afl's Knights of Technology, LLC

business and tech tips

april 2015

HELLO!

I hope this finds you well. With the volumes of information on the Internet, it's very easy to miss quality information that may help to serve your business for the better. Below is a group of select articles we found valuable and will be sharing similar articles on a monthly basis. Our team values your business and considers that great information should be shared for the benefit of all. So as we find great information, you will be in the know as well. I would also like to share that afl's Knights of Technology is growing.  My son, Eric, has just graduated from college with a degree in communications.  He will be joining the team to help with web development, social media and more.  If you are interested in learning more about how he can help you or anyone you know, give us a call or email us.

 IN THIS ISSUE

What Great Managers Do to Engage Employees
James Harter and Amy Adkins, Harvard Business Review

Polls have consistently shown that less than 1/3 of Americans are involved in and enthusiastic about their work.  Research shows, however, that good managers can make a dramatic and positive difference in how engaged their employees are in their work.  See what actions you may already be taking to create or destroy engagement, and steps you can take to create happier employees and improved job performance.  Vital reading to make your employees productive and happy!   

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3 Simple Ways to Expand your Company and Keep Your Equity
John Warrillow, Inc.

When business owners want to expand, there is always the temptation to trade some of their equity in exchange for funding.  In the end, this is not always the smartest financial decision because the owner has his diluted his ownership position while pumping excess cash into the growth the investors demand.  Learn three counter-intuitive ways a business owner can expand his company while keeping all the equity so he has full control.

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8 Nastiest Data Breaches in 2015
Identacor, SlideShare

Data breaches continue to be an issue in 2015, and we encourage you to read about some of the most egregious cases this year. It’s a good reminder for all of us about the profound effect a data breach can have on our companies if we are not consistently vigilant about security.

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5 Common Productivity Misconceptions that Can Hold You Back

Stephanie Vozza, lifehacker

People often say, “I work best under pressure”, or “I need to take work home with me to be more productive”.  Experts say this isn’t correct.  Read about some common situations where people say they are more productive, but experts say actually hinders it.  You can also get tips that apply to all of us on how to more effectively manage our workloads.   

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Missing the Mark with Smartphone Etiquette in the Workplace

Kate Ashford, Forbes

In a recent survey, managers said that “untimely and inappropriate use of cellphones” is the number one etiquette breach of their employees.  Read about 8 ways that you might be violating proper phone etiquette in the workplace.  Make sure you don’t fall into this trap!  

  read more

AND...VIDEO PICKS FROM OUR STAFF

The Future of Medicine

Company takes the idea of x-rays to the next level
 see the video

Drones as Butterflies

See how micro robotics is taking flight  
see the video

3-D Printing Material Evolves

New materials is providing new ways to print intricate objects
see the video