How Digital Agencies Grow

It’s been a long time coming, the growth and success of digital agencies and small businesses. Reports show that by 2024, small businesses could add $2.3 trillion to the global GDP growth. However, it was not always like this, and it took hitting rock bottom for many of these businesses to thrive and realize their full potential in an online space.

The pandemic hit businesses of all shapes and sizes very hard. Many consumers were relying on online services to get by, but not all businesses had developed the skills or possessed the resources to thrive on those platforms. Small businesses especially had it the hardest. Nearly 100% report being affected in one way or another by the pandemic, 59%% had to lay off a large number of employees, and almost 30% had to close their doors permanently. 20% of women-led businesses reported being closed compared to 16% of men-led small businesses. In addition, minority-led small businesses were at least 50% more likely to report permanent closures, reduced sales, and employee layoffs.

Despite these struggles, the future is looking promising. In 2021, the global small business closure rate fell from 24% to 18%, and only 34% of small businesses reported lower sales than a year ago. Best of all, Americans created 2.8 million more online microbusinesses in 2020 in comparison to 2019. This shows the new way of commerce that the pandemic forced many business owners to adapt to, and shows the success they are having with it. Almost 70% of these online businesses claim to be planning to grow their microbusinesses full-time.

Although there are several businesses across the country that are still working towards rebuilding in the wake of Covid-19, a large percentage are willing and ready to start planning for a digital future. In fact, 28% report that they are already working on it. In addition to moving towards success on a digital platform, another way that small businesses are finding success is through preparing for the unexpected. Whether that be an influx of clients, newfound success, or an increase in demand. The bottom line is that the unexpected is inevitable, especially in the world of business and ecommerce. Therefore, the trend that most small businesses are not prepared for it is detrimental to the industries that they are a part of and their success within them. 

Currently, many small business owners take on several, perhaps too many, responsibilities within their company. Needs like sales, client management, hiring, onboarding, team performance, and results often rest on the shoulders of the owner, making it nearly impossible to remain stress-free and take time off. This is why experts suggest scaling and organizing new businesses of all sizes to better delegate and handle the unexpected. Pillars like workflow, tech stack, documentation, training, and metrics are vital aspects of a business that when properly delegated, can create a complete and optimized business system that is able to thrive under every circumstance. Ultimately, the performance of each aspect of one’s business will thrive once the work is divided and organized for efficient and effective performance. 

Learn more about how digital agency growth will continue to move forward in the infographic below:

Is Your Workplace Really Inclusive and Diverse?

By taking action to create a more inclusive workplace, leaders can help their employees feel appreciated and respected and ultimately create a stronger, more successful business. This means creating an environment where everyone feels like their voice is heard and valued.

But even if your company strives to make their workplace inclusive, it’s not always easy to tell when it’s working or when you’re falling short. Cluing into key indicators that your organization needs to improve its diversity and inclusion efforts (DEI) can help guide your company on a better path.

The Benefits of Having a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

It’s been found that companies with a more diverse workforce outperformed their less diverse counterparts. The study also found that companies with a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative in place were more likely to experience increased creativity, innovation, and employee engagement. In today’s global economy, success depends on a company’s ability to tap into the collective talent and experience of its workforce. 

A diverse workforce brings with it a wide range of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to new ways of doing things and improved products and services. It also helps to create a more positive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.

Finally, a diverse workforce can give a company a competitive edge in the marketplace. Customers are increasingly looking for brands that reflect their own values and identity, and a company that is seen as supportive of diversity is more likely to win their business. By promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, companies can reap the benefits of a more engaged, creative, and productive workforce.

Signs Your Workplace May Not be Inclusive or Diverse Enough

As our world grows more connected, it’s important for workplaces to reflect the diverse tapestry of perspectives and experiences that make up our society. A lack of inclusion and diversity can not only lead to missed opportunities, but it can also create an environment that is unwelcoming or even hostile to certain groups of people.

A recent study found that while 17 percent of respondents were concerned that their workplace wasn’t as diverse as it should be, 40 percent of respondents thought their workplace wasn’t even diverse enough to have a DEI policy.

If you’re concerned that your workplace may not be as inclusive or diverse as it could be, here are a few signs to look out for:

  1. There is a lack of representation of people from minority groups in management or leadership positions.
  2. There is a noticeable lack of diversity among employees in general.
  3. Complaints about discriminatory treatment or micro-aggressions are frequent or go unaddressed.
  4. Employees from minority groups regularly report feeling isolated or uncomfortable at work.
  5. The company is not doing anything to actively promote diversity and inclusion.
  6. There are no Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or Diversity & Inclusion Committees.
  7. People are using offensive language or making discriminatory jokes.
  8. Employees feel uncomfortable discussing diversity-related topics openly.
  9. The company culture is not very welcoming to newcomers or those who are different from the status quo.

How to Create a More Inclusive and Diverse Workplace

Creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace is an important goal for many organizations. It’s been reported that a vast majority of small businesses are making DEI a priority. There are a number of steps that can be taken to achieve this goal. 

  • Define what diversity and inclusion mean to you.
  • Evaluate your current workplace culture.
  • Commit to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
  • Implement diversity and inclusion initiatives in your workplace.

One way to promote diversity is to provide training on unconscious bias and cultural competence. This type of training can help employees become more aware of their own biases and how they might impact their interactions with others.

It’s also important to create a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up about issues of inclusion and diversity. There has been more attention paid to these issues post-pandemic, with 64 percent of business owners feeling they have made a safe and open environment for employees to discuss DEI.

This can be done by establishing clear policies against discrimination and harassment and by encouraging open dialogue about these topics. By taking these steps, organizations can create a more inclusive and diverse workplace that is respectful of all employees.

Leading the Way to Create a More Inclusive Workplace

While we can’t change everything overnight, there are small things each of us can do to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace. By following the tips in this blog post, you can take the first steps toward making your workplace more welcoming for everyone. By creating a more inclusive and diverse environment, workplaces can become more innovative, productive, and successful.

 

Automatic Insurance Card Scan and Capture Alleviates the Pain of Manual Errors

 

The healthcare industry is built in such a way that there are hoops, snags, and lots of red tape to get through in virtually any process no matter how small. Much of this is necessary for protection of all involved, including patients, administrative staff, and healthcare professionals. 

 

However, some of the most common problems surrounding healthcare have little to do with hands-on care, and everything to do with the administrative side, and many of them are all about anything that can happen when handling insurance in any capacity. From beginning to end; from patients giving information, to front end staff entering that information, to sending claims information to insurance companies, and to claims processing, there are numerous weak points where errors can occur. 

 

The fact is that nearly a quarter of all medical spending in the US has to do with administrative overhead, and so much of this can be blamed solely on challenges surrounding medical insurance. Some of the most common errors are things such as incorrect patient or payer information, outdated benefits information, lapsed coverage, and simple key errors on initial intake forms. 

 

These issues have been present for many years, but the COVID pandemic beginning in 2020, has only exacerbated challenges that were already present. 

 

Prior to the pandemic, many insurance companies did not cover telehealth visits and Medicaid, for instance, only covered them for rural patients.  This might not have been a major concern before 2020, however the pandemic changed so much about how we do things in everyday life, and certainly the healthcare industry was deeply impacted. 

 

The sudden shift in healthcare meant a sudden need for telehealth visits to become the norm rather than the exception. While this has obviously been convenient in many ways, it has also added to the potential for insurance errors. For instance, many remote healthcare professionals, who are obviously unaccustomed to dealing with the administrative side of things, do not have front end office staff and are having to handle insurance themselves. 

 

While the errors and challenges surrounding medical insurance can seem overwhelming and chaotic, we do have the technology available to handle these processes in a different way. AI integration in other industries has helped to diminish issues of human errors when it comes to simple tasks like data entry. It can certainly do the same in the healthcare industry regarding insurance capture. 

 

Automatic insurance card scan and capture can significantly reduce the occurrence of simple administrative errors that occur regularly. Not only is information no longer entered manually, but insurance verification happens quickly and automatically as well. 

 

Using AI for automatic insurance capture saves hundreds of hours of time, billions of dollars, and helps patients have a clearer understanding of their financial responsibilities and financial planning surrounding medical procedures.

Rocky Shi on Why Unreal Engine Represents the Future of Virtual Production

Everyone from the streaming giants to the major motion picture studios has started to rely on a new piece of technology when it comes to film and television production: Unreal Engine. This 3D software, initially developed for video games, has already made an impact in Hollywood, and will continue to overtake outdated methods of visual effects production like greenscreen. 

Rocky Shi, founder and CEO of Rise Entertainment and longtime entertainment investor, sees Unreal Engine as the future of virtual production. From the software’s origins in the video game industry to its key role in every aspect of production, read on to learn why Unreal Engine is making waves.  

What Is Unreal Engine?

First, it’s important to understand the history of Unreal Engine and its impact on game development. The software debuted in the late 1990s, created by the founder of Epic Games as an engine to assist in the production of a first-person shooter game. The software has since gone through several iterations and updates, resulting in the latest version of the software, Unreal Engine 5. 

It’s been used to design a number of popular video games, such as Fortnite and Gears of War. With the launch of the Unreal Engine Marketplace in 2014, developers began to be able to upload and share content and tutorials. The latest version of Unreal also allows for the importation of 3D objects and environments, as well as realistic shadow mapping. This has opened the doors for intensely detailed video games but also paved the way for the use of Unreal Engine in film production.

Beyond Video Games

As Unreal Engine has evolved over the decades, developers have become keenly aware of its uses beyond video games. There are many ways in which the software can be used in film production, some of which are just starting to be used, Rocky Shi explained.

By using massive LED screens paired with Unreal Engine, some productions began to experiment with this new technology instead of using traditional greenscreen sets. Westworld and The Mandalorian were among the first shows to do so. Now, as the technology has proved to be more efficient than greenscreen, many Hollywood productions are adapting AR wall-style sets.

Additionally, Unreal Engine has allowed for an evolution of motion capture, where actors are filmed and later layered with special effects in post-production. Advancements in facial recognition technology allow for these SFX to be applied in real-time, as Unreal Engine allows cameras to track mocap markers on an actor’s body.

The Future of TV & Film

Beyond these specific technical applications, using Unreal Engine has a benefit on overall workflow for almost every department. It allows for faster creation of concept art and storyboarding, as pre-production artists can quickly render ideas and pull from large preexisting libraries of images and scenes. 

Unreal Engine also puts the power back in the hands of individual creators — whereas many animators or filmmakers may have previously needed the power of an entire studio to create a pitch for their film, they can now use the tools offered by Unreal Engine to bring their ideas to life. This, Rocky Shi says, will even the playing field for smaller artists in the industry.

As Unreal Engine continues to update, and developers and creators share their insights in Unreal Engine Marketplace, it will only become a more useful tool not only for gamers but for Hollywood. By establishing new, more efficient workflows and replacing outdated tech, Unreal Engine represents the future of the film industry.

Big Brother fame Influencer Oleg Astakhov makes it big with his ballroom dancing and Fred Astaire Dance Studio

With the endless opportunities the unique world of dance has created room for passionate individuals who want to make a mark in the dance industry. On the Polish “TV Big Brother” show, even decades of expertise is no guarantee that you’ll win the trophy. But when it comes to Oleg Astakhov, who has been dancing pretty much since his childhood, it really didn’t hurt when he didn’t win the show. People who are at the forefront of the dance industry will take you more seriously, if you can bring clear cut value to the table. Oleg Astakhov does just that and the “TV Big Brother” show helped him in becoming a popular face that he needed initially.

Oleg is now even a popular internet celebrity on YouTube and Instagram. Some of his dance videos and tutorials have received more than 36 million views. He uses his huge following on social handles to connect with people and spread his messages, which could possibly make a change. To fulfill the purpose to help people learn dance in a better way, in 2020, he stepped up and opened Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Arcadia California, the biggest franchise studios in the world.

In an interview, Oleg shared that “he believes that it’s not your failures that will define your future, but it’s how you choose to respond to them.” Behind his dream-come-true Fred Astaire Dance Studio is a journey through the bumpy road of several challenges. His success really didn’t come on a silver platter, he has spent years mastering the Latin American dances. 

Oleg already holds the keys to his own empire with his ballroom dance. There are several dancers, who have the dance talent but they really lack entrepreneurial capabilities. He is an exception and has found a unique way to shape and build his own field with ballroom dancing by starting Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Arcadia. He understands that the prevalence of dance talent in the modern age has taken a major cultural role, when you can reach the audience, when you use dance for the fun of it. 

His background illustrates just how passionate and talented he really is and as the Ballroom Dance industry is already set to garner multi-million revenue, he is ready with Fred Astaire Dance Studio to take advantage of it. Today, his Fred Astaire Dance Studio is one of the most successful dance studios in Arcadia, with several followers and satisfied clients. Such statistics are concrete; they solidify the success story of his dance empire that he is looking to build. 

In addition to his dance studio, he runs a successful “Dance With Oleg“, that offers online courses to help dancers in staying up to date with the newest dance trends. This online platform could not have come at a better time, given that everyone was cooped up inside their homes due to the pandemic and dancing services and facilities were unavailable. 

Oleg can definitely play an incredibly powerful role in building out massively credible dance footprints. No matter how hard things become, he always has a master plan.  He channeled his dancing skills and combined his entrepreneurial acumen towards making the world a much better place. One thing is for sure, however the dance space changes, it is certain that Oleg Astakhov will be there, leading the charge.

A Discussion With Dr. Jon Marashi About His Distinguished Career in Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Jon Marashi is a dentist with an international reputation for excellence and an extensive list of credentials and qualifications. He attended dental school at New York University, graduating from the Aesthetic Dentistry Program with honors before completing a year-long residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York City.

After moving to Southern California, he served as the Clinical Program Director at the California Center for Advanced Dental Studies, using his experience to teach other dentists how to perform the finer points of cosmetic dentistry. Later, he started his own private practice, finding great success in cosmetic dentistry and establishing himself as an expert in the discipline. Dr. Jon Marashi has also published several articles in leading cosmetic journals over the years and is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Western Los Angeles Dental Society, and the Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry. Dr. Marashi has been profiled by publications such as GQ, Vogue, and Esquire.

Dr. Jon Marashi is also an entrepreneur, having been a participant in the development and launch of the M Sonic Luxury Tonic toothbrush in 2019. Additionally, he also served as the Chief Cosmetic Officer for Byte, a company that uses cutting-edge dental technology to examine facial symmetry in order to personalize a smile. In 2020, Byte was acquired by the firm Dentsply Sirona.

Outside of work, Dr. Marashi firmly believes in giving back to the community. In the past, he has been a board member of Learning Lab Ventures, an organization founded to improve the lives of underprivileged children. Presently, he donates his time to The Skatepark Project, which is a nonprofit initiative that advocates for the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities.

Why did you decide to create your own dental practice?

I’ve always had an affinity for beautiful smiles. That being the case, dentistry seemed like a natural vocation to pursue, and within that, cosmetic dentistry seemed like the right fit. I also liked the idea of being my own boss, and designing a practice according to my own vision.

What do you love most about the industry you are in?

I love my patients. I love transforming their smiles for the better, and I love getting to know them over the course of years and decades. I have some patients who have been with me so long that I’ve watched their children grow up and retain my services in their own right. It’s very rewarding to think that generations of patients have trusted my practice.

What would you tell others looking to get into your industry?

As a dentist, it’s very important to find mentors to guide you through your career—especially in the beginning. I’ve been lucky enough to be blessed with the friendship of many experienced dental professionals, and the advice they’ve given me in the past has been invaluable.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned managing your team?

Always approach your team with understanding and kindness. Treating them to a round of Starbucks once in a while never hurts when it comes to boosting workplace morale, either.

How has your company grown from its early days to now?

Our roster of patients has increased exponentially since the early days, in large part due to our reputation for quality work. We even count some very well-known people among our patients. Without naming names, I will say that the practice serves quite a few A-list actors, musicians, athletes, and celebrities from all walks of life.

How do you maintain a work life balance? 

Avoiding burnout is very important. I perform very difficult, very detailed work most of the year, but in order to maintain that level of excellence, I always make sure to take time to relax and unwind. I take at at least a couple vacations during the year which always helps. 

What traits do you possess that make you a successful leader?

Outside of being a gifted cosmetic dentist, as a manager, I believe that I’m approachable, discreet, and good at managing time. I also possess a very clear vision of where I want the practice to go and what I want it to accomplish, both in the present and the future.

What trends in your industry excite you? 

Generally speaking, there has been much more interest around people wanting to improve the appearance of their smiles. I find that really exciting, because improving smiles is my favorite thing to do. A great smile is a strong asset. Among other things, it gives people renewed confidence, and also it helps to create a great first impression.

What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome? 

Moving across the country from New York to Los Angeles was something of a logistical adventure, as long-distance moving always is, but I managed to get through it. The end result has been fantastic and I’m very glad I made that decision, however I’m also very glad I chose to do that when I was younger.

What is the biggest life lesson you have learned?

Always hold yourself to an extremely high standard in every professional venture and be accountable for your own actions. That being said, when it comes to addressing others, be quick to forgive mistakes and be sure to use empathy and compassion. 

Outside of work, what defines you as a person? 

I love skateboarding. Along with dentistry, it’s one of the two great passions of my life. I skated all the time when I was a kid, and I still skate in parks around Los Angeles whenever I can manage some free time. I also currently sit on the board of advocates for The Skatepark Project, which is a charity dedicated to building skate parks in underserved and underprivileged communities. 

How SEO Impacts Businesses

SEO has a huge effect on all businesses and no one knows that better than SEO agency. It can be a good tool that may improve the image of your brand if it is in hands of professionals who know their work but also can impact negatively if it does novice. Before we begin to delve into their offerings further, we must grasp what SEO is and how it works.

What Exactly Is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization helps businesses with their website’s technical setup, link popularity and content relevancy, so the most commonly searched keywords, brand names, and queries come first.

SEO is the activity of optimizing your website to appear higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), which means more people will learn about your business. 

Search engines put what they believe people want to see on the first page and anything they feel like does not generate as much traffic, therefore people are not that interested in seeing it, gets pushed back. People use search engines because they make it easier to find brands, their products, and all other information in one place. 

Search engines are the first option people use when they need information, and they provide business owners the opportunity to redirect relevant traffic to your website. That’s why every brand’s goal is to rank on the top page of Google results for important search phrases to reach a wide audience. 

SEO requires that you have knowledge of your clientele’s desires and it also deals with technicalities needed to optimize your website’s user experience for more visits and a better ranking.

What Impact Does SEO Have On Businesses?

SEO agencies also offer SEO services to learn more about SEO and how it affects their operations. They can change the way people perceive your business, how you perform in the market, and even the sales that you make. 

It can basically make or break your business image. Here are a few long-term SEO effects for your company:

SEO Influences Sales

The relevance of real-time research is expanding as it is becoming a crucial component of SEO and has a major impact on all businesses. Using SEO strategies, you can promote your brand with great prices and cutting-edge products and services, and the significance and reliability of what you provide clients will be a game changer.

Brands must be visible where people need them to create a meaningful connection. This visibility can only come from SEO.

The use of SEO helps boost the exposure of a business and aids its potential consumers in finding the answers, brands, and products that they are looking for.

Enhanced Brand Awareness

You can increase brand recognition in addition to generating traffic. People are more likely to view your listings at the top of search results. They will become acquainted with your company even if they do not click on them.

Brand recognition is important since it might help you get leads later on. When it comes to converting, people like to work with organizations they are comfortable with.

Increases Brand Trust And Credibility

The objective of any expert SEO is to lay a solid basis for a beautiful website with a clean, organized, and responsive website that can be found on the first page of a search engine and not take more than a few seconds to load. 

This will create an image of your brand that will grant it both credibility and authority. However, building that authority will benefit a brand far more than most, if not all, other digital enhancements.

The difficulty is that, just as in real life, it is impossible to create trust and reputation immediately. Over time, authority is acquired and built. 

Establishing a brand as an authority requires time, work, and dedication. It depends on providing a valuable, high-quality product or service that allows people to trust a brand. If you need some help with that, you can always find well-established full-service web design, and digital marketing service providers based in such big cities, just type in your search bar words like “Denver SEO agency”, or “SEO company San Diego”. 

More Web Traffic

This is the biggest impact that SEO can have on your business. Complying with SEO’s best practices will result in an improvement in your site’s ranking in search results. 

More people will visit your page and learn about your business if your website has a higher ranking. Not to mention that SEO may assist you in delivering more qualified visitors to your website. 

You know that consumers who search for relevant key phrases are likely to be interested in your products or services since you’re optimizing for them.

Improved User Experience

Every marketer’s top focus is now user experience. Everyone desires higher organic ranks and greater visibility. Few recognize, however, that a good user experience is a key 

to how your brand or business is perceived.

Customers know exactly what they want, and they want it ASAP. There will be an issue if they can’t find it. The performance will suffer as a result.

The aim of utilizing SEO company Denver is to give people the information they are looking for, swiftly and conveniently. 

SEO Generates New Opportunities

High-quality SEO will constantly find a way to identify and capitalize on new chances for companies not just to be noticed but to shine.

Offering great SEO to companies entails immersing an SEO staff in all aspects of that brand. Being a stakeholder is the only way to sell a brand with the passion and understanding its stakeholders have for it. The more a brand is understood, the more possibilities for it to prosper will develop. The same is true for SEO.

Today’s SEO changes can range from providing content, digital, and social opportunities to assisting with sales, product, and customer service initiatives.

Conclusion

SEO aims to improve your ranking in organic search results. While there may be too many competing aspects on SERPs, SEO still has a major impact on a company’s success. 

The lower you rank, the less likely you are to reap these benefits. Though, with SEO company Chicago, you will be provided with the tools you need to boost the SEO of your business and as a result customer retention, promotion, and profits.

Buying Boomer-Owned Businesses: A Millennial’s Path to Wealth

By mid-century, Baby Boomers will either sell or pass on an estimated $72.6 trillion in wealth. Due to its immense size, this impending phenomenon is known as the Great Wealth Transfer. If the money were divided evenly among the populations of Gen X and Millennials, each person would receive $220,000. Home ownership and small businesses are the 2 greatest wealth sources of Baby Boomers. Over the next few years, that wealth will fall into new hands.

Looking specifically at small businesses, Baby Boomers own 40% of the small businesses and franchises in America. 35% of their businesses have been in operation for over 10 years, and 75% are currently profitable. The top industries for Boomer-owned businesses are business services, retail, and construction. These industries are relatively mature and stable over time. 

Millions of American workers rely on income from Boomer-owned businesses. 25 million people are in their direct employ while millions more serve as vendors, suppliers and freelancers. Boomer-owned businesses are a crucial part of the US economy, yet for many, their future is uncertain.

10,000 Baby Boomers retire every day. The youngest Baby Boomer, born in 1964, turns 58 this year. Despite that, more than half of small business owners lack a transition plan. Many say they don’t have one because they still enjoy running their company. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to retire when they want to. Plenty of Baby Boomers retire out of medical necessity. If it’s not their own health, then it’s their partner’s. Due to rapid increases in healthcare costs, many retiring Boomers may sell their businesses to afford a comfortable retirement.  

Selling a small business can be hard. Some business owners spent their lives growing their company. They started with an idea and turned it into a profitable reality. Now the owner has to embark on a new chapter of their life, leaving their business behind. Even putting aside the emotional difficulty of the transition, finding the right buyer is an enormous challenge. Many businesses are too small to show on the radar for private equity funds. Worldwide, mergers and acquisitions are down. Without an established business owner to sell to, some Boomers may have to look elsewhere. They might turn to a Millennial looking to own a business for the first time.

Millennials are increasingly looking to become their own bosses. Buying an established business can be a better option than starting a new one. Boomer-owned businesses already have local brands and loyal customers. They provide services with proven demand and have made it through at least one recession. While many children of Boomer business owners are also Millennials, they’re less likely to take over a family business. Other enterprising Millennials have a chance at first-time business ownership. 

How can someone convince a retiring business owner to sell to them? Like any business owner, Boomers want someone who will take care of their business. They want the new owner to have the right skills and experiences and to keep existing employees. 

The New Online Battlefield: The Rise of Cyber Wars

Cyber attacks have been commonplace and hackers prevalent on the online landscape. 

In March 2022, there were more than 6 billion potential cyber attacks worldwide in a single 24-hour period. From personal, small-scale notifications about endangered email passcodes to large-scale infiltrations like the 2014 North Korea hack into Sony, we have seen cyber wars take place. But we are beginning to see and feel the larger, lasting effects from these cyber attacks in the form of full on cyber wars

In just the first couple of months of 2022, Ukraine was riddled with cyber attacks. Over 150 cyber attacks were launched against Ukraine in January, February, and March 2022. Extreme hackers disabled more than 70 government websites in Ukraine in January of 2022. Microsoft found malware in Ukrainian government systems that could be triggered remotely. One month later, the FBI asked US companies to alert them to “any increased (cyber)activity against Ukraine or critical US infrastructure. 

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a “shields up” alert which recommended all organizations to adopt a heightened cybersecurity position. Within that same month, just hours before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, its eastern neighbor was hit by new malware designed to completely wipe data. For Russia, the war with Ukraine is likely serving as a live testing ground for its next generation of cyber weapons.

But the question arises, why use Ukraine as a testing ground. What makes the second largest country in Europe the ideal target? One answer may lie in the country’s semi-advanced technology landscape and its finite amount of funds. Ukraine’s tech infrastructure is similar to Western Europe and North America, but there are limited resources for counter-attacks. 

To date, most cyber attacks have had less devastating effects, likely because they were only testing new cyber weapons. Cyber attacks have the capability to shut down electrical grids, destroy technology as well as explode power infrastructure. If these attacks continue at the same impact and become more prevalent, they could have an influence on the scale of a natural disaster. For instance, knocking out a power grid could create similar conditions that Texans experience in the winter of 2021 where there was loss of electricity and water as well as widespread damage due to frozen and busted pipes. 

While 70% of people agree the US is ranked most secure for cyber attacks, 93% of Americans are still fearful of cyber wars against the US. Therefore, it is important to become familiar with precautions you can take to help prevent one from happening on your own personal device. These actions include updating all software on computers and mobile devices as well as changing crucial passwords. Additionally, it is important to backup vital documents and emails offline. 37% of Americans have cash reserves as well as online banking and 31% have generators installed with food and water storage. 

With the boundary lines of battlefield becoming more complex with online territory being utilized, it is crucial to remain educated on the happenings of cyber attacks and safeguards you can use to stay safe.

Read in the infographic below to learn more about the effects of cyber attacks and the future they may hold. 

Emotional Wellness And Transformation Coach, Amritha Kailas, Is Thriving In The Wellness Industry Due To Her Exceptional Abilities

Amritha Kailas, a Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coach, concentrates on the domains of mental wellness and transformation coaching, the areas in which she has extensive experience. Amritha Kailas is a QA Manager with more than 12 years of expertise in manual and automated testing across a wide variety of business sectors. She holds a certification in quality assurance from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) (HP R&D-Imaging and Printing, Legal, Banking-Capital and Financial Markets, Aerospace, Manufacturing-Automotive, Hitech-Semiconductors). In 2019, she laid the groundwork for what would become Samsarga with the intention of motivating, educating, and enabling others to bring about better lives and healthier communities all across the world.

 

She aims to help young people and small businesswomen alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, insecurity, self-doubt, feeling overwhelmed, and other challenges related to family connections. She does this by empowering them to reveal their legitimate selves, inner harmony, clarity, attention, confidence, self-esteem, direction, and emotional balance to achieve their objectives and begin rebuilding peaceful emotional ties in their lives. In addition to being a qualified Reiki Master, Speaker, and Musician, Amritha is also the originator of an online course that can be accessed on Udemy and now has over 10,000 students enrolled in it from 142 different countries.

 

Amritha is a wonderful Life coach. I have done coaching with her for the past three months. With her insight and guidance, she has made a huge difference in my life and how I think. She has empowered me with various tools to manage my emotions and most importantly, trust myself and validate my own feelings without doubting myself. She has really given me confidence in making tough decisions that help me live my life according to my most important values. I can honestly say I am much more centered than I was before and I live more in tune with myself. – Vidya, Canada

 

On Voice America’s Influencer’s channel, Amritha hosts a weekly talk show called “The Peace Bridge Talk Show,” which airs at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays (Pacific time). The show offers a forum for Amritha and her guests to disseminate knowledge about the practices and resources based on ancient wisdom that might aid in the search for inner calm.

 

As a mental health coach, Amritha Kailas has an intense interest in assisting her clients in reaching their full potential. She persuades her clients that their mental health is the single most important thing they can spend money on. While there is a wealth of information available on topics such as mental health, nutrition, and exercise, many people still struggle to put what they learn into practice. In her role as a mental health coach, Amritha encourages her clients to take control of their health by providing them with information, resources, and support. She tries to inspire and motivate her clients to take positive steps toward improving their mental health. Amritha Kailas is the best at what she does because she gets fulfillment from helping others improve their mental health.

 

“Amritha Kailas has a gift of actively listening. When I say she actively listens, she is simultaneously holding a safe space for you. Her ways to get the client to go deeper are unique and it allowed me to figure out my own issues clearly.” – Lillian Hernandez, USA

 

Amritha Kailas’s clients meet with her one-on-one, in group settings, in-person or remotely, and work on a variety of mental health-related concerns. The services offered by more conventional wellness specialists, such as nutritionists, physicians, dietitians, therapists, and personal trainers, are complemented by her emotional wellness coaching, which serves as an additional support mechanism. Amritha’s mission is to serve as a support network, to hold clients accountable, and to give them the chance to craft a customized plan for achievement, all while keeping their overall health in mind at every step of the process.

 

By offering clients with assistance and holding them accountable for the changes they want to make in their lives, Amritha is able to assist her clients in achieving their mental health-related goals and in bringing about the life changes they desire. You can benefit from working with Amritha Kailas to strengthen your relationships, help you step into new careers, achieve your health and wellness objectives, and enhance your financial well-being.