3 suggestions for more effective online searches

At times it seems impossible to locate what you’re looking for when you’re performing an online search. One keyword may lead to thousands of irrelevant results. These simple tips will help you perform stronger searches and get more relevant results.

Keep it simple

Simplicity is essential when it comes to online searches. It’s usually in your best interest to use only a few words or phrases if the search is not too complicated. If you’re looking for a type of business in your area, you can type in that business type along with the name of your town or your zip code. That should garner results that are both accurate and relevant to you.

Learn about Boolean

Whether you realize it or not, you are most likely familiar with Boolean searches. This simply refers to using terms like “and,” “not” and “or” in your online searches. This is a smart thing to do when you are more familiar with what you’re searching for and know which terms you would like to include or exclude.

The concept of Boolean searches also is applicable when you use simple pluses and minuses in your queries. This is a faster way to accomplish the goal of Boolean searches. If you want a certain term included in results type a “ ” before the term in your search. If you want to guarantee something doesn’t show up in your results, simple precede it with a “-“ in your search.

Be precise

Preciseness is one of the simplest ways to ensure better search results. Using general phrases can often leave you with thousands of results that have little to nothing to do with what you’re looking for.

Quotation marks are generally very useful when performing an online search. Most search engines recognize it as meaning “search for this exact phrase.” So, when you know the business or idea you’re searching for, it may be best to search for it in quotes.

All of these suggestions are incredibly simple and extremely useful. Taking these into account when you’re searching online can greatly improve your search results.

If you’d like more advice on performing better online searches, check out this article.

3 simple office fixes to increase productivity

There are always a plethora of reasons for being unproductive. Every season brings a new ailment or distraction. In the winter, energy dwindles and in the summer, all people can think about is being outdoors. While there is no cure for those distractions, there are several things you can do to help keep your employees on target and increase productivity.

Keep a clean office

Clutter often leads to distraction. Keeping your office tidy and encouraging your employees to do the same can help people to be more focused. Getting rid of those unnecessary distractions by cleaning up every once in a while can make a substantial difference in employee productivity.

Increase the temperature

We all know what it’s like when we’re cold and find it hard to even move, not to mention work. Studies have shown that not only do typing errors decrease with a higher temperature; typing output increases by a whopping 150%. Next time your employees seem to be moving slowly, try upping the temperature a couple of degrees.

Lighten up

In one study, a brighter office was shown to help employees be more productive. Daylight, particularly, makes the biggest difference in productivity. People who work in offices with windows are likely to spend 15% more time staying on task than those without windows.

Because this easy fix can make such a big difference it makes sense to open blinds and move as many employees as possible into windowed spaces. Not only does this increase productivity, it can also save you money by lighting up the office without using electricity.

These straightforward office adjustments are incredibly easy to make and can make a huge difference in the amount of work that is accomplished.

For a few more simple tips on boosting productivity, take a look at this article.

5 gifts that are great for the techie mom

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and a number of us probably still haven’t gotten Mom a gift yet. If you belong to that category, have no fear – we have a great deal of gift ideas that are great for Mom.

Digital picture frame

Every mom loves to relive family memories through photos. That’s why digital picture frames are so wonderful. They allow your mom to relive a new memory whenever she wants. If you help her set it up, she can sit back and start admiring the gift right away.

Tech time

Your mom may love using tech but there’s a good chance that she doesn’t know how to use all of her gadgets. With this gift, you can offer your tech expertise. She may have a gadget that needs fixing or she simply might need you to show her how to use the DVD player. Whatever it is, she’s sure to appreciate your time.

Digital magazine or Netflix subscription

Most likely, your mom has either a magazine or a TV show that she’s hooked on. Getting her a subscription to a digital magazine will give Mom the chance to read the magazine she adores without all the clutter.

A Netflix subscription gives your mom the chance to catch up on her favorite TV show. If she’s more of the movie type, she can watch that movie her friends have been discussing for months. Either way, this gift is sure to be a hit.

Tablet

A tablet, such as the iPad or Xoom, is ideal for Mom due to its portability and convenience. Once your mom becomes accustomed to it, she should have no problem enjoying all of the games and apps it has to offer.

If a tablet is a little out of your price range, consider getting your mom a Nook Color. It boasts the same portability of a tablet and still offers many games and applications. You can also purchase that magazine subscription before you gift it – a little extra gift.

Quality time

Most moms think that they don’t get to see their kids enough, particularly if they live far away. In these cases, simply giving your mom a coupon for video chat sessions would likely be the perfect gift.

We all know our moms will appreciate whatever present we get for them. These gifts, however, will show you care and you put thought into it. Try surprising your mom this year with a great gift that she can actually use.

For more gift ideas, check out this Unplggd article.

Is Prezi the right tool for you?

Prezi is a presentation application that has been receiving a great deal of recognition lately for its alternative approach to presentations. It has plenty of fans due to its versatility. What else makes it so great? Read on!

Flash-based

Prezi is flash-based, which makes it more versatile in the type of presentations you can create. Presentations needn’t be quite so linear. They are created more like a visual map with words, images, links and whatever else you’d like to include.

You can zoom in and out of that map to access different parts of the presentation, and can move between areas. This eliminates the need to have identical slides throughout the presentation. It also prevents you from having to revisit a previous slide if you must reference it again.

Intuitive

Although Prezi’s interface takes some getting used to, it is extremely intuitive once you’ve figured it out. Many people are typically non-linear thinkers, which makes standard slide-by-slide presentations seem awkward. Prezi gets rid of that problem.

If you’re having trouble adjusting to the Prezi process, you can find a number of tutorials on the Prezi website.

Prezi is web-based but it lets you download your presentations once they have been created so you don’t need Internet access to actually present. There is a free model available, but for $59/year you can purchase Prezi for more storage and better privacy.

Although Prezi may not be for everybody, it is a great alternative for those who are looking to create a different kind of presentation.

Protect your online identity with these suggestions

The recent breach suffered by Sony’s Playstation users has the majority of people questioning just how secure their online identities are. If your personal information falls into the hands of the wrong person, the results can be grave. Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to protect against that.

Use an encrypted connection

Using an encrypted connection is an incredibly simple way to attain greater online security. Many websites, including most social networking sites, have recently adopted more secure connections, although you sometimes need to change the settings to get the extra level of security.

In order to see whether or not your connection is safe, check the URL. A secure connection will have a URL that begins with “https” instead of simply “http.” Unfortunately, all sites don’t use encrypted connections, so this is not always an option.

Use strong passwords

Strong passwords can easily be created and often make a substantial difference in the fight for online security. Try using a range of numbers, spaces, symbols and upper- and lowercase letters in order to instantly create a strong password.

Also, using a unique password for each site is essential. If you use the same password for multiple sites and one of those sites is hacked, you could be opening up all of your other accounts to hackers as well.

Look out for phishing

Phishing is a very common practice because it so often works to help hackers obtain sensitive information. It is basically when a hacker poses as a trusted business, such as a bank, to try to get your passwords, account numbers or usernames.

The recent data breach suffered by Epsilon is a great example of how phishing can occur. The people that hacked Epsilon’s network immediately gained access to thousands of email addresses and therefore had the opportunity to get sensitive, personal information from people.

These three tips are particularly easy to follow and do not take much work on your part. If you are interested in a few more tips, check out this article.

Working from the road can be tricky – simplify it with these tips

For many people, frequent traveling is a part of business. Unfortunately, most business travelers do not find that they are as productive from the road as they are at the office. Luckily for them, there are a number of tips and tools that can make on-the-go productivity and security more attainable.

Tools for easier travel

There are virtually countless options when it comes to tools that make traveling easier. The choices range from luggage to apps, and everything in between.

One tool that can take a lot of stress out of traveling is TripIt. It is an app that organizes all of the travel information for you. You can email your itinerary to TripIt and it keeps track of your flight times, hotel information, and frequent flier numbers, all in one spot.

Luggage that is conducive to business travel is essential as well. These are some of the key luggage features that can make traveling a breeze:

• Laptop compartment – It’s best to have a separate compartment for your laptop so that finding it at security, or even once you get to your destination, is easy. Nobody enjoys being the person who’s holding up the security line.
• A wire pouch – Having a specific spot to place all of your chargers and other wires is perfect for anyone with lots of gadgets. You no longer have to wonder where you placed everything, as there is a designated pocket for it.
• Convertibility – A convertible bag is ideal for someone who goes on a variety of business trips. If you need to carry everything through the airport one day and carry only your laptop the next, finding a bag that can serve both purposes is beneficial.

Security tools

It can be nerve racking to travel with all of your worldly possessions and then have to leave them unattended in the hotel room or unfamiliar office all day. Luckily, there are a lot of tools such as laptop locks that can keep your devices secure. You can also use personal safes to keep all of your smaller items safe.

Usually, taking general safety precautions is enough. Either make sure that your valuable items are somewhere secure, or keep them close by whenever you can. If you’re interested in more tools and tricks to keep your things safe, take a look at this article.

Boosting productivity

Productivity tends to wane when we’re working from the road for a variety of reasons. Being away from our familiar tools and desk setup can quickly slow us down. Fortunately, there are many items that can help bring productivity back up, even when you’re in an unfamiliar workspace.

For most jobs, it’s vital to have Internet access, especially when you are away from your coworkers. Some hotels do not have access to the Internet, and if that is the case you should consider bringing a wireless card or mobile Wi-Fi device that would let you easily access the Internet and your email.

One more thing that can affect your productivity is your comfort level. If you are sitting in an uncomfortable desk chair (which, let’s face it, most hotel chairs are) you may not be able to get as much done. You may want to bring a back pillow that can quickly boost comfort and therefore increase productivity.

Being productive while on the road is imperative if you’re traveling frequently for business purposes. Luckily, these tools and many others like them can help make that possible.

Build a greener office with these 5 tips

Creating an eco-friendly office is a great way to save money and do good for the environment. Although creating a greener office does take work, it can be accomplished by just about any business, big or small. In honor of Earth Day we are supplying you with a few straightforward tips that can help you transform your office into a greener environment.

1.    Use double-sided printing whenever possible

Set your printer or copier’s default setting to double-sided printing to instantly cut down on paper use. This is a simple step and if anyone needs single-sided printing they can quickly change the settings.

2.    Use a water delivery service

Getting rid of bottled water in your office can have a huge impact. Consuming bottled water is not only wasteful it can also be unhealthy. Plastic is made using Bisphenol A (BPA) which contains dangerous levels of estrogen and has been declared a toxic substance by some countries. Cutting back on that habit eliminates both waste and potential health risks.

3.    Turn lights and machines off when they’re not being used

This is an obvious suggestion, but many people fail to adhere to it. Turning off lights, computers and printers will save a significant amount of energy and, in turn, save your company money. If you can afford to install motion sensors, they are a great way to save money and energy.

4.    Use recycled and recyclable products when you can

Virtually any paper product that you use in your office can likely be bought in a recycled form. Recycled versions of most products are typically available at popular office supply retailers and are generally inexpensive.

Also, if you must use disposable plates and cups, try to find recyclable or compostable options. It’s not enough to simply buy recyclable products, it’s critical to have an easy-to-follow recycling program. Stress to your employees the necessity of recycling those products, otherwise there’s a good chance they’ll end up in the trash.

5.    Cut down on commuting

Organizing carpools is pretty easy to do. Simply match people up based on where they live. If you can, offer parking incentives to those who carpool. If your town has public transportation systems, try offering a bus or train pass to employees who can utilize those systems.

As you can see, these are simple and inexpensive ways to make your office greener. If you’re interested in even more green ideas, take a look at this article.

Keep your keyboard clean using these suggestions

Most of us are familiar with the rumor that our keyboard could be dirtier than a toilet seat. While that statement is startling, many wonder if it’s actually true. While levels of germs vary from keyboard to keyboard, some have shown higher levels than those on a toilet seat, which is a frightening fact.

If that isn’t enough to encourage you to clean your keyboard, consider the fact that you touch it every day, when you’re sick and when you’re eating. If you don’t clean it often enough, those germs can rapidly accumulate and spread to other items on your desk. Here are some tips that can help you clean your keyboard quickly and effectively.

Detach the keyboard

Regardless of what cleaning method you are using, it’s always important to disconnect the keyboard from your computer prior to cleaning. This ensures that you won’t accidentally perform any actions on the computer, as well as keeps your machine safe.

For a quick fix

A can of compressed air can easily get rid of the majority of loose dirt and debris. The dust and dirt that accumulates beneath those keys can get thick pretty quickly. This clears that right up.

Spray the compressed air while your keyboard is upside down and tap the keyboard until you see loose dirt fall out. You may have to do this a couple of times in order to get rid of the majority of the debris. To make sure you’re really getting it clean, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and swab the edges of the keys.

For a more thorough cleaning

If merely getting rid of loose dirt is not sufficient for you, try taking off the keys for a deeper clean. They can be taken off by gently prying them up with a screwdriver or a similar tool.

Once the keys have been removed, you should utilize the air compressor to get out all of the loose debris. Follow that up by swabbing everything with a moist cloth and cleaning the keys individually with the isopropyl alcohol.

After a spill

If you just need to know what to do after you’ve spilled on your keyboard, it’s simple. Immediately unplug the keyboard, turn it upside down and use a cloth to soak up all of the excess liquid. Then leave the keyboard upside down for as long as possible to make sure it is completely dry.

For more tips on cleaning your keyboard, check out this guide.

Virtual meetings are not quite as stressful with these 3 suggestions

Even though many prefer face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings are a common part of today’s business environment. It is critical, however, to remember certain things when you’re conducting these meetings.

Etiquette is important during virtual meetings and should be considered, as it would be in any face-to-face meeting. This may seem obvious, but many people think of virtual meetings as more casual and laid-back than face-to-face ones, which is not always the case.

Below you will find a few additional tips that can help your virtual meetings go more smoothly.

1. Be prepared

Preparedness is critical when it comes to professionalism and helping a meeting run smoothly. When you’re gathering the content and materials for a virtual meeting, you should be sure to remember your audience – something that’s not quite as easy during a virtual meeting.

Also, make sure that everybody invited to the meeting has the appropriate login information. If the invitees can’t actually access the meeting, the overall purpose is lost.

2. Engage participants

Many people are in the habit of jumping right into the meat of the presentation, which isn’t always best during virtual meetings. If you and your participants aren’t familiar with each other, building some kind of relationship is necessary. Try giving everybody the opportunity to introduce themselves.

Although it may feel like freshman orientation all over again, having everybody go around and share the highlight of his or her weekend or some other little tidbit, can serve as a huge icebreaker.

3. No side conversations

Although it may be tempting to hold side conversations when you’re not the one on screen, it can seem unprofessional and is often very distracting. Since virtual meetings often don’t hold people’s attention as well as face-to-face meetings, the last thing you want is to distract people from the task at hand.

Virtual meetings are great assets and there are many ways to ensure that you are conducting them in a professional and interesting manner. If you’d like to take a look at more suggestions for conducting virtual meetings, check out this Inc. article.

Benefits and drawbacks of e-readers

E-readers are a convenient technology that users tend to swear by. They are convenient and easy to travel with, causing them to be perfect for many bookworms. The technology isn’t for everyone however, so it’s important to take the features into consideration when deciding if it’s right for you.

What are the choices?

The Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble Nook are the most popular of the e-readers. Although some e-readers have Internet capabilities, their primary purpose is to display e-books.

Some people are also utilizing tablets like the iPad for their e-reader functions. However, these tablets typically do a lot more than just display e-books.

Pros

• E-readers are extremely portable, which is excellent for anyone who likes to read during vacation or a business trip
• One more travel perk – if you are in a foreign country, you may still download an e-book in the language you choose, instead of looking for an accommodating bookstore.
• Books are frequently more affordable than you will find in regular bookstores.
• Privacy – you probably don’t want everyone to know if you’re reading a self-help book. If you’re using an e-reader, they won’t be able to tell.
• All of your books are in one place.

Cons

• Depending on the style of e-reader or tablet, you might not be able to read in direct sunlight due to screen glare.
• Cost – even though you might pay less for books than you normally would, e-readers typically cost upwards of $140.
• If you’re used to shopping in used bookstores, these books will cost much more than you’re accustomed to spending.
• Lending books isn’t always an option.
• All of your books are in a single place – if you lose your e-reader, you’re losing all of your books until you buy a replacement.

As with any technology, the decision between an e-reader and a book depends on personal preference. While some people enjoy being able to display their books on a bookshelf and share them with the world, others prefer the portable convenience that comes with an e-reader.

For more insight into the debate between e-readers and traditional books check out this article.