News reports of malware and phishing are becoming a daily occurrence. Not too long ago, the entire school district in Cloquet, Minnesota closed due to a ransomware attack that shut down their entire computer network. But what does this mean? What are these things? How can I protect myself from them? Malware is short for malevolent software. This software is designed to gain access or ...

phish·ing Pronounced: ˈfiSHiNG/ noun: phishing The activity of defrauding an online account holder of financial information by posing as a legitimate company. "phishing exercises in which criminals create replicas of commercial Web sites" Phishing is the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting ...

So you thought you’d save a buck and build your own website using a free service? How’s that working for you? If it is working for you now, there is no guarantee this solution will continue to work. Many of the “free” web services out there have some pretty interesting small print that can really cause trouble for you in the long run. Every week ...

Is persistence, repeatedly telling the same message over and over until you get the results you want, the only way to marketing success?   How can you make your company or product stand out?   Enter Corporate Storytelling. Storytelling has existed since the beginning of humanity as a way to entertain and educate, persuade and relate.  Stories are a dominant force, able to unite people and ...

“Businesses, like babies and books, need nurturing, time, energy, love, and planning to develop, grow and prosper.” ― Rachael Bermingham   Website Your website will be many customers first look at your company.  People constantly pass judgment and make decisions while navigating online.  You want to be a presence not easily dismissed by reflecting the experience you want to promote. A website is imperative to ...

Look, we get it: You’re intelligent, you’re literate, and you’re well spoken. Writing copy for your business seems like something you can do yourself. But with all the nuance and minutia of language, not to mention the many possible interpretations of a diverse readership, every professional operation can benefit from a professional writer. Here’s how. To communicate your ideas with clarity and brevity This is ...

In the past, a business only thought about Reputation Management after a crisis. Now, in the age of local search directories, Facebook, and Yelp, managing your reputation is important to do from day one. But how exactly does it all work? The majority of Americans have instant access to the internet via cell phones, tablets and computers. This access has changed the way we shop. ...

Hurricane Irma, a category 4 hurricane, barreled through the State of Florida on September 10th - 11th, 2017. Along with that came a destructive power not seen for 12 years. The last hurricane to visit the state was Hurricane Wilma, a category 3, on October 24, 2005. So what exactly is a hurricane you ask? A hurricane is a storm (a tropical cyclone in the ...

You finally did it. You quit your day job to concentrate on opening your own business. Fantastic! One of the first things you want to do is to create a cool website that will help bring customers to your door. But how do you choose a domain that will be best for you and for your business? No worries. We’ve got you covered. Here are ...

Congratulations! You’ve started your own company! Now what? After you set up all of the legal, logistical and day-to-day elements of your new business, it is time to consider some marketing. How are customers supposed to find you? You can always fall back on traditional methods such as print ads and flyers, but those are one trick ponies. A website and digital marketing are the ...