Archive for category: General

Why Adaptability is the Key to Business Success

October 30, 2020/in General/by StrategyDriven

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how quickly things can change. Almost overnight, the world was plunged into a new era of lockdown restrictions and social distancing as the COVID-19 spread from one country to another. As well as causing a global health crisis, the on-going pandemic has caused economic instability and turmoil for businesses. However, organizations that have been able and willing to adapt to the necessary changes have been the ones to thrive.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may be an extreme example, it highlights just how important it is for businesses to be adaptable. When you can modify your operations or accommodate changes to your industry, you’re far more likely to survive. To learn more, take a look at these three reasons why adaptability is the key to business success:

Evolution

Industries change over time, which means your business needs to evolve too. With continuous improvement tools, you can ensure that your business continues to evolve in a way that facilitates on-going success. The introduction of technology revolutionized the workplace, for example, but businesses who failed to embrace the changes soon fell by the wayside. Conversely, the organizations that used tech to enhance their processes triumphed.

No business remains static, so changing in positive ways is always going to be better than the alternative. As your business evolves, you have the opportunity to expand your operations and increase your profitability. Without being adaptable, you’ll never grow your business successfully, which means evolution is critical to long-term commercial success.

Fast Responses

Being able to respond to things quickly means you can minimize losses, protect your enterprise, and capitalize on new areas of profit. Similarly, a sudden surge in demand for products or services won’t throw you off your stride. Instead, you can adapt your operations to respond to the demand and enjoy the unexpected increase in your profits.

There are numerous factors that can affect business performance, such as environmental disasters and economic downturns. Often, you’ll need to make strategic decisions swiftly, if you want to avoid unnecessary financial losses. When you can scale your business swiftly in response to external factors, you can ensure that you’re operating efficiently, productivity, and with minimal waste.

Effective Teams

An adaptable business recognizes the need for varied skills and talents. As such, you’ll be eager to hire personnel who can drive your business forward and facilitate growth. Similarly, you won’t be afraid to make changes to the workforce when the need arises. Currently, we’re seeing a shift away from static work environments to remote, distributed teams. Unsurprisingly, it’s the businesses that can adapt to this way of working that will benefit the most from the global talent pool and the reduced cost of maintaining a distributed staff.

Being More Adaptable

With so much of your success depending on your adaptability, it’s vital to incorporate this attribute into as many areas of your business as possible. By making adaptability a core tenant of every business decision, you can create an enterprise that’s inherently adaptable and primed for commercial success.

StrategyDriven Podcast – Special Edition

July 22, 2020/in General/by Nathan Ives

The StrategyDriven Podcast – Special Edition series introduces listeners to today’s top business leaders. Through our special edition podcasts, these highly successful authors share their insights on management and leadership effectiveness and achieving increased levels of business success.

StrategyDriven Podcast – Special Edition Episodes

Special Edition 1 – An Interview with Robert Thompson, author of The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable
Special Edition 2 – An Interview with Diana McLain Smith, author of Divide or Conquer: How Great Teams Turn Conflict into Strength
Special Edition 3 – An Interview with Forrest Breyfogle, author of Integrated Enterprise Excellence, Volume I – The Basics
Special Edition 4a – An Interview with Tony Simons, author of The Integrity Dividend: Leading by the Power of Your Word, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 4b – An Interview with Tony Simons, author of The Integrity Dividend: Leading by the Power of Your Word, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 5 – An Interview with Michael Gurian, author of Leadership and the Sexes
Special Edition 6a – An Interview with Gregory Berns, author of Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 6b – An Interview with Gregory Berns, author of Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 7a – An Interview with John Leonetti, author of Exiting Your Business, Protecting Your Wealth, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 7b – An Interview with John Leonetti, author of Exiting Your Business, Protecting Your Wealth, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 8 – An Interview with Steve Steinhilber, author of Strategic Alliances
Special Edition 9 – An Interview with Steve Kerr, author of Reward Systems
Special Edition 10 – An Interview with Don Schmincke, co-author of High Altitude Leadership
Special Edition 11 – An Interview with Marshall Goldsmith, author of Succession
Special Edition 12 – An Interview with Nat Stoddard, author of The Right Leader
Special Edition 13 – An Interview with Michael Dunn, author of The Marketing Accountability Imperative
Special Edition 14 – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Sales Strategy from the Inside Out
Special Edition 15 – An Interview with Susan Bloch and Philip Whiteley, authors of How to Manage in a Flat World
Special Edition 16a – An Interview with Scott Davis, author of The Shift, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 16b – An Interview with Scott Davis, author of The Shift, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 17 – An Interview with Garry Ridge, co-author of Helping People Win at Work
Special Edition 18 – An Interview with Roxanne Emmerich, author of Thank God It’s Monday!
Special Edition 19 – An Interview with Arlene Johnson, author of Success Mapping
Special Edition 20a – An Interview with Gary Cohen, author of Just Ask Leadership, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 20b – An Interview with Gary Cohen, author of Just Ask Leadership, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 21a – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Action Selling
Special Edition 21b – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Selling Your Price
Special Edition 21c – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Questions: The Answer to Sales
Special Edition 21d – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Masters of Loyalty
Special Edition 21e – An Interview with Duane Sparks, author of Sales Strategy from the Inside Out
Special Edition 22 – An Interview with Michael Bender, author of A Manager’s Guide to Project Management
Special Edition 23 – An Interview with Susan Scott, author of Fierce Leadership
Special Edition 24 – An Interview with Jim Champy, author of INSPIRE!
Special Edition 25 – An Interview with John Kennedy, author of The 15 Minute Heart Cure
Special Edition 26 – An Interview with Omar Khan, author of Liberating Passion
Special Edition 27 – An Interview with Chris Edgar, author of Inner Productivity
Special Edition 28 – An Interview with Ken Blanchard, author of Leading at a Higher Level
Special Edition 29 – An Interview with Tammy Erickson, author of What’s Next, Gen X?
Special Edition 30a – An Interview with Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman, authors of The M-Factor, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 30b – An Interview with Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman, authors of The M-Factor, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 31a – An Interview with Stacey Hanke, author of Yes You Can!, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 31b – An Interview with Stacey Hanke, author of Yes You Can!, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 32 – An Interview with Nilofer Merchant, author of The New How
Special Edition 33 – An Interview with Larry Myler, author of Indispensable by Monday
Special Edition 34a – An Interview with Dave Esler, co-author of The Pursuit of Something Better, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 34b – An Interview with Dave Esler, co-author of The Pursuit of Something Better, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 35 – An Interview with Robert Kolb, co-author of Corporate Boards
Special Edition 36 – An Interview with Robert Wysocki, author of Adaptive Project Framework
Special Edition 37 – An Interview with Ann Marie Sabath, author of Business Etiquette
Special Edition 38 – An Interview with Robert Morison, co-author of Analytics at Work
Special Edition 39a – An Interview with Sharon Drew Morgen, author of Dirty Little Secrets, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 39b – An Interview with Sharon Drew Morgen, author of Dirty Little Secrets, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 40a – An Interview with Frank McIntosh, author of The Relational Leader, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 40b – An Interview with Frank McIntosh, author of The Relational Leader, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 41 – An Interview with Susan Bagyura, author of The Visionary Leader
Special Edition 42a – An Interview with Geoff Loftus, author of Lead Like Ike, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 42b – An Interview with Geoff Loftus, author of Lead Like Ike, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 43a – An Interview with Diane Katz, author of Win at Work!, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 43b – An Interview with Diane Katz, author of Win at Work!, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 44a – An Interview with David Parmenter, author of Key Performance Indicators, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 44b – An Interview with David Parmenter, author of Key Performance Indicators, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 45 – An Interview with Sharon Armstrong, author of The Essential Performance Review Handbook
Special Edition 46 – An Interview with David Axson, author of The Management Mythbuster
Special Edition 47 – An Interview with Rick Maurer, author of Beyond the Wall of Resistance
Special Edition 48 – An Interview with Wendy Powell, author of Management Experience Acquired
Special Edition 49 – An Interview with Kathryn Ullrich, author of Getting to the Top
Special Edition 50 – An Interview with Marshall Fisher, co-author of The New Science of Retailing
Special Edition 51 – An Interview with Priscilla Nelson and Ed Cohen, co-authors of Riding the Tiger
Special Edition 52a – An Interview with Ken Ball and Gina Gotsill, co-authors of Surviving the Baby Boomer Exodus, part 1 of 2
Special Edition 52b – An Interview with Ken Ball and Gina Gotsill, co-authors of Surviving the Baby Boomer Exodus, part 2 of 2
Special Edition 53 – An Interview with Randy Dobbs, author of Transformational Leadership
Special Edition 54 – An Interview with Gail Martin, author of 30 Days to Social Media Success
Special Edition 55 – An Interview with Adrian Ott, author of The 24 Hour Customer
Special Edition 56 – An Interview with Andy Kanefield, co-author of Uncommon Sense
Special Edition 57 – An Interview with Robert Simons, author of Seven Strategy Questions
Special Edition 58 – An Interview with Steve Boehlke, author of 50 Lessons on Leading
Special Edition 59 – An Interview with David Aaker, author of Brand Relevance
Special Edition 60 – An Interview with Doug Moran, author of If You Will Lead
Special Edition 61 – An Interview with John Maxwell, author of The 5 Levels of Leadership
Special Edition 62 – An Interview with Mark Sanborn, author of Up, Down, or Sideways
Special Edition 63 – An Interview with Victoria Grady, author of The Pivot Point
Special Edition 64 – An Interview with Jason Jennings, author of The Reinventors
Special Edition 65 – An Interview with Ed Reilly, editor of AMA Business Boot Camp
Special Edition 66 – An Interview with Mark Sanborn, author of Fred 2.0
Special Edition 67 – An Interview with Jeffrey Gitomer, author of 21.5 Unbreakable Laws of Selling

On the Hunt for the Best CPA Review Course out There? 6 Questions You Need to Ask Before Making the Decision

June 19, 2020/in General/by StrategyDriven

If you are planning to take the CPA exam, you are probably very aware of exam courses. In fact, most experts agree that taking the CPA exam without taking one of these courses is a lot like having someone blindfold you, turn you around several times, then having you throw a dart at a dartboard and expecting to hit the target. You might accomplish your mission, but it would be excruciatingly difficult to do. That’s why taking a CPA prep course, whether in-person or online, is so important.

If you have done any homework on these exam reviews, the chances are good that you have already discovered that there are many of them. The following six questions will help you select the one that is right for you, or at least get you headed in the right direction.

1. Are there any virtual CPA exam review classes? As many review courses as there are, not all of them are created equal. Some are given online, while others are in-person. Some are a combination of both. Some are better than others. Be sure you pick the format that works best for you and your schedule.

2. Is there an instructor available to speak with? As great as online courses are, there is no substitute for being able to interact with a real human. Ask if you have this option available.

3. How long will a candidate have access to the materials, and can their access be extended if the person runs out of time? Most CPA exam reviews are goldmines of materials, but these are of little good if after you complete the course you have no access to them.

4. What is the total cost of the course, and are there discounts available? CPA exam review courses aren’t cheap. In fact, some are as expensive as a used car, so unless you have someone bankrolling you, you will need to come up with the money for those fees. Make sure you know what that price tag is and whether you can handle it. Be sure to ask if they offer discounts and if you qualify for them.

5. What is the policy about students who fail a part or parts of the exam? Can a candidate retake that part of the review course? Some review courses offer students who don’t pass legs of the exam the opportunity to take those portions of the course again. Make sure the course you select offers this.

6. Can a person get updates as they are released, and is there a cost for this? Most CPA review courses are good about keeping their materials up to date. Make sure that the course you elect to take is one of them. Otherwise, all you will be learning is information that is out of date and won’t help you pass the exam a bit.

These questions should give you a start. Most CPA review courses have this information and much more on their websites, but if you can’t find it, or have other questions, be sure to ask. You have a right to know what you are paying for as well as to make sure that the course lives up to your expectations. Helping you to pass the CPA exam is not only their most important job, it’s their only job.

Secure Transmissions: 5 Tips for HIPAA Compliant Faxing

May 21, 2020/in General/by StrategyDriven

Healthcare workers need to keep the privacy of their patients’ information in mind at all times. That goes for not just in-person communications with patients, caregivers, and other providers but also for information sharing processes like faxing. Since most healthcare organizations still send faxes on a daily basis, all workers should ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) at all times. Read on to find five tips for how to ensure compliance.

Switch to a HIPAA-Compliant Fax Service

Using traditional fax machines made for general use is a great way to wind up in a world of legal trouble. Healthcare facilities that still use traditional fax machines should make the switch to a secure web-based hipaa fax service immediately.

Specialized online fax services designed for the healthcare industry offer a number of security features to ensure HIPAA compliance. They use secure socket layer protocols, at-rest encryption, user authentication, and advanced data center security to ensure that patients’ protected health information (PHI) cannot be accessed by external actors. A good fax service will also keep document transmission logs and record log on/log off events associated with IP addresses for an added level of security.

Never Leave Faxes Unattended

Human error is one of the most common sources of HIPAA violations. Healthcare workers should be trained never to leave faxes that contain PHI or other sensitive information unattended. They must stay at the machines until the fax goes through, then remove the document immediately.

Before sending the fax, healthcare workers should also call patients to ensure that their fax machines are in protected locations. In this case, a protected location can be considered any fax machine located out of the line of sight of the public.

Don’t Forget the Cover Sheet

HIPAA requires healthcare providers to include a cover sheet each time they transmit protected health information. There is no official standard for what must be included on the cover sheet, but at a minimum, it should include the patient’s name, the receiver’s name and fax number, the sender’s name, fax number, and organization, the date and time of sending, and the HIPAA disclaimer. Cover sheets must be used not just when sending traditional faxes but also when using online fax apps, so make sure the app has a protocol in place for attaching cover pages when switching to HIPAA-compliant fax service.

Keep an Audit Trail

Healthcare providers must keep detailed records of all the activity on their systems, whether they use online fax apps or traditional machines. Switching to a HIPAA-compliant fax service makes keeping audit trails much easier since the app should be able to log activity automatically.

HIPAA requires healthcare providers to keep records of audit trails for at least six years. Healthcare facilities that use online fax services should keep raw records for the first six months to one year before compressing them.

Be Aware of PHI Stored Locally

Most healthcare data breaches occur when malicious actors access patients’ PHI on local devices and portable media like laptops and removable drives. Healthcare facilities that are unable to prevent these data breaches may be fined. It’s better to use a cloud-based service that automatically encrypts all documents than to keep on unsecured and unencrypted local devices.

The Bottom Line

HIPAA was designed to protect patients’ sensitive information. Healthcare facilities that do not follow these regulations can be fined and will face substantial damage to their reputations. Make sure all healthcare providers are on the same page about ensuring compliance while faxing sensitive documents.

Invited Authors Article Submission Portal

April 11, 2020/in General/by StrategyDriven

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Why Adaptability is the Key to Business Success

StrategyDriven Podcast – Special Edition

On the Hunt for the Best CPA Review Course out There? 6 Questions You Need to Ask Before Making the Decision

Secure Transmissions: 5 Tips for HIPAA Compliant Faxing

Invited Authors Article Submission Portal

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