2020 is just around the corner and now is the time to prepare all of your tech, your business, your marketing, and yourself for the coming year. Here are a few helpful tips in all 4 areas.
1.) For Your New Tech
–Setting up a new device
Fully charge your new device before you begin setup or use. If the device requires an account (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft, Amazon account, etc.) you should login (or recover) any existing accounts that you have. If you wish to set up a new account for your device, be sure to document the email address and password/pin numbers used to create the account. Always add security questions, or 2-factor authentication, as well as a valid alternative contact method (email or phone number). Once your device setup has been completed you should connect your device to your wireless network (if applicable) and perform any system updates by accessing the settings from your device menu.
–Protecting your device
Electronics are expensive, and accidents happen. Invest in a high-quality case as well as a good screen protector. If you feel you are very accident prone, consider adding device protection offered by your provider.
–Maintaining your device
To keep your new device running at peak performance take some time to regularly uninstall unused apps, disable unneeded notifications, and restart your device regularly. You also need to periodically physically clean the entire device with a soft non-abrasive cloth. When charging the device – never leave it on a charger overnight. This will cause damage to the battery and shorten its lifespan.
2.) For your Business
The start of a new year is an exciting and challenging time for businesses. It is a great time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t over the previous twelve months. It is also an excellent time to take stock and evaluate what your business needs to go forward.
–Is Your Hardware Still Up to The Task?
If your computers and peripherals are over 2 years old it is well past time for a hardware upgrade. Newer hardware isn’t only safer to use, it is faster, and is capable of holding more data. Today’s computing demands asks a lot of our hardware and older hardware simply isn’t up to the task. Take time to review your IT demands to ensure there are no bottlenecks in your productivity pipeline.
–Is Your Backup Reliable and Working?
Every business needs reliable backups for their data. It doesn’t matter if you simply transfer files manually to an external hard drive or USB storage device, copy documents over to a local server, or save all of your media to the cloud, you need to have a system in place that is performed on a regular basis. You don’t want to find out that your backups haven’t been going on when you need them the most.
–Is Your Compliance Up to Date?
Nearly every business has compliance and regulations standards that it must adhere to if it is to keep its position in the marketplace. These may be industry specific (such as medical or automotive certifications), or regional protections (such as data protection regulations). Compliance regulations tend to change regularly. Make sure that yours are up-to-date.
3.) For Your Business Marketing
–Is your website ready for 2020?
Website trends are constantly changing and your site needs to change with them. Much like your hardware, if your website’s look and feel hasn’t been updated in the past 2 years it is well overdue for a facelift. Web technology, consumer expectations, search engine optimization rules, and more change dramatically from month to month. If you don’t keep up you will be left behind by your competitors that do.
–Social Media Channels
Is social media part of your marketing strategy? If it isn’t, it sure should be! You need to be where your potential customers are and they are all over social media. Take the time to put together an engaging strategy for 2020 that includes posting on a very regular basis.
–Marketing Materials
Do your marketing materials still reflect the right message for your brand? When was the last time they had a re-design of their overall look and feel? All of the materials about your business that your prospective customers see need to stay on top of current visual trends in order to be noticed.
4.) For Yourself
A new year can be a bit daunting but never forget that you need to take time to work on yourself as well. We aren’t talking about New Year’s resolutions that everyone forgets about come February. I mean the small things every single day that make your day better, your life better, and the lives of those around you better. Keep the playful kid inside of you alive and enojoy every day that you can. Life is short. Enjoy!
… and Happy New Year!
May 2020 bring the everyone peace and happiness they deserve.
