What Is Software and How Does it Help Businesses?

Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. It can create, store, and retrieve data. In business, the software is used to manage customer information, inventory, finances, and more.

Businesses use software to automate tasks and processes. This can help improve efficiency and accuracy. For example, if you’re a retailer, you can use software to keep track of inventory levels and customer purchase history. This information can decide what products to stock and how to price them.

How Does Software Help In Decision Making?

Improving Data Accuracy

One of the most important ways that software can help with decision-making is by improving data accuracy. This is because businesses can use software to automate data entry and ensure that all information is up-to-date.

This is especially important when dealing with large amounts of data, such as customer records or financial transactions. For example, with decision engines, you can be confident that the data you’re using is accurate and up-to-date as it’s being entered into the system in real-time.

Software can also help improve data accuracy by providing built-in checks and balances. For example, many accounting software packages will double-check calculations to reduce the chance of human error.

Make Better Decisions Faster and Organised

Software tools can do the heavy lifting with data analysis. For example, if you’re trying to decide which product to stock in your store, you can use software to quickly analyse customer purchase history and make a recommendation.

This is just one example of how software can help you make better decisions faster. The more complex the decision, the more helpful the software will be. When deciding, it’s important to have all the relevant information organised and easily accessible.

Software can help with this by providing a centralised place to store data and information. This can be especially helpful when dealing with large amounts of data. If you’re trying to decide which suppliers to use for your business, you can use software to create a list of all the suppliers you’re considering. This list can then be sorted and filtered to help you decide.

Collaboration Tools

Making decisions is often a collaborative process. This is especially true for complex decisions that require input from multiple people. Software can help with collaboration by providing tools that make it easy to share information and work on documents together.

Google Docs is a popular collaboration tool that allows multiple users to edit the same document at the same time. This can be helpful when working on things like marketing plans or budgets.

Discussion forums and chat software can also be helpful for collaboration. These tools can have discussions about potential decisions and get input from other people.

Automates Decision Making

Sometimes, it may be possible to automate decision-making using software. For example, AI – powered chatbots can make simple decisions, such as booking a hotel room or ordering a pizza.

This is often the case with simple decisions that are made regularly. For example, if you sell products online, you can use software to automatically approve or deny customer orders based on certain criteria. This can help save time and improve efficiency.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using software, such as:

• The initial cost of purchasing the software
• The ongoing cost of subscribing to updates and new features
• The learning curve associated with using the software
• The risk of relying too heavily on the software and not thinking for yourself

Conclusion

While software can never replace human intuition and decision-making, it can be a powerful tool to help us make better choices. By using the right software and decision engines, it can take some of the guesswork out of the decision-making process and increase the chances of business success.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Why is Software Essential for Making Decisions? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Whether big or small, every business needs marketing to reach out to new customers and convince the existing ones to make a purchase again. As it is, marketing is a costly affair, with some companies dedicating a significant portion of their revenue to promote themselves. Fortunately, such high spending is unnecessary. There are ways to reduce your marketing expenses without sacrificing efficiency.

First of all, you might want to consider performance marketing to save money. It would also help to stop using traditional marketing practices, as they are too expensive compared to modern digital marketing methods. Additionally, you might want to engage with micro-influencers instead of macro influencers to both reduce your expenses and see more significant returns.

Here is how to make your marketing effort cheaper and more effective:

Switch to Performance Marketing

Performance marketing is a type of marketing where you only pay for the results you obtain. It means that if a campaign does not produce any positive effects, you do not have to pay anything. This way of marketing is very effective and usually much cheaper than other types of marketing, such as paid ads.

Performance marketing is also an excellent way to track your marketing efforts and determine which ones work and which ones generate negligible results. Thanks to it, you can quickly adapt your marketing strategy and save even more money in the process.

You can learn more about performance and affiliate marketing by visiting sites offering specific software and tools for managing your marketing efforts. For example, under this link https://www.fintelconnect.com/, you can find valuable guidelines to use performance marketing to your advantage and grow your business. Alternatively, contact a marketing professional to explain this method in detail.

Ditch Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing, such as print ads, TV commercials, and radio ads, is expensive and not nearly as effective as it used to be. Thanks to the internet, people are much more likely to do their research online before making a purchase, making traditional marketing less and less relevant.

Instead of wasting your money on outdated marketing practices, invest in digital marketing methods proven to work in the current market. Search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing should all be a part of your digital marketing strategy.

Digital marketing can be cheaper and help you reach out to more customers than traditional marketing channels. For example, you can quickly adapt digital marketing practices to an international level with little to no increase in cost.

Partner With Micro-Influencers

Macro-influencers are people with a large following on social media, such as celebrities or well-known bloggers. While working with such people can be advantageous, it can also be pricey. A single post from a macro-influencer can cost you thousands of dollars.

Luckily, there is a more affordable alternative — micro-influencers. These individuals usually have between 1,000 and 100,000 followers, which is still enough to reach a significant number of potential customers. Moreover, micro-influencer audiences are often more engaged than those following macro-influencers. As a result, working with them makes you more likely to get outstanding results.

Use Automation Software

Automation software can significantly reduce your marketing expenses as it can help you take care of tedious and repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. For instance, you can use automation software to send follow-up emails to your customers or create social media posts in advance.

Besides, automation software can help you track your marketing efforts and see which ones are working and which need improvement. Some automation software can also help you create reports and analytics, giving valuable insights into your marketing strategy.

Leverage Referral Marketing

Referral marketing is a type of marketing where you encourage your existing customers to recommend your products or services to their friends and family. This type of marketing can be very effective as it is based on word-of-mouth, which is still one of the most powerful marketing tools.

Referral marketing can also be cost-effective as it does not require you to spend any money on advertising. Instead, you can focus on creating a great product or service and providing an excellent customer experience. If you do that, your customers will be more than happy to recommend you to their friends.

Repurpose Your Existing Content

If you have already created some great content, you might use that to your advantage and simply repurpose your existing material. You can turn an old blog post into a new infographic or a video. Other than that, creating an ebook from a series of blog posts is a creative and highly effective idea.

There are many ways to reuse your existing content, so experiment and see what works best for you. Not only will this help you save time and money, but it will also give you a chance to reach out to new audiences as different people prefer different types of content.

Final Thoughts

Marketing is a crucial element of every business but can also be costly. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your marketing expenses without sacrificing efficiency.

Consider using performance marketing to save money and get actionable results at the same time. You should also ditch traditional marketing practices in favor of digital marketing methods, as they are much more cost-effective nowadays.

Additionally, you might want to focus your efforts on referral marketing to take advantage of word-of-mouth. Finally, you should use your old content to your advantage and leverage automation software to take care of tedious and repetitive marketing tasks quickly and efficiently.

These tips can help you save money on your marketing efforts without sacrificing results. Good luck!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post How To Reduce Your Marketing Expenses? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

As a data analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to help businesses make better decisions. To become a professional data analyst, you will need to have strong math and computer skills and be able to effectively communicate your findings. While a bachelor’s degree is not required, it can certainly give you an edge over the competition. If you are interested in becoming a professional data analyst, there are a few things you can do to help you get started.

1. Graduate degree or certificate in data analytics

While a bachelor’s degree is not required, completing a graduate degree or certificate program in data analytics can help you stand out from the competition. These programs will give you the skills and knowledge you need to effectively collect, clean, and analyze data. For example, if you have a graduate certificate in analytics, you’ll be able to list that on your resume and show potential employers that you have the skills they are looking for. Additionally, many graduate programs offer internships or fellowships, which can give you real-world experience working with data. It’s important to note that many data analyst positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, so if you don’t have one, you may want to consider completing a degree or certificate program before applying for jobs.

2. Strong math skills

Data analysts need to have strong math skills in order to effectively analyze data. If you’re not confident in your math skills, there are a few things you can do to improve. First, consider taking some online courses or brush up on your math skills with a tutor. Additionally, many data analyst positions require proficiency in statistical software, so if you’re not familiar with any programs, now would be a good time to learn. If you have strong math skills, you’ll be able to effectively analyze data and find trends that businesses can use to make better decisions. This is a critical skill for data analysts, so it’s important to make sure you’re as strong in math as possible.

3. Proficiency in statistical software

As a data analyst, you’ll need to be proficient in at least one statistical software program. This could be SAS, SPSS, or R. If you’re not familiar with any of these programs, now would be a good time to learn. Many data analyst positions require proficiency in at least one statistical software program, so it’s important to make sure you’re familiar with at least one before applying for jobs. Additionally, many graduate programs offer courses in statistical software, so if you’re interested in becoming a professional data analyst, completing a degree or certificate program can give you the skills you need.

4. Ability to effectively communicate findings

Data analysts need to be able to effectively communicate their findings to those who are not familiar with data. This means being able to explain trends and patterns in a way that is easy to understand. Additionally, data analysts need to be able to present their findings in a way that is visually appealing. If you’re not confident in your ability to effectively communicate your findings, consider taking some public speaking courses or practicing presenting your findings to friends and family. Being able to effectively communicate your findings is a critical skill for data analysts, so it’s important to make sure you’re as strong as possible in this area.

5. Experience working with data

While experience working with data is not required, it can certainly give you an edge over the competition. Many data analyst positions require at least two years of experience working with data, so if you have any experience, be sure to list it on your resume. Additionally, if you have experience working with a specific type of data or in a specific industry, that can also be helpful. For example, if you have experience working with financial data, you may be a good fit for a position as a financial analyst. Experience is not required for all data analyst positions, but it can certainly give you an advantage. 

6. Strong problem-solving skills

Data analysts need to have strong problem-solving skills in order to effectively find trends and patterns in data. If you’re not confident in your problem-solving skills, there are a few things you can do to improve. First, consider taking some online courses or brush up on your problem-solving skills with a tutor. Additionally, many data analyst positions require proficiency in statistical software, so if you’re not familiar with any programs, now would be a good time to learn. If you have strong problem-solving skills, you’ll be able to effectively analyze data and find trends that businesses can use to make better decisions. This is a critical skill for data analysts, so it’s important to make sure you’re as strong in problem-solving as possible.

7. Organizational skills

The ability to manage and organize data is critical for any data analyst. This includes the ability to collect data from various sources, clean and prepare data for analysis, and organize data in a way that is easy to understand and use. Additionally, data analysts must be able to effectively communicate their findings to others, which requires excellent written and verbal communication skills. If you want to become a professional data analyst, be sure to brush up on your organizational skills! This is an important skill to have in any career, but it is especially important for data analysts.

8. Critical thinking skills

Critical thinking skills are important for any career, but they are especially important for data analysts. Data analysts must be able to examine data and see beyond the surface level. They must be able to identify patterns, trends, and relationships in data, and then use this information to make recommendations or predictions. Critical thinking skills are not only important for analyzing data, but also for communicating findings to others. If you want to become a professional data analyst, start honing your critical thinking skills today! 

Becoming a professional data analyst requires more than just a love for numbers. Data analysts must be able to effectively communicate their findings, have strong problem-solving skills, and be able to navigate different types of data. If you have the skills and experience required, consider pursuing a career in data analysis! With the right skill set, you can be a valuable asset to any business.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Want to Become a Professional Data Analyst? Here’s How appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

But with so much data being captured, this brings us to an important point on how it is being stored. While collecting data is great, the key to ensuring it will help you are mastering data organization.  This means that you have the right tools and software in place to keep up to speed with the enormous amounts of data that is flooding in and ensure that your company can make the most of it all.

With the evolvement of AI, data warehousing and organization is no longer a manual gig. In fact, it can all pretty much be generated automatically and minimize the role that humans have to play to get the right type of data sets in the end.

When you are able to fully tap into the capabilities of data organization, you will be able to easily collect, sort, and generate data sets that directly align and support all your visions and goals. They become a great baseline for your business going forward—especially because your whole organization will be able to access and use your company’s data!

It is essential that you get up to speed with the latest trends and evolvements of data warehouses and data organizations. This is why we have rounded up all there is to know, what it is and how you can now ensure you are making the most of your data and safeguarding it well into the future.

What is Data Warehousing?

You have probably heard this term being thrown around quite a bit, but do you know what it really means? The name has a literal meaning—as it is essentially a software tool that is able to store data you collect in a cloud database.

When you set up your data warehousing correctly, it will not only be stored securely, but is able to be cataloged in a way that makes it super simple for nearly anyone to find and access.

Thank goodness for data warehousing, really. With an incredible amount of metadata out there, the last thing you want to do is get bogged down trying to manually find it yourself. Instead, you will be able to find it in a couple of quick seconds! 

Plus, the best tools for data warehousing ensure that anyone can use it—including those in your organization who may not be technology experts. This also means that your marketing department or sales teams can access essential data sets for their own business purposes without having to take time away from your IT team who are busy implementing other tasks.

Why Do You Need Data Warehousing?

So why exactly do you need data warehousing? In addition to it simply making life so much easier for you, we have rounded up all the proven results that other organizations have experienced when they utilize all that data warehousing can offer them.

1. Maximize Efficiency

Time is money. So when it comes to ensuring that your organization is maximizing the efforts of their time while on the job, data warehousing can really have a positive impact on streamlining your operations.

When your team is able to make the most of their daily hours and get tasks done better and more efficiently, then your business is going to become way more streamlined. Data warehousing provides an easy-to-use tool that lets each and every member of your team get the type of data they need with minimal effort or help provided.

This is because the data warehousing tools basically do it all themselves! They use artificial intelligence and automation to tag and sort data on your behalf, often also predicting what data sets you will need to be generated. 

2. Secure Data Safely

There are more and more laws coming out around data privacy. So you do not want to ever put your company in a situation where you risk the data you have collected getting breached or stolen—and you ultimately being liable for it.

Data warehousing tools provide you with an extremely secure way to store your data while keeping it easily accessible to your internal team. This just means you have one less thing to worry about and can have the reassurance that your data is in safe hands.

3. Supports Decision Making

Ultimately, data sets can drive important decision-making processes and develop strategies for success. Data warehousing lets your company rely on data for this whenever it is needed.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Data Warehousing: What Is It & Why Is It Important? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

This reduces uncertainty and increases the likelihood that your employees will use the resources available to them. But which tools are truly essential, and how to use their full capacity?

Microsoft Teams – What Is It?

Microsoft has always been a key player in the technical operations and productivity of businesses. It has established itself as a champion in business communication services with the launch of Teams and associated technologies. Microsoft Teams integrates seamlessly with other Office 365 products as well as a wide range of popular business apps from third-party developers (Google workspace, Cisco WebEx, Slack).

 As a consequence, you can easily integrate Teams into your existing operations. Customer records, for example, may be retrieved and discussed during conversations or meetings. The same may be said for operations, human resources, and other data.

Using Main Features

These are the key features of Microsoft Software:

1. Voice calls

Voice calls may be made using the cloud-based application. Users can make voice-over-IP calls to other users of the program. They can make, receive, and transfer calls between landlines and mobiles with ease. Many companies can help you improve call quality, in order to make your communication more efficient. Enterprise-grade call capabilities and voicemail service are among the other calling options.

2. Messaging chat

A chat-based workspace featuring persistent and threaded chats, as well as individual and group messaging. Messages may include GIFs and emoticons, the same as other texting apps. Users may also make video and voice calls in groups and one-on-one.

3. Online meetings

This tool improves business meetings, communication, and training by allowing up to 10,000 individuals to participate. People from both within and outside the company can participate in online meetings. A note app, in-meeting chatting, file uploading, and scheduling are all included in this function.

4. Video meetings

In addition to voice conversations, users may hold video meetings. The use of video conferencing has expanded as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic since most firms collaborate remotely. Recording, whiteboarding, customizable backdrops, breakout screens, and transcribing are all important elements of video meetings.

5. Screen sharing 

Although this is a common function, it is still highly important for organizations. During Teams audio or video sessions, participants may share their desktop displays and files in real-time.

6. File sharing

This is a fantastic feature of Teams that allows distant teams to create, save, modify, and share files within the program. Users may interact and co-author in real-time.

7. Webinars

Teams may host up to 1,000 people in interactive webinars and meetings. The webinar has host moderation tools, which disable the voice and video of attendees, as well as live user replies. Over 10,000 people can see the view-only stream.

8. External collaboration

Microsoft Teams allows users to invite others from outside the company to collaborate with them. The guest access function aids in the administration of business-to-business projects.

Why Should You Use It

Whether you own or work for a large corporation or a small business with clients across the county or state boundaries – or even international borders – the chances are that you will have to travel for work. Sadly, business travel can be costly both financially and in terms of productivity – and those expenses may skyrocket if planes are canceled, delayed, or redirected. 

Business travel has an impact on your company, but it also has an impact on your workers by exposing them to chronic jet lag, unsafe amounts of radiation, weakened immune systems, and disrupted family lives — all because you or your team wants to meet with a client.

Of course, some face-to-face meetings are necessary, but when they aren’t, this communication solution lets you see and hear the clients even if you’re thousands of miles distant. Yes, video conferencing may help you save money on the trip. It’s gone a long way in the ten years or so since it was first launched, and it might be a real game-changer for your company and clientele.

Teams facilitate cooperation by dividing the firm into multiple channels, teams, and collaboration techniques. MS Teams may be a productive place when you’re using it, and your email can be a relaxing area. Teamwork is essential to success in business, just as it is in sports, thus picking the correct communication software may make or break your company.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post How to Use Microsoft Software to Its Full Capacity in Business Communication appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Being a hiring manager requires you to take care of a number of things simultaneously, ranging from looking for quality candidates and vetting talent to scheduling interviews. In other words, you have plenty of things to take care of at all times. There are 5 recruiting tools that every hiring manager should use .

5 Recruiting Tools That Every Hiring Manager Should Use

In such a fast-paced environment, it is easy to start falling behind. Luckily, you can prevent that from happening with the help of a wide range of tools, such as applicant tracking software, artificial intelligence, and paid advertisements.

Would you like to learn more about how to make the process of finding the right candidates as easy and efficient as possible? If so, keep reading! Below, you will find a list of five tools that organized and effective hiring managers use on a daily basis.

5 Recruiting Tools That Every Hiring Manager Should Use

Applicant Tracking Software

Have you ever thought about using applicant tracking software? It is a piece of software that can create a central database with the applicants’ information, as well as help you follow each applicant through the entirety of the hiring process.

By using applicant tracking software, you can build talent pipelines of highly qualified candidates, which will allow you to decrease both the average amount of time needed to fill a position and the cost per hire.

While the best applicant tracking software comes with substantial subscription fees, the increase in recruiter productivity will definitely compensate for the said fees. In addition, you could always use a website like CouponNinja to look for discount codes.

Artificial Intelligence

If you are sick of dealing with repetitive and high-volume tasks, such as choosing the right candidates from a large applicant pool and proofreading job descriptions, artificial intelligence is something that you should look into.

You can use recruiting tools powered by artificial intelligence to do many different things, including auto-screening candidates and analyzing job descriptions so as to eliminate potentially biased language. It all depends on what you want to accomplish.

In case you are not sure about using artificial intelligence, think about its benefits! It could help you improve the quality of each hire and save time by automating tedious tasks, as well as reduce cost per screen.

Paid Advertisements

One of the simplest ways to find qualified candidates is to use paid advertisements. Ideally, such advertisements should target potential employees based on their location and whether they have recently visited a job board.

The paid advertisement can be a simple and aesthetically pleasing banner with a photo of an employee of the organization that you work for, as well as the title and the salary range of the position that you are looking to fill.

If you can afford it, you can have that banner show up on a wide range of platforms, ranging from search engines to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. On the other hand, if you cannot afford to spend much on a recruitment campaign, you can limit yourself to just one platform and see how it turns out.

Candidate Scheduling Software

Having to schedule a large number of interviews for a wide range of positions on a regular basis can be exhausting, particularly if you have to do it all by hand. Fortunately, you can simplify the entire process with candidate scheduling software.

As the name suggests, candidate scheduling software can help you to automate the process of scheduling interviews with candidates. When it comes to candidates, it can give them an option to book interview slots without any human interaction.

When it comes to recruiters, it can sync with their schedules and book conference rooms for the duration of their interviews. Consequently, it can be particularly useful for large companies that need to conduct tens of interviews per day.

Social Media Platforms

Last but not least, you should think about using a few social media platforms to look for and recruit candidates. The go-to social media platform of the majority of recruiters is LinkedIn, but you can always use other platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.

Doing that will enable you to reach passive candidates, gather referrals, target desired candidates, and save money. On top of that, it will give you an excellent opportunity to showcase the organizational culture of the company that you work at!

In Conclusion

To sum up, speeding up the process of finding qualified candidates is not as difficult as it might seem. You just need to start making use of the latest recruiting tools, such as applicant tracking software and candidate scheduling software. It might be difficult for you to use a specific tool the first time you open it up, but with enough time and effort, you should be able to figure it out in no time.

However, if you do end up having trouble with some tool, you can always look for a tutorial online. Alternatively, contacting a customer service representative of the company that is responsible for that tool is always a viable option.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 5 Recruiting Tools That Every Hiring Manager Should Use appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Software continues to play a vital role in every business. The more complex a company becomes, the more extensive and diverse the teams working on it. While organizations try to solve this issue with process improvements and adopting software development best practices, most of them overlook software testing. Organizations spend thousands of times more on developing software rather than testing it. As a result, they end up with vast amounts of code bugs that need to be fixed. If you are looking for why software testing should be crucial for every company, this article is for you.

Many factors make us understand why software testing is vital to every business. They include:

Quality Assurance

To publish a best-in-class product or service, you need to test it first. No matter what business field you are in, software testing using automated testing, performance testing, and cross browser testing tools, for example, is a way of achieving quality assurance at all times. It helps organizations conduct an overall assessment of the products and services they deliver before their release, bearing in mind that most users expect consistent quality from different companies. In addition, the testing pyramid in software development helps managers understand where their efforts need to be focused on getting the best results. It is not testing everything that matters but what counts.

Saving Time and Money

The software testing life cycle is pretty straightforward. It begins with planning an approach, designing tests, executing the tests, and analyzing the results. Each stage has its objectives that need to be met. Apart from saving time and money that would have otherwise been wasted on products with bugs, thorough testing of your products can save you a lot of hassle when trying to fix them in the future. For example, fixing one bug at the early development stage will cost less than several weeks or months after many customers complain about it.

Meeting Legal Requirements

Standards like ISO 9001:2008 require an organization to define processes for achieving desired results, including testing. As a result, complying with this standard can go a long way towards avoiding legal issues you would have otherwise encountered without proper software testing. Developing software without testing can lead to serious legal problems for businesses in different industries worldwide.

Data Security

Data is the heart of most businesses nowadays, as company leaders rely on it for generating revenue and creating value. Implementing a comprehensive software testing procedure as part of your development life cycle helps maintain data security at all times as you use systems that are up-to-date with current best practices and provide adequate safeguards against outside attacks. With this kind of protection in place, you can avoid significant losses associated with restoring databases after they have been compromised or wiped out by hackers.

Demonstrating Quality

Every business wants to stand out from the crowd. But how do you prove that your products meet specific standards? You can hire experts to conduct their tests, or you can use the software testing service of external experts. This will help you demonstrate your commitment to quality and highlight positive results that will improve your brand image in the market. Furthermore, it is a known fact that customers are more inclined to buy products tested by unbiased third parties rather than those developed using self-testing practices.

Keeps up with the Pace of Modern Business

As most businesses become increasingly competitive, they need to develop faster and work more efficiently than before. Real-time testing increases speed without compromising quality thanks to modern cloud and mobile technologies, which enable teams to deliver apps and products in real-time. Instead of waiting weeks or months to receive results, your testers can perform QA processes as development teams build new features into an app or service.

Preventing Negative Publicity

Thanks to the power of social media and consumer reviews, even a minor defect in your business’s product or service can cause an uproar among customers who love sharing their opinions online. If we look at what happened recently with Volkswagen cars, we see how one big mistake on its behalf can lead to severe troubles for the market it operates. Therefore, software testing is crucial for every organization that wants to prevent negative PR and achieve long-term success.

Regulatory Compliance

Cloud, mobile, and other cutting-edge technologies make software testing a must for businesses to avoid potential risks before going live with apps or services used by millions of individuals across different jurisdictions. Having to comply with local, regional, or even global regulatory requirements can help you avoid legal issues which are difficult or costly to fix later on. Ensuring you meet all regulatory compliance guidelines ensures that your business is legally compliant in every region where your software will be offered, protecting against litigation that can cost you dearly.

End to End Processes from Development to Live use

A comprehensive testing process helps streamline your development model, allowing you to identify weak points and fix them before they become issues. Testing an entire product from end to end at each stage will enable companies to identify problems early on rather than running into them months after the app has been released because no one thought about certain aspects at development time. This also helps businesses ensure that their products and services meet customer expectations.

Application of Agile Methods

Agile software development methodologies typically include a phase called “Iteration 0,” which is dedicated to the initial testing of agile projects, allowing them to occur before any other development. As a result, this makes automated QA processes essential for organizations using Agile software development methodologies because they set the foundation for future project success until its final release. Even some traditional methods like the V-model recommend performing tests at every stage in the product life cycle despite being considered a waterfall by many IT experts today.

Software testing is critical for businesses looking to protect their interests and achieve long-term success. With the help of automated QA processes, it becomes much easier to test products and services in real-time, tackling any issues before going live on the market. If your business is still not sure how software testing can benefit you as a whole, remember that no one ever regretted investing in reliable QA solutions. Using them will allow you to identify potential issues with your app or service before impacting consumer opinions or damaging your reputation.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post What Makes Software Testing Important for Every Business? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

1. Software Implementation

Firstly, make sure that you are doing your best to keep all vital software up-to-date. This refers to software such as your operating system, browser plugins, and instances of java. You should also compare the best cybersecurity software to choose the most suitable one for your specific needs. You must install the latest security updates on these pieces of software to ensure that you are safe from any vulnerability exploits that could harm your computer systems. You must install good antivirus software on all of your devices.

2. Strong Passwords

Secondly, one should come up with extremely strong passwords for themselves. Many people often err by coming up with passwords that are too short or using things like their birthdays or pet names. If someone can guess what your password might be based on personal information about yourself, it will not be long before they have access to your accounts. To keep yourself safe, you should use passwords that are at least 12 characters long and contain alphanumeric characters in addition to special symbols. Also, be sure to change these passwords every once in a while.

3. Use VPNs

Thirdly, one should always utilize Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs act like a tunnel between your computer and the outside world. Since most people rely on wireless internet these days, they usually leave themselves open to vulnerabilities when they connect to public signals without using a VPN. A hacker can intercept data packets that you send out in the form of wifi signals if you do not use a VPN service for your safety online, potentially gaining access to sensitive information. You can also find free or paid ones on different websites – just make sure that it is trusted before using them.

4. Setup Firewalls

Fourthly, one should always set up a firewall. Firewalls are like barriers that exist between your computer and the outside world. They ensure that no data packets (which could contain viruses) can come into your system without first being approved by you. Just make sure to download the right firewall for the OS of your particular device. Also, you should ensure that your firewall allows you to monitor and control traffic on a per-application/process basis.

5. Control Social Engineering

Furthermore, one should always be on the lookout for social engineering techniques. Hackers often utilize these to trick people into giving up their sensitive information. Once a hacker has gained bogus access to your accounts, they will usually go on a shopping spree with all of your credit cards and do whatever else they can think of doing with it. When hackers send out phishing emails or use other such tactics that try to fool you into providing them with data that only you would be able to provide, just delete those messages as soon as you can and alert the proper authorities if necessary. 

Beware of Phishing

Always beware of phishing emails and websites that may try to fool you into giving out your personal information. It is important to find out the exact nature of such emails and verify whether they are legitimate before doing anything with them. It is best if you delete these messages from your inbox immediately after opening them. Furthermore, make sure not to give any sensitive information over email unless it is necessary for a service that you subscribe to. You can also set up a spam filter to make sure all suspicious emails go directly into the junk folder instead of your inbox.

6. Practice Safe Browsing

Last but certainly not least, remember to practice safe browsing when you are online. This means to always make sure that you are not downloading any suspicious material, and only visit websites that you trust. In addition, use a VPN service or a Tor browser to further protect yourself from online dangers. Also, it is important to keep a clear mind and avoid opening suspicious attachments or clicking on any potentially harmful links.

There are many things that you can do to make your cybersecurity better. However, it is still advisable for you to take all the necessary cyber security precautions regardless of how your system may be configured. Therefore, consider implementing at least a few of these steps into your daily routine to stay safe online!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 6 Ways to Improve Cybersecurity – An Easy Guide appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

If you have been in a business long enough, chances are you would have heard of workflow automation. When explained in the simplest terms, it refers to the automation of several business processes based upon predetermined rules that automatically perform tasks between people, data, and technology.

The chief goal of workflow automation is to minimize the extent of manual intervention. However, you need to have the perfect software or platform for that to happen.

Although various types of automation software are available in the market, Kissflow Workflow is the best amongst them. It’s easy to understand, use and implement, and comes with an incredible set of benefits, features, and templates.

Continue reading to know what makes it the best platform for your business and why you should use it.

What Is Kissflow Workflow software?

Kissflow Workflow is a cloud-based service platform or software that lets you create, model, and execute business process apps. Even though there might be other similar apps in the market, it stands apart because it does not require prior coding knowledge.

All your team members, irrespective of which department they belong to, can design workflows that best meet their requirements.

Advantages of the cloud workflow system

An increasing number of businesses have switched over to cloud workflows because of the numerous benefits that it guarantees. Here are some of those.

Scalability

A cloud workflow system enables your business to meet its rising demands quickly by scaling up or scaling down as per the requirements. You don’t even need a costly new upgrade to do it, and it’s as easy as upgrading your existing subscription plan and letting the service provider handle the rest of the process.

Centralized

Even if your workflow is automatic, the chances are that the data is stored in a local drive. Cloud workflows allow you to access whatever files you need without stand-alone software.

All the essential documents, processes, and data are stored in a centralized database with the highest security imaginable. The workflows also maintain a single system of records, which is advantageous because any change is visible to everybody in your organization.

Customizable

Most traditional software programs don’t allow a great deal of customization. So, the responsibility of thinking of new ways to adjust your strategies according to the exciting features falls upon you.

However, cloud software comes with drag-and-drop visual builder tools to customize a process, which is easy to understand and use.

Reduces downtime

A software update in most legacy systems results in significant downtime, which refers to the specific period when you cannot use your computer for any work. Some updates also require you to spend money.

In a cloud-based system, all updates are carried out automatically without increasing the downtime, and service providers ensure that they are made according to the user’s convenience.

What makes Kissflow so appealing?

One of the reasons you should use Kissflow Workflow for automating your business processes is the numerous available features.

Intuitive user interface

Perhaps no other automation software boasts the same level of intuitive user interface as Kissflow Workflow. Once you start using it, you get adjusted to its features quickly. You can easily manage and track a particular workflow under a unified console.

No coding knowledge required

Most workflow platforms require you to have some coding knowledge for their application. However, a significant advantage of Kissflow is users need no previous coding experience to understand or to use it.

In fact, you can automate a specific business process using Kissflow Workflow in 15 minutes. The availability of drag and drop features lets you build strategies quickly, regardless of how complicated they are.

Fast integration

With the help of Kissflow, you can link your workflows with third-party systems and Application Programming Interfaces or APIs using tools like Zapier, Amazon EC2, and Slack. It is also integrated with various Google Apps, including G Suite.

Analytics and reporting

Kissflow helps you streamline your business processes with real-time analytics and reporting, while its reporting and analytics features provide you valuable deep insights and ready-to-use metrics.

You can also generate custom reports and use dashboards. The pre-built reports enable you to track your workflow’s progress at every stage easily. It also delivers the information you need in a friendly, understandable summary format.

Team friendly

Having a well-informed and coordinated team in a business is highly beneficial because it ensures that all tasks are done methodically and within a specific timeframe and in a structural manner.

Kissflow enhances the communication levels between the team members in a team, as users can assign tasks responsibilities as per the requirements. Other members in your group can also contribute to the processes irrespective of their location. The platform also increases social collaboration by providing contextual information and alerts that enable everyone to work simultaneously.

Lots of templates

It is vital to have a wide variety of workflow templates to automate the business process. The Kissflow Workflow software has a collection of more than 200 templates spread across six categories: human resources, finance, procurement, customer, admins and ops, and sales.

Best workflow for Google

Kissflow Workflow is also the best workflow platform for all your Google apps. It lets you access your workflows within your Apps Suite. After installing it, all your team members can access it from the Pull-Down Menu. It also allows you to attach documents from Google Drive.

Advantages of using Kissflow

Kissflow is an end-to-end platform for all your business requirements. Many famous companies around the world have benefitted from this easy-to-use and accessible platform.

As mentioned earlier, it does not require any training and saves your organization the necessary time and money to train your employees. It also increases the visibility of each workflow and helps you quickly identify unnecessary processes.

Another benefit is that it reduces errors and increases the overall accuracy, resulting in greater operational productivity. It also facilitates business-IT collaboration, which helps you save time, improve the workplace atmosphere, increase productivity, and share responsibility.

You can also access Kissflow on Android and iOS devices with your default mobile application by purchasing it monthly or annually.

Your business must have the best automation software, and that is why you should look no further than Kissflow Workflow. Its unique benefits, range of features, collection of templates, and user-friendliness make it one of the best available workflow automation platforms in the market.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post What should you know about Kissflow Workflow software? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Freight brokerage is once again a thriving sector, with demand for logistics services at an all-time high. However, the industry has always been very competitive, and the operators who can stay on top are generally the ones that can decrease their expenses the greatest while keeping a high-quality standard. Investing in solid freight brokerage software (also known as a transportation management system or TMS) is one of the wisest steps a freight broker can take toward attaining these objectives.

There are many freight broker software to pick from, but no matter which one you choose, the following considerations should be considered before deciding on a platform to deal with.

1. Does the vendor offer a free trial

Many software firms provide a free trial period during which you may test the program’s functionality and ease of connection with the current IT infrastructure.

2. Capabilities for invoicing

Every business needs the ability to generate invoices. Many software applications allow you to create customized invoices and send invoices. They also keep old invoices and maintain a library of historical invoices. In many situations, these features may be integrated with accounting software. The accounting department may use these features to mark paid bills, produce receipts, and track outstanding invoices. Invoice features boost efficiency, leading to better customer service and more profits.

3. The vendor’s dependability

The first thing you should check for in a TMS is the stability of its developer/provider. Even if you’ve heard of the firm previously, it’s always a good idea to obtain recommendations and verify references. It would help if you also looked at the firm’s financial health. It may need some upfront work, but it is well worth it to prevent having the TMS firm you picked fail once you have deployed it in your freight brokerage.

4. Compatibility with business requirements

Regardless of how solid a TMS business is, it is also critical to ensure that it is consistent with the requirements of your freight brokerage organization. For example, a well-known company may fulfill the stability test, but their product may be far too complex for the needs of a small brokerage. Before comparing solutions, conduct a requirements assessment to determine which TMS is best for your company.

5. Levels of service

Many software developers are extremely hands-on and attentive throughout the sales process, only to vanish without a trace when the product is acquired and deployed. You should seek a firm that has a track record of providing excellent service and after-sales assistance. During the choosing process, ask as many questions as possible, such as if they provide training and convenient support hours. Also, request and verify references.

6. Relationships with carrier

Adopting a Transportation Management System will make your life easier. One important method in which your TMS may help you achieve this aim is by managing your carrier connections. A good software solution can help you manage your carrier contracts and maintain track of essential contract data. It may also assist you in determining which carrier is ideal for each cargo and calculating costs, so you know how much to charge.

7. Ease of generating quotes

Freight forwarder software can be beneficial. It simplifies the quoting process, allowing you to create the quotations you need to win new business without overburdening your team or spending more money on quoting than you may get back.

8. Is the solution customizable

Some freight forwarder software is ready to use straight away. For some businesses, the features provided by a conventional software program may suffice, but for many, the software must be customized to fit their operations. Many software vendors provide varying levels of software customization, ranging from low-cost programs with a few changeable components to very complicated systems that may be literally constructed to customer specifications.

9. Analyses of profit and loss

Freight forwarding is a complicated and competitive industry. Properly evaluating the profitability of individual orders and operations as a whole may often mean the difference between a lucrative and developing firm and one on the verge of going bankrupt. Freight forwarder software programs may give managers a bird’s-eye perspective of the firm and drill down on specific aspects of it.

10.Tracking of deliveries

Finally, and maybe most importantly, a strong TMS should allow you to track your freight brokerage shipments in real-time, down to the smallest detail regarding in-transit products. This will enable you to keep your consumers better informed and, as a result, happier. Finally, the best system will give insight into truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), and package transportation details.

Conclusion

In today’s modern environment, development in any organization is only possible if the right computer software is employed.

Choosing the best TMS software system boils down to expecting more than a “good enough” solution. Your system must be capable of supporting and expanding on your particular processes and methods, regardless of how they grow.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 10 Considerations to Make When Choosing Freight Broker Software appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.