken a major hit this past year.

Many businesses require networking to function; the ability to forge new relationships with coworkers, customers, and potential clients during the pandemic has now become more of a necessity than an option. Although it may seem difficult, networking during COVID-19 is not impossible– however, your approach and attitude may need to change to embrace the evolving social landscape.

While the days of meeting others at industry events and conferences, exchanging business cards and shaking hands are temporarily on hold, there are ways to expand network connections and develop solid professional relationships virtually.

The key to successful networking is to get to know people, have genuine conversations and provide value. The good news is that a lot of these principles still hold true – but for those who are finding the transition to be challenging, here are some tips to help grow your business by networking virtually.

Get comfortable with new technology

It doesn’t matter what platform you use – Zoom, Skype, and WebEx are a few of the most popular– giving yourself enough time to work through any kinks before the meeting is slated to begin is imperative to a successful virtual connection. Run a test of your setup before each virtual networking opportunity to ensure that your audio and video outputs are good and avoid any potential technical issues or annoying glitches by checking that the internet connection is stable. 

Be prepared

Preparation is a key component of virtual networking. Planning questions or an agenda beforehand will not only show professionalism but help direct the conversation topics and keep all participants on-track. This preparedness will help keep that connection with your contact, resulting in both parties getting the most value out of the experience. Also, if attending an online networking event, a good idea is to look at the list of confirmed attendees and decide, ahead of time, who you would want to meet. 

Attend virtual events

Having quickly adapted to our new socially distanced reality, many conferences and other similar events have already taken a virtual approach to networking. With physical location no longer a barrier, we can even re-think geographic boundaries. Events are now available worldwide, attracting a wider range of participants who are ready to network online. With easy sign-ups and interactive livestreams, connecting with other guests has never been easier.

Build a social media presence.

As people stay at home during COVID-19, they’re increasingly turning to digital media channels to connect. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn can be a goldmine for networking, as an online profile can help connect you with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story. Instead of thinking about social networking’s value as a number of followers, work to build quality relationships, and watch the connections grow. Start building your network by inviting people you already know to connect, such as family, friends, community members and business contacts, then expand that circle to increase your visibility.

Practice your writing

While remote networking is great on paper, it’s not without its challenges, and not everyone you connect with will be readily accessible for video chats. These potential contacts will likely prefer to message back and forth to fit their schedule. Honing your writing skills to ensure a professional tone will reflect your attention and appreciation when communicating – especially during early interactions – as that crucial first impression is so important. Also be sure to send a thank-you message to anyone you do connect with, as this simple but memorable gesture often goes a long way.

Follow up and follow through — but don’t be a pest

If you told someone you would get in touch with them or promised to introduce someone to a person you know, take the time to do it. It often only takes minutes to shoot off an email and keep the relationship alive. If you do not hear back from a person with whom you want to network, a follow-up is fine, but remember: if you try many times in quick succession, you could quickly be perceived as an annoyance.

Cal Wilson / March 22, 2021

Are You Falling Behind Without an E-Signature Plan?

When it’s difficult or unsafe to have an in-person meeting, digital solutions are crucial for the well-being of your business and the convenience of your clientele. One solution that is helping businesses run smoothly right now is eSignature. Not only do digital signatures cut down on your supply costs, but in general, they are a smoother process for customers who want to be able to conduct their business quickly and remotely. If you don’t have an eSignature option, it might be costing you.

So what exactly is eSignature technology? Simply put, it streamlines the process of signing documents over the internet. When you cannot sign in person, the typical process in document signing has been to download a form, print, sign, scan, save as a PDF, and send it back. Not only is this a big waste of paper and ink, but it is also tedious, and poses a risk for forgery and other kinds of fraud. A good eSignature software includes an authentication process, and makes it easier for both parties. The client won’t have to go through the hassle of taking all those steps just to sign a form, and the signed form will be safely stored for your use, with no risk of being lost in a crowded inbox.

Today, the world remains gripped by a pandemic that has necessitated doing our very best to avoid physical contact with one another, and by extension, things others have touched. Electronic signatures continue surging in popularity, with newer, faster and more secure programs hitting the market every day.

While laws are different everywhere, general legal requirements for a signature are met by an electronic signature if it:

  • Adequately identifies the signatory
  • Adequately indicates the signatory’s approval or acceptance of the information
  • Is as reliable as is appropriate under the circumstances of the signing

Electronic signature programs have several requirements to be considered reliable, but there are two main ones. The first is that the means of creating the signature is linked to the person signing the document alone. Secondly, if any changes to the signature or documents are detectable digitally through the verification of data integrity.

This technology is accessible, quick, and takes the burden off the customer. We’ve established that eSignatures are a no-brainer when it comes to the current climate, so what should you be looking for in an eSignature software?

It’s important to make sure the product you choose has mobile app compatibility. It’s easier and more convenient for some of your customers to sign documents on their phone or tablet, rather than on a PC. Other important features you may want to look for is language diversity, an emphasis on encryption for signed documents, and whether or not customers will be required to download an app before using it.

Many of these products come with free trials, so you can shop around to find a solution that works best for your business. If you’re looking for the best option for your business, or you’re worried that your current eSignature solution is missing the mark, Schooley Mitchell can help save you money and find the perfect solution for you.

Cal Wilson / March 19, 2021

Prioritizing Employees’ Mental Health

“Mental health is a huge factor when it comes to the overall productivity and health of a population,” says Russel Glass, the CEO of mental health tech company Ginger. That includes your workplace.

Your employees are the lifeblood of your company. Their talent and focus can make or break your success. It’s crucial for leaders to respect that relationship by prioritizing the mental health of their team.

It’s been proven many times over that employees whose mental health needs are met will be more driven, and more loyal overall to their job. To learn more, watch this interview with Ginger CEO Russell Glass, by Fortune Magazine.

Cal Wilson / March 15, 2021

A Look to the Future: 6G

Advancement in technology is inevitable. From how we work, to how we play, to how we live our lives, technology has created a revolution that will continue to grow. As time passes and tech continues to improve, what was the latest and greatest yesterday, is considered old news today.

As wireless communication becomes increasingly essential to our daily lives, the demand  for wireless connectivity is escalating at an exponential rate, and technologists  and engineers have already turned their attention to its newest incarnation: 6G.

So, what is 6G and what will it look like?

These are the questions everyone has been asking since providers like Samsung, Nokia and Huawei announced the start of their 6G research and development over the past few months. 6G is shorthand for the sixth generation of wireless networks, the successor to 5G cellular technology.

With 5G networks having only very recently rolled out across the world, it might feel a little premature to accurately predict what 6G will look like – after all, it doesn’t exist yet. But there are several early indications as to what advancements we could see.

Here’s what we know so far about 6G technology, and what the future of wireless connectivity might hold.

Faster Download Speeds
Speed will likely be the most notable upgrade, as 6G is expected to see several hundred gigabits per second speeds, or even ranges into the terabytes. To put that into perspective, the current fastest 5G networks download a 90-minute movie in around 60 seconds. 6G download speeds would allow more than 140 hours of movies in that same minute.

Reliable Network
Along with the lightning-fast speeds will come improved network reliability. As entire companies and even industries have now moved to working online, faster and more reliable connectivity would improve the evolving needs of our hyper-connected world, meaning no more pixelated video calls or frustration over dropped connections during remote work meetings. At home, a more reliable network would allow for more securely connected devices, far exceeding anything that 5G will offer and putting an end to slow loading times and improving video streaming stability.

Improved Coverage
This significant upgrade would dramatically increase coverage in places like rural areas, where acquiring high-speed internet has often proven impractical. Broader coverage could see wireless networks spread their service wider, with accessibility extended to boats and ships miles out to sea, commercial flights thousands of feet in the sky, and potentially as far reaching as satellites and space stations outside of the earth’s immediate orbit!

With estimates placing a commercial roll-out around 2028, at the earliest, much of the above is still industry speculation. One thing, though, is for sure – when it finally arrives, 6G will be a connectivity game-changer for all of us.

Cal Wilson / March 6, 2021

A Leader’s Duty to Accessibility

It can be hard to talk about disability and accessibility without perhaps being overwhelmed by the various intersections and varieties those terms encompass. What is accessible for one disabled employee might not cut it for another. While accessibility and disability might look different to each employee, client, or customer you encounter, the benefits to prioritizing their health and safety will positively impact your work environment for everyone.

Many workers with a disability function every day in an environment that was not designed for them. They do their work, meet their deadlines, and bring value to many businesses despite many social and structural obstacles set before them. However, the physical and emotional labor that goes into navigating an abled-centric world is exhausting, and can both negatively impact work and exacerbate disability. In order to prevent burnout, ableism, and continued hardship for your disabled employees, it is important to look beyond the legally mandated guidelines for accessibility, and truly focus on equity for individual employees as well as the culture of your workplace as a whole.

As a leader, it’s important that you look discrimination directly in the eye and make a concerted effort to face it down. Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to see discrimination when it’s not happening directly to us, and while the culture surrounding workplace discrimination is gradually changing, it can still be extremely daunting for someone experiencing discrimination in any form to speak up. So how can you be proactive in order to best protect your employees?

RightHear, a company that focuses on accessibility tools and advocacy, offers advice to employers looking to make their environment more accessible. Two of their central suggestions are to “get educated” and “work as a team.” This might include taking sensitivity training, doing research, and simply being proactive about what might be a potential obstacle to a disabled coworker, rather than putting the burden of education on that coworker.

How can you make sure that you’re being accommodating to all your employees, regardless of whether or not they live with a disability? First, you can take the time to simply examine the layout of your building. Where might hallways be too narrow, or furniture be obstructive, to an employee who uses a mobility aid? Is your equipment usable by employees who are vision or hearing impaired? Is your sick day policy practical for employees with mental illness? You can undertake this inventory of your environment and company culture with the collaboration of your whole workforce.

Reconsider the concept of “normal” in the workplace:

Annika Konrad is a disability researcher and advocate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In a 2018 publication in Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, Konrad said, “all professionals need to actively question what has been assumed as ‘normal’ in workplaces and view ability as a multifaceted, embodied quality that manifests itself in different forms in different bodies…” In other words, ability looks different for everyone, and your workplace culture should reflect the needs and strengths of the people who bring it to life, rather than normative, often ableist, expectations.

An emphasis on community learning and a cultural shift towards accessibility in your workplace will be healthier for all your employees, not just the ones who have visible or disclosed disabilities. Compassion, empathy, and respect are integral values in a teamwork environment, as well as in practicing accessibility. This won’t only assist you in hiring the best person for the job, but it is also important in order retain your talented employees. Practicing proper accessibility in your workplace is not just beneficial, but vital to the health of your business.

Cal Wilson / March 1, 2021

How can a fleet card save your business time and money?  

In a nutshell, a fleet card (or fuel card) is a type of payment card that allows for easy management of expenses associated with company-owned vehicles. Unlike a corporate credit card–which can be used for a broad set of authorized purchases – fleet cards are designed to be used specifically for expenses related to managing vehicles. Businesses such as trucking companies, ridesharing services or delivery providers will often issue individual fleet cards to employees who use and operate corporate vehicles, to cover fuel, vehicle repairs and maintenance expenses.

This is an exciting time for the fleet card industry. Businesses are looking to improve the management of fuel bills, and fuel cards are a useful tool regardless of the size of your business –from a sole operator with one delivery truck, an owner of a mid-sized fleet or a large national trucking company. Fleet cards can help your organization in many ways.  Here are just a few examples:

Accurate Records and Flexible Reporting. 

With exceptional reporting and analytics abilities, fleet cards enable owners/managers to stay informed of all business-related expenses, via real-time purchase reports. Automated data also removes the requirement for the completion of costly expense reports and manually administering reimbursements to employees.

Spending History & Budget Control.

Since each fleet card is linked to an individual employee, a business can use their transaction information to monitor spend efficiency and fuel consumption. These types of detailed purchasing controls help better manage overall company fuel expenses and allow for accurate budgeting estimates and adjustments in credit limits when needed.

Driver Convenience. 

Another consideration when deciding whether to use a fuel card program is the added convenience for the driver, as extra mileage traveled to find an accepting merchant results in added cost to the company. Since fuel cards are accepted at the vast majority of gas stations, drivers will be able to fill the tank when and where they need to.

Reduce Fuel Expenses. 

As a bonus, many fleet cards that are currently on the market offer additional fuel discounts and regular promotions. As fuel is the highest expense in the transportation industry, this can account for some significant savings at the pump!