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Heating industry turns up the temperature on PLC cybersecurity

Joseph Zulick Science & Technology

How important is cybersecurity for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in today's industrial settings? Merely a matter of national security. Consider this: in 2016, the NATO nations officially recognized cyberspace as a domain of warfare. In geopolitical terms, a cyberattack is now as actionable as a naval attack. Within industrial and commercial settings, cyber malice is a frequently seen as a leading threat, and likely a permanent one. As first brought to global attention by the Stuxnet attack in 2010, PLCs are a tempting target for malice.

What the federal rate hike means: The good, the bad, the possibilities

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

For the third time this year — and the eighth time in three years — the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates. The most recent hike, which occurred during the last week of September, increases the federal funds rate a quarter percentage point, to a range of 2 to 2.25 percent. The hike brings good news, bad news, and financial planning opportunities.

What you need to know before your next Facebook ad campaign

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

From January to May of this year, average monthly spending on Facebook ads dropped a staggering 85 percent.

Are your expectations too great?

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

It’s admirable to have great expectations — whether in your personal life or your professional career: to expect to do well in school, to expect to be successful in your new job, to expect to have a fulfilling relationship, to expect to be a terrific parent. But is there such a thing as having expectations that are too great? That your expectations far exceed reality? Is there a possibility that your expectations are unreasonable and unattainable? Are there any downsides to having to great expectations?

Encourage stronger cooperation in your workplace

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As a manager, you understand the critical importance of each member of your team working harmoniously toward a common goal. Yet sometimes, an individual staff member's personal agenda can interfere with your group working together seamlessly — and your projects can suffer. Here’s what you need to do: identify foolproof ways to foster cooperation, and get your group dynamic in sync. Follow this clear, research-proven advice to ensure excellent team collaboration, day after day.

Jump-start a conversation

Robert C. Harris Association Management

A board member explained, "People joined 30 years ago because it was prestigious. Membership was the way to establish credibility and meet the right people. Our stature has faded since the ‘80s." Another director said, "Our numbers have declined for decades. They joined to build their business connections, now they use the internet." Can this association be jump-started for relevance and to deliver value?

Orientation as a retention tool

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Reading the handbook, reviewing benefits details and filling out paperwork are not the best ways to welcome new employees. Relegating orientation to something to get through as quickly as possible is a missed opportunity on several levels. Instead of scheduling a marathon session with HR, learn three simple ways orientation, especially in small- to medium-sized companies, can be an excellent retention tool.

Can listening to music at work make employees more productive?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

"Whistle while you work," the popular song from Disney’s "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," might be more than just a catchy tune. A new survey by Robert Half/Accountemps reveals that most professionals who work in an office like listening to music at work — and are more productive when they do. Among survey respondents, 44 percent can listen to music at work with no restrictions and 38 percent can listen to music at work, but with restrictions, such as wearing headphones.

Basic but brilliant coaching questions

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Coaching is the process of helping someone master a skill or the correct application of knowledge. Teaching focuses on learning something new; coaching focuses on mastering that something. Teaching ends when someone is able to demonstrate that he or she can correctly perform the skill or apply the knowledge. Suppose a few days ago your employer launched a new initiative. You staff met and received training on the initiative. You’ve just observed Mike, a staff member, who put the initiative to use. Here are three brilliant coaching questions you could use.

How customers buy, why they don’t, and how you can change their minds

Terri Williams Marketing

If your company offers a great product or service, it can be difficult to understand why everyone isn’t lining up to buy it. Who wouldn’t want something this great? What possible reason could anyone have for not purchasing what you’re selling? It turns out that there are a lot of reasons customers — both individuals and companies — choose not to make a purchase. Understanding these reasons requires understanding how they make buying decisions, and armed with this information, you’re in a better position to overcome any objections.

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