KRS Newsletter March 2024

KRS TECH CHRONICLE

Insider Tips To Make Your Business Run Faster, Easier And More Profitably

WHAT'S NEW

I think it’s safe everyone!! Not safe from hackers, but I doubt we will get anymore snow this year!! I think we’ve turned a corner, and as I write this I am gazing out my window on a beautiful, sunny, 50 degree, March afternoon!! Spring is here and with Spring, comes Spring cleaning! Lucky for everyone KRS doesn’t do home or office cleaning BUT we do clean up networks!! Also, we do some wire clean up! lol That’s always fun ��

If you are not a current client, but starting to realize that your current network and setup is in desperate need of some cleanup and attention, call us this March. We have brand new easy to use software that can detect your risk and allow us to put together a custom plan solution to address all of your companies needs Email: info@KRSIT.com and title it, SPRING CLEANING. One of our experts will reach out and set up a quick discovery call!!

Th pu provided courtesy of Josiv Krstinovski

and

TRUST IS THE NEW CURRENCY

How Wealthy Are You?

OUR MISSION:

Today,mostbusinesstransactions–whetherbuyingshampooortonight’s dinner–arefacelessThat’swhyin ourdigitalworld,trustisthenew currency.Thisshiftinconsumer behavior,sometimescalledthe“trust economy,”ismorethanthequalityof productsorservicesyouoffer;it’sabout constructingabedrockofreliabilityand transparencysocustomerschooseyou overcompetitors

“Trustkeepssocietyrunning.Eventhe mosttrivialinteractionsrelyonsmallacts oftrust,”theEconomistreportedThis isn’tlostoncompanyleaderseither.

customersaremoreskepticalthanever.As productandserviceproviders,PwC pointsoutthatweareconstantly evaluatedbyourcustomersonwhetheror notweare“forcesforgoodinsociety.” Makeoneslipupandthattrustisgone, perhapsforgood.

Howyouhandledataandusetechnology toinfluenceyourcustomers’experience willdecideyourfateinthetrust economy.Prioritizethemostimportant driversoftrust–empathy,reliabilityand integrity–andgrowyourcustomer loyaltythisyearandintheyearstocome.

“I don’t care if it costs me more money, I am going to make sure that every single client of ours has the absolute best security and solutions in place. If I am not doing my job. Plain and simple.”

PwC’s25thAnnualGlobalCEOSurvey reportedthatbehindindustryconditions, consumertrustisthemostimportant predictorofacompany’spastandfuture financialperformance.

However,trustisincreasinglydifficultto earn.Thankstotherecentemergenceof AI,frequentmishandlingofpersonaldata bycompaniesandrelentlesscyber-attacks,

Technology’s Role In Improving Customer Trust

Ourdependenceontechnologyis undeniable,yetthisveryreliancemakesus vulnerable.ComputerpioneerWillis Wareoncesaid,“Theonlycomputer that’scompletelysecureisacomputerno onecanuse.”

Thisstatementhitsanerve,especiallyfor businessesnavigatingthecomplexitiesofdigital security.Thechallenge,then,istoharness technologyinawaythatboosts,ratherthan undermines,customertrust.

Everbeenshoppingforanewshirtonlyto haveanonlineadpopuplaterforthesame shirt?It’snotacoincidence–it’sdata. Althoughcustomersexpectyoutocollectdata, theywantasayinit.Accordingtoareportby Qonsent,94%ofconsumersfeelthathaving controloverthedatatheysharewithcompanies isimportant.

Make sure you have a clear privacy policy that tells customers:

Whatdatayoucollect

Howyouuseit

Whoyoushareitwith

Howtheycanadjustwhatdatatheyshare withyou

Additionally,don’tcollectmoredatathanyou need,andensureyourteamiswell-versedin datasecurity,drawingfromclearinternal processesarounddatamanagement.Slack’s “PrivacyPolicy”pageisanexcellentexampleof datatransparency.It’swrittenfortheconsumer (notinlegalese),anditclearlyexplainswhat

dataiscollectedandwhy,andhowuserscan changetheirpreferences.

Customerswanttoknowifyouhaveagood reputationforprotectingtheirdataand information.Accordingtoa2022McKinsey survey,53%ofconsumerswillonlyengage withacompanyaftercheckingforagood securitytrackrecord.Evenonebreachcould meanlosingasignificantamountofyour customerbase.

Tobuildtrustwithyourcustomers, makesureyourcompany’scybersecurity strategyincludes:

Multi-factorauthentication

Proactivesecuritysoftwarethatstops attacksbeforetheyhappen

Regularsecurityawarenesstrainingfor allemployees

Frequentbackups

(localandremote,ideally)

Adisasterrecoveryplantohelpyou respondquicklyandwithauthority, decreasingtheriskoflosingyourcustomers afteranincident

interactionsreducedcustomerservicecostsby asmuchas33%

Accordingtoa2018reportbyDeloitte, customersspent140%morewithcompanies theyhadapositiveexperiencewith. Additionally,companieswithpositive

A few extra dollars in the pocket NEVER hurts. Especially, if there are things to be paid off. Or, perhaps you just need some extra cash to Treat Yo’self!!

See how easy it is!!

Technologyenablesbusinessestooffer personalized,seamlessexperiencesthat resonatewithcustomersConsiderhowecommerceplatformsuseencryptedpayment transactionsandtailoredshopping recommendationstoprovidesecureand helpfulinteractions.OrCRMsystemsthatact likeanassistantwhoneverforgetsafaceora conversation,soyoucanmanagecustomer interactionswithgreaterpersonalization

Aboveall,though,it’sthequalityofevery interactionyouhavewithcustomersthat buildstrustWhetheroverthephone,byemailoracrossastorecounter,rememberthat yourcustomerwantstotrustyou.Youjust havetodeliver

Nearlyhalf(46%)ofconsumerssaythey’ll consideranotherbrandifdatapracticesare unclear,accordingtotheMcKinseysurvey. Ontheflipside,organizationsprioritizing digitaltrustaremorelikelytoexperiencea 10%annualboosttotheirtopandbottom lines.Listentoyourcustomers.Prioritizea trust-basedapproachtoyourbusinessand digitalsecurity,andyou’renotjustwinning trustnow,you’resettingupforyearsof loyalcustomers.

Earn $300 for each friend who has a consult with us, and $1000 if they become a client!

Intoday’smarketplace,whereconsumertrustis thelinchpinofsuccess,authenticityemergesas akeydifferentiatorforbusinessesWhobetter tobreakdownthepowerofauthenticitythan oneofthemostdown-to-earthTV personalitiesinAmerica–MikeRowe?

Knownforhisunscripted,real-lifeexperiences, Rowehashadacareer–spanningfromhis unconventionalpresentationsonQVCtohis adventuresinDiscovery’s Dirty Jobs –that offersrichlessonsonthepowerofauthenticity inlifeandbusiness

Balance Authenticity And Authority

In2001,RoweworkedatSanFrancisco’s KPIX-TV.Eventually,hestartedasegment called“Somebody’sGottaDoIt,”wherehe interviewedtradespeopleRoweimaginedthat he,thehost,wouldexplaintheinterviewee’s worktotheaudienceAfterall,that’showhis hostingexperiencehadbeensofar.

DowninthesewersofSanFranciscowith GeneCruz,Rowebeganhisopeninglinefor theshowJustthen,humanfecessplattered acrosshisfaceInresponse,Cruzsaid somethingthatlaterbecameRowe’smantra: “Downhereinthesewer,it’sbesttokeepyour mouthshut”ButRowekepttryinghisline–andfailingBetweeninvasivecockroachesand rats,hecouldn’tgetitright.Finally,Rowegave upandletCruzdothetalking.Theshowwasa massivehitandlaterbecameRowe’sfoundation forhislegendaryperformanceon Dirty Jobs

Insteadoftalkingastheexpert,Roweletthe realexperttalkInthecitysewers,herealized hehadtostrikeanewbalancebetweenexpert authorityandauthenticityinordertoconnect authorityandauthenticityinordertoconnect sincerelywithhisaudience.

“Atthatmoment,Itransitionedfrom–whatI wouldcallincableTVanyway–theageof authority,wherealltheinformationcamefrom anexpertorahost,intotheageofauthenticity we’relivingintoday,wheretheviewerismore skepticalandpreferstogettheirinformationby watchingaconversationinsteadofalecture,” heexplains.

Somewherebetweenauthority–knowingyour businessandhavingallthefacts–andgenuine authenticity–beingcompletelyyourselfwith nooffense(whichyouraudiencedoesn’twant toseeanyway)–iswhereauthenticitylives, RowesaysThekeytobuildingaloyal audiencetofigureouthowtostrikethat balance

Authenticity Is More Than Passion

Inanearlyepisodeof Dirty Jobs,Mikeplunged intoaseptictankalongsideLesSwanson.After 15yearsasaguidancecounselorand psychologist,Swansonhadlefthiscareerto startaseptic-tank-pumpingventurenear Madison,Wisconsin.

“ItwasLesSwansonwhosaidtome,‘I’mnot herebecauseI’mpassionateaboutseptictanks,’” Mikereflects.“‘I’mherebecauseIwantedtodo somethingdifferent.’”

Rowe’sjourneymirroredasimilarpath.He’d crawledintosewersandseptictanks,usinghis skillsinconversationtoshinealightonothers’ importantwork.

“Thelessonisn’ttonothavepassion.Passionis importanttofollow–bringitwithyouinall things,”Rowesays. “But real job satisfaction comes from finding an opportunity and finding a way to be great at it, and then finding a way to love it.”

TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME ON STRESS:

Why Leaders Are Choosing Mindfulness Over Hustle

Meditation and mindfulness practices have been studied in a range of contexts – from college students to hardened marines (who showed faster stress recovery with mindfulness-based mind fitness training) Leaders who meditate think more clearly, stay calm in chaos and make smarter decisions. You don’t need a mountain retreat to channel the Zen; meditation apps like Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer provide pocketsized guided sessions to ease into this practice anywhere, anytime.

Want to meditate without interruptions? Just hit “Do Not Disturb” on your phone. On Android, swipe down and tap “Do Not Disturb ” Apple folks, find it under “Settings” > “Focus” > “Do Not Disturb ” Customize it to keep those calls and notifications quiet This way, you can meditate peacefully and stay sharp for those big business moves.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Helper Bears is a fantastic new company, from founder and CEO, Violet Sudol They are a dedicated concierge service specializing in technology education for older adults. Their mission is to bridge the technology gap for older adults We make technology easy to understand, helping older adults stay happy, connected and independent in the digital age

They have recently partnered with KRS IT to add a much needed cyber security touch Since the elderly are too often targeted by online hackers, we want to do our part in empowering the elderly community to protect their lifetime investments.

BIG TECH COMPANY ADMITS IT’S LISTENING TO YOU

We’veallsuspectedourdevicesarelistening tous.Howelsecouldtheclothingcompany youjusttoldyoursisteraboutoverbrunch showupasatargetedadonyourInstagram feed?Thetechcommunityhaslargelydenied listeningwithoutourpermission.Infact,in 2017,Facebookhadtopubliclydenythatit listens to its users (that’s what they use locationservicesandadtrackingfor).

companieslikeApplethatpreventother companiesfromlisteningtoitsdevices?No oneknows.

Trust Is The New Currency –How Wealthy Are You? P 1

Get

your FREE “Cyber Security Tip of the Week” P. 2

Mike Rowe On The Power Of Authenticity P 3

TRUST

We’ll pause from your regular stream of business book content for an award-winning fiction novel called Trust

Trust by Hernan Diaz is an enthralling Pulitzer Prize–winning novel that masterfully blends genres and timelines. Set against the backdrop of New York’s roaring ’20s and the Great Depression, it delves into the lives of Benjamin and Helen Rask, a power couple whose fortune is as immense as the mysteries surrounding it Diaz skillfully weaves a complex narrative that challenges readers to discern fact from fiction, exploring themes of wealth, power and deceit

This literary puzzle captivates with its deep dive into class, capitalism and the influence of power on reality Both a gripping tale and an intellectual journey, Trust offers a fascinating exploration of personal relationships and societal constructs, making it an exhilarating read

ButCoxMediaGroup(CMG),a multibillion-dollarmediaempirethatowns andoperatesTVandradiostations worldwide,admittedit’sdoingjust.

How Are They Doing It?

404 Media gatheredpublishedmarketing informationfromCMGanddeterminedthat itusesAItoidentifyconversationsviasmart devices–collectinginformationaboutour spendingbehaviors,interestsandhowwe spendourtime–todeliveradstous.CMG callsit“ActiveListening.”Thoughany mentionofCMG’sActiveListeningplatform hasbeenremovedfromitswebsite,the archivedinformationisstillaccessible.

AdocumentpublishedbyCMG’sVPof digitalstrategysaid,“Yes,ourphonesare capabilitiestousetoyourbusiness advantage.”Forexample,itclaimedtouse audiodatatocreatedetailedcustomer profiles,whichbenefitsconsumers(fewer irrelevantads)andbusinesses(targeted marketing).Still,nooneknows exactly how theydoit,technicallyspeaking.Wouldit stilladheretosafetyrestrictionsimposedby

CMGlaterpublishedastatementsaying, “CMGbusinessesdonolistentoany conversationsorhaveaccesstoanything beyondathird-partyaggregated,anonymized andfullyencrypteddatasetthatcanbeused foradplacement.Weregretanyconfusion...”

Business Insider states,“It’simportanttonote thatit’snotclearwhetherthistechnologyand marketingisactuallyhappening.”

Nevertheless,thisincidentisanimportant remindertorefreshyourprivacysettingsand payattentiontotherealpossibilitiesof companieslisteningin.

Adjust Your Privacy Settings Now

AlthoughtechleaderslikeGoogleand Applehavepoliciesaroundhowandwhen theylistentoyou,fakeappsandshady companiesdonot.Anyappwithaccessto yourmicrophonecouldlistentoyourmost privateconversations.

Takeamomentandreallylookatthe permissionsyou’vegivenyourapps.Ask yourself,doesthisappreallyneedtolistenin? Ifit’snotessential,it’sbettertorevokethat microphoneaccessinyourdevice’ssettings. Anothersmartmoveistotweakyoursettings sothatanappcanonlyusethemicrophone whileyou’reactivelyusingit.Finally,never downloadappsunlessyouknowhow,when andwhytheycollectdataaboutyou, especiallyvoicedata.