# Davidson Life: Business • Tech • Marketing • Fitness • Paws > Business smarts, tech tips, dog life. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### About me and my businesses I love. URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/about/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T14:10:43.000Z My business background has been very exciting and I have been blessed to have a great group of business partners along with very strong staff in all of our companies throughout my career. I would not be where I am today without the wonderful people that I have worked with over the years and to have been so lucky to find such a strong network of business partners and employees. I am a Co-Founder and the President of Percento Technologies (formerly TIC International – Technology Services), an Enterprise IT Consulting, Implementation and Management Firm; along with litigation eDiscovery expertise and based in Houston with offices throughout the state of Texas. I provide leadership to the company’s senior management, and I am personally involved in the strategy, sales and managing all marketing activities of the company. Furthermore, I am a Co-Founding Principal of Synergen, based in Houston. Sold to private equity in 2018, Synergen (now part of the French conglomerate SOCOTEC) provides a wide variety of services including claims evaluation and resolution, financial damage assessment, insured loss analysis, construction claims preparation and review, project management advisory services, fraud investigations, and class action administration and distribution. Moreover, I am a Founding Partner of PUCCI Café, a Luxury Dog Boutique and Public Cafe, based in Katy Texas. I provide leadership to the company’s management and oversees all marketing aspects of those companies. I have been involved with many business groups including Business Networking International, Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, Katy Chamber of Commerce, Lumen Institute, Christian Chamber of Commerce and served as Chair of the Technology Committee in the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. Below is an overview of the organizations I have been involved with throughout my professional life. I am super proud of all of them and the teams within each one of these awesome companies. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/Percento-Technologies.jpg)](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the company. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Managed IT Services and Professional IT Consulting. Percento personalizes the IT experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including banking, legal, healthcare, energy and corporate business. [percentotech.com](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) #### Our Mission: ***"Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies."*** --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/PUCCI-CAFE-FULL-LOGO-.jpg)](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As a Managing Principal and Co-Founder of PUCCI Café, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, marketing, third-wave coffee focused for coffee bean, beer and wine selections, technological management, business development and sales activities of the company. [puccicafe.com](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) PUCCI Cafe is a Luxury Dog Boutique and Pubic Cafe. We curate a stunning selection of high-end designer dog accessories, imported from various countries around the world and across the United States, along with our exclusive line of luxurious Dog Spa Products. While dogs are not required, we invite you to bring your furry friend, where you can savor our exceptional third wave coffee and espresso, or indulge in a glass of wine, champagne, or craft beer paired with delicious treats. To explore our ever-expanding human menu, please visit [puccicafe.com](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). And we also offer a delightful range of gourmet, human-grade dog treats for your beloved pups! #### Our Mission: ***"Spoiling those 4-legged best friends & their humans, by providing extraordinary experiences with our passion for distinction, while sharing positive vibes upon every dog and person we meet."*** --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/HappyBreath-Final_Happy-Breath-Full-Color-Horizontal.png)](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As a Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Happy Breath, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and am personally involved in the strategy, marketing, technological management, business development, and sales activities of the company. [happybreath.com](http://www.happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) We curate a stunning selection of rugged yet sustainable dog accessories, imported from various countries around the world and across the United States. To explore our ever-expanding dog gear, please visit [happybreath.com](http://www.happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/canedilusso-logo_Black-amd-White-Horizontal.png)](https://canedilusso.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As a Principal and Co-Founder, the business ‘in-organization’; Cane di Lusso (Luxury Dog in Italian) An ultra-luxury spa collection for dogs, crafted for discerning pet owners who expect salon-grade performance and sensorial refinement. [CaneDiLusso.com](https://canedilusso.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Privacy Policy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/privacy-policy/ Last updated: 2020-09-03T14:08:25.000Z ## BobbyDavidson.com greatly respects the privacy of users of this web site. **The current privacy policy of this web site is as follows:** - You do not have to give us any personal information to visit this web site. - We may collect and store statistics and other information about the online activities of our visitors on an aggregated, collective basis. But, in these instances, we do not obtain personally identifiable information about you. - We may use aggregated information to operate and enhance our site and for marketing and promotional purposes. - If you write in a comment, we ask that you provide your name, e-mail address, and area of interest, but no other information, unless you choose to do so. In some cases, we may use your personal information to provide information back to you. - BobbyDavidson.com will not sell your personally identifiable information. BobbyDavidson.com may share the information, including your comments, with third parties to further the mission and purposes of BobbyDavidson.com. However, if you indicate that you would like your personal information or comments kept confidential, then we will do so. - By using this web site, you agree to the terms of this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not access or use this web site. This policy is subject to change from time to time at BobbyDavidson.com’s discretion; the current policy will be posted here. Please re-check this link accordingly. Finally, please note that BobbyDavidson.com is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of other sites that may link to this site, or to which this site may link. ### Home URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/home/ Last updated: 2020-09-03T14:08:27.000Z _No content available._ ### Contact Us URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/contact-us/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:24.000Z > “The great communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply. If you have something to tell me, do it here. Cheers, Friends!” ### Search Results URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/search-results/ Last updated: 2021-10-28T17:35:27.000Z _No content available._ ### Family of Companies URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/family-of-companies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:22.000Z _No content available._ ## Posts ### Ways You Can Make Money Virtually URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/make-money-virtually/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T01:10:30.000Z With the advent of the internet, increasing your earnings each month is easier than ever before. In fact, internet is the reason for the riches of many people—Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, David Filo to name a few. So, how can you leverage the power of the internet to boost your earnings? Let’s find out. ## The Proven Ways to Make Money Virtually Whether you work full-time or do a freelance part-time job, you can work online to easily and quickly make money or boost your earnings. But beware, there are many fraudsters online who may trick you into giving out your personal and financial details without actually giving you the opportunity to prove your skills and make money; online. The good news is that there are many legit ‘employers’ online who offer money based on your skills and experience. To date, millions of people have money through these legit channels. So, without further ado, let’s get to the ways to make money virtually. ### Make a Five-Er Don’t worry you can make much more than that on [Fiver](https://www.fiverr.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com); one of the best online money-making medium on the list. Without wasting any time, let’s get straight to business. This is how Fiverr works. You sign up with the website or online marketplace offering services and tasks. Your offer your ‘gig’ or your service for $5\. But, you can earn more add-ons and upgrades. In fact, some people have made thousands of dollars on this site and there’s no reason you can’t do the same. ### Sell Your Crafts Online Are you artistic? Can you paint, crotchet, work with clay, make crafts, or have something else you can sell? If yes, then stop wasting your time and get down to business. Here the business is putting your ability to produce arts and crafts to good use and making money out of it. The easiest and quickest way to do that is selling your masterpiece online. Following are two of the best places to do that: #### Etsy An online marketplace where you’ll find crafters from all over the world, [Etsy ](https://www.etsy.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)has a low sign-up fee and a huge network that you can leverage to sell your work online. If your work is any good, you’re bound to find buyers for your arts and crafts. Additionally, you connect with other people on the site to learn new skills and make yourself more marketable online. #### Shopify You probably already know about this platform. [Shopify](https://www.shopify.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) isn’t just for people selling arts and crafts. It is for everyone. With Shopify, you can start your own online store. The site gives you two options: build a store into your existing site or build a website and online store from scratch. This platform is simple to use and support is available 24/7, making it the ideal way to make money online. #### Start Blogging ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/09/Start-Blogging.jpg) Blogging is a great way to make money online, but make sure your blogs are unique, readable, and engaging. Writing blogs that have been done to death or rephrasing someone else’s content and presenting it as yours (can you say AI?) is pointless because Google notices this, and when it does, you won't get much attention! Generally, bloggers make money through advertisements and partnerships. But this will help you to make money only if people see your content online, and that is only going to happen if you create unique, readable, and engaging blogs. #### Start Teaching Online Is there something you’re extremely knowledgeable about? Do you have tons of experience in a particular field? Have you been in the teaching profession for years? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should start teaching online. Today, there is a marketplace for everything, including a course marketplace. Create an account with a course marketplace and offer to teach a course—a course that you can teach using your knowledge or years of experience. A popular course marketplace where you can offer to teach online is [Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). #### Start YouTubing Have a hobby? Have good knowledge of something? Can you talk confidently in front of a camera? Are you a charmer? If yes, then [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a fantastic place for you to make some money. Today, you’ll find many rich people who got rich just because of YouTube. Should I throw in some names? I probably should. Linsey Sterling, Tyler Oakley, Smosh, Lily Singh, PewDieDie—these are all people or YouTubers who’ve made millions just by YouTubing. Isn’t that insane? Insane or not, this should encourage you to start YouTubing and become the next millionaire YouTuber. #### Become a Virtual Assistant It may not be one of the most awe-inspiring jobs in the world, but you can earn a decent amount of money by becoming a virtual assistant, and the best thing, unlike a real-world assistant, you don’t need to dress up and look your best for the job. The job responsibilities of a virtual assistant include researching blog posts, managing inboxes, designing graphics for blogs, and scheduling tweets. So, if you’re ready and able to do all that, then get ready to earn some money online. Go make your fortune, my fellow entrepreneurs! Cha-Ching! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*.* *Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 7 Mental Techniques to Improve Your Time Management URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-mental-techniques-to-improve-your-time-management/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T13:58:00.000Z It’s needless to say most people struggle with time management in the modern-day and age filled with distractions, multitasking, hustle, multiple priorities, and procrastination. As a result, it has become all too easy to waste precious hours and even days on things that are neither enjoyable nor beneficial. The truth is, nobody is born productive. However, productivity and effective time management are things you can cultivate over time. You just need to know how and adapt your mindset accordingly to ensure you remain disciplined throughout your quest to become [more productive](https://percentotech.com/expert-ai-consulting-services-for-business/artificial-intelligence-for-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). In this post, I’ll dive deeper into this interesting topic and share 7 mental time management techniques to help you get the most out of your 24 hours a day. ### What Is Time Management? While there are many ways to define time management, the concept remains the same. Simply put, it is the way people organize and plan their tasks and activities in a specified period. A huge aspect of effective time management involves constantly changing and controlling how much time is spent on those activities to ensure all goals in a specified time frame are met consistently. ### Benefits of Time Management The ability to gain control over time offers several tangible and intangible benefits, including: #### 1\. Stress and Anxiety Relief Managing time efficiently through planning and organizing tasks reduces stress and anxiety. Checking off things from your to-do list induces a sense of achievement. This dopamine surge helps you release your stress, and you stop worrying about making progress. #### 2\. More Free Time According to Parkinson’s law, work expands according to the time allowed for completion. In the post-pandemic remote work era, employees generally have more time on their hands to get things done due to the time saved on preparation and commute. However, this often led to reduced productivity as employees took advantage of the “float” to allow themselves more time for completion. They killed the extra time they had doing the same thing in doing so. Good time management comes in to help you finish your tasks faster and make more time to spend on recreational activities or other personal pursuits. #### 3\. More Opportunities Effective time management creates more [opportunities](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing-campaign/) for other tasks and activities as it shrinks time wastage. Thus, managing time effectively has become an essential soft skill employers look for today. #### 4\. Goal Realization People who practice good time management are more likely to achieve their [goals and objectives](https://bobbydavidson.com/dress-for-success/), and that too in a shorter period. ### 7 Mental Time Management Techniques to Improve Productivity and Minimize Wastage Here are seven mental techniques to improve your time management and get more value from the hours you put in: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/08/Man-taking-notes.jpg) #### 1\. Keep Tabs On Your Daily Goals Productivity is one of the keys to effective time management. Before you go to sleep at night, decide then and there what you want to do the next day. This will help you set up your alarm accordingly, pick the right attire, and take care of other preparations to ensure you remain ahead of schedule at all times. If you’re an early bird, you can wake up each morning and plan your tasks and activities for the day. Whatever route you opt for, take some time to visualize these tasks as already completed to give yourself a future sense of fulfillment and fuel your drive to get everything done without any delays. #### 2\. Never Put Tasks On the Back Burner If you have something to do, get it over as soon as possible without putting them off or postponing them close to the deadline, or piling them up with other tasks. Unfortunately, humans tend to spend more mental energy worrying about task completion instead of doing them. The longer you put tasks on the back burner, the longer they’re going to be on the back of your mind. This can affect your mental health in many ways, such as elevating stress, anger, frustration, and overthinking. #### 3\. Fix a Deadline For Every Task and Activity Deadlines are incredibly powerful motivational tools if you use them effectively. One of the best mental time management techniques to improve productivity and reduce time wastage is setting deadlines for tasks that don’t already have one. This way, you can break procrastination and be in control of task completion. However, when you set deadlines, you need to stick to them and not leave everything till the last minute. #### 4\. Make a To-Do List When you write down things you need to do for the day, they feel more doable compared to when you have them piled up in your head. As a result, to-do lists have become [incredibly popular](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/popular-types-of-coffee-in-2024?ref=bobbydavidson.com), with hundreds of apps on Android and iOS devices you can choose from to plan your day. Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way and jot down your tasks for the day in a notebook. By making to-do lists, you’re providing yourself with a visible, tangible way to keep up with your tasks and make necessary tweaks along the way to stay on track. Plus, there’s no better feeling than marking a task off your list once you’re done with it. #### 5\. Limit Multitasking Multitasking is an essential productivity skill very few people can say they’ve mastered. More importantly, studies show that multitasking can impact productivity and [performance ](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)as people try to get too much done simultaneously. Plus, it can increase your chances of getting burned out and stressed. Instead of doing many things at once, prioritize and complete tasks one by one. This way, you can also ensure you’re 100% focused on everything you’re doing. #### 6\. Self-Rewarding Completing a task is nothing short of an achievement. Therefore, you should reward yourself every time you check something off your to-do list. You don’t have to throw a celebration. You can treat yourself to a fancy meal and go out for a walk in the park. However, make sure the rewards are healthy and not too time-consuming. For instance, drinking too much soda or eating a box of donuts every time you complete a task isn’t a good idea. #### 7\. Don’t Forget to Relax At the end of the day, you have to accept that you can’t get everything done as there will always be more things to do and tasks to complete. Many people try to compensate by working longer and harder, but it often affects their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, take time to relax and make a pit stop to maintain your health and consistent performance. ### Wrapping Up So there you go... 7 mental time management techniques to boost productivity and minimize time wastage. With this information, you’re on track to getting more done faster and easier than you ever thought possible. So, feel free to try them out and see which techniques work the best for you. You’d be amazed by what you can do in 24 hours when you have some extra time for yourself. --- *by Bobby J. Davidson* *I am passionate about our companies, and we are passionate about our work. For additional details regarding the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit* [*bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Different Ways To Keep Your Dog In Shape URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/different-ways-to-keep-your-dog-in-shape/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T10:36:22.000Z Our furry pals are living and breathing creatures. They need to be taken care of in ways similar to how humans are properly taken care of. A dog needs to be fed, be trained, bathed, and exercised or exposed to some physical [activity](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/). ### Knowing your dog Different dog breeds have different levels of energy. A Doberman or Pointer will have more power than a bulldog. However, both breeds need to be [regularly exercised](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/great-dog-exercises?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and fed right to ensure they are healthy and happy. Many owners often feel that dogs, being naturally active, do not need to be kept in shape by their owners. This is not true. A dog is an animal, and there is only so much that it can do on its own. It can only be taken care of by humans. Think of your pet as your child and think about how and what you would do to ensure that it is taken care of as it needs to be. The steps you need to take to make sure they are happy and healthy are by no means complicated. They are the exact opposite. It would help if you did a few very simple things to ensure they are healthy and not at risk of developing any diseases. ## How to keep them active As an owner, you must create a routine for your dog that you need to make sure they follow. This includes: ### A Healthy Diet For your dog to have the right diet, you need to make sure you feed them food as close to their natural feeding habits as you can. To remain healthy, a dog needs to have a diet rich in proteins, fatty acids, amino acids, calcium, and active enzymes. These chemicals contribute to keeping your [dog healthy](https://happybreath.com/blogs/tips/healthy-outdoor-playtime-tips-and-advice?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and energetic, which is incredibly important for them. You can opt for getting them canned foods that have all of these nutrients in them, or you could keep your dog on a raw food diet. The former is one that many experts claim is best for your dog. However, a raw food diet is not the easiest to put together all the time. ### An Active Lifestyle ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/08/Active-Dog.jpg) Keeping your [dog healthy](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/cbd-for-dogs?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is as important as feeding them the right food. As a species, dogs are meant to be active, constantly running around, jumping over things, chasing each other, and doing all sorts of things to ensure their muscles aren't allowed to sit idle. The simplest way to keep your [dog active](https://bobbydavidson.com/top-dog-friendly-hiking-trails-around-the-world/) is by introducing toys into their lives. Toys can include anything from their favorite balls, ropes, or [chew toys](https://happybreath.com/collections/toys?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The age-old tradition of playing fetch exists for this very reason. Dogs are obsessed with chasing things, and if they can work out during this, they are having fun and [staying healthy](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/4-tips-any-dog-owner-should-follow?ref=bobbydavidson.com) at the same time. Another way to keep your dog active is by routinely walking them. Furthermore, train your dogs to follow commands. It teaches them to be more behaved, more composed, and to make life easier for the owner. Teaching them different commands keeps them mentally active, and by repeating these commands regularly, you can solidify your bond with them. As a bonus, it all reflects positively on the owner when people see that they have such a well-behaved dog who knows what to do and what not to do. ### Routine Visits To The Vet As intelligent as they are, dogs still cannot talk. They can bark, whine, and wince. For this reason, if a dog is sick or is in some pain, it won't be able to tell you exactly what it is. They will sit there in distress or at most pace around to get rid of the pain. Being a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) owner, you must make sure to take your dog to the vet at least once a year to make sure everything is ok. Their vaccines need to be updated, and a routine physical exam is very important. If something is wrong, the chances are that we might not be able to see it. However, a vet will be able to pick up even the slightest of symptoms and then check in detail to see if something is wrong - potentially saving your dog's life. Another benefit of going to the vet is knowing how to feed your dog. Most owners don't know what it is that their dog needs. Different breeds have different dietary requirements, and these are things that your vet is best [suited](https://bobbydavidson.com/dogs-during-the-pandemic-how-important-were-they/) to tell you. ### Make Other Puppy Pals Dogs are social animals. In the wild, their ancestors hunted in packs meaning that they were not meant for solitude. If you can, try to introduce your dog to other dogs around where you live. If you don't have neighbors with dogs, try finding dog-friendly parks around you. If that doesn't work, there is always a group on Facebook that you could discover with like-minded owners. Get together and teach your dog to be more comfortable around other dogs. By being around other dogs, your [dog](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) learns to be more socialized. It helps to build trust with other dogs. Furthermore, your dog is accustomed to being around other dogs, so the chances of acting out around other animals go down significantly. ### Take Care Of Your Dog, The Right Way ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/08/Dog-Love--3-.jpg) Your dog is going to show you love, loyalty, and companionship unlike any other. They want nothing from you; they only want you to give them time, attention and for them to be taken care of as they need. When you decide to raise a dog, you need to know what needs to be done to ensure they are happy, healthy, and properly taken care of. It is by no means difficult and only requires you to do a few things right. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our companies and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies,* [*visit bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### The Lives and Times of Henry Ford: Entrepreneur Extraordinaire URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/ Last updated: 2026-07-28T23:51:47.000Z *“Failure is only an opportunity to begin all over again, this time more intelligently”* **Henry Ford** --- More than one hundred years ago, Mr. Henry Ford (1863–1947) made an announcement that shook industries as it had hitherto existed till that point in time. A Cleveland newspaper also reported that it “*shot like a blinding rocket through the dark clouds of the present industrial depression”.* Since the Ford automobile factory had a very high turnover rate and people were constantly leaving his company for rival car makers; productivity was falling. Therefore, with the settled upon goal of tackling not just employee turnover but also improving overall productivity at his plant, Henry more than doubled the wages of many, to a staggering (for that period of time) five dollars a day. This move led not only to a great increase in the overall output per worker along with near absolute company loyalty (no one would want to leave a company that was paying double the going rate for their expertise), it also allowed Ford’s Motor Company’s own employees to afford the very cars that they were making. What he had inadvertently done was to help establish what would go on to become the twentieth century’s clearly defining the social formula, which was that workers are equal to the consumers. Thus, Henry Ford not only gave birth to the assembly line concept but thanks to his foresight, also to the mass-consumption economy for the decades to come. This is indeed precisely why even these days, Henry Ford is widely considered to be a household name, and as a matter of fact, there must be very few people indeed who have not been affected by the sheer towering genius of this man. However, it had not always been this way at all. As a matter of fact, at 23 years of age, Henry Ford was just a machinist’s apprentice. But what set him apart from others was the fact that he had a vision and the ambition to make that vision come true. --- *Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.* **Henry Ford** --- However, his life was no fairy tale success story at all. On the contrary, his failures outweighed his success. In fact, be became widely known as a person who, in spite of being a highly intelligent engineer, still failed to invent anything really worthwhile. But this was due to his [dedication to perfection](https://puccicafe.com/collections/adoption-dogs?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Yes, it is certainly true that he really was late in his deliveries, but that was largely due to the near absolute perfection he expected from every product that he had created. And while his seeming inability to be able to deliver on his commitments on time, did tarnish his early reputation, he still did not allow himself to slack off, or even decrease his own self-imposed standards, in any way. In fact, it was largely due to these very failures early in his career that he learned some really valuable lessons. And they were instrumental in sparking all of his future success. But before that, with a badly tarnished reputation and no financial backers interested in furthering what was by now seen as a ‘lost cause,’ Henry was in a really troubled spot. He had become a bit of a pariah in the (as yet) nascent automobile industry, and no one wanted to finance him anymore. But that did not mean he lost all hope. Rather, he was spurred to ever greater efforts And went on to create the Ford ‘Model A’ manufactured by the newly formed “Ford Motor Company.” ### The initial failure of the Model A The very first batch of the Model A’s was not exactly the success that Henry had in mind. The vehicle started to brake down all over the country and people who bought these cars became very loud in their condemnation of the model. However, Ford did not let even this setback, make a pessimist out of him. Rather he carefully sat and listened to the feedback that his mechanics and customers brought him. This proved to be so very valuable that he actually made a long list of all of the problems, that the vehicles were facing and methodically implemented various corrective measures in his assembly line. With the help of such flexible planning, his young company kept making mistakes, kept making cars, and also learning enough to work on a new generation of vehicles. ### The Ford Model T After a few more years of trial and error, not to mention having to contend with countless failures before he launched what is considered to be the best automobile in the world till that point in time, the truly [iconic ](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)“Ford Model T”. This model effectively revolutionized the automobile industry of that age, and Ford’s name leapfrogged to the very forefront of the whole industry. And it was not just the company alone. But he also almost singlehandedly helped establish the city of Detroit, as one of the industrial powerhouses of the US. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/Smart-Car-Factory.jpg) Robotic Arms Assembling Electric Car Body on Smart Factory Production ## Henry Ford: Learning to succeed Here the most important thing to remember is that Henry’s seemingly endless [perseverance ](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)as well as his intrinsic ability to overcome all setbacks was the cornerstone to his subsequent success. The main thing that one can see in his life is that he used failure itself, as a stepping stone to [success](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). And the feedback that he personally and so painstakingly gathered from all those failures was the inspiration that he used to fine-tune his [revolutionary ](https://advisecrm.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)design ideas, and thus eventually managed to change the very world we live in. --- *“You will find men who want to be carried on the shoulders of others, who think that the world owes them a living. They don’t seem to see that we must all lift together and pull together.”* **Henry Ford** --- ### by Bobby J Davidson > I love our companies and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Identifying Your Dreams Is Only the First Step in Pursuing Your Passion URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/identifying-your-dreams-is-only-the-first-step-in-pursuing-your-passion/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T14:33:34.000Z ## Here’s How to Bring Them to Life Follow your Dreams! Many people at different points of their lives fall into “the existential vacuum” – a concept introduced by Viktor Frankl that talks about one’s inability to find or create something meaningful in life, thus, leading them to feelings of aimlessness, alienation, and emptiness. However, you can get out of this vacuum by simply finding your passion and or having a dream you’d like to pursue. Whether it’s buying your dream house, starting a business, writing a book, or relocating to a tropical island with your family, there’s probably a lot you’re yet to achieve, especially in terms of self-fulfillment. The only way to fuel your ambitions is to dive deeper into your mind and find what’s missing. Although identifying your dreams is only the first step in pursuing your passion, it can be challenging, depending on your personality and lifestyle. Plus, you’ll still need to overcome a host of mental and physical obstacles to achieve them. I’ll share how to identify your dreams and bring them to life. So, check it out below! I hope it helps. ### How to Identify Your Dreams and Bring them to Life Do you have dreams locked deep into your heart that you want to pursue? All dreams are [built](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) around the same question – “Will it happen?” Will she say yes? Will we win the championship this year? Will I be able to go on the trip I’ve been postponing for years? No matter your question, it must be compelling enough to make you revamp your lifestyle and change your trajectory to ensure you get that “Yes.” Most things we dream about seem romantic in hindsight. However, at the moment, they require work. Moreover, they require finding the will to fight the fear that it won’t happen, along with the constant interruptions, opinions, and diversions stopping you from being throughout . ![Your journey](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/your-journey.jpg) Here are some do’s and don'ts to help you get over the mental obstacles: **Don'ts** #### 1\. Don’t Wait for the Opportune Moment Or Perfect Situation No matter what you do, you’ll never find the perfect situation to make your dreams come true. You’ll always find something that’ll make you think again or reconsider your decision. Instead of following this toxic cycle, you should break it by simply going for it. Think of it as asking for forgiveness rather than permission. #### 2\. Don’t Expect People to Buy Into Your Dreams Or Agree With Them Another mistake people make is trying to get others onboard their dream wagon and welcome opinions, especially those filled with doubts and negativity. The truth is your dream is about you. Therefore, you don’t have to make people buy into it or agree with you. There will always be opposition, and that’s okay. Waiting until there’s a consensus will always keep you in chains and waste your time. #### 3\. Don’t Wait Until You Master a Skill or Concept Another obstacle many people put in front of themselves is waiting to master a skill until they start pursuing their dreams or goals. However, the truth is that you’re more likely to learn a lot more by doing instead of just waiting and learning the theory. For instance, if you have a passion for blogging, you don’t have to take long writing and marketing courses. You just have to get started. The first months will be tough. However, once you slowly get into your strive and learn by failing, you’ll start noticing a huge difference in terms of quality and viewership. Simply put, the three points are trying to say the best time to start working on your dream is now. ![Be Positive](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/be-positive.jpg) **Do’s** #### 1\. Be Optimistic One of the best things you can do to fuel your passion is to be optimistic. Believing in your dream is one of the main prerequisites for building the motivation you need to achieve it. If you try to fool your heart, it’s just not going to work as you’ll always remain in “flight” mode. Until you believe something can happen deep down, you won’t find the willpower to pursue it. #### 2\. Visualize Your Dream Can you imagine – in detail – what it would be like when your dream comes true? Try to feel the emotions, the relief, and the satisfaction filling in. Visualizing your dream is no different from fueling your body with a Red Bull or a [shot of espresso](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/coffee-choices-and-consumer-preferences?ref=bobbydavidson.com), as it will energize you to make sure it comes to life. This feeling of potential self-fulfillment is something many people spend their lives trying to build. #### 3\. Know the Road Won’t Be Easy While no dream is impossible, many can be quite hard to achieve. Therefore, if you think it’s going to be easy, think again. Instead, you should build the right expectations from the beginning and anticipate the obstacles you may come across on your journey. This way, you’ll remain motivated no matter how many battles you lose and continue to fight on until you get what you want. #### 4\. One Step At a Time You might have a big dream, and that’s okay. In the beginning, it might seem too overwhelming to pursue. However, if you follow an old saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” you might find the confidence it takes to push out all the doubt and negativity from your mind. Still, you need to be smart about it. Break down your goals into small achievable targets so you don’t bite more than you can chew. Think longer and harder about what you cant to achieve, and slowly embark on your journey. ### Wrapping Up Pursuing your passion can be a complicated [journey](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) filled with pain and laughter. However, if you plan it out carefully, you’ll find the clarity and motivation needed to bring it to fruition. Everyone has their way of finding their narrative traction to get them interested in their lives and goals. It’s just a matter of looking inside. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson > I love our companies and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Golden vs The Lab: Which Should You Choose? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-golden-vs-the-lab/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T14:08:48.000Z ### A rather difficult decision, isn't it? Both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers (also nicknamed Goldens and Labs) are amazing breeds. They are both good-natured dogs with a calm temperament. They are energetic, love their family, socializing, and also meeting other dogs. That's why they are such great family dog breeds. They are both easy to train and love to please their owners. Both Goldens and Labs love people. They enjoy meeting new people eagerly, thus making terrible guard dogs. They both have a fun, goofy personality you can’t help but fall in love with. So, if you're thinking of getting a dog, how would you decide between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever? There are several distinguishing features between both breeds. Let's consider these further. ### Different Origins Even though both Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers look similar, they have very different origins. The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland in the 1800s. A nobleman Lord Tweedmouth desired a gun dog and ended up creating this breed with his vast [dog ](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)breeding experience. The Golden retriever was created out of the Irish Settler, the Bloodhound, the Tweed Water Spaniel, and the then-existing golden retriever. This dog was also known as the 'soft mouth' as it could collect game without damaging it. After perfecting the breed for 50 years, Tweedmouth sailed across the Atlantic to America, where the breed's popularity rose. The Labrador Retriever also originated in the 1800s but in Canada. Like Golden Retrievers, labs were also bred as working dogs, but they were needed to retrieve in water rather than on land. They worked with fishermen and could easily swim large distances to collect fish, ducks, and other water creatures. Visiting British nobility took a liking to the breed and sailed it back to Britain, where it gained popularity. The origin of this breed traces back to Newfoundland rather than Labrador. It is still unknown why the British ended up naming the dog 'Labrador Retriever.' ### Physical Appearance Both Goldens and Labs look quite similar. They both have folded ears, long tails, and webbed feet. Both these retrieving breeds also love water. Golden Retrievers have a longer coat compared to Labrador Retrievers and require more frequent grooming. Goldens come in different blonde hues, whereas Labs come in Black, Blonde, and Brown. Both these breeds are similar in size and weight, and a Labrador may be a little bigger than a Golden. A Golden may weigh about 55-75lbs, whereas a Labrador may weigh about 55-80lbs. Goldens range from 21 to 24 inches in height, whereas labs may range from 22.5 to 25.5 inches in height. Labs and Goldens also have different types of muzzles. Labs have a broader and shorter muzzle. That's why it looks as if they are constantly smiling! Goldens have a narrower and longer muzzle, thus giving the golden a slenderer appearance. Another major difference between the Golden and the lab is in their tail. Labs have a short and pointy tail that's is covered in wiry, short hair. Goldens have a longer and more feathery tail that is rather fluffy. ### Temperament Both Goldens and labs are intelligent breeds that people in general. They are loyal to their families and great with children as well as other dogs. They are both sporting dogs and require plenty of mental stimulation. You have to keep both of them busy with engaging tasks and give them plenty of room to run around and play. They enjoy games of fetch as a good swim. Both these breeds require at least one hour of exercise every day. You can easily train both these breeds to help out in chores such as fetching the newspaper and other tasks. It's also not advisable to leave them alone for long periods of time. If you are the type who works a lot and is absent from home for larger periods of time, both these breeds are probably not for you. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has described Labrador Retrievers as kind dogs that are pleasant and outgoing by nature. If you were to compare both breeds, labs would be slightly more boisterous and energetic. ### Energy Levels Both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have high energy levels as they were both bred as gun dogs. Both breeds need to be exercised daily. Some breeders say Labradors are slightly higher energy dogs compared to Goldens; thus, it is advised to exercise your lab for an hour daily. Both these breeds are medium-to-high energy dogs. ### Health Factors Both Goldens and Labs can go through similar health concerns. Both these breeds have a tendency for eyes related disorders and hip dysplasia. Specifically, labradors have a tendency for obesity and hereditary myopathy. Goldens' common health concerns include elbow dysplasia, skin Issues, cancer, and seizures. Goldens are actually considered extremely susceptible to cancer. Nearly 60% of the Golden retrievers develop cancer at some point in their life. ### Takeaway So when it comes to choosing between the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever, both are among the best dog breeds. Both Goldens and Labs were among the top dog breeds in the US, as rated by the American Kennel Club. There are slight differences between both breeds and discussed above. Labs are a little more energetic and slightly boisterous. Goldens are a little calmer and love pleasing their [owners](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Whichever dog breed you decide to adopt from either of the two, get ready to love and receive love 100x more! ### Understanding Circadian Rhythm: The Body's Internal Clock URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/understanding-circadian-rhythm-the-bodys-internal-clock/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:19:16.000Z In our fast-paced world, where late-night activities and round-the-clock commitments have become the norm, the importance of our body’s natural rhythms often goes overlooked. Central to these rhythms is the [circadian rhythm](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-ways-to-prepare-your-business-for-a-natural-disaster/), an intricate biological process that regulates our sleep-wake cycles and other physiological functions. Understanding circadian rhythm is crucial for maintaining our overall health and well-being. **What is Circadian Rhythm?** Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle. These rhythms are driven by an internal biological clock located in the hypothalamus of the brain, specifically in a group of cells known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This internal [clock](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-these-3-things-to-wake-up-wildly-and-happy-to-go-to-work/) synchronizes with environmental cues, primarily light and darkness, allowing the body to adapt to the day-night cycle. The term "circadian" is derived from the Latin words "circa," meaning "around," and "diem," meaning "day." Thus, it refers to processes that cycle around a day, influencing not only sleep patterns but also hormone release, eating habits, and other bodily functions. **The Role of Light in Circadian Rhythm** Light plays a fundamental role in regulating circadian rhythms. When we are exposed to natural light, especially in the morning, our SCN receives signals to promote alertness and inhibit melatonin production—a hormone that makes us sleepy. Conversely, as the day turns to night, reduced light exposure signals the body to prepare for sleep by increasing melatonin production. The modern [reliance](https://bobbydavidson.com/fitness-gadgets-2019/) on artificial lighting, particularly blue light emitted from screens, can disrupt this delicate balance. Excessive exposure to screens, especially at night, can trick our body into thinking it is still daytime, leading to difficulties in falling asleep and negatively impacting the quality of rest. **Stages of Circadian Rhythm** Circadian rhythms influence various biological processes that can be categorized into distinct stages. These typically align with our daily activities: 1. **Morning Alertness**: Most people experience a natural rise in alertness and energy levels in the morning, typically correlating with the rise of sunlight. This is the body's encouragement to engage in daily activities. 2. **Midday Performance Peaks**: As the day progresses, cognitive and physical performance often peaks around late morning to early afternoon. 3. **Afternoon Slump**: Many individuals report feelings of fatigue in the late afternoon. This dip in energy can coincide with natural hormonal fluctuations. 4. **Evening Wind Down**: As night approaches, our [bodies](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-psychological-impact-of-negative-body-image-what-can-you-do-about-it/) begin the process of winding down in preparation for sleep. Melatonin levels rise, and alertness decreases. 5. **Nightly Rest**: During sleep, the body undergoes restorative processes that support physical and mental health, including cellular repair and memory consolidation. **Health Implications of Circadian Rhythm Disruption** Disruption of the circadian rhythm, often referred to as circadian misalignment, can have significant health implications. Modern lifestyle factors, such as shift work, travel across time zones, and excessive screen time, can throw off the body’s natural clock. Research has shown that such disruptions may lead to various health problems, including: - **Sleep Disorders**: Difficulty in falling and staying asleep can stem from misaligned circadian rhythms, leading to chronic insomnia or other sleep-related disorders. - **Mental Health Issues**: Circadian rhythm disruptions have been linked to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule promotes better emotional regulation. - **Metabolic Disorders**: Irregular eating patterns that do not align with natural circadian rhythms can lead to weight gain, obesity, and increased risk of diabetes. Eating late at night can interfere with the body’s ability to process food efficiently. - **Cardiovascular Health**: Studies have indicated a correlation between circadian disruptions and increased risk of heart disease. Keeping a regular sleep schedule may help mitigate these risks. **Promoting Healthy Circadian Rhythms** To support a harmonious circadian rhythm, consider the following practices: 1. **Establish a Sleep Schedule**: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Consistency is key in regulating your body’s internal clock. 2. **Limit Screen Time Before Bed**: Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before sleep. Consider using apps or settings that minimize blue light emitted by devices. 3. **Get Natural Light Exposure**: Spend time outdoors during daylight hours, especially in the morning. This helps signal to your body that it’s time to be awake and alert. 4. **Create a Restful Sleep Environment**: Make your bedroom [conducive](https://bobbydavidson.com/everything-on-demand/) for sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and cool. Consider using blackout curtains or white noise machines if necessary. 5. **Be Mindful of Food and Drink**: Try to align meal times with your natural rhythm, eating your meals at regular intervals and avoiding large meals close to bedtime. 6. **Manage Stress**: Engage in relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to help reduce stress, which can affect sleep quality. **Wrapping Up** Understanding and respecting [circadian rhythms](https://puccicafe.com/can-dogs-dream/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is essential for optimizing our health and functioning. By aligning our lifestyle choices with our body's natural clock, we can enhance our sleep quality, improve our mood, and reduce the risk of health issues. In a world that often promotes a 24/7 lifestyle, prioritizing our circadian rhythm is a crucial step towards achieving overall well-being. Embrace the rhythm of your body and thrive in harmony with its natural cycles. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 8 of the Most Epic Business Feuds of All Time URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-feuds/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:14:14.000Z Succeeding in business is all about doing the right things. You need to offer the best [products](https://puccicafe.com/shop/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [superior services](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [exceptional user experience](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/managed-it-services/help-desk-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), all while marketing effectively to customers. In many industries, it can be a dog-eat-dog, near-warlike state for some of the biggest business names. Many of these businesses enjoy taking digs at one another, creating the most epic business feuds. **In this article, I’ll share with you 8 examples of business rivalries that have gone above and beyond, creating legends in and of themselves.** Let’s get started! ### Understanding Business Feuds and Rivalries In business, managers and organizations strive for consumer loyalty, regardless of their offerings. In many ways, a loyal customer often means someone who will avoid buying a competitor’s product or service. Additionally, loyal customers also use word of mouth to steer others toward a favored brand and away from a rival brand. Business feuds and rivalries can influence different aspects of a company, like its products and services. For instance, rivalry can encourage managers to increase [organizational](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) effort or output. It can also increase the likelihood of unethical behavior, such as hilarious commercials or billboard ads that attempt to mock competitor’s products. Here's a look at 8 of the most epic business feuds of all time: #### 1\. Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi While this list isn’t in any particular order, we figured we’d start with what’s likely the most [famous](https://bobbydavidson.com/orville-redenbacher/) of all corporate rivalries – Coke vs. Pepsi. Dubbed by pop culture observers as the “Cola Wars,” this business feud has been popular since the 70s. Both companies have taken a dig at one another through hilarious ad campaigns. #### 2\. Nike vs. Reebok When it comes to athletic shoes, particularly in basketball and football, Nike and Reebok are the two brands at the top of the food chain. Other brands like Fila, Puma, Converse, and even Adidas have had time in the spotlight, but none of them can rival Nike or Reebok. While both brands have clashed in advertisements and tried to top the shoe and apparel markets, Nike was the first to establish a superstar athlete endorsement deal by signing NBA legend Michael Jordan. Meanwhile, Reebok’s biggest celebrity snag so far has been Shaquille O’Neal, another giant of the basketball world. #### 3\. McDonald’s vs. Burger King There is no love lost between McDonald’s and Burger King, which have spent billions trying to outdo each other in their advertising for decades. Burger King has used Ronald McDonald in some TV adverts, featuring him sneaking into one of its branches. However, this never stopped McDonald’s. They made many adverts of their own, including one featuring a road sign with an impossibly long list of directions to the nearest Burger King in 2916\. The message? “McDonald’s is closer to you.” #### 4\. Microsoft vs. Apple The tech business rivalry has been going on for decades. Steve Jobs took regular aim at [Microsoft](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-steve-ballmer-and-his-time-at-microsoft/) in his time at the helm of Apple, accusing them of having no taste in the 90s and putting the boot in with the company’s famous “Get a Mac” campaign in the 2000s. It wasn’t long until Bill Gates and Microsoft hit back, with the founder calling Jobs fundamentally odd and claiming his rival didn’t know much about technology. However, the two occasionally got along just fine, and Bill Gates even appeared in Mac adverts in the 80s. #### 5\. Ferrari vs. Lamborghini In 1950s Italy, Enzo Ferrari was in charge of his famous sports car [company](https://puccicafe.com/product-category/dog-birthday-party-packages/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) while Ferruccio Lamborghini was running a tractor business down the street. Things may have stayed this way if Lamborghini, a keen mechanic, had not been unhappy with his new Ferrari’s engine and clutch. Lamborghini thought he knew how the car could be improved and took his concerns to Enzo Ferrari himself. So the story goes – that Ferrari said there was nothing wrong with the car and that Lamborghini should stick to tractors. The outraged Lamborghini decided to build his car factory and unveil the first Lamborghini sports car, [the 350 GTV](https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/10/22/lamborghini/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and the rest is history. #### 6\. Samsung vs. Apple What’s it like to have two giants in different [domains](https://bobbydavidson.com/ces-2019/) competing with one brand? Just ask Apple, as it not only competes with Microsoft but also Samsung since the launch of the iPhone. Apple and Samsung have only been fighting it out for less than a decade, but it has quickly become one of the bloodiest business feuds in history. When Samsung launched its first Galaxy models in 2010, it caused Apple to take strong notice, and the company accused its South Korean rival of copying the iPhone. #### 7\. Playstation vs. Xbox Business feuds between game consoles makers have rumbled on for as long as there have been consoles. Anyone with a good memory can remember the business rivalry between Nintendo and Sega. In recent times, Microsoft and Sony have been in a contest with one another, with fiercely loyal fans picking one camp over the other. #### 8\. Netflix vs. Blockbuster As per founder Reed Hastings, the idea for Netflix came from his frustration of having to pay a fee to [Blockbuster](https://bobbydavidson.com/microsoft-cloud-business/) after losing a rented video. Forbes even reported that Blockbuster laughed at Hastings when he reportedly proposed that his small company should run its brand online. However, it was Hastings who had the last laugh, as Netflix soared in popularity while Blockbuster eventually closed down in 2010 and at the time of me writing this article Netflix has a market capitalization of 408+ billion dollars. ### Wrapping up With that, our look at some of the greatest business feuds of all time comes to a close. It's pretty fun looking back at these business feuds and also learned some important lessons on business and innovation from these business rivalries. For entrepreneurs and business owners looking to gain more insight into the evolving business world, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. [percentotech.com/trends-in-technology](https://percentotech.com/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- *By Bobby J. Davidson* *I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about.html)*. Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.* ### Far From Home Fitness: 5 Exercises You Can Do When Traveling URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/far-from-home-fitness-5-exercises-you-can-do-when-traveling/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:20:55.000Z Working out at home is easy and convenient. Especially if you have gym equipment and [workout](https://bobbydavidson.com/entrepreneurs-take-time-off/) tools available in your house or if you have a nearby neighborhood gym you go to regularly, exercising can effortlessly be part of your routine. When traveling, however, your fitness routine may get disrupted. Not only will you have a schedule different from your usual one at home, but you may also not have access to your fitness equipment or a gym. If you are far from home and you want to keep your body on the move, here are five exercises you can do while [traveling](https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/). ### 1\. Jumping Jacks Jumping jacks are full-body exercises that you can perform during your cardio or warm-up sessions. As it increases your heart rate and respiration while working out your whole body, jumping jacks can be an excellent cardiovascular conditioning [exercise](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/) that supports strength work. It does not require a huge space, so you can do it anytime and anywhere. As long as you can jump with your legs slightly open, your hotel room should be just fine when doing this cardio workout. ### 2\. Planks Planking is a straightforward [exercise](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) you can easily do even when you’re far from home. Whether you’re in a hotel or a camping site, spare some time to perform this bodyweight exercise that targets multiple muscle groups in your body, including your shoulder, arms, core, and hips. Planking does not take too much of your time nor requires a lot of space; that’s why it can easily be done when you’re traveling. Perform two to three 60-second planks in a day, and you should be all set and ready to move on to another exercise. ### 3\. Bodyweight Squats Squats are another fitness exercise you can easily perform when you’re on a trip or traveling away from home. It is a type of resistance training that requires no equipment, only proper execution, and precise body movements. Bodyweight squats focus on strengthening your lower body muscles and core to improve power and endurance. They also help enhance your mobility and reduce the risk of injury. ### 4\. Walking Lunges When you’re out traveling or on vacation, chances are you feel disinterested in exercising because your mind tells you that you’re there to enjoy and relax. When you feel this way, walking lunges are a great exercise to perform because they get you moving and help energize your brain and body. Not only that, walking lunges help increase your heart rate, promote blood circulation throughout your body, and strengthen your hips and legs. And since they require very little time and space, you can conveniently do them anytime and anywhere! ### 5\. Other Physical Activities If working out seems impossible during your travel, perhaps because of your [tight](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-psychological-impact-of-negative-body-image-what-can-you-do-about-it/) schedule or busy itinerary, just remember to regularly incorporate physical movements in some form. The key is to move your body using different motions and avoid staying stagnant. Doing some stretches, walking around the room, or jogging in place, even for a few minutes in your day, can make the difference. You can also climb up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, walk rather than take a taxi, or go for a bike ride. These simple activities that get you moving and increase your heart rate can help you stay fit even if you’re far away from home. Just because you’re traveling or out for a vacation doesn’t mean you have an excuse for not working out. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way. So if you want to stay [in shape](http://pickfitusa.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and active, make sure to incorporate these simple and doable far-from-home exercises even if you’re exploring the world or seeking out new adventures. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 4 Tips For Marketers to Captivate Audiences With the Power of Music URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-tips-for-marketers-to-captivate-audiences-with-the-power-of-music/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:14:59.000Z Music plays an interesting role in altering human emotions. It can make people smile, cry, dance, feel nostalgic, and even trigger memories, experiences, or events. Thus, it has become an essential part of the human experience – and marketers know this. For decades, marketers and advertisers have leveraged the power of music to captivate audiences by elevating a concept with strategically placed sounds. They’ve used music and sound to tell stories on TV, [radio](https://bobbydavidson.com/dr-dre-the-rise-of-a-one-man-music-revolution/), and now on social media to evoke the required emotions and responses – something that can’t be done with visuals alone. Today, music is central to the harmony of video-based marketing content and is used to help drive a specific narrative or bring attention to certain actions. However, since sound typically works within a video’s background, its subtlety is often overlooked. As a result, many marketing teams shy away from using music in their videos out of fear of high costs. However, there are ways to [strategically](https://bobbydavidson.com/biggest-tech-acquisitions-2017/) pair music and videos to get the desired results you need in terms of storytelling and response. In this post, we’ll share how to captivate your audience with music by providing four powerful tips. **Let’s get started!** Why Music Plays A Crucial Role in Marketing and Branding Before we dive into our powerful tips, it’s important to understand the role of music in marketing and branding so you can get the most out of it when engaging your target audience. Although most people are aware that [music](https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-and-spotify/) is a key component in the video, non-marketers may overlook its importance or choose a soundtrack for the wrong reasons. Experienced marketers pick music that communicates the message they’re trying to send to their audiences while enhancing their videos’ quality. Here are the key ways in which music can help your brand: #### 1\. Capturing Attention Music has the power to hold the attention of listeners and shape their emotions in different ways. Whether it’s motivational or sad music, it helps audiences how to feel and understand what to pay close attention to. In terms of marketing and advertising, music is used to build value by making products or services more memorable. Whether it’s a high-energy product launch commercial or a simple how-to video, you want your background music to be unique, just like in commercials and radio stations. This will get you the emotional connection you need to improve [brand](https://bobbydavidson.com/target-audience/) recognition and drive prospectus customers to engage with your business. #### 2\. Brand Recognition Music has become an essential component of brand recognition, especially when conveying your brand message. It’s one of the few things that can distinguish your business from your competitors, even if you offer the same products and services. Music can reinforce a specific message to your desired audience and reveal your brand’s personality by eliciting certain emotions. For instance, Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness commercial strategically fuses beats, melodies, and rhythms to engage viewers with their flagship product and induce the idea that Coca-Cola should be a part of every celebration or happy moment. With the right music, you can make your audience take an interest in your brand and product. With music being a part of our daily lives, marketers can use it to enable customers to imagine their brand’s identity and comprehend its key message. ### How to Captivate Your Target Audience With Music – 4 Powerful Tips Now that you’re no longer on the fence regarding the relevance of music in marketing and branding, here are 4 tips for markets to captivate audiences with the power of music: #### 1\. Learn About Your Target Audience When it comes to customer segmentation, data is key. The same principle [applies](https://bobbydavidson.com/what-you-can-do-with-google-assistant/) to choosing the right music for your video content. Simply put, you need to apply the same demographic and psychographic factors, such as age, location, personality, interests, etc., to group your potential viewers. Once you have audience insight, you’ll notice a significant difference in your video campaigns. The idea here is to cater to your target audience and their music choices, not yours. This will help you accurately represent the community you’re trying to engage. However, this doesn’t mean you make sweeping generalizations. For example, all people in New Orleans love Jazz, or everyone in Tennessee loves country rock. #### 2\. Be Engaging When choosing music for your video content, you want to pick something unexpected and engaging. However, at the same time, it should represent your brand, so people think of you when they listen to it. Brands spend an awful lot of time finding music that fits their brand identity to ensure their customers can encapsulate their tune into their memories. Ideally, you should look for soundtracks and audio collections that trigger the emotion you’re trying to draw out from your potential customers. #### 3\. Less is More Over 80% of marketers claim video ads and commercials perform better with music as long as you keep it simple and not use tracks that clash with each other. Using too many tracks can easily distract viewers and even alter their mood negatively. Even if you’re trying to mix genres, you should make sure it suits the imagery, so viewers understand the reason behind the change. #### 4\. Learn About Intellectual Property Rights As tempting as it can be to pull an awesome track of the internet, marketers have to be extremely careful. Most social media platforms flag licensed audio due to usage restrictions. So, if you use it in your videos, the platform could take down the content. Even if you plan to use third-party soundtracks, you need to give proper credits and abide by acceptable use conditions. ### Wrapping Up Hopefully, with these 4 simple yet effective tips, you can get the most out of your video content in terms of viewership, [engagement](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), conversion, and profit. By hooking viewers with music, you can tell your brand story, explain your products and services, and make your new offers sound more exciting. These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg, so feel free to [explore](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) this concept more deeply and adapt it to your marketing strategy. --- *By Bobby J. Davidson* *I am passionate about our* [*companies*](https://percentotech.com/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) *and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-1.html)*. Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.* ### The Quest for Longevity and Alzheimer’s Insights From the Amazon Rainforest URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-quest-for-longevity-and-alzheimers-insights-from-the-amazon-rainforest/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:18:31.000Z In the quest for longevity and Alzheimer’s prevention, the Amazon rainforest stands out as a rich source of biodiversity. Additionally, it is home to many indigenous tribes with unique lifestyles. Recent studies investigate why these populations often avoid diseases like Alzheimer’s, offering valuable insights into our ongoing quest for longevity. ### Dietary Habits One key factor in their health is diet. Traditional Amazonian diets are high in nutrients while being low in processed foods. They typically include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish. These foods are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect brain health and support the quest for longevity. ### Active Lifestyle Moreover, indigenous people in the Amazon lead active lives. Their daily routines involve physical labor and movement through nature. Regular physical activity is crucial in the quest for longevity; it provides numerous health benefits, such as improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. This may explain why Alzheimer’s is less common in these communities. ### Social Structures and Mental Health Strong social ties are also vital for the well-being of these populations. Supportive communities enhance mental health, and social interaction plays an essential role in building cognitive resilience in older adults. In this way, family connections create a supportive environment that helps reduce stress and its associated health risks, further contributing to the quest for longevity. ### Natural Remedies and Traditional Medicine Additionally, knowledge of medicinal plants plays a significant role in these societies. Many tribes possess extensive knowledge of local flora and its healing properties. Some studies suggest that compounds found in these plants may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, providing another layer to the quest for longevity. ### Genetics and Evolution Genetic influences may also play a role in the health of these groups. Researchers are currently investigating whether specific genetic traits contribute to their resilience against various diseases. By understanding these genetics, we can identify elements that support the quest for longevity and develop new treatments and preventive measures. ### The Importance of Preservation However, modernization is beginning to affect the Amazon and its indigenous cultures. This change threatens traditional knowledge and health practices. Therefore, preserving these cultures is vital not just for their communities but also for the valuable insights they offer regarding health and longevity in our quest for longevity. ### Wrapping Up Studying indigenous Amazonian lifestyles reveals much about longevity and the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Their nutritious diets, active living, strong social networks, and traditional medicine provide valuable lessons for our quest for longevity. As research progresses, it is essential to respect the cultures involved and commit to preserving their ways of life. Ultimately, understanding the connections between environment, lifestyle, and genetics can enhance healthy aging and disease prevention, benefiting both the communities studied and the wider world. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Brain Health: How to Keep Your Mind Healthy and Fit URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/brain-health-how-to-keep-your-mind-healthy-and-fit/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:20:19.000Z Being healthy and fit does not only refer to having a strong and conditioned body. Our mind needs to be sharp, healthy, and functioning, too. Brain health is an essential aspect of your overall health and well-being. It is responsible for effective communication, making sound decisions, solving problems, and enabling you to live a happy and productive life. As the brain controls most of our body functions, it is a valuable organ that we need to protect, develop, and enhance, keeping it healthy and fit at all [times](https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/). ### 4 Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy and Fit As we grow older, our brain's functions gradually diminish. However, there are plenty of things you can do the keep your brain active, slowing down memory decline and lowering any risk of developing dementia or memory loss. Below are five simple but effective ways how you can keep your mind [healthy](https://bobbydavidson.com/employee-health/) and fit. #### 1\. Stay mentally active. Similar to muscles, your brain needs to work regularly, or you will lose its functions. So challenge your mind every chance you get. This can be done in many different ways, like solving puzzles, painting, doing arts and crafts, engaging in DIY projects, trying out new cooking recipes, reading, writing a book, and many more. The key is to not let your mind stagnate. Consider these activities as cross-training your brain so it stays active and functioning. Try to incorporate different types of activities to boost productivity and effectiveness. #### 2\. Exercise and eat a healthy diet. You may think that exercising and eating a [healthy](https://bobbydavidson.com/fitness-gadgets-2019/) diet can only benefit your body. But the truth is, they also help enhance your brain power and functions. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain, keeping it sharp and active. Studies show that physically active individuals are less likely to experience memory decline and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, diet plays a vital role in achieving brain health. Choose foods that are known to improve your brainpower and keep you mentally alert and sharp. A [healthy](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/) diet plan includes lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Proteins should come from fish and plant sources. Choose healthy fats over saturated fats, including olive oil, canola oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. #### 3\. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential to brain health. Getting complete rest every night allows your brain to recharge and recover from the previous day's work. Research shows that inadequate sleep can cause slower thinking and a higher risk for dementia. Thus, aim to get seven to nine hours of continuous sleep every night so that you can also wake up ready and motivated to start another day. #### 4\. Communicate and be social. When you talk and socialize with people, it encourages your mind to listen, think, react, and communicate appropriately about the subject being discussed. Thus, communicating and socializing also help boost your cognitive ability. If you feel anxious or nervous [talking](https://bobbydavidson.com/trust-your-gut/) to people because of fear of not being able to contribute to the discussion, another brain exercise you can engage in is reading. When you read books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles, it doesn't only exercise your brain and improves your memory but also allows you to be confident and knowledgeable in sharing information with other people. ### Brain Health is Essential to Overall Health Because our brain is responsible for many important functions in our body, we must take care of it and keep it healthy and fit. By following the brain [health](https://pickfitusa.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) tips discussed above, you are not only maximizing your potential but also protecting yourself from experiencing memory decline or complete memory loss in the future. So just as you are exercising your body to become physically fit, make sure to exercise your brain, so you can be mentally healthy, active, and fit, too. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Top Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails Around The World URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/top-dog-friendly-hiking-trails-around-the-world/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:15:33.000Z While hiking alone can be a fantastic experience, having your dog as a companion on the trail makes it even better. Hiking with your four-legged friend is an excellent way to strengthen the bond between you and your [pup](https://bobbydavidson.com/hiking-with-dogs-how-to-identifying-injuries/), as well as spend quality time in nature. But you must remember that hiking with your four-pawed buddy requires planning and research. While some hiking trails don't allow dogs, others might be unable to provide shade for your pup. Some even come with risks of encountering wild animals like bears. Whether you are looking for a difficult trail or one with mesmerizing views, there are a handful of dog-friendly hikes to explore. This article is your step-by-step guide to finding the ten best [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-your-beach-dog-wants-you-to-know/)\-friendly hiking trails around the world. ## 10 Best Dog-Friendly Trails Around the World Here's a list of some phenomenal hiking trails to explore with your dog: ### 1\. Runyon Canyon Park Located in Los Angeles, Runyon Canyon Park has many fantastic [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/)\-friendly hiking trails. This park has a total area of 130 acres, out of which 90 acres are dedicated for dog activities where your pup can play and enjoy themselves. On your way up the hill, you can enjoy picturesque views of Hollywood Hills and a glimpse of the famous Hollywood sign. Keep in mind that finding a parking spot can be an issue because many people visit this popular place regularly. Make sure to bring plenty of water for both you and your pup since the park does not have much shade and water along the hiking trail. You can pick the complete 3.3-mile run or go for a shorter, easier trail. Either way, you and your [fur baby](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) will enjoy every bit of it. ### 2\. Stonebarrow Walk The Stonebarrow Walk is located in England. From ancient hedgerows to beautiful hills to breathtaking views, there's so much that this place offers. It's a relatively easy 1.7-mile circular track that allows you and your pup to enjoy the fantastic beauty of the Dorset Area. You can also explore Charmouth's beach to enjoy epic views of the towering cliffs of Stonebarrow Hill. Moreover, depending on the weather conditions, a quick splash in the sea with your dog will take your hiking excursion to the next level. ### 3\. Fort Funston Fort Funston is one of the top dog-friendly hikes in The San Francisco Bay Area. This amazing park comes with beach access and a spacious parking area, making it ideal for you and your pup to spend time by the ocean. Though most of the trails here are paved, the ones leading down toward the beach are not. You can witness mesmerizing views of the coast while you head down toward the beach. Moreover, your pup can also enjoy roaming the sandy trails of the beach. ### 4\. Herman Gulch This beautiful trail is located in the west of Denver, in Idaho. This dog-friendly trail is neither too difficult nor too easy; this dog-friendly trail comes with a seven-mile route. You can enjoy picturesque views and play with your pup along the trail. Make sure you bring plenty of water and some snacks for both you and your [four-legged buddy](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/). ### 5\. Tunnel Mountain Summit Tunnel Mountain Summit is located in Canada's Banff National Park, which is just a 15-minute walk from the gorgeous village of Banff. This village also has a handful of dog-friendly hotels, making it an ideal place to hike with your [canine friend](https://bobbydavidson.com/best-nutrition-practices-for-hiking/). Though you and your dog will need to be full of energy to reach the Tunnel Mountain Summit, it's definitely worth it. You will enjoy picture-picture views of the Bow River, mountain peaks, and Rocky Mount Rundle. Remember, this trail is home to many animals such as bears, bison, and elk, so always keep your pup's leash in hand. ### 6\. Grandstaff Canyon Grandstaff Canyon is another beautiful dog-friendly hike that welcomes dogs. It's located in the city of Moab. This trail is renowned for its outstanding desert scenery that you might not find anywhere. The trail also comes with shade, which is essential for your canine friend. However, keep a close eye on ivy poison and stay away from it as much as possible. Your four-legged buddy can also splash the water to beat the heat. The route ends at the phenomenal Glory Natural Bridge, the United States' sixth-longest natural rock span. Make sure you bring plenty of water to keep both you and your pup hydrated. ### 7\. Ski Lake Trail, Wyoming This trail is located in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest. It's a five-mile hiking trail that welcomes dogs. As soon as you reach the end of this trail, you'll witness incredible views of Grand Teton. Make sure you track your pup's movement all the time to protect them from moose and bears. ### 8\. Rose River Rose River is an ideal place to explore if your pup loves water. This dog-friendly hike is located in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. Along this four-mile route, you'll enjoy beautiful forests, fantastic waterfalls, and incredible swimming spots. Make sure to bring bug spray to combat gnats. Furthermore, be prepared to come across some bridge crossings along the trail. ### 9\. North Fork Mountain Many consider this 5.3-mile [dog](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)\-friendly hiking trail challenging because of its arduous climbing route. Nonetheless, once you've reached the summit, you'll witness some picturesque views worth every effort of both you and your canine friend. Make sure you have plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. ### 10\. Tubbs Hill Tubbs Hill is a relatively easy two-mile trail that welcomes dogs. This beautiful hike is popular for mesmerizing views of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Moreover, it gives you lakefront beach access so you and your pup can have fun. ## Final Words As many dog owners would agree, hiking with your canine friend can be challenging. And it can be devastating to realize that dogs aren't allowed after arriving at the hiking trail. If you're looking for the top dog-friendly hiking trails, make sure you check out the trails mentioned in this article for a memorable hiking experience. --- By Bobby J. Davidson I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-5.html). Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights. ### Understanding Ransomware : Cyber Attacks URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/understanding-ransomware-cyber-attacks/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:16:43.000Z **The Rise of Ransomware and Its Impact** In 2017, the world witnessed one of the largest cyber-attacks in internet history — the WannaCry ransomware. Originating primarily in Europe, it caused widespread damage, infecting over 200,000 systems within the first few hours. Major organizations like NHS in the UK and Renault were severely affected. Over the past eight years, ransomware threats have been increasing at an alarming rate, making it one of the most potent forms of malware today. This malware’s destructive capacity and rapid spread highlight the urgent need for [awareness](https://bobbydavidson.com/7-best-practices-to-prevent-ransomware-attacks/) and preventive measures in our increasingly digital world. --- **Common Infection Methods of Ransomware** Attackers continuously develop innovative ways to infect systems. The most common infection methods include: - Sending SMS messages targeting smartphone users. - Distributing malicious links via emails that redirect recipients to infected [web pages](https://bobbydavidson.com/secure-your-wordpress-website/). - Exploiting vulnerabilities in software. - Injecting malicious code into legitimate websites. - Running malvertising campaigns that spread malware through ads. - Spreading from one affected computer to another, exemplified by WannaCry's rapid network propagation. --- **The Typical Ransomware Infection Process** The infection process varies but generally follows these key steps: **1\. Delivery of Malicious Content** The victim receives a link or attachment through email or other communication forms, which appears legitimate or enticing. **2\. Activation of Malware** Clicking the link or opening the attachment triggers the payload, causing the malware to initiate. **3\. Data Encryption** The malware encrypts all files on the hard drive, including stored data on cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox, rendering them inaccessible. **4\. Ransom Demand** Within seconds, a warning pops up on the screen, displaying instructions for paying the ransom for the decryption key. **5\. User Confusion and Impact** The entire process happens swiftly, often confusing users and making recovery difficult without proper backups or tools. --- **Preventive Measures to Avoid Ransomware Attacks** To prevent falling victim to ransomware, follow these [essential](https://bobbydavidson.com/7-best-practices-to-prevent-ransomware-attacks/) practices: - Avoid storing critical data solely on personal computers. - Maintain two backups: one on an external hard drive and another on a cloud service with controlled access. - Disable automatic opening of cloud files and update them regularly. - Keep your operating system and software updated with the latest security patches. - Adjust browser privacy and security settings to block malicious scripts and downloads. - Use ad blockers to prevent malicious ads from executing. - Never open spam emails or attachments from unknown senders. - Avoid clicking links in suspicious emails. - Install reliable antivirus [software](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-train-your-employees-on-phishing-attempts/) with real-time scanning. **Important:** Never pay the ransom. Paying does not guarantee data recovery and encourages attackers to continue their malicious activities. Many victims who paid did not regain their data and lost money, emphasizing that prevention is the best strategy. --- **How to Recover From a Ransomware Attack** While prevention is crucial, sometimes attacks happen despite efforts. In such cases: **Identify the Ransomware Strain** Tools like **ID Ransomware** and **Crypto Sheriff** can assist in identifying the type of ransomware [affecting](https://bobbydavidson.com/ten-best-2017-feature-updates-to-windows-10/) your system. **Use Decryption Tools** Once identified, you can try decryption tools such as: - **Opentoyou** - **Globe3 Decryption** - **Decryptor for Dharma** - **Crypton Decryption** - **Damage Decryption** These tools often help restore files without paying the ransom, especially for known ransomware variants. --- **Conclusion** Experiencing a ransomware attack can be devastating. Staying [vigilant](https://bobbydavidson.com/essentials-tools-for-the-young-entrepreneur/), practicing good [cybersecurity](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/cyber-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) habits, and utilizing decryption tools can greatly reduce the risks and consequences. For organizations, Expert cybersecurity measures are essential. [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) offers support in cloud migration and digital transformation — contact us to learn how we can enhance your cybersecurity posture. --- By Bobby J. Davidson I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-6.html). Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights. ### The Story of Steve Ballmer and his Time at Microsoft URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-steve-ballmer-and-his-time-at-microsoft/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:17:11.000Z When people think of Microsoft, [Bill Gates](https://bobbydavidson.com/bill-gates/) often comes to mind. However, several other key figures have contributed to the company's success in the past three decades. Notably, former CEO Steve Ballmer ran the company from the start of the Dot-com bubble until the final years of the Third Industrial Revolution. In this post, we’ll share Steve Ballmer’s story. We will cover his roles and achievements at Microsoft, background, and time at the company. **Introduction** Steve Ballmer is one of the world’s most respected and [influential tech executives](https://bobbydavidson.com/9-business-movies-every-entrepreneur-should-watch/). As of 2022, his net worth exceeds $90 billion. Most of his wealth came during his tenure as Microsoft CEO from 2000 to 2014\. He had been with the company for nearly 30 years. After retiring, Ballmer pursued his interest in basketball. He bought the NBA team Los Angeles Clippers for nearly $2 billion. He is also a philanthropist and co-founded the Ballmer Group, which aims to remove barriers for young people. Recently, Ballmer founded [USAFacts](https://usafacts.org/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a nonprofit website. It helps users understand how the US government earns and spends money. He hopes to address issues related to education and politics through this platform. Steve Ballmer was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 24, 1956\. His parents are Frederic Henry Ballmer and Beatrice Dworkin. From a young age, he was gifted in math. He attended Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan. He scored 800 on the math section of the SAT. In 1973, Ballmer studied engineering classes at Lawrence Technology University. He then applied and gained admission to Harvard University in 1974\. During college, he lived down the hall from Bill Gates, a fellow sophomore. **Career** After graduating in 1977, Ballmer worked for Procter & Gamble as an assistant product manager. During this time, he earned a spot at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He briefly attended but dropped out to join Microsoft as its 30th employee. His starting salary was $50,000, and he received around 5-10% shares. At [Microsoft](https://bobbydavidson.com/microsoft-cloud-business/), Ballmer led various divisions. He oversaw sales, support, Windows development, and internal operations. In 1992, he became Executive Vice President, Sales and Support. He also led the development of the .NET Framework. As he succeeded in these roles, he became president of Microsoft, effectively the second-in-command. In 2003, when Bill Gates stepped down as [CEO](https://bobbydavidson.com/leadership-qualities-make-good-ceos/), Ballmer took the top position. His leadership coincided with the rise of digital transformation. During his 14-year tenure as CEO, Ballmer focused on enterprise strategy, cloud computing, and launching the Xbox. He also helped expand into search with Bing and saw the acquisition of Skype. However, Microsoft faced intense competition from Google and Apple. The company was slow to adapt to smartphones, social media, and search engines. The Zune media player was a major failure compared to iPod. Ballmer later said that the biggest mistake was not focusing on Windows Mobile. By the time Nokia was acquired, consumer preferences had shifted to Android and iOS. In September 2013, Ballmer announced his resignation. [Satya Nadella](https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyanadella/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) succeeded him in August 2014. **Relationship with Bill Gates** Ballmer and Gates were more than colleagues; they were close friends since Harvard days. They described their relationship as a marriage, filled with debates. This dynamic was part of Microsoft’s culture. Over time, their relationship grew tense. Gates was happy Ballmer led the [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/business-tablets-entrepreneurs/) so he could focus on technology. But Gates was upset about Ballmer’s push into hardware, especially smartphones. Gates preferred digital transformation instead of hardware. Since 2014, they have spoken rarely and drifted apart. **Wrapping Up** Steve Ballmer remains one of Microsoft’s most influential figures. Before becoming CEO, he helped launch key products like the .NET Framework and Windows OS. During his CEO years, Microsoft competed vigorously against Google and Apple. He dedicated 33 years of his life to Microsoft, shaping its dominance in tech. --- By Bobby J. Davidson I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-7.html). Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights. ### Health is Wealth: The Cost of Being Unhealthy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/health-is-wealth-the-cost-of-being-unhealthy/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:21:35.000Z We always hear the saying, "health is wealth." But what does it mean? Does it imply that if we are healthy, we can also be rich financially? Like wealth or material possessions, good health is valuable in our life. In fact, having a healthy body and mind is even more expensive than anything in this world because there is no amount of money or material [wealth](https://bobbydavidson.com/andrew-carnegie/) that can compare to the benefits they provide. Without good health, even the richest person may not be able to enjoy life and their material possessions. ### Why Poor Health Will Cost You More Money Some people say that living a [healthy](https://bobbydavidson.com/brain-health-how-to-keep-your-mind-healthy-and-fit/) lifestyle can be expensive. You have to pay for gym memberships and workout equipment, organic and locally sourced foods, specialty diets, health retreats, and even medical procedures and treatments. This is the reason why others get discouraged from choosing to be healthy. What they don't know is that poor and unhealthy choices can actually be more costly in the long run. 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Prioritizing and investing in good health is essential as it not only improves the quality of life but also helps avoid the financial burdens that poor health can bring. While some aspects of a [healthy](https://pickfitusa.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) lifestyle can be expensive, you can always choose affordable alternatives or simply prevent unhealthy choices. By taking proactive steps to maintain good health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and preventive healthcare, you can save money in the long run and enjoy better overall well-being. Remember, health is indeed [wealth](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), so always choose to be healthy. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### How Dogs Keep You in Good Health URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-dogs-keep-you-in-good-health/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T13:01:22.000Z Dog owners are usually aware of the countless joy dogs bring in their lives every single day. However, it is not uncommon for many people to be unaware of the [benefits](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) of snuggling with your furry friend, whether mental or physical. It is only recently that studies have started to prove that the human-animal bond comes with several benefits. ### How Pets Can Benefit You Over the centuries, dogs have become attuned to humans and their emotions and behavior patterns. Today, dogs can understand the words we use and interpret gestures, body [language](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/), and tone of our voice. 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According to studies, here is how dogs keep you in good health: *• Dog parents are much less likely to deal with depression.* *• People who own dogs are shown to have lower blood pressure levels in taxing situations compared to those without dogs.* *• Playing with dogs can increase the production of dopamine and serotonin in the body, which helps humans relax.* *• Dog owners have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, showing that they are less likely to develop heart disease in the future.* *• Someone who has suffered from a heart attack is likely to live longer if he has a dog as opposed to someone who does not.* *• Individuals over the age of 65 visit their doctor 30 percent less when they have a dog than those without.* Dogs provide a therapeutic feel for humans because they fulfill our basic need for touch. In fact, even hardened prisoners who have been criminals show changes in behavior once they have interacted with pets. 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It isn't a choice; it is important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Being active means keeping your mind and body in a state of constant activity over consistent periods to make sure it doesn't get too lazy. As humans, we often hear people talking about different [ways](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) to keep themselves occupied to avoid laziness. Some people take up a hobby, some start working out, and others even take up more work so that they don't have any time they could waste. Now, this isn't always the right way to go. Just because you want to keep yourself occupied doesn't mean you spread yourself too thin. You need to make sure you find a balance between work and play to get the required amount of activity and rest. ## Don't let them get lazy Similar to us humans, dogs also need to be kept [active](https://bobbydavidson.com/different-ways-to-keep-your-dog-in-shape/). 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Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.* ### Take an X Break and Give Your Emotions a Break URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/give-your-emotions-a-break-and-take-a-x-break/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:28.000Z Most avid X users are accustomed to waking up and checking the platform first thing. Some even lay in bed at night and merely scroll through their timelines for hours just to ensure they don’t miss out on what’s trending or what their peers are talking about. With so much noise on the digital platform, all the voices, gossip, and breaking news can sometimes become overwhelming and affect your mental health. Thus, the platform recently introduced a new concept referred to as a “X break.” That’s right! Now, you can take a step back from the [platform](https://bobbydavidson.com/six-common-challenges-facing-small-business-owners/) to keep your mental health in check while still being connected with all your relevant tweets and information. **In this post, we’ll talk about the negative aspects of one of the world’s most popular social media platforms and share how to take a Twitter break.** ### The Negative Aspects Of X Although there’s limited research regarding the long-term mental health consequences of X, several studies have found a disturbing link between the platform and an increased risk for stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, among a few issues. Let’s check out some of the main negative aspects of X: #### 1\. 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As a result, many people seek emotional support from the internet instead of spending more time interacting with people face-to-face. ## How to Take a X Break You probably think this is another “Get off social media” speech. It is not. In a world that’s rapidly adopting digitalization, going off the grid is nearly impossible. However, there are [strategies](https://bobbydavidson.com/wellbeing-dealing-with-rejection/) you can apply to take a break from X now and then. So, If you’re ready to break the chains of X or at least reduce the chances of succumbing to some of its negative aspects, here’s how to take a X break using the platform itself. #### 1\. Refine Your Feed With Preferred Topics Instead of flooding your timeline with information related to every niche possible, refine your feed with topics you’re interested in. For instance, do you enjoy food, gaming, celebrity news, science, etc.? Head to the Explore tab and explore through X's Topics selector. 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Moreover, you can approve who follows your account and sees your posts. ### Wrapping Up So, there you have it – how to take a X break. X, along with other mainstream platforms, has become a crucial aspect of our everyday lives. Thus, it’s almost impossible to completely rid these platforms of our lives. However, X has taken the necessary steps to help improve the overall user experience by accepting the negative aspects of social media and offering effective solutions to curb them. So, if you're ready to give your emotions a break and take a X break, use any or all of the six ways mentioned above to find digital peace. --- *By Bobby J. Davidson* *I am passionate about our companies and truly enjoy the work we do. To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-3.html)*. Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.* ### Tips for Preparing Your Business's IT Infrastructure Before the Holiday Season URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-for-preparing-your-businesss-it-infrastructure-before-the-holiday-season/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:29.000Z The [holiday](https://bobbydavidson.com/holiday-season-2020-5-market-predictions-and-how-to-adjust-your-marketing-strategy-accordingly/) season is here, bringing a surge in website traffic and increased activity for your customer service team. To ensure your business can handle this influx, consider the following tips: ### 1\. 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To learn more about the Davidson Family of Companies, please visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/about-4.html)*. Don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter located at the bottom of this page for updates and insights.* ### 5 Ways to Recharge Your Fall Training URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-ways-to-recharge-your-fall-training/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T22:19:51.000Z As summer transitions into fall, the outdoor heat turns into crisp, cool air and the vibrant foliage creates an inviting vibe for outdoor activities. It's the perfect time to transition from indoor gym [exercises](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-dog-breeds-for-warmer-regions/) into outdoor workout routines, so you can enjoy the benefits of fall training and exercises. Whether you're a workout enthusiast or just looking to stay active, here are five ways you can make the most out of your fall training exercises. ### 1\. Embrace nature and choose to exercise outdoors. 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Whether that means working up a sweat under a barbell, rallying on a reservable indoor pickleball court, sipping a postworkout coffee or cocktail with friends, or all of the above, Yello is here for it.* Sign up for our Newsletter to stay up-to-date on open dates: [*yelloathletics.com*](https://yelloathletics.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Rise of AI Search Summaries: Transforming Business and Redefining Search Usage URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-rise-of-ai-search-summaries-transforming-business-and-redefining-search-usage/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T13:41:44.000Z In recent years, the landscape of information retrieval has undergone a remarkable transformation. Traditional search engines such as Google have long been the dominant tools for finding information online. However, the emergence of AI-powered search summaries is beginning to reshape how businesses and consumers access and utilize information. 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This evolution from link-based results to direct, AI-generated responses marks a significant shift in search paradigms. ### How AI Search Summaries Are Changing Business ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/digital-search-2.jpg) **1\. Enhancing Customer Engagement and Support** Businesses are increasingly harnessing AI summaries to improve customer service. Chatbots and virtual assistants powered by AI can deliver immediate, accurate responses to customer inquiries, reducing wait times and elevating user experience. For example, a [retail company](https://puccicafe.com/shop?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can deploy an AI assistant that provides product details, order tracking, or troubleshooting advice through conversational summaries. **2\. Driving Content and Data Strategy** Organizations utilize AI summarization to streamline data analysis and content management. AI can process vast amounts of data—such as market reports, scientific research, or legal documents—and produce concise summaries, enabling faster decision-making. This capability allows businesses to stay agile in competitive environments. **3\. Innovating Marketing and Personalization** AI-driven summaries facilitate personalized marketing by quickly aggregating and distilling user preferences and behaviors. This enables targeted recommendations and customized content, which are more engaging and effective in converting prospects into customers. While Google remains a powerhouse, [AI](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-tiny-ai-can-secure-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence/) search summaries pose a growing threat to its dominance in several key ways: **1\. Reduced Reliance on Click-Throughs** Traditional search engines generate traffic through click-throughs on links. In contrast, AI summaries provide direct answers, decreasing the need for users to visit multiple websites. This diminishes the ad revenue generated from traditional search traffic and challenges publishers' monetization strategies. **2\. Shortened Customer Journeys** With instant, AI-generated responses, users spend less time navigating search results and more time obtaining precise information quickly. This shifts user behavior towards more immediate solutions, impacting search engine engagement metrics. **3\. Competition from New Platforms** Tech giants and startups are developing AI-powered search interfaces that integrate summaries seamlessly into their [broader](https://bobbydavidson.com/future-of-ai/) ecosystems—whether in social media, productivity tools, or messaging platforms—further fragmenting the market. ### The Business Impact and Opportunities The rise of AI summaries presents both challenges and opportunities: - **For Search Engines:** Traditional players are investing heavily in AI to enhance their offerings. Google, for example, has integrated AI features into its search results and announced plans for AI-powered assistant functions. - **For Content Creators and Marketers:** Optimizing content for AI-understood queries and summaries becomes crucial. This involves not only SEO but also structuring content in ways that AI models can easily interpret. - **For Developers and Innovators:** Building new applications that leverage AI summaries can open markets in education, healthcare, legal services, and more. Tailoring AI summaries for niche industries can provide competitive advantages. ### Ethical and Practical Challenges While AI summaries are powerful, they come with challenges: - **Accuracy and Bias:** AI models may produce plausible but incorrect [information](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-alexandr-wang-scale-ai/) or reflect biases present in training data. Ensuring accuracy is vital, especially in critical fields like healthcare or finance. - **Transparency:** Users and businesses need clarity about how AI summaries are generated and what sources they draw from. - **Data Privacy:** Handling sensitive data responsibly is crucial to maintain trust in AI systems. ### The Future of Search and Business As AI search summaries continue to mature, we can expect a more integrated, personalized, and efficient information ecosystem. Some predictions include: - **Hybrid Search Models:** Combining traditional links with AI summaries to provide comprehensive results. - **Voice and Visual Search:** AI summaries will extend seamlessly into voice assistants and visual query interfaces. - **Enterprise Adoption:** Companies will increasingly deploy AI summaries internally for data analysis, training, and decision support. ### Wrapping Up AI search summaries are revolutionizing how [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/unraveling-the-common-misconceptions-surrounding-ai-and-big-data/) and consumers access and utilize information. By delivering instant, concise, and contextual answers, these systems challenge the longstanding [dominance](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/website-design/design/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of Google and traditional search engines. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### How to Deal with Employees in a Startup URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-deal-with-employees-in-a-startup/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:35.000Z Welcome to the world of business startups. Being a small business owner or an entrepreneur as they call it has many roles and responsibilities associated with it. You have to make sure that you live true to all of the responsibilities so that you are able to achieve the end goal that you have in mind. Once you start your own business you have to take the role of the finance, marketing, operations and HR manager. Not only are you expected to make sure that the business rolls out in a manner that you expected, but you have to keep an eye on all of the employees working for you. Slacking at the start of your business is often one of the many reasons why entrepreneurs end up seeing their dream of a startup going to waste. Since you don’t want your startup dream to go to waste, you must adapt to the challenges and take up whatever role that comes your way. Managing [employees](https://bobbydavidson.com/inspire-your-employees/) is an essential part of running a successful startup. Here we look at all that you should do for optimal employee management. ## Begin Onboarding Early The onboarding process is necessary for introducing your employees to the organization. Since you’re no Apple or Google (yet), you have to make the onboarding process fast and simple. You’re a growing organization and all of your employees or new hiring would realize that the onboarding process is simple. 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The best way to introduce your [employees](https://bobbydavidson.com/empowering/) to each other is to have formal activities during the onboarding week or period. You should have your employees get to know each other and talk to each other, so that they don’t only know the likes and dislikes of everyone around, but can also work together when it is time for them to work together for achieving the goals that are required of them. You can handle the onboarding process based on your requirements from the staff you have just hired. If you want them to start work immediately, then a thorough and extensive onboarding process won’t be right for you, but if you have some time on your hands, you can follow the right tactics to motivate your staff from the word go. Also, make sure that your employees know who the right guy is for handling different jobs. If you have a formal meet and greet, let all new employees know who they should go to in the event of different problems they face in the workplace. ## Empower Your Team While you might be tempted into micromanaging your team and having an eye on everything they do at work, we believe that you should empower them to achieve the desired results without you intermingling in the work they are doing. Your team should be allowed to reach solutions and conclusions based on their own understanding of problems concerning the organization. If you keep meddling in the work they are doing, there will come a time when they will not be motivated enough anymore. If you want to keep your team motivated, you should give them the space they need to be creative and do their work in the best manner possible. Do not underestimate the needs of your team. If you keep meddling in the work that your employees are doing, there will come a time when they will be disgruntled at the level of supervision. The best way is to make your employees realize the responsibilities they have from the word go. Do not stand over them to prove your point, but give them a certain amount of freedom and empower them to work for the cumulative good of the company within that freedom. No organization was able to achieve success in a constrained environment, where employees aren’t happy with the work they are doing. ## Keep Employees Motivated Motivation is perhaps one of the most [important](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/) factors in the workplace. You can compromise on all other factors, but you cannot compromise when it comes to motivating your staff. There are numerous tactics proven to be successful when it comes to what you should do to motivate your staff. For starters, you should make sure that your staff members are given the freedom they need and are made to work within their own space. Following what we have already mentioned above, employees should be made to feel motivated and empowered in the workplace. You can also provide benefits and good competitive pay rates for your employees. More than the condition of the space they work in, [employees](https://puccicafe.com/pucci-pack/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are motivated by the pay and the benefits they get. You should give them market-competitive pay and good benefits, so that they feel proud while discussing the benefits provided by their organization in front of their friends. With all the tips above, you can surely manage your staff in a better manner to extract the best from them. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 7 Best Practices to Prevent Ransomware Attacks URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-best-practices-to-prevent-ransomware-attacks/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:35.000Z Technology now plays an indomitable role in the world. Moreover, it continues to grow, bringing both convenience and challenges. Among these challenges, preventing ransomware attacks has become very common [worldwide](https://bobbydavidson.com/prevent-data-breach/). Additionally, ransomware is more sophisticated than many other malware types. Consequently, it becomes harder to eliminate once it infects your systems. Fortunately, you can adopt several practices to prevent ransomware attacks. Therefore, these steps will help protect your company's data effectively. Here's an overview: **Define Ransomware** Ransomware is a type of malware that infects computers. In particular, it blocks access to data or entire systems. 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Furthermore, share helpful resources like [infographics](https://bobbydavidson.com/secure-your-wordpress-website/). When staff understand cybersecurity threats, they are less likely to fall for phishing or malicious links. 3. **Develop Cybersecurity Strategies** Furthermore, create clear plans for responding to cyberattacks. Assign specific roles to your team members. For instance, ensure the IT security team knows when to act and whom to notify. Additionally, keep all your systems and software updated regularly. This is crucial because patches can close security gaps, especially in older systems. 4. **Apply Restrictions on Access and Endpoints** In addition, limit user privileges and control access points. Avoid granting unnecessary admin rights. Also, restrict hardware connections like USB drives. Consequently, controlling these access points can significantly reduce the risk of [malware](https://bobbydavidson.com/ten-best-2017-feature-updates-to-windows-10/) infiltrations. 5. **Segment Your Network** Moreover, divide your network into smaller parts called subnetworks. This measure helps prevent ransomware attacks. If one part gets infected, the others can remain safe. Additionally, this segmentation gives your security team more time to respond effectively. 6. **Implement Email Protection Measures** Similarly, secure your email channels by applying advanced filters. Block suspicious links and attachments. Also, establish methods to share files securely. Using email security solutions that automatically delete harmful attachments can further reduce risks. 7. **Conduct Regular Security Testing** Finally, perform regular security assessments. Conduct audits and penetration tests to identify [vulnerabilities](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) early on. By doing so, you can fix these issues promptly and prevent ransomware attacks. Keeping your defenses current through ongoing testing is essential. **Final Thoughts** In conclusion, you can improve your ransomware defenses further and prevent [ransomware](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-train-your-employees-on-phishing-attempts/) attacks. Therefore, consider working with cybersecurity experts like our company, Percento Technologies. We offer customized solutions to protect your business from malware and data loss. Visit our website today for more information! Percento Technologies | [www.percentotech.com](https://percentotech.com/expert-services/cyber-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 10 Disasters Most Businesses Fail to Foresee URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/10-disasters-most-businesses-fail-to-foresee/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:35.000Z When launching a business, you must make every effort to keep it afloat for the first two or three years. Business failures are widespread; they happen more frequently than not. You can find solutions to keep your firm operating if you know the causes of these companies' failures and the typical catastrophes that lead to the shutdown. You may avoid most disasters if you know what they are, but others could force the company to close. The following is a list of some catastrophic upheavals to watch out for: #### 1\. Cash Flow Interruptions Cash is essential for a business to function; it covers expenses, pays staff, and generally keeps the lights on. 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Explosive expansion may be alluring but failing to scale with care is one of the main reasons firms fail. Thus, you must balance infrastructure needs with development. #### 3\. Personal Injury Lawsuits The likelihood is that you won't plan for personal injuries at work. Even in non-industrial or non-manufacturing settings where they are less relevant to daily operations, personal injuries are relatively common. A personal injury lawsuit involving one of your goods or business might cost you millions or more in the right circumstances. You can reduce this risk by adopting stricter, more detailed safety rules. Doing so can ensure the safety of your employees and your customers. You could also require your clients to sign a protective waiver or other legal instruments, or even purchase lawsuit insurance. 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For example, flooding could harm the server that serves your website. Therefore, you should consider keeping your data offsite and getting insurance that would pay for any damage caused by natural catastrophes as preventative measures against the threat of such events. #### 8\. Lack of Specialization in Products or Services Many new firms will fail if they don't offer a good or service that is neither special nor in demand. In business, the most marketable product typically has some competitive "edge" over its rivals. Check to see if your products or services are unique, superior to anything else offered by competitors, or both before you start your new company. If you are starting a technological company, the [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-vulnerabilities-of-data-storage-and-why-backup-solutions-matter/) shouldn't be easily accessible to your rivals. To keep challengers out, it should be sufficiently exclusive and proprietary. #### 9\. Fraud Fraud can take many shapes, and you probably won't see it coming. At the highest levels, it's improbable that your organization would be conned when you're first beginning up. You can be open to fraud via deceptive client interactions or a doomed collaboration. As your company grows, you'll be less vulnerable to these possible weak areas because you'll be open to internal fraud. Regardless of how much you regard your staff, they might still manage your money illegally or engage in other expensive forms of theft from your [company](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). #### 10\. Scandals A scandal could harm your organization in several ways, particularly if it is significant. Financial scandals frequently garner the most media attention, particularly when they could impact numerous individual consumers. Still, if you're accused of fraud about your products or if they fail in a colossal and horrifying fashion, you risk losing your customer base. If you ever experience a PR crisis, try to be as forthcoming and understanding as possible. It isn't easy, but it is possible to recover gracefully. ### Wrapping Up Understanding the potential causes of your company's failure is essential since it can sometimes help you better prepare for the loss or even prevent it. Some natural disasters are predictable, while others are not. However, your main goal must be to maintain the viability of your company. ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* --- ***Percento Technologies | A Information Technology Consulting, Implementation and Management Firm in Texas.*** *At* [*Percento Technologies*](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)*, we specialize in delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. With a strong focus on technology integration, data analytics, and strategic consulting, our team of experts is dedicated to helping organizations enhance efficiency, drive growth, and make informed decisions.* *Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, harness the power of data, or implement cutting-edge technologies, Percento is your trusted partner for success. Discover how we can transform your business and propel you toward a brighter, more profitable future. 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In this article, we'll explore the intersection of camping and the Texas Renaissance Festival, highlighting what makes this event a must-visit for the camping community. ## Experience the Atmosphere One of the highlights of the Texas Renaissance Festival is its unique [atmosphere](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/). Whether you're wandering through the winding pathways of the festival or setting up camp amidst fellow enthusiasts, the vibe is electric. With over 200 artisan booths, live performances, and themed weekends, there is always something to see and do. Imagine the sounds of laughter and music wafting through the air as you settle into your tent for the night after a day filled with adventure. Camping at the festival becomes an extension of this vibrant atmosphere. Many visitors choose to [camp](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) on-site, allowing them to fully absorb the experience. 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Whether through blogs, videos, podcasts, or infographics, the essence of content [marketing](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-roles-every-company-needs-to-build-an-efficient-marketing-team/) lies in delivering quality content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. ### The Importance of Content Marketing - **Builds Brand Awareness:** In the first place, quality content helps businesses establish their presence online. By consistently sharing informative articles or engaging videos, brands can become recognizable, which fosters familiarity and trust among potential customers. - **Enhances SEO Efforts:** Moreover, search engines prioritize high-quality content, meaning that well-optimized articles or blog posts can improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). As a result, this increased visibility can lead to more organic traffic. - **Engagement and Conversion:** Effective content marketing encourages audience engagement. Consequently, content that resonates with your audience can lead to higher conversion rates, as it nurtures leads and cultivates customer loyalty over time. - **Establishes Authority**: By sharing expert insights and valuable information, businesses can position themselves as authorities in their industry. Hence, this credibility fosters trust, making customers more likely to choose their services or products. - **Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy:** Compared to traditional advertising, content marketing can be more cost-effective. While it does require investment in quality content creation, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial costs\*\*;\*\* quality content continues to generate traffic and leads over time. ### Key Components of a Content Marketing Strategy Creating a successful content marketing strategy involves several key components: Understanding Your Audience: To begin with, the foundation of effective content marketing lies in understanding the target audience. Conduct research to identify demographics, interests, pain points, and behaviors. This information will guide content creation and ensure it resonates with the audience. 1. **Setting Clear Goals:** Next, define what you want to achieve with your content marketing efforts. Goals may include increasing website traffic, generating leads, boosting conversions, or enhancing brand visibility. By having clear objectives, you can track performance and measure success. 2. **Content Creation:** Develop a content calendar outlining topics, formats, and distribution channels. Furthermore, diversifying content types (e.g., blog posts, videos, infographics, and podcasts) can appeal to different audience segments. 3. **SEO Optimization:** In addition, incorporate SEO best practices in your content to enhance visibility on search engines. This includes keyword research, meta tags, and internal/external linking. 4. **Distribution and Promotion:** It’s important to note that having great content is not enough; it needs to be distributed effectively. Utilize various platforms such as social media, email newsletters, and [online](https://bobbydavidson.com/online-business-marketing-9-effective-ways-for-brands-to-build-trust-on-social-media/) communities to promote your content and reach a broader audience. 5. **Measuring Success:** Finally, use analytics tools to track the performance of your content. Monitor metrics such as page views, social shares, engagement rates, and conversion rates to assess what works and what doesn’t. Thus, adjust your strategy accordingly. ### Types of Content Content marketing can take many forms. Here are some popular types: 1. **Blog Posts:** Long-form content that provides in-depth information and insights. In particular, blogs are excellent for establishing authority and improving SEO. 2. **Infographics:** Visual representations of information that make complex data easy to understand. Consequently, infographics are highly shareable on social media. 3. **Videos:** Engaging and dynamic content that can be used to demonstrate products, share customer testimonials, or provide educational content. Moreover, videos are particularly effective in capturing attention. 4. **Podcasts:** An increasingly popular format that allows for in-depth discussions and interviews. Thus, podcasts can build a community around your brand. 5. **E-books and Whitepapers:** Comprehensive reports that provide valuable insights and data. Typically, these are used to generate leads by offering them in exchange for contact information. 6. **Social Media Posts:** Quick, engaging content that interacts with your audience in real-time. Therefore, these posts help maintain brand visibility and foster community interaction. ### Best Practices for Content Marketing 1. **Prioritize Quality Over Quantity:** Above all, focus on creating in-depth, high-quality content rather than producing a large volume of mediocre content. This builds credibility and trust with your [audience](https://bobbydavidson.com/ecommerce-business/). 2. **Be Consistent:** Moreover, consistency is key to maintaining audience engagement. Establish a regular publishing schedule and stick to it. **Encourage Engagement:** In addition, end your content with a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage readers to engage with your brand, whether through comments, shares, or subscriptions. 3. **Keep Up With Trends:** Furthermore, continuously monitor industry trends and audience preferences. Adapt your content strategy to incorporate new themes and technologies. 4. **Share User-Generated Content:** Another effective approach is to encourage your audience to share their experiences with your brand, and showcase that content. This builds community and fosters trust. 5. **Create Evergreen Content:** Produce content that will remain relevant over time. For example, evergreen topics typically draw traffic long after publication. ### Wrapping Up In summary, content [marketing](https://bobbydavidson.com/9-digital-marketing-channels-you-should-consider-for-2022/) is more than just a trend; it's a powerful strategy that can transform how businesses connect with their audience. By focusing on creating valuable, relevant content, companies can build brand awareness, enhance customer loyalty, and ultimately drive profitable action. Therefore, implementing a thoughtful and strategic content marketing approach will not only elevate a brand’s online presence but also foster long-lasting relationships with customers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, those who adopt and adapt their content marketing strategies will be well positioned for success. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* --- ***Percento Technologies | A Information Technology Consulting, Implementation and Management Firm in Texas.*** *At* [*Percento Technologies*](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)*, we specialize in delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. With a strong focus on technology integration, data analytics, and strategic consulting, our team of experts is dedicated to helping organizations enhance efficiency, drive growth, and make informed decisions.* *Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, harness the power of data, or implement cutting-edge technologies, Percento is your trusted partner for success. Discover how we can transform your business and propel you toward a brighter, more profitable future. Visit us at* [*www.percento.us*](http://www.percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) *to learn more!* ### What is the Most Expensive Dog? Exploring the Costliest Breed in the World! URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/most-expensive-dog/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:37.000Z When it comes to owning a pet, many factors come into play. For dog lovers, the breed choice often involves considerations like temperament, size, and, of course, cost. Some breeds are particularly prized and come with high prices. The question arises: what is the most expensive [dog breed](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) in the world? While multiple breeds can demand high prices, the Tibetan Mastiff frequently takes the crown for being the costliest. ### The Tibetan Mastiff: A Breed Apart #### Origin and History Originating from Tibet, breeders have long revered the Tibetan Mastiff for its impressive stature and majestic appearance. Historically, nomadic cultures in the Himalayas used these dogs to guard sheep and property. Their natural protective instincts and [loyalty](https://bobbydavidson.com/top-9-friendliest-dog-breeds/) make them essential companions for those living in harsh conditions. ### Size and Appearance Tibetan Mastiffs boast a large size, with males typically weighing between 90 to 150 pounds. Their thick fur coat keeps them warm in mountainous climates, and they feature a heavy mane around their necks, giving them a lion-like appearance. Their protective instincts and strength make them imposing figures, contributing to their allure and high price tag. ### Temperament These dogs are known for their protective nature but can also exhibit independent and sometimes stubborn behavior. Experienced dog owners who understand the nuances of training and socialization usually find them to be the best caregivers for this breed. Tibetan Mastiffs tend to be aloof with strangers, making them excellent guard [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/), but they show fierce loyalty to their families. Proper training and socialization from an early age play crucial roles in developing well-rounded pets. ### The Price Tag: Why Are Tibetan Mastiffs So Expensive? #### Factors Affecting Cost The cost of acquiring a Tibetan Mastiff can vary significantly based on numerous factors, including pedigree, breeder reputation, and geographic location. Prices can range from a few thousand dollars to outrageous sums reaching up to $2 million. In fact, reports indicate that a Tibetan Mastiff [puppy](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) sold for this amount in China, which highlights the extraordinary desirability of this breed. Several factors contribute to the high cost of owning a Tibetan Mastiff: 1. Rarity: Because Tibetan Mastiffs remain relatively rare, particularly outside of their native region, this scarcity contributes to their exclusivity and higher prices. 2. Breeding Standards: Responsible breeders invest significant time and resources into producing healthy, well-socialized puppies with desirable traits. This effort includes health testing for genetic issues, proper veterinary care, and early socialization. 3. Maintenance Costs: The size and grooming needs of Tibetan Mastiffs raise their overall expense. Their thick coats require regular grooming to prevent matting, and these large dogs need a substantial amount of food to maintain their health and energy levels. 4. Legal Factors: In some areas, laws regarding dog breeds perceived as aggressive or dangerous may lead to restrictions or additional costs associated with breeding or owning such a large [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-dog-breeds-for-warmer-regions/). ### Other Expensive Dog Breeds While the Tibetan Mastiff often gets highlighted as the most expensive dog, several other breeds can also come with hefty price tags: - Samoyed: Known for their friendly disposition and stunning white coats, Samoyeds can cost between $4,000 to $11,000. - Chow Chow: This visually striking breed, recognized for its distinctive blue-black tongue and thick fur, typically ranges from $3,000 to $8,500. - Rottweiler: A well-bred Rottweiler can fetch between $2,000 to $8,000\. Their reputation as loyal and protective companions creates a high demand for quality specimens. - English Bulldog: This breed’s unique appearance and gentle temperament often lead to prices ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. ### The Responsibilities of Owning an Expensive Dog For potential owners of pricey breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff, understanding that ownership comes with considerable responsibility is crucial. Consider the following: - Cost of Care: Beyond the initial purchase price, ongoing costs for food, grooming, training, and veterinary care can add up quickly. - Commitment: Large breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff often require more time and effort in training and socialization. Their independent nature may pose challenges for new dog owners. - Space and Environment: These dogs do not thrive in small living spaces. They need ample room to move and play, making a spacious yard essential for their well-being. - Longevity and Health: Understanding the breed’s potential health issues is vital. Regular veterinary check-ups and a proper diet help maintain the overall health of the dog. ### Wrapping Up While the [Tibetan Mastiff](https://puccicafe.com/expensive-dog-breeds/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) holds the title for the most expensive dog breed, prospective owners should carefully consider their lifestyle, commitment level, and resources before making such a significant investment. The love and companionship a dog can provide are priceless, but the responsibilities and costs associated with caring for a high-maintenance breed are substantial. Ultimately, choosing the right breed involves finding a loyal companion that fits seamlessly into one’s life. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* --- *Join us at* [*PUCCI Cafe*](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) *for premium third wave coffee, fine wines, and craft beers that keep friends coming back! Enjoy the company of fellow dog lovers in our welcoming coffee shop and wine bar, whether you bring your pup or not. We’re committed to ensuring your satisfaction.* *Explore our high-end designer dog accessories, sourced from around the world, and our exclusive line of spa products made in the USA. Find them at our LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch boutique or online at* [*www.puccicafe.com*](http://www.puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)*.* ### Google's Ambitious $1 Billion Investment in Texas: A Commitment to Growth and Innovation URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/googles-investment-in-texas/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:38.000Z Google LLC recently announced a $1 billion investment in Texas for this year. This decision, made on August 15, 2024, shows the company's commitment to growth and innovation. As a result, this investment will significantly impact the local economy, job market, and tech landscape. The funds will enhance [Google’s](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-google-watch-is-going-to-be-called-the-pixel-watch/) cloud and data center infrastructure to meet increasing user demands. ### A Shift in the Tech Landscape Recently, the tech industry has undergone major changes. Data consumption and cloud services have increased exponentially. This change is driven by digital transformation in finance, healthcare, and education. Businesses are rapidly migrating to [cloud](https://bobbydavidson.com/why-oracle-moved-its-hq-from-california-to-texas/) systems. Therefore, the demand for robust data centers is rising. Google's investment in Texas is a strategic response to this demand. Additionally, this move aligns with tech giants' trend of expanding operations into Texas. The state has a [business-friendly](https://percentotech.com/industries-served/oil-and-gas-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) environment, a skilled workforce, and lower living costs compared to Silicon Valley. By expanding in Texas, Google can better serve its clients. This ensures faster data processing and improved service reliability. ### Expanding Infrastructure Google will focus on expanding its data centers, which manage vast amounts of daily data. These centers are the backbone of cloud services. They host servers that store applications, websites, and user data. Upgrading this infrastructure will improve efficiency and enhance security measures to protect user information. This is particularly vital since data breaches are a growing concern. Furthermore, Google may [construct](https://bobbydavidson.com/samsungs-17-billion-chipmaking-plant/) new data centers and implement advanced technologies. This includes artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and sustainable energy solutions. By utilizing these technologies, Google can optimize operations and reduce energy consumption. This aligns with the company’s sustainability goals. ### Economic Impact on Texas Google's investment will generate substantial economic [benefits](https://puccicafe.com/3-reasons-reading-to-dogs-benefits-kids/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for Texas. The expansion will create thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Jobs will include construction, engineering, [IT management](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [cybersecurity](https://percento.us/expert-services/cyber-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [data analysis](https://percento.us/expert-services/it-projects/it-roadmapping/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) roles. Consequently, high-paying tech jobs will stimulate the local economy. This will also increase demand for housing, transportation, and various services. Additionally, communities near Google’s data centers may see growth in related industries. This could lead to increased innovation and entrepreneurship in the area. Local governments and educational institutions may collaborate with Google to develop workforce training programs. These programs will equip residents with essential skills for the tech industry. ### Strengthening Community Partnerships Google’s investment also demonstrates its commitment to building strong community partnerships. The tech giant has a history of collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, and government entities. These collaborations foster innovation and support local initiatives. Moreover, Google may invest in programs that promote diversity and inclusion within the tech field. By focusing on providing access to technology education, Google can help underrepresented communities. This effort will bridge the skills gap and allow all Texans to participate in the digital economy. ### Future Prospects for Google in Texas With this announced investment, Google is reinforcing its presence in [Texas](https://bobbydavidson.com/google-maps-train-or-bus/). The move signals a long-term commitment to meeting client and user needs. As businesses rely more on cloud services, the demand for secure and scalable data solutions will continue to rise. Thus, Google’s proactive approach positions it as a key player in shaping the future of cloud computing. Additionally, this investment aligns with broader industry trends. Companies increasingly value regional diversification. Establishing operations in Texas allows Google to mitigate risks from concentrating solely in other states while leveraging Texas's unique advantages. ### Wrapping Up In conclusion, Google’s $1 billion investment in Texas marks a pivotal moment for the company and the local economy. The enhancement of cloud and data center infrastructure will create jobs and drive technological innovation. Google's commitment to sustainability and community engagement ensures that this investment benefits both the company and surrounding communities. Moving forward, the positive effects of this investment will strengthen Texas's role as a vital hub for technology. Overall, Google’s [decision](https://bobbydavidson.com/larry-page-sergey-brin-the-gods-of-the-tech-world/) to invest in Texas reflects its alignment with industry trends and regional strengths. This investment will allow Google to maintain its position at the forefront of technological advancements while contributing positively to the community and economy. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 9 Business Movies Every Entrepreneur Should Watch URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/9-business-movies-every-entrepreneur-should-watch/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:39.000Z We all love watching movies with a good story. And what better story than one about someone facing struggles of trying to succeed in business? From scrappy underdogs trying to succeed against established competitors to simple explorations of daily business struggles, there are dozens of business movies entrepreneurs should watch. In this article, I’ll share 9 great business movies that any aspiring [entrepreneur](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-best-movies-for-entrepreneurs-in-2021/) can relate to and learn from. ## Business Movies for Entrepreneurs To succeed as an entrepreneur, it will take a lot of work, sleepless nights, and determination. More startups fail than succeed, so you’ll need inspiration from as many sources as possible to ensure you’re one of the success stories. The business movies in our list can help you cover different topics such as: *• Entrepreneurship Skills* *• Emerging Markets* *• Creative Problem Solving* *• Building Customer Loyalty* *• Competitive Strategies and Geopolitics* *• Corporate Finance* *• Innovative Technology and Evolving Business Practices* *• Company Valuations and Business Ethics* *• Persuasion Methods and Conflict Resolution* *• Leadership and Team-Building Techniques* *• Work-Life Balance* *• Branding and Sales Techniques* *• Public Relations and Crisis Management* Here are 9 business movies every entrepreneur should watch. Some are [educational](https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/), some are cautionary, some are inspiring, but all of them have important lessons for you: ### 1\. The Pursuit of Happiness The Pursuit of Happiness is an inspiring story of a struggling salesman, Chris Gardner (Will Smith), who loses everything, including his wife, home, and money. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and defeat, he picks himself up to work harder, longer and smarter than the competition to make life better for himself and his son. It is a powerful motivational movie based on a true story that teaches entrepreneurs about corporate culture, perseverance, and the value of having a good attitude. ### 2\. The Social Network This is another great business movie that every entrepreneur should watch. It shows the prolific rise of the world’s youngest billionaire and his Harvard dorm-room startup – Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg took a simple idea and turned it into one of the most profitable businesses in existence. In the movie, you’ll see how he did it and the challenges he faced along the way, including the rifts with his co-founders. ### 3\. The Wolf of Wall Street For people looking to make a career in sales, the Wolf of Wall Street is a must-watch with Leonardo Di Caprio (playing Jordan Belfort) in the lead. This movie can teach you valuable lessons about success, fame, fortune, greed, and respect for the law. As Belfort says, “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” However, with fame and achievement come many temptations that can jeopardize your success, so discipline and awareness are critical to staying focused on the big prize. ### 4\. Lord of War If you enjoy dark comedy with some action, Lord of War is a must-watch. This war-crime film shows the life of Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), an illegal immigrant from Ukraine who decides to find his route to success through the illegal gun trade. Morality aside, his ambition, tenacity, and ability to mitigate risk demonstrate the very qualities [entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/new-technology-see-through-walls/) need to succeed. Moreover, it can also teach you about growth hacking, building customer loyalty, and negotiation techniques in detail. You can incorporate some of the lessons in your business venture – just be sure to avoid the illegal gun trading part. ### 5\. The Founder The Founder tells the story of Richard and Maurice McDonald – the founding brothers of the original McDonald’s restaurant. Enter Ray Krox, a broke gadget salesman and hustler who came across the restaurant when the brothers were looking to franchise. Soon after going into business with the brothers, Kroc bought out, or rather sold out, the McDonald brothers and became a multi-millionaire. Though the movie won’t necessarily leave you rooting for the protagonist, it will demonstrate the concept of Mcdonaldization and how a simple idea for a fair-priced product can go viral. Aspiring entrepreneurs will relate to Kroc’s story – falling into an unsuccessful business, then finding a gap in the market and pursuing it with all his efforts until the [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-dogs-keep-you-in-good-health/) was a success. ### 6\. Thank You for Smoking Thank You for Smoking is the perfect business movie for a marketing-savvy entrepreneur or someone who wants to learn a few tricks on how to sell just about any product. This movie tells the story of tobacco industry leader Nick Taylor who creatively spins arguments to defend the cigarette industry in the most challenging situations. By watching this, you’ll learn about crisis management, corporate communication, public relations, and negotiation tactics. ### 7\. Steve Jobs This is the biopic of Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs, portrayed by Micheal Fassbender. Instead of focusing on his life story, it focuses on three specific Apple keynote events for the Macintosh, NeXT, and the iMax, each representing a pivotal achievement in Steve Job’s life. This biopic teaches you to never give up on your [dream](https://bobbydavidson.com/sci-fi-technologies/) and to keep your convictions. ### 8\. Wall Street Wall Street is one of the most iconic business movies for entrepreneurs stepping into the world of finance. This movie is a window into corporate finance, portfolio management, and capital markets. More telling is the story of a young man showing how easy it is to get carried away with the glamorous lifestyle that accompanies wealth. ### 9\. The Big Short The Big Short tells the tale of three people who predicted and profited from the global financial crisis in 2007-08\. Although it serves as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs, it also shows the importance of risk-taking and conviction. While the rest of the world suffered, they were clever enough to make money by anticipating chaos and changing market conditions. ## Wrapping Up Watching business movies is not only a great way to relieve stress from all the hard work but also to pick up useful skills and information that might help you with your venture. For entrepreneurs and business owners looking to gain more insight into the evolving business world, visit Percento Technologies' Trends in Technology. [percento.us/trends-in-technology](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Top 9 Friendliest Dog Breeds URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/top-9-friendliest-dog-breeds/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:39.000Z Discovering the adorable and lovable dog breeds for your family is something that is very exciting and fun! Deciding which pup you are going to love and bring into your family for years is something that we all should plan. The breeds in this article serve as wonderful pets to keep at home, especially if you have a family. These dog breeds are great with children and have gentle and loving personalities. Some of them are high-energy dogs and, despite their loving nature, would require a decent amount of exercise to spend their energy. Others don’t require that much exercise. They can be exercised at home and are also suitable for apartment life. Here are some lovable companions to [consider](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/). #### 1\. Collie Collies are athletic dogs that were initially used for herding purposes. These dogs love being around families and can easily be trained. They have calm and loyal personalities and are great with children. Collie’s are energetic dogs and love the outdoors. They love sports and can participate in any fun activity with their favorite humans. These dogs are usually in tune with their owners and share an emotional connection. However, care needs to be taken as Collies can often nip people due to their strong desire to herd all they feel responsible for. #### 2\. Golden Retriever Yep, it’s the glorious golden! The Golden retriever is one of the most popular and friendliest dog breeds. Goldens radiate positive [energy](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) and love to socialize. They thrive at engaging with people and other animals. They have a cheerful outlook and are confident dogs, which helps. They are also easy to train and love to obey commands. Golden Retrievers have consistently remained one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. These dogs are excellent family [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-dog-breeds-for-warmer-regions/) and are great with children. However, this is an energetic breed and will need its daily dose of exercise. Playtime is also a must to keep your lovely Golden happy. #### 3\. Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever was bred to be a companion. Initially, labs were companions to fishers and hunters. Labs are sweet-natured, friendly dogs that love to be around people. They are also easy to train due to their enthusiastic nature and are absolute family dogs. However, labs are also highly energetic and need to be exercised daily. It is possible to keep a lab if you live in an apartment, but you will have to visit the nearby dog park every day. Remember, your lab will grow to be at least 80 pounds and require a hearty exercise routine. #### 4\. Newfoundland The Newfoundland is a large dog breed that can weigh up to 100-150 lbs. These gentle giants have been nicknamed ‘nanny dogs’ due to their loving, watchful and calm nature. This is a sweet-tempered breed and is the ultimate family dog, especially if you have young children. One of the friendliest dog breeds, the Newfoundland is great to keep at home if you have enough space. These dogs are also excellent swimmers and previously used to be water rescue dogs. They have immaculate protective instincts and are known to physically step between their owners and strangers in uncertain situations. The dogs are known to bring love and gentleness to any household, despite their large size. #### 5\. Poodle Poodles are similar to Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. They are friendly, loving, and people-oriented dogs. They love physical activity and are great family dogs. Poodles are also a hypoallergenic dog breed, so they can be kept even if you suffer from allergies. Poodles come in different sizes as well, depending on your preference. You can get a miniature poodle, top sized poodle, or a standard size one. Poodles are also extremely accommodating dogs and are a great option to keep if you have kids. Poodles come in many different colors, such as apricot, brown, gray, white, and black. #### 6\. Pug Pugs were initially bred to be companion dogs for Chinese emperors. Today, pugs are one of the most well-known dog breeds and friendliest dog breeds. Pugs are often known as small-sized dogs that have huge personalities. These [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) are sociable and loving. They love their families and enjoy meeting other dogs. They get along well with almost everyone and are friendly with strangers as well. These easygoing dogs can be kept almost anywhere. They can be kept in a city or in the countryside. They can also be kept in spacious houses and also fit apartment life. Whether they are the only dog you have or one of multiple, pugs are happy. However, these dogs do have a streak of mischievousness so keep a watchful eye over in when around the house. #### 7\. Shih Tzu Similar to pugs, the Shih Tzu was also bred to accompany Chinese royalty. Originally Shih Tzu’s were bred by Tibetan monks and were given to Chinese royalty as a gift. Shih Tzus are also extremely affectionate and are great family dogs. They are great lap dogs and love to snuggle with their owners. These dogs are also active and energetic and love to play. The Shih Tzu is also a wonderful breed to keep if you have little kids at home. Their size makes it easy to keep them anywhere, in a large house or in an apartment. #### 8\. Irish Settler Irish Settlers are an energetic dog breed that has an innate happy-go-lucky attitude. These dogs love having a good time and showing their owners with affection. This breed also loves to be active and go for walks. So, an Irish Settler would make a lovely dog walking companion for children and adults. The Irish Settler dog breed was an extremely popular breed in the 1700s throughout Ireland and the British Islands. They worked alongside hunters and were used to lure game. They crouched down near the birds while hunters there a net over the birds and the dog at the right time. #### 9\. Beagle Beagles are happy-go-lucky dogs with curious and easygoing personalities. They were originally used as hunting hounds for hunting badgers. Over time the hunting instinct was bred out of them. They were also bred in packs which adds to the dog’s friendly nature. Today Beagles are great family [companions](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) and very loyal dogs. However, they are extremely energetic and require plenty of exercise time and playtime. Which ever direction you and your family decide to go on breed, please consider adopting a rescue. According to the ASPCA, the Humane Society, Bestfriends.org, Orvis, and PetPedia, every year, 3.3 million dogs enter shelters and 670,000 are euthanized. One of those sweet animals are very scared right now and they are hoping for a beautiful family like yours will come and save them. At our company, [PUCCI Café](https://puccicafe.com/adoptions/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), we support and represent many dogs rescues that support homeless dogs that would love to be a part of your home. Whether you’re looking to adopt a new dog or you want to spend your free time with foster opportunities, PUCCI Café can connect you with dogs through our partner dog rescues and adoption services. Learn more at PUCC Cafe [puccicafe.com/adoptions](https://puccicafe.com/adoptions/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Top Companies Owned by Successful Celebrities URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/top-companies-owned-by-successful-celebrities/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:40.000Z The super rich celebrities of Hollywood rarely have one single source of income. Well, of course, they generate tons of money through their acting gigs, commercials, and social media roles, but what’s the harm in hedging your funds in a trusted business? A number of A-list celebs from Hollywood have invested in businesses to drive solid returns and also focus on incremental returns and growth. Celebrities from Hollywood, sports, and singing have made quite stellar careers in [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/self-serving-technology/) management and have invested in a variety of businesses. For example: ### George Clooney - Casamigos Tequila As women think, a heartthrob on TV, George Clooney, he was also the proud owner of Casamigos Tequila. The Tequila brand was founded by Clooney alongside two other friends Mike Meldman and Rande Gerber. Gerber is a restaurant mogul, while Meldman is the CEO of Discovery Land. Clooney and Gerber were together on vacation in Cabo when they thought of a tequila that wouldn’t lead to a hangover. The founders are part of the development process and taste every batch that goes into the market for quality control. Call it the Clooney touch, but Casamigos has a smooth taste to it and leaves you pleasantly surprised with every sip. Founded in 23013, they sold it to Diageo just four years later in a deal worth nearly a billion dollars ### Drake - Virginia Blake Whiskey Drake’s Virginia Blake Whiskey follows the [success](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/) achieved by the hip-hop artist in his musical pursuits. The whiskey was launched after a collaboration with spirit maker Brent Hocking from Los Angeles. LCBO, the premium liquor seller in Ontario, Canada, sold over 1,779 bottles of this whiskey the day after it was first launched. ### Beyonce – The 22 Days Nutrition Package Beyonce started the 22 Days of Nutrition movement back in 2013 when she started working with Jay Z and Mark Borges. This idea focuses on developing a habit in 21 days and working on products that help people develop crazy health habits in 21 days. Beyonce partnered with hubby Jay Z for the partnership opportunity and announced she would be starting with a vegan diet for 3 weeks. The diet has now grown into a proper business and is backed by successful products and placement. The plan is known as ‘the Beyonce Diet’ and is backed by the successful habits of the star herself. ### Mark Wahlberg – Wahlburgers Well, doesn’t take a lot to guess who owns Wahlburgers. The Wahlberg brothers came together in 2010 to open the famous gourmet burger chain called Wahlburgers in their hometown of Boston. Both Donnie and Mark are renowned actors and singers, but Paul is a trained chef and has [sufficient](https://bobbydavidson.com/ecommerce-website/) experience in the restaurant industry. All restaurants under the burger chain come with liquor, craft beer, and other gourmet items as part of the package. The beef burgers have patties weighing up to half a pound and come with sauteed mushrooms, tomato jam, Swiss cheese, and even bacon. Wahlburgers just recently signed a new agreement with five different franchise groups to open 30 new restaurants or franchises of the burger chain in seven different states across the United States. The burger joint is also found in Toronto, Canada. ### Ryan Gosling - Tagine Restaurant Ryan Gosling made his entry into the restaurant business after the success of his famous romantic drama film ‘The Notebook’. The actor first launched his Moroccan food business in Beverly Hills in 2003, where he partnered with co-worker Chris Angulo and head chef Ben. Gosling absolutely loves Ben’s cooking and has even said he could have food made by him for the rest of his life. The restaurant has a 4.4 food rating on Zagat due to its quality output and is loved by friends and family alike. ### Marilyn Manson - Mansinthe Another profitable [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-life-story-jack-welch/) linked to a celebrity owner, Mansinthe, is a brand of absinthe that is highly popular among users. Mansinthe matches the mercurial appearance of Marilyn Manson himself and is famous among a number of users worldwide. The brand features a watercolor painting done by Manson himself, titled ‘When I Get Old.’ ### Maria Sharapova - Sugarpova Maria Sharapova, the dazzling tennis star from Russia, is famous for her backhands and success on the court. However, the Russian star has gone beyond the court to launch a brand that not many will associate with successful tennis. Sugarpova is a range of yummy candies launched by Sharapova to reach a new market of young candy eaters. The brand has grown over time and sells apparel along with chocolates as well. Sugarpova Premium chocolates were launched in 2017 and have gained traction with most users. ### Jessica Alba – The Honest Co Jessica Alba founded the Honest Co in a bid to develop natural products and diapers for children to use. The firm was valued at a whopping $1.7 billion in 2015 and raised over $100 million in funding. The brand has been under scrutiny for some time now for deceptive marketing and concerns regarding sunscreen. Users suggest that the sunscreen developed by the brand can lead to burns on the skin. ### Drew Barrymore - Barrymore Wines Drew Barrymore has had a successful acting and hosting career and decided to step into the wine industry with Barrymore Wines. The actor successfully partnered with Kris Kato to create wines for the [American](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-highest-paid-entrepreneurs-of-2022/) market. The actress is known to be passionate about wines and is a big fan of her concoction. Celebrities have plenty of money to invest in novel business ideas and have successfully launched high-performing businesses. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a leading IT consultancy that facilitates cloud migration and integration. Please contact our team to learn more about our services and how we can support your digital transformation. [www.percento.us/expert-services](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Top Lessons We Can Learn from the American Entrepreneur Tilman Fertitta URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/top-lessons-we-can-learn-from-american-billionaire-tilman-fertitta/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:40.000Z I am what one might call BOI. BOI is a term on Galveston Island which is short for 'born on the island'. There are many important institutions and people that come from the island and I am proud to say that Tilman Fertitta is also BOI. Another ironic bit of history for me is that the first Landry's Restaurant was based in Katy Texas, where I grew up after my parents left the island to start a new veterinarian practice, and of which I reside with my family. Furthermore, our luxury dog boutique and public cafe, [PUCCI Cafe](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), is located in Katy Texas as well. In 1986 Mr. Fertitta gained controlling interests of Landry's Restaurant, and in 1988, became sole owner of Landry's Restaurants. In 1993, he took Landry's, Inc. public and the company grew quickly, adding concept after concept. He took that concept and parleyed it into the massive diverse corporation that is it today. If you are an NBA fan and supporter of the Houston Rockets, then you know Tilman Fertitta very well. Over the years, this American businessman, entrepreneur, and television personality has amassed significant wealth, making him one of the richest individuals in the United States. He is known for his savvy entrepreneurial skills, his passion for the hospitality industry, and his willingness to take calculated risks in business. It is very interesting to me learning about Tilman Fertitta and how he built his fortune to become one of the most famous billionaires in the world. I wanted to just bring awareness about him to other entrepreneurs and some of the lessons we can learn as business owners by studying his path and taking advantage of a few lessons. ### Who is Tilman Fertitta? Born on June 25, 1957, in Galveston, Texas, USA, Tilman Fertitta is an American billionaire best known as the owner and CEO of Landry's, Inc., one of the largest dining, hospitality, and entertainment companies in the United States. Landry's, Inc. owns and operates a vast portfolio of restaurant chains, including popular brands like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Morton's The Steakhouse, Rainforest Cafe, and many others. Fertitta's business empire extends beyond the restaurant [industry](https://bobbydavidson.com/howard-hughes/). He is also the owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, a chairman of the board of regents of the University of Houston System, and the owner of Golden Nugget Casinos, which operate several luxury casino resorts in various locations across the United States. Aside from his successful business ventures, Tilman gained widespread [recognition ](https://bobbydavidson.com/who-is-jimmy-buffett-and-how-did-he-become-a-billionaire/)as a charismatic television personality. He starred in the reality TV show "Billion Dollar Buyer," which aired on CNBC. In the show, Fertitta used his business expertise to help struggling small businesses and negotiate deals with potential suppliers for his restaurants and casinos. ### 5 Lessons We Can Learn from Fertitta’s Success The inspiring life and success journey of Tilman Fertitta offers valuable lessons that we can learn from. #### 1\. Seize every opportunity that offers growth and improvement. Throughout his career, Fertitta has demonstrated a willingness to seize opportunities when they arise, whether it's acquiring new businesses or investing in potential ventures. Being open to opportunities and taking calculated risks is crucial for entrepreneurial growth. #### 2\. Pursue your passion. Fertitta's passion for the hospitality industry and sports is evident in his diverse business portfolio. Following your passion can lead to more fulfilling and rewarding career choices. #### 3\. Learn to be resilient during tough times. Like any successful entrepreneur, Fertitta faced challenges and setbacks along the way. However, his resilience and ability to learn from failures allowed him to bounce back stronger and continue on his path to [success](https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk/). #### 4\. Vision and hard work go hand in hand. Fertitta's success as a self-made billionaire demonstrates the power of entrepreneurial vision and tenacity. He started from modest beginnings and built his empire through hard work, [innovation](https://bobbydavidson.com/richard-branson/), and a relentless pursuit of his business goals. #### 5\. Don’t forget to give back to the community. Fertitta's involvement in charity work and community service, such as his support of the University of Houston System, highlights the importance of giving back and using one's success to positively impact society. Tilman Fertitta's life and success journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for [success](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and personal growth. Through his unwavering determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to embrace opportunities, he has risen from humble beginnings to become a self-made billionaire with a diverse and thriving business empire. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### 12 Amazing Facts About Dogs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/12-amazing-facts-about-dogs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:41.000Z Dogs are our best friends, loyal companions, and, most importantly, our family. Whether you grew up having a dog, currently want to adopt your first one, or looking for number five, dog people are fascinated by the species for a reason! Dogs are fascinating creatures, especially considering they didn’t start out as domesticated animals. If you are one of the many people who’d like to learn more about man’s best friend, you’ve come to the right place. From the total number of dog breeds in the world to why [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/11-amazing-facts-about-dogs/) have wet noses, brace yourself to have your mind blown away with these interesting facts about dogs! ## 12 Amazing Facts About Dogs Here are eleven mind-boggling facts about dogs: #### 1\. They can Sniff and Breathe at the Same Time Dogs rely largely on their sense of smell to find friends, food, and potential threats. This means they sniff a lot. The unique structure of their noses allows smells to stay in their nose, with air moving in and out of their lungs at the same time. It makes them breathe freely and smell things simultaneously. #### 2\. They Have Wet Noses for a Reason Whether you’ve ever owned a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) or not, you might have wondered why their noses are always wet. Well, their wet noses don’t mean they have a runny nose. In fact, this helps them absorb scent chemicals. Their noses produce a mucus that helps with this. After absorbing chemicals, they lick their noses to help them understand what the smell is. #### 3\. There are Many Dog Breeds You can find numerous dog breeds around the world. To be specific, there are 200\. Breeds like German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, Bulldog, Golden Retriever, and Dachshund are the most popular ones. So, try to spot as many as possible the next time you go on a walk with your four-pawed buddy. #### 4\. Dogs Dream It is another mind-boggling fact about dogs. Scientists believe they dream much like humans by replaying [mental](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-dogs-keep-you-in-good-health/) images even though we are unsure of what they actually dream about. #### 5\. They Have Four Times Better Hearing Ability than Humans Dogs have the ability to hear a much wider range of frequencies and pitches than humans. In fact, it is suggested that dogs can recognize 50,000 vibrations/second and can even hear frequencies that come off as silent for humans. #### 6\. Some Dogs are Faster than a Cheetah Most dogs can outrun a human. They have instincts to run and chase. Greyhound is by far the fastest dog breed. In fact, the speediest hounds can hit a top speed of 45mph seconds after they start running. How does this make them faster than a cheetah, though? Though a cheetah can reach up to 70mph, they can only go with this speed for about 30 seconds. On the flip side, Greyhounds can constantly run at speeds of more than 35mph for a staggering seven miles. This helps them overtake the cheetah sooner rather than later. #### 7\. Newfoundlands Are Impeccable Lifeguards Because of their webbed feet and water-resistant coats, no dog breed can beat Newfoundland when it comes to protecting you. They're also exceptional swimmers since fishers originally bred them as rescue dogs. Some owners even claim that their Newfoundland attempts to rescue them when they are swimming. #### 8\. They Can Sniff Out Medical Problems Thanks to their excellent sense of smell, [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) can sniff out medical problems. Though you might've not heard of it yet, some medical experts train dogs for this task. Dogs have the ability to diagnose a specific condition or to alert their owners if they need more medication. For example, service or emotional support dogs are trained to help people with severe anxiety disorders. They can sniff out when their owners are having a panic attack and help calm them down. #### 9\. Smallest, Tallest, and Heaviest Dog Breeds Chihuahuas are the worlds' smallest dog breed, with an average height between 6 and 9 inches. They are also the lightest dog breed, mostly weighing between 2 and 6 pounds. In comparison, the world's tallest [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-dog-breeds-for-warmer-regions/) breed is the Great Dane. They can reach a maximum height of up to 34 inches. Besides that, English Mastiff is the heaviest dog breed in the world and can weigh up to 230 pounds. #### 10\. 40x Better Sense of Smell than Humans Dogs have a sense of smell forty times better than humans. It means dogs can detect more smells than us. That's why they're so helpful to sniff out drugs, people, money, and even medical conditions. In fact, many Greyhounds have won the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animal’s ([PDSA](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)) Gold Medal Award. Search dogs like Buster also won the PDSA Dickin Award in 2003 for their incredible service in Iraq. Buster helped the Armed forces locate an extensive amount of explosives and weapons associated with an extremist group. By doing so, Buster saved the lives of many service personnel and civilians. #### 11\. Dogs are as Intelligent as a Two-Year-Old Studies have suggested that dogs can learn over a hundred gestures and words, making them as intelligent as a two-year-old. However, dogs are much easier to train. Their intelligence allows them to be trained as service [animals](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), both for medical and military/police jobs. ## Wrapping Up Dogs are among the most loyal animals with a fantastic sense of smell and intelligence. These abilities are why police and even military forces use them. Whether it's swimming, protecting their owner, or alerting authorities in case of an emergency, dogs stand out in many aspects of life. So, how did you find these dog facts? As far as we're concerned, they're amazing! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Interesting Social Media Trends to Follow URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/interesting-social-media-trends-to-follow/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:41.000Z Brands heading into the second half of 2023 would want to ace their social media marketing strategy while remaining current with the trends at hand. With more than five plus months of the year still left for you to make a change, this is the ideal time for brands to reflect and refocus on how they want to go about their social media strategy. ## Reevaluate the Metrics that Matter most to you A [recent research](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/2019-index/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) by Sprout Social pointed out that social media marketers have their eyes on a variety of metrics to ensure what’s working and what is not working on social media. The research found out that different [social](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-that-will-shape-social-media-in-2023/) media managers define success through different metrics. 72 percent of all social media managers define success through likes or comments, 62 percent from shares, 60 percent from interaction with customers, 34 percent from revenue attribution, 32 percent from inspiring customers into action, and 29 percent define success through inspiring an emotional response. However, Instagram and Facebook have both tested the planned removal of public likes from their platform. From showing the number of likes on every post, these two mega giants of the social media world have decided to keep likes private. While private likes are now very much a part of Instagram, Facebook is still testing the move. This may force a transition from using ‘Likes’ as the ultimate metric for defining content performance. And, even if Likes didn’t disappear, it was time for [marketers](https://bobbydavidson.com/annoying-b2b-marketing-tactics-to-avoid/) to look beyond data at the surface level. Social listening will be crucial in 2023 and beyond. The world just came out of a pandemic, and it can suit you better to focus on sentiment analysis rather than surface-level metrics such as likes and comments. ## Target Private Communities Driven by Interest How do you build sentimental value in your customers? To answer this question, brands have started focusing on building long-lasting and sentimental connections with their target audience in shared, private groups. This is a move away from the ‘anybody and everybody’ approach brands had previously. Brands still do want to reach as many customers as they possibly can, but the [impact of marketing to groups with shared passions and interests](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kianbakhtiari/2019/12/13/stop-marketing-to-millennials-or-gen-z-and-start-marketing-to-tribes/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#1b3fb5962c17) surely speaks for itself. Targeting specific groups with shared interests and passions allows brands to talk to individuals in a sentimental manner. ![Reformation - BJD](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/reformation-bjd.jpg) With the advancements in technology, brands are more empowered to reach customers directly. The example above illustrates just how brands can target individual sentiments through their responses. Also, the social media trend to interact with a specific audience is trending in consumer circles as well. Private closed groups on Facebook allow social media users to interact openly with people who share the same interests. Also, users can share stories and pictures with specific people through Instagram Threads. Facebook does have a group marketing option in place, and it offers a valuable way for brands to market to private communities or tribes, as some may call them. ## Find Authentic Influencers Influencer marketing isn’t going anywhere; in fact, it is just maturing over time. For a brief time, brands confused influencer [marketing](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/) on social media with building hype and excitement. The key to influencer marketing is to create a strategy that perfectly integrates with your overall marketing motive. The narrative you host through influencer marketing should still correlate with your brand objectives. You still want to sound authentic to your users, and poorly selected influencers do not help do that. Authentic influencers will heavily outweigh ‘power influencers.’ Power [influencers](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-changing-retail/) can come in handy occasionally as well, but it is the authentic influencers who will actually help you in forming connections with your consumers. Brands are also motivated to look within their internal setup and determine if employees can step up through thought leadership roles and become the face of the organization. Smaller organizations can also look into industry event speakers and ambassadors to see who fits better with the target audience for their brand. ## Focus on More Advanced and Direct Social ads Brands are still heavily investing in [social media](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-predictions/) ads, even though there were trends in between to focus more on organic growth. Since consumers are generally comfortable with how social shopping works, brands realize that their biggest selling potential lies in social media advertisements. Social media platforms recognize how heavily businesses rely on ads to forward their products and offerings. In a bid to make the interaction even seamless, many social media platforms have incorporated advanced and easier means for brands to interact directly with consumers through social media ads. Facebook recently rolled out a series of personalization tricks that businesses can apply online to sell personally to consumers. Brands can now change the format, carousel collection and calls to action for their ad, based on who is watching it. Instagram recently rolled out the Instagram shopping experience, which is focused on direct social selling. The platform allows retail brands an opportunity to sell directly on Instagram without having to funnel or lead followers to their own webpage through a bio link. Even LinkedIn has jumped to the party, as it allows businesses to help get their B2B products in front of the right customers. Social media is evolving and ads are now a very big part of the change. ## Keep Focusing on Stories Stories were one of the biggest social media trends last year. Brands over the globe were excited to find a new means of reaching out to their customers. And, 2023 looks no different. The dominance of Instagram stories is hidden from none. However, surprisingly enough, [Facebook](https://percento.us/expert-services/website-design/social-media-design/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) stories are almost at similar levels of engagement, with around 500 million daily users viewing or interacting with stories on the platform. Instagram allows you to interact in a new way with your audience. You can add stories, conduct polls and do a lot more through the interactive details on the site. With new features like ‘Stories about You’ and Growth Insights being launched by Instagram, brands can expect to use a lot more than just stories on the platform. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Who is Jimmy Buffett and How Did He Become a Billionaire? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/who-is-jimmy-buffett-and-how-did-he-become-a-billionaire/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:42.000Z I was in Nashville with some friends this summer and we went to grab some drinks and food at Margaritaville on the party street, Broadway. My buddies, Mike and Ron, were talking about how Jimmy Buffett reached the billion dollar mark in networth earlier this year, which surprised me, so I thought I would learn more about him and his massive success. With his guitar in hand and a smile that could light up the darkest of nights, Jimmy Buffett has captured the heart—and ears—of millions of listeners with his cool music featuring western, country, folk, and rock songs. In April-2023, Forbes named Jimmy a billionaire, not only because of his decade-long music career, but also because of his huge collection of businesses, properties, and passive income investments. ### Jimmy Buffett as a World-Known Musician Jimmy Buffett is one of the most popular [musicians](https://bobbydavidson.com/dr-dre-the-rise-of-a-one-man-music-revolution/) around the world in the last five decades, with hit songs such as “Margaritaville,” “It's Five O'clock Somewhere,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Knee Deep,” and "Come Monday.” Buffett’s irresistible melodies and sun-kissed lyrics have captured the hearts of listeners across the globe, young and old alike. While he released his first album called "Down to Earth” in 1970, it wasn’t until 1977 that he had his real breakthrough success with his album "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes." Until the present, this remains his best-selling album, [featuring](https://bobbydavidson.com/8-self-made-billionaires-who-prove-you-dont-need-to-be-from-money-to-make-money/) his most popular hit, “Margaritaville” which became part of the Billboard Hot 100 list. In 2023, the National Recording Registry inducted the song “Margaritaville” into the Library of Congress. ### Jimmy’s Journey to Becoming a Billionaire “Margaritaville” has become such a hit that Jimmy established it as a brand. In 1985, he founded the company with the same name and opened his first Margaritaville store in Key West, Florida. Not long after, the company expanded to become a successful restaurant chain with multiple [branches](https://bobbydavidson.com/why-you-cant-afford-to-ignore-social-commerce-in-2022/) across the US and the Caribbean, including Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Atlantic City, Orlando, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Because of its popularity and how warmly the people embraced it, the brand branched out into hotels, vacation clubs, resorts, and casinos, with locations all over the US, including Times Square in New York City. According to a 2022 report from The New Yorker, each Margaritaville-branded establishment welcomes over 20 million visitors per year, contributing to the $1.7 billion annual company-wide sales. Eventually, Margaritaville also opened as RV parks, retirement communities, airport lounges, retail stores, and a cruise ship. But it didn’t stop there. Jimmy’s journey to fame and fortune continued as his brand and [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-warren-buffett/) grew. ### Author, Producer, and Philanthropist Jimmy Buffett is also an author who has written multiple novels, including “Where Is Joe Merchant?” “Swine Tale,” “A Salty Piece of Land,” and non-fiction books entitled “Tales from Margaritaville” and “A Pirate Looks at Fifty”. Jimmy has also dabbled in the movie industry, where he produced and scored the 2006 children's movie entitled “Hoot” and appeared In the film, as well. Aside from his successful music career and entrepreneurial ventures, Jimmy Buffett is deeply [committed](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/pickleball-the-rules-in-a-nutshell.html) to charitable causes. One of his significant contributions is the co-founding of the [Save the Manatee Club](https://www.savethemanatee.org/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in 1981\. This organization is dedicated to raising public awareness, conducting research, rescuing and rehabilitating manatees, advocating for protective measures, and supporting efforts in the Wider Caribbean, South America, and West Africa. In essence, Jimmy Buffett is more than just a singer-songwriter; he represents a mindset—a celebration of life, adventure, and the pursuit of happiness, fame, and fortune. His music, writing, [business](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ventures, and charitable endeavors remind us to embrace simple pleasures, cherish our surroundings, and take care of the world we inhabit. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### The Story of Jack Ma URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-jack-ma/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:44.000Z An entrepreneurial mind is a rare gift that less than 5% of the human population has. Yet, entrepreneurs play a fundamental role in socio-economic and technological developments worldwide. These highly skilled and determined individuals put everything on the line to achieve their goals. Some are luckier than others, having come from [wealthy](https://bobbydavidson.com/howard-hughes/) and stable backgrounds, including the likes of Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, and Mark Zuckerberg. On the flip side, we have those who started dirt-poor and slowly transitioned from rags to rich after years of continuous hard work. In this post, we’ll share the [incredible](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-life-story-jack-welch/) story of Jack Ma, one of the most popular Chinese entrepreneurs worldwide. ### About Jack Ma Jack Ma is a renowned Chinese business magnate popularly known as the founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, a Chinese multinational tech giant specializing in B2B commerce, retail, and cloud [computing](https://bobbydavidson.com/quantum-computing/). He is the mastermind behind several top-ranking Chinese websites, including Taobao.com, 11main.com, and Tmall.com. Ma’s story is a prime example of a rags-to-riches transformation. The self-made billionaire came from a poor background, failed his college entrance twice, and was rejected by several employers when he moved to the United States. According to Forbes, he is the fourth richest man in China, with an estimated net worth of $22.1 billion. ### Early Life and Education Ma Yun, popularly known as Jack Ma, was born on September 10, 1964, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, South-East China. Jack grew up in a poor background with his older brother and younger sister. Moreover, he was born in Communist China, so his family was isolated from the West. However, Ma was fascinated with the English language as a young boy, especially after US President Nixon visited Hangzhou in 1972, which turned his hometown into a popular tourist destination. Jack started working as a tour guide at the city’s main hotels to improve his speaking skills. The name “Jack” was given to him by a tourist he became friends with when he was a teenager. Ma wasn’t the brightest of students and struggled in many subjects, especially mathematics. He applied for Hangzhou Teachers College twice but failed the entrance exams twice. However, he didn’t give up and applied for the third time. This time, he got in. Four years later, he graduated from Hangzhou Teachers College with a bachelor’s degree in English. Following his graduation in 1988, he applied for the post of English teacher at the Hangzhou Institute of Electronics and Engineering (currently known as Hangzhou Dianzi University). He taught there for the next five years before commencing his entrepreneurial journey. ### Career Jack Ma struggled during the early phase of his career, especially before joining Hangzhou Dianzi University. He applied for several jobs and even got rejected by KFC. However, Jack was making just over $12 a month at the university and wanted to change his life around. In 1994, he started his first venture – an English translation and interpretation service called Haibo Translation Agency using his savings. Just a year later, Jack traveled to the United States on an Hangzhou city government-sponsored trip. Here, he experienced [computers](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-breakthroughs-that-might-shape-the-future-of-technology/) and the internet for the first time and was blown away by the potential. He quickly found a huge gap in the Chinese digital market following a simple keyword search, “Beer.” To his surprise, he couldn’t find one search result showing a Chinese company. Therefore, on his return to his home country, he closed Haibo Translation Agency and founded China Pages – one of the country’s first internet companies specializing in website development. However, as the internet became more popular, Jack couldn’t compete with communications giants like Hangzhou Telecom, which launched Chinesepage. Therefore, he left China Pages after just two years and joined a governed-owned Internet company in Beijing. However, he knew he was wasting his time here because he wanted to pursue more economic opportunities the internet offered. Though his first two ventures had failed, he didn’t give up and was more determined than ever before. So, he persuaded his team at the ministry to accompany him to Hangzhou and convinced them to invest in his vision. Thus, the Alibaba group was born – China’s first B2B commerce site catering to small businesses. Ma believed the B2B market had even more potential and less competition than the B2C market. Plus, his operating model was simple. Small businesses simply had to pay a small membership fee to sell their value offerings internationally. Ma founded Alipay in 2003 to enable third-party transactions. By 2005, Alibaba had grown exponentially and attracted several investors, including Internet giant Yahoo! After selling nearly 40% worth of stake to Yahoo!, Alibaba decided to go public and applied for an IPO in Hong Kong. Within weeks, it raised nearly $1.8 billion. To diversify Alibaba’s value offerings, Ma created another company called Taobao. Taobao was an online marketplace for direct consumers, not businesses, unlike the parent company. However, he knew he was competing with eBay’s counterpart in China called EachNet, which has over 80% of the market share. Ma used online advertising as its major revenue stream to gain success and didn’t charge a transaction fee for services. Within a year, Taobao grabbed the majority of the market share. In 2014, the Alibaba Group joined the New York Stock Exchange and raised over $22 billion following its IPO debut. In 2019, Jack Ma stepped down as CEO and chairman of the Alibaba Group, which had achieved a market capitalization of $168 billion. However, he has remained on the board since then. ### Personal Life Jack Ma has always tried to keep his personal life out of the spotlight throughout his career. He married Zhang Ying, whom he met in the late ‘80s while in school. Together, they have two children – a son and a daughter. ### Wrapping Up Jack Ma is regarded as one of the greatest [entrepreneurial](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-resources-an-entrepreneur-needs-to-start-a-business/) minds in the 21st century. He is one of the pioneers of the eCommerce industry and is a celebrity in China. His [incredible](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) transition from rags to riches is a prime example of the attributes and skills any aspiring entrepreneur needs to succeed, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### How to Keep Your Dog Safe on a Hot Day’s Hike? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-safe-on-a-hot-days-hike/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:45.000Z Summertime, more than any other season, is the most popular choice for hiking and for all the right reasons. With the perfect amount of humidity in the air and a temperature that’s suited to strenuous activity, it does take the lead as the best time to go for an outdoor adventure. However, if you’re planning to go hiking with a dog this time, then you may have to be wary of certain factors. For one, keeping your dog’s body temperature at bay has to be one of the most challenging tasks. In fact, according to the [Washington State Animal Response Team](https://wasart.org/heat-and-your-pets/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) (WASART), overheated dogs are among the most frequent cases they deal with. The best way to prevent this problem from taking an ugly turn is to recognize certain warning signs and learn how to keep your dog cool when you’re hiking on a hot day. ### How Can You Recognize a Heat Stroke? If it were up to your dogs, they would keep running and playing forever. This is what makes detecting a problem even more difficult because your dog may not even display obvious symptoms until the condition gets severe. However, if the temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you may want to put your hiking plans on hold. Keep an eye on the following signs to determine whether your pet dog is going through a heat stroke: - *Dizziness* - *Extreme fatigue* - *Extreme panting* - *Thick saliva* - *Rapid heart rate* - *Vomiting* - *Pale or red tongue and gums* Remember, ignoring signs of a heat stroke can lead to severe consequences, such as seizures, cardiac arrest, coma and even death if not paid heed to or treated in time. Hence, the moment you notice any of the stated signs, stop hiking, take a breather, get your dog to drink some water and take them to the vet immediately. ### Emergency Tips to Cool a Dog’s Body Temperature Down If your dog’s body ends up getting overheated, you must intervene immediately. Keep in mind that you can go right and wrong in your approach, which is why you should be wary of the following: ### Don’t Try to Cool Your Dog Down Too Quickly Doing so can cause them to go into a state of shock. You should start by slowly applying water to their body. An even better way to do this would be to use a piece of cloth, soak it in water and place it over their head. You can then slowly move it to their chest, belly, paws and groin. It doesn’t take them long to get back to their regular temperature, so don’t make the mistake of going too fast. ### Have Them Drink Water Again, you don’t have to push them too hard to drink water. However, you can still place a bowl full of water near them and prompt them to drink from it every few minutes. This way, you will be able to hydrate their body, reducing the effects of heatstroke even more. ### Keep Them In Shade If you notice even a minor symptom of a heatstroke, the first course of action would be to cool them down using water. However, at the same time, you should also look for a place with loads of shade and move them there. Here, you can let them rest for a while before returning to your vehicle. Remember to take every step with caution. Going too fast or too slow with these tips can both be hazardous to your dog’s health. ### Tips to Keep Your Dog’s Body Temperature Leveled on a Hot Day’s Hike While the idea is to avoid going outdoors when the temperature is extremely high, it doesn't necessarily mean that outdoor adventures are a complete no-go during hot weather. All you have to do is change your approach to hiking and prepare well, and most importantly, keep the following tips in mind. ### Don't Hike In the Afternoon. Since the sun's radiation is at its peak at certain hours of the day, you may want to steer clear of it. Hence, hiking in the morning, especially before sunrise may be a better solution. You may be wondering if it is the absence of the sun that you need, why not hike in the evening? Well, heat still radiates from the ground after the sun sets as compared to before it rises when the ground is relatively cooler. ### Protect Their Paw Pads Your dog's paws are the most sensitive parts of their body, and walking on hot surfaces can cause them to heat up quickly. So, protecting them from sand, dirt trails, rocks, and other surfaces that radiate heat requires adequate coverage in the form of dog boots or paw wax. ### Hike on Trails with Shade While hiking on a hot day is quite a challenge, it is possible to minimize the impact of heat by opting for trails with plenty of shade. Hence, hike in areas with high elevation or those near a source of water, so the air is comparatively cooler. Last but not least, make sure to learn everything about the hike before you head out. However, altitude sickness is also a prevalent condition among many dogs, so do your research before going to a high elevation spot. ### Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate! Carry enough water bottles for you and your dog. This is because, at the end of the day, body temperature regulation has more to do with protecting your dog from the inside than the outside. If their body is sufficiently hydrated, you can significantly reduce their chances of having a heat stroke. ### The Bottom Line Going hiking with your pet dog may be the best way to rejuvenate and [strengthen](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) your bond. However, without adequate knowledge and proper preparation, you may expose them to a range of issues, especially on a hot summer day’s hike. Hence, make sure to keep the stated tips at your fingertips at all times and protect your canine buddy safe in hot weather. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson *I love our* [*companies* ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) *and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit* [*www.bobbydavidson.com/about*](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/)*. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.* ### Best Nutrition Practices for Hiking URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/best-nutrition-practices-for-hiking/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:45.000Z With summer now here, you might be excited about your next outdoor adventure. However, there are some points to keep in mind before starting your hiking journey. One of them is bringing nutrient-rich food along with you. Though it’s vital to bring food, you need be careful about what you’re bringing with you. Nutrient-dense food is necessary to keep you [energized](https://bobbydavidson.com/high-sierra/) while your body burns calories when hiking. That said, you can consider the best nutrition practices we discuss in this article for your next hiking excursion. But before we move further, let’s discuss the importance of nutrition for hiking. ### Why is Nutrition Important For Hiking? Though it may seem a bit redundant, proper nutrition is vital for any physical activity, including hiking. It doesn’t matter if you’re just a beginner or an extensive hiking experience. It’s crucial to [choose](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-technology-is-revolutionizing-food-delivery/) the right food that helps you tackle any hiking trail. The foods we eat act as fuel to keep our energy up. They provide us with sufficient strength and enhance our energy levels to stay energized. Besides that, nutrient-rich foods give us the strength to recover quickly after an arduous hike. However, you must be extremely careful to decide which food to eat and avoid when trekking. That’s why getting aware of your dietary needs is a good idea before a hiking trip. ### Tips to Keep in Mind For a Hike Let’s have a look at some tips you need to consider for your hiking excursion: #### Set a Plan Having a plan is essential for a pain-free hiking adventure. You need to pay special attention to weather conditions, bringing sufficient fluids, etc. Some key factors you should consider for your outdoor activity include: - Length and duration of the trip - Which foods and drinks to bring - When to stop for a drink and when to eat - If it’s possible to bring a cooler - Which food-related equipment and tools you might need #### Hydrate Yourself If you’re on a [hiking](https://bobbydavidson.com/hiking-with-dogs-how-to-identifying-injuries/) trip, the last thing you’d want is to get dehydrated. Besides focusing on nutrition, drinking plenty of water is another factor you must consider when trekking. It doesn’t matter if you’re going on a short, one-hour hiking trip in the mountains; you’ll need a least one bottle of water. In fact, drinking around one liter every two miles or so should keep you hydrated for the entire hike. Also, you must remember to not drink an entire water bottle at once. Try taking smaller, frequent sips even if you’re not thirsty. Drink water regularly on a trail to avoid thirst since it’s often a sign of dehydration. ### Determine The Amount of Food to Bring It’s always better to bring extra food than you might need otherwise when it comes to hiking. However, do not bring so much that it overburdens you and weighs down your backpack. You can bring a lot of less food for a few hours short hiking journey. Mix trails, some dried fruits, and a protein bar will do great. #### Determine the Types of Food to Bring Now you know the adequate amount of food you need for a hike, it’s also essential to know the types of food that will help you thrive in your hiking excursion. Let’s have a look at some crucial hiking foods: #### Nuts and Seeds These snacks are portable, easy-to-carry options for backpackers. Nuts and seeds contain a high quantity of minerals, healthy fats, protein, fiber, and vitamins vital to help you stay fueled. Moreover, despite their small size, they [calorically](https://bobbydavidson.com/essentials-tools-for-the-young-entrepreneur/) dense. Depending on your hiking trail, you can burn thousands of calories per day. Hence, it’s crucial to choose calorie-dense foods. You can also mix in almonds, sunflower seeds, and cashews with dried fruits to enjoy a delicious snack. #### Dried Fruits Dried fruits are different from fresh fruits since they’re heat-stable and have long shelf lives. They contain several nutrients you can find in fresh fruit and provide you with healthy fiber, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. For example, sun-dried raisins contain similar antioxidants and minerals you can find in fresh grapes. Another remarkable thing about dried fruits is that you can easily store them in a travel bag and mix them with nuts and seeds for a high-energy trail mix. #### Protein Bars Depending on your hiking journey, you need to boost your protein intake. Like athletes, you also need to consider top-notch protein sources during the trip for speedy muscle recovery. Protein bars are high-profile products suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. Besides that, they have long shelf lives, and you don’t need to refrigerate them. However, not all of them are equal. If you’re looking for the top protein bar, pick products with natural ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors. #### Fresh Vegetables and Fruits As mentioned previously, fresh vegetables and fruits are highly perishable items. However, they can be handy if you’re going on a shorter hike. Bring celery and carrots along for a healthy snack. #### Jerky Looking for an item that takes little space in your pack and is [high](https://bobbydavidson.com/6-tips-for-using-your-time-wisely/) in protein? Jerky is the perfect answer. You can find jerky in multiple types of meat, such as salmon, turkey, venison, and beef. You can also find various jerky flavors as well. #### Instant Rice and Noodles Quick and easy to cook, instant noodles are an incredible hiking meal for long hikes. Rice is another option you can take and spice them up with your favorite vegetables. These foods contain a high quantity of carbohydrates to help you stay energized on your [hike](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Wrapping Up! As you can see, there are several things to keep in mind for hiking. First and foremost, you need to understand the importance of nutrition practices for hiking. Stay hydrated as much as you can and bring an adequate amount and suitable types of food along with you. You’ll surely enjoy your upcoming hiking trips more than ever if you remember the tips mentioned above. *Safe Trails!* --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 5 Resources an Entrepreneur Needs to Start a Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-resources-an-entrepreneur-needs-to-start-a-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:46.000Z Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect, but many people start businesses of their own every year and go on to taste the fruits of success. What is it about successful entrepreneurs that differentiates them from others who don’t go on to succeed? It is their ability to spend significant time on raising capital, developing a [business](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) plan they can follow before the start of their company and doing extensive market research in their target market. Every entrepreneur needs specific resources to help them out in starting a business of their own. Here we look at the 5 resources for entrepreneurs to excel and why they are so important: ### Financial Resources The cash you have while starting your [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/4-ways-to-raise-capital-for-your-business/) is important to your cause. Every new business faces problems with cash flow at one time or the other. Imagine cash as the oil that keeps the engine of your business running. You cannot operate without a decent cash flow, as you need to finance operations on a day-to-day basis. Now, since cash sales will take some time, you need to have sufficient funding and financial resources when you start your business. A good entrepreneur should have enough capital to fund 6 months of complete operations after starting. Some entrepreneurs start with just the setup cost and expect the business to finance operations by itself. An [entrepreneur](https://bobbydavidson.com/women-entrepreneurs/) can obtain financial resources or capital from a number of sources, the easiest being from their own saving account. However, there are also numerous options for external financings, such as bank loans or overdrafts that can be utilized. You can also avail grants given by the government to deserving entrepreneurs. Planning is necessary here, as you would want to have enough capital to finance all of the operations that you have planned at the start of your business. ### Human Resources A business cannot function properly without heavily relying on humans or employees. As soon as an entrepreneur starts a new business, they need to consider the human resource they have. A good entrepreneur would have all answers to whether they should hire people from outside or form their human resource by outsourcing tasks to different organizations. If you’re looking to hire new employees, then be very selective during the screening and selection process. Make sure that you only hire people that can work well for your organization and would fit well within the kind of setup you have. You can use the following methods for hiring: *● Go to staffing agencies and take their assistance in finding and screening people. Make sure that you present your needs in front of them and let them know the kind of employee you are looking for.* *● Contact talented and experienced people in your close social circle and ask them whether they would want to work alongside you in your startup. Offer them incentives to lure them towards you.* *● Advertise your position in on social media platforms and let people know of the packages you are offering. Have specified timings for an interview and keep interviewing/testing people until you have the perfect match.* ### Educational Resources Besides hiring the best talent, you also need to be educated about the industry yourself. Successful [entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-best-movies-for-entrepreneurs-in-2021/) know the kind of industry they are entering and study it in full before entering it. Not every industry is the same, which is why you will have to follow a customized pattern for studying the industry around you. You can learn more about a market through the following means: *1\. Know your target demographic. The kind of people who would be buying from you.* *2\. Study the demographic to know their buying behavior. By studying their buying behavior, you would be able to analyze what is required of you.* *3\. Leverage your understanding of the behavior of your target market to sell your product or service.* With proper market intelligence, you can actually understand the factors influencing a customer’s decision, and how you can control them. A good entrepreneur should be able to understand the customer’s psyche. ### Physical Resources Every new startup needs to have a physical presence of some sort. The physical presence is necessary for surviving and having a tangible blueprint. The right physical resources required for surviving as a business include: *● A proper workspace* *● Effective marketing material* *● Adequate information systems* *● IT systems like CRM and ERP* You need capital funding to start and manage all of these physical resources. Your primary workspace or premises are important to you, as this will be the face of your organization. If you are a retail outlet, make sure that you are conveniently located, and aren’t too far away from your target market. You should have a basic understanding of the market before selecting all of these resources, as your understanding of the market would help you choose the best out of all resources. If you’re looking to rent your premises, then look around for rental rates across different areas and go for the most feasible one. ### Emotional Resources Emotional resources for entrepreneurs are as important as any other option. [Entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-highest-paid-entrepreneurs-of-2022/) are required to mask their emotions at times and can become desensitized as a result. To keep their sanity intact and to ensure that the business is run professionally, an entrepreneur should hire a mentor or a support team. The support team will keep an eye on their affairs and help them in being emotionally stable. A mentor can usually be perfect here, as they will listen to the entrepreneur and give them satisfactory answers to what is troubling them. A successful [entrepreneur](https://bobbydavidson.com/entrepreneurs-take-time-off/) should realize their emotional needs and take respective action to address them. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Story of Alexandr Wang (Scale AI) URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-alexandr-wang-scale-ai/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:46.000Z The technology sector has been growing at an increasing rate and has an estimated growth rate of 6%. A core reason for this growth is the significant investment and the brilliant minds willing to keep pushing the boundaries of our knowledge. Alexandr Wang, the founder of Scale AI, is one of the talented people who are consistently taking us forward. Alexandr is a gifted individual with a history of academic and professional excellence. However, he left all of it to pursue his dream of establishing a tech company that adhered to his vision. This blog post will present the story of Alexandr Wang and provide a brief introduction to his AI-based venture, Scale AI. It will give you insight into his life and provide a glimpse of where future innovations might be headed. ### Who is Alexandr Wang? Alex Wang is famous for being the co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, a leading technology [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/fitness-gadgets-2019/) in San Francisco. He has always been brilliant and attended MIT for BS in Mathematics and Computer Science. However, Alex felt that the academic route was not serving him, so he dropped out and decided to get practical working experience in his preferred field. ### Background Alex was born in January 1997 in New Mexico parents are scientists who worked for the US military as physicists. He attended the Los Alamos High School in the same state before joining MIT for his undergraduate studies. According to an interview, Alex was incredibly in awe of the learning opportunities he received at the university. However, there was one problem. The university is heavily oriented toward technological progress and inventions, but Alex felt that artificial intelligence and machine learning were not receiving the attention they deserved. Alex had been interested in these topics for several years because he could see their potential. He knew AI and ML could change the world as we knew it, but there wasn't enough innovation around it at the university. It wasn’t due to a lack of trying either. MIT has exceptional people who are willing to build applications and new technologies with [AI](https://bobbydavidson.com/future-of-ai/). However, any such development required adding intelligence to data to prepare it for machine learning. The lack of intelligent data was the primary problem. ### Career In 2014, Alex decided to join Addepar as a Software Engineer but soon left the position to become the Tech Lead at Quora. According to Alex, this experience helped shape his resolve to further his efforts to integrate AI and machine further learning into operations. He had already quit MIT by this point and was ready to throw himself entirely into the professional field. After two years of working in Quora, 19-year-old Alex eventually cofounded Scale AI in 2016 with Lucy Guo. ### What is Scale AI? Scale AI focuses on facilitating AI application development by using machine learning technology to generate intelligence-incorporated data. According to the company's website, its mission is to accelerate the development of [AI](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-tiny-ai-can-secure-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence/) applications. The most impressive part about the organization is the rate of its growth. It has only been six years since its establishment, but Scale AI is already valued at $7.3 billion, employs 600 people, and has over 300 clients. Alex asserts that Scale AI is nowhere near its true potential despite these impressive numbers. He is very focused on shaping data for AI applications because he is against the idea of treating data as a secondary consideration. He asserted that adding inaccurate data will negatively affect the AI system's learning, thus, impairing the output you receive. Alex knows it is a matter of time before he can push the industry to become more proactive towards AI, so he is prepared. Once Scale AI reaches a specific milestone, he will look deeper into how AI can be leveraged for complete transformation. ### Existing Partnerships Scale AI’s impressive services have made their mark in the industry and attracted some of the leading brands in the market. Following are some of the clients the company works with: *1\. Pinterest* *2\. SAP* *3\. LinkedIn* *4\. Airbnb* *5\. Aurora* *6\. Etsy* *7\. Flexport* *8\. Brex* *9\. OTTO* *10\. Toyota* As you can see, Scale AI is not restricted by industry. One of the best parts about [AI](https://bobbydavidson.com/unraveling-the-common-misconceptions-surrounding-ai-and-big-data/) is that it applies to all businesses. Hence, it will not be inaccurate to say that our operational dynamics will change significantly in the next decade. ### Future Scope Alexandr Wang is incredibly proud of his venture, which broke even for the first time in December 2021\. It is an impressive achievement, but Alex isn't slowing down soon. He has much bigger plans for the organization based on the potential of the core technology, AI. He is determined to leverage everything to push toward the possible future. Following are some of the prospects for Scale AI and how general progress will affect the market. #### 1\. Standardization Alex has expressed the need for more standardization of the [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-voice-artificial-intelligence/) by introducing relevant platforms. He feels that AI proficiency will be critical for all future development and thinks it must be accessible to organizations of all sizes. He wants the tech industry to avoid a scenario where AI products and services are only accessible to a few companies. He feels that it will make the technology too specialized, hindering further growth. #### 2\. Introduction of New Products Scale AI recently announced another round of funding and plans to use it to create and introduce new products and services. These new products will again try to maximize the application of machine learning to help organizations become more efficient. #### 3\. Optimization of Processes Finally, Alex has predicted several ways in which AI integration can optimize processes in several industries. He predicts that it can make healthcare safer and more accurate, improving healing and life expectancy. He also estimates that AI can help revolutionize the agriculture industry, making it more environmentally friendly without reducing productivity. ### Wrapping Up To conclude, Alexandr Wang is a leading figure in the tech industry, pushing for excellence through his AI-based venture, Scale AI. Please check out our IT Firm, [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), to read more about what is happening in the tech industry. [percento.us/trends-in-technology](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 6 Tips For Using Your Time Wisely URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/6-tips-for-using-your-time-wisely/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:46.000Z Time management is an essential skill for success in both your professional and personal life. Not only is it an excellent habit to adopt, but it is also one of the best ways to improve productivity. Unfortunately, adopting this skill or trait often comes with a steep learning curve for some people. With effective time management, you could do more in less time while increasing focus and reducing stress. Therefore, in this article, I’ll share how to use your time wisely with 6 highly-effective [tips](https://bobbydavidson.com/7-mental-techniques-to-improve-your-time-management/). So, if you’ve been struggling with time management, this post is for you. ### 6 Time Management Tips for Enhanced Productivity and Minimum Wastage Good time management is the key to increased productivity and balanced mental health. Lack of time is a perception often created by the failure to prioritize tasks and activities. So, if you’re looking to solve this problem, here’s how to use your time wisely with six tips: #### 1\. 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Hence, you should evaluate the hours in your days and try to eliminate any tasks or activities without relevant output or benefit to your life. This way, you can eliminate several things from your life that waste time and improve your time management. #### 4\. Protect Your Time One of the best tips for using your time wisely is to get plenty of rest and recuperation. This will help keep you focused on your to-do list and make you more productive. Many people tend to take on more tasks than they can handle and end up feeling burned out or frustrated. No matter how many cups of coffee or cans of energy drinks you consume, you can’t be creative or productive if you’re exhausted. So, when you’re feeling tired, call it a day and protect yourself from stress and overwhelm. Overworking decreases energy levels and causes distractions. Take regular breaks to make sure your focus levels remain consistent. #### 5\. 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Many employees and business owners often fail to strike the right [balance](https://bobbydavidson.com/annoying-b2b-marketing-tactics-to-avoid/) between their work and professional lives because they involuntarily mix the two together. Some people procrastinate about events that haven’t happened yet and waste their time being unproductive. To improve your time management, you have to [focus](https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/) on where you are instead of where you want or need to be. For instance, when you head to work, concentrate on your driving instead of thinking about everything that could go wrong at your meeting and taking out your frustration on other drivers. If you’re having dinner with family, put your phone away and stop the work talk. Wherever you are, just be there and give everyone and everything equal attention. ### Wrapping Up I hope you found value in these 10 tips for using your time wisely and becoming more productive in everything you do at work or during your free time. Of course, there are other ways to improve time management. However, these tips are generic and easy to adopt for anyone. Therefore, you can get started right away and get more out of the 24 hours you have. For more information related to technology to enhance your time management, trending business practices, and the latest technologies practices, visit my company [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. We have a great team standing by to support the business leader in consulting, implementing and managing their office technology to make them and their employees more efficient at their own time management. [percento.us](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 5 Things that Will Shape Social Media in 2023 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-that-will-shape-social-media-in-2023/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:47.000Z Since its inception, social media has been in a constant state of transition due to changing user behavior and emerging technologies. A few years ago, no one would’ve anticipated the return of QR codes during the pandemic or the exponential growth of TikTok, yet here we are. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer or an avid social media manager, it helps to keep an eye on what’s happening in the digital space, so the emerging trends don’t surprise you. As things stand, things are changing in the blink of an eye. Thus, we’ve put together a list of 5 [social media](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-changing-retail/)\-shaping trends to watch out for in 2023\. This way, you can stay ahead of the curve and anticipate what’s happening behind the curtain and adapt to the changes faster. From a professional viewpoint, this can help you strategize your next move to boost organic engagement on social media. So, let’s get started! 5 Social Media-Shaping Trends to Watch Out For in 2022 #### 1\. Livestream Commerce is Booming For years, it’s been common knowledge that social media has played a tremendous role in influencing online shopping. From the discovery phase to checkout, it has drastically shrunk the purchase journey by converting prospects to buyers on social media platforms. According to 'A.List daily', 98% of consumers plan to make at least one purchase on social media in 2023. This is mainly due to the rise of social commerce that boasts game-changing formats, including shoppable links, in-app checkouts, and branded videos/ads. However, live streaming is rapidly becoming the go-to format for marketers as it allows them to engage with potential buyers in real-time using live videos. Many brands use this engagement to announce new products and exclusive offers as well as generate feedback for future campaigns. Although Livestream commerce isn’t new in countries like the US and China, the recent rise in online shopping following the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its adoption, with companies using it to sell their products and services in just a few seconds. #### 2\. The Zero and First-Party Data Surge Following the rise of data compliance issues in the European Union and other countries, Apple decided to kill third-party cookies on its Safari browser after the iOS 14 update in 2021\. Now, apps and sites will have to get consumer permission before tracking their activity. This massive change drastically affected advertisers and how they target prospectus buyers on the internet. Unfortunately, social platforms targeting capabilities aren’t powerful enough to fix this issue. As a result, marketers and brands are opting for zero and first-party data collection strategies. Although building a database without tracking capabilities isn’t easy, it is the first step in ensuring compliance. Plus, newer [brands](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/) are using this as an opportunity to incentivize users to share their data for rewards, including discounts, pre-orders, exclusive access, and freebies. Once they have a solid CRM database set up, they can engage users with relevant campaigns and one-to-one communications to further enhance the relationship and sell more products. Simply put, brands are offering their target audience on social media benefits or experiences money can’t buy in return for their information and engagement. #### 3\. The Growth of AI-Generated Media If you’ve heard of ‘deepfakes’, you probably have an idea of AI-generated or synthetic [media](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-social-media-customer-care-in-retaining-a-companys-clientele/). This is essentially media content either created or modified using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Although this media type has received mainly negative reactions due to the abuse of deepfake videos, such as political hoaxes, fake news, and celebrity adult videos, the potential of this technology is undeniable for marketers. Brands can create high-quality marketing content cost-effectively using facial re-enactment, face-body swapping, and other AI tools. Hence, it is one of the main [social](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/) media-shaping trends to watch out for in 2022. #### 4\. The Emergence of Mixed Reality Since 2017, the world has seen exponential growth in digital technologies. 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Whether you grew up having a dog, currently want to adopt your first one, or looking for number five, dog people are fascinated by the species for a reason! Below are some amazing facts about dogs. Dogs are fascinating creatures, especially considering they didn’t start out as domesticated animals. If you are one of the many people who’d like to learn more about man’s best friend, you’ve come to the right place. From the total number of [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-dogs-keep-you-in-good-health/) breeds in the world to why [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) have wet noses, brace yourself to have your mind blown away with these amazing facts about dogs! ### 11 Amazing Facts About Dogs #### 1\. They can Sniff and Breathe at the Same Time Dogs rely largely on their sense of smell to find friends, food, and potential threats. This means they sniff a lot. 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In fact, many Greyhounds have won the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animal’s (PDSA) Gold Medal Award. Search dogs like Buster also won the PDSA Dickin Award in 2003 for their incredible service in Iraq. Buster helped the Armed forces locate an extensive amount of explosives and weapons associated with an extremist group. By doing so, Buster saved the lives of many service personnel and civilians. #### 11\. Dogs are as Intelligent as a Two-Year-Old Studies have suggested that dogs can learn over a hundred gestures and words, making them as intelligent as a two-year-old. However, dogs are much easier to train. Their intelligence allows them to be trained as service animals, both for medical and military/police jobs. ### Wrapping up Dogs are among the most loyal animals with a fantastic sense of smell and intelligence. These abilities are why police and even military forces use them. 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In this arriver, I’ll talk about the rise of unethical and duplicate B2B marketing and share five annoying B2B marketing tactics to avoid and eliminate from your strategy. ### The Rise of Unethical and Duplicate B2B Marketing As a [marketer](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-automation-tactics/), you want to make honest claims to attract your desired target audience. The idea is to build trust by fostering a positive perception, so people see your brand as honest and genuine. Unfortunately, unethical marketing, the flip side of this coin, is becoming unusually popular, with many brands sending the wrong messages out to prospects about their products and services for one-time or short-term gains. Popular practices include: *▪ False or Misleading advertising* *▪ Spamming (Consent-less communication)* *▪ Emotional exploitation* *▪ Fear incitement* *▪ Plagiarism* *▪ Smearing competitors* *▪ Hidden fees* *▪ Scare tactics, etc.* Secondly, whether you turn on the TV or tune into [social media](https://bobbydavidson.com/a-new-campaign-to-help-ukraine-startups-with-a-silicon-valley-style-launch/), you’re likely to be bombarded with commercials, ads, and other forms of promotional content. This shows we have entered an era when marketing and advertising are not only pervasive but also repetitive. However, in the business world, duplicate marketing has become rather controversial and counter-intuitive. Promoting your goods and services requires skill and artistry, whether you’re selling to consumers or [businesses](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). It only works when you make it hard for your target audience to forget who you are and what you do. However, by forcing the audience to remember through redundant content, you’re practically forcing them to ignore it. According to consumer psychology, this practice usually backfires. The more eager businesses are to sell their products and services, the more reluctant customers become to buy them. This not only affects the overall marketing ROI but also can have a drastic effect on your brand and product image. ### 5 Tactics to Eliminate from Your B2B Marketing Strategy With the business world rapidly evolving into the new normal, now is the time to sit down and revamp your marketing strategy to get the best return on investment. However, instead of adopting new marketing tactics, you should start by eliminating the ones potentially damaging your progress. Here are five annoying B2B marketing tactics to avoid: #### 1\. Email Redundancy and False Campaigns Congratulations! You’ve adopted a powerful email automation solution to reach out to your business prospects quickly and cost-effectively. However, if you overuse email marketing, your emails will likely end up in your recipient's spam instead of their inbox. Moreover, according to Hubspot, one of the main reasons prospects unsubscribe from email campaigns is that the emails fail to offer promotions or content described in the subscription promotion. The problem is most modern brands are eager to sell their products as quickly as possible. As a result, they fail to build trust or have any impact on the prospects’ minds. Therefore, if you’re planning to use email marketing, perhaps, you should provide more practical, empathetic, and educational content so your prospects can learn about your business and your value proposition. #### 2\. Confusing Advertising with Marketing Another annoying B2B marketing [tactic](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-art-of-crowdfunding/) is flooding your prospects' social media feeds with ads and promotional content. Unfortunately, many marketers believe running Google or Facebook ads equals marketing. Undoubtedly, advertising is a huge part of marketing. However, just focusing on ads without any organic inbound marketing either shows the lack of a long-term strategy or an unsustainable one. Ideally, your marketing strategy should combine organic content with earned media placement activities, so you can expand your reach long-term. Ads are great for short-term success, but they fail to build trust or authenticity – both crucial branding elements. #### 3\. Being a Marketing Lone Wolf In the age of data-driven digital marketing, trying to be a one-person show usually backfires, especially if you’re working with colleagues. 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This approach is typically [employed](https://bobbydavidson.com/recognition-to-your-employees/) by startups looking for multiple investors to minimize their risk of loss. ### Key Benefits and Drawbacks #### Benefits *▪ Fast way to raise money without fees, interest, or ownership claims* *▪ Pitching ideas or goals can be done via Facebook, YouTube, or other social media platforms* *▪ Sharing your ideas or projects can generate feedback and guidance along with money* *▪ Excellent for funding unconventional business ideas* *▪ An excellent strategy to build more followers or customers* *▪ A great alternative to loans and traditional funding solutions* #### Drawbacks *▪ Difficult to build a strong network and persuade people to donate* *▪ Requires a lot of time, energy, and resources to generate interest* *▪ If you don’t reach your target, the money goes back to the donors or investors* *▪ Failed initiatives can cause reputational damage to your business* *▪ Crowdfunding sites are full of people looking to steal ideas or concepts and apply for a patent or copyright* ### Popular Crowdfunding Sites – Our Top Three Picks Since its inception, several crowdfunding apps have popped up around the world to help users manage their funding initiatives. 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Unlike other sites, it offers a subscription model where donors or “patrons” can donate a preset amount of money regularly (monthly or per creation). Moreover, this platform enables aspiring artists to engage with their fans and share exclusive content to build long-lasting relationships. The site boasts over 9 million donors and 250,000 digital creators, so if you’re looking to get started, you can opt for one of its three plans (Lite, Pro, Premium). However, do note that the plan you opt for will determine your payment processing fees and monthly income. #### 3\. GoFundMe GoFundMe is one of the most popular crowdfunding sites in the market due to its low payment processing fee (2.9%) and fixed earning amount for each donation ($0.30). More importantly, unlike most sites, it doesn’t have an all-or-nothing model, meaning you can keep everything you raise instead of giving it all back if you don’t make the target. However, the site is more popular among users looking to offer a non-profit service, such as helping others or serving an important cause. Only one in ten [business](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) campaigns get fully funded on the platform. ### Wrapping Up With this information, you’re just a few steps away from raising the money you need for your endeavor. However, take your time to thoroughly strategize and develop an intriguing pitch for your idea, project, or startup. Follow my socials for more information related to [trending](https://bobbydavidson.com/make-money-virtually/) concepts, products, or apps in the new normal. ### 5 Employee Recognition Tips for Modern Organizations URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/recognition-to-your-employees/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:50.000Z Employee satisfaction has become a trending buzzword in the post-COVID era, with thousands of organizations becoming more employee-centric to hire and retain the best talent. The modern workforce wants more flexibility, autonomy, and recognition than their counterparts. Thus, showing that you value their well-being and their contribution could be the key to unlocking a new level of productivity and performance. Most businesses understand the importance of employee recognition. Yet, many companies still either overlook its importance or fail to find ways to recognize their employees. Thus, in this article, I’ll share five employee recognition tips so you can maximize your team’s morale and business success. ### What Is Employee Recognition, and Why Does it Matter? Employee recognition refers to the informal or formal ways an [organization](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-can-really-help-doctors/) can acknowledge and appreciate their employees’ contributions. Recognition can take various forms and may not always involve monetary compensation. Modern organizations typically recognize employees for: *▪ Achievements (timely project completion, sales/revenue target attainment, deal securement, etc.).* *▪ Different milestones within the company, including employee tenure.* *▪ Excellent work ethic and following of policies.* *▪ Getting better results than expected.* *In the modern age, recognition has become a part of many workplace cultures as the post-pandemic workforce has a strong desire for positive affirmation, especially when working in uncertainty. Therefore, it can be used to:* *▪ Retain top talent* *▪ Increase and maintain high performance* *▪ Improve collaboration and communication* *▪ Improve employee well-being, etc.* ### 5 Employee Recognition Tips for Modern Organizations Today, even some of the most employee-centric organizations face challenges when creating a strong culture of recognition in their workplace. There’s no universal program or strategy you can use for this purpose. However, some tried-and-tested ways have given meaningful recognition to your [workforce](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-your-best-employees/). Here are five tips you can use: #### 1\. Say Thank You Just because you’re the boss or manager doesn’t mean you shouldn’t forego traits like humility and empathy. So, never shy away from saying thank you to an individual or team, even for the smallest of tasks or interactions. Appreciation may look simple, but it’s one of the most powerful gestures you can use to recognize employees. When employees feel appreciated, it boosts their morale and dedication. However, this only works when the thank you comes from the heart. Modern employees, especially experienced ones, know when their manager is sincere and when they’re faking it. To prove that your intentions are pure, appreciate them even when they fail. #### 2\. Celebrate Small Achievements Quickly and Regularly You don’t have to throw a huge party or celebration when you secure a high-profile client or complete a project. Instead, you should celebrate small successes during the project or communications to ensure they put in their 100% and get over the line to keep employees [motivated](https://bobbydavidson.com/inspire-your-employees/). For instance, if you see your team working over time, you can appreciate their efforts by hosting a coffee or pizza party. You could also give them a happy hour or allow a late coming the next day, so they come in fresh and fully-rested. #### 3\. Distribute Non-Cash Rewards Don’t get us wrong; no employee would say no to a fat bonus check. However, cash incentives don’t often have the power to prompt employees into going the extra mile. Modern employees like experiences and more thoughtful gestures, such as tickets to a movie, a free spa day, picnics, and gifts. You can also host an internal awards program to reward your best-performing employees with custom products or trophies. These alternate, often intangible rewards improve your employees’ self-esteem and motivate them to go even further, in terms of productivity and performance. These innovative tokens of appreciation serve as reminders of their hard work and contributions. #### 4\. Quarterly or Semi-Annual Events One of the best ways to build a culture of recognition is to host regular company events, such as retreats, trips, and dinners. Employees, especially those who work the same routines, need a break from business to rejuvenate and maintain their mental health. You don’t have to go all out every time. For instance, you can hold a major event once a year and a few small ones, such as: *▪ Employee trivia night* *▪ Sports competitions* *▪ Workstations for your best-performing employees* *▪ Team-building events with lunch* #### 5\. Encourage and Facilitate Peer Recognition Organizations with a recognition culture don’t just rely on managers and [leaders](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-tech-labor-shortage-is-only-set-to-grow/) to appreciate their teams. Instead, they foster a workplace environment where employees appreciate each other during their collaborations or communications. This goes especially for teams working in the same department or on the same [project](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) who can use praise and positive feedback to celebrate micro wins. However, leaders and managers need to craft a strategy that creates engagement opportunities to facilitate peer recognition. For instance, you can use social shout-outs or give public recognition to outstanding employees at a company event. ### Wrapping Up Recognition has gradually become one of the most important drivers of success in the post-pandemic digital age, especially following the Great Resignation in 2021. However, learning how to give real recognition to your employees requires time, patience, and a solid understanding of your employees. Everyone’s drivers of optimal performance are different. However, most companies confirm that the modern workforce wants more respect, communication, and acknowledgment from their employers, along with tangible incentives and rewards. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 14 Must-Have Travel Essentials if You're Hitting the Road for Work URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/14-must-have-travel-essentials-if-youre-hitting-the-road-for-work/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:51.000Z Essential Business Travel Items | Work travel is a business norm both employees and business owners have to accept. During different points of their careers, you may need to travel domestically or overseas for interviews, conferences, new projects, social events, etc. While [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/packing-tips-business-travel/) travel has its perks, packing for your work trip is another story – one often filled with stress, confusion, and frustration. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Using a smart packing list, you can identify must-have business travel essentials for your trip so you can easily juggle packed schedules, especially if you travel frequently. This is stuff is really common sense but I thought why not write it down to give everyone a quick list to follow, including myself. :) I’ll share 14 must-have travel [essentials](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-travel/) by placing them into four key categories. This way, you can pack faster and ensure you have everything you need for your work trip before you hit the road. Of course, there are other items you could add to each category according to your specific needs. ### 14 Essential Business Travel Items to Pack for Your Next Work Trip Here are the four key categories and 14 corresponding must-have travel essentials for work trips: #### Work Essentials Every work trip requires essential [tech](https://bobbydavidson.com/content/files/2026/07/technology.html) gadgets to communicate, carry out work tasks, and manage business activities. Here is some must-have technological equipment for your work trip: #### 1\. Laptop No matter what type of work you do, you’ll need access to your files and applications. This is where [laptops](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) come in to help you work efficiently remotely. Alternatively, you could opt for a tablet for more convenience if it suffices. #### 2\. Smartphone Smartphones are an essential part of our lives in the digital age for work and play. Whether you have a business or personal phone, you can use it to communicate with your peers while you’re away. I think we would all fly back home if we forgot our phone these days. #### 3\. Charging Accessories Whether you’re taking a business or leisure trip, don’t forget to [pack](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) your charging accessories for all your electronic devices, including wall plugs and \[international\] adaptors if required. You’ll want to ensure your phone, laptop, and/or tablet is fully charged for personal or work use. #### 4\. Headphones/Earbuds, and Power Bank Next, don’t forget to pack your headphones or Earbuds. They’ll come in handy for communications during transit, video conferencing, and entertainment. Lastly, it’s always a smart idea to pack a power bank when hitting the road so you can charge your devices when you don’t have access to an outlet. ### Clothing Of course, whether you’re on a short or long trip, you’ll need to dress according to your work requirements or norms. Here is a brief guide to packing “light and right” for your trip: #### 5\. Business Attire Most work trips usually call for business attire, including suits (formal/business casual), dress shirts, and slacks or skirts for women. Depending on how long your trip is, you might need to pack at least two suites with a selection of shirts and ties for different days. The same goes for ladies who can add different scarves or accessories for separate occasions. #### 6\. Shoes When it comes to shoes, you should pack at least a pair of well-fitting dress shoes or heels along with casual shoes like sneakers or running shoes. Many people like to pack a pair of flip-flops or sandals for warmer destinations. #### 7\. Casual Attire If you plan to take a trip for work and have some [personal time](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) for recreation, such as local tours and dining, you’ll want to pack casual clothes. Ideally, you should pack at least two pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, and a selection of casual shirts and T-shirts. Depending on the weather, you may also need to pack a jacket or sweater, hat, or raincoat. #### 8\. Underwear and Socks Along with clothes and shoes, you’ll need to pack both formal and casual socks according to your dress code and color. You’ll also need to pack the right amount of underwear and undergarments, depending on your trip duration. #### Personal Hygiene Whether you’re staying in a hotel or with family or friends, you’ll need to maintain personal hygiene at all times. Therefore, here are some fundamental items you should always pack for your work trips: #### 9\. Basic Toiletries For any trip, you’ll need to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste, razor/trimmer, perfume, and deodorant. If you’re staying at a hotel, you might not need to pack soap or shampoo, although it’s a smart idea to pack travel-size ones just in case. #### 10\. Lotions and Skincare Depending on your trip duration, you should pack personal care items like lotions, moisturizers, and even shaving creams. If you’re going to spend time outdoors, don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, especially if it’s hot outside. ### Other Accessories Here is a list of other travel essentials you should consider packing for your trip: #### 11\. Notebook and Pen Many [professionals](https://bobbydavidson.com/dress-for-success/) like to jot down things and take notes the old-fashioned way even though smartphones and tablets have note-taking platforms. For this, all you need is a pocket-size notebook and pen so you can scrawl down your ideas or to-do list. #### 12\. Makeup and Styling Products Personal beauty and hairstyling products are perhaps the most must-have travel essentials for working women. Using these products, they can prepare their appearance for different professional and social occasions. #### 13\. Snacks While most hotels and companies provide food for traveling employees, there’s often a long wait period between meals. As a result, many employees like to pack light snacks like chips, protein bars, or chocolate. #### 14\. Watch and Jewelry Wristwatches are among the most popular accessories for both men and women and are often an important part of business attire for formal and casual events. However, you should ideally pick out a functional and inexpensive timepiece since these accessories are prone to theft or getting lost. The same applies to jewelry, such as necklaces, cufflinks, earrings, and rings. ### Wrapping Up So there it is - 14 business travel essentials to pack for your next work trip. Hopefully, with this information, you (and I) never hit the road for your business trip without packing everything you need in terms of clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, and equipment. Of course, there are several other items you could add to your list, depending upon your lifestyle or work needs. For instance, many professionals like to pack their workout gear, mini steamers, and even toilet paper. ### Dogs During the Pandemic, How Important Were They? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/dogs-during-the-pandemic-how-important-were-they/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:51.000Z Our fluffy little buddies are one of our nearest and dearest. Why? A dog looks at its owner and feels one single emotion, love. They want nothing more from you than hugs, cuddles, and treats. Your dog will stand by your side when you’re going through your worst, cozying up to you when you’re sad and rolled up. When you are excited, they wag their tails with pure glee only because they see that their owner is [happy](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/). It is often said that we do not deserve dogs simply because there are few forms of love as pure. Anyone who has ever kept a dog will disagree. ### Dogs Being the Best Pets People keep all sorts of pets; dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, horses, cows, or birds. All of these animals have their own unique traits and personalities, but only a few match that of a dog. Horses make a pretty good case when it comes to demonstrating loyalty, but dogs simply win it by a mile. According to data in the US, there was an 8% increase in the number of foster pets during the pandemic. This tells us just how much dogs can mean to most people. Adopting a pandemic dog was the norm; everyone was doing it, and it changed their entire lives. You could be someone living alone or with your family, it doesn’t matter; there will come a time when you might feel like things are a little too uneventful or redundant. The pandemic multiplied this feeling ten-fold. ### Effects of Pandemic on Humans [COVID-19](https://puccicafe.com/keeping-your-pets-healthy-and-happy-during-the-pandemic/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has really changed the way that we live our lives now. Social distancing, masks, and quarantine, life is a lot different from what we had become used to. In the beginning, it was fun for a bit. Not having to go to school or the office, but as time went by, it really started to take its toll on everyone involved. We began to realize that sitting at home for so long was not ideal. People began feeling confined, and this led to rampant depression, anxiety, and loneliness for a lot of people. [People](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) weren’t able to meet their loved ones, go out to eat or have a good time, or do any of the things that we often took for granted. Now that things have calmed down a bit and life is returning back to normal, the effects of the pandemic still linger on. The after-effects of that time still exist and not everyone has been able to fully recover. Some people who got COVID still have trouble breathing, while others who lost a loved one to the virus are still coping with it. ### How Dogs Have Helped Us It comes as no surprise that our fluffy pals don’t need to do too much to make our lives better. For many people, it was dogs help during the pandemic that got them through it all. According to research, dog owners have shown to be evidently different from non-owners. They showed to have a significantly lower depression score. Their bond with pets, in general, is much better, and they have shown to be more available for social support. This makes sense when you consider how different life can be when you have a dog. They are a constant source of entertainment, all they want to do is play fetch and cuddle, and as a bonus, you also get someone that guards your home. You really cannot go wrong. Dogs and the pandemic were two things we never thought would be so intricately intertwined. Being holed up for so many months meant that we actually learned just how important our pets are for us. We began to appreciate how they make our lives better even when we might be down and out. You could be having the worst possible day, but when you look at your dog staring at you with love and adoration, you forget the bad that is going on around you. Our pets have been imperative for us during the [pandemic](https://bobbydavidson.com/hiking-with-dogs-how-to-identifying-injuries/). For those of us who had them around, consider yourselves lucky; not everyone was as blessed as you were. However, this isn’t the entire picture. ### The Toll That It Takes on The Animals An animal is a living and breathing creature. It feels hunger, fatigue, pain, and also depression. Most people tend to overlook the fact that even dogs can get sad. During the pandemic, our pets might have been our saving grace, but this was not at a cost. A dog needs its personal space and time, especially if it is a bigger breed like a Labrador Retriever or German shepherd. These sorts of animals require exercise, a proper diet, and a place to regularly stretch their legs. During the pandemic, many people and their pets were confined to their homes. For larger dogs, not getting enough [physical activity](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) can cause them to develop different problems. Just like humans, if a dog doesn’t get enough activity, it may become obese. They are only eating and not burning fat. Also, like humans, if a dog stays this way for a long time, it can develop ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, and also cancer. Unlike humans, dogs can’t talk, so if they are going through something like this, the chances are you won’t find out until the condition worsens. You might be able to get the problem fixed if you catch it in time, but if the dog is made to live with this pain, it can be excruciating. Furthermore, if you always surround your pet [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) with negative emotions, the chances of it influencing them are very high. This isn’t a dog thing; it is just how these things work. If there is a consistently negative atmosphere, the chances of it affecting everyone in it are very high, be it a human or animal. The pandemic did a number on us humans, but it also negatively impacted the dogs that we depended on for our emotional [wellbeing](https://happybreath.com/10-tips-to-keep-your-dog-healthy-and-safe-in-the-car/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How Innovative HR Technologies Can Help Companies URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-innovative-hr-technologies-can-help-companies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:52.000Z It’s unfortunate to see so many small companies still sticking with Excel spreadsheets and other outdated solutions to execute HR functions. Don’t get me wrong; many traditional solutions in the market are still useful in the modern world, but would you buy a 3rd or 4th generation iPhone in 2022? Probably not. Not only is it an old technology, but it lacks most of the features you can find in modern iPhones and newer smartphones. Modern organizations need a more robust data management and reporting system to carry out their daily HR duties, such as monitoring and evaluating employee [performance](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-hr/), managing recruitment and training, and handling disciplinary actions, among others. Therefore, they need to get their hands on the latest HR software and technologies that can simplify, streamline, and automate their tasks and processes. ### What is HR Technology? HR technology, often referred to as HR tech or human resources [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/10-innovative-technologies-to-spark-the-next-phase-of-business-evolution/), is a broad term for hardware and software used to digitize HR documents, paperwork, and files along with key HR processes, such as employee payroll, talent acquisition, etc., performance management. Depending on your [IT infrastructure](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and capabilities, it can also automate many HR functions, which can be useful for businesses of all scales and sizes. ### Types of HR Technology Systems If you’re new to HR technologies, you might have come across some confusing terms, such as HRIS, HCM, and HRMS. These are merely acronyms for the three major types of HR [technologies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/technologies-for-older-adults/)in the market. Let’s learn more about them in detail: #### HRIS (Human Resource Information System) This software is designed for HR professionals to help manage employees, workplace policies, data, and processes. These systems usually cater to local businesses within traditional work environments. Popular uses include: - Reporting - Training - Attendance management - Recruiting #### HCM (Human Capital Management) HCM software solutions aren’t too different from HRIS. The only difference is that these systems are specifically designed to transform talent management with integrated functions, including: - Recruiting and training - Payroll - Compensation - Performance analytics #### HRMS (Human Resource Management System) HRMS solutions typically blend most of the core functions of HRIS and HCM into an all-in-one solution. Most products in the market contain features, including (but not limited to): - Payroll and financial data management - Employee lifecycle management - Compliance management - Automated attendance management - Automated benefits administration ### Benefits of Innovative HR Technologies for Companies Now that you’re up to speed with HR technology and the three main types, here’s how innovative HR technologies can help companies in the digital age: #### More Efficient and Targeted Recruitment Drives Finding and retaining talent in the New Normal is becoming extremely frustrating due to labor shortages and the evolving workplace environment. HR [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/transhumanism/) can help simplify, speed up, and improve hiring decisions as many modern solutions are equipped with tracking systems and resume filters that can help streamline interviews, rank candidates as per your skill and/or personality requirements, and other relevant factors. In short, it can help you hire the right people for the position. #### Automated Payroll Processes No employee likes delays in receiving their paychecks. Yet, many small businesses with manual HR processes or outdated systems can experience different challenges when managing the payroll process, such as errors, downtimes, and manual calculations (wage, overtime, travel, benefits, etc.). With modern solutions, HR teams can automate their payroll functions and minimize delays. #### Real-Time Employee Data Analytics Using real-time employee data analytics, HR teams can monitor employee [performance](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-real-world-examples-of-automated-workplaces/), attendance, task completion, and other key indicators that contribute to the overall success of your organization. With HR technology, they can figure out what haltering progress and adjust their operational planning and policies accordingly, thus, reducing hiring expenditure and turnover. #### Less Data-Entry Errors With paper-based or multiple systems, your HR teams are more prone to making data-entry errors, which can lead to time wastage and unnecessary costs. By opting for innovative HR technology systems, you can minimize manual processes and automate several redundant tasks by integrating and centralizing information. This can help simplify payroll, reporting, and performance management and improve operational efficiency in the process. #### More Time for Other Activities Let’s face it. It takes significantly longer to complete HR tasks without using HR software, especially when working in a large organization with multiple departments and systems. Time equates to money, and any time spent on fixing errors or redundant/repetitive manual processes can be used for other business activities, such as HR strategy development, improving administrative skills, and learning new software. #### Real-Time Feedback Generation Employee feedback is gradually becoming more important as the modern workforce continues to evolve. HR teams need to know what makes the employees within their organization happy and satisfied, so they can cater to their needs more effectively. With an automated HR system, employees can give real-time feedback to the HR department instead of waiting for quarterly, semi-annual, and annual meetings. ### Wrapping Up By adopting the latest software solutions and practices in the market, you can automate several key HR functions and boost operational efficiency at your workplace. Many modern solutions are cloud-based, meaning you don’t have to spend heavily on upgrading your [IT infrastructure](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with new or advanced hardware, although that will help further fuel your transformation initiatives. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 6 Dog Breeds for Warmer Regions URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/6-dog-breeds-for-warmer-regions/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:54.000Z Enduring the heat in the summer months is not easy for us humans, even though we have access to chilled beverages, blasting ACs, and the beach to beat triple-digit temperatures. Dogs, on the other hand, do not have any of those facilities or avenues to kill the heat during the summertime. So, unsurprisingly they are less likely to handle heat well. However, some dog breeds have a natural mechanism to weather warm climates better than others, making them a suitable pet choice for people living in warmer regions. ### Warm Weather Tolerating Canine Features Speaking from an anatomical perspective, dogs with less to no hair, a thin coat, and a long snout to cool down the breathed air are better at handling the heat in the summertime. If you live in tropical parts of the world, you should consider getting a dog with said physical features. Still, to give you a clearer idea, here are six dog breeds for warmer regions to pick a pet from. #### The Great Dane ![Great Dane ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/great-dane.jpg) Not only are Great Danes warm weather tolerant but are also pretty much warm-weather obsessed, which makes them an excellent pet choice for tropical areas. Their lean bodies and thin coats allow them to stay comfortable in summer. These super large dogs are quite lazy and love to spend all day on the couch, earning them the title of canine couch potatoes. Great Danes are undoubtedly one of the best dog breeds for warmer regions; however, they do need some supervision when in the sun. To put it simply, you shouldn’t leave your four-legged couch potato unattended for long durations under the sun as prolonged exposure can be dangerous for them and understandably so. No living creature is designed to weather the sun for hours on end as that can lead to heatstroke. Great Danes are no different that way. These massive canines are well suited for the summer; they shouldn’t be left out for too long, especially if they have a dark-colored coat. Dark-colored dogs tend to heat up quickly due to their skin which absorbs heat faster than light-colored fur. Therefore, keep your dark days out of the sun, at least for some part of the day. #### Chihuahuas ![Chihuahuas](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/chihuahuas.jpg) Chihuahuas are no stranger to warm climates as they originated in the hot Mexican desert. So naturally, they are a suitable dog breed to adopt if you live in a tropical region. The small-sized Chihuahua has a lean body and a skinny coat, making it a lot easier for them to put up with the sun. Therefore, these petite dogs do well in triple-digit temperatures. Plus, they are low-maintenance canines ideal for first-time dog parents. If you live in a warm state and wish to adopt your first dog, the tiny Chihuahua might be the one for you. #### German Shorthaired Pointers ![German Shorthaired Pointers](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/german-shorthaired-pointers.jpg) The droopy-eared German shorthaired pointer is another remarkable breed option for a pet if you live in a warm-weather place. These incredibly agile canines have a short, flat coat that regulates temperatures well. They don’t have an undercoat and love to take a dip in the water, which means they will jump in the water without reservation to cool down if the weather gets unbearably hot, even for them. Shorthaired pointers are excellent canine companions as they would do everything with their owners. Be it swimming, running, or hiking, your shorthaired pointer will accompany you everywhere. If you are looking for a faithful companion that will stay with you through it all, you should definitely consider adopting a German shorthaired pointer. #### Australian Cattle Dog ![Australian Cattle Dog](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/australian-cattle-dog.jpg) The Australian cattle dog is one of the most active dogs in the animal kingdom. These sprinters love to run, jump, hike, herd, basically do everything to exhaust their energies. They have a flat, double, water-resistant coat to wade waters and regulate the atmospheric temperature, making them perfect for the summer. You can take your Australian canine companion for a jog or hike under the sun for long hours, and they would move happily with you without slowing down. However, be sure to rub sunscreen on your fur friend’s tummy and all other furless parts of their body to keep them safe from getting sunburnt. If you want to have a lithe dog, a cattle dog from Down Under can be the one for you. #### The American Foxhound ![The American Foxhound](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/the-american-foxhound.jpg) American foxhounds are among the few American native breeds known for their endless energy and eagerness to move all the time. They have a shorthaired coat ideal for regulating the temperature in the summer. These quick-on-the-feet dogs are generally friendly and can seem submissive, but they also have their moments when they can be determinedly stubborn. Therefore, they need to be trained hard to work well as family pets. Airedale Terriers Airedale terriers may seem unfit for warm climates due to their thick coat, but that’s not the case. While they have fuzzy coats, they don’t have an underlay, which makes it easier for them to survive in hot summers. Moreover, they have long and curly hair that can be trimmed a bit further towards the skin in the summertime to keep them from heating up. Like American foxhounds and German shorthaired pointers, Airedale terriers are impressively active and do not enjoy being cooped up indoors. So, if you get an Airedale [canine](https://happybreath.com/dog-junkie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) companion, be sure to take them out for physical activity and let them enjoy the outdoors. Although Airedale terriers can tolerate the warm weather, their paws need protection against seething surfaces like rocks. You can use anti-slip paw grips to keep your fuzzy friend’s feet from burning in the summer. These fuzzy dogs love to play in both the water and on land. You can take them to a mountain or the beach, and they’ll have a grand ball time at both locations. If you want a fluffy four-legged friend to snuggle, play or work out with, an Airedale terrier will be an ideal pet for you. ### Wrap it up If you live in a warm state, be sure to pick a [dog](https://puccicafe.com/adoptions/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that can handle the heat for adoption. Even if you have your heart set on a particular breed, you should always consider its warm-weather tolerance to make sure that you have a happy pet. Check out our companies for awesome sustainable gear for your pup: [Happy Breath](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [PUCCI Cafe. ](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why You Must Implement Digital Learning Tools for Your Company URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-you-must-implement-digital-learning-tools-for-your-company/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:55.000Z Digital Learning | If there is one mantra businesses worldwide have learned to live by since the last couple of years, it’s to expect the unexpected. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business as usual, forcing companies to revamp their operations, accelerate their transformation initiatives, adopt a series of new practices and models to ensure stability and continuity. During this time, a new trend emerged worldwide as the pandemic forced schools and colleges to close their doors – remote or online education. By using digital learning tools and [platforms](https://bobbydavidson.com/success-digital-economy/), teachers and educational institutions were able to continue their programs online. Although digital learning was already a growing concept, the pandemic accelerated its adoption on a global scale and allowed one of the most traditional industries to go digital. During the lockdowns, employees faced similar challenges with introducing remote work models that required them to effectively use technology to carry out their everyday tasks and adopt new systems and processes to remain productive. This meant that there was a great need for [learning](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-analytics/) and education, not just in their respective fields and industries but on the digital landscape as a whole. With so many advancements in software, hardware, and cloud solutions, leaders have no choice but to keep up if they want to ensure continuity. In this article, I’ll explain why you must implement digital learning tools for your company to survive and thrive in the new normal. ![Learning Tools](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/learning-tools.jpg) ## The Importance of Digital Learning Tools For Your Company In case you’re still wondering why you must implement digital learning tools for your company, here are some of the most important reasons: ### 1\. Training and Development Before the pandemic, most businesses were accustomed to in-office training since remote work was an unpopular and unconventional model. However, following the events of the last couple of years, millions of employees were forced to work from their homes using their personal devices. One of the biggest impacts of this change was the disruption of workplace learning and employee training – both of which involved in-person meetings and seminars. Digital learning tools, such as Apty, TalentLMS, and others, have served as an alternative to help [businesses](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) provide effective training to employees, customers, and partners. These solutions help leaders in different ways, such as creating digital training courses, hosting training webinars, training content creation, etc. ### 2\. Improved Digital Operations With remote and hybrid work models becoming mainstream, businesses are constantly looking for ways to improve digital operations other than upgrading their IT infrastructures and adopting cloud-based solutions for different processes. However, before they can use these initiatives to their advantage, they need to ensure that their employees are capable of adopting them. By implementing digital learning tools, businesses can help their employees adopt new technologies and IT infrastructures to boost operational efficiency and productivity. ### 3\. More Innovation Digital learning tools spur employees to create, develop, and collaborate their ideas and thoughts with others. This is important in the modern business landscape as companies are looking for creative ideas that could give them an edge over competitors or ensure long-term survival. By expanding their [skill](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-roi/) sets, employees can offer more than their core expertise by taking on more responsibilities at their workplace and contributing to business decisions. ### 4\. Enhanced Agility Organizational training and learning needs are constantly changing according to market changes and technological advancements. Using the latest digital learning tools, businesses can improve agility and reflect upon those shifts in real-time. Unfortunately, you can’t expect the same from in-person, instructor-centric training since there’s typically a longer learning curve when you take the traditional route. A decade ago, this wouldn’t have been an issue. However, times have changed since the pandemic, and businesses can’t afford to waste time gathering resources and knowledge manually before sharing them with employees. Many digital learning tools allow businesses to create or update their training courses according to the trending market developments so they can foster the necessary skills for their employees. ### 5\. Improved Engagement Unlike traditional in-person meetings and training sections that usually involve long lectures and thick reading material, digital learning tools utilize a variety of simple formats from text to animation, videos, and gamification. Since every employee is different, offering a multitude of options can help business boost their training results by enabling learners to choose their preferred training methods. Moreover, it allows companies to set learning KPIs and measure results at a granular level since everything’s digital. ### 6\. Cost-Effective Training Hiring trainers and arranging in-person sessions usually comes at a high cost, in the form of equipment procurement, travel expenses, snacks, and even accommodation, to name a few. Digital [learning](https://bobbydavidson.com/9-digital-marketing-channels-you-should-consider-for-2022/) eliminates these costs and allows businesses to deliver their training sessions more cost-effectively. From a post-pandemic viewpoint, this makes more sense as the majority of small businesses are looking to curb unnecessary expenses and ensure workplace safety. ## Wrap Up Now that you understand a little more about the importance of digital learning tools for your company, it’s time to do your homework and adopt some of the most trending options in the market to reduce your skill gap and become more tech-savvy. The modern business landscape is rapidly evolving, and employees need to continually advance their capabilities to help minimize the operational impact of the next inevitable global crisis after COVID-19 by keeping up with the pace of technological change. All the above reasons make a strong case for adopting digital learning at your workplace in the new normal. For more information related to business technology and the latest [digital](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-transformation-technologies/) learning tools, check out my company Percento Technologies at [www.percento.us](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. Great teams ready to help you and your organization. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Highest Paid Entrepreneurs of 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-highest-paid-entrepreneurs-of-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:57.000Z Entrepreneurship is one of the most beneficial aspects of an [economy](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-best-movies-for-entrepreneurs-in-2021/). Need and innovation are its most common drivers, and some become successful enough to push the boundaries of progress. Luckily, talented entrepreneurs worldwide have accomplished incredible feats and earned recognition. The list of the highest-paid entrepreneurs of 2022 includes such people, reflecting their value. Tech and healthcare have received the most attention due to the pandemic in the past few years. Hence, several successful entrepreneurs belong to those industries. However, some people have attained [success](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthcare-and-medicine-in-2020/) in other sectors by leveraging the market forces and understanding consumer needs. This article will present some of the highest-paid entrepreneurs of 2022 belonging to two categories. One category is people who started their ventures relatively recently, while the others established themselves several years ago and dominated their industries. ### The Highest Paid Entrepreneurs of 2022 – Recent ![Entrepreneurs of 2022](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/entrepreneurs-of-2022.jpg) Following are recent entrepreneurs who have achieved the most success in the past few years: #### 1\. Tim Hwang A Princeton University graduate, Tim Hwang has risen to fame due to his great tech startup, FiscalNote. The organization leverages artificial intelligence and Big Data to analyze potential strategic decisions by the government. It uses advanced algorithms and intelligent forecasting to determine the overall impact of certain governmental decisions. Although the predictions aren't 100% certain, they are far more probable than most. It helps provide critical insight into the significance of legislation on finance, demographics, healthcare, etc. The best part is that this technology isn’t restricted to governments. You can apply the same principle of prediction to businesses to check the potential impact of their strategic decisions. #### 2\. Chris Winfield Chris Winfield has a unique business model but has found significant success. Owner and Founder of Super Connected Media, Chris established a brand that helped people understand the significance of connections. This service may look obvious, but fewer people have the skill to maintain their relationships with such a mindset. It became essential during the pandemic, as people struggled to find ways to socialize with their friends and family. #### 3\. Eric Poley Eric Poley understood the need of the hour, and it became a success story. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Sales for Opentrons’ Pandemic Response Lab and led some of the most significant pandemic healthcare projects. They successfully established the largest COVID-19 testing solutions, facilitated eldercare and city initiatives, and led innovation and growth. His success has also gained attention from the market. He is currently working with the government to expand the testing kit reach and has a net worth of $1.8 million. #### 4\. Sofia Castro Talk about making the right choices. Sofia Castro had $1,800 and decided to invest it in hopes of success. The investment turned out to be profitable, earning the lady over $400 million. Since their earlier investment was in real estate, Sofia has decided to explore the real estate industry and discover its potential. #### 5\. Dan Rodrigues Digital transformation and healthcare industries have been the highest growth and profit, but few have thought of combining the two. Dan's digital healthcare organization provides a secure cloud storage interface, allowing both parties to access data, coordinate and communicate. The most interesting detail is that this venture is not Mr. Dan’s first initiative. He has launched a few in the past that somewhat prepared him for creating this excellent business. #### 6\. Colin Walsh Colin is a former student of Cornell University, and he has made incredible progress. Mr. Collin has a good grasp of FinTech opportunities and is committed to distributing wealth responsibly, allowing people from all backgrounds to use the opportunity to save. #### 7\. Joanna Riley Joanna Riley is [passionate](https://bobbydavidson.com/women-entrepreneurs/) about economics and founded Censia to improve stability in the global economy. She fiercely believes in creating a holistic work environment for people and leverages the AI's power to help clients find the most talented people who are the best suited for the role. However, those achievements aren't the only reasons Riley is famous. She is a woman in tech, and her presence in the industry alone serves as motivation for women with the same interests. Overall, the abovementioned entrepreneurs are people who have made their mark through diligent research, planning, and resource optimization. ### The Highest Paid Entrepreneurs of 2022 – Overall There is no ignoring the wealthiest industry giants who also rose to fame as [entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/super-successful-entrepreneurs-giving-back/) and built empires through capabilities. Following are the names of the people who have continued to perform exceptionally in the past few decades: ![Highest Paid](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/highest-paid.jpg) #### 1\. Jeff Bezos Jeff Bezos may have stepped down from Amazon's management, but he remains one of the most successful [entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/entrepreneurs-take-time-off/). What started as an online marketplace for books in a garage in 1994 has become one of the biggest e-commerce platforms. The company's success allowed Jeff Bezos to become the wealthiest person in the world until Elon Musk overtook him in early 2021\. Bezos's secret to success lies in his strategic vision and ability to find profitable commercial applications for the latest technological innovations. #### 2\. Bill Gates The Microsoft founder and renowned philanthropist started his company in 1975 with Paul Allen. His entrepreneurial mindset, ability to forecast future development, and willingness to take risks paid off and helped him make Microsoft one of the biggest names in the industry. Bill Gates recently left his position at Microsoft to give more time to [philanthropy](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com); however, his shareholding in the company and previous wealth keep him among the wealthiest people in the world. #### 3\. Larry Page The co-founder of Google (and the current CEO and co-founder of Alphabet) needs no introduction. Few people could have predicted that this technological venture by two Stanford University Ph.D. students would change how we use the internet. Google has become one of the most used search engines worldwide and pushed Larry Page to the list of the wealthiest people. However, Larry's wealth doesn't come from simply continuing to improve Google. He and Sergey Brin launched Alphabet in 2015, hoping to diversify and explore other tech [ventures](https://puccicafe.com/pucci-talk/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to remain ahead. ### Wrapping Up We hope you found this article informative and enjoyed reading about the highest-paid entrepreneurs of 2022\. For more information on the companies I own, visit my about me page at [bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) ### 5 Things Your Beach Dog wants you to Know URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-your-beach-dog-wants-you-to-know/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:59.000Z Summer is often considered the season for adventures for all the right reasons. There is a lot to explore with warm temperatures, great outdoors, and longer days all calling out your name. Summers are especially pleasant for us [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) parents as we plan on spending the summertime outside with our four-legged buddies. So, are you planning to take your furry buddy to the beach? The beach is normally the most popular choice to have fun and beat the heat simultaneously. As the temperatures start rising, you may feel excited to take your pup to the beach. What can you expect, though? Chances are you know some [dog-friendly](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) beaches, but what does that mean? The prospect of taking your dog to the beach may raise some questions; what should you bring to the beach? Which beach should you go to? Besides these questions, we also need to understand what our furry family members want us to know. Our dogs also need to stay calm and cool. To help you out, we have shortlisted five things about beaches you should know when taking your dog to the beach. Let’s get started! ## 5 Things to Know About Beaches Here are five things to know about beaches when taking your dog there: ### 1\. Check if it’s a Dog-Friendly Beach It is not usually hard to find dog-friendly beaches, but it’s always better to be careful and do your research. Many beaches have rules in place. For instance, they might require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash and stay out of certain areas If you plan on going to a particular beach, make sure to call the management and familiarize yourself with all the rules of that beach. Furthermore, if you like to let your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) roam free, you need to find a beach that allows [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) to run off-leash. If you can’t have fun with your four-legged buddy, what’s the point of taking them to the beach? If you’re going on a trip away from home, it’s good to have contact details for emergency veterinary clinics in case your puppy runs into trouble. You also need to keep in mind that your trip might require more traveling than you expected. Therefore, you need to have driving breaks so your pup can use the bathroom and stretch. ### 2\. A Big No to Sea Water Your dog drinking seawater is one thing you’d surely want to avoid on the beach. Your four-legged buddy will happily drink salt water if they’re thirsty and don’t have access to fresh water. However, salt water is actually bad for your pup as the salt causes dehydration. Dogs do not know how dangerous this can be for their health. So, you need to ensure to take fresh water with you so your buddy can drink it when it’s thirsty. You can find plenty of lightweight bowls that allow dogs to drink fresh water and stay hydrated. Your dog will love to drink fresh, clean water to quench their thirst. If your does accidentally drink seawater, keep an eye on symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, or unstable feet to determine if your dog is sick and dehydrated. If your pup exhibits any of these signs, try to contact emergency clinics immediately for support. ### 3\. Keep Your Dog in Shade ![Beach Shade](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/beach-shade.jpg) Dogs can suffer from heatstroke faster than human beings because of their fur coat. Besides offering fresh water, keeping your dog in the shade will give them relief from the scorching sun. If they have a shaded place to rest, they can cool down and reduce their body temperature if the day gets hotter. There are multiple products you can pick to provide shelter to your buddy. A big, shady [umbrella](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) you can prop up near your resting spot is the easiest solution. Moreover, you can also consider sunshades and beach tents. These products are designed to deal with humidity and wind and are made to remain secured on the sand. To offer further protection to your buddy, you can consider different sunscreens made especially for pets. However, you can also use sunscreen made for babies since it does not have zinc and is safe for your dog. If you are using pet sunscreen for your dog, pay special attention to ears, nose, back, and stomach. ### 4\. Can Your ? If you’re taking your four-legged buddy to the beach, you must first make sure they’re not scared of the water or beach in general. If you’re introducing your pup to the beach for the first time, make sure you do it slowly. ![Dog Swim](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/dog-swim.jpg) If your dog is not diving right into the water, do not force your pup to jump in. It might be better if you jump in the water first and call them in later. If you are unsure, it’s a good idea to bring dog life vest along with you. Not every dog knows how to swim. Some breeds like Standard Poodles and Irish Setters are naturally best at swimming, while breeds like Bulldogs find it hard to swim in more than two inches of water. Before going to the [beach](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) with your pup, let them get familiar with the water by training and practicing in a kiddy pool. In this way, your pup will feel comfortable diving in the water when you take them to the beach. ### 5\. Be Aware of Beach Safety Even if you are new to the pet thing, you must know that dogs tend to get into scrapes. Follow the tips below to mitigate the risk of injury or illness for your puppy: *• Before you let your buddy roam around the beach, make sure to clean the area so your pup does not eat or play with any sharp objects, such as cans, broken bottles, etc.* *• Protect your friend’s paws by making them wear boots and goggles made for dogs for protection.* *• Ensure your pup is wearing a collar with ID, including your contact details, every time you take them out. If your buddy gets separated from you, whoever finds your pup can contact you.* ## Final Words To sum it up, taking your dog to the beach is a great way to enjoy the summer season to its [fullest](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). However, without proper preparations and appropriate knowledge about beaches, you may ruin your [trip](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Hence, always remember these five things your beach dog wants you to know to give an amazing beach experience to your four-legged buddy. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### A New Campaign to Help Ukraine Startups, With a Silicon Valley-style Launch URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/a-new-campaign-to-help-ukraine-startups-with-a-silicon-valley-style-launch/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:59.000Z Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, thousands of businesses, celebrities, and individuals worldwide have come forward to do their part in helping the people and saving the economy. One of the most notable efforts so far has been made by 33-year-old Andrey Klen, the co-founder of Oo, a virtual design lab for tech & lifestyle startups, and CMO of laser-toy maker Petcube. To help save Ukraine’s economy and keep it buoyant, Andrey launched a campaign with a Silicon Valley-style launch called Spend With Ukraine. In this post, we’ll dive deeper into his efforts and how this campaign is helping hundreds of startups and small businesses in the country survive and sell globally by providing them with hundreds of gadgets, applications, and services on a single [website](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Spend With Ukraine to Help Ukraine – Andrey’s Ambitious Mission Andrey, along with with the co-founder of both companies, Alex Neskin, had moved from Kyiv to the San Francisco Bay area in 2021 along with their families. Following the tensions, Klen and Neskin helped over 25 employees relocate to Western Ukraine, other parts of Europe, and even the US. Klein was still in the country running his [companies](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-challenges-of-running-a-business-in-ukraine/) when the bombings started – one of which fell less than a mile from his residence in Kyiv. So, he had to temporarily resettle in Lviv near Poland's border. Many employees who had left the [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/) to join the army or to relocate to another country were paid salary in full. Petcube became fully remote overnight and has donated over 1.5 million hryvnias to local defense groups. In contrast, O0, the design firm, is primarily focused on helping the country in a unique way – not through donations, military aid, or other humanitarian drives. Instead, it took a different tack in saving the country by enabling direct purchasing from hundreds of Ukrainian companies, including startups and small [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-tech-labor-shortage-is-only-set-to-grow/). Spend With Ukraine currently features over 100 Ukrainian brands offering a wide range of products and services from gadgets, productivity apps (Grammarly, Respeecher, etc.), education apps (Preply, CodeGym, etc.), and Creativity apps (Depositphotos, MorningPages, etc.), to name a few. Popular services include: *▪ Fuel Finance* *▪ Awesomic* *▪ Prnews.io* *▪ Adwisely* *▪ Lemon* *▪ Delfast* *▪ Comeback Mobility* *▪ LaMetric* *▪ SolarGaps* *▪ AxDraft* *▪ Sembly* *▪ Beetroot Academy* *▪ Nebula* *▪ Looqme* *▪ Travellizy* *▪ Reply.io, etc.* Similarly, some of the most popular agencies on the site include: *▪ Banda* *▪ O0 Design* *▪ Radioaktive* *▪ CREVV* *▪ ANGRY Agency* *▪ Hellogroza, etc.* Andrey announced the campaign launch in April 2022 in a YouTube video featuring many locals wearing traditional outfits and others wielding rocket launchers. The video was dubbed over with a feminine voice saying, “We are the people you may have heard about. We are the people of Ukraine.” The video continued with the voice pleading with the world for help before a series of flashed short clips popped up showing several Ukrainian startups offering a vast range of products and [services](https://bobbydavidson.com/on-demand-concept/). It featured some heavyweights from several industries, such as Grammarly, the typing-assistant app, Ajaz Systems, a globally renowned security company, and Reface, the popular face-swapping app. In an interview, Klen said that the disaster has brought a sense of unity to the people of Ukraine and that this unity will serve as the country’s biggest strength in winning the war. He also talked about the “behind the curtain” activities to get this campaign up and running, especially highlighting how difficult it was considering more than half of his employees were either displaced or living in war. In terms of the proposition, the business idea is fairly straightforward. The [website](https://bobbydavidson.com/startup-leaders-should-pay-themselves/) encourages the international community (consumers) to buy Ukrainian products and services and support the economy. The campaign also encourages both locals and startups to share their UA products and services so that Klen can add them to the list of value offerings. You can send an email at hello@ozero.design, and the team will get back to you promptly. ### More Companies and Leaders Helping Ukraine Of course, Andrey and Alex aren’t the only ones helping Ukraine in this fight. Hundreds of celebrities, businesses, charities, and local/international citizens are helping the country in one way or the other. Whether it’s through donations, manpower, equipment, or supplies, here are a few companies and leaders are helping the country stay on its feet: *▪ Wells Fargo* *▪ PayPal* *▪ Ford Motor Company* *▪ Intel* *▪ Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX/Twitter, etc.)* *▪ Amazon* *▪ Andrey Liscovich (Ukranian-born Silicon Valley Executive and former CEO of Uber Works)* *▪ Airbnb* *▪ Talbots* *▪ Orange Group* *▪ Swisscom, etc.* ### Wrap It Up Andrew Klein and many others like him believe that the world needs to come together to help save Ukraine amidst the war with Russia. He believes that the Spend With Ukraine campaign can help keep hundreds of businesses running and fuel the economy, which can indirectly build and support the army. Essentially, all the money that goes into this campaign will be used to help Ukraine. Undoubtedly, Ukraine is home to hundreds of industry-leading products and services, so helping the country by investing in them is a mutually-beneficial action. You get access to your [favorite](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) productivity and creative apps, etc., while the country gets the financial resources it needs to buy essential war supplies. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Tech Labor Shortage Is Only Set to Grow URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-tech-labor-shortage-is-only-set-to-grow/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:10:59.000Z The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the business world almost beyond recognition with a series of disruptions in the last two years. Although things are gradually returning to normal in terms of operations, major changes have occurred in America’s labor force. In 2021, nearly 48 million people quit their jobs for different [reasons](https://bobbydavidson.com/inflation-hits-a-40-year-high-and-businesses-ponder-the-possibility-of-recession/), such as better work-life balance, fatigue, toxic environments, or health concerns. This period has been referred to as The Great Resignation. Over time, it gradually transformed into The Great Reshuffle as hiring rates quickly outpaced quit rates as industries revamped their recruitment strategies. A recent report from Gartner showed that nearly 60% of IT leaders reported a tech labor shortage that is haltering their transformation drive and technology investments in the new normal. As a result, many companies are looking for alternative ways to secure and retain the right talent, such as apprenticeships, so they can transform more rapidly and compete with others in their respective industries. In this article, I’ll dive deeper into the causes of the tech [labor](https://bobbydavidson.com/self-serving-technology/) shortage in the US and the rise of apprenticeships as a smart alternative to conventional recruitment. ### The Main Causes of Tech Labor Shortage in the US The tech labor shortage has been around long before the pandemic with the rapid influx of technologies and solutions and the declining number of tech-savvy professionals. All COVID-19 did was widen the skills gap further. Here are some of the main causes of the [labor](https://bobbydavidson.com/employees-hire-the-best/) shortage in the US today: #### 1\. Non-Flexible Work One of the positive highlights of the pandemic was the acceptance of flexible working hours. During this period, businesses prioritized getting things done between 9 and 5 (conventional business hours). This flexibility allowed workers to enjoy more freedom in completing their daily tasks and activities. Now that businesses have reopened, many companies are returning to their old ways, and employees aren’t having it. They’re now accustomed to autonomy and want to work according to their convenience. #### 2\. Lack of Remote or Hybrid Work Models During lockdowns, millions of workers enjoyed a practice frowned upon by the business world – remote work. Of course, this time, companies had no other choice if they wanted to survive. Unfortunately, many backward companies quickly forced employees to return to their workplace instead of embracing remote work long-term or at least introducing a hybrid model. Thus, many employees quit working for companies where these models are offered and preferred. #### 3\. Burnout Is on the Rise For years, the technical workforce has been experiencing a 9-5 grind by [employers](https://bobbydavidson.com/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/), resulting in massive burnout. During the pandemic, many employees had to take on extra duties without extra pay to keep their jobs, as some employers sought to seize this opportunity to exploit them. When the tables eventually turned, employees left for better opportunities, and many are still out there. ### The Rise of Apprenticeships Since 2021, many industries, including trade, manufacturing, construction, IT, healthcare, and others, have started embracing apprenticeship as the go-to employment strategy for the future. This innovative recruitment system enables tech professionals to get into the workforce while studying for formal qualifications. It’s similar to internships. However, the key difference is that it’s full-time. This approach makes perfect sense for modern employers. It allows them to kill two birds with one stone – deal with the labor shortage in technology and recruit talent that is up to date with the latest concepts and practices. This makes training and onboarding much easier. To candidates, it offers a full-time position in their respective industries with pre-graduation experience and a regular paycheck. As a result, there’s plenty of growing competition in this space as employers are finally seeing and reaping its benefits, such as: *▪ Time saved in recruiting and developing a skilled workforce for business growth.* *▪ Enhanced productivity, profitability, and bottom line due to more energy from unproven talent and relatively lesser pay than experienced professionals.* *▪ Flexible training options for upskilling and concept development.* *▪ Fewer liabilities.* *▪ Increased employee retention, depending on the work environment, pay, and perks.* ### Other Ways to Cope with Tech Labor Shortage Of course, apprenticeship isn’t the only solution to the shortage problem. Here are other great ways to cope with the ongoing tech labor shortage in the US: #### 1\. Upskilling and Training Existing Staff If you cannot hire skilled labor for [different](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-your-best-employees/) reasons, you can upskill your existing staff and train them to meet your requirements. With training, you can help employees pick up new concepts and skills that could open them to new roles and responsibilities in your company. #### 2\. Flexible Work Arrangements As mentioned above, one of the main reasons employees quit their jobs is the lack of flexibility. So, if you’re looking to cope with the shortage, perhaps, giving employees or candidates what they want is the key to hiring or retaining talent. This practice will increase job satisfaction and [improve your overall environment](https://percento.us/about-percento/careers/careers-form/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). You can also consider allowing them to work remotely or introduce a hybrid schedule. #### 3\. Hire Internationally Just because there’s a tech labor shortage in the US doesn’t mean the shortage is global. There are millions of people willing to work with American businesses. We’re living in the golden age of outsourcing and freelancing, and thousands of US companies are widening their candidate pool and saving costs in the process. ### Wrap It Up Modern companies have realized that following the Great Resignation in 2021, they have to pay extra attention to their recruitment strategy and offer more to candidates and employees than before. The options are [plenty](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), whether it’s a more flexible schedule, [better pay](https://puccicafe.com/join-our-team/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), or other tangible and intangible benefits. You just have to look for the right balance to ensure both parties get a win-win solution. For more emerging news from the business world, follow my socials (icons below) to be alerted to my articles. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How an Ethical Workplace Can Positively Impact Your Bottom Line URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-an-ethical-workplace-can-positively-impact-your-bottom-line/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:00.000Z A lot has changed in the business world in the last few decades. We've transitioned through the age of industrial entrepreneurs to the production and marketing era and are now neck-deep into the relationship era. Modern organizations are mainly focused on building products and brand image in the hope that enough [customers](https://bobbydavidson.com/disciplined-work-habits/) will buy from them to generate healthy revenue. Many are also taking a careful approach to actively nurture employee loyalty and build a transformative culture in which employees not only adapt to different situations but develop innovative (and profitable) solutions to ensure continuity and success. The last thing you want as a [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/next-generation-of-entrepreneurs/) is a misstep that hurts your relationship with these valuable stakeholders. This is especially true for startups and small businesses that typically lack the resources to recover from a reputation setback. Therefore, they need to prevent any mistake, bad decision, or wrongdoing that can damage everything they've built. The best way to do this is by understanding the importance of business ethics. The fact is, most businesses remain blissfully unaware of the relationship between ethical practices and profitability. Therefore, in this post, we’ll share how an ethical workplace can positively impact your bottom line. ### How Business Ethics Improve Your Bottom Line Ethical practices can improve your bottom line in the following ways: #### 1\. Increased Employee Productivity The modern workforce, which typically includes millennials and gen Xers, wants more than just a paycheck from their [employers](https://bobbydavidson.com/online-business-marketing-9-effective-ways-for-brands-to-build-trust-on-social-media/). They want their organizations to treat them fairly and care about them. In return, they work harder and longer to ensure the company reaches its goals. For instance, many businesses choose to pay below-market wages to employees that are unlikely to find better opportunities. In contrast, others make the moral choice to offer good pay even though they don't have to. This trade-off offers several other benefits along with improved productivity, such as loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing. #### 2\. Greater Customer Loyalty Many businesses are susceptible to making shady [decisions](https://bobbydavidson.com/boosting-sales-social-media/) to make a quick sale. For example, some fail to fully disclose the terms and conditions of their business and use a customer's unawareness to their advantage. In most cases, customers are at a disadvantage even with the abundance of information available at their fingertips. As a result, they often succumb to questionable deals and never do business with them again. The penalty for the business, in this case, is the lost customer, and if you know anything about sales, it costs a lot more to acquire a customer than to retain one. More importantly, with social media being ubiquitous, there's no place for businesses to hide. Unsatisfied customers waste no time sharing their negative experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. In the end, these companies often make a few dollars in the short run while losing thousands in the long run. #### 3\. Reduced Costs Many popular brands, such as Microsoft, [PUCCI Cafe](https://puccicafe.com/adoptions/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), Disney, Adidas and [Happy Breath](https://happybreath.com/activism/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) invest in many social responsibility initiatives and environmental drives to maintain a positive image in their respective communities. By aiming to have a positive social impact and make a profit, many businesses are seeing significant reductions in expenditure. For instance, PepsiCo Inc recently announced that it saved nearly $380 million since taking on different sustainability initiatives like waste reduction, green supply chain, energy conservation, and green packaging. #### 4\. Changing Consumer Sentiment Businesses rely on customers to generate sales and revenue. Today, there's strong evidence suggesting that modern consumers are more likely to purchase from ethical brands with social initiatives, such as public development and environmental drives. Some are even willing to pay more for their products to give them a competitive edge over unethical businesses operating within the same industry. For instance, as per a recent report, workers from Amazon warehouses in China were paid well below living wages. This news led to social media outrage against Amazon and a drop in its sales. #### 5\. Growth Opportunities Startups and small businesses usually attract new customers to generate sales and revenue. One effective way to do that is by building mutually beneficial relationships, such as joint ventures, partnerships, and affiliations, to name a few. However, you need to have more than a great product or service to reap the benefits these opportunities provide. By creating an ethical workplace, you can significantly increase another company's or person's willingness to do business with you. #### 6\. Positive Brand Image Businesses that establish high ethical standards in their workplace culture can become leaders in their respective industries. Not only do they make the headlines on most mainstream and social media platforms. However, they also win awards in multiple categories and boast positive reviews on most professional sites, such as [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyjdavidson/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The most ethical brands also find it relatively easier to attract and retain customers by building a good perception of their products, services, and practices. #### 7\. No Bad Publicity Companies with low ethical standards usually make the headlines for the wrong reasons and acquire a bad reputation due to shady practices, questionable policies, and faulty products. They're usually subject to frequent complaints and scrutiny on mainstream and social media. Negative press usually leads to a significant impact on sales and profits. If the negative news about a company becomes public, most consumers start avoiding its value offerings. ### Wrap It Up The [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/minimalist-business-practices-how-minimalism-can-improve-your-business/) world is rapidly evolving. Even minute changes significantly impact your operational efficiency and brand reputation. By learning how business ethics improve your bottom line, you can create an ethical workplace by igniting cultural change across every department within your organization and setting the tone from the top. You can also take on different environmental or social initiatives. You can gain your community support and build better relationships with new and returning customers with such initiatives. For more information about our companies, [Click to visit](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Free LinkedIn Tricks for Recruiters Looking to Hire Top Talent URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/free-linkedin-tricks-for-recruiters-looking-to-hire-top-talent/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:00.000Z With over 700 million users in 200+ countries, LinkedIn is undoubtedly the most popular social media platform for professional connections. While most people see it as the go-to place for job hunting and networking, the platform has seen a major shift in usage as thousands of businesses now use it as a recruitment tool to hire the best talent in their respective industries. However, with increasing demand for skilled candidates following the pandemic, hiring top [talent](https://bobbydavidson.com/boosting-sales-social-media/) is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with remote and hybrid work models trending. So, if you’re looking to up your hiring game, minimize employee turnover, and reduce recruitment costs, keep reading to learn eight free LinkedIn tips for recruiters. ### 8 Great Tricks for LinkedIn Recruiters #### 1\. Update Your LinkedIn Company Profile After signing up on LinkedIn, the first thing you need to do is create your company profile. Job hunters will see this page when they click on your company name in their feed or search results. Therefore, you need to ensure your profile clearly and concisely communicates your company's information, including products and services, interests, values, and other relevant information. To improve visibility quickly, you can add your SEO or PPC keywords into your profile and the content you post to attract specific candidates. #### 2\. Create Job Posts or Job Slots Creating job posts is one of the most important free LinkedIn features, especially for companies with little or no advertising budget. So, if you own a small business or don't need to hire too many employees, you can use this tool to attract job hunters in the vicinity. Make sure you add your company, job description, location, and any relevant information for better results. However, if you're looking to hire more often, you can opt for LinkedIn's Recruiter program, which you can use to create Job Slots. This feature includes different filters so you can receive a refined list of candidates based on the job description and post criteria. Today, there are over 20 million open jobs on LinkedIn, so you need to stand out. One effective trick is to treat your post like a blog or story with graphical content. You can download free [LinkedIn](https://bobbydavidson.com/employees-hire-the-best/) job posting templates and browse through content ideas online. #### 3\. Encourage Employee Advocacy Although you're tasked with recruitment, you shouldn't be the only one posting about job openings in your company. Along with official job posts, you can ask your current employees to post on LinkedIn using their personal profiles and include other relevant information, like their achievements, work environment, and types of projects. These posts create brand awareness and build trust among candidates, as employees play a crucial role in humanizing the communication and getting prospects to open up more regarding their expertise and experiences. #### 4\. Use the LinkedIn Sales Navigator LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a paid solution companies use to help sales teams tap into the platform's extensive network to build professional relationships and land more (and better) deals. If your sales team uses this tool as one of their paid channels, you can use it to message people outside your network, making it a good tool for hunting candidates within a refined and actively monitored network. By saving key candidates, you can create a recruitment map and use TeamLink along with other advanced search features to identify connections. #### 5\. Use InMail to Reach Candidates One of the most popular LinkedIn tricks you can use to improve recruitment is leveraging the InMail feature, which helps you reach out to candidates you're not connected to on the platform. Research suggests that this feature boasts an average response rate of 85%. This figure is three times higher than traditional email platforms. You can use it to ensure you don't miss out on top [talent](https://bobbydavidson.com/us-economy-added-jobs/) when they send their resume using inMail. #### 6\. Search LinkedIn through Text Messaging If you're looking to hire employees within the US, you can use LinkedIn's text messaging hack, allowing users to search instantly using their phone's SMS feature. This feature can help recruiters who don't have access to the internet or a smartphone when they’re in a position where they want to find out about someone’s professional background. #### 7\. Optimize Your Profile for SEO Most job seekers typically start their journeys with a Google [search](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-train-your-employees-on-phishing-attempts/). Therefore, if you want them to find your company’s LinkedIn profile, you need to work your search engine optimization strategy to improve visibility. For example, you can post specific keywords in your specialties section and professional headlines. You can also add your website and other social media platform links to your account information. #### 8\. Join Relevant Groups If you're looking to use LinkedIn for free, you need to spend more time on it. You have to join several relevant groups related to your industry, location, job descriptions, and business models. Groups are great access points for companies to pose jobs as they usually include hundreds or even thousands of members. At its core, [LinkedIn](https://bobbydavidson.com/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/) is a social network. Therefore, the only way you will attract your target audience is by increasing your interactions in multiple groups. ### Wrap Up A lot has changed in the business world since the COVID-19 pandemic started. With new work models and changing employee sentiments, hiring and retaining top talent has become even more challenging than before. However, by employing some or all of our free LinkedIn tricks for recruiters, you can drastically improve your overall recruitment strategy and connect with the best [candidates](https://puccicafe.com/join-our-team/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the market. For more information about [business](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) technology and practices, visit Percento Technologies today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Training Your Dog for Post-Pandemic Life URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/training-your-dog-for-post-pandemic-life/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:01.000Z Training your dog for post-pandemic life can be difficult because we all know that they are creatures of routine. During the pandemic life, they may have gotten used to spending lots of time with their owners. However, as COVID vaccinations increase and the official numbers start to go down, your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) will have to start preparing to spend some time alone at home while you go back to work. Even though dogs will be sad when their owners go from spending all day with them to spending just a few hours at home, they are resilient creatures. With a little bit of training, they should be able to adapt to post-pandemic life. Whether you are worried about how your puppy will deal with guests after not having any stranger in the house for months or what it will do when you go to work, this article will help you quell your anxiety. #### 1\. Start By Preparing Your Dog from Now You might think that once you go to work for a couple of days, your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) will understand what's happening, and it will be easier to prep them. Do not make that mistake. Before your dog goes back to spending time alone, it needs to build up its confidence. The key to training your dog for post-pandemic life is to push them to be successful while avoiding failure till later on in the learning process. Start by encouraging your dog to be alone for 30 seconds and then go up to two or three hours in one go. Remain patient as you don't want to rush the process and trigger a bad reaction from your dog. New routines should always be introduced slowly and gradually. Think about what your usual workday would look like in a post-pandemic world and start by waking up, feeding, and walking your dog according to it. Then, introduce a consistent schedule where you leave your dog alone and lock yourself up in another room so that your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) becomes used to the routine. Initially, you want to start with short departures every day and then slowly leave your dog alone for long periods of time. #### 2\. Make Sure Your Dog is Active When You are Home If you want to prevent bad behavior, you need to ensure that before you leave, your dog has had lots of stimulation and exercise. By burning off the extra energy, your dog will be more relaxed and is likely to follow orders without giving you a hard time. #### 3\. Give Your Dog a Job Before You Leave If you leave your dog alone without an aim, it will find ways to entertain itself. Let's admit it; you may not be a fan of this, especially if you come home to your entire shoe closet overturned, with each shoe chewed on. To prevent this, all you need to do is give your dog something to keep them busy till you come back home. By giving your dog a task to complete when you leave, you are encouraging them to focus on it till you come back home. Use the "place" command so that your dog stays in the same spot for an extended period of time. You can also invest in some mentally stimulating puzzles, toys, or snuffle mats. These will work as the dog's home-alone toys, so you want to have to worry about them when you leave for work. #### 4\. Don't Make a Big Deal when Leaving the House Dogs are extremely intelligent creatures. They can pick up cues and emotions from their pet parents. This means that if you seem stressed about leaving or make a big deal out of it, your dog will figure it out and will become upset or triggered. Hence, when you leave the house, it is best to keep things casual. Give your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) a treat each time you leave the house so that your dog associates leaving with something positive and does not become sad. #### 5\. Look Out for Signs of Distress When dogs become stressed out, they will express their anxiety in many different ways. This could be in the form of constantly whining or peeing around the house. They may also destroy furniture, chew on shoes, bark at strangers, aggressively chase squirrels, and turn to self-harm. If you find that you are coming home to some sort of destruction every single day, it is because your dog is anxious and terrified and hates the idea of you leaving the house for extended periods of time. This is a sign that you need to train your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) for post-pandemic life before it does something stupid. #### 6\. Do Not Leave Your Dog Alone for Too Long Have you noticed how your dog will act like an angel when you are around, only to become extremely destructive when you leave the house for too long? That is because [dogs](https://puccicafe.com/pucci-talk/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) should not be left alone for long periods of time. If you have some work planned ahead, it is best to drop your dog off at a daycare for doggies or get a pet sitter so that your [dog](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) does not get bored and does not spend too much time missing you. After all, leaving your dog alone for 12-hours is not only unfair, but it is also cruel. Dogs are energetic animals that need to spend time outdoors, interact with other dogs and people, take part in games, practice listening to their owners, and simply spend time with someone who loves and cares for them. That does not mean that you need to spend the entire day with them, but coming home during your lunch break or spending 30 minutes with them after school can make a huge difference to their lifestyle. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Google Watch is Going to be Called the Pixel Watch URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-google-watch-is-going-to-be-called-the-pixel-watch/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:01.000Z All my friend and family know I love watches, so when one adds technology to the watch...I'm very interested. In recent years, Google has worked hard to introduce the latest Wear OS version with features from Fitbit and Tizen. With Google IO 2022 scheduled for May 11, this could very well be the year Sundar Pichai finally announces the long-rumored Google Pixel Watch and release the company’s own hardware to match the stunning software. The internet has been packed with leaks about the awaited product. However, nothing is certain until [Google](https://bobbydavidson.com/google-pixel-3/) finally introduces its first smartwatch. For now, the annual developer conference is expected to be a grand showcase for the new Wear OS 3\. If the company does announce the highly esteemed wearable product, it could take on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Apple Watch 7, and other best-selling smartwatches in the market today. In this post, I’ll share everything we know about the [Google](https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-watch-accessories/) Pixel Watch so far. My interested readers can proactively do a pros and cons analysis and decide if they need to splurge on these devices. ### Everything We Know So Far About the Google Pixel Watch #### 1\. The Name – Google Pixel Watch Google's highly anticipated flagship smartwatch has been referred to as the Google Pixel Watch in reports, leaks, and forums. This name makes sense – it’s simple, elegant, and sounds like something [Google](https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-watch-series-4/) would do. According to CNET, the company filed a trademark for this term which provides further evidence for this rumor. #### 2\. May Or October Release For the last six months or so, the Google Pixel Watch has been tipped for a May release since the Google IO is one of the company’s biggest events every year. However, a leaker named Jon Prosser claims the company might move the launch to October later this year and announce the Pixel 6a. He also claims Sundar Pichai could use this platform to tease the product release and build hype and interest. #### 3\. Round Design ![Google Pixel Watch](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/google-pixel-watch.jpg) Many sources claim Google’s first smartwatch will have a circular design in contrast to the square design found in the Apple watch series. While this does make it similar to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, reports suggest [Google](https://bobbydavidson.com/pricing-for-businesses/) has designed the watch with a minimalist look. If the leaked images by Android Central are accurate, you’ll note that the render shows Fitbit integration. Someone reportedly found someone wearing the watch prototype at a restaurant in the US and took pictures. Of course, these images could be fake, but this was back in December 2021, when Google’s marketing campaign for its new products was in full flow. One thing is for certain – if these images are accurate, then the watch could most probably have a crown for navigation, just like the Apple Watch. Another rumor suggests that Google could introduce bands in various colors, including the ones on the Pixel logo. Additionally, the watch could use a proprietary connector for the bands, although this isn’t confirmed yet. There are two buttons on the side. However, there’s no way to tell what their functions could be. #### 4\. Up to Three Different Versions One of the main value propositions of Google has been variety. According to a German tech blog called WinFuture, the company might be planning to release up to three versions of its first flagship Pixel watch. However, this report goes back to 2018, so it’s unlikely there’s any truth to these details. Even if it was true, a lot could’ve changed in the last four years that would have prompted the company to stick with one or two designs. If there are to be three versions, the key differences between them would be their size, price, and features, such as storage, color, chip, etc. #### 5\. A Host of Health Monitoring Features With most top smartwatch brands jumping on board the health and fitness bandwagon, [Google](https://bobbydavidson.com/google-maps-train-or-bus/) will likely follow a similar path and offer both basic and advanced health monitoring features, such as heart rate, calorie counting, ECGs, blood pressure, and sleep tracking, to name a few. With wearable technology advancing every year, we could see an entirely new metric as well. For instance, Google Nest Hub 2 offers snoring detection and breathing monitoring features during sleep. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if the company decided to incorporate both features into its first watch to serve as a unique selling proposition or target a specific audience. #### 6\. Price Speculation Although it's difficult to predict the price of the Google Pixel Watch, considering we don’t know what it’s packing under the hood or the build material quality, we know that it’s going to be relatively less expensive than the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Series 7 currently retails for around $399, whereas the Galaxy Watch 4 starts at $249. Therefore, it’s safe to say it could fall in the $200-$350 price point depending on the version, LTE variant, storage, and other factors. Of course, this is mere speculation based on the market trends and Google’s pricing strategy for its product catalog. ### Wrap-Up While the leaks and reports have helped us form a baseline of what to expect, there’s a whole lot we still don’t know. For instance, we don’t know its price, the type of chip it contains, the colors, size, storage, or anything tangible. Some reports even suggest Google could change the name from Pixel Watch to something else. There have been rumors claiming the watch has been called a few different names during the branding and marketing stages. Although the trademark application offers some clarification, there could be more to the product’s name when the official title comes out later this year. For more related news from the business world, I recommend visiting our company [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [www.percento.us/trends-in-technology](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Inflation Hits a 40-Year High, and Businesses Ponder the Possibility of Recession URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/inflation-hits-a-40-year-high-and-businesses-ponder-the-possibility-of-recession/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:03.000Z As we head into the second half of Q2 2022, all eyes are on the US Federal Reserve, as thousands of stores, companies, and industries gradually returning to business as usual are facing a new scourge. The recent inflationary surge is making survival more challenging even with relatively inexpensive capital [costs](https://bobbydavidson.com/pricing-for-businesses/) and consumer spending. Moreover, not many people are aware of the causes of inflation in the US this year. So, before you urge the Fed to apply the brakes, learn about the different economic factors causing this surge and leading the economy into a recession. But first, taking politics out of it the best I can, consider the current events. ### Record-Breaking Inflation In March 2022, inflation in the US rose by around 8.5%, which is the [highest](https://bobbydavidson.com/a-600-million-deal-with-uk-based-firm-secures-critical-iphone-technology-for-apple/) since 1982, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index (CPI). Since 2021, the average cost of groceries has increased by 10%, while food overall costs have risen by 8.8%. A gallon of gas is almost as high as it was during the 2008 crisis – around $4\. Moreover, the increase in demand for used cars has increased their prices by over 35% since March 2021. Although most economists believe March to be the peak of the inflation curve this year, it’s going to take months before it gradually drops. It may prompt the Fed to take a more aggressive approach to tamp things down. The only problem is that many things are beyond their control as the world is still recovering from COVID-19, there’s a war between Russia and Ukraine, and many other issues enforcing the hike in process. Whatever the Fed decides to do during this period will have both good and bad consequences, especially for small businesses. The good news is that most businesses have already survived the worst economic period during the pandemic. Therefore, they’re likely to navigate through this storm while watching the higher rates throw cold water on unnecessarily overheated prices in volatile industry segments, such as food and energy. Of course, this could also kill the demand for certain products and send the country toward recession inadvertently. There’s also an increased risk of layoffs, which would cause major problems especially following the Great Resignation, which saw millions voluntarily quit their jobs. From a consumer’s perspective, this could put the power back into employers’ hands as people would be forced to trade off satisfaction and other intangible [benefits](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to meet their physiological needs. ### 3 Causes of Inflation in the US in 2022 As 2022 quickly progresses into a less turbulent period after March 2022, inflation is becoming more persistent in our vibrant economy, and prices are expected to rise in the long run due to the four main causes below: #### 1\. Rising Labor Costs ![Labor Costs Rise](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/labor-costs.jpg) 2021 was the year of the Great Resignation, as mentioned above. People were voluntarily quitting their jobs if employers couldn’t meet their pay and work demands. With so much [labor](https://bobbydavidson.com/internet-of-things-ecommerce/) shortage, businesses had no choice but to increase wages. Thus, rising labor costs forced businesses to pass the cost on or manage with lower margins. In either case, this ultimately resulted in cost-push inflation as [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/howard-hughes/) are now operating at higher costs. Higher wages increased workers' spending power, who, in return, increased the demand for certain goods and services, affecting its supply in the process and causing demand-pull inflation. #### 2\. Global Chip Shortage ![Global Chip Shortage](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/global-chip-shortage.jpg) If you’re wondering why used car prices are increasing, one of the main reasons is the global chip shortage. This shortage began in late 2020 during the lockdowns, which saw the overall consumer demand for new cars drop exponentially within months. To make up for the loss, chip manufacturers shifted their focus to consumer electronics and work equipment following the rise of remote work and infrastructures. This shortage has directly correlated with inflation, especially in the automobile sector, with new vehicle prices [jumping](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) nearly 12% and used car prices rising by an astounding 37%. Moreover, chip shortage has an indirect effect on the entire supply industry. As a result, everything is more expensive now, from components to semi-finished and finished [goods](https://bobbydavidson.com/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/). #### 3\. Soaring Gas Prices ![Gas Prices Rise](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/gas-prices-rise.jpg) The US is the world’s largest oil producer, with Saudi Arabia and Russia in second and third place. Russia recently shocked the world by invading Ukraine, which disrupted the global oil supply chain and markets. Even though prices were on the rise prior, the Russia-Ukraine war has sent gasoline prices skyrocketing since then. Even though the US doesn’t import much petroleum from Russia, it has still been affected by the war as oil is a global commodity. The US has about 700 million barrels of oil in reserve which would only last the country about one month. President Biden has already used the reserve twice, but it didn’t make much difference in price. The 8% of the US imports from Russia served an important purpose – to compensate for the outdated refineries in the country. These refineries were built for heavier, sulfur-rich crudes compared to the lighter, sweeter ones found in its soil today. Simply put, when oil prices increase globally, the US doesn’t have the luxury of pumping more to avoid buying from international markets. Thus, it has no choice but to follow the market trend and adjust prices accordingly. ### Wrap It Up Of course, several other macroeconomic factors are playing their role in surging prices, including the roaring real estate market, supply-demand imbalances, and high entry prices. However, the causes highlighted continue to keep the Fed on its feet and prompt it to take risky measures to get things under control. For more related news from the [business](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) world, consider following my socials to recent articles. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Life of Elon Musk URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:04.000Z Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Elon Musk—the 50 year old South African-born engineer, investor and business magnate currently living in Boca Chica, near SpaceX's launch facility in South Texas. The richest person on the world, Musk is CEO and product architect at Tesla Inc and the lead designer and founder of Space X; and as of now the owner of Twitter. I did a little research and here is a little more on the extraordinary life of Elon Musk! Ranked among the 25 most powerful people in the world by Forbes in 2016; and arguable the most powerful today, Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa. Elon’s father Errol Musk was a South African electrotechnical engineer, pilot and sailor while his mother Maye was a model and dietician from Regina in Canada. Elon Musk was an avid reader in this childhood and at the age of ten, he developed an interest in computing. At just at the age of 12, Musk learned computer programming by himself and sold the code of Blastar—a BASIC-based video game, to PC and Office Technology—a local magazine, for $500\. Elon Musk suffered bullying throughout his childhood but this did not affect the confidence of Musk and he continued to pursue everything that he wanted to achieve. At the age of 17, he got into Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario for an undergraduate study but after spending two years there, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1997\. In addition to the degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Elon Musk also completed a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Wharton School of Business. In 1995, Musk enrolled into a PhD in applied physics and materials science program at Stanford University but left just two days later to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations in the areas of the internet, outer space and renewable technology. ## The Successful Entrepreneurial Ventures of Elon Musk After quitting the PHD program, Elon Musk along with his brother Kimbal launched an IT company by the name of Zip2\. Working day and night, Elon Musk lived in the same warehouse where he used to work. This allowed him to save money and keep the company afloat during the initial difficult times. At that time, the Internet was going through a period of rapid growth and development but no one had made a fortune from it yet. However, Musk and his company Zip2 was about to change that. Elon Musk created a platform where newspapers including leading publication such as the New York Time could offer additional commercial services to their customers. In 1999, AltaVista—the biggest search engine at the time, acquired Zip2 for $341 million, which included $307 million cash payment and $34 million securities. This set a record for selling a company for cash. During the same time, electronic payment systems were starting to increase in popularity. Realizing this, Elon Musk launched his new business X.com. A year later, X.com merged with Confinity—a rival company run by Max Levchin and Peter Thiel. Confinity created the first digital wallet by allowing owners of PalmPilots and other PDAs to store encrypted information on their devices. After the merger, X.com was renamed PayPal, and Musk became its chairman and chief executive. Over the next few years, Elon Musk remained involved in the development of new business models, including conducting a successful viral campaign to help increase the company’s customers. In 2002, PayPal was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion, with $180 million for his share. This was enough money for Elon Musk to pursue his other entrepreneurial aspirations which was developing the areas of alternative energy sources and space engineering. ## Tesla Motors, Space X and More [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/elon-musk?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Tesla Motors—the company chaired by Elon Musk and currently known as Tesla Inc, was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Even before Musk joined the ranks, the company positioned itself as the manufacture of electric vehicles that did not rely on oil to function. To show his support for such aspirations, Elon Musk made a personal contribution of $70 million. Soon, Musk became the company’s chairman but he did not take over Tesla’s operational management. However, he was involved in the designing of Tesla Roadster Sports car—the first electric car manufactured by Tesla. By 2006, the project starting to make the headlines and the design of the Roadster won the Global Green product design award in the same year. The company continued to grow and soon boasted investors such as Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and Google, with investments exceeding $100 million. In 2008, the first Tesla Roadsters were sold for $109,000\. Today, Tesla Motors is worth billions, all due to the efforts of Elon Musk. In addition to running matters for Tesla Motors, Elon Musk started SpaceX—an Aerospace manufacturer and space transport service company, in June 2002\. Elon Musk wanted to build his own rockets and in May 2006, he unsuccessfully launched the company’s first ever rocket. Musk and SpaceX tried launching the rocket again in 2007 but failed once more. After a successful launch in September 2008, SpaceX managed to win a NASA contract for 12 flights worth $1.6 billion. In September 2011, Musk announced reusable rockets and in December 2015, SpaceX successfully sends reusable rocket into orbit for the very first time. The Entrepreneurial ventures of Elon Musk are endless. In addition to the above, some other popular ventures of Musk include PowerWall, SolarCity and The Boring Company. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or are looking to make a career in the technology, outer space or energy sector, then Elon Musk’s life can be the perfect reference point for you to kick off things and keep the ball rolling! :) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Challenges of Running a Business in Ukraine URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-challenges-of-running-a-business-in-ukraine/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:04.000Z For years, Ukraine had been one of the largest emerging markets in Europe. It provided thousands of businesses to grow from scratch and expand their operations in central Europe. This was before the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 that continues to wreak havoc on the country’s business landscape with no signs of the chaos coming to an end anytime soon. However, even before the political tensions, running a business in Ukraine was an administrative disaster due to several issues, from costly procedures to an inefficient regulatory environment, harassment by tax officials, and limited financing resources. Even those who found a way to overcome these overhead challenges require local help and connections to survive and thrive. In 2019, Ukraine ranked 64th place among 190 countries in terms of ease of conducting business [activities](https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/). Although this was a massive step up from ranking 152nd in 2011, things haven’t gotten better, especially due to the pandemic and the ongoing crisis. In this article, I'll share the top 11 challenges of running a [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/seo-ranking/) in Ukraine. So, whether you’re a local looking to help rebuild the [economy](https://bobbydavidson.com/samsungs-17-billion-chipmaking-plant/) or a foreigner looking for lucrative investment opportunities, you can make a more informed decision. ### 11 Reasons Running a Business in Ukraine Is Difficult #### 1\. The Russia-Ukraine War Considering the events of 2022 so far, it’s safe to say that the Russia-Ukraine war is the biggest challenge of running a business in Ukraine. With the country trapped in political turmoil and thousands of soldiers on each side, it’s safe to say things are far from business as usual. Many popular global companies have shown their support by pulling out of Russia, including Ford, Toyota, Boeing, Airbnb, Apple, Facebook, Burger King, and Coca-Cola, among others. Their Ukrainian counterparts have also experienced obvious challenges operating in the war zone. As business leaders from these industries and more deal with the short-term effects of the conflict, financial-system ripple effects are imminent. The global sanctions have already caused a ripple through the financial markets worldwide, including Ukraine, with unprecedented pressure on lenders, investors, and derivatives counterparties. However, essential services have seen a massive surge in demand. For instance, [restaurants](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) still operating are jam-packed with customers (stranded passengers, workers, etc.), overwhelming them with more rush than ever before. However, with consumer spending down to a record low, every major sector is taking a hit, and businesses are struggling to even open, let alone survive. #### 2\. Several Pre-Registration Requirements Even before the conflict, starting and running a business in the Kievan Rus region was no easy task. It involved seven legal procedures, which took 22 days on average to be completed. Moreover, contrary to legislation in both EU and other countries, local laws don’t permit investors to build a partnership in the country. Simply put, you can only register a limited liability entity to start a business. #### 3\. Construction Permits Ukraine ranks 182/190 worldwide in terms of relative ease in getting construction permits. In other words, shops, companies, warehouses, factories, and other entities have to go through 20 legal procedures before they can get a permit. What’s worse is that this process takes over 365 days, so if you have an instant opportunity you need to capitalize on, it’s probably not the best idea to invest in Ukraine. Moreover, getting a permit costs around $1,262, which is nearly 15 times above the OECED average cost of around $78.7. #### 4\. Electricity Even if you have a business facility up and running, it takes nearly 9-10 months to get electricity, which costs 192% higher than the income per capita. Businesses have to wait 53 days for grid approval and design completion of the electrical system. #### 5\. Property Registration Even before the war, Ukraine ranked 149th worldwide for the ease of buying and registering an estate or property in the country. The process involves ten legal procedures and a wait time of 70 days on average. This is nearly three times longer and more difficult than other European countries. #### 6\. Getting Credit Getting credit is perhaps the biggest perk of [running](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-these-3-things-to-wake-up-wildly-and-happy-to-go-to-work/) an entity in Ukraine compared to other procedures. Ukraine ranks 23rd worldwide in terms of business financing due to its highly developed financial systems. However, things have changed since the start of 2022\. It may take a while for the country to return to offering generous loans to applicants. #### 7\. Protecting Investors Ukraine recently took measures to enhance the country’s reputation in Europe and other parts of the world by offering better protection to foreign investors. As per the World Bank, the country ranks 117th worldwide in terms of investor security. However, the government has been eager to adopt proactive data collection strategies that will help improve the legal [infrastructure](https://bobbydavidson.com/e-commerce-store/) and relationship with foreign investors. #### 8\. Tax Collection Paying taxes is undoubtedly the most difficult obstacle when running a business in Ukraine. The government has a complex tax breakdown structure that requires businesses to make 28 payments every year with a wait time of 491 years on average. #### 9\. Cross-Border Trading Despite its geographically diverse location, cross-border trading in Ukraine is no simple task as it requires providing six documents and a wait time of 30 days for exports processing. More importantly, [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/online-marketing-survival-guide/) have to pay heavily for exporting and importing containers. With the current situation, the costs have gotten steeper. #### 10\. Enforcing Contracts Although contract enforcement is among the most well-organized processes in the country, it still takes around 343 days. While this is much better than the 510-day average in the OECD, it carries a steeper cost which could force businesses to consider if the cost is worth it. #### 11\. Insolvency Resolution It takes around 2 years and 10 months to take care of insolvency [issues](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in Ukraine. More importantly, it can cost owners 42% of their real estate, which makes it far more expensive than the OECD average. ### Wrap It Up With Ukraine currently in its worst state since its independence, it’s safe to say that no one is looking to start a [business](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) there until the situation unfolds. However, with the amount of support the country is receiving from all around the world, it could offer a ton of lucrative opportunities to investors looking to take a bold risk. For more information on trending global events and business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. [www.percento.us/trends-in-technology](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Elon Musk and His Twitter Stock Buy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk-and-his-twitter-stock-buy/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:04.000Z The world’s richest man and one of corporate America’s boldest personalities, [Elon Musk](https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk/), recently acquired the largest stake in one of the world’s most popular social media platforms – Twitter. That’s right: The Tesla and Space X founder took a 9.2% stake in the company worth $2.89 million. Moreover, on 5th April 2022, Musk announced he would also be joining the board of directors, which raised many questions regarding what he could do and could not do in the company. In this article, I’ll dive deeper into Elon Musk and his Twitter stock buy, including his role and the possible reasons for this incredibly lucrative endeavor. ### What Elon Musk Can’t Do as a Passive Investor on Twitter Acquiring 9.2% of the company’s stock meant that Elon would be a passive investor. Thus, he doesn’t have an active role in decision-making or running any aspects of its operations. Moreover, according to a preset proviso, he can’t increase his shares above 14.9% until his initial term as a director ends in 2024. ### What Musk Can Do Now After becoming a key stakeholder in Twitter, along with 11 other directors, Musk can steer the company’s business strategy and be a part of key financial decisions, including the CEO’s paycheck and executive contracts. Simply put, Musk can pick up the phone and speak to all managers and members of the team. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean [Musk](https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk-and-his-positive-attitude-in-life/) has the full support of other Twitter executives. However, with [80 million followers](https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and a massive social media presence, he has the power to turn things in his direction. If he wants, he could change the platform to suit his specific needs as the largest stakeholder in the company. Musk already has a few ideas to incorporate into Twitter, such as adding an edit button to the microblog and putting the platform neck-to-neck with Facebook. ### 3 Reasons Why Elon Musk Bought Twitter Stock Elon Musk didn’t become the richest man in the world by sheer luck. He has made a series of [strategic](https://bobbydavidson.com/what-is-hyperloop/) investments, including SpaceX, The Boring Company, PayPal, and DeepMind Technologies, to name a few. However, when it comes to Twitter, his reasons for investing in the company are not just business but also personal. Here’s why Elon Musk bought Twitter stock: #### 1\. Free Speech In 2021, Donald Trump was kicked off Twitter following the insurrection. Musk has always advocated free speech on social media and aims to use his board seat to ensure Twitter remains a free platform to share ideas and views for everyone. Moreover, has described himself as "half Democrat, half Republican" and and says "I'm somewhere in the middle, socially liberal and fiscally conservative", but he received hundreds of calls and messages to restore the former president’s Twitter privileges following his stock purchase. However, the company’s executive body being \[allegedly\] extremely liberal confirmed that shareholders or the board do not determine policy decisions. More importantly, it confirmed it had no plans to reverse any policy decisions. For politicians, celebrities, and business leaders, a platform is a key tool for sharing their views and messages across the digital realm. Since Musk’s focus has been on Twitter, he aims to influence how it functions and raise questions about its value. #### 2\. Keys to a Major Promotional Platform Musk is an avid Twitter user and knows how to take advantage of the [platform](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/) to promote his ideas, products, companies, and acquisitions. Thus, he is almost always trending, not just as a CEO but also as a brand. Hence, Tesla and SpaceX have minimized the need for advertising, as a single tweet from Musk’s Twitter account gets weeks of news coverage. Moreover, other brands, such as Hyundai, spent an astounding $2,000 in advertising per vehicle in 2019\. In contrast, Tesla spent around 14 cents per vehicle in the same year. As of 2022, his following alone surpasses the following of most mainstream vehicle brands combined. #### 3\. The Edit Button As mentioned above, as soon as Elmo Musk officially became a part of Twitter’s executive board, he sent a provocative tweet on his account, creating a poll asking users if they’d like an edit button on the platform. As expected, his comment section was flooded instantly, mostly with yesses. The board understands that the consequences of this pall will matter in the future, so it advised users to vote carefully. The problem is that equipping the platform with an edit button isn’t an easy task, according to Twitter’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey. He had always been against the idea and still hasn’t changed his mind, especially because the [platform](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-potential-ipos-to-watch-for-in-2022/) started as a text messaging service. Since text messages can’t be edited after being sent, some would say it’s pointless to add this feature. ### Elon Musk Wants to Buy Twitter Just Weeks After Becoming Shareholder Furthermore, on April 14, 2022, just after nearly two weeks following his stock purchase, Elon Musk made an offer to buy Twitter in a takeover attempt using the platform to announce his attention. The Twitter board said it would thoroughly review the proposal to determine the course of action it believes to be best for its success. He offered $54.2 per share in the letter he provided, which is a 54% premium over his initial buy. He called this price his best and final offer. The world’s richest man also opened up about the proposal in the filing, saying he invested in Twitter due to its potential to be a platform for free speech worldwide. He believes that free speech is a societal imperative for an effective democracy. Musk also clarified that his initial investment wouldn’t solve this societal imperative in its current form. It needs to be transformed into a private company, and he’s willing to pay $43.4 billion to make that happen. In an interview on TED 2022, Musk emphasized that this move isn’t to make money. He believes that having a maximally trusted and broadly inclusive public platform is imperative for the future of the [human](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) race. He concluded by saying he didn’t care about the economics and had no problem retaining as many shareholders as possible. ### Wrap Up Since Musk became a board member only recently, it is uncertain what other changes might unfold following this lucrative investment. Moreover, Musk is no stranger to drama, especially with his run-offs with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018 and tax issues. Elon Musk knows that Twitter’s social and political worth far exceeds its stock price, with nearly 200 million daily users expressing their views on different topics. By gaining full control of the [platform](https://happybreath.com/activism/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), he would be able to leverage its full power as a global communication and marketing tool. For more information about technology and the latest business developments in the new normal, visit our company [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [www.percento.us](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Is it Time to Kill the 5-Day Work Week? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/is-it-time-to-kill-the-5-day-work-week/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:05.000Z The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-it-services/) has transformed the business world almost beyond recognition. When news of the deadly virus hit the west, most countries around the world imposed lockdowns and restrictions, keeping most of their workforce at home. Before the pandemic, the idea of remote work was scoffed at by most employers. However, following March 2020, they had no choice but to embrace the “unorthodox” practice. In the struggle for continuity and growth, other trends such as calls to shift, four-day workweek, and reduced hours started gaining traction and pondering the question – is it time to kill the 5-day work week? As expected, there seem to be mixed emotions regarding the [proposed](https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/) initiative, with defenders talking about the greater work-life balance and improved productivity. In contrast, those opposed to this idea worry about a potential decline in production, services, and revenue due to reduced work hours. In this article, I'll share a brief history of the 5-day work week, what’s changed since then, and discuss the pros and cons of a shorter workweek. ### The History of the 5-Day Work Week If you drive a Ford F-150 or Focus to work five times a week, you’ll be shocked to learn how your vehicle and work schedule are related. It’s widely believed that [Henry Ford](https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/), founder of Ford Motor Company and arguably one of the most influential business owners from the industrial revolution, was the man who instituted the 5-day work week. His thought process was pretty straightforward – eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation, and eight hours rest. On weekends, the workforce can spend their days how they please, go shopping, visit their loved ones, or travel. However, there was more to [Henry Ford’s](https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/) thinking than most people understood at that time. More leisure time meant [people](https://bobbydavidson.com/tennessee-approves-ford-884-million-for-ev-mega-campus/) will spend more on discretionary products and services, food, and an automobile to travel around. Just like Henry Ford found the seven-day workweek to be outdated, most modern employees feel the same way about the 5-day work week. ### What’s Changed Now? Let’s face it; the business world has come a long way since the 1920s with the emergence of personal computers, the internet, email, mobile phones, Cloud, AI, and other forms of technology. As a result, the modern landscape is far more crowded and competitive than it was in the last few decades. To keep up productivity and efficiency, employees have to work harder and longer to survive, leaving them out of steam after working for eight or more hours every day for five consecutive days. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business as usual to the point that most traditional business practices were out the window. The 5-day, 9-to-5 work life, which was thought to be concrete, was shattered like glass, and going to the office was no longer an option for months. [Remote work](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/remote-workforce/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and hybrid arrangements have changed both worker and employer perceptions completely, providing new possibilities for where employees work from and now how long they work for. The pandemic has proved that work has always been about getting the job done, and [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-next-normal-for-businesses-in-2022/) has made it possible to unfollow traditional practices and rules. Major companies like Amazon and Basecamp have already implemented trial periods for reduced or flexible work hours and shorter workweeks, and the results have been remarkably positive. **Pros and Cons of a Shorter Work Week** ***Pros*** #### 1\. Increased Productivity As an employer, you might be wondering how working less will improve productivity and performance. If you’ve heard the saying, “less is more,” it should instantly make sense. Tired and overworked employees are less productive and prone to errors compared to employees working reduced hours or a shorter workweek. Plus, there’s evidence to back the statement mentioned above as the employees from the world’s most productive countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, only work for around 27 hours on average compared to the standard 40-hour workweek accepted worldwide. #### 2\. More Gender Diversity Research suggests that millions of women remain unemployed due to childcare responsibilities. A shorter workweek could bring them back into the workforce without overly compromising their work and home responsibilities. #### 3\. Better Employee Engagement A shorter workweek can lead to more satisfied and committed employees. With a better work-life balance, employees are less likely to be fatigued or frustrated due to more rest and recovery time. With a happier and more positive attitude, then can communicate and collaborate with others more effectively and efficiently. #### 4\. A Smaller Carbon Footprint Imagine the amount of electricity that can be conserved if all the offices that operate 5 days a week suddenly decide to start operating 3 or 4 days a week instead. Moreover, think of the carbon emissions [employees](https://bobbydavidson.com/great-place-to-work/) can prevent by reducing their weekly commute to work. According to a study by the state of Utah, the number of emissions saved is close to 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. ***Cons*** #### 1\. Customer Satisfaction The only major drawback of a shorter workweek is potential business unavailability, leading to poor customer satisfaction. However, with the technologies businesses have at their disposal, such as chatbots and AI-powered websites, even this shouldn’t be a major concern. Secondly, businesses can easily split their workforce between the week to ensure they remain operational 24/7/365. #### 2\. Negative Approach Many businesses confuse the concept of a shorter work week with longer hours. As a consequence, they have employees working overtime, usually 9-12 hours, thereby decreasing the productivity levels and overall [happiness](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) levels further. ### Wrap It Up Every major industry has transformed in different ways following the pandemic. Moreover, countries like New Zealand are quickly adopting a four-day workweek following the pandemic without pay reductions after a six-week trial. This change resulted in an overall increase of 20% in [productivity](https://happybreath.com/dog-junkie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The Netherlands boasts an impressive 76% employment rate with employees working no longer than 29 hours on average every week. So, is it time to kill the 5-day work week? Well, the pandemic proved that remote work was possible, so there’s no reason to suggest why working less than 5 days a week should be a problem. For more news and trending events related to modern business practices and technologies, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. [www.percento.us/trends-in-technology](https://percento.us/trends-in-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How to Maintain an Efficient Workflow Across Different Time Zones URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-maintain-an-efficient-workflow-across-different-time-zones/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:06.000Z The pandemic might have changed when, where, and how we work, but it hasn’t changed the fact that a healthy workflow is critical to the success of every business. However, transitioning to a remote or virtual work environment is easier said than done, especially when it comes to orchestrating consistent work and staying on the same page due to different work schedules and time zones. When working remotely with a team spread across the country or the world, the secret to success is mastering the art of asynchronous working. **In this post, I'll dive deeper into this trending work concept and share how to maintain an efficient workflow across different time zones.** ### What is Asynchronous Work? Asynchronous work is a non-consequential or independent way of organizing tasks and [operations](https://bobbydavidson.com/manage-remote-employees/) to maintain a consistent flow of operations without relying on real-time communication. It happens when employees on the same team work different shifts or in different time zones. Traditionally, workers are expected to be available throughout their working hours. However, asynchronous doesn’t work to emphasize instant communication or participation but rather at the earliest convenience. For instance, managers can’t expect workers to be glued to their cellphones at all times and respond instantly when working remotely. As unorthodox as this sounds, this type of [workflow](https://bobbydavidson.com/machine-learning-wheres-the-hype/) has become highly effective thanks to tools and technologies, such as email, IM platforms, cloud services, and virtual collaborative services, which allow accessing, storing, and exchanging information anytime and anywhere possible. #### Pros - Businesses can hire around the globe due to the removal of geographic barriers to recruitment. - Flexible work schedules and autonomy boosts productivity. - With work spread out across different time zones, there’s always someone online. - Performance is evaluated using output, not time spent on seat or hours put in. - Communication is more purposeful and less distracting. #### Cons - There’s no constant or real-time collaboration, meaning tasks could take longer to deliver due to longer response times. - Unless employees define clear boundaries, they can disrupt their work-life balance further. - Managers will have to deal with additional responsibilities and scrutiny when keeping track of everything. ### How to Maintain an Efficient Workflow across Different Time Zones – 5 Valuable Tips #### 1\. Specify Your Working Hours and Time Zone Although asynchronous work promotes fosters flexible [work](https://bobbydavidson.com/impact-of-remote-working-on-end-user-computing-solutions-and-services/) schedules, it is important to set your standard work hours so your team knows when they can reach you and avoid confusion about your availability. Also, don’t forget to specify your time zone when scheduling meetings and tasks so everyone is on the same page regarding submission, task completion, and meetings, etc. #### 2\. Set Priorities, Deadlines, and Agendas Proactively Every organization operates differently with unique process chains and sequences, communication channels, and employee collaboration levels. To maintain an efficient workflow, managers must set priority levels, deadlines, and agendas for every task to ensure teams plan their activities accordingly. By doing this proactively and recurringly, you can ensure that everyone remains on the same page at all times. #### 3\. Set Up Your Asynchronous, Remote Work Environment For asynchronous remote work to run smoothly across different time zones, you’ll need to ensure that your team is equipped with the proper tools and technologies to carry out their tasks efficiently while maintaining effective communication. In the digital age, there are myriad apps that can facilitate communication, collaboration, and productivity so you can maintain an efficient [workflow](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-save-your-remote-employees-from-cyber-threats/) across different time zones. The following are some essential tools that can help enhance your remote work environment: ### § Time Tracking 1. [DeskTime](https://desktime.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 2. [ProofHub](https://www.proofhub.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 3. [Hours](https://myhours.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### § Communication 1. [Slack](https://slack.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 2. [Friday](https://friday.app/teams?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 3. [Compt](https://www.compt.io/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### § Collaboration 1. [Google Workspace](https://workspace.google.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 2. [Microsoft Teams](https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-teams/log-in?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 3. [Workplace from Facebook](https://www.workplace.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### § Task Management 1. [Trello](https://trello.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 2. [TeamWork](https://www.teamwork.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 3. [Toggl](https://toggl.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### § Organization and Scheduling 1. [Calendly](https://calendly.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 2. [Picktime](https://www.picktime.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 3. [Acquity](https://acuityscheduling.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) #### 4\. Be Considerate of Your Team’s or Employees’ Working Hours In an asynchronous [remote](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/) work model, just because you’re working doesn’t mean your team in other locations is or should. You need to respect your employees’ or team’s off-hour value and avoid contacting them regarding anything unless it’s necessary. Sometimes, maintaining an efficient workflow across different time zones is about creating less urgency so when there’s a genuine emergency, you have all hands on deck. Moreover, text-based conversation lacks emotional context and tone, so if you need to discuss something important, opt for calling or setting up a video conference instead. #### 5\. Make Sure Your Communication Encompasses the 7 C’s Asynchronous communication tends to be slower due to varying response times and the quality of information. Therefore, you need to ensure that your communication is clear, correct, concise, courteous, concrete, considerate, and complete. While this is easier said than done, evolving your remote communication strategy by actively learning can help you and your teams provide all important details upfront without wasting time on unnecessary back-and-forth. #### 6\. Employ a Multiplexing Approach to Task Asynchronous work allows you to go beyond multitasking and adopt the art of multiplexing. This involves taking a nonlinear approach to task execution and learning to switch back and forth between projects to ensure that productivity remains consistent while you’re waiting for feedback or more information. For example, suppose you have two tasks to complete. While working on the first task, you get stuck and ask your team member for assistance. Instead of waiting for their response, you can start working on the second task and keep the ball rolling. Even if the tasks are consequential, you can get started with the prep work to save [time](https://puccicafe.com/8-common-dog-parenting-mistakes/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Wrapping Up Even with the pandemic nearing its end, it's improbable that organizations will go back to business as usual following the adoption of remote and asynchronous work models. Therefore, leaders and managers must learn how to maintain an efficient workflow across different time zones and [foster](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) continued engagement and collaboration. At [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), we’ve helped hundreds of businesses adopt remote technologies and digital solutions to ensure continuity and growth. For more information, visit [www.percento.us](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 6 Roles Every Company Needs to Build an Efficient Marketing Team URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/6-roles-every-company-needs-to-build-an-efficient-marketing-team/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:06.000Z Marketers are among the most misunderstood professionals in the market. Most companies expect them to be renaissance professionals who will take care of every major aspect of your product or service promotion, from strategy to content creation, social media management, and placement. Many traditional [companies](https://bobbydavidson.com/9-digital-marketing-channels-you-should-consider-for-2022/) have gone as far as hiring just one SEO executive to build organic traffic from scratch within a few months since they believe it to be a one-man’s job. Just like any other aspect of your business, you need the right structure and talent mix in your marketing department to maximize your brand presence, increase foot and online traffic, and generate more sales to scale and grow. The only way to do this is by building an efficient marketing team to serve as a solid foundation for all your strategies and campaigns. In this post, we'll share how to build an effective marketing team by filling six essential roles to [serve](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-hr/) as a solid foundation for your department. ### 6 Roles You Need to Build an Efficient Marketing Team #### 1\. Strategy Leader/Marketing Manager A strategy leader or marketing manager is essentially your marketing team’s coach whose function is to collaborate with a different department, set targets and KPS, and manage every aspect of the planning and execution. They will handle everything from ROI calculations to budgets, contingencies, strategic level meetings, and interdepartmental communication. Overall, the success and failure of your marketing strategies rest in their hands as they’re liable for every element of your marketing ecosystem. #### 2\. Content Creator The key to successful promotions and advertisements lies in your messaging. A content creator is responsible for creating and designing content that aligns with every aspect of your brand, from its colors to products, values, history, and services. They're liable for planning what goes on your website, magazines, packaging, product descriptions, blog, etc. However, this is only 50% of their responsibilities. Another important aspect of their role is brand positioning and regular engagement evaluation to determine overall performance, especially on social media and search engines, such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. #### 3\. Graphic Designer/Video Producer Graphic designers and video producers have become essential for [modern](https://bobbydavidson.com/online-business-marketing-9-effective-ways-for-brands-to-build-trust-on-social-media/) marketing teams due to the popularity of visual content on social media and websites. Their job is to collaborate with content creators or writers to create designs following their specifications and bring creative ideas to visually optimize digital content, such as product descriptions, blogs, and landing pages. Apart from technical skills, they need to have excellent time management skills to meet deadlines and foster an efficient marketing team. #### 4\. Website Management Website management is one of the most [important](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-roi/) roles in the digital age, as most businesses now require some online presence to remain relevant in the new normal. This role is generally not carried out by one person but a team of individuals carrying out different management aspects, such as SEO strategists, web developers, and CMS managers. Search engine optimization is one of the essential marketing activities to improve organic search engine rank and help your target audience find you online. SEO experts mainly monitor web analytics using tools like Google Analytics to perform keyword research use their findings to work closely with content creators, designers, and producers for optimized content development. Similarly, web designers or front-end developers design (redesign), develop, and maintain websites according to industry standards and lay the foundation for content creators and other professionals to display their content and visual components. #### 5\. Social Media Twenty years ago, this role didn't even exist, and today, social media managers are the voice of organizations on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter, among other platforms. These professionals are considered long-term key members of modern marketing departments. They serve two essential roles – to ensure all [social](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/) channels remain consistent with the respective brand and act as customer service to answer customer queries and complaints on social media to increase engagement. Monitoring customer and visitor feedback are essential for modern organizations as it helps them identify trends, pain points, and demand – all factors they can use to pivot their marketing strategies. #### 6\. Digital Channels Manager A digital channels manager is not too different from a social media manager. However, their job revolves around figuring out which digital channels are more suitable for their brand. For example, many brands are suited to using Instagram or Tiktok instead of Facebook or vice versa. Some brands can thrive on email marketing, while others rely on SMS marketing to send quick, real-time alerts to consumers. A digital channels manager uses analytics and knowledge of digital marketing platforms to determine which platforms to dive into and help create a strategy around those specific channels. ### Wrapping Up Marketing as an industry is rapidly evolving, and traditional concepts, teams, roles, and strategies are either changing with it or becoming obsolete. With the global online shift acceleration, you need to transition your marketing departments to keep [pace](https://happybreath.com/7-ways-to-clean-up-your-local-streams-and-rivers/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with the new behavioral patterns, tools, technologies, and marketing strategies in the modern landscape. With the roles mentioned above, you can organize your marketing initiatives and develop/implement a profitable marketing strategy. Twenty years ago, content creators, social media managers, and SEO executives didn't exist, but today, they're essential to every digital marketing team. Plus, these roles are just the beginning of building an efficient marketing team. You can further expand by bringing in data analysts, more writers, project or product managers, and consultants to further expand and scale your [business](https://puccicafe.com/canine-environmental-impact-what-all-pet-parents-need-to-know/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Power of TikTok for Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-power-of-tiktok-for-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:06.000Z In a digital world dominated by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, it’s hard to imagine any other app reaching the same or higher level of success. However, that all changed when TikTok, a social media app that started as a platform to showcase short video content, disrupted the digital marketing and content creation industry, amassing over a billion users since its inception in 2016. The app’s emergence as a mainstream social media staple has led to many organizations using the platform to expand their target markets and share their value offerings in 60 seconds or less. With the platform’s userbase rapidly growing, TikTok for [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/target-audience/) is steadily becoming an established practice in many industries. Unfortunately, most people fail to see the flip side of the equation and think of the app as a platform for sharing montages, comedic shorts, and duets. Let us show you the power of TikTok for business so you can gauge whether it’s worth investing in. ### How Businesses Can Use TikTok The following are two ways businesses can use TikTok for Business: #### 1\. TikTok Influencer Marketing One of the best ways to turn your audiences into potential buyers is through targeted digital marketing. In the modern age, this requires people who can appeal to and influence consumer behavior. This is where [influencer](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/) marketing comes in, especially if you’re targeting a youthful demographic. Like YouTube, TikTok is a platform for sharing videos. Therefore, businesses can hire influencers to make, share, and even live stream promotional videos to attract their followers. The platform is still in its early stages as a marketing channel, but hundreds of major brands, including Chipotle, NBA, the Washington Post, and Calvin Klein, are working with influencers worldwide to extend their reach. Since the platform is relatively new compared to [Instagram](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and YouTube, TikTok influencers charge considerably less than their counterparts, making them potentially more cost-effective. #### 2\. TikTok Advertising TikTok is rapidly becoming a full-fledged advertising platform, opening tons of opportunities for brands of all sizes to invest and extend their reach. The platform offers five different ad formats – in-top, brand takeover, branded effects, top-view, and branded hashtag challenge. These formats are quite similar to Instagram adverts and offer a lot of options for small to medium businesses, in terms of cost and quality. ### The Main Benefits of Using TikTok for Business Perhaps the only reason most people aren’t aware of the several benefits TikTok offers is due to the nature of the content it showcases. However, with over a billion users to target, many businesses are taking advantage of the features and opportunities it offers. Let’s check out some of the main benefits: #### 1\. Originality Perhaps the biggest benefit TikTok offers to businesses is that they don’t have to create high-quality, professionally edited videos. Marketers can use their smartphones to come up with engaging, original content that aligns with their organization’s goals and branding strategy. The platform’s casual nature also presents a great [opportunity](https://bobbydavidson.com/boosting-sales-social-media/) for solopreneurs to showcase their value offerings without necessarily providing in-depth follow-up blog posts or infomercials. In the fast-paced retail world, all you need is a 60-second video highlighting the main features of your product or service. #### 2\. A Huge Audience Base to Target In less than half a decade, TikTok has gained nearly a billion users ranking the platform as one of the most downloaded apps in recent history. Due to its immense, rising popularity, businesses have a huge, connected [audience](https://bobbydavidson.com/retail-technology-trends-2018/) that is still familiarizing itself with the tending platform. With attention shifting from Facebook and other competitors, TikTok is now the place to market your products and services. #### 3\. Advanced Delivery Algorithms TikTok is one of those businesses that learned from the best and tried to introduced a better product in the market. Due to its unique delivery algorithms, users can get higher engagement on their videos with barely any effort. Even if your business account is new with zero followers, your videos can go viral much faster, compared to YouTube or Facebook, which is great for startups and small businesses. #### 4\. Better Localization Consumer sentiment and behavior have evolved in the last decade, with shoppers looking to learn more about a business before splashing their cash. This is where localization comes in for startups and small businesses. Many TikTok users have localized audiences in their communities, meaning companies can hire their services to create local campaigns highlighting the culture, food, style, religion, and language, etc. TikTok now has hundreds of influencers from small towns and cities with thousands of [followers](https://texasbelton.com/community/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). All you need is one whose niche is in line with your brand so you can attract your target audiences. #### 5\. Dedicated Branding Channel Just like YouTube, businesses can create a [company](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) account TikTok, have it verified, and use it to create branded videos instead of hiring influencers. With a relatively faster growth rate, you can extend your reach using short videos as long as the content is qualitative. You only have a few seconds to grab the attention of users to ensure they learn more about your value offerings. ### Wrapping Up In an age where short-form video [marketing](https://bobbydavidson.com/9-digital-marketing-channels-you-should-consider-for-2022/) and consumerism are at their peak, TikTok has become a revolutionary platform for businesses as it has simplified the overall digital marketing and advertising process. The app proved that all you need is a smartphone and a 60-second-or-less video to sell your products and services. Feel free to reach out to us regarding our [managed IT services](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and other value offerings. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Hiking with Dogs: How to Identifying injuries URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/hiking-with-dogs-how-to-identifying-injuries/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:07.000Z Hiking with your pet dog is a great way to rejuvenate and bond and get a good workout. However, taking your dog out for this strenuous activity without preparation can unleash various consequences, with one of them being- injuries. Moreover, owners hardly [consider](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) something bad happening to their pets. However, when you're on rough surfaces like trails and mountains, not having the same access to emergency care can definitely get in the way of tackling emergencies. Here are some common dog hiking emergencies and how to recognize them. ### #1 – Contact with Poisonous Plants Since most dogs are naturally curious and pl[a](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/)yful, letting them off-leash means that they will most likely explore their surroundings and come in contact with poisonous ivy. This could cause itching and skin rash in the affected area. However, you may want to look out for any possible [opportunity](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) of them ingesting poisonous plants. While the former issue can be dealt with using hydrocortisone cream, the latter will require immediate attention from the vet. ### #2 – Scratches on Paw Pads While we normally assume for a dog’s paw pads to be tough, they can easily be scratched or exposed to injuries on a sharp rock or a rough trail. Hence, in the event this happens, make sure to wrap their paw in a bandage after applying a little petroleum jelly. This way, you’ll be able to protect the wound from dirt and also provide it with extra padding. Even though cuts of this intensity often heal within a few days, don’t hesitate to call your vet for any other safety and health recommendations. ### #3 – Insect Stings Even though most dogs have a nice coat to protect them from bee stings, it, unfortunately, doesn't provide them with complete protection. Some of these stings can even cause intense bodily reactions if not dealt with immediately. Typically, the symptoms of insect stings include discomfort, redness, swelling and itchiness. For starters, determine whether the stinger is still there; and in case it is, attempt to remove it with tweezers. Secondly, make sure to have over-the-counter Benadryl in your dog's first aid kit at all times, as it often comes in handy when dealing with insect stings. ### #4- Strains and Sprains Again, while dogs have great agility on rough terrains, they are not entirely immune to occasional strains and sprains. However, the good news is that, even if a single leg is injured, they still have three more to hobble out without making a fuss. Nonetheless, it’s good to detect these strains and sprains early so you can treat them in time. Some common symptoms of strains and sprains include discomfort to touch, swelling, limping. In rare cases, there may evern be deformity of the limb. However, don't assume every injury to be a strain and make sure to check the footpads carefully. When it comes to treating these sprains, you may want to include a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug into your dog's first aid kit, of course, after consulting your veterinarian. Make sure to not use aspirin for an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). You may also want to restrict your dog’s exercise for a while. All in all, the best way to figure out whether your dog is suffering from a strain/sprain is to look out for any signs of limping during a hike. If you do end up detecting it, just head home and save the big miles for another day. ### #5 – Heat Strokes If you notice your dog dragging their feet or lagging behind, it may be feeling a little too hot. This should be your [sign](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) to stop by in a shady spot, hydrate them and let them rest for a while before heading forward again. On the other hand, it’s also a good idea to apply some cool water on your dog’s legs and stomach to help them heal faster. However, no matter what, never ignore signs of a heat stroke because it may turn out to be life-threatening if left untreated or uncatered to. While hydration is the best way to avoid a heat stroke, it’s usually recommended that you avoid hiking on an extremely hot day. ### #6 – Animal Bites Poisonous plants are not the only dangers awaiting your pet dog. Violent encounters with other animals are also a possible threat lurking on the trails. Hence, if they do end up getting into a scuffle with another animal, it can be hard to break it up since you could also get hurt in the process. However, once the incident has died down, look for any signs of bites or cuts on your pet’s body and treat them with your first-aid supplies. If the wounds are deeper than what they looked like initially, take your dog to the vet immediately or apply pressure to slow their bleeding down before you get there. What First-Aid Supplies Should You Include in a Dog’s Hiking Bag? Fortunately, there are many regular first-aid items that are just as applicable to dogs. Some of them include antiseptic and bandages (for wounds), saline solution (for an eyewash), anti-inflammatory medicine, cotton swabs, tick removal tool and tweezers. Additional Items to Add to their Hiking Bag *⮚ [Poop Bags](https://happybreath.com/product-category/poop-gear/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* *⮚ [Water](https://happybreath.com/product-category/apparel/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* *⮚ [Water bowl](https://happybreath.com/product-category/bowls/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* *⮚ [Extra leash](https://happybreath.com/product-category/leashes-leads/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* *⮚ [Towel](https://happybreath.com/product-category/organize/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* *⮚ [Dog snacks or food](https://happybreath.com/product-category/treats-chews/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)* ### Wrap it up Again, hiking is one of the best adventures to embark on, especially with your [pet](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) dog. From spending time together to providing your bodies with the much-needed workout, there are a number of benefits you can reap from a good day’s hike. However, going unprepared can be hazardous to both you and your [dog](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Remember, a hiking trail is not the most predictable spot when it comes to accidents or injuries. Hence, before you head out on a hike, make sure to provide your dog with plenty of exercises so by the time they're there, their body is able to deal with the strenuous activity. Secondly, choose dog-friendly trails. Last but not least, learn a thing or two about packing your dog's first-aid kit properly. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Next Normal for Businesses in 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-next-normal-for-businesses-in-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:07.000Z Businesses worldwide have spent the entire 2020 and 2021 scrambling to the devastating impact of COVID-19\. With vaccines in dispersal, there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Many businesses have already upgraded their models while others are considering 2022 as the year of transition to bar unexpected [business](https://percento.us/expert-services/business-software/quickbooks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) catastrophes and shape their future instead of surviving the present. The next normal for businesses in 2022 is driving organizations towards accelerated digital transformation to trigger the fourth industrial revolution. Read on to learn the trends that will define the next normal for businesses. ### 7 Trends Reshaping the Business World and Defining the Next Normal We’re into 2022, and you can see how far we have come following the lockdown, restrictions, and public panic. Now, there are lines outside stores again, with social distancing measures of course. International travel is reopening, and [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-it-services/) across every sector are trying to reverse the effects of the pandemic and get back on track. The best news for businesses is that consumer confidence is slowly returning, and people are slowly regaining interest, especially in industries that were heavily affected by the pandemic. Once the pandemic is over, we will see more people in theaters, malls, and [restaurants](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The travel industry will experience a great increase in demand, and the demand for goods and services will continue to increase. As a result, businesses must have a well-developed plan of how they will manage these changes, and it goes beyond having a digital strategy or investing in expensive technology. They’ll have to make several changes to cope with the new realities that emerged from the pandemic and understand the trends that are reshaping the business world and defining the next normal. #### 1\. A Different Workforce Before the pandemic, less than 22% of organizations offered [remote working](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/remote-workforce/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) due to several reasons, such as not having the technology or fear of network security issues. The next normal for businesses will include millions of workers in different sectors not going back to the office. For some businesses, 2021 might be the end of a physical workplace as we know it. Moreover, many companies are setting up a hybrid model and undergoing process transformation which will include new methods of training, onboarding, reskilling, and upskilling. #### 2\. The Era of Self-Service Industries in most sectors have had to take the digital route for business survival and adapt to the new contactless reality. To ensure long-term survival and growth, businesses must now optimize their sales funnel to ensure that customers of all ages and backgrounds can easily navigate through a website or social media [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-transformation-technologies/) pages. #### 3\. Automation to Become the New Operations Best Practice Automation was already growing across several industries before COVID-19\. The pandemic accelerated its growth, and now, even small brick-and-mortar stores are automating systems to manage the workload. Secondly, business technology solutions are helping [industries](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) automate administrative functions. Now, desk-based workers can easily work from remote locations with the help of cloud-based networks, backup solutions, and frictionless workflows to effectively manage routine processes. #### 4\. Forward-Thinking Risk Management If there’s a lesson that businesses will take with them to the next normal, it will be to never be blindsided by uncertainty again and design a framework for effective [enterprise](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-travel/) risk management. This way, they can anticipate and prepare for the next COVID-like crisis, or worse. Companies must also understand the impact of risk on their business to minimize disruptions. For instance, finding ways to remain fully operational even during lockdowns. #### 5\. Retail Transformation Even if the pandemic ends tomorrow, it’s unlikely that consumers will overlook the convenience of online shopping and head out to stores. Even if they do, it will only be temporary. During the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of consumers have tried different online shopping. From the first lockdown in March to July, 2020, eCommerce sales accounted for nearly 33 percent of all sales. eCommerce giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and others have been some of the major beneficiaries of the pandemic and will continue to benefits even when the pandemic is over. #### 6\. Supply Chain Evolution One of the biggest problems the pandemic presented was [global](https://happybreath.com/dog-junkie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) supply chain disruption. With borders and factories closed, it created a domino effect that affected the entire network from manufacturers to retailers. As a consequence, businesses had to deal with delays and cancellations. The next normal for businesses will standardize data mapping techniques like process mining to improve troubleshooting and adapting operations to do so. #### 7\. Business Travel will Grow Domestically but Decline Internationally As mentioned earlier, the travel and tourism industry might surge in demand as millions around the world would want to meet their loved ones, go on vacations, or work travel. However, not every country is entering recovery at the same speed, thus international travel might not pick up too quickly. Secondly, many business travelers will favor traveling by train or car, depending on the location. For instance, the railroad network in Europe connects several countries so it will be a more popular option. Local tourism will see a massive surge in the next normal for [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/packing-tips-business-travel/) as more travelers will choose to travel domestically for holidays. Businesses will also try to limit international travel to ensure safety. Lastly, the travel industry will see massive upgrades in booking and cancellation processes via different platforms. Many companies will add more support channels on their platforms and business pages to improve operational efficiency and optimize the travel experience. ### Wrapping up The next normal for businesses in [2022](https://puccicafe.com/cats-and-dogs-may-need-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-to-stop-spread-of-virus/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has already begun. The pandemic has made digital transformation and change management mandatory for organizations across every sector. As many companies continue to find their feet, they’re leaving behind footprints for others to follow and bring forth the next industrial revolution. For business looking for assistance in remote working for their firms, one of my companies and help in setup and management of this need. Check out this link for more information. [percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/remote-workforce](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/remote-workforce/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) We would welcome your call. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### South Korea to Launch Task Force on Banning Dog Meat URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/south-korea-to-launch-task-force-on-banning-dog-meat/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:08.000Z Seoul – The South Korean government recently announced its plan to create a task force to ban dog meat consumption in the country. The unconventional practice has gradually become a racist stereotype in the western world that has led to Korean expats living abroad often facing discrimination, bullying, and racism. As a result, President Moon Jae-in suggested that it’s time to consider a ban and create an effective task force including officials, civilian experts, animal rights groups, and other stakeholder representatives to slowly stop the practice of eating dog meat. While the decision was welcomed by several Seoul-based animal protection organizations, many traditional minority groups found this ban a suppression of their freedom. **In this post, I'll share a brief overview of dog meat consumption in South Korea and some interesting facts and statistics regarding the practice before diving deeper into the topic.** ### Dog Meat Consumption in South Korea – A Brief Overview The human consumption of dog meat has been prevalent in different parts of the world, especially in Asian and African countries. While the practice is dislike in Western and Middle Eastern cultures, dog meat remains a popular traditional, cultural, medicinal, or ritualistic food source among South Korean minorities, most notably, the descendants of Khitan refugees in rural communities who came to Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty in 918\. Over the decades, the practice has been in constant decline since the ‘80s. Nonetheless, there are still tens of thousands of dogs slaughtered in farms with their meat supplied to local markets and [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/) meat restaurants. Since 2019, most major farms and markets have been shut down due to declining sales and changing sentiments. The only dog breed raised specifically for this human consumption is Nureongi. However, many local reports claimed that many different pet breeds of dogs are raised for consumption, including Labradors Retrievers and spaniels. What’s more disturbing is a considerate percentage of the supply chain comprises former pets that are either stolen or abandoned. As far as hygiene is concerned, although dog meat has been subject to the Food Sanitation Act of 1962, unlike beef, pork, poultry, it is excluded from the list of animals under the Livestock Processing Act of the same year. As a result, dog meat farming requires more regulation compare to conventional livestock. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in reality as dogs are slaughtered inhumanely via electrocution, strangulation by hanging, blow-torching, and even direct boiling. Thus, on September 27, 2021, the South Korean president raised the possibility of a ban to curb [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) meat consumption after numerous reports of animal cruelty and racial discrimination worldwide. #### Facts and Statistics Related to Dog Meat Consumption - According to a 2020 opinion poll by HIS/Korea, nearly 84% of South Koreans claimed they don’t or won’t eat dog meat. The poll also showed that 60% supported a legislative ban on supply and trade. - Many dog meat consumers in rural areas claim that [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) meat soup cools the body during hot summers and helps build stamina. This belief is popular mainly among the older generation. - Nearly 1.5 million dogs are raised in South Korea on hundreds of farms around the country, and most of them are sold directly to dog meat restaurants and butchers. - Dog meat was recently banned in other Asian countries, such as Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and several cities in mainland China. However, over 30 million dogs are still killed and eaten every year in these parts. ### More on the Dog Meat Ban in South Korea Following the president’s official statement, seven government offices, including the Agricultural Ministry decided to launch a task force comprising officials, subject matter experts, and leaders from related organizations to devise a plan to curb the practice. In the initial stages, the task force will gather as much information as possible on [dog](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) farms, restaurants, markets, and other facilities in the complex supply chain network. Moreover, they will also thoroughly examine the public’s opinion on the matter before moving further. Since the statement, hundreds of pet owners from different parts of the country have risen rapidly and spoken publicly on animal cruelty, particularly the inhumane slaughtering practices. With sentiments rapidly changing, [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) meat consumption is a fading traditional food culture. As promising as this initiative appears on paper, the government officials have made it clear that it doesn’t necessarily guarantee the banning of dog meat. The joint statement also emphasized the fact that people have the right to eat their preferred foods which makes this a highly complicated issue due to its contradiction with animal rights. The prime minister mainly accused farmers of illegal activities when they raise and slaughter dogs – something many farmers felt was exaggerated as it only applies to a small number of farms. They claim that the task force is nothing more than a ploy to formally shut down dog meat restaurants due to international image issues. South Korea is the only developed nation in which its citizens consume dog meat, and foreigners will continue to racially profile every South Korean as a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) meat eater until the practice isn’t eradicated. ### To Conclude Dog meat consumption may horrify Americans and people from other parts of the world, but the practice remains a longstanding custom in South Korea and other Asian nations like China and Vietnam. However, norms are rapidly changing thanks to local and international animal rights movements as well as changing sentiments among non-traditional South Koreans. Will this task force effectively ban this unorthodox custom or will it fail to fully eradicate [dog](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) meat consumption like Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore? Only time will tell. For now, dog meat consumption is neither legal nor explicitly banned in the country. This tradition needs to be changed and banned worldwide. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 5 Potential IPOs to Watch for in 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-potential-ipos-to-watch-for-in-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:09.000Z Did you know that over 400 private companies went public in 2021, resulting in a lightning-quick bear market filled with new initial public offerings (IPOs) worth over $300 billion collectively? The last time the stock market experienced such a massive surge was in 2000, but even the dot-com boom wasn’t nearly as busy as 2021 as global economies began reviving themselves after months of lockdowns and business closures during the [COVID-19](https://puccicafe.com/cats-and-dogs-may-need-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-to-stop-spread-of-virus/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) pandemic. However, many large private companies held out on predicted IPOs in 2021 due to different reasons, such as evolving investor sentiment and stock market fluctuations. Some [simply](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-save-your-remote-employees-from-cyber-threats/) don’t want the scrutiny that comes from going public by the SEC and shareholders. Nevertheless, times are rapidly changing in 2022, and with new COVID variants running the show, many companies could use the additional cash infusions to grow their business or finance new initiatives, such as adopting modern technology like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. On the flip side, many savvy investors are looking for longtime private companies to make it to the IPO altar so they can grow their stock portfolios and add companies they’re already familiar with. In this post, we’ll explain what an initial public offering is, the benefits of [investing](https://bobbydavidson.com/larry-page-sergey-brin-the-gods-of-the-tech-world/) in one and 5 potential IPOs to watch for in 2022. What is an Initial Public Offering? An initial public offering (IPO) is when a private company becomes public by selling its shares or securities to the general public through a stock exchange. It is also the first sale of a new publicly-traded company after it meets the stock market’s regulatory requirements. Before going public, these companies generally have a small number of shareholders and investors. After an IPO, their company is open to investments to any trader on that exchange, e.g., NASDAQ or NYSE. ## Benefits of Investing in IPOs The following are the main benefits of investing in IPOs: ### 1\. Early Bird Advantage By investing in an IPO, you’re not only becoming a shareholder of a company with high growth potential but also making a smarter investment. IPO stocks are much cheaper in the early stages since the company has just gone public, so you can save money and earn big as its demand and equity slowly build up. ### 2\. More Profit IPOs allow investors to receive rapid profits from the start since they have fewer investors in the early stage, which means that your shares carry more value. ### 3\. Greater Financial Security IPO stocks are much safer [investments](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-warren-buffett/) compared to speculative stocks and cryptocurrencies since they’re relatively less volatile, especially if the company has been around for a long time. The Most Highly Anticipated Initial Public Offerings in 2022 ### 1\. Quora Quora is a popular question-and-answer website with a global audience spanning over 300 million and a market valuation close to $2 billion. According to the rumor mill, the company has been holding talks to hire bankers and lawyers for an IPO, which could double its value within months. Since its inception, Quora has been a home for [crowd-sourced](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-bitcoin-is-giving-other-cryptocurrencies-a-helping-hand-and-why-you-should-consider-the-investment-advice-of-bitcoins-most-intelligent-skeptics/) questions and answers and has expanded to blogging to try and make itself more attractive to creators. It also aims to branch into subscription revenue through Quora+, allowing creators to charge people to view their content while taking a 5% cut. ### 2\. Reddit Reddit is a social media company home to a network of online communities where people can talk about their hobbies, interests, passions, work, and a host of other topics. The company is currently worth $3 billion and submitted a draft registration with the SEC in 2020\. Reddit’s founder and CEO, Steve Huffman, aims to invest in expanding the platform into new markets by adding and improving features, such as advanced video capabilities, to compete with Facebook and TikTok. He also aims to make the IPO more accessible for investors by using Robinhood and other trading apps. ### 3\. Instacart Instacart is an [American](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) grocery delivery and pick-up service founded in 2012\. The company has quickly become a pandemic staple and has expanded to more retailers around the country, taking its revenue to nearly $1.65 billion in 2021 and market valuation to $39 billion. Instacart was an IPO contender in 2021 but decided to postpone its plans following an executive shake-up and the emergence of new competitors in the market. However, things seem to be sailing smoothly now, with the company set to go public as the grocery delivery industry continues to grow. ### 4\. Impossible Foods With veganism growing at unprecedented levels, the plant-based protein industry is seeing a rapid increase in demand. Impossible Foods, a company that made its [name](https://bobbydavidson.com/why-free-guest-wi-fi-in-store/) by introducing faux burger patties in [small](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) markets and chains in 2011, has now expanded to over ten thousand stores in the US and amassed a market valuation worth $1.5 billion. According to its founder, Patrick O. Brown, going public was inevitable, and 2022 could be the year if the company can meet its $10 billion valuation requirement. ### 5\. Stripe Stripe is one of the world’s largest payment processing companies with over 4,000 employees worldwide and a market valuation worth $95 billion. With annual revenue of $7.5 billion, it is the biggest privately held company in the US mainly due to customers like Amazon and DoorDash that use its service as one of their [main](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) payment methods. Although its founder John Collison claims that Stripe is very happy as a private company, according to a report by Reuters, the company recently hired a law firm to explore the IPO process. ## Wrapping Up And there you have it – the 7 most highly anticipated initial public offerings in 2022\. So, if you’re an institutional investor looking to make some money, check out what these future publicly-traded companies have to offer to your stock portfolio and invest ahead of time to reap the financial benefits. IPO stocks have been the go-to choice for many [young](https://happybreath.com/dog-junkie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) investors seeking high-growth opportunities, and this trend has only grown since the pandemic. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Do Dogs Have a Secret Language? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/do-dogs-have-a-secret-language/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:09.000Z Ever wondered – do dogs have a secret language? Research has shown that dogs have rich social intelligence. They also have strong physical and vocal language. Their secret language is subtle and complex but effective in communicating what they want us to know. ## Body Language Ask any dog owner, and they will tell you that [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) speak volumes through their bodies. Let's look at some common signs dogs usually use if they want to tell us something. Dogs are great at expressing themselves. They use their body language to exhibit emotion and expression. - ***Facial expressions*** When dogs are confused or determined, they straighten their foreheads or wrinkle them. At times, they also tilt their head on one side to show confusion. Dogs also tend to smile when they are happy. They often smile when they get belly rubs. - ***Bright Eyes*** If dogs are reunited with their owners or are excited to meet someone new, their eyes brighten. When a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) is afraid, its pupils dilate, and the whites of its eyes are visible. - ***Tongue, lips, and teeth*** At times, if a dog is happy or eager to play, it may pull back its lips and show its teeth. This can be interpreted as a smile. But this is common only in dog-to-human communication. A dog may not do this with other dogs. - ***Positioning Their Ears*** When a dog puts its ears down, it's a sign of showing submission. When a dog's ears are perked up high, it shows the dog is listening or is attentive. When a dog is relaxed, it will hold its ears normally. If a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) is feeling aggressive, the ears will be up and forward. If your dog's ears are pulled back slightly, the dog can be indicating friendliness. If its ears are completely flattened or stuck to the sides of its head, it can also mean that the dog is frightened. - ***Tail Wagging*** Experts say when dogs wag their tails towards the left, it indicates negative feelings. When they wag their tail towards the right, it shows feelings of positivity. The height of a dog's tail is also indicative of its feelings. A horizontal tail signals the pup is paying attention. When a dog is relaxed, its tail will be at medium height. When a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) is fearful or being submissive, it may tuck its tail under its body. A vertical tail can be a signal the dog sees you as a potential threat. The speed at which a dog wags its tail also shows its level of excitement. If your dog is wagging its tail broadly, it can imply pleasure and happiness. If it's a slight wag, you can see it as the dog greeting you. If a dog is wagging its tail slowly, it can denote fear or insecurity. ## How Do Dogs Communicate with Each Other? Dogs are highly social animals and share a universal language of communication with other dogs. Some of these communication techniques include: - ***The Play Bow*** This usually signals 'let's play' amongst dogs. But sometimes, the play bow can also be a sign of an apology if things get too rough. - ***The Paw Slap*** The Paw Slap or the 'Paw-five' is when a dog pats another dog with its paw. This is indicative of trust between both dogs. - ***Biting*** Biting is also a sign of playfulness. But a dog will always take care to avoid biting its buddy's sensitive parts. - ***Rearing its Hind Leg*** When a dog rears its hind leg, it can be viewed as a sign of affection. When they do this while playing, at times, it can look like they are dancing. As dog owners, it's part of our job to learn to listen and communicate with our dogs efficiently. This helps read signs our dogs are giving us and to cater to their needs and requirements. Our pet canines are constantly sending us signals and looking for directions. You may notice how your dog licks its lips when trying to get closer to you or another [dog](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Do you also notice how your dog might sometimes simply stare at you? This can be because they might want an update of what everyone is up to or if you want them to do something. Sometimes, dog owners also end up misreading the signs and signals their dog is sending them. This can be problematic and can also lead to aggression and behavioral issues in dogs. You can avoid this from happening by picking up on signals of communication your dog is giving out. Reading your [dog's](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) body language helps us understand what our [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) want. It gives us an insight into their feelings. Dogs use their eyes, tail, ears, and face to show us how they feel and what they want. Dogs experience emotions just like humans do. They also pick up on the emotions others around them feel. If your dog is not feeling well, it may look like it's squinting with its eyes. At times, dogs also avert their gaze when you look at them. This can be an indication your [dog](https://happybreath.com/ensuring-the-best-care-of-your-dog-tips-and-tricks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is unhappy about something. When it comes to the question, do dogs have a secret language? The answer is yes. Dogs use this subtle, implicit language comprising of barking and bodily signals to communicate with humans and with other [dogs](https://puccicafe.com/effects-of-music-on-dogs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). It's your job to work on improving your understanding of the signals your dog is giving you. This will result in a tighter bond between you and your pooch. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The 7 Best Gadgets From CES 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-7-best-gadgets-from-ces-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:10.000Z CES 2022 | The Consumer Technology Convention hosted another edition of the CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, and welcomed over 40,000 attendees in person, 30% of whom were from outside the US – representing 119 countries. The annual tradeshow event also welcomed 1800 global media [companies](https://bobbydavidson.com/ces-2019/) and featured over 2300 companies from across the globe as exhibitors, including Intel, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Sierra Space, to name a few – all displaying the next wave of [technological](https://bobbydavidson.com/futuristic-technology-unveiled-ces-2017/) innovation that will shape 2022 and future economies. If you attended CES 2022 in person or streamed the event at [home](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), you’ve likely added a slew of gadgets to your shopping list already, even though a lot of the products won’t be available until the third or fourth quarter of 2022\. Some might not even see the light of day. From hybrid devices to fitness trackers for pets, smartwatches, projectors, and gaming headsets, here are the 7 best gadgets from the biggest annual tradeshow in the consumer electronics industry. ***The Best New Products at CES 2022*** ### Without further ado, let’s check out our top picks of the 7 best gadgets from CES 2022: #### 1\. Bob. We’re kicking off our list with [Bob](https://daan.tech/us/discover-bob-mini-dishwasher/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a mini dishwasher by Daan Tech, which is set to take the kitchenware industry by storm. It is the world’s first dishwasher to operate without a water supply due to an integrated one-gallon water tank. Weighing just 22lbs with a width of 13.4 inches and height of 19.3 inches, this small, autonomous dishwasher can easily be placed on any kitchen countertop, making it perfect for tiny or mobile home dwellers. In terms of capacity, Bob can accommodate plates up to 11.4 inches. So, whether you live in a studio apartment or an RV, this incredible innovation with adaptable baskets can be customized to meet your dishwashing needs, and within 20 minutes, you can wash your daily dishes and cups with ease. #### 2\. Samsung Freestyle Portable Projector A projector isn’t the type of gadget anyone would keep with them at all times, but Samsung aims to change that with the introduction of its [Freestyle Portable Projector](https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/portable-projector/the-freestyle-sp-lsp3blaxza/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). From slanted walls to kitchen countertops, garage doors, and other outdoor surfaces, this incredible entertainment innovation can be plugged into any mobile or computer device via a USB-C cable, HDMI ports, or the Android/iOS cast feature. It features a 10-degree flexible design with 360-degree speakers and a 30-100 inch screen with 1080p resolution. Plus, its round, compact shape makes it perfect for entertainment on the go, so whether you’re hosting a backyard barbeque or on a road trip with your buddies, this projector makes a great addition to your gadget collection. #### 3\. Invoxia’s Smart Dog Collar Invoxia, a French consumer electronics giant known for developing innovative smart devices, including GPS trackers, aims to be the first company to introduce a biometric health collar for [dogs](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Its [Smart Dog Collar](https://www.invoxia.com/us/smartdogcollar?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can be used to accurately measure your [pet’s](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) vitals, such as heart and respiratory rate. This CES award-winning innovation also helps owners keep tabs on the dogs’ activity levels, such as walking, running, barking, eating, and other aspects of their daily routine. Moreover, it features a miniature radar sensor that can be paired with an app that allows users to keep [track](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) of their whereabouts at all times. #### 4\. Hapbee Wellness Wearable The [Hapbee Wellness Wearable](https://hapbee.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a one-of-a-kind wearable that lets you choose your mood on demand. For instance, you can feel the effects of drinking a beer or coffee, smoking cigarettes, or sunbathing without the harmful effects of actually doing any of those things. This potentially groundbreaking technology uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves of different consumables to replicate the signature of common feel-good molecules and transfer the effects onto users through the wearable. #### 5\. Sabre Smart Pepper Spray A [smart pepper spray](https://www.sabrered.com/pepper-spray/smart-pepper-spray?ref=bobbydavidson.com) might not be something most people would get excited about, but when you learn what it does, this innovative gadget by Sabre will make a lot of sense. Unlike traditional sprays, this spray connects to a dedicated app that sends an alert to your emergency contacts with your exact location whenever you use it. Even if you don’t use it, you can still use the canister as a location tracking device so your family or friends can know that you’re safe. #### 6\. The Y-Brush Toothbrush One of the most unique products on display at CES 2022 was the [Y-Brush Toothbrush](https://y-brush.com/en?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This automated toothbrush that resembles a sports mouth guard can brush your teeth effectively and automatically in just 10 seconds using sonic vibrations that power 35,000 nylon filaments into action. Users can charge this toothbrush by induction after using it. Unlike previous models, they don’t need to chew and rotate the brush while brushing. Instead, the Y-Brush only requires right-to-left movements. #### 7\. Airxom Mask Air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide, and with COVID-19 still hanging around for the unforeseeable future, [Airxom’s](https://airxom-mask.com/en/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) sci-fi-like mask is perhaps the most intriguing product unveiled at CES 2022\. 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For more information related to business technology and practices, visit our company [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 6 Things You Did Not Know About the Dalmatian URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/6-things-you-did-not-know-about-the-dalmatian/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:11.000Z The Dalmatian is a sturdy, athletic dog, famous for its unique black and white patterned coat. The breed rose to a height of popularity with Disney’s 101 Dalmatians movie. There is a lot more to this breed than people are aware of. One of the oldest dogs, the origin of the Dalmatian is rather mysterious. Dalmatians have been spotted in parts of Asia and Europe throughout history. These [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) have also been depicted accompanying chariots in preserved ancient Egyptian scriptures. A unique dog, the Dalmatian has played different roles in different eras. A Dalmatians temperament is mild and calm, but they can be aloof around strangers. They are dependable watchdogs with great stamina and a strong affinity for running and hiking. **Here are 6 things you did not know about Dalmatians.** ### Their Origin is Shrouded in Mystery The origin of this breed is quite uncertain. One reason for this may be because historically, Dalmatians have traveled with the Romani people, who have been largely nomadic. ([ack.org](https://www.akc.org/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)). Dalmatians have also had different names throughout history. The present name of the breed stems from the region Dalmatia, near Croatia. The breed has had a stronghold there, but we do not know if it was their country of origin. There is evidence about the Dalmatian being present in Asia and the Middle East as well. Dalmatians have also been seen in ancient Egyptian relics. They have been shown [running](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/) alongside Egyptian chariots. We can speculate that travelling with Romanian gypsies enabled the breed to spread throughout the world. An early depiction of the Dalmatian dates back to 1360 AD, when historians discovered a painting within the Chapel of Florence in Spain. This painting depicted a dog that eerily resembled the modern Dalmatian. ### They Played a Multitude of Roles The Dalmatian has served different roles throughout different historical eras. They have been widely used as herding and hunting dogs. They specialized in hunting large and small animals such as poultry, wild boar and deer. At times, Dalmatians also filled the role of scent [hounds](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) due to their sharp sense of smell. They were also trained to retrieve game without damaging it; hence they also filled a retriever role. In times of war, the Dalmatians served as Sentinels near the borders of Croatia and Dalmatia. Dalmatians were also bred for ‘coaching’ purposes. They ran alongside a stagecoach. Their job was to clear crowds from the way so the horse could pass. Another reason for them to tag along was to guard the carriage. They provided security at stops and alerted the driver if there was any approaching danger. Dalmatians were also known as ‘firehouse dogs’. They used to run alongside fire coaches that were horse-drawn. After the invention of fire trucks, Dalmatians were not really needed anymore, but firehouses still kept Dalmatians as mascots. Dalmatians have also had a variety of [nicknames](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) through the years. They have been known as ‘the Firehouse Dog’, ‘The English Coach Dog’, “The Spotted Coach Dog’, ‘The Carriage Dog’ amongst many others. They have also been known as ‘The Plum Pudding Dog’ because their unique spots were a reminder of the traditional spotted dessert. ### Their Coats Are One-of-a-Kind Just like no two individuals have the same fingerprints, no two Dalmatians have the same spotted pattern on their coats. Each Dalmatian’s spots are one of a kind. The breed is commonly recognized with its ‘piebald pattern,’ which is a spotted color on white. Most Dalmatians have black or liver-colored spots. A Dalmatian with a liver coloration gene will have liver-colored spots. Not just the [spots](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/), but nose pigment and paw pads can also be liver-colored. According to the breed standard determined by the American Kennel Club, Dalmatians are defined by round and well-formed spots. The more distinct these spots are, the better it is. Each spot should be the size of a 50-cent coin. Usually, the spots on the head are smaller than the rest of the body. The spots on a Dalmatian’s body should be evenly distributed and can also intermingle a little. Their ears are usually spotted too. ### They Are Born Spotless Dalmatian pups are spotless when they are born. These [puppies](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are usually white when they are born and acquire their spots as they grow older. They start developing spots when they are around 2 to 4 weeks old. By 4 weeks, a Dalmatian pup is well spotted. But the spots keep developing and [growing](https://texasbelton.com/community/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for the rest of their life. Dalmatians have spots on almost every part of their body, such as their bellies, feet, muzzle and tail. At times they also have spots on the roof of their mouth! ### They Are Genetically Prone to Hearing Impairments Approximately 30% of Dalmatians are prone to hearing impairments. Researchers suggest that 3 to 8% of Dalmatians can also be completely deaf. Some experts say the genes that give Dalmatians their unique coats are responsible for the deafness. These genes that cause the spots can, at times, lead to a lack of mature melanocytes, or melanin-producing cells, within the inner ear. It’s difficult to predict if a Dalmatian has a hearing impairment or is prone to deafness. If your Dalmatian is not responding to your commands or is ignoring you, this might be the reason. One interesting fact is that the larger the number of black spots a Dalmatian has, the lower the chances are of having hearing impairments. The [bigger](https://happybreath.com/product/dog-cargo-cape-charcoal/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) the white area is, the higher the chance of developing such [health](https://puccicafe.com/what-is-the-average-dog-weight/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) issues is. ### They Have an Affinity Towards Horses Dalmatians have spent a large part of their ‘work life’ accompanying horses. This breed tends to get along with horses exceptionally well. Even in modern times, friendships between Dalmatians and horses develop easily. This special Dalmatian-horse relationship can also be traced back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, Dalmatians were kept as war dogs and hunting companions. Many historians say that both humans and Dalmatians learned to work together in order to [fight](https://percento.us/expert-services/consulting/information-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and hunt successfully. ([thesmartcanine.com](https://thesmartcanine.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)) All these reasons make the Dalmatian a remarkable dog. Dalmatians not only look classy and unique but also serve many purposes. They are loyal, energetic companions that love to be useful. I can personally attest to these beautiful dogs. My wife brought her Dalmatian into our new family when we were married. Slowly I took her over as "my dog" and we had a special bond. Her name was Cheetah - I will never forget her. :) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 10 Business Email Phrases to Stop (& Start) Using With Clients URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/10-business-email-phrases-to-stop-start-using-with-clients/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:11.000Z Since the commercialization of the internet in the late ‘90s, email has been the go-to channel for business communication in most organizations. Although the emergence of modern channels like social media, texting, and instant messaging may have impacted its usage, business emails are far from becoming obsolete, especially when used for [client communication](https://percento.us/expert-services/it-projects/email-migration-projects/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). However, to take advantage of this global currency of business communication, users need to maintain proper courtesy and etiquette. Today, businesses and users exchange nearly 316 billion emails every day with 65% of them opened on small mobile devices. This means that your email body needs to be complete and concise. More importantly, it means that there’s no room for irrelevant information or phrases. Therefore, if you’re looking for ways to improve your [email](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-benefits-of-having-a-crm-solution-with-email-integration/) communication skills, you can start by checking out the 10 business email phrases to stop (& start) using with clients we’ll be sharing in this post. **10 Business Email Phrases You Should (& Shouldn’t) Use When Writing to Clients** #### 1\. “Sorry to bother you” – Stop! As innocent, polite, and considerate as this sounds, opening a business email with an apology can impact your credibility. Undoubtedly, these emails often have the required professional handle but what they lack is authority – something that is predicated on perceived legitimacy. Therefore, instead of apologizing, you should get straight to the point. This saves time on both ends and you can quickly get what you need from them, whether it’s permission, more time, or more information. Thanks to our fast-paced economy and lives, recipients will appreciate your candor. #### 2\. “I hope all is well” – Start! When writing a business email, you should begin with a [friendly](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-train-your-employees-on-phishing-attempts/), more personal dialogue instead of always jumping into the problem, especially if you’re connecting with existing customers or those who have been inactive for a while. This shows that you’re not all about business and value the interaction with customers. Dealing with modern customers requires emotional intelligence, especially empathy. Customers want to be valued and feel that you’re genuinely concerned for their well-being, and not just writing to troubleshoot a problem. #### 3\. “Please be advised” – Stop! This is another outdated business email phrase that sounds extremely professional but can make your message unnecessarily redundant. Remember, client communication is slightly different from internal communication. Customers have a much shorter attention span, so your message needs to be direct and concise. If you’re sending an email, the recipients already know that you’re about to inform them something, especially when you include the email subject. Therefore, telling them what you’re going to do could be [perceived](https://bobbydavidson.com/tech-gifts-for-health/) as an insult to their intelligence, especially if your target audience is highly educated and sophisticated. #### 4\. “I would appreciate your help” – Start! This phrase won’t work for everyone but can’t be effective for those that typically rely on their customers’ input to carry out their tasks or improve their services. For instance, product-based [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/direct-mail/) can send surveys via email and ask for their feedback for future upgrades and improvements. If your use case is similar, you need to be specific about your needs and summarize how the recipient can help you accomplish your goal. More importantly, your goals must align with the customers’ as this could incentivize or motivate them into doing what you ask. Finally, wrap up your email by thanking the client for their help in the matter. #### 5\. “I think” – Stop! The last thing you want from your email is to make recipients perceive that you’re sure of yourself, putting your business’ credibility in doubt. For years, people have used it to minimize the potential impact of future rejection without realizing how badly this affects their confidence. Instead, you should opt for “I or we believe” as it sounds more reassuring than its counterpart. #### 6\. “I understand that ‘A’ has caused ‘B’…” – Start! In many cases, businesses, especially retailers and third-party services, have to apologize to clients for something that wasn’t directly their fault. For instance, a customer could have received a faulty product or must have gotten terrible advice from a customer service representative. Regardless, it would be up to you to fix this roadblock and fix the issue before it escalates. This phrase shows that you understand the what, where, when, why, and how of the situation and that you’re providing a solution to remove the friction to redevelop lost trust and brand perception. #### 7\. “To whom it may concern” – Stop! There are only a handful of scenarios where “To whom it may concern” is appropriate. If you know the client’s name, use it to address them directly instead of hiding behind this generic introduction. 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If a client repeatedly makes mistakes or misses out on some important information, perhaps you should employ another [channel](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-roi/) to complement your emails, such as a simple phone call or text. #### 10\. “I’d be happy to” – Start! This phrase shows that you’re excited to help your [customers](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), which can leave a good, long-lasting impression. After all, a can-do attitude is one of the most essential soft skills in the customer service industry since it helps create a better experience for [clients](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). With that said, this phrase displays your eagerness to help answer their questions or resolve their queries. ### Wrap it up Soooo, there it is, for what it's worth – 10 business email phrases to stop (& start) using with clients. By adding or eliminating some of these phrases from your email repertoire, you can [improve](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) client communication by ensuring readers grasp your intended meaning and/or respond accordingly. Even with the emergence of other channels, emails are here to stay for [years](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Therefore, you need to understand the difference between relevant phrases and pure gibberish to foster effective communication and better relationships with clients. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Social Commerce in 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-you-cant-afford-to-ignore-social-commerce-in-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:11.000Z Social Commerce | If you’ve been using Facebook and other social media platforms for a long time, you might have noticed several changes throughout the years. A decade ago, these platforms mostly showed our friends, family, and colleagues' activities online in the form of posts, photos, and videos. Now, it seems like all our feeds are filled with nothing but business ads and posts. Have you wondered why that is or, more specifically, why businesses are expanding their online presence from the websites and [eCommerce](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/) stores to social media? It's not just because advertising is the main source of revenue generation for these channels. 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In a nutshell, social commerce encompasses all the activities and processes brands undertake to sell their products directly on social media. With this combination of eCommerce and social media, the entire shopping experience takes place on a single platform, from research to payment. As of 2022, social commerce is set to join the $100 billion market club and project to grow to over $600 billion in the next decade. ### The Importance of Social Commerce for Businesses in 2022 and Beyond Social [commerce](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-changing-retail/) connects businesses with their audiences where they already are. With billions of active users on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, involving this subset into the marketing mix makes perfect sense. Here’s why you can no longer afford to ignore social commerce in 2022: #### 1\. 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As a result, businesses have no choice but to say it quickly and say it well if they aim to cater to a post-pandemic generation of internet consumers. Social commerce makes it incredibly easy for users to purchase products by removing the resistance within the consumer journey and minimizing abandonment due to multiple clicks. The greater the number of clicks to reach the check-out stage, the greater the chances of the buyer opting out of the desired purchase. #### 3\. Social Commerce Fosters a Social Buying Experience When you shop from [eCommerce](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/) stores, you’re all alone. The only [interaction](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-predictions/) you can have is with the support team. In contrast, social media adds a fun and interactive shopping experience. It enables users to interact and consult with other users, including their peers, under posts and comments before deciding whether or not to splash their cash. Moreover, brands can compel users to purchase using highly visual and aspirational content to simulate their audiences' passive desires. #### 4\. More Sales and Revenue Although the eCommerce industry has thrived during the pandemic, many small businesses still struggle to break even and grow their sales. Social commerce allows them to promote their products in one saturated online space and potentially generate more sales and revenue. They can also engage with other audiences that weren’t looking for their [products](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-social-media-customer-care-in-retaining-a-companys-clientele/) through the power of discovery – scrolling down their newsfeed and coming across your value offering. #### 5\. Social Commerce Focuses On Your Buyer Persona With social media, you can make tweaks to your [advertising](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and specifically target those people from your data that desire, appreciate, and purchase your products, thus, allowing you to penetrate deeper into your buyer persona and increase your return on investment (ROI). #### 6\. More Feedback A lot has changed since 2020, and with 2021 on the horizon, businesses are looking for ways to collect more customer feedback to enhance their products and services for 2022 and beyond. With your products on display on Facebook, Instagram, and other sites, your existing customers will tell you what they feel about you and your value offerings in real-time. You can also seize this opportunity to communicate with them personally and use their feedback to generate valuable insight to improve product development or [customer service](https://happybreath.com/shop/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). All you have to do is create a poll, short survey, or share a story and let them raid the comment sections. #### 7\. Social Commerce is Already Mainstream Social media is already an established business communication, and purchase channel as thousands of direct-to-consumer businesses run ads and lead prospects to their [landing pages](https://puccicafe.com/shop/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Plus, platforms like Facebook and Instagram have built-in analytics that they can use to measure campaigns. Therefore, transitioning into this new selling model shouldn't be too difficult for businesses, and they can quickly reap its benefits by fostering interactivity, hype, improved sales, and better relationships. ### Wrap it up The days of simply creating a social media account and [engaging](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with your audience occasionally on posts are almost gone. Social commerce is the next big thing in digital marketing and rapidly becoming mainstream across the digital sphere. Hundreds of [businesses](https://percento.us/expert-services/website-design/portfolio/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) use it to keep up with changing consumer behaviors and optimize their customer purchase journeys. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Keys to Planning for Smart Business Growth URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/keys-to-planning-for-smart-business-growth/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:12.000Z Smart Business | In the modern, competitive business landscape, companies must have a smart business growth plan that encompasses their vision, mission, goals, and overall strategy. A solid plan could serve as a reliable template for decision-making in every business aspect, from research & development to marketing, sales, [production](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-develop-a-business-plan-for-2021-and-beyond/), and customer service. Unfortunately, most business owners, especially those starting, don’t find the time to sit down and plan their next steps with all the hustle and bustle or find this activity boring and unproductive. On the contrary, having a smart business plan could be the key to delivering results, fostering growth, and ensuring continuity. The good news is that you don’t need a highly complex 100-page plan with ultra-detailed strategies, charts, reports, and insights. All you need is to outline goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T). This post will talk about the importance of a business growth plan and share how to plan for smart business growth. ### First Things First – The Importance of a Business Growth Plan A business growth plan is more than a document telling you what to do and how to do it. It is a road map that encompasses your business goals and how you plan on achieving them. This includes identifying possible pitfalls and challenges in your industry or [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/success-digital-economy/) niche and how to manage them. A smart business growth plan can help owners deal with every aspect of their business, from finances to management, resource allocation, technology, and branding. Having a business plan helps you identify potential pitfalls in your idea. You can also share the plan with others who can give you their opinions and advice. Identify experts and professionals who are in a position to give you invaluable advice and share your plan with them. By laying out milestones in every department, you can foster smoother, more agile operations in the short, mid, and long term and enable course correction at any stage to meet your objectives or targets. ### How to Plan For Smart Business Growth Planning for smart business growth will vary from company to company. However, a good rule of thumb when writing a smart business growth plan is to include three primary goals. These goals must be specific and measuring, and your plan must outline what success looks like. You don’t need to include statistics or KPI’s initially, but those will paint a better picture of how far you’ve come. For example, most [IT businesses](https://percento.us/expert-services/business-software/office365/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) working remotely since COVID-19 are planning to return to offices in the new normal. Therefore, a smart plan should include the steps required for transitioning back to business as usual, including all the costs and risks involved. For instance, if you’ve hired more people when working remotely, you can invest in a bigger office and enhanced IT infrastructure. Or, you could adopt a hybrid model with your employees working in teams on specific days using the same office and shared workstations. Regardless of your decision, the end goal should be to improve operational efficiency by optimizing employee productivity in both remote work and office environments. So, if you’re looking to plan for smart [business growth](https://bobbydavidson.com/strong-marketing-plan-for-smaller-businesses/), here are five things you need to do to succeed: #### 1\. Research Before Drafting Your Plan Before writing down a business plan, you need to spend more time on research after setting down your main goals. This research automatically creates a SWOT analysis, allowing you to uncover your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to your company, products, services, or industry, in general. With extensive research, you can find ways to improve different aspects of your business, from improving customer service and branding to targeting new customer segments. By laying down everything on the table before putting pen to paper, you can save weeks and months of back-and-forth planning due to new challenges arising when thinking on the move. #### 2\. Exhibit a Clear Market Opportunity in Your Plan A successful business growth plan needs to clearly show a market opportunity and describe the target audience for specific products and services and the competitive edge or value proposition that differentiates a brand from another. As a business owner, you need to show that the market is large and diverse enough to sustain growth, regardless of the competition or [complexities](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-ways-to-prepare-your-business-for-a-natural-disaster/). #### 3\. Refine Your Plan by Filling Every Hole A smart business growth plan is a logical one. This means that you need to have the resources to seize the presented [opportunity](https://happybreath.com/hiking-up-not-so-beautiful-mountains/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), in terms of finances, expertise, [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-breakthroughs-that-might-shape-the-future-of-technology/), location, among other factors. You need to share and explain your operation and marketing plans along with the expected financial projections and growth. In simple words, every aspect of the plan must be logically constructed and communicated with others. Moreover, the financial results or rewards must be appropriate in terms of the risk involved and be realistic. #### 4\. Break Down the Finances An essential part of planning for smart business growth is explaining the financial assumptions or strategy to stakeholders. After all, your plan’s financial modeling will determine how it will impact revenue, expenses, and cash flow. This will ultimately decide whether the growth plan is feasible or nothing but misguided [optimism](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). #### 5\. Use Recommended Business Plan Formats and Structure Your growth plan needs to be professional, [clean](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and detailed like any business plan. It needs to cover every aspect of your business, from your executive summary to your company overview, industry, customer, competitive analysis, marketing and operation plan, and financial management. Including these components is critical to ensuring a complete business growth plan. Plus, don’t forget to provide supporting documentation, such as patents, market projections, and customer lists. ### Wrap It Up And there you have it – how to plan for smart [business](https://puccicafe.com/exciting-pet-businesses-to-start-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) growth. With this information, you can get back on your drawing board and take the first step toward elevating your startup or small business to the next level. If your plan includes optimizing your [IT infrastructure](https://percento.us/expert-services/it-projects/it-roadmapping/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and digital presence, look no further than [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) – where we provide businesses of scale and niche with high-quality IT services from web design to Cybersecurity, managed services, and consulting. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How to Keep Your Dog Warm During Winter URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-keep-your-dog-warm-during-winter/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:12.000Z Keep Your Dog Warm | All dog owners need to be aware of how to keep your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) warm in the winter. There are several important factors about your dog's safety and comfort to keep in mind as cold weather approaches. Wintertime can be hazardous for dogs if they are not acclimatized to cold temperatures or if they have a short-haired coat. Even if your dog has a long coat, it may be susceptible to health risks if exposed to the cold for a long period of time. Here are some things to avoid during winter to keep your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) safe and comfortable. ### Limit Time Spent Outdoors The key point to remember here is if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog. If you are taking your dog out for a walk during winter, it's better to go for shorter, more frequent walks to protect your pet from weather-associated health risks. Such risks include frostbites (Frozen skin tissue) or hypothermia (low body temperature). Even if your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) has a thick coat, it cannot protect all its body parts. Their ears and nose are exposed to the cold, and their paws are in direct contact with cold cement or snow. It is important not to leave your dog unattended outside for any length of time. Only take them outside if they are active or need to exercise. Limit the duration of your walk if it's getting too cold. Be mindful to keep your dog on a leash when going for a walk. This can prevent your dog from getting lost in the cold woods or in a snowstorm. ### When is it too cold for your dog? Like humans, dogs can tolerate cold to different degrees. Your [dog's](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) breed, nutritional status, physical conditioning, coat density, and acclimation all influence this. Northern breeds such as Siberian or Alaskan huskies, malamutes, and Burmese Mountain dogs can tolerate cold temperatures very well due to their thick undercoats. It can take between one week to two months for a healthy dog to climatize to extreme temperatures. Effects of low temperatures are often also magnified by the level of wind and wetness. Pay attention to the signals your pet gives you. If your dog is dragging you home, refusing to go for a walk, or shivering, it is probably too cold for them. Dr. Lauren Cohn from [Fishtown Animal Hospital,](https://thefishtownanimalhospital.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Philadelphia, advised dog owners to stay alert from 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If your dog is elderly, suffers from illnesses, is a puppy, or is pregnant, it is more vulnerable to cold weather. ### A Cozy Corner If your dog stays indoors, a soft bed or a thick blanket should provide enough warmth to keep your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/) warm during winter. A self-warming pet mat is also a good idea if your dog sleeps in a particularly chilly part of the house. Self-warming pet mats usually retain your dog's body heat and also come with a removable microwavable heating pad. But do be mindful of safety. Heated mats can, at times, burn your dog's skin. Make sure your dog is able to jump off the mat whenever it wants. If your dog spends time outdoors for more than potty breaks and walks, make sure it has adequate shelter. An outdoor doghouse is a good idea where your dog can stay warm and dry from cold, wet weather. The doghouse should be elevated from the ground a few inches and should have a door flap to keep out drafts of wind. It should also have soft dry bedding to keep your dog warm. Hay or straw can also be good insulators, and dogs can burrow down in them. ### Dress Your Dog Warmly If you have a small dog or a breed with short hair, they might need some extra help in chilly weather. This is also true for puppies or elderly dogs as they find it harder to control body heat. A sweater or coat is a good idea to keep your dog warm. If it's so cold outside that you feel you need to cover your dog's head as well, then avoid going outdoors at all. Dogs lose most of their body heat through their ears, paws, and respiration, so a coat or sweater that covers them from neck to tail works well. Make sure the sweater /coat is not too tight for your dog around the neck. 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Wearing boots is not a natural sensation for a [dog](https://happybreath.com/product-category/apparel/dog-scarfs-apparel/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and sometimes would require some getting used to. ### Our Final Thoughts Be sure to follow these tips on how to keep your [dog warm](https://puccicafe.com/product-category/ready-to-wear/dog-hoodies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) during winter. Just like how dogs can easily get overheated in summer, they are also vulnerable in the winter. Avoid going outside more than necessary if the weather temperature is too low. Dog sweaters, coats, and booties are useful items to purchase if you have a short-haired breed or live somewhere prone to snow and ice. It is of vital [importance](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that these cute canines stay warm and [comfortable](https://texasbelton.com/community/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) during difficult winter months. Here are some scarfs for your pup: [www.happybreath.com/product-category/apparel/dog-scarfs-apparel](https://happybreath.com/product-category/apparel/dog-scarfs-apparel/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Online Business Marketing: 9 Effective Ways for Brands to Build Trust on Social Media URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/online-business-marketing-9-effective-ways-for-brands-to-build-trust-on-social-media/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:13.000Z Using social media for online business marketing is growing rapidly as brands are trying to harness the power of the digital social-sphere to connect with users and sell their products or services. As the digital surge increases, so does the frequency in which brands engage with customers using social media channels. So, have you been working on your brand presence on social media? Do customers know you? Do competitors know you? If yes, then, unfortunately, this isn’t enough! Brands come and go, and to stay alive for the long haul, you need to build trust on social media. ### The Need for Building Trust on Social Media in Online Business Marketing According to a global survey by [Researchgate](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338192138%5FThe%5FRole%5Fof%5FTrust%5Fin%5FUnderstanding%5Fthe%5FImpact%5Fof%5FSocial%5FMedia%5FMarketing%5Fon%5FBrand%5FEquity%5Fand%5FBrand%5FLoyalty?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a brand strongly influences where consumers decide to purchase goods and services. The majority of respondents said that ‘brand trust’ was among the top three reasons influencing their decisions to shop from a particular brand after price and location. Social media is the place to build trust in the online [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/trust-your-gut/) world. But before companies can truly engage with customers, they need to first develop a social media strategy that leads to a trusting relationship. Consider online business marketing on social media as a form of traditional public relations that brands can use to interact directly and instantly with their customers. Here are 9effective ways for brands to build trust on social media: #### 1\. Share High-Quality Content If you have your social media platforms set up, sharing high-quality content is the first thing you need to do to offer value to visitors. As a result, visitors stay longer on your website and helps to establish a loyal following. With great [content](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-changing-retail/), you showcase your brand authority and the effort you have put to appeal to your target audience. This includes: - *Identifying who your customers are, what they want, and when they want it.* - *Identifying your competitors and using their content to improve yours.* We understand that you’ll be hiping to convert visitors using your content, but never make your content just about selling your products or services. We recommend that you follow Pareto’s principle (80/20 rule), with 80% non-promotional/informational content and 20% promotional. #### 2\. Transparency In today’s digital world, if you want to build trust, you need to embrace the issues associated with your brand online and get involved in guiding that conversation. Buyers are more likely to purchase from a brand if their CEO or top executives use social media to engage with consumers. #### 3\. Encourage User-Generated Content By opening your channels to your consumers, you encourage them to share their photos, videos, and feedback on your products on [social media](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/). Consumers want to see real people using products and services before making decisions, and you can do that by providing social proof to build trust. By bringing real customers into the fold, you can improve authenticity ratings and witness the delight of customers as they see their content shared by your brand. #### 4\. Interactive Engagement The point of being on social media is to socialize. As a brand, you can’t simply post content and leave it at that. You must engage with your audience, respond instantly to questions, and encourage users to interact with them in their posts. Interactive engagement also includes thanking customers or wishing them on special occasions like holidays. Doing this helps build brand reputation and trust in the long haul. #### 5\. Ask For Reviews Customer reviews have become essential for building trust in your brand. Prospects will check your company’s ratings on Facebook and sites like Amazon, Yelp, and Twitter before making a purchase decision. 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Share Your Social Views Consumers want to know that businesses they support care about their issues and that your brand is not just about making money. Use your social media platforms to raise awareness of different causes your target audience follows as an indication of [social](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-social-media-customer-care-in-retaining-a-companys-clientele/) responsibility. Topics like animal rights, racism, and environmental concerns are trending. #### 9\. Use Referrals and Collaborations Like user reviews, collaborations with other businesses can take your trust levels to new levels. Engage with other trusted brands and influencers and align yourself with leaders in different [industries](https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/). Starting a referral program also allows you to expand your audience by offering other brands or customers incentives such as discounts or freebies for bringing new customers. ### Wrap it up Online business marketing requires planning and consistent engagement with your audience. During COVID-19, digital traffic on social media has increased immensely. So, it’s high time to improve your brand presence if you want to build trust on social media. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 7 Leadership Insights that Lead to Winning and Success in Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-leadership-insights-that-lead-to-winning-and-success-in-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:13.000Z Your business might have a great product or service, a solid budget, an abundance of resources, and a highly capable team of subject matter experts. However, without proper leadership, there’s no way your team can march with its best foot forward. Business leadership has become an essential driver of success in the modern landscape filled with uncertainty – whether it’s a pandemic, market share fluctuation due to rising competition, or an unstable work [environment](https://bobbydavidson.com/leadership-qualities-make-good-ceos/). The fact is, every ship needs a captain to navigate a storm successfully, and every captain needs a fully-motivated and energized crew to boost their chances of survival. However, contrary to what you might have heard, most leaders aren’t born experts at what they do or know the solution to every problem. Instead, they rely on active learning to generate valuable insights to help them solve problems, dodge a bullet, or uncover new opportunities. With that said, not every manager or [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/unraveling-the-common-misconceptions-surrounding-ai-and-big-data/) owner comes up with leadership insights. Sometimes, all it takes is learning from other leaders through observation, research, or even mentoring. In this post, we’ll talk about the importance of insight in business leadership and share seven leadership insights that lead to winning and success in business. ### The Importance of Insight in Business Leadership Insight is a complex business buzzword that can be perceived in many different ways. Some think of it as intuition, awareness, or wisdom, while others consider it closer to judgment, insight, and perception. Regardless of what it means to you, its nature allows people to learn something new and act upon it. Today, leaders from around the world employ several practices to enhance their power of insight to assess people, conditions, and situations better. Some like to read for self-improvement, while others enjoy regular exercise, recreation, and even good eating habits. From a managerial or technical perspective, insights help [leaders](https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/): - ***Find solutions that benefit themselves and their organizations.*** - ***Advocate for what they believe in and stand for.*** - ***Listen to input, ideas, and feedback from employees and others.*** - ***Determine when to say ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.*** - ***Continuously demonstrate positive attitudes regardless of the situation.*** - ***Identify and eliminate foggy or blinding issues that obscure success.*** ### 7 Business Leadership Insights that Lead to Success #### 1\. Success Isn’t All About Capital When conventional leaders think about their needs, money is often the first thing that pops into their minds. While capital is important, it’s not the only driver of financial rewards in your business. What modern [organizations](https://bobbydavidson.com/startup-leaders-should-pay-themselves/) need more than money is productive power, which typically requires three essential ingredients – talent, energy, and time. With these three resources, you can achieve far more with a limited spending budget than by splashing more cash into your business. #### 2\. “Nice Guys” Don’t Always Finish Last For decades, we’ve heard that the business world is full of sharks, and there’s no place for honest, ethical, fair, and good people. However, research suggests that traditional leaders who got to the top by getting the job done through shortcuts, narcissistic charm, and manipulation are becoming obsolete. Modern organizations require more transparent leaders with a friendly yet aggressive approach to getting things done together with their teams as a solid unit. #### 3\. A Toxic Boss Leads to Toxic Employees and Workplace Environment Nobody likes toxic bosses, and yet, many corporate organizations are run by leaders with narcissistic traits like coldness, manipulation, and impulsivity. However, a survey by the British Psychological Society showed that this affects employees’ well-being and fosters the same work behavior from them, especially bullying those under them. Modern organizations require exemplary, healthy, and highly emotionally intelligent leaders that can foster empathy, awareness, and internal motivation top-bottom. #### 4\. Winning Often Means Compromise and Tradeoffs Every business revolves around customer and employee [satisfaction](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-sales-force-management-and-how-the-right-spm-software-can-elevate-sales-performance/), but if you choose a path towards perfection, you’re always going to find yourself coming up short. Business success isn’t about winning - it’s about setting a positive win-loss ratio. Moreover, every decision you make will involve a tradeoff or compromise, often at the expense of your employees. In this case, you need to ensure that their efforts are not only noticed but rewarded. #### 5\. You Don’t Have to Destroy Others to Succeed Success doesn’t always have to be at the expense of others. Great leaders look for win-win solutions to problems in which customers, vendors, stakeholders, and employees are happy. Sometimes, even your competitors can offer valuable insights to help your business solve a problem or improve your value offerings. #### 6\. Success Goes Deeper than Achieving a Target or Milestone While milestones and targets are crucial for measuring performance, profit and loss aren’t always the determinants of success or failure. Success in the modern landscape requires a clear, long-term [vision](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that goes beyond monetary benefits and includes aspects like employee engagement, enhanced customer experience, simplified purchase journeys, and other human factors. #### 7\. Real Success is Long-Lasting, Not Momentary Long-lasting [success](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is built upon continual effort and attention to detail in everything you do. Great leaders make getting positive results and success a habit and part of their organizational culture. Momentary [success](https://happybreath.com/hiking-up-not-so-beautiful-mountains/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and pivotal moments are merely for recollection and short-term motivation. ### Wrap it up So get ready for this new year of 2022\. By adopting any of these insights, business leaders can impact multiple aspects of their [business](https://puccicafe.com/exciting-pet-businesses-to-start-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), whether it’s boosting morale by changing the way they treat employees or redefining what success means to them. Whatever you make of these insights, they can play an important role in fostering a win-win scenario for everyone. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Exercise Ideas for Your Pooch URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/dog-exercises/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:14.000Z Dog Exercises | Getting your dog to exercise does not require fancy equipment, expensive training classes, or a lot of planning or thought. Instead, all you need is a little bit of time and some creativity to get your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) moving and healthy. In fact, some dog parents include dog training as a part of their canine’s exercise so their pooch can learn some basic commands and other important movements that can keep them healthy. Therefore, if you’re looking for some fun physical exercise ideas for your pup, you’re at the right place. ### Can My Dog Exercise? This question can only be answered by a [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/) parent aware of their canine’s nature, age, likes, and dislikes. However, it is important and recommended that your dog have 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. This will, of course, depend on your pooch’s breed. Some dogs are just naturally lazy and can do well with a light stroll in the park. However, other breeds such Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers need more activity. Therefore, you may have to be proactive when it comes to deciding their exercises. Thus, if you’re struggling with this, here are eight exercise ideas for your pooch that can also double as [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/) training. ## Dog Exercises: Ideas to Get Your Dog Active ### Hiking If your pet loves nature along with a little bit of challenge, then hiking is an excellent exercise for them. However, you have to ensure you follow the trail’s rules set by authorities, especially those concerning [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/). Not only this, but you also have to pack according to the journey, climate, and duration of the hike. Make sure you research how to prep your pooch for this adventure, as they will need some training, especially if they are new to this. ### Running Running can be a great way for you and your dog to get some much-needed movement. This is especially true for those [breeds](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) that need rigorous activities, such as Huskies and Malamutes. The best way to do this is by choosing an area where you can run with your dog without its leash. However, make sure the area is safe for this activity as you don’t want your dog to scare off people or other pets. Furthermore, it’s always a better idea to start slow and increase your speed and time so your pooch can develop the stamina to catch up with you. Otherwise, it will do more harm than good for their physical health. ### Swimming Even though some might say that swimming is an unconventional physical exercise for dogs, this is, again, something that only a dog parent can determine. Your pooch may be a water dog such as a Labrador retriever that loves being near or in water bodies. However, make sure you have a dog lifejacket on before you undertake this dog exercise. You can also include other games in this exercise, such as fetch, and even bring safe toys such as balls or chewing toys that can float easily. ### Treat Hide and Seek All dog exercises do not have to include the outdoors. Therefore, if you’re looking for some fun inside your home, then this hide-and-seek activity can be playful for your pooch. Just hide some treats under the pillows, behind the curtains, or anywhere your dog can easily find them. This can be good for their physical health and even recharge their olfactory sense. This is simple, cost-effective, and great for days when you don’t feel like walking or running your dog. ### Fetch Fetch is perhaps the simplest of all dog exercises. It is usually an outdoor game that you can play in a park or even in your backyard. All you need is a ball or your dog’s favorite stick or even a Frisbee. However, if you’re doing this in a park, make sure you follow park rules that may include leash restrictions or a designated area for your pooch. Moreover, you can play fetch in your living room on days you don’t have the time or energy to leave your house. But again, be careful of your décor. ### Tug of War Tug of war is something that everyone enjoys, so why not turn it into a physical exercise for your pooch? However, make sure you do this exercise with your dog instead of any other pet, as they can get aggressive together. Just place a rope between you and your dog and allow your pooch to tug by chewing it or pulling at it. This will allow them to use their energy and even understand boundaries. ### Agility Training Agility training is excellent for canines who are more demanding when it comes to physical exercise. This can also double as dog training, where your pooch can learn how to interact with other pets and even learn some competitiveness. It may include an obstacle course that consists of hoops, jumps, walkaways, poles, and tunnels. However, you might have to enroll your dog in a special agility training class for this type of training as it requires professional dog handlers who train canines for this competitive [sport](https://happybreath.com/6-best-outdoor-activities-for-dogs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Let Your Dog Create Its own Games Finally, allow your [dog](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to develop its own games, especially when you take it to a park. It’s natural for them to become playful when they see an open space or they have other pet dogs around them. They might sniff, run, or play with other dogs without having you as their primary [source](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of exercise and entertainment. However, make sure you keep an eye out and understand your dog’s body [language](https://texasbelton.com/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in such situations. ### The Bottom Line On a final note, it is important to reiterate that these physical exercise ideas are some things that your dog might enjoy. While you know your pup, your vet understands its health better. So, before putting your dog through any exercise, make sure you have clearance from its vet while understanding what your dog likes or dislikes. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Best Movies for Entrepreneurs in 2021 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-best-movies-for-entrepreneurs-in-2021/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:14.000Z The life of an aspiring [entrepreneur](https://percento.us/industries-served/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is nothing short of a rollercoaster with ups, downs, and lessons learned. However, you must take the time to relax and take some time off to rejuvenate and recharge every once in a while. You don’t have to take a weekend trip or a week’s vacation every few months. Sometimes, all you need is to order some takeout, get the fireplace going, and put on a great movie to watch with your partner or family. With so much content to pick from, thanks to several streaming giants like Netflix and a plethora of studios that release hundreds of movies every year, you can find something that's not only entertaining but also educational. Depending on what you pick, you can learn how Wall Street and the Nasdaq syndicate works by watching The Wolf of Wall Street, the concept of McDonaldization by [watching](https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/) The Founder, and digitalization by watching The Pirates of Silicon Valley or The Social Network. However, if you’ve already watched these great movies, perhaps, you’d like to watch something new. If that's the case, you're at the right place, as we'll be sharing the ten best movies for Entrepreneurs in 2021 in this post. Let’s check them out without further ado. ## 6 Movies Every Entrepreneur Should Watch in 2021 #### 1\. House of Gucci If you know anything about fashion, you most likely know about Gucci, a legendary brand [famous](https://bobbydavidson.com/sci-fi-technologies/) for its high-quality product line, including handbags, footwear, accessories, fragrances, make-up, and so much more. House of Gucci is a fashion-soaked, star-studded film that features strong performances from the legendary Al Pacino, Adam Driver, Lady Gaga, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, and Jared Leto. The movie revolves around the family’s rise from humble beginnings and all the turbulence in the ’70s and ’80s due to inheritance conflict, fake product launches, and deception, which finally led to their demise and the brand's acquisition by Investcorp. The key lesson you’ll learn from this movie is the importance of maintaining relevancy in pop culture if you’re working in the fashion industry. The movie also shows what can happen when you don’t have full control over your sales channels and how you can use customer co-creation to boost relevance in the market. #### 2\. Silk Road Silk Road is a fast-paced thriller that tells the true story of how the infamous dark web-based Amazon-for-drugs called Silk Road was created by Ross Ulbricht, a Ph.D. dropout from Penn State University, and how it amassed over a billion dollars in sales before the DEA stopped the deep web drug supply chain and money laundering operation. The most important lesson you can learn from this crime drama is the dangers of unregulated platforms and the dark side of digitalization. #### 3\. Dear Rider If you're a sports enthusiast, then Dear Rider is definitely worth watching. This HBO Original documentary produced by Red Bull Media House tells the story of the late Jake Burton Carpenter, who transformed snowboarding into a globally recognized sport using his entrepreneurial vision. In this documentary feature, you get the chance to observe and learn how to pull together sponsors, manage ski resorts, attract major athletes, and apply those branding and marketing skills to your business. #### 4\. Black Friday If you're looking for something spooky and funny, this horror comedy film produced by and starring Bruce Campbell from The Evil Dead franchise is what you need to kick back and relax while learning about the retail industry and how it was affected by COVID-19\. The film tells the story of a team of unmotivated toy store employees who have to protect themselves from parasite-infected zombie shoppers on Black Friday – depicting what it's like to be at the front line of [business](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). #### 5\. CODA Suppose you're looking for some inspiration for chasing something you love rather than following a legacy. 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It's a great eye-opener for entrepreneurs who want to see how the $5 trillion gig works and how the platform economy is rapidly transforming into one in which people wake up each day for the sole purpose of earning money and sabotaging every other aspect of their [lives](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Wrapping it up And there you have it – the top 6 picks of the [best](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) movies for entrepreneurs in 2021\. Of course, there have been other top [releases](https://bobbydavidson.com/everything-on-demand/) in 2021, but we feel that this list encompasses every mainstream genre and includes some great performances from some of the best actors in the business. So, you’re bound to have a good time whether you’re looking for a dark crime drama or a family-friendly comedy. For more information related to business, technology, and industry news, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why Doing Things the Same Way Repeatedly Could Be Bad for Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-doing-things-the-same-way-repeatedly-could-be-bad-for-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:14.000Z For nearly half a century, crisis management has been a popular practice within organizations with several contingencies in place in case of downtimes, disruptions, and market fluctuations. However, most modern organizations overlook the one thing that usually leads to internal [issues](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) – repetitive mistakes. And one of the most repetitive mistakes organizations make is doing the same thing over and over again, creating a loop of failures that not only waste time but also waste valuable resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has offered hundreds of businesses a fresh start to get things right and keep up with the fast pace of the new normal to stay in the [competition](https://bobbydavidson.com/trust-your-gut/). To do that, you need to understand why doing the same things over and over again could be bad for your [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/minimalist-business-practices-how-minimalism-can-improve-your-business/) in the modern age, which is what we’ll be talking about in this post. ***3 Things Most Organizations Do Over and Over Again*** #### 1\. Kill Innovation to Maintain Traditional Practices or Businesses Over the last few decades, we have seen the demise of so many top organizations simply due to stubbornness or ego. Consider Nokia for example. The cellphone manufacturing giant was the industry leader for over a decade until it was blown out of the water by innovative companies like Apple and Samsung launching operating systems and features that made Nokia’s obsolete. Similarly, Kodak invented the digital camera but didn’t introduce it to the market for nearly 25 years due to the success of their film technology, thereby, purposely halting innovation and cannibalizing their own business. #### 2\. Offer Outdated Customer Service Polices Customer-centricity is the trending buzzword in the [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-roi/) industry these days. The math is simple – keep your [customers](https://bobbydavidson.com/7-workplace-trends-for-2021-you-should-know-about/) happy, and they’ll keep your pockets filled. Give them bad customer service, and they’ll find an alternative by simply making a Google or Facebook search. By compromising your customer experience and sticking to outdated, brick practices, you’re continuously threatening your business continuity. #### 3\. Stay in their Comfort Zone Not too long ago, most startups and small businesses wanted to find their little corner in the market and stick to a niche. However, the modern landscape demands businesses keep growing and expanding into new markets to gain new [customers ](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-reduce-business-energy-costs-9-energy-saving-tips-for-small-businesses/)and add more revenue streams. Most startups fall because they constantly rely on a single source of revenue generation instead of penetrating under-serving sectors and building valuable relationships. ### How Making Small, Timely Conscious Changes Can Make a Huge Impact Humans are creatures of habit who continue to do the same thing as long as it is easy and efficient instead of challenging preconceived notions of how it should be done. However, times are changing, and businesses with this mindset might live to see the next year if they don’t change with the times. If your business is no longer moving forward with doing things the same way, here’s how you can slowly transform your mindset and practices with it: #### 1\. Endure, Persist, Persevere During the pandemic, we’ve seen that the best leaders are not just those who were able to scale and grow their business in 2020/2021 but also those who were willing to stay the course and ensure continuity. One of the biggest problems is that most businesses want instant change, which isn’t possible even if you have the required technologies and personnel on board. Change takes time; therefore, you need to be patient and keep learning new skills or concepts to change your perception of reality. This way, you drift away from making the same moves or decisions over and over again. #### 2\. Maintain Competence Admitting that change is necessary for growth is the easy part. Working on how to change requires conscious competence, which is a fancy term for keeping up with the trending concepts, technologies, practices, and skills in the marketplace. Adopting these changes isn’t a switch that just needs to be turned on. There is a transition period every team and employee must go through before they can adopt new tools and practices. Moreover, you need to ensure that you keep an open mind throughout to ensure that you’re able to stay the course. Nokia eventually got back on track after it finally embraced Android technology. #### 3\. Find the Balance Between Consistency and Variance Undoubtedly, you’ll require creativity to foster [change](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) within your organization. However, this doesn’t mean you disrupt your entire workflow to implement those changes. What you need is the right balance between consistency and variance. You neither want to allow too much leeway nor want to discourage innovating thinking or risk-taking. Having a systematic [business](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) plan is great for sustenance, but you have to leave your organizational bubble to get where you need to be before you can sustain the changes. ### Wrapping it up To sum up, modern organizations need to establish and maintain change [management](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) programs to ensure they keep evolving and drift away from repeated practices. Every industry sector is changing with the influx of new technologies, practices, compliances, and consumer behavior. If you want to truly advance, you need to foster a fluid and agile workplace culture in which employees and teams are always in transition, learning and adapting to keep up with the pace. For more information related to technology and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. We specialize in working with small businesses to help develop IT and web solutions that can support your technology initiatives. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Avoid These Common Mistakes While Camping with Your Dog URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/avoid-these-common-mistakes-while-camping-with-your-dog/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:15.000Z Taking your dog along on a camping trip is common among dog owners. It is a great way to spend quality time with your pooch while exploring the great outdoors. Not only does your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) get to experience new sights and smells, but it also gets to socialize with other people and other dogs. When taking your pooch along on a camping trip, you should always plan in advance. Keep all useful things your dog will need in a bag pack with you, such as an extra leash or harness, dry dog food, [doggy snacks](https://happybreath.com/product-category/treats-chews/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), water bowl, bottled water, poop scooper, [poop bags](https://happybreath.com/product/fremont-dog-poop-bag-waxed-canvas/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), etc. But sometimes, even after making all necessary arrangements, we tend to make mistakes while camping with our [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/). Here are some common mistakes while camping with your dog that you should avoid. #### Not Keeping Your Dog in Check When you decide to take a camping trip with your [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/), keep camping etiquette in mind. Try and keep things as clean as possible. Your dog should not be urinating on anyone’s tent, furniture, or coolers. 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Do thorough research on the kind of wildlife present in the region where you are camping before starting the camping trip. This is especially important for areas where predators such as bears, mountain lions, wolves, or venomous snakes might be present. #### Not Preparing for Every Situation When camping with your dog, be prepared. You need to be certain your dog is comfortable with sleeping in a tent outdoors before you begin the trip. Make sure your dog is silent will be able to sleep well. You can work on this by training your dog with treats beforehand and making sure your dog gets used to the camping equipment. Camping out in the backyard for several nights can help with this too. Basic training for good manners is a must before you go camping with your dog. Your dog should be obedient and should respond to basic commands such as ‘sit,’ ‘come,’ and ‘stay’ at least. #### Not Bringing the Right Equipment When undertaking a camping trip with your dog, bringing padded travel [bedding](https://happybreath.com/product-category/dog-bedding/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is always a good idea. This is especially useful if your dog is older as it would find the ground hard and uncomfortable. You can also bring your dog’s regular bed or favorite blanket to keep them comfortable. This will also insulate them from the ground, especially in regions that get colder at night. If you are hiking or camping in an area with rough terrain that includes sharp rocks or thorns, it’s a good idea to bring doggie booties along. Doggie booties can also be used if your dog is not used to walking long distances. Do start training your dog to start wearing these booties several weeks beforehand to build their endurance. 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The better prepared you are for the trip, the more you can get out of it for you and your pooch! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The 5 Ways the Internet of Things Has Revolutionized Learning and Education URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-5-ways-the-internet-of-things-has-revolutionized-learning-and-education/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:15.000Z There’s been a lot of buzz about the Internet of Things (IoT) over the past couple of years. A day is going to come when a computer is no longer seen as a separate device. Technology is already entwined in the basic fabric of everyday living today, and it’s going to become even more immersive. You can expect someone born at the height of the Internet age to feel disappointed if their room lamp doesn’t acknowledge their presence immediately upon entering a room and turn itself on. Over time, the Internet of Things will become a mindset instead of a steady stream of [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/internet-of-things-office/). Even though other devices in our workplaces, homes, and surrounding environments are intelligent enough to talk and connect to one another, people are still going to focus on the transformational possibilities for the other world. The educational realm isn’t an exception to the influence of the Internet of Things (IoT), and until recently, educational technology pivoted around virtual conferencing and classrooms, online tutorials, and other offerings. However, that was only the beginning, and we are going to be sharing the five ways that the Internet of Things (IoT) will influence education and [learning](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-technology-is-helping-revolutionize-language-learning/) today. #### 1\. Sustain and Conserve to Flourish and Survive With the help of the Internet of Things, there are various options possible when it comes to energy conservation and environmental, traffic, transport, and ecosystem regulation that can help schools build their budgets and provide better learning opportunities. For instance, a school district in Pennsylvania can save a fortune on energy by using the Internet of Things to support its energy monitoring and control program and reinvest the savings into their education programs. In the end, having a green lifestyle is the way forward into the future, and it’s important that we put in the work so that we can invest in more important areas. #### 2\. 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It’s got more to do with the [quality](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the impact, the community, and the acceptance as well. Even if all the fancy technology and resources that are available at the fingertips of our children today die out, there is still a long road ahead for IoT to complete reform education in an everlasting and path-breaking way. The [good news](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is that the seeds have been sown, and the harvest appears to be promising in the long [run](https://puccicafe.com/4-tips-any-dog-owner-should-follow/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), as it shapes not only the future of our children but the future of education and learning. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why Your Health Should Be a Key Business Metric URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/employee-health/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:15.000Z Employee Health | For a business to be successful in its endeavors, its staff needs to be both physically and mentally healthy. However, managing employee health goes beyond following COVID-19 SOPs or securing your premises to avoid slips and falls. To maximize workplace productivity and operational efficiency, you must consider employee wellbeing a key [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/why-your-health-should-be-a-key-business-metric/) metric and foster a culture with policies that encourage a healthy body and mind. With evolving trends and changing times, organizations have no choice but to humanize their workplace and employ emotional intelligence to get the best out of their workforce. ### Check out why your health should be a key business metric. ***The Importance of a Healthy Workforce*** Your staff needs to be at their 100% to give you their 100%. On average, an [employee](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/) spends 30% of their lives in the workplace, meaning employers have a grave responsibility on their shoulders offer them more than just a paycheck for their services by ensuring they’re physically and mentally healthy. Doing so will only induce a win-win situation with the following benefits: #### 1\. Improved Productivity It’s not uncommon for [employees](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-your-best-employees/) to take sick leaves, being human and all. However, healthier employees are less likely to take time off for many reasons, including better fitness and diet, less stress, a manageable workload, and realistic expectations from their managers. Therefore, they’re more actively engaged in their tasks and get more work done by the day’s end. #### 2\. Healthier Employees are Happier When you’re happy, your brain releases endorphins that boost cognitive functions and give your body a positive feeling. Tweaking up your workplace to elevate the mood or including policies that encourage exercise and strategic breaks during shifts. #### 3\. Lower Healthcare Costs Healthier employees don’t frequently visit the doctor’s office compared to their unhealthy counterparts. So, you can imagine the impact improved employee health can have on insurance or legal costs. And, all you have to do is make some smart investments to ensure better workplace hygiene and reduces hazards to prevent injuries. #### 4\. 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The following are some of the key metrics employed by most businesses in the market: - *Revenue* - *Growth* - *Profit Margin* - *Gross Margin* - *Website and Social Media traffic* - *Customer Satisfaction and Retention Rate* - *Customer Acquisition Cost* - *Customer Lifetime Value* - *Employee Satisfaction* - *Task Completion Rate* As you may have noticed, most businesses have failed to include employee [health](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/) as a key metric, ignoring the fact that most of their metrics are dependent on your workforce performance. By monitoring the actions of employees and employing health monitoring software, managers and leaders can potentially improve all their other key metrics. Secondly, health as a key metric can help identify the risks that could harm the overall performance of your organization. Furthermore, since technology is used for improving every aspect of the business, it’s about time it’s used for the people that ensure business continuity. For example, if any employee is suffering from physical or mental symptoms, managers could proactively take measures to help them before their condition worsens. ***The following are five metrics you can use to help evaluate employee health:*** #### 1\. Productivity Levels This can be done by setting your happiness rating against revenue, growth, or overall success? Are your employees happy, and is your business able to achieve all its goals? #### 2\. Absenteeism Absenteeism is a smart metric that can be used to monitor burned-out employees, dissatisfaction, and genuine health issues. #### 3\. Feedback Asking questions is the best way to understand how your [employees](https://bobbydavidson.com/inspire-your-employees/) are feeling. 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Feel free to reach out to us regarding our managed [IT services](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and other value offerings. A great way to stay healthily is daily walks with your four-legged friend. For 5 Life-Lengthening Health Tips For Your Dog visit, [www.puccicafe.com/5-life-lengthening-health-tips-for-your-dog](https://puccicafe.com/5-life-lengthening-health-tips-for-your-dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Life and Success Story of Bill Gates URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/bill-gates/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:16.000Z The Co-Founder of Microsoft Corporation and one of the most influential people in the world, Bill Gates was born on October 28,1955 in Seattle, Washington. One of the most inspiring personalities in history, Bill Gates has had a life filled with successes. Here is everything that you ever wanted to know about the life and success of Bill Gates! An American programmer, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, Bill Gates co-founded [Microsoft](https://bobbydavidson.com/microsoft-cloud-business/)—the world’s premier software company. With an estimated net worth of $90.6 billion, Gates is the second richest man in the world. But, how did he build this wealth and what were the challenges he overcame to get there? ### The Early Life of Bill Gates While Bill Gates had to work hard to become what he is today, his story isn’t exactly a rags-to-riches one as he was born into a fairly wealthy family. His father was a successful attorney while his mother was a school teacher who went onto become a member of the Board of Directors of the First Interstate Bank. Gates was a bright student and performed well academically, especially in mathematics. And, this was exemplified by the 800 points that young Bill Gates scored in the mathematics part of an intelligence test. Bill Gates developed a passion for computers and programming as early as 13\. At the same age, Gates enrolled in the Lakeside School, a private preparatory school. While Gates was still at the school, the school administration decided to buy a computer from the General Electric Company. Seeing his flare in [programming](https://bobbydavidson.com/windows-10-security-settings/), the school administration excused Gates from classes to allow him to pursue his interest. On the GEC machine, Bill Gates built his first ever computer program. At the school, Gates met Paul Allen and they worked together to find bugs in a system belonging to Computer Center Corporation. In exchange for computer time and royalties, Gates and Allen along with two other students wrote a payroll program for Information Sciences. This led to Gates’ school becoming fully aware of his talent and they had him a build a program that scheduled students in classes. Gates and Allen continue to build softwares and at just the age of 15, Bill Gates sold a software to optimize traffic for $20,000\. A few years later, he developed another software and earned $30,000 from it. And, this was the start of Bill Gates’ journey to a billion-dollar wealth. ### The Establishment of Microsoft Corporation In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen co-founded a [software](https://bobbydavidson.com/andrew-carnegie/) company and they named it Micro-Soft. Initially, the company delivered small software products to different firms. Since the company did not have enough finds to hire a sales manager, this function was performed by Mary Maxwell—mother of Bill Gates. Not long after, Gates and Allen found that Microsoft had dropped to the lowest affordable point. The company was in financial crisis and this is mainly due to the use of some pirated software. However, the two owners did not lose hope and they launched MS-BASIC, which helped them to make a profit of $50,000. 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The offer was promptly accepted by IBM and Microsoft was able to see-off competition from Digital Research—the company Gates and Allen had recommended to IBM for building their OS. In 1980, Microsoft and IBM signed the contract and within a year Micro-Soft became [Microsoft](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-reduce-business-energy-costs-9-energy-saving-tips-for-small-businesses/) Corporation. At the same, IBM launched their first ever personal computer with MS-DOS and a few other Microsoft products such as MS-BASIC, MS-PASCAL, MS-COBOL and others. Accomplishments kept pouring in for the company founded by Bill Gates, with notable accomplishments including the invention of the first mouse for personal computer, and the development of Windows Operating System. In fact, the launch of Windows was what helped Gates to build the fortune he currently boasts. Windows NT was the first [Windows](https://bobbydavidson.com/ten-best-2017-feature-updates-to-windows-10/) OS to be launched. This followed a series of Windows launches over the next few years including the launch of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. ### Bill Gates Now For a few years now, Gates has not been involved in the day-to-day operations of Microsoft and he has dedicated most of his time towards philanthropy and community projects. Bill Gates provides perspective on a range of issues and has co-founded The Giving Pledge—a foundation that encourages wealthy people to contribute a majority of their wealth towards philanthropic causes. At least $365 billion of giving has been pledged by 139 individuals, with a combined 2016 net worth of $731 billion. Bill Gates has [pledged](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) more than 80% of his wealth to charity upon death. There are many lessons to learn from the life of Bill Gates including being focused on your [goals](https://texasbelton.com/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and pursuing them persistently, building a great team, building partnership and thinking beyond oneself for the greater good of people. If you are inspired by the life and success story of Bill Gates, then we’d love to hear what about him or his life inspires you. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Tips To Help You Decide Which Dog Breed You Should Pick URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tips-to-help-you-decide-which-dog-breed-you-should-pick/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:16.000Z Which Dog Breed You Should Pick | We’ve long heard that, ‘a dog is a man’s best friend’. From keeping you physically active and on your feet to helping you meet new people and socialize, having a dog benefits both your physical and mental health. Whether it’s a long walk on an early spring morning or how they greet you with their constant tail-wagging after you return home from a tiring day at work, even the most mundane of scenarios becomes fun when you have your little 4-legged companion around. Most people underestimate the impact a [dog](https://happybreath.com/best-dog-breeds-for-hiking/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can have on their owner. It’s a long-term commitment since your fur baby will be relying on you for the next several years to come. Each breed has its own quirks and challenges, and selecting the right breed is crucial to you and your dog’s happiness. So before you step out to get a dog, here are some tips you should consider to find the right type of [dog](https://puccicafe.com/the-truth-about-dog-breeding/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for you! ### Lifestyle: The first step towards finding the right breed for you is to assess your current lifestyle. How much time and attention you can dedicate to your dog depends on your average day-to-day schedule. If you’re a person with a hectic routine, then you might want to consider getting a senior independent [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/) who can handle being left alone for most of the day. Younger pups are active. They not only require more training but also long walks and higher-energy consuming activities. Another factor to keep in mind is the number of people you have in your household, especially if you have any children or older relatives. Hypoallergenic dog breeds like Poodles, Maltese, Basenji and Shih Tzu are more suited for people with allergies or asthma. ### Size: Deciding which sized [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) you should get depends largely on your living conditions. How much space do you have? How much room can you spare? These are important questions one should evaluate before getting any pet. Larger dog breeds like Great Danes require more space to move around; they are more suited for people with bigger houses and backyards. Since these types of dogs are more prone to physical ailments, open space for physical activity serves them well. However, breed like Chihuahua is more appropriate if you have a smaller living space. These [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) require more attention as they are extremely vulnerable. ### Expenses: Your budget plays a key role in the journey to find a dog that is your perfect match! The larger the dog, the more expenses it is bound to have. You have to set aside a budget not just for dog food and other [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-reduce-business-energy-costs-9-energy-saving-tips-for-small-businesses/) supplies but also their grooming, medical needs and any potential treatments they may require. ### Energy level: Finding a dog whose activity level complements yours will benefit you greatly in the long run. The best match for you is a dog whose needs are similar to yours. A person with an adventurous personality and an active lifestyle can give more attention to a fur-ball that has high [energy](https://happybreath.com/product-category/toys/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) levels. For people who are frequent hikers, runners and campers Labradors and Golden retrievers can serve as great companions. On the other hand, a person who is always on the go and has a hectic schedule is likely to get exhausted by a dog this energetic. For them, breeds like Bulldog, Pug and Shih Tzu are more suitable because they are more content being lazy lap dogs and couch potatoes. ### Grooming requirements: All dogs require basic grooming, but some dog breeds tend to be more high maintenance as compared to the rest. The type of hair coat a dog has plays a major role in its fur shedding and [grooming](https://puccicafe.com/product-category/spa/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) needs. As the [dog](https://bobbydavidson.com/startup-leaders-should-pay-themselves/) matures, the hair coat undergoes several changes. Breeds like Dachshund and Newfoundland are the easiest dogs to deal with since they have a Smooth coat. Regular brushing and bathing will keep them looking fresh and healthy. Dogs with long coat and wire coat demand more time and attention especially during the shedding season. Dog breeds like Poodles, German shepherds, and Irish wolfhounds have extensive grooming routines that need to be followed for their physical wellbeing. They need to be trimmed and combed regularly, bathed with detangling shampoo to avoid pain and treated with conditioners to keep their fur soft and shiny. ### Age: A dog’s personality typically changes over the course of puppyhood, adolescence and adulthood. Younger dogs have hyper temperaments and require tons of training in their early months. Having patience around them is a must since they are likely to have plenty of accidents in the house. They may break items, ruin your furniture and chew your personal belongings. All these behavioral issues can be solved with consistent training. Older dogs are a less of a gamble since you are usually aware of their medical history, true energy level, attitude and temperament. Since they’ve socialized to some extent, they are easier to train and adjust comfortably in their surroundings. Another option to consider is senior dogs. Although these dogs may not have high energy levels, they are still loyal companions. They are often left out and forgotten. They end up spending their lives in shelter homes. Adopting them is the kindest thing you can do for these creatures. By showing them empathy and love, you can add joy to the golden years of their lives. Unlike younger and adult dogs, they may not be with you for a long but the bond you form with these animals lasts a lifetime. Owing a [dog](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) comes with its fair share of responsibilities. You need to have patience and invest a lot of time into their growth and wellbeing. However, dogs are exquisite creatures who will always repay your love ten-fold. Their loyalty knows no bounds. Owning a dog means years of a happy and fulfilling [life](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) together as they’ll love you unconditionally and provide [support](https://percento.us/expert-services/managed-it-services/end-user-it-support/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the toughest of times. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Six Common Challenges Facing Small Business Owners. URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/six-common-challenges-facing-small-business-owners/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:17.000Z As a young entrepreneur, you may have gone above and beyond the call of duty to set up your business, honing your time [management](https://percento.us/8-of-the-most-epic-business-feuds-of-all-time/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) skills, dealing with unhelpful people, and stepping outside of your comfort zone often. But now that you have reached that unreachable milestone and got your business on the right trajectory, is it sensible to just let it ‘go with the flow’? Nope. It is too soon for you to be relaxing on your reclining couch just yet. Your next milestone would be to make your [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/tech-skills/) a self-sustaining, money milking, number crunching machine… then you can rest on that recliner. Well, unless the entrepreneur bug has affected you enough to consider other business avenues. 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The catch however is that your idea must look good to them. Nascent entrepreneurs still face problems with basic skills, startup incubations help with business and presentation skills which might propel your startup into the limelight. #### 3) The immediate competition You don’t face much competition when you pioneer a new product, your only enemy is exposure to the general masses, but when your goal is to break into an established market, then your competition is both your benchmark and the worst nightmare. Your only true weapon in this case is aggressive media campaigning to qualify and attract customers and subtly shove your product into people’s minds. You need to maintain a cautionary balance between obtrusive and intuitive advertisement. 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So, young entrepreneur - give it a break and cut yourself some slack. #### 5) Expanding Your Network One of the key tools that [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/startup-leaders-should-pay-themselves/) should use to put themselves on and get themselves useful exposure is networking. It is unfortunately neglected by young startups. The confidence that usually accompanies a tender age doesn’t really have the benefit of hindsight, no matter how strong your idea may be, or how likeable your public persona may be. If you do not have connections with the right people your business will fall back to the closet it crawled out of. For this purpose, keep track of business summits that might be taking place around your city, register for them and take an active part in the brief break sessions that are provided in between presentations. Approach a business owner, introduce yourself and eloquently brief them about your business. 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There are times however when employees just either don’t have the passion or the base skill-set needed for you to be able to bring them to the [next](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) level. It is important to identify such workers early on and lay them off. It must be done so in a dignified manner; the [business](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is far too young to experience fallout from angry ex-employees. Transforming your business into a well-oiled machine should be your number one priority, to that end you must make hard and timely decisions. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Elon Musk and his Positive Attitude in Life URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk-and-his-positive-attitude-in-life/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:17.000Z Many people procrastinate whenever they think of doing something important and tell themselves that the task is beyond their capabilities or that they lack the resources. The truth is we have been taught to have this mindset in school, at work, and by people telling us that hyper-successful people and billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffet are of a different breed. However, if you think about it, these are simply people who broke the rules of normalcy and disrupted several industries by their mindset and attitude in life and business. Although, contrary to popular belief, optimism, hope, hard work, and risk-taking aren’t the only ingredients required to be successful in life. You need to have a relentless drive for getting things done with an open mind and a neutral perspective. Such is the thinking and attitude of [Elon Musk](https://bobbydavidson.com/elon-musk/), the world’s richest man according to Forbes and the founder of Tesla, SolarCity, SpaceX, and several other ventures – also the man who we’ll be putting under the microscope in this post to explain how a realist and occasional pessimist can have such a positive attitude in life. ### About Elon Musk – A Brief Introduction Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur who started his long journey of moving to a mystical place by cofounding the digital-payment firm PayPal, one of the most popular payment gateways in the world. However, he sold his shares in the company and invested in the electric car manufacturing company, [Tesla](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), of which he later became CEO. Following the success of Tesla’s EVs, Elon Musk founded SpaceX in the hope of fulfilling his life-long dream of making interplanetary travel possible by making more affordable rockets. With all his success and failures, he has amassed wealth exceeding $300 billion and is still working day and night to solve different problems that will help humanity. ### Elon Musk’s Positive Attitude On Life and Business that Makes him Successful #### 1\. It’s Never Been About the Money Not caring about money is central to Elon Musk and his positive attitude in life and business. According to many interviews and reports, he didn't even know how rich he was. He claimed that his wealth was simply due to a certain number of shares in his companies and their collective value in the marketplace. Although he doesn't have anything against wealth, he doesn't want to accumulate it but rather spends it on initiatives that make a difference. 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Even after SpaceX’s first three launches failed miserably, he still kept his head up, learned from his failures, and moved forward without giving up. #### 5\. Always Have a Contingency Finally, the last attribute worth considering is Elon Musk's attitude regarding failure. He uses his pessimistic mindset to understand that things will go wrong and adapt and learn from his failures to create different fail-safes or contingencies. For instance, in 2008, Tesla was on the brink of filing for bankruptcies as the company had just two weeks of money left. His [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/) was saved by a last-minute investment he had planned as a last resort. ### Wrap Up In his words, Elon Musk said that the only way you can be truly happy is when your personal and professional life are both going well. The only way to ensure happiness is by fostering a positive attitude around planning for the worst and hoping for the best, being a realist, taking calculated risks, and not giving up until the last [possible](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) second. Success in the modern age requires a mindset that encompasses the [good](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and the bad and creates the necessary balance to help you achieve your dreams. For more information related to [technology](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. We specialize in working with small and medium enterprises to help develop IT and web solutions that can support different business initiatives. [www.percento.us](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Story of Warren Buffett URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-story-of-warren-buffett/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:17.000Z Story of Warren Buffett | There’s no greater, more fascinating achievement out there than seeing your name in the history books as an entrepreneur who played a game-changing role in revolutionizing the business world in one way or another. These leaders possess contextual intelligence – the ability to understand the context of different eras and seize the unique opportunities within them, often before anyone else. In this articles, I’ll share the story of Warren Buffett, a man who redefined [entrepreneurship](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-ways-to-prepare-your-business-for-a-natural-disaster/) and investing, creating an empire in the form of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ### Introduction Warren Buffett is a renowned businessman, investor, and philanthropist, currently serving as chairman of one of the largest conglomerates in the world, Berkshire Hathaway. The multiple industry tycoon currently has holdings in over 60 [companies](https://bobbydavidson.com/marian-ilitch/) ranging from the media to insurance, food & beverage, energy, and the healthcare industry, thus, making him one of the richest men in the world, just behind the likes of Elon Musk (Tesla), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), and Bernard Arnault (Louis Vuitton). As per Forbes, his net worth in 2021 is close to $104 billion. ### Background and Education Warren Buffet was born on August 30, 1930, in the small town of Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Howard Buffett, was an avid investor and later became a U.S. congressman. His grandfather, Ernest Buffet, owned a local grocery store. With business running through the family, Warren was naturally good with numbers and even started reading books about the stock market, laying the foundation for his many entrepreneurial ventures in the future. When he was 10, he spent a lot of his time at a [local](https://texasbelton.com/community/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) brokerage and even visited the New York Stock Exchange. In 1947, after years of venturing into different businesses, Buffett entered the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and transferred to the University of Nebraska after two years, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Buffett wanted to pursue a Master of Science degree in Economics so he applied to Harward [Business](https://bobbydavidson.com/success-digital-economy/) School. After being rejected, he enrolled at Columbia Business School instead and also attended the New York Institute of Finance. ### Early Career and Berkshire Hathaway Inc By the age of 13, Buffett was already running several [businesses](https://puccicafe.com/exciting-pet-businesses-to-start-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) across town. He sold magazines and newspapers, Coca-Cola, and also a custom horseracing tip sheet. He also became one of the youngest citizens to file his tax returns. When he was in high school, he co-invested in a pinball machine with his friend for $25 and later installed it in a barbershop. Using the profit, they were able to purchase more machines before eventually selling the business for $1,200. In 1956, Warren Buffet started a brokerage firm in his hometown of Omaha called Buffett Partnership Ltd. By investing in several undervalued companies at the time, he quickly became a millionaire. One of the companies on his list was a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway, which he assumed control of in 1965 after accumulating most of its stock. Despite the success of his firm, he dissolved it in 1969 to develop Berkshire Hathaway by expanding through domain transformation, acquiring companies like The Washington Post, GEICO, and Exxon. In 1989, Warren Buffett made one of his best investments by buying stock in Coca-Cola, ultimately becoming the company’s director until 2006\. Today, Berkshire Hathaway Inc owns 65 distinct [companies](https://happybreath.com/hiking-up-not-so-beautiful-mountains/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with over 260 subsidiaries, including nearly 10% of Apple and nearly 27% of Kraft-Heinz. Here is a list of the top 25 companies the business tycoon owns today: **1\. Wells Fargo** **2\. American Express** **3\. Coca-Cola** **4\. International Dairy Queen, Inc.** **5\. Jordan’s Furniture** **6\. Home Services of America** **7\. Buffalo News, Buffalo NY** **8\. Marmon Holdings, Inc.** **9\. Brooks** **10\. NetJets** **11\. Duracell** **12\. Charter Brokerage** **13\. Pampered Chef** **14\. Oriental Trading Company** **15\. Business Wire** **16\. Precision Steel Warehouse, Inc.** **17\. Clayton Homes** **18\. CTB Inc.** **19\. Forest River** **20\. United States Liability Insurance Group** **21\. Shaw Industries** **22\. Scott Fetzer Companies** **23\. Star Furniture** **24\. See’s Candles** **25\. Garan Incorporated** ### Warren Buffet’s Impact on the U.S. Economy Warren Buffet’s selective approach to reinvestment of his parent company Berkshire Hathaway's earning has a significant impact on the wider economies. During the 70s, he used his profits and cashflows to invest in stock and acquire other smaller companies from various industry sectors, diversifying his portfolio. He believed in investing in assets that are needed in the American economy which is why his company slowly drifted away from manufacturing buggy whips in the rapidly-growing age of automobiles. His unique, cutting-edge strategies allowed him to shift profits and resources between different [companies](https://bobbydavidson.com/on-demand-concept/) to aid their overall performance, thereby, benefiting the larger economy. Warren Buffett is also known as one of the pioneers of modern-day passive investing, contributing to the success of several small businesses and startups, such as Fruit of the Loom, Nebraska Furniture Mart, See’s Candles, and Dairy Queen. Warren Buffett also transformed the health insurance [industry](https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-and-spotify/) by figuring out how to deliver insurance more efficiently and lowering the cost. His innovative resource allocation strategies allowed him to expand his empire quickly and spread low-cost products to a wider customer base. ### Wrap Up It’s impossible to fathom or estimate the impact Warren Buffett has had in the [business](https://percento.us/expert-services/consulting/business-continuity/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) world, especially the stock market. His investing strategies and efficient management techniques have become lessons in most modern business books. On a personal note, he still lives in the same house he bought in 1956 back in Omaha, Nebraska, and has promised to donate nearly 99% of his wealth to charity, showing his humble side and giving back to the world. Fascinating. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why Your Health Should Be a Key Business Metric URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-your-health-should-be-a-key-business-metric/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:18.000Z For a business to be successful in its endeavors, its staff needs to be both physically and mentally healthy. However, managing employee [health](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/) goes beyond following COVID-19 SOPs or securing your premises to avoid slips and falls. To maximize workplace productivity and operational efficiency, you must consider employee wellbeing a key business metric and foster a culture with policies that encourage a healthy body and mind. With evolving trends and changing times, organizations have no choice but to humanize their workplace and employ emotional [intelligence](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/) to get the best out of their workforce. **Here is some great info about why your health should be a key business metric.** ### The Importance of a Healthy Workforce Your staff needs to be at their 100% to give you their 100%. On average, an employee spends 30% of their lives in the workplace, meaning employers have a grave responsibility on their shoulders offer them more than just a paycheck for their services by ensuring they’re physically and mentally healthy. Doing so will only induce a win-win situation with the following benefits: #### 1\. Improved Productivity It’s not uncommon for employees to take sick leaves, being human and all. 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And, all you have to do is make some smart investments to ensure better workplace hygiene and reduces hazards to prevent injuries. #### 4\. Improved Competition Every [employee](https://bobbydavidson.com/inspire-your-employees/) working in your organization is a brand ambassador. Their health, performance, and behavior are a reflection of your company so if you want to create a positive image and show the world your organization is the place to be, improving employee health is the fastest way to get there. #### 5\. Reduced Employee Turnover Studies have shown that lack of happiness and poor [work](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-your-best-employees/) satisfaction are among the main reasons employees quit. Many are even willing to take a pay cut as long as their new job offers them a healthier work environment. ### Health as a Key Business Metric To ensure that your company becomes successful, you need to actively monitor and maintain every department, process, and activity in the workflow. The best way to do that is by setting key metrics into your business model to enable real-time tracking, allowing your team leaders to identify potential issues and devise workable solutions. The following are some of the key metrics employed by most [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/great-place-to-work/) in the market: - Revenue - Growth - Profit Margin - Gross Margin - Website and Social Media traffic - Customer Satisfaction and Retention Rate - Customer Acquisition Cost - Customer Lifetime Value - Employee Satisfaction - Task Completion Rate As you may have noticed, most businesses have failed to include employee health as a key metric, ignoring the fact that most of their metrics are dependent on your workforce performance. By monitoring the actions of employees and employing health monitoring software, managers and leaders can potentially improve all their other key metrics. Secondly, health as a key metric can help identify the risks that could harm the overall performance of your organization. Furthermore, since technology is used for improving every aspect of the business, it’s about time it’s used for the people that ensure business continuity. For example, if any employee is suffering from physical or mental symptoms, managers could proactively take measures to help them before their condition worsens. ### The following are five metrics you can use to help evaluate employee health: #### 1\. Productivity Levels This can be done by setting your happiness rating against revenue, growth, or overall success? Are your employees happy, and is your business able to achieve all its goals? #### 2\. Absenteeism Absenteeism is a smart metric that can be used to monitor burned-out employees, dissatisfaction, and genuine health issues. #### 3\. Feedback Asking questions is the best way to understand how your employees are feeling. Using emotional [intelligence](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), leaders should regularly extract valuable feedback and solicit opinions to resolve their issues and improve the workflow. #### 4\. Fluctuation Rate This metric can be used to monitor and evaluate the performance levels within your [organization](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). If this rate increases all of a sudden, it shows that your employees are either not happy or distracted. ### Wrap UP Proper employee health management is the key to success in the modern business world. By making health a key business metric, you can quantify your employees’ physical and mental wellbeing and make changes accordingly. At [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), we’ve helped hundreds of businesses adopt different business technologies and practices to optimize performance. Feel free to reach out to us regarding our managed IT services and other value offerings. [www.percento.us/expert-services](https://percento.us/expert-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Five Best Physical Activities for Your Dog URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/five-best-physical-activities-for-your-dog/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:18.000Z Are you running out of ways to keep your dog healthy and entertained at the same time? Maybe it’s time to look into activities other than the same old walks through the neighborhood that your [pet](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/) no longer finds interesting. If you’re wondering what other activities you can pursue to prevent your furry friend from getting bored, here are five physical activities you can engage them in. However, before we discuss them, it’s crucial to understand that physical activities are more about keeping your [pet’s](https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/) health in check first than keeping them entertained. Heart disease and diabetes are real problems, and even your dogs can suffer from them. Moreover, a leading cause of these issues is obesity. Hence, the best way to tackle them is to ensure a healthy lifestyle for your pet and incorporate as much physical activity as possible. Again, speak to a veterinarian and figure out a routine that will suit them well before exposing them to conditions beyond their control. For example, if you have a puppy, taking them on a jog or run is not recommended as their bones haven’t finished growing yet. Additionally, exercises for short-legged dogs are different from exercises for long-legged dogs. Hence, once you have spoken to a vet and have all the plans in order, you can engage in the following physical activities for [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/new-technology-see-through-walls/): ### Hiking For many years now, hiking has proved to be a great way to make your dog shed some pounds. However, this activity is not something you should expose them to if they’re not habitual of strenuous exercise. Give them enough opportunities to warm up by walking and running a bit before you take them hiking. Remember, your [dogs](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/) may not even be able to communicate if they’re getting too exhausted while hiking. Therefore, you need to pay attention to any signs of them wearing out and maybe stop to take some rest before you get going again. ### Swimming We can bet that you’ve never heard of a dog swimming before. However, this activity has only gained momentum recently. Swimming is a different yet effective way to help your dog be more active and shed some pounds in a creative way, without it feeling like a workout. However, that doesn’t mean you should throw them into a pool without exposing them to some form of training before. Therefore, speak to a trained professional and consult your vet before planning on making your dog pursue this activity. ### Tug-of-War Playing the game is a great way to help your dog build their upper body strength. While tug-of-war is one of the best ways to encourage your dog to display predatory behavior, you should play it with caution. Too much pressure or pull from your end without the right measures can make your dog even more aggressive. However, on the bright side, it’s not only a good physical but also mental exercise for your dog. So don’t hold yourself back from playing it if your dog is well-trained. ### Resistance walk If regular walks in the park have started getting too boring and [repetitive](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-in-the-internet-age/) for your dog, you may want to add a little twist to it. Resistance walk is a practice useful in all weather conditions. It consists of exposing your dog to a certain condition and making them walk. For example, walking in the snow or sand or wading shallow water is much more challenging than walking on a clear jogging track. Resistance walk is also a great way to prepare your dog for hiking as they’re exposed to slopes and peaks uncommon on the ground. ### Playing Fetch There’s nothing a good old game of playing fetch can’t solve. Even though it’s nothing new, it never stopped being your dog’s favorite sport. Since it allows them to be athletic and show off their strength, it’s a whole other form of gratification. Not only is it a way for them to show off their immense strength, but it also helps them burn off some energy in a way a simple walk in the park or a run never could. Additionally, it’s a game they naturally excel at, so we know there isn’t much you have to do other than play the game with them. ### How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? Before you consider pursuing any particular activity with your dog, be mindful of the fact that every dog has a different threshold and physical requirements. Your dog’s breed also plays a crucial role when it comes to determining the kind of [activity](https://texasbelton.com/community/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to expose them to. For example, if you have a high-energy breed like a Belgian Malinois, you may want to expose them to more strenuous exercises than a low-energy breed like a Basset Hound. Therefore, getting an active breed if you’re not active yourself can put you in a difficult spot, and getting a toy poodle to do excessive training is equally impractical. ### Indoor Activities For Your Dog However, physical [activities](https://happybreath.com/environmental-benefits-of-hiking/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are not only restricted to outdoor activities. Your dog can also have a great time indoors if going outside is not an option for the time being. Stairs happen to be one of the spots your [dog](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) finds very interesting to be around. This means, making them run up and down the stairs can really help them build some muscle. However, avoid pushing them too hard because sometimes it can get as strenuous for them as it does for people. If you think your dog understands the concept, you can also engage in a game of hide and seek to get them moving and mentally stimulated. Similarly, a simple game of chasing can also keep your [dog](https://puccicafe.com/about-huskies-and-are-they-good-pets/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) at their toes for a while. In conclusion, finding the right balance is necessary to ensure that your dog is neither overworked nor underworked. Their body needs a certain amount of exercise to stay healthy. Knowing what breed requires how much exposure to a certain activity will help you determine a [good](https://percento.us/4-smart-ways-to-market-a-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) routine for your pet. Therefore, we recommend speaking to a vet before making a leap. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Samsung to Create 1,800 Jobs in Texas with a $17 Billion Factory in Austin URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/samsungs-17-billion-chipmaking-plant/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:19.000Z Samsung’s $17 billion Chipmaking Plant | Austin, the southernmost US capital city, is making headlines in the business industry, with more companies relocating to [Texas](https://bobbydavidson.com/why-oracle-moved-its-hq-from-california-to-texas/) than anywhere else in the company. The city continues its surge as the country's fastest-growing tech hub, with many claiming it may soon overtake Silicon Valley as the epicenter of innovation and commercialization in the United States. The latest company to board the flight to Austin is none other than Samsung, one of the world’s leading smartphone and consumer electronic brands. In May 2021, the Lone Star State’s capital city became the frontrunner for landing [Samsung’s](https://bobbydavidson.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9/) new $17 billion chipmaking factory, beating Phoenix and upstate New York for the massive project. The company aims to start the plant’s construction by the beginning of Q4 2021 and has already submitted the paperwork to Texas officials, requesting over $1 billion in tax incentives in return for bringing 1,800 permanent jobs to the factory by the next decade with average pay up to $66,000 a year. In this post, we’ll talk about Austin's emergence as the new technology hub in the country and how [Samsung’s](https://percento.us/samsungs-foldable-display-phone/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) $17 billion chipmaking plant will help improve the state’s employment rate. ### Why Austin Is Emerging as the Nation's New Technology Hub Since the last decade, hundreds of companies have relocated to [Texas](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) from other states, including 94 companies from California alone. Some of these companies include tech giants like Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Amazon, and 8VC. To these companies, Texas offers much more flexibility for businesses compared to California and other states. Austin offers several advantages for tech companies over many other places in the country, including a significantly lower cost of living than other tech cities like San Francisco or New York. According to Nerdwallet, housing costs are 242% higher in San Francisco than in Austin, and transportation is nearly 52$% higher. Food, entertainment, and healthcare costs are also 20-30% higher in other states than [Texas](https://bobbydavidson.com/ces-2018/). Apart from living costs, tech companies don't have to deal with state income taxes and strict regulations from the State bodies. As far as work-life balance goes, Austin has a lively social life with sports, music, food, and other activities for workers to indulge in. Even those workers who can't move to Austin are saving money by working remotely from other parts of the country. As far as Austin's urban economics is concerned, the city has already regained 96% of the pandemic-related job losses, according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Even Silicon Valley, the land known as the epicenter of digital transformation, doesn’t have numbers as good as this. According to WalletHub, [Texas](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ranked first for best places to start and run a [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/technologies-for-older-adults/), with Austin ranking eighth for cities. This is mainly due to the state's culture that prioritizes a good work-life balance. Therefore, companies have to maintain a good work environment to recruit and retain top talent. The Lone Star State is also among the most digitized states in the country, meaning it has a more technical workforce on average compared to other states. ### Samsung’s $17 billion Chipmaking Plant to Create 1,800 Jobs in Texas Samsung already maintains a significant local presence in Austin, Texas, employing close to 3,500 people working in its factories and outlets. In 1997, the company opened its first semiconductor plant in the US and opened another plant in the same location in 2007, following the inception of Android and the smartphone era. In 2016, the company decided to expand its manufacturing and invest $1 billion to upgrade its 300-acre manufacturing complex. Finally, in January 2021, Samsung filed the documents to purchase a 7-million-square-foot chip factory to create up to 1,800 jobs for Texas residents. However, after establishing its presence in the country for nearly three decades, the company is asking for a break on property taxes for 20 years in return for creating those [jobs](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and supporting the state’s [growth](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This way, it will save close to $718 million in property tax payments. Samsung’s $17 billion chipmaking plant will undoubtedly increase the brand's products in Texas with a total workforce of close to 15,000 employees. However, it seems like Samsung is asking for too much in return to create employment in the city and invest $14 billion in Austin. Tesla only got around $60 million in tax rebates from the school district and county even with the higher salaries, the number of employees, and investment. This is probably why the deal is yet to be public as the state continuously negotiates more reasonable tax rebates. ### Wrap Up If Samsung does finalize the deal to secure Austin as its [investment](https://bobbydavidson.com/manufacturing-technologies/) site, it could become the largest international conglomerate in the state. Moreover, the company owns nearly 12% of the global semiconductor market, meaning it has some valuable bargaining chips in its [hands](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). On the other hand, Texas is becoming an intensely competitive hub for technology companies meaning the state has no shortage of lucrative offers from other tech giants wanting to relocate to Austin. For more information related to technology and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. We specialize in working with small and medium enterprises to help develop IT and web solutions that can support different business initiatives. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Tennessee Approves Ford $884 million for EV ‘Mega Campus’ URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tennessee-approves-ford-884-million-for-ev-mega-campus/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:19.000Z In 2021, [Ford Motor Company](https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/) announced that it would invest $30 billion toward electrification by 2025 to lead America’s shift to electric vehicles with a new and more powerful lineup of EVs. During the first phase of the shift, Ford has announced a new multi-billion EV manufacturing facility in Stanton, Tennessee, which will be the baseline of production for the future generation of the popular F-Series trucks and the batteries to power them. So what about Ford’s EV Mega Campus's impact on the auto industry, local [job](https://bobbydavidson.com/great-place-to-work/) market, and the economy? ### A Deeper Dive into Ford’s Electrification Initiative through the BlueOval City In May 2021, Ford and SK Innovation established a joint venture called BlueOvalSK to produce 60 GWh of energy and locally manufactured batteries for electric vehicles. This joint venture is investing $5.6 billion on Ford's EV Mega Campus called the BlueOval City, which is set to create employment opportunities for nearly 6,000 people in Stanton, Tennessee. This strategic move also sets the campus site close to Ford’s e-motor and battery assembly plant in Rossville, Tenessee, which in return can reduce logistics and supply chain expenditure. --- *Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.* **Henry Ford** --- The BlueOval City will enable Ford to assemble an expanded fleet of EVs through a vertically integrated ecosystem with key suppliers and plants all in the vicinity. More importantly, Ford’s new EV Mega Campus is designed to be carbon neutral with zero waste to the landfill upon the commencement of [operations](https://bobbydavidson.com/biggest-tech-acquisitions-2017/). Bill Ford, a senior executive at Ford, claims that this facility is a game-changer for the EV industry. He added that Ford's transition to electric vehicles would usher in a new era of carbon-neutral manufacturing, enabling others to help protect our planet using innovation. One of the main reasons for this initiative going forward is the success of current Ford's electric vehicles, including the Ford F-150 Lightning truck, the Mustang Mach-E, and E-Transit. The positive market response enabled Ford to expand production capacity in all its plants in the country before finally making its biggest investment ever. The $7 billion the [company](https://bobbydavidson.com/automation-curse-blessing/) has spent is the larges one-time manufacturing investment made by any company in the US automotive industry. Furthermore, following Tennessee's $884 million approval, Ford expects 40-50% of its American vehicle volume to be fully electric by 2030. Ford evaluated several sites for BlueOval City before picking the one in Stanton, Tennessee, due to its relatively lower energy costs and minimal environmental issues at the location. While Tesla may have helped supercharge the EV trends nearly a decade ago, Ford’s reputation in the American market, thanks to a diversified vehicle line up, could enable it to grab more shares in the market since brands like Mercedes-Benz, GM, and Toyota are still yet to build battery factories to expand their lineups. ### Ford’s Impact on the Local Job Market The BlueOval City aims to be Ford’s largest, most advanced, carbon-neutral automation production in its history. It will include an assembly unit, a battery manufacturing plant, and a supplier park, all interconnected to create an integrated ecosystem. This move will increase US employment in the clean energy and automotive sector, especially with other brands like Audi, Volvo, GM, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota aiming to join the mix in the future. As mentioned above, BlueOval City will offer about 6,000 jobs and 21,000 indirect jobs connected to the battery and EV assembly facilities. The mega project is expected to have a tremendous impact on the Tennessee job market when it officially opens for [business](https://happybreath.com/preserving-the-environment-while-hiking/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), creating opportunities for administrators, engineers, production employees, managers at different levels, and logistics workers. In a nutshell, the different employee types will make Ford's EV Mega Campus run smoothly. The project is also expected to generate thousands of temporary jobs for the plant's construction to generate nearly $1.87 billion in salaries before the finalization. ### To Wrap Up Ford is rapidly taking [advantage](https://bobbydavidson.com/the-next-decade-of-smartphones/) of the shift toward electrification. With this large-scale investment, it could become the market leader in the EV industry, considering the popularity of its trucks and sports vehicles in most parts of the country, especially [Texas](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and Tennessee. To speed up the adoption, Ford is investing millions in different states to train the next generation of technicians and salespeople. For more information related to technology and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 9 Digital Marketing Channels You Should Consider for 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/9-digital-marketing-channels-you-should-consider-for-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:20.000Z Digital Marketing Strategies | The internet has changed how we do business. Nobody cares about print ads and billboards, and don’t even think about cold calling in this [digital](https://bobbydavidson.com/success-digital-economy/) age. Marketing today is all about reaching potential customers online. In this post, we’ll talk about 9 digital marketing channels you should consider for 2022. ### What is Digital Marketing? Digital marketing refers to all marketing activities that take place on the internet across different channels, including computers, TVs, and smartphones. The term specifically refers to online marketing [methods](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-roi/) like search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, and pay per click (PPC), etc. In 2021, if you don’t have a website or a strong online presence, you’re likely to lose out most of your potential customers. Public restrictions and personal precaution during COVID-19 have led to nearly a 60% decline in foot traffic. This is why you need an effective digital marketing strategy that employs preferably multiple platforms to give your business a competitive edge. Here are the general benefits of employing different digital marketing strategies: - *Digital marketing channels are less expensive than traditional ones.* - *All digital marketing strategies are trackable and measurable.* - *They provide valuable insights into your audience.* - *They potentially have a global reach.* - *They effectively generate leads and improve sales.* - *The Top Digital Marketing Channels for 2021* The general rule of thumb is, as users increase, the digital landscape evolves continuously to meet the needs of customers and brands alike. Digital marketing is personalized, meaning businesses can build better relationships with their target audience. And in today’s increasingly mobile economy, consumers interact with brands using multiple channels. So without further ado, let’s check out the 9 trending digital [marketing](https://percento.us/pay-per-click-ppc/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) channels for 2021: #### 1\. Social Media Marketing Most people are familiar with social media popular, and data suggests that the average internet user has nearly 8 social media accounts in 2020\. During the pandemic, traffic on these platforms has risen through the roof, and companies are using this to reach more potential customers. The top [social media](https://puccicafe.com/famous-on-instagram/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) sites businesses use include: - [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/bobbyjdavidsonCEO) - *YouTube* - [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/bobbydavidsonceo/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - *Tik Tok* - [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/bobbyjdavidson?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - *Snapchat* - *Pinterest* - [*Linkedin*](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyjdavidson/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) #### 2\. Content Marketing The goal of content marketing is to create relevant and engaging content that attracts audiences to learn more about your brand, products, and services. Content marketing includes blogging, visual content, ebooks, and infographics. Companies can use content marketing to grow their followers, promote products, increase downloads, and generate leads or sales. And statistics don’t lie: - *73% of marketers say that social media marketing is effective for their business.* - *54% of social browsers use social media to research products.* - *71% of consumers who had a positive experience are likely to recommend the brand to friends and family.* #### 3\. Email Marketing Email marketing is the oldest and most popular digital marketing channel for [businesses](https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-analytics/). Using email marketing, you can engage and grow your subscriber list. Thanks to email automation, you don’t have to spend hours sending personalized emails. Here are some statistics from HubSpot that show why email isn’t going anywhere for a long time: - *Global email users will exceed 4.48 billion by 2024.* - *Promotional email marketing is among the most go-to digital marketing strategies.* - *80% of marketers reported an increase in email engagement in 2019.* #### 4\. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) SEO is a digital marketing strategy using which marketers understand what users are searching for on Google and other engines. With this information, they rank their website for the terms users are searching for. SEO is among the main drivers of organic (unpaid) traffic to websites, and 64% of marketers invest in it. #### 5\. Video Marketing Since YouTube came into existence, video marketing has grown to become the most creative medium for promotion and awareness. 81% of marketers claim that video offers the highest return on investment. While creating video content takes time and finesse, it pays off, and you don’t need to buy or rent any fancy equipment. We live in an age where all you need to get started is an [idea](https://texasbelton.com/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a smartphone camera, and video editing software. Businesses usually post their marketing videos on YouTube, Facebook, and their website. #### 6\. SMS Marketing Text messaging has been around for nearly two decades, but it wasn’t until recently that it became an effective digital marketing channel. While the basic feature and its purpose remains the same, marketers have finally unlocked its true potential. SMS marketing is a direct and instant communication channel that can boost customer engagement. Businesses can send promotions, notifications, alerts, reminders, 2-factor authentications, and digital receipts as well. Text messages have 98% open rates compared to just 20% of all emails, and it takes less than two minutes for recipients to respond. #### 7\. Influencer Marketing In a nutshell, influencer marketing involves using or partnering with popular people to promote products or services. It goes beyond hiring celebrities or sportsmen for commercials or to serve as brand ambassadors. YouTube revolutionized influencer marketing and made it possible for any brand or individual to channel its power. Social media influencers and small businesses regularly collaborate for mutual benefits, which is usually an exchange of money for an engaged niche audience. #### 8\. Pay Per Click (PPC) Pay Per Click is similar to SEO. The biggest difference is that it’s a paid digital marketing tool that usually requires a high initial investment depending on your industry and competition. The most common PPC platforms are Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. Instead of organically ranking your website, PPC ranks your website to the top of search results, and you pay a fee for every user who clicks on your ad. #### 9\. Podcast Marketing Podcasting is a relatively new digital marketing channel businesses use to engage their existing followers and new audiences. [Podcasts](https://bobbydavidson.com/learning-to-be-heard-how-podcasting-can-rake-in-the-revenue/) are popular on YouTube and social media, and Google is planning to use them to drive traffic as well. Here are some interesting statistics you should consider: - *As we enter 2021, there are over 30 million podcast episodes.* - *Over 90 million Americans regularly tune in to podcasts.* - *65% of podcast users listen on their smartphones.* - *75% of people listen to podcasts to learn about new things.* #### Bottom line The internet is constantly bringing endless [opportunities](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-roi/) for businesses to reach more customers across different digital marketing channels. From social media to SMS marketing, you have many options to [choose](https://happybreath.com/7-ways-our-oceans-are-in-danger-and-what-you-can-do-to-help/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) from to attract different audiences. ### Minimalist Business Practices: How Minimalism Can Improve Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/minimalist-business-practices-how-minimalism-can-improve-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:21.000Z More entrepreneurs and business leaders are actively adopting minimalist business practices to achieve their professional and personal goals. Perhaps leaders have finally realized that less is more, and relentless accumulation of material things is not fulfilling for New Age [Businesses](https://percento.us/8-new-age-business-ideas-for-the-next-generation-of-entrepreneurs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). But what is a minimalist business, and what does minimalism have to do with the modern workplace? ## What Is Minimalist Business? From a young age, we’ve heard similar perspectives related to success and the idea of a happy life – be it a 5-bedroom apartment on Central Park in New York, a luxury sports car, or a [business](https://puccicafe.com/exciting-pet-businesses-to-start-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) revenue with millions of dollars and customers. These urges magnify due to the constant bombardment of ads that make us believe every purchase is a building block of happiness. As a result, we strive for more money, more business, more assets, more luxury items, and more of everything that pleases us. No matter how much we achieve and attain, something new comes along. However, the tide is now turning, and many among us are growing [sick](https://bobbydavidson.com/5-real-world-examples-of-automated-workplaces/) of consumerism and realizing that having more or excess doesn’t genuine satisfaction. Minimalist business trends are already on the rise. Consider any smartphone – a device that has replaced the need to carry a wallet, address book, camera, data storage, etc. ## How Minimalism Can Improve Businesses Minimalism is a mindset that promotes focus on things we value the most while removing everything else. The idea is simple – if something is useful, you keep it. If it’s not, you scrap it. Minimalist business practices ensure that every decision, software, equipment, and process is useful. If it’s not, it doesn’t belong on your computer or in your workplace. For example, with millions of employees working remotely, many organizations are downsizing their office space to save and invest in [IT solutions](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) like Network Security. This is just one conscious decision these [minimalist](https://happybreath.com/dog-adoption-tips-for-bringing-home-a-rescue-dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) businesses have made due to the slow business movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the main benefits of minimalism at the workplace: - *More creativity and resourcefulness* - *Lower operating costs* - *Reduced stress through the business hierarchy and planning process* - *Improved time management* - *More streamlined processes* - *Quality over quantity* - *Improved decision making* - *Fewer personnel and workplace distractions* - *Personalized customer experience* ## Minimalist Business Practices Minimalist businesses practices are about reducing additional unnecessary things you don’t use at your workplace, including: - Devices you use - *Office furniture* - *Number of products/services you offer* - *Number of social media platforms you use* - *Business communication channels* - *The time you spend on tasks* However, minimalism goes beyond simply decluttering and removing tangible items from your space. It also involves conscious and deliberate choices, along with self-assessment to [eliminate](https://bobbydavidson.com/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/) distractions and time-consuming activities. Lastly, it’s sometimes about putting your ego behind as a leader and share benefits with others as long as they do not violate any policy. Here are 5 minimalist business practices that can suit your business: #### 1\. Use a Remote Business Model Not every business can run smoothly on a fully remote structure. However, most businesses can embrace a hybrid work model to allow staff to work from home at least a couple of days per week. We’ve seen that this is possible during the pandemic, and it would be surprising to see businesses go back to the old ways after everything they’ve accomplished with remote work. If anything, consider the money you can save on physical [office](https://bobbydavidson.com/manage-remote-employees/) space, bills, and equipment. With no daily commute, you can get more hours out of your employees with fewer sick days. #### 2\. Simplify and Automate Processes Respective to your industry, minimalist businesses should simply or automate as many processes as possible. These include: - *Recurring monthly bills, rentals, and software subscriptions* - *Helpdesk services and tickets* - *Data report generation* - Text notifications via SMS Gateways - *Email marketing* - *Sales and CRM processes* - *Tech-assisted training* - *Management reporting* - *Supply chain and inventory management* ### 3\. Use Technology and Tools to Streamline Processes Are you among those who have 20 tabs open in Chrome or an inbox with thousands of unread emails? It’s time to streamline and automate tasks using technology. We live and work in an era where there’s an app for everything. Software programs and applications can help minimalist business owners streamline the process for sales, data entry, accountability, customer services, social media, and digital marketing, etc. However, no matter which tools you use or what process you change, quality over quantity should be the objective. ### 4\. Hire Experts Gone are the days when businesses exploited interns and fresh graduates to do jobs above their pay scale. However, minimal business practices involve hiring the right people for the right jobs. The idea is to reduce redundancy, save time, and money on recruitment. This allows business owners to delegate tasks without hesitation because they’d be shouldering responsibilities on staff appropriate to their job descriptions. This way, younger employees can spend more time learning instead of diving into problems blindly. ### 5\. Exclude Yourself from Your Business Make sound hiring decisions and appoint responsibilities to employees. By transferring accountability, you can maintain a better work-life balance. More importantly, you can also highlight that your [business](https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-save-your-remote-employees-from-cyber-threats/) is a part of you, but you are not your business. Minimalist business practices ensure that owners protect their time and mental health by not overwhelming themselves with work. ## Final Thoughts Adopting minimal business practices is not a cure-all to remedy your work woes. It’s not an antidote for serious internal issues, but minimalism can provide some peace of mind, simplicity, agility, and authenticity to your business. This will translate into [tangible](https://bobbydavidson.com/7-workplace-trends-for-2021-you-should-know-about/) and intangible improvements in culture, revenue, and strategies. If you need more information on the latest business practices, bookmark my website. ### 8 New Age Business Ideas for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/next-generation-of-entrepreneurs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:21.000Z Next Generation of Entrepreneurs | The business world is changing, and companies are rapidly shifting their strategies and processes. Entrepreneurs are now shifting their focus to business innovations for 2021\. Thanks to generational marketing and product development, more new age business ideas are rapidly becoming a reality. ### New Age Business Ideas, Products, and Services The term New Age encompasses alternative approaches to traditional Western culture, environmentalism, humanity, and spirituality. The New Age products and services category hasn’t changed since the 70s. The next generation of entrepreneurs needs to develop New Age business ideas to be successful. They can do this by studying conscientious, positive movements like veganism, conscious consumerism, and minimalism. Establishing a New Age business involves understanding consumer psychology and developing products and services that take the consumers’ needs into account. Developing New Age products and services involves looking at social movements from a customer-centric lens to discover modern consumer demands and satisfying them with new offerings. Check out these 8 booming New Age business ideas: ### 1\. Healthy Fast Food The plant-based food industry is set to reach $74 billion by 2027, and American vegans make 6% of the population. That’s a potential target market of 1.2 million people for this new category of fast foods. Don’t be mistaken – regular fast food is thriving just as much as it did 20 years ago, but people are seeking healthy alternatives to greasy meals. Customers are seeking [healthier](https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/) alternatives without compromising on taste. For example, instead of going to the nearest McDonald’s or Carl’s Jr., people are opting for vegan burger chains like Earth Burger and Veggie Grill. So, healthy fast food trucks are a great niche to explore. ### 2\. Tiny Houses The tiny house movement is creating some serious buzz on social media by portraying a minimalist lifestyle that’s economical and environmentally friendly. People are downsizing their spaces to improve living standards. People are turning to tiny homes as a possible solution for accommodating the growing population and combating inequality. It is also giving rise to other new industries, such as multi-purpose furniture, tiny home interior design and construction, compact appliances, renewable energy solutions, and home rentals. Plus, plenty of college students seek tiny mobile houses so they can travel without paying for accommodation. Did you know that there are tiny hotels around the country that you can check into? The possibilities here are endless, and with the [trend growing rapidly](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), there are soon to be more customers in the market than small businesses. ### 3\. Ethical Business Consulting Ethical entrepreneurship and management focus on the social issues relevant to the current generation. It’s not just about protecting employees and businesses from discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and religion, but also social responsibility and environmental awareness. Thousands of potential clients are waiting for ethical consultants for various purposes, like a [company](https://lusso.dog/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) planning to change their hiring policies to promote a multicultural workforce. ### 4\. Cleaning Services According to Businesswire, the cleaning service industry is poised to grow by $90 billion during 2020-2024\. 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You can also start a store that sells these [gadgets](https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-real-estate-industry/) and their accessories. If you’re good at the designing side of things, you can develop games and software as well. ### 6\. Educational Technology We’ve seen the impact of COVID-19 on education worldwide, with millions of schools closed for months. However, the educational [technology](https://bobbydavidson.com/impact-of-technology-on-generation-z/) industry was booming even before the pandemic, and now, it might be the future of the education industry. And this New Age business idea goes beyond video conferencing and hybrid teaching models. Now, we have student portals, educational games, online discussion platforms, and unconventional courses. In simple words, you can start a teaching business if you have a teachable skill. ### 7\. Personal Network Security Solutions Cyber threats haven’t slowed down and are increasingly becoming more dangerous. Practically anyone with a smartphone or computer is susceptible to network security threats. So, there’s a huge market of buyers who’d be willing to pay a small premium for their peace of mind. You can create a business-to-business model and provide network [solutions](https://bobbydavidson.com/disciplined-work-habits/) for enterprises. You could also sell solutions to consumers directly. Whichever path you choose, the possibilities are endless. ### 8\. Website Flipping Website flipping is like real estate for websites; instead of selling property, you’ll be selling created websites by matching buyers and sellers. All this requires great research and basic digital marketing skills, making it one of the smartest New Age business ideas today. If you’re a programmer, you can create and trade websites in platforms like FreeMarket or Flippa or strategically buying and selling domains. Need More New Age [Business](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Ideas? We hope you found this post informative, and you’d be glad to know that these New Age business ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of events, movements, and trends driving change worldwide, so there’s plenty in [store](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for the next generation of [entrepreneurs](https://bobbydavidson.com/henry-ford/) to dive into. If you need more information on business trends and technology, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. ### Why Oracle moved Its HQ from California to Texas URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-oracle-moved-its-hq-from-california-to-texas/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:21.000Z Software giant Oracle recently relocated from Redwood City, California, to Austin, Texas, joining the likes of Tesla and Hewlett-Packard – both of which departed from Silicon Valley to the Lone Star State to seek better growth and expansion opportunities. In an interview, Oracle spokesperson Deborah Hellinger said that the database-software giant would enhance its position in the market and provide its personnel with more flexibility about where and how they work, thereby improving their quality of life and productivity. In this post, we’ll dive deeper into why a brand that has been based in Silicon Valley since its founding in 1977 decided it was time to pack up its businesses and relocate to another state. ### Trouble in Paradise or a Pandemic-Sponsored Epiphany? Oracle Corp, founded in 1977, is a Silicon Valley Stalwart and one of the oldest tech firms in the state. Its previous headquarters features its well-known cylindrical buildings and the Oracle Park where the San Francisco Giants play. The company has over 135,000 employees, and like many other tech firms in the country and around the world, it had to make some changes during the pandemic, including embracing remote work. Several other firms in California have announced to leave the state due to its climbing tax rates and higher cost of living and transport in most locales. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has already threatened to relocate its company completely and shut down its plant in Fremont following the completion of his new plant near Austin. For years, the software giant specializing in providing business applications, cloud services, and databases has been looking for ways to shed costs during its transformation from a traditional IT company to a modern one. This transition resulted in declining revenue for two fiscal years, and the company spent years trying to revamp its product line and model to keep up with former neighbors and rivals Google. However, this move didn't begin during the pandemic. It started back in 2018 with Executive Chairman Larry Ellison and the late co-Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd opening a campus in Austin. That wasn’t all. The campus also had an on-site apartment building for hundreds of employees, which showed glimpses of the company’s future intentions. Since then, the world's second-largest software maker had been taking more steps to relocate, especially after the political changes in California, which saw Republican President Donald Trump losing in his re-election bid to Joe Biden. Ellison and current CEO Safra Cats have been major supporters of Trump and sharp critics of the internet and data-driven companies transforming Silicon Valley. ### Why Texas? For decades, the Golden State has offered job prospects and educational opportunities to millions of people. For nearly a century, Silicon Valley has been the country's epicenter for the leading tech companies in the world. However, times are changing with Texas becoming the new tech hub in the country. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, over 35 companies had relocated to or expanded their presence in the Lone Star State by opening a facility or purchasing real estate by November 2020. Austin offers several direct and indirect advantages for companies over California with lower housing and real estate costs, lower tax rates, lower cost of living, and business-friendly state regulations. Moreover, there's already an abundance of technical talent in most parts of Texas looking for better opportunities in the state. Opting for a less expensive city or state allows a company like Oracle to control business expenditure and offers workers a more affordable place to live than San Francisco or Silicon Valley. The following are just a few large tech companies, along with Oracle Corp, that have announced plans to leave the Golden State for Texas: ### 1\. Hewlett Packard Enterprises Houston, Texas, has been HP's largest employment hub for over a decade, even with its headquarters in San Jose, California. Due to changing regulations and higher costs, the company has also decided to build a new campus in Houston that will serve as the company's new headquarters. ### 2\. 8VC 8VC is one of the largest venture capital firms in the country, founded in 1969 in San Francisco, California. However, its co-founder, Joe Lonsdale, claimed that there are a lot of places around the country apart from Silicon Valley to grow their business and that many places will offer better cost of living, the same quality of talent, and cultural benefits. ### 3\. FileTrail FileTrail is one of the leaders in information governance and digital records management for law firms. The company recently moved from San Jose to Austin in 2021 after two decades of operating from its founding state. ### Wrapping Up And there you have it – Why Oracle moved its HQ from California to Texas. Silicon Valley and its numerous tech companies have been at the forefront of innovation in the last few decades. However, due to excessive housing and real estate costs, strict regulations, and higher taxes make the Golden State a tougher place to live, work, and run a business. As a result, many businesses are relocating to Texas to enhance their growth and improve the lives of their workforce. For more information related to technology and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percento.us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. We specialize in working with small and medium enterprises to help develop IT and web solutions that can support different business initiatives. For opportunities in business growth and housing opportunities, consider the beautiful town and short drive to [Belton, Texas](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [www.texasbelton.com](https://texasbelton.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 8 Self-Made Billionaires Who Prove You don’t need to be from Money to Make Money URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/8-self-made-billionaires-who-prove-you-dont-need-to-be-from-money-to-make-money/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:22.000Z When most people imagine a billionaire, they typically think of Donald Trump or Bernard Arnault – people who come from money and pass on their wealth to the next generations. However, not every billionaire was born wealthy. In this post, we’ll talk about 10 self-made billionaires who proved that you don’t need to be from money to make money. According to Hurun Global Rich list 2020, there are 2816 billionaires from 71 countries and have a combined total net worth of $11.2 trillion. Let’s see which of these self-made billionaires grew up dirt poor and ended up becoming some of the most powerful, wealthiest, and influential people of our generation. ### 1\. Ralph Lauren We all know Ralph Lauren from his world-renowned clothing line. But did you know that he comes from humble origins? He is the son of two Jewish Immigrants from Belarus and the young of four siblings. From being a Bronx resident, college dropout, and an army recruit to fashion designer, businessman, and philanthropist, the self-made billionaire has come a long way. Ralph began his fashion career as a salesman for a tie company, and soon after started the Ralph Lauren Corporation and sold ties under his name. The 28-year old entrepreneur started with a single drawer in a showroom at the Empire State Building and delivered the ties himself. A year later, [Manhattan Bloomingdales](https://www.bloomingdales.com/buy/manhattan?ref=bobbydavidson.com) picked up his tie line, which paved the way for the launch of his tailored shirts for women. As of 2020, the self-made billionaire has a net worth of $5.8 billion. ### 2\. Oprah Winfrey We all know Oprah for her television fame, charity work, and her acting career. But did you know that self-made billionaire with a net worth of $2.6 billion began her life in Mississippi under the roof of a poor family? By focusing on her education and working hard, she won a scholarship to Tennessee State University and one year later, became the first African-American TV correspondent in the state. [Winfrey](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/oprah-winfrey/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=Winfrey%20is%20the%20first%20African,talk%20show%20that%20reaches%2015) is the first African-American woman to own a production company, a brilliant actress, an Oscar nominee, television’s highest-paid entertainers, producer, and a successful TV host. Her incredible journey to stardom is nothing short of a fairytale. ### 3\. Roman Abramovich If you watch soccer, specifically the English Premier League, the Roman Abramovich should ring a bell. He is the owner of [Chelsea FC](https://www.chelseafc.com/en?ref=bobbydavidson.com), which is among the best teams in the country and Europe. Like most self-made billionaires, he has an incredible backstory. Born in Russia, Roman became an orphan at the age of two and was raised by his uncle in Northern Russia. The Cold War was a difficult time, and anyone who escaped poverty deserves an accolade. He began a small toy manufacturing company during college and used the revenue to enter the oil business. In 2005, he sold [Gazprom](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/chelsea-owner-sells-oil-firm-for-7-36bn-1.1182917?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for $13 billion. Today, he has an estimated net worth of $12.9 billion and also owns the [world’s largest yacht](https://www.businessinsider.com/largest-yacht-in-the-world-the-azzam-2013-8?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=At%20590%20feet%20long%2C%20the,according%20to%20Warsash%20Superyacht%20Academy.). ### 4\. Howard Schultz Love or hate coffee, but you recognize a Starbucks when you see one. Today, the giant coffee retailer has 23,000 retail stores in 73 countries and a market value close to $85 billion. But did you know that its chairman and CEO, [Howard Schultz](https://www.forbes.com/profile/howard-schultz/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), comes from a poor family? In an interview, Schultz spoke about his childhood and what it was like growing up broke. He talked about how his family lived in a subsidized government building and that his father worked many dead-end jobs to survive without any real pay or respect. His father’s hardship motivated him to become the success he is today, with a net worth close to $3 billion. ### 5\. J.K Rowling [J.K Rowling](https://www.jkrowling.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the mastermind behind the Harry Potter books, is a world-renowned personality. But before she became the world’s highest-paid author, she struggled as a single parent with so little money that she had to skip meals so her daughter could eat. Those days are long gone, and today, Rowling is one of the world’s most famous self-made billionaires with a [net worth of $1.2 billion](https://www.businessinsider.com/jk-rowling-net-worth-spending-harry-potter-2020-6?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=J.K.%20Rowling%20is%20worth%20at,makes%20and%20spends%20her%20fortune.&text=J.K.%20Rowling's%20net%20worth,%24650%20million%20to%20%241.2%20billion.). And the philanthropist who once couldn’t afford three-time meals now spends close to $160 million in charitable giving. ### 6\. Sheldon Adelson [Sheldon Adelson](https://www.capitalism.com/sheldon-adelsons-net-worth/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is among the elite group of [college dropouts who are now self-made billionaires](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/10/10-ultra-successful-millionaire-and-billionaire-college-dropouts.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com). He’s the owner of a $41 billion fortune who began by running vending machines, selling ads, and hosting trade shows. Born to European Jewish immigrants, he grew up in a poor Boston neighborhood, sharing a single-room apartment with three siblings. He is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corporation that owns the Sands Hotel and Casino and a fleet of private jets. ### 7\. John Paul DeJoria If you love [Patron tequila](https://www.patrontequila.com/global-en/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), you might have heard about its owner John Paul DeJoria whose profile usually shows up in magazines regularly. He is also the founder of a haircare company called Paul Mitchell Systems. Today, he has a net worth of around $3.3 billion. But did you know that he grew up in foster care in the Echo Park neighborhood in Los Angeles? He started his salesmanship as a 10-year-old selling Christmas cards and newspapers t support his immigrant family. He also became a gang member and joined the military. Upon returning, he took a $700 credit loan and started his haircare company to sell shampoo. And the rest is history. ### 8\. Lakshmi Mittal Lakshmi Mittal is the CEO of [ArcelorMittal](https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the largest steel company in the world, with revenue of $71 billion in 2019\. Born to a poor family in India, he worked as a steelworker and slowly gained experience before launching his factory at the age of 26\. Today, he has a net worth of $11.7 billion and owns 20 percent shares of English football club [Queens Park Rangers FC](https://www.qpr.co.uk/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ## Think Like Self-Made Billionaires Every business starts with a dream and an idea. And the self-made billionaires in the list above prove that you don’t need to be from money to make [money](https://happybreath.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The business world is slowly evolving, and there are thousands of [opportunities](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that await you. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. 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We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Essential Camping Gear for Canines URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/essential-camping-gear-for-canines/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:23.000Z If you have a pet dog, you know nothing beats the joy you get from taking your canine out on an adventurous trip. You don’t only have friendly support and a companion, but certain dog breeds are also excellent for protection purposes. While adventurous trips such as camping and hiking are a great way to make memories with your dog, you need to plan effectively since both of you (you and your dog) are away from home and comfort zone. While you may be able to withstand problems and a missing item while camping or hiking, your dog might not. Therefore, if you’re looking to avoid troubles while camping with dogs, you’re at the right place. This article will detail everything you need to pack as dog camping gear. # Dog Camping Gear: The Essentials A lot can be written about camping with dogs, such as tips you need to follow or how to prepare your canine for camping. But it’s also important to shed light on what to bring on the trip. Although this list may differ among dog parents, here are some essentials that you will need. ## First Aid Kit One of the most important items that you should have on all trips is a first aid kit. Although you can purchase ready-made first aid kits, it’s always a better idea to make one of your own. It should contain bandages, gauze, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, and whatever medicines your dog might be taking. You can also reach out to a vet to include special items your dog relies on or might need during the journey. ## Dog Clothes It may be surprising, but dog camping gear also includes dog clothes. If you’re camping in the summer, you will need a cooling vest to ensure your dog’s temperature is maintained and they are not overheated. You can do this by dipping the vest into the water and making your dog wear it. On the flip side, you should have a fleece jacket or woolen sweaters if you’re camping in the winter season. ## Food and Water You should take your canine’s food and water with you while on a camping trip. Don’t rely on wood fires to heat or cook their food since it is dangerous and time-consuming. Therefore, carry tinned food or even freshly made food if you can store them without it spoiling. Moreover, a collapsible food bowl is a good idea to give food in. Finally, keep some filled water bottles with removable cups so you can provide water in them. If not, a collapsible food bowl works just fine for water too. ## Leash Camping with dogs can be a bit dangerous if you’re not prepared or careful enough. Therefore, make sure to carry long and short non-retractable leashes so you can keep your canine close to you. If you think your dog can be allowed to roam at a distance from you, then you can bring along a long leash. But whatever the size, don’t forget to bring this item on a camping trip. ## Camping Bed If it’s an overnight trip, then your dog will need a comfortable spot to rest and sleep. A camping bed or a portable dog bed is a good option for this purpose. Some weightless camping beds can be easily packed and rolled up if you’re looking for more hassle-free options. You can place camping beds inside a tent, depending on the weather. ## Dog Treats/ Dispensing Toy Even though this may not be an essential item for dog camping gear, it can be useful in giving your dog a treat if it acts nicely and follows your command. This is particularly true for long camping trips. You can put the treats in a special treat-dispensing toy, so your canine stays busy for some time during the trip. ## ID Tags You need to be diligent when it comes to your canine’s safety during a camping trip. Therefore, make sure its camping gear includes ID tags and name tags that you can keep in your dog’s backpack or around its collar. These tags can also be reflective, so it is easy to find them at nighttime if there is an unforeseen incident. ## Dog Booties Camping means putting yourself in unsafe situations as there is always the threat of rough and hot surfaces that could be dangerous for you. The same applies to your canine. Their paws are exposed, and therefore they are at a greater risk of damage. Thus, dog booties are a solution to avoid cuts, pricks, and other types of discomfort. However, make sure to cut your dog’s nails before putting on this item. ## Protective Eyewear If you camp at higher altitudes or during hot weather, your dog might feel some eye discomfort due to debris or heat. Like you, they also need protection from harsh winds and harmful UV lights. Therefore, include dog goggles or protective eyewear to protect your canine. ## Ziplock Bag / Biodegradable Bags Even though this is not something your canine needs for its own use, it is an important item to include in camping gear. Make sure to carry these with you on any trip so you can pick and discard your dog’s poop safely. Don’t leave it on the campsite or near any water body since it can be a nuisance for other visitors. ### Pro-Tip You can choose to include some of these items in your dog’s backpack. However, make sure your dog is trained to carry such weight during a camping trip. If you plan to do this, you should take note of your dog’s weight and plan a backpack accordingly. Usually, items like collapsible water/food bowl, leash, ID tags, and even ziplock bags can be easily carried in a dog backpack. ## The Bottom Line Camping with dogs shouldn’t be stressful. In fact, you should look forward to it as an opportunity to bond with your canine. However, make sure you have packed the essentials needed by your dog, so your adventure is fun and worry-free. ### How To Travel With Dogs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-travel-with-dogs/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T18:30:50.000Z No one wants to leave their furry friend behind when they go on vacation. While traveling with dogs is fun, it can also be stressful at the same time. It can be particularly challenging to find a hotel that allows pets to stay with their guests. This is why it's important to take the time and do some research before you travel with dogs. After all, you want to make sure your pup is comfortable, safe, and enjoying their experience, too. Here are some tips on how to ensure that you and your furry friend have an awesome time exploring new places together. ## Safety and Health If you are going on a long trip and want your dog to come with you, the first step is to take him for an annual check-up at your local veterinarian. Make sure all of his vaccinations are up-to-date. This will be more difficult if he's never had any before but it can still help protect him against new diseases in an unfamiliar territory. Find out beforehand about health certifications that might be necessary if you are traveling by plane, depending on where you're headed. Some countries require that animals have rabies shots while others may need proof they've been vaccinated for leptospirosis. Also, keep in mind that some pets travel better than others so make sure both mental and physical preparations have taken place prior to departure. ## Take Several Copies of Your Pet’s Documents You may need your dog’s health records if you are crossing borders or traveling internationally. This is necessary in order to prove that your furry friend is healthy and vaccinated, so make sure they're on hand just like a human's passport for international travel. Depending on the destination, some countries’ officials may ask to see them. Also, some will keep the originals while others might want a copy of everything. If there is an emergency abroad where it becomes required by law, i.e., rabies control, then healthcare providers can access this information as well without having any contact whatsoever with previous vets, which saves time for both parties involved. Thus, it is always important to have a spare copy of your pet's medical records and veterinarian information on hand in case they need care. You should always keep both digital (on your phone) as well as physical (print outs) copies. ## Make Sure Your Dog Follows Your Commands You know what they say, a man's best friend is his dog. The better-behaved your pup is when you're out and about town, the better off everyone will be. No one wants to deal with a misbehaving dog who won't listen. It’s best to start teaching your dog some basic commands before you hit the road. This way, he'll be easier to manage while traveling and can stay behind in a hotel room or rental home when you’re taking out time for yourself without worrying about your dog getting into trouble. Although seeking help from a certified dog trainer can be expensive, it is worth the investment. There are also many resources online to help ensure that your beloved pet will be obedient and ready for the journey. ## Never Assume Dogs are usually allowed in restaurants and hotels, but it's not a universal policy. Some establishments make exceptions for larger breeds or smaller sized dogs who may cause damage to the hotel furniture. It is important that you know what type of pet your establishment allows before booking so as not to be disappointed by an "unfriendly" place. When you are in doubt, always ask and never assume that dogs are or aren't allowed. Whether a place has a pet-friendly policy or not, it is best to double-check just in case your assumptions were wrong, which can lead to confusion and frustration. ## Be Respectful While there are so many great places you can explore with your pet, the fact is you will have some furry friends and not-so-furry folks around you while traveling. Be considerate and understand that it's okay if people say no when asked about pets being allowed on the premises. No matter where you take your dog during your upcoming trip, try to maintain respect for those nearby. Human relationships with dogs vary across cultures. You’ll be surprised to see how many dogs roam in the streets in Guatemala. As a matter of fact, it seems like there are more street dogs than pets. In this culture where people often live without boundaries and the concept of ownership is one that does not exist as much, it is fascinating to see a different attitude towards canines. ## Don’t Forget the Essentials As much as you’d like to just grab your furry friend and go, there are a few things that will help make their time away from home more enjoyable. Poop bags, leashes and harnesses and ID tags for dogs who don't have microchips implanted in them yet are some of the necessary things you need to carry. Here's what we recommend taking with you: 1. Dog food 2. Water dishes or collapsible bowls for carrying plenty of fresh H2O around 3. Toys if they're not easily distracted by every passing squirrel but need something to keep themselves busy while being cooped up in an unfamiliar place 4. Their favorite pillow so they feel right at home, no matter where you travel ## Conclusion It is important to keep in mind that you and your pup are on a journey together, so it’s natural for both of you to want different things. We hope these tips will help make sure that you have a good time while you travel with your dog. Let us know if these ideas resonate with you. ### The Crucial Cyber Security Tips for Businesses to Consider Today URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-crucial-cyber-security-tips-for-businesses-to-consider-today/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:25.000Z In the slipstream of the Covid-19 crisis, the threat of cybersecurity is on the rise. The pandemic has resulted in more people working from home, bringing with it a new wave of cyber risks to contend with. This, coupled with the introduction of new cyber security laws across APAC and changes to data protection rules, has meant that it is now critical for organizations to actively review their cybersecurity and data handling practices. We want to help make a difference when it comes to cyber security for businesses and, thus, are sharing some of the most practical cyber security tips that businesses should consider today. These include the following: ### Remote Working is Not a One-Time Thing The general trend is that there will be a continued increase in working from home arrangements going forward. One of the biggest challenges for businesses is ensuring sufficient IT support for this new way of working, both in terms of infrastructure and people. When internal resources are limited and teams are stretched to their limits, businesses are open to security vulnerabilities, as employees typically cut corners and do not adhere to the same standards as if they were in the office. But this is more than simply having more IT people on the ground and improving network security or implementing monitoring tools, businesses need to ensure that they have proper policies in place, and invest time educating and training the workforce in maintaining proper security protocols to minimize the threat of a cyber-incident when working remotely. ### Incidents and Breaches Are On the Rise The amount of businesses being affecting by cyber incidents is rapidly growing, as attackers look for ways to benefit from potential weakness in network systems and exploit uncertainty created by the current climate. It’s interesting that we are seeing ransomware attacks become more sophisticated with cyber criminals now stealing and encrypting a large amount of valuable [data](https://percentotech.com/the-5-new-ways-that-devops-are-going-to-leverage-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) (as well as blocking access to systems), to use as leverage. This is of particular concern in the current digital era for the increasing number of organizations relying on Big Data as a key business driver and industries operating in sectors that utilize more sensitive data sets. In the past and coming 12 months, cybersecurity and privacy regulators in the APAC region have introduced stricter cyber incident and data breach reporting requirements, so there is an added regulatory compliance element to consider when managing [cyber](https://percentotech.com/5-advantages-of-using-the-hybrid-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) incidents. Businesses of all sizes need to be alive to the real possibility of falling victim to a cyberattack, and ensure they have detailed and robust incident management procedures and response teams in place, to minimize the resulting impact. ### A Cybersecurity Strategy is Important The reality is a proper cybersecurity program helps ensure businesses remain functional and operational, in particular in the current climate where reliance on connectivity and technology is paramount. However, when it comes to business spend, cybersecurity has historically been neglected, as the C-suite struggle to balance significant security expenditure with the economic benefits for the business (given the return on investment is often unclear). In practice, this often comes down to managing the current and future risks in the most cost-efficient way and adopting appropriate mitigation strategies. Ultimately, those businesses who start the planning process early, and adopt/implement a compliant strategy in line with relevant cybersecurity laws and regulations, will be better prepared to deal with future challenges and disruptions in this space. ### Revisiting Data Privacy Compliance APAC is unique since organizations operating in the region need to comply with various and differing data protection regimes. This means ensuring that regional data compliance programs are regularly reviewed and updated to take into account recent changes in data laws across APAC – in particular with regards to data localization, overseas data transfers, and security measures. Businesses should keep in mind that APAC data regimes generally support business growth, meaning compliance can often be used as an advantage to help facilitate more innovative data analytics and commercialization activities as part of global business models, in contrast to more restrictive data regimes in other parts of the world. ### Data Protection in the Age of Cybercriminals It has become imperative for businesses to safeguard their data at all times from cybercriminals, who would like nothing better than to cripple a business’s infrastructure by stealing valuable data from them. Therefore, you must come up with appropriate measures that help you withstand attacks from cybercriminals and also protect your valuable data. In the customer-centric business world, the business that can protect data from cybercriminals the best is the number one choice for customers. The main thing for customers is to see that the business is invested in protecting their valuable information from falling into the wrong hands. Cybercriminals have ramped up their operations to get their hands on valuable data, and it is up to the business to protect it. Any business that fails to provide their customers with adequate protection for their data is going to end up losing their customers. ### Conclusion It has become imperative for businesses today to come up with different ways to protect their infrastructure from cyberattacks. The world has grown into an increasingly dangerous place, and cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new tricks up their sleeves to hamper the progress of businesses the world over. Businesses are determined to prevent cyberattacks from happening, and that is something they must pay attention to the most as it will leave them vulnerable to malicious activity. We have done our best to provide you with the crucial cyber security tips that all businesses must consider today, which will help them protect themselves from any kind of cyberattacks. Keep these in pointers in mind when you’re looking to strengthen your defenses and prevent a cyberattack. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Reduce Business Energy Costs - 9 Energy-Saving Tips for Small Businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-reduce-business-energy-costs-9-energy-saving-tips-for-small-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:26.000Z Recurring business energy costs are a necessary evil for small [businesses](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/pricing-for-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Unfortunately, it’s still one of the last areas organizations consider when it comes to reducing expenditure – but it should be at the top of the list. There are many ways you can save energy in your workplace, and most energy-saving tips require more behavioral changes than equipment changes. **In this post, we’ll talk about how small businesses can reduce business energy costs using 9 simple but effective energy-saving tips. And don’t worry! None of these tips include working by candlelight or on a manual typewriter.** Let’s get started! ## Energy-saving Tips for Reducing Business Energy Costs In any workspace, the most important step you can take to save energy is to avoid using it when you don’t need it. Employees usually leave their mobile devices plugged in or forget to turn off the air conditioning before leaving. So, training people to be conscious of business energy costs and ways to conserve energy is just as important as turning off the lights or enforcing energy-saving practices. Saving energy not only reduces energy costs but also helps to create a more energy-efficient environment and lower the carbon footprint that your [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-to-develop-a-business-plan-for-2021-and-beyond/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) contributes to the planet. But how can small businesses reduce energy expenditure while maintaining the same work environment and productivity? Saving energy can feel like a daunting task since you’re also trying to maintain the same company standards. Fortunately, there are many technological advances in the green industry and emerging business practices to help reduce spending and energy use. Here are 9 energy-saving tips for small businesses: ## 1\. Perform a Walk-Through Energy Audit to Assess Your Energy Use The first thing you should do to cut business energy costs is to evaluate business practices and employee habits that consume lots of energy. Find out if you keep the lights on at all times when the building is empty or how many hours a day the lights are on. What kind of lighting are you using, and what temperatures do your employees thrive in. You can perform an energy audit to determine your energy consumption and how to reduce it. You can opt for free energy audit services in which a professional inspect your location to check for energy-saving opportunities, air leaks, and insulation issues. ## 2\. Reduce Peak Demand One of the most effective ways to conserve energy is to reduce your peak demand. This period refers to the hours in a day when your energy usage is at its highest. For offices, this typically falls between 9 am to 5 pm. You can make changes by running heavy equipment in earlier or later hours to reduce business energy costs. ## 3\. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use This tip might seem like a no-brainer, but believe it or not, lights are the biggest contributors to energy wastage. People leave the lights on in bathrooms, conference rooms, and even idle spaces no one uses. If you want to keep every corner of your office lit, use sensor lights that automatically turn off when they’re not needed. ## 4\. Use Natural Sunlight If you’re fortunate enough to have a workspace with an abundance of natural light, take advantage of it. In areas with long periods of sunlight, you might not even need to turn all the lights at all as long as you have windows in place. You can also use passive solar heating to cut business energy costs during winters. ## 5\. Switch to Energy Efficient Lighting and Equipment Traditional lighting designs are out-dated and consume a lot of energy to increase your utility bill. Older lighting designs are inefficient, and you should replace them with more eco-friendly and cost-efficient options. Even though efficient lights are more expensive than conventional lighting, they will save you more in the long run. Secondly, computers and office equipment such as printers and photocopiers can contribute up to 50 percent of your office energy use. One great energy-saving tip is to have employees use laptops instead of desktops[. Laptops consume a lot less energy than desktops](https://business.directenergy.com/blog/2017/november/laptops-vs-desktops-energy-efficiency?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=Laptop%20computers%20are%20often%20more,long%20time%20off%20battery%20power.&text=Laptops%20use%20an%20average%20of,energy%20is%20used%20more%20efficiently.) and can also run on battery power for hours. ## 6\. Power Down Computers and Equipment When Not in Use If you aim to stick with computers, have your employees turn them off when they’re not working. By enforcing the habit of turning off and unplugging as many devices as possible at the end of the day, you can cut back energy consumption. This tip applies to coffee makers, microwaves, and other office appliances. ## 7\. Prevent Phantom Energy Phantom energy refers to the energy plugged-in equipment consumes when it’s not in use. A great energy-saving tip is to switch off or unplug printers, screens, projectors, and photocopiers. You can simply flip the main power switch off to shut down several devices simultaneously. ## 8\. Program Your Thermostats This energy-saving tip is incredibly relevant to workplaces with 9-5 timings. You don’t need air conditioning after everyone has gone home. And even during business hours, you can use programmable or smart thermostats to manage the temperature at all times. Smart thermostats can automatically control heating and cooling as per requirement. ## 9\. Talk to Your Employees Your employees might be able to pinpoint more things around the workplace that are wasting energy. Talk to them about saving business energy costs and introduce energy-saving tips that they can start following right away. # Conclusion Energy conservation and efficiency enhancement are some of the most trending topics in the business world today as industries are looking to reduce business energy costs and maximize their profits. You can employ several of these energy-saving tips at your workplace right away. For more business news, emerging technologies, and trending business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 7 Workplace Trends for 2021 You Should Know About URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-workplace-trends-for-2021-you-should-know-about/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:26.000Z The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, and so are the ways companies hire and retain employees. Besides, the work environment is under siege by economic changes, technological developments, automation, globalization, and, not to mention, the COVID-19 pandemic. To survive, leaders must rise to the occasion and follow the latest workplace trends. **In this article, we’ll discuss the modern workplace trends to help you understand the shifting initiatives and deliver insights that will help redefine your work ethos and create a positive and flexible culture.** Let’s get started! In 2020, industries and markets underwent dynamic and monumental changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key business trends that revolve around tech and buyer behavior include adopting the use of analytics, omnichannel marketing communications, and support. But what about workplace trends? How are employees, managers, and leaders adapting to the changes? What’s it like walking in the office wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing or working remotely without physically interacting with your co-workers? The truth is, markets are very volatile, and future workplace trends are shaped by real-time changes in buyer preferences and behavior. As a result, businesses have to make changes to ensure continuity as well as a healthy workplace. Hence, employees remain productive in different conditions. Here are 7 workplace trends for 2021 you should know about: ## 1\. Gen Z Entering the Modern Workforce Over the years, businesses have had numerous era-defining demographic shifts. The business world has transitioned from baby boomers to Gen X to Millenials with minimal fuzz. There’s no denying each of these generations has had its unique approaches to the workplace. Gen Z is the newest entrant in the modern workforce, and this generation is different. In 2021, this generation will account for nearly 38% of the global workforce, with the oldest member of this group being 24 years old (born 1997). However, managing a Gen Z workforce isn’t easy. You need to embrace modern workplace transformation and provide the technology this group needs to thrive. ## 2\. Remote Work the New Catchword The traditional office-centric working was already under serious threat in 2019\. In 2020, many businesses were forced to work remotely. As a consequence, the adoption of robust time management, communication software, and employee productivity software tools has become critical for survival. Moreover, there’s also a shift in the perception of employees towards remote working. Modern employees love the freedom and flexibility that comes with it, and as long as they perform well, we could see this workplace trend last long-term. For example, today’s parents can carry out their parental duties and handle professional roles in the comfort of their homes. ## 3\. Innate Liking for Flexible Work Schedules The 9-5 work schedule has long been second nature for the working class. However, with modern employees enjoying remote work anywhere and anytime, this schedule will soon die out. Besides, employees are much busier today than decades ago as the work environment has become global and extremely competitive. These changes, along with disruptive forces of the technology, point to a shifting landscape as workers have developed an innate liking for a more flexible schedule. And there are many reasons to believe that this change is long overdue. For example, 71% of workers find rigid work schedules hurt their personal life. ## 4\. The Emphasis of Work-Life Balance The modern workforce no longer wants to work late nights and long weeks to earn more. They want a better work-life balance and perks that positively impact their wellbeing. More importantly, organizations that promoted overworking in a positive light are slowly changing their ways as top employees refuse to accept that the only way to climb the organizational ladder is by working more. ## 5\. Investing in Employee Wellbeing Over the last decade, burnouts and stressed workers have become widespread. These problems have crept into the workplace because employees were more dedicated to their work than their wellbeing. However, recently, employee wellbeing has become a priority for both the employee and the employer. And today, many companies have used workplace weakness strategies for improvements by adding onsite fitness centers, cafeterias, medical care, recreational activities, etc. ## 6\. Social Purpose Becoming a Priority Certain developments have brought shifts in the business world, such as the entry of younger workers, the everchanging social-political climate, and increasing job-hopping, to name a few. The business landscape is becoming increasingly turbulent. Companies are finding it hard to attract or retain top talent because they seek more than just a pretty image. Modern candidates want companies that show a true desire to uphold their values and prioritize social responsibility. For instance, they want companies that forgo profits to keep their workforce employed during the pandemic or stepped up to support their communities during the lockdown. ## 7\. Robots and Humans in the Modern Workplace Nobody liked robots when they first made their way to the workplace. The global workforce presumed that this innovative idea would take their jobs, but that isn’t the case. Instead, the evolution of artificial intelligence and machine learning has enabled employees to coexist with robots and take on more important tasks. Today, automation is among the leading workplace trends for 2021, and robots can handle mundane tasks, thereby freeing precious time for employees to be more productive. If you think robots are going away any time soon, think again. As innovations keep coming in, nearly one billion users will rely on AI-powered virtual assistants by 2025. # Conclusion The business world is evolving rapidly every day. Each year, businesses face new ideas and trends that disrupt the way they operate and conduct activities. Nearly every aspect of a business is prone to some changes, and the workplace is no exception. If you’re looking for more modern workplace trends and business practices, visit [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 7 Companies that Use Storytelling Marketing for Branding URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-companies-that-use-storytelling-marketing-for-branding/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:27.000Z Modern consumers are fast-paced, overloaded with information, and always in a hurry. They usually skim content, watch short videos, and gravitate toward convenience and instant gratification. In this new reality, brands must connect with their audiences in more meaningful ways like storytelling marketing. Let’s dive in! ## Storytelling Marketing for Branding When you meet people in real life, you ask questions to learn more about them. You listen to their ideas, opinions, and beliefs. You try to unravel their story and share yours as well. The idea is to connect and find similarities like preferences, convictions for friendship, romance, or collaboration. In business, the rules don’t change. [Storytelling](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/04/business-storytelling-six-steps-to-a-better-narrative/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#1a2c4916774c) is a critical part of building your brand. It shapes the consumer viewpoint and enables them to connect with your company and what you’re offering. **Storytelling marketing** is a strategy in which brands use a narrative to communicate a message. The goal is to make viewers feel something – enough that it’ll inspire or motivate them to take action. Storytelling in marketing humanizes your brand and helps consumers understand why they should care about what you have to say. Do it right, and you’ll be building a thriving brand, one that people buy from not because of products or services but because they love what you do, what you stand for, and the stories you share. Storytelling marketing goes beyond filming a video or commercial. You can tell stories with pictures, verbally or in written form, across different channels, from social media to live events. Stories help marketers cut through the noise in a market where it’s all about brands, not consumers. With storytelling, you can create advertising that resonates with people and sticks with them for a long time. We live in a consumer market that wants to buy from other people, not companies, and that’s why leading brands worldwide are using storytelling to form relationships and sell their offerings. Let’s take a look at 10 companies that use storytelling marketing for branding: ## 1\. Nike Nike is among the pioneers of storytelling marketing. In 1999, the brand released a one-minute commercial that celebrated the career of Michael Jordan. There was no mention of Nike until the closing seconds, which featured a school photo of Michael and the brand’s slogan “Just Do It.” Instead of pushing their brand and products to customers, Nike used an authentic story that would make a lasting impression and build the brand better. ## 2\. Apple Apple is the pioneer of storytelling in marketing. Its campaigns revolve around the customer experience of its products rather than the greatness of its products. Steve Jobs once famously remarked, ”People don’t want to buy a personal computer. They want to know what they can do with them.” A popular example of this philosophy is “[Apple at Work – The Underdogs](https://youtu.be/G9TdA8d5aaU?ref=bobbydavidson.com).” This video marketing campaign features four colleagues that are clear underdogs who have two days to prepare and pitch an idea to their boss. The ad shows them creating a prototype, brainstorming ideas, talking to other teams, and brainstorming branding ideas. And all this collaboration happens on Apple products. ## 3\. Airbnb Airbnb uses community storytelling in marketing. For those who are unfamiliar with Airbnb, it’s an online marketplace in which homeowners can offer their property, or part of it, for rent. Travelers usually use the site or app for booking. Airbnb stopped telling the story of a tech company and started telling the story of a hospitality company. The company dedicated a whole section of its marketing featuring [stories from the Airbnb community](https://www.airbnb.com/community-stories?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Their ‘[Belong Anywhere](https://blog.atairbnb.com/belong-anywhere/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)’ rebrand used imagery, offering a quick peek into the lives of the Airbnb hosts. These campaigns aimed to change their customers’ perception and move the brand away from the business of house and room rental to a business of home and traveling like a local. ## 4\. Dove For years, Dove has focused on real people and their stories, especially rea women, not supermodels. This focus increased brand loyalty, and women felt that the company care for them. Their ads feature stories about beauty in real life, whether it’s the beauty of a mother and daughter relationship or the beauty of face and body that’s generally considered average. Several of their campaigns, including the Dove Real Beauty Sketches, promote real beauty through celebrating inner beauty and confidence. ## 5\. Lego When it comes to storytelling marketing, the Lego company produced what marketers are considering the longest commercial of all time spanning 90 minutes – [The Lego Movie](https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/how-lego-has-created-its-own-movie-multiverse-20190219-h1bfsp?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The brand created a masterful story combining an indigenous parody of portentous Hollywood movies and using their product as the star. ## 6\. Weight Watchers Weight Watchers use emotional storytelling in marketing using the nature of their product. Their campaigns are about making better choices to improve health and feel better. But now, their ads aren’t just about weight loss. For example, their ‘Awaken Your Incredible’ campaign taps into the underlying reason people diet – to get to be the best version of themselves, a version that they always had within them that got lost along the way. ## 7\. Manchester United Manchester United is the most popular football club in the world with [1.1 billion fans](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-fans-news-latest-16771943?ref=bobbydavidson.com). As a hyperreal brand, the club uses its image to sell products and services to supporters, and it wanted to be the first football club to create a culturally relevant marketing campaign for China. [Manchester United PLC](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/MANU:US?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=Manchester%20United%20Plc.,United%20is%20based%20in%20England.) produced a storytelling marketing campaign that brought to life the red devil spirit. Their ‘[Wake Up the Devil Inside You](https://www.thedrummarketingawards.com/marketing-awards-2019/branded-content/manchester-uniteds-wake-up-the-devil-inside-you-growing-man-us-fanbase-in-china-by-bringing-to-life?ref=bobbydavidson.com)’ is a series of short films the merge football will a Chinese art form called [Manga](https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/12/27/beginners-guide-manga?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to inspire local fans. # Conclusion A great story is powerful and moving, and every brand can move people to laughter or tears. You just have to be authentic, open, and honest to show that your company is real people with stories to tell. Storytelling marketing is about creating content that shows not only your core values, purpose, and beliefs but also something that matters to your customers. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 10 Innovative Technologies to Spark the Next Phase of Business Evolution URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/10-innovative-technologies-to-spark-the-next-phase-of-business-evolution/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:28.000Z From advancements in artificial intelligence to [GPT-3](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/08/robot-wrote-this-article-gpt-3?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [Hyperautomation](https://www.uipath.com/rpa/hyperautomation?ref=bobbydavidson.com), 2020 has been a great year for business technology, even with COVID-19 looming. As cutting-edge innovative technologies and modern practices reach the market, they lead the charge for business evolution. With so many new applications and innovations in the mix, what technologies do you expect will have the biggest impact on businesses in 2020 and beyond? Find out! ## The Role of Innovative Technologies in Business Innovative technologies have a major impact on business operations and improvements. No matter how small, medium, or large your business is, business technology will bring many benefits that help you increase revenue, improve operations, and build customer relationships. Different industries rely on technology because it improves communication, optimizes production, management, and data storage. Let us elaborate: - **Business Communication** Technology increases the efficiency of business communication all around the workplace. For example, millions of workers are efficiently working remotely and connecting with their managers using instant messaging, email, and customized channels. A decade ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. Innovative technologies in business communication have helped us stay connected round the clock. - **Improved Network Security** Innovative technologies help businesses keep important data safe and less exposed to threats, especially with modern backup solutions. During the pandemic, [cybercrime has increased all over the world](https://www.zdnet.com/article/ten-disturbing-coronavirus-related-cybercrime-statistics-to-keep-you-awake-tonight/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), which means that conventional network security won’t cut it, so you have to look for new solutions to prevent hacks and data loss. - **Efficiency Enhancement** Innovative technologies can optimize business operations as it plays a crucial role in different processes in the workflow. For example, artificial intelligence and mechatronics have [improved the automobile industry in many ways.](https://igniteoutsourcing.com/automotive/artificial-intelligence-in-automotive-industry/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## The Need for Innovative Technology for Business Evolution Are you still using the fifth-generation iPhone or Windows 2007 at your workplace? Are you familiar with [software as a service](https://blog.hubspot.com/service/top-saas-companies?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [modern tools businesses use in 2020](https://blog.proofhub.com/16-best-small-business-sales-tools-of-2020-9a31b163474b?ref=bobbydavidson.com)? Business technology is rapidly growing and changing every year, and businesses need to keep up. To ensure business survival and success, you need to have the proper technology at your workplace to save time and money and boost productivity. So, without further ado, here is our list of 10 Innovative Technologies to Spark the Next Phase of Business Evolution: ## 1\. Artificial Intelligence It is not surprising that AI makes the top of the list as automation is the future of business operations. Artificial intelligence refers to programmable algorithms that automatically process and apply knowledge. It is one of the leading innovative technologies that impact various industry sectors, including manufacturing, IT, Retail, transportation, health care, finance, hospitality, etc. ## 2\. 5G [China has already announced the development of 6G](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/07/china-starts-6g-development-having-just-turned-on-its-5g-mobile-network.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=Menu-,China%20starts%20development%20of%206G%2C%20having%20just,on%20its%205G%20mobile%20network&text=China%20has%20officially%20launched%20research,of%20an%20initial%202020%20schedule.), as the world starts to adopt 5G. 5G offers great improvements over 4G, such as low latency, higher device density, and smart power consumption. More importantly, it makes augmented reality, smart cities, and connected products possible. ## 3\. Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things (IoT) combines information from different connected devices for automated analytics, additional system insights, and performance in the enterprise. There are so many [IoT devices businesses use](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/338499?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to improve their business operations like security systems, lights, and even coffee makers. ## 4\. Serverless Computing Serverless computing is the future of network security and backup solutions. More popularly known as [Function as a Service](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/serverless/glossary/function-as-a-service-faas/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) (FaaS), it allows businesses to build applications that scale in real-time, so they quickly respond to changing demands. It offers a consumption-based platform so that developers can deploy applications cost-effectively. ## 5\. Biometrics Biometrics has already optimized security by allowing users and devices to authenticate and move effortlessly through the world. Every year, it makes the list of innovative technologies due to smart upgrades, new gadgets, and policies as well. ## 6\. Robotics Robots are a crucial element of business evolution with the simple purpose of performing basic tasks that are too dangerous, laborious, or time-consuming for humans. Robotics are now in every industry sector and have come a long way from industrial use only. Today, you can find them being used in marketing, telecommunications, inventory, entertainment, etc. ## 7\. Augmented Reality Augmented reality and virtual reality transform how people use machines and data. AI, mixed reality, and sensor technologies are now common in modern workplaces to enhance flexibility, efficiency, and productivity. ## 8\. Blockchain Blockchain is the future of online transactions, and [many countries have embraced this innovative technology](https://www.blockchain-council.org/blockchain/top-10-countries-leading-blockchain-technology-in-the-world/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The technology simply allows users to manage online transactions with advanced security protocols. No business is safe from hacks and cyber threats, so innovative technologies like Blockchain will come in handy for them. ## 9\. Quantum Computing Quantum computing will improve a business’s ability to process and analyze Big Data. It is and has always been the key to leverage machine learning and the power of artificial intelligence. The industry is already worth [$5 billion in 2020](https://www.marketresearchmedia.com/?p=850&ref=bobbydavidson.com) as it grows popular in several areas, including cryptography, aviation, forecasting, medical research, and data analytics. ## 10\. Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3) GPT-3 is a language prediction model that uses deep learning to produce human-like text. It can create anything with a language structure – which means it can answer questions, write essays, summarize long texts, translate languages, take memos, and even create computer code. Imagine what this could for businesses that deploy this innovative technology. The most common possible uses include chat, translation, coding, and summarization. For example, you add it to the Chatbot on your business website to communicate with customers like a person. ## Conclusion The technological infrastructure of your business affects the culture, efficiency, and relationships of your workplace. This is why you need to keep up with innovative technologies, so your business is ready for the next phase of business evolution. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Advantages of Viral Marketing in the Evolving Consumer Market URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-advantages-of-viral-marketing-in-the-evolving-consumer-market/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:28.000Z We hear about viral marketing every day in the form of a new viral video or post that spreads faster than the speed of light. Viral marketing evolved from unpredictable internet memes to a global marketing strategy overnight. **But what exactly is it? And how did it get so popular? Did it become viral because of the product or the advertising content? And do marketers plan viral campaigns, or is it simply luck?** ## What Is Viral Marketing? Viral marketing is almost self-explanatory – marketing or advertising that spreads like a virus. It is a form of marketing that can quickly generate interest, hype, and potential sale of a product or services. A viral campaign aims to make viewers share the content among the peers, who then share it with theirs, and so on – spreading like a virus. Though the term is mostly used for online content that can be shared quickly and easily on social networks, any strategy that encourages word-of-mouth is viral marketing. The most common examples of viral campaigns are emotional, funny, or unique videos on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Before internet marketing, businesses used traditional outbound media to promote their content, which took longer and was more expensive. Today, social networks have become the natural habitat for viral and overall digital marketing. ## How Viral Campaigns Work? In theory, creating a viral marketing campaign is easy. You have to create an attractive video or content, upload it on the internet, and promote it. After this, all you can do is wait for ignition and for viewers to crush the share button. In many cases, a campaign becomes viral by luck or accident. For example, a random user uploads a video on Facebook, and in a short duration, it becomes popular and begins to generate a buzz around the internet. This is how most [viral videos from around the world](https://edition.cnn.com/specials/videos/viral-videos?ref=bobbydavidson.com) surface. Although creating viral campaigns is easy, virality is now incredibly challenging as there is far more competition than there was a decade ago. As a result, all viral marketing campaigns fall into two main categories – lucky and engineered. ### Engineered Viral Marketing We live in an evolving consumer market that is steadily shifting online. As a consequence, marketers are intentionally engineering viral marketing campaigns. Yes, many viral sensations occur randomly, but now, we find that these campaigns are being strategized to go viral. One of the best-known examples of this is the [ALS Ice Bucket Challenge](https://www.semrush.com/blog/viral-marketing-campaign-inspiration/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that started in 2014\. It was an online effort to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease and raise funds. The viral campaign raised $115 million in two months. It became so successful that 17 million people participated in the challenge worldwide, including celebrities like Tom Cruise, Mark Zuckerberg, Rihanna, Cristiano Ronaldo, Oprah Winfrey, and Tim Cook. The key engineering takeaways from this viral campaign were: - The challenge only asked participants to pour a bucket of ice-cold water and donate. The objective was clear and concise. - The challenge was for a limited time, which created urgency – you had to complete the challenge in 24 hours after accepting. - ALS stroke the right emotional chord with audiences. The challenge was fun, and the purpose of the challenge was emotional. - It was unique and unusual – something no one has ever done before. ### Lucky Viral Marketing More often than not, content goes viral on social networks due to sheer luck. Remember [Charlie bit my finger](https://stylecaster.com/most-viewed-viral-videos-on-youtube/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)? This is a great example of lucky viral content, and the video has over 800 million views up till now. Or remember when [Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner of Miss Universe 2015](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a30139452/miss-universe-winner-steve-harvey-mistake-story/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)? ## The Advantages of Viral Marketing for Businesses Apart from likes, shares, and 15 minutes of fame, there are many other benefits of viral marketing: ### 1\. Lower Advertising Cost After creating your video or content, your campaign will only require a little push using different digital marketing techniques like SEO or paid promotion. As it begins to gain views, your audience will start sharing the content. Furthermore, this will also impact your future campaigns as you can reach a larger audience, thanks to your original campaign. ### 2\. Fast Growth Success doesn’t usually happen overnight, but it can. Viral marketing is a few tactics that can potentially take you to the next level in very little time. Many [small businesses have gone viral](https://thrivehive.com/5-small-businesses-went-viral/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) on social media platforms, and most of them spent years before they got it right. ### 3\. Exposure No business can deny the power of mainstream media and the audience it holds. Viral marketing gives you a reason to cover your brand without any payment or petition. The best part is that mainstream media coverage creates its virality, thanks to the big names that follow the stories media outlets post. Just imagine what a feature on Fox News or CNN could do for your brand. ### 4\. Boosted Credibility With recognition comes trust, acceptance, and loyalty. When your business goes viral and captures the attention of different audiences, more people are willing to give it a try. Think of [Old Spice](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/07/the-genius-of-old-spice-s-viral-marketing-campaign/344869/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or [Dollar Shave Club](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224282?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and how many people bought new razors after its viral video. ### 5\. Quick Lead Generation Most businesses keep their eye on sales that result from viral marketing. However, we can’t ignore how quickly viral campaigns generate leads. The fact is that people might be interested or hooked to your brand but not ready to purchase just yet. These leads will certainly keep you in mind when they’re ready. ## Viral Marketing Amid COVID If there’s one positive takeaway from COVID-19, it’s the digital surge and quick adoption of online sales. Thousands of brands are using viral marketing to drive traffic to their websites and stores. I supposed there are pluses and minuses to everything. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Holiday Season 2020: 5 Market Predictions and How to Adjust Your Marketing Strategy Accordingly URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/holiday-season-2020-5-market-predictions-and-how-to-adjust-your-marketing-strategy-accordingly/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:28.000Z COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of consumers worldwide. The biggest change people it has brought is the ability of people to gather together in numbers. Dealing with social distancing protocols and deciding on what to do to be safe during the holiday season 2020 has become a distressing process. With governments announcing an explicit message that COVID-19 still poses a threat with [predictions of a second wave](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/americans-brace-2nd-wave-covid-19-experts-predict/story?id=72817318&ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the US, large gatherings are being frowned upon everywhere. As a result, the way consumers observe the holiday season 2020 will change completely with consumer behavior adjusting to limitations. **With consumers facing restricted celebrations, businesses need to adjust their marketing strategies according to market predictions.** ### 5 Market Predictions of How COVID-19 will Reshape Customer Experience for the Holiday Season 2020 Preparing for the holiday season is a laborious task for any company or brand. Due to COVID-19, this holiday season is not like it was in 2019\. Consumers around the world are riddled with uncertainty, and businesses are facing several challenges in generating revenue and retaining customers. The following are 5 market predictions regarding the holiday season 2020: #### 1\. COVID-19 Will Set a New Record in eCommerce Penetration One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic in the digital eCommerce market place was the significant boost in digital traffic and online orders. With these changes, companies need to prepare themselves to manage the [digital surge](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2020/09/16/online-holiday-sales-to-surge-25-35/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#:~:text=Research%20firm%20Deloitte%20expects%20online,in%20November%2C%20December%20and%20January.) throughout the entire purchase process. Online sales are expected to rise to 30% in the upcoming holiday season and reach $188 billion. #### 2\. Consumers Will Make Holiday Purchases Earlier this Year More consumers will likely purchase their holiday gifts earlier this year due to the potential of stores closing and the risk of infection rising. This could create demand and supply challenges for best-selling items. Consumers will be looking to secure products they want as soon as possible, so companies need to take advantage early. #### 3\. Delivery Services Will Face An Overload The number of shipped parcels in digital orders will increase between 20-30% due to social distancing measures. Most delivery services are bound to run out of capacity during the holiday season 2020, so they need to plan accordingly. #### 4\. Stores Will Serve As Fulfillment Centers Companies need to reduce operational costs and enhance customer service by turning their stores into fulfillment centers where customers come to receive their orders. To do this, they need to establish agile and flexible fulfillment options by shifting to a streamlined and automated in-store model with optimized digital channels for communication and order placement. #### 5\. Marketing Mix Will Shift to Localization and Personalization This holiday season, marketers need to focus on market segmentation to reach the right customers, in their right location, at the right time. Due to the outburst in social media traffic, it is predicted to be the most important platform for consumer engagement in 2020\. You cannot send the same marketing message to customers living 2-3 miles from your store and those living 20 miles away. ### How to Adjust Your Marketing Strategy for the Holiday Season 2020 Since the pandemic started, its disruption has had many businesses scrambling to adjust their business plan and marketing strategies to adapt to the situation. The 4Ps of marketing provide a simple checkpoint for assessment and adjustment whenever a crisis occurs. By reorganizing your 4Ps, you can devise an effective and decisive strategy for the holiday season 2020\. Here’s how: #### Product The biggest challenge organizations need sort out during COVID-19 is their product-related decisions. They need to form a balance between the short-term and long-term needs of their consumers during the holiday season. The idea should be to focus on essential items and alleviate supply chain burdens. With the changes in consumer behavior, many companies are in recovery mode, so they need to take this opportunity to make up for their losses by providing more support and functionality to consumers in their products. #### Placement The pandemic has changed how buyers physically engage with businesses when purchasing or receiving products or services. The question businesses are asking is, “how to set a balance between safety and customer satisfaction?” While there is no standard answer to this question, there are some emerging practices you can follow during the holiday season like: - Implementing new communication channels like email, chat, and text support for customer service. - Video demos of sales activities such as instructions, features, and hands-on experience. - Expanding touchless delivery and fulfillment options. - Increasing online educational content and FAQs #### Price During this holiday season, you can expect consumers to naturally exercise more caution before making purchase decisions. Price is among the dominant aspects of purchasing decisions and expenditure, so you need to ask yourself what adjustments, offers, or changes in policies can we extend to increase sales this holiday season? The following are some approaches that should help your business bring more sales: - Removing shipping and handling charges on online purchases - Extended free trials - Extended time discount on best-selling items - Bundled pricing for higher orders at lesser margins. #### Promotion Organizations need to assess how they intend to [engage, inform, and persuade different target audiences](https://www.thewordpro.com/6-tips-to-prep-your-marketing-strategy-for-the-2020-holiday-season/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to purchase goods and services. You need to check how audiences are seeking information related to your businesses now as compared to before. Businesses need to adjust their promotional spending by paying attention to where consumers are shopping for products during the pandemic. You can use the [performance metrics](https://omnitail.net/5-metrics-holiday-season/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for the past 4th of July and Easter holidays to device new strategies that target more at-home consumers to make purchases. You can make the following changes to your promotion strategy: 1. Adding new keywords to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 2. Adapting direct marketing channels like text marketing 3. Adjusting pay-per-click daily timings and budget 4. Promote convenience in all your campaigns ### Final Takeaway With a bit of planning and preparation following the market predictions, you can revive or grow your business during the holiday season 2020. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Develop a Business Plan for 2021 and Beyond URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-develop-a-business-plan-for-2021-and-beyond/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:29.000Z The coronavirus pandemic has created a global health and economic crisis. 2020 has been a rough year for most businesses, and it’s not over yet. Businesses are feeling the strain and cannot wait for the year to end. But what’s the guarantee of 2021 being any different? What if things take a turn for the worse? Have you developed a business plan to ensure the long-term survival of your company? Read on to learn why you should and get started right away! # Why Develop a Business Plan Ahead of Time Smart business leaders realize that now is the time to develop a business plan for 2021 due to continuous COVID-19 business disruptions, economic turndown, and rising tariffs. These events have not only exposed the strengths and weaknesses of many companies but have also opened new opportunities and mediums for conducting business activities. While we hope that 2021 represents a blank slate or fresh start for employers and employees, nothing is certain. By starting your 2021 business planning early, you may be able to finish 2020 on a strong note and shift your focus toward long-term goals and objectives. In other words, it’s time to stop thinking tactically and start thinking strategically for long-term stability and prosperity. Here’s how companies can develop a smart business plan for 2021 and beyond: ## 1\. Begin Planning Early Typically, companies start thinking about developing a business plan for the next year in November or December. Some businesses prefer to plan for the new year in January, and others go into the new year without a plan. However, this isn’t your typical year with the pandemic looming over our shoulders. Beginning the planning process early enables managers and employees to start thinking long-term sooner and shift the focus from short-term contingencies and survival plans. This positive approach boosts optimism and prepares companies to position themselves for success. ## 2\. Be Cautiously Optimistic There are no real signs of things getting better worldwide, so it’s best not to be blindly optimistic. Most financial forecasts show a little growth, but you’ll probably want to keep your expectations in check. Yes, you can, and you should develop a business plan to bounce back from a destructive 2020, but the change in the calendar doesn’t mean you should go all out at once to bring life back to you’re your business. ## 3\. Embrace Reality Businesses have to accept that it’s difficult to predict the future in these unprecedented times. So, when developing your business plan for 2021 and beyond, use existing market conditions such as current affairs, consumer behavior, and competitor activities. Negative planning is a great approach in times of shortages and other unpredictable challenges in this business climate. Many organizations perform a SWOT analysis, an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results can help you identify areas that require your attention in terms of management and changes. Usually, here is where you manage expenses and resources to cope with the changes. For instance, [many companies in the US, including MyPillow, Dyson, Carhartt, and Gap Inc, transitioned their production](https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-companies-helping-meet-shortages-of-ventilators-gowns-masks-hand-sanitizer-healthcare?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to make masks, ventilators, sanitizers, and other protective equipment to combat COVID-19. ## 4\. Set Projections Currently, many economic forecasts indicate modest economic growth in 2021\. However, businesses need to be careful before setting optimistic projections without accounting for the risk of uncertainty. With a more conservative plan, you can identify new opportunities and change operations to capitalize on those areas to grow or revive. ## 5\. Incorporate Agility In crisis times, business leaders face the challenge of examining their management and policies and incorporate changes for the future. Running a business in COVID-19 times demands agile leadership for survival and recovery. We’ve seen that [companies that were quick to adapt their operations](https://diginomica.com/how-business-adapted-covid-19-case-studies?ref=bobbydavidson.com) experienced a lesser impact than others. Therefore, factoring adaptability into your business plan for 2021 and beyond is crucial. For example, many companies [embraced working from home and allocated digital resources to transform their businesses](https://www.businesswest.co.uk/blog/how-businesses-are-utilising-technology-adapt-covid-19-climate?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This shows that flexible goals, processes, and strategies can help boost stability. ## 6\. Plan for Unusual Situations While most business plans include contingencies, owners should consider planning for unusual ones as well. This includes providing additional tools and equipment for remote workers, teaching online on zoom, or adjusting to delivery model, etc. A long-term strategy for these scenarios will help navigate hurdles as they come. With ‘[business as unusual](https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1064802?ref=bobbydavidson.com)’ on the rise, distant learning and working in pajamas could be the future no business expected this early in the digital transformation. Not able to keep an eye on operations has also made managers and leaders deal with something they’re not used to. ## 7\. Take Care of Your People No business plan is complete with a people strategy. Noe more than ever, managers and business owners should prioritize taking care of their teams and employees. This goes beyond COVID precautions and remote work training but considering their mental health. Employees are also concerned about financial stability, fear of the unknown, and work-life balance. Adressing these concerns necesitates maintaining a strong corporate culture is paramount, especially if you’re adapting to remote working. You can add an employee-wellness program to your business plan, along with flexible schedules, half-days, and generous bonuses to boost loyalty and happiness. # Plan Ahead The pandemic has afforded many businesses and entrepreneurs to rise to the occasion, learn, and adapt along the way. Organizations that use this time to plan using their experiences will better position themselves for success and make necessary changes in such a fluctuating business environment. With 2020 in its last quarter, it’s time to develop a business plan for 2021 and beyond to prepare for the challenges that lay ahead. Going in prepared will ensure that nothing will surprise you, and you’ll be prepared to bounce back from any setbacks, And if you require additional information regarding business technology and IT services, we recommend you try our services of [Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). :) --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Impact of Remote Working on End-User Computing Solutions and Services URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/impact-of-remote-working-on-end-user-computing-solutions-and-services/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:29.000Z Square and Twitter have already announced that all of their employees can remain working from home ‘forever’ or for the near future. At the same time, Facebook expects half of its 48,000 employees to be working remotely in the next five to 10 years. It’s not only the leading tech companies that are contemplating a major shift towards remote working. A recent Gartner survey of 317 CFOs and finance leaders have revealed that 47% of respondents are going to move at least 10% of their on-site employees to permanent remote positions. A further 74% of them will move at least 5% of their previously on-site workforce to permanently remote positions. Overall the Gartner survey has shown that 48% of employees would likely work at least part of the time after COVID-19 remotely. Remote working didn’t start with COVID-19, but the pandemic has greatly accelerated the trend and has caused business leaders to rethink how and where work should be performed. Companies have already responded to the immediate crisis of enabling large segments of their workforce to work remotely. Moving forward, CIOs will need to develop long-term strategies for supporting a workforce that includes a much higher percentage of employees working from home on either a part-time or full-time basis. These strategies will need to address end-user devices, network connectivity, security, and collaboration tools, along with help desk and field support services. Companies who have outsourced end-user computing services are going to need to update their outsourcing agreements to reflect the impact of these changes on supplier delivery solutions, staffing, performance requirements, and pricing. ## Technology Impacts Remote working arrangements will impact the technology solutions for end-user computing in various ways and may require significant investments in new or upgraded technologies. Most businesses focus on ways to effectively industrialize remote working for all employees where flexibility and mobility hold the key. In the ‘new normal,’ workplaces now include hundreds or even thousands of “at home” offices, all of which must be supported, scaled, and secured. ### · End-User Devices Most employees will need to be provisioned with new or upgraded devices to support work from home. For instance, upgrades or refreshes of older devices may be required to enable the hardening of the devices to reduce vulnerability to attack and protect data. The hardened network environment within an office enables these dated devices to leverage more resources actually to do work versus protect. Most of these devices might be incapable of traditional hardening typically required on a public internet connection. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), and other virtualization capabilities are options that CIOs may want to explore to separate processing and data from remote working challenges. However, moving users to virtualized capabilities has never been a ‘cost savings play’ and remains a ‘complex task,’ especially where users leverage several proprietary or customized applications. Knowledge workers tend to be more difficult to move to VDI than process workers. ### · Network Connectivity In the short term, most companies have scaled existing network solutions with a limited architectural redesign to meet demand. Still, these solutions may not be cost-effective and secure long-term solutions. Because of the critical operating symbiosis between network and compute/data resources, and the expense and the relative permanence of network design, most companies aren’t likely to take major steps on redesign until they better understand their 18-month business/IT support strategy. ### · Security Security solutions for remote working will be critical in protecting companies against the risk of security breaches that could expose them to liability for unauthorized access to personal data or result in theft of sensitive business data and intellectual property. The age, diversity, and capacity of a company’s fleet of end-user devices must be considered in the assessment process. Various solutions exist to enable secure and safe management of devices regardless of the platform. As part of an integrated security and device management solution, they expect a steady increase in: - Workspace-as-a-Service, including the delivery of virtual desktops and applications to mobile devices. - Unified communications and collaboration, including the integration of instant messaging, voice, web, and video conferencing, desktop and data sharing, call control, and speech recognition. - Unified Endpoint Management, including a single interface for mobile, PC and other devices - Omni-channel User Support, including call, chat, email, web, and virtual agent support. ### · Collaboration Tools As most of us have experienced during the lockdowns, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of video conferencing and collaboration tools like Zoom, WebEx, and MS Teams. Due to the pervasiveness of Microsoft tooling, full adoption of Teams and Office 365 seems unavoidable. Some collaboration and communication tools were made available for free on a short-term basis. As temporary access to these applications starts to expire, companies will need to address licensing agreements, entitlements, and how to scale and secure applications across the workforce. Asset management policies and procedures should be in place to manage these licenses/subscriptions and control costs. ## Conclusion Due to the sudden shift to remote working, businesses have started to organize their teams to work from home. The current pandemic has played a major role in ensuring that businesses who want to continue their operations must do so remotely. It has given them the advantage to keep on running their systems without compromising their quality of services. Remote working does come with its fair share of challenges, but they can be met quite easily when you consider the advantages that it affords users. To stay on top of the game and ensure that you continue delivering services without any hiccups or stop-gap measures, gives the business the advantage to keep on delivering end-point services to users. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How is Cloud Computing Transforming the Business of Consumer Electronics? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-is-cloud-computing-transforming-the-business-of-consumer-electronics/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:30.000Z The consumer electronics industry is under pressure with new upcoming technologies, economic instability, and increasing regulation. All this means that companies will face more complex supply chains, a shrinking product life cycle, uncertain demand, and decreasing revenues. Within this dynamic scenario, cloud computing provides a new path for sustainable, flexible, and efficient growth. Gartner has forecasted that the cloud services market is going to grow by 16.6% in 2020 ($249.8 billion) and by 2022, 90% of organizations across industries are going to be using cloud services. The consumer electronics leaders are sharing their top reasons to adopt cloud computing as improved internal business-process efficiency, increased customer demand, and expanded sales channels. They are using a combination of cloud based services, DevOps services and analytics, so that companies can accelerate time-to-market and improve their customer experience at the same time. Cloud computing services offer the electronics industry with the chance to redefine customer relationships management, improve transparency and governance, transform their operations, and expand upon business agility. To showcase its complete impact, let us see how cloud can stimulate benefits for the consumer electronics industry. ### Businesses Achieve Improved Operational Efficiency The development of web services, service oriented architecture, and cloud computing holds the key to providing the integration that is going to open up the field to enhanced collaboration and operational efficiency for businesses. Cloud computing service providers will allow companies to move a part or all of their operations from a local network to the cloud platform. This will make it easier for them to access a host of facilities like processing, data storage and more. To illustrate that, without cloud device management Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), managing content deployment and OTA for 70K+ on-field connected devices for a leading electronics manufacturer of POS devices and touch screen displays would not have been possible. The cloud based portal allowed their user subscription and management, add/update devices, content upload, and configurations all on a single portal within a click, which simplified the processes and improved operational efficiency with anytime anywhere access. On top of that, a standard transition of business applications to the cloud is seen where organizations have deployed SAP/CRM on the cloud providing flexible accessibility and simplified setup for software/servers. Moreover, applying the DevOps methodology, in the cloud will enhance collaboration between the teams, boost the efficiency of the application development cycle, to optimize product quality and save time at the same time. DevOps tools and practices that help the business run faster and smoother by automating key steps with standardization. ### Personalized Customer Management and Relationship Apart from bringing buyers and sellers together on the online marketplace, consumer electronics companies can add value by generating personalized product recommendations for buyers with the help of cloud computing and analytics. As the cloud’s expanded capacity and computing power helps it store information about user preferences, its location, and run algorithms it can derive intelligent insights to enable product or service customization. For instance, a leading consumer electronics brand inferred their user preferences from buying behavior and usage patterns, and used that analytics to provide customized advertisements, offers, and suggestions. Ultimately, this paradigm facilitates a host of different possibilities, from radically improving the performance of current devices and services that benefits the companies, to delivering improved customer satisfaction and ensuring customer loyalty. ### Allowing Businesses with Faster Time to Market and Reduced Cost The competitive advantage created by going to the market first with innovative products, whether they are feature-rich or value-driven is vitally important in the electronics industry. Electronics OEMs have made dramatic reductions in the product development cycle time with product life cycle management (PLM) systems. However, the development process still remains time consuming and inefficient. Multiple ready to use development and managed services like AWS IoT core, EC2, API gateway, Cognito, S3, Azure Blob Storage, Virtual Machines and many more from the leading cloud providers will help in expediting collaborative product development by reducing the work of the developer. With cloud, companies can enforce standardized protocols, synchronize information between their systems, and access a centralized database provided by infrastructure-as-a-service. With standardization and automation, OEMs can improve development efficiency, and avoid costly downstream errors. That will help to speed time to market and time to value, which will in turn yield a critical competitive advantage. Also, organizations that have adapted to serverless cloud architecture, on-demand database connectivity, and pay as you go model enables to shift their IT capital cost to a variable or operational cost. ### Simplified Partner/Vendor Ecosystem Connectivity One of the major business enablers powered by the cloud is ecosystem connectivity. The cloud facilitates collaboration with value chain partners and customers, which can lead to improvements in productivity and increased innovation. Cloud-based platforms can bring together disparate groups of people who can collaborate and share resources, information, and processes. The recent trend of ‘open innovation’ is powered via cloud-based software solutions that connect parties, and facilitate the sharing of ideas. There are also cloud based deal management platforms, which streamline the presentation, negotiation, invoicing, and reconciliation of trade promotions that were received from company’s vendors, distributors in a secure, cloud environment. That will put an end to the numerous emails, faxes, and spreadsheets that are typically exchanged, reducing errors that are often associated with this kind of communication. ### Data Driven Demand Forecasting and Decision-Making The efficient management of inventory is one of the common challenges that are faced in the Consumer Electronics industry. It is difficult for giant consumer electronics that manufacture multiple products and manage large distribution channels at different locations to check or manage their stock in real-time and predict future demands. With data analytics and cloud computing, they can have wide visibility of their stocks, market, consumer preferences and competition at a global level. Cloud offers access to real-time data, cloud architecture and analytics platforms to build both predictive and prescriptive inventory forecasting that significantly decreases their issues, like stocks shortage or surplus, enabling better decision making and managed inventories. Apart from that, company executives can access data and stocks at any time and from anywhere to check the real-time stock availability. To be successful with cloud, consumer electronics companies have to access its impact on the operating model and determine successive actions for more effective cloud adoption. Cloud computing services including architecture, development, deployment, migration, optimization of cloud solutions and cloud data analytics helps consumer companies transform their business model and operations with enhanced flexibility, scalability, and efficiency elevating their businesses to the next level. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Next Decade of Smartphones URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-next-decade-of-smartphones/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:30.000Z Even if we look at the last ten years since smartphones started becoming more ubiquitous, we see an exponential climb upwards. The low-resolution screens with 3G connectivity now seem like relics of the past. But what will the future hold for smartphones? Let’s discuss some of the major trends for smartphones in the *next* ten years. ### Stretch and Fold Ever since foldable phones entered the public eye in 2019, we’ve seen devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Motorola Razr 2019\. This trend toward foldability is likely to continue in the next ten years. But things aren’t all that simple; many people consider foldable smartphones to be just a gimmick with most users not considering buying them as their next phone. This is not only because foldable smartphones (more like phablets) are currently very pricey, its also because the software really hasn’t caught on with adapting to the form factor yet. But we are likely to see more affordable foldable phones within the next few years. It totally depends on the market, however, and how people are prone to see foldable phones compared with ‘normal’ phones. Aside from foldability, there is another feature that is likely to make a splash within the next ten years. And that’s stretchable phones. Instead of folding the phone for more screen real estate, stretching the display will increase its size, much like a hard variant of clay. You’ll just pull the phone from two corners diagonally, and voila, you’ve got more screen space! Work has already begun in the area of stretchable displays, but it will still take a number of years before they hit the market. Samsung announced its prototype of a stretchable display in 2017, which could be dented up to 12mm without damage. The display springs back to its original flat shape. This is just a concept, however, which only goes to show that it’s possible. Stretchable displays can’t be of much significance unless the internal hardware becomes stretchable as well. That’s exactly what researchers at Michigan State University are developing with their first stretchable integrated circuit. They say that soon it will be possible to print displays which can be stretched to larger sizes, and also be applied to wearable tech and soft robotic applications. Stretchy phones can bring with them a host of new improvements, including more immersive gameplay and videos. Not to mention the convenience of carrying a large display, which can be brought down to a very small form factor, easily fitting in your pocket. ### Wraparound Screens We’ve seen the craze that is bezel-less displays. And it seems this trend isn’t going to end anytime soon. Instead, we’ll see continued progress toward a completely bezel-less display and, eventually, wraparound screens. This will occur in tandem with hidden cameras that become visible only when the front camera is taking a picture or recording/streaming video. This shift is likely to be accompanied by a transition toward a button-less phone. Within the next ten years, phones are probably not going to have any physical buttons whatsoever. Instead, pressure detection, multi-touch, and micro-haptics will work together in other to deliver the same functionality and even feel of physical buttons without sacrificing any screen area. As phones become more and more seamless, we’ve seen a transition from physical fingerprint sensors to in-display scanners. They’re comparable in terms of reliability and speed. The face unlock feature has also added to this seamlessness. But with newer technologies like Sensel’s multi-touch micro-haptics, things are about to change even further. Such micro-haptic technology can allow your fingers to feel the vibration and haptic feedback localized to only the spot where you are touching. These days, when the haptic motor vibrates within a phone, we can feel the entire phone vibrate. Replacing this with micro-haptics will not only save battery life, but it will also deliver a more immersive and realistic tactile feedback to your inputs, such as using a volume or ISO slider, etc. This will be combined with force touch, which will allow thousands of levels of pressure sensitivity and range to make smartphones of the future truly tactile devices. ### Voice Control To continue the trend towards seamlessness, voice control will play a major role. We’ve already seen voice assistants like Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa. In the years ahead, such voice assistants will evolve even further to improve their speed, reliability, expansiveness, and functionality. Within the next 10 years, voice control is likely to become a key feature of the way we use our smartphones. ### Color-Changing Backs Phones of the future are likely going to have the ability to change their color, perhaps according to the wallpaper that has been applied. The OnePlus Concept One showcased this feature by tinting its back camera black to hide the cameras. Now imagine this ability on the whole back of your phone. It’s made with a glassy material that absorbs all light. With just a few LED lights inside, the color could change to, let’s say, purple, green, red, or even white. With phones of the future, you might not have to face difficulty in deciding upon a color anymore. ### Batteries With wraparound screens and other energy-hogging features, smartphones of the future will also need new kinds of batteries. This is where graphene comes in. Its an allotrope of carbon, which forms a single layer of atoms in a 2D hexagonal lattice. Graphene is extremely strong and is more efficient at conducting electricity than copper. In the next few years, we are likely to see more research going into graphene batteries, which will replace our lithium-ion cell batteries. Graphene batteries allow for increased electrode density, faster cycle times, and also holding the charge for longer and improving the battery’s lifespan. With faster wireless charging and graphene batteries, smartphones of the future could even have a week-long battery on just a few minutes of charge. However, this might become more of a reality after several years. ### No More Ports Ports take up a lot of space and restrict phone designs with the added susceptibility to water and dust. Phone designers have been working to reduce ports, and we’ve already seen it with the (sad) loss of the 3.5mm jack. These days, most phones have a single port for charging, etc. In the years ahead, we are likely to see a shift towards complete wireless. This will, of course, be accompanied by faster wireless charging or even over-the-air charging after several years. This means that you no longer have to worry about carrying charging bricks or wires. Your phone would wirelessly charge, even over longer ranges, though this tech is likely ways ahead in the future. However, before the end of the next 10 years, we will start seeing this shift. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Why Business Analytics Software is a Great Tool for Analyzing Data and Monitoring Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-business-analytics-software-is-a-great-tool-for-analyzing-data-and-monitoring-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:31.000Z ### Benefits of Using Business Analytics Software for Data Analysis Business analytics software is a visualization and analytical software that exhibits and analyzes the current status of KPIs and metrics for: - A department - An organization - Specific process The analytics software provides, at one glance, powerful insights into key business functions. This ensures fact-based business decisions. There are many reasons to use analytics software. One of them is the ease of analyzing data. The following are the reasons that make business analytics software the easiest way to analyze data. #### More Valuable Data One of the most valuable assets of an organization is data. However, often leveraging data is costly and time-consuming. Analytics software cheaply and quickly provides businesses with the insights they need to enhance the performance of their employees and operations. #### Ability to make real-time and fact-based decisions By providing them clear and vibrant graphic interfaces, business analytics software allows users to understand and gauge complex data easily. This propels real-time and fact-based decision making. #### An objective view of performance By providing an objective and easily understandable view of current performance, analytics software propagates further dialogue. For example, the customer acquisition process requires sales and marketing to be aligned. In a mutually understandable way, analytics software can showcase metrics pertaining to each team. #### Identification of problem areas In order to help stakeholders manage challenges proactively, analytics software provides them insights into potential problems. This is in addition to providing real-time and historical data. People who use business analytics software often: - Feel unshackled - Make better decisions - Manage complex problems at the source as they emerge #### Ability to see the big picture With the analytics software, businesses can capture the ‘big picture’ at a glance. Analytics software provides users with a snapshot of key metrics, such as: - KPIs from various markets, data sources and departments - Real-time metrics Users can use the ‘big picture’ to make informed decisions. #### Identifications of gaps With the analytics software’s interactive dashboard, users can view information related to their team’s performance. Furthermore, they can use filters to view different sets of information and explore a list view to get the report’s details so they can take action. With visual patterns, analytics software brings data to life and helps managers to support, predict and analyze critical business decisions. By helping managers find answers to key questions related to business challenges, business analytics software improves decision making. ### Reasons to Use Business Analytics Software to Monitor Your Business In order to predict and prevent fraud, many banks today use business analytics software. This way business analytics helps banks to save millions. Apart from banks, other businesses use business analytics, as well. For example, retailers use business analytics to find out the optimal ways of stocking stores as well the best location for them. Today, business analytics software is widely used. In fact, in order to determine optimal ticket prices and game strategy, even sports teams are making use of business analytics. According to experts, business analytics software helps businesses to identify new business opportunities, spot cost saving areas and become more efficient. By giving them access to ‘big’ data, business analytics allows businesses of all sizes i.e. medium, small, or big to make better decisions. You can extract substantial benefits from better analytics even if you don’t accumulate a large data volume. There was a time when only large businesses could afford business analytics software. However, things have changed considerably in the past few years and today small and medium sized businesses are using business analytics to: - Better understand key business metrics - Centralize - Predict future performance There are many reasons for businesses to use business analytics software. One of them is monitoring their business. Let’s now take a look at why business analytics is the best way to monitor your business. #### No more guesswork You need to keep in mind that running a business is not gambling. Therefore, steering your business into the future based purely on ‘gut feelings’ and ‘guesswork’ is a big NO! More often than not, businesses rely on guesswork to make key business decisions only because they do not have the technology and/or systems in place to make informed choices. Business analytics software allows businesses to make informed decisions by providing them: - Trends and forecasts - Real-time updates - Historical data - What if analysis All of the things mentioned eliminate the need for guesswork. #### Obtain answers to business questions quicker With the business analytics software, businesses can obtain answers to business questions quickly. This eliminates the need to spend hours to read through countless printed reports. #### Access key business metric reports at a place and time you need them Thanks to the latest technology and business analytics software, today, businesses can access critical business information on the go. Today, BA software providers are ensuring that businesses are able to access key metrics, dashboards, and reports on mobile devices such as Droid, iPad and iPhone. #### Easily benchmark A valuable data analysis tool, benchmarking allows businesses to measure their: - Revenue - Productivity - Overall success proportionate to that of competitors Often, businesses find it difficult to perform benchmarking. However, businesses that use business analytics software do not consider benchmarking as a headache simply because BA provides easily understandable reports and actionable information and simplifies the benchmarking process. #### Final Word By allowing managers and other business leaders to support, predict and analyze critical business decisions, business analytics software harnesses the power in the data. This makes analytics software an easy and great way to analyze data. Additionally, by providing them with valuable data, business analytics software allows businesses to monitor their business effectively. What more do you need? ### Why Continuous Data Protection Is the Best Security Guard Solution URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-continuous-data-protection-is-the-best-security-guard-solution/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:31.000Z To make matters even worse, daily, weekly, and monthly backups are going to continually get slower until the current process doesn’t work, and someone has to reassess everything. No one should be worrying about their data backup, and if you’re long enough without tweaking your process, you can be facing an avoidable problem. The big question is, what can you do to implement a stress-free data backup system? ### What Is Continuous Data Protection? Continuous data protection (CDP), as it is known, is a backup solution that will work in real-time to automatically update every single change to your live data. When you run this type of backup, you’ll be keeping a constantly up-to-date copy of your information and will achieve powerful disaster protection. Continuous data protection is an extremely effective backup method, as it is not only cost-effective but has extremely little influence on disk or server performance. It also provides strong protection against data loss events, and we’ll be taking a look at how continuous data protection works, it’s drawbacks and the benefits as well as how it is vastly different from other methods. ### How Does Continuous Data Protection Work? Continuous data protection (CDP) shares a lot of similarities with traditional backup, and both methods are going to take a computer snapshot that records the data held within. However, this is where all the similarities end. With continuous data protection, all the data will be backed up on a computer every time you make a change. This means when you implement this method, you will not only keep a running record of the changes made to any document, file, folder, or spreadsheet but will also have the ability to restore your computer at any point with great granularity. All these backups are going to be replicated repeatedly and will be saved to a journal file with the corresponding changes made to them. Most people, who are searching for backup solutions are going to gravitate towards continuous data protection, as it solves the frustrating ‘backup window’ dilemma. Running a traditional backup system will put you at risk of losing data between two scheduled backups. That’s where the real strength of continuous data protection shines, as by employing this method, you will never lose any data because it will be backed up continuously. The fact that backups will be happening after every few minutes instead of every night, the CDP is going to reduce the amount of data that must be stored every time, and you will get a ‘backup window.’ The CDP is also going to provide you with strong protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, sabotage, or accidental data deletion. ### How Is Continuous Data Protection Going to Work? You must be wondering how continuous data protection will work, and we will look at its background first to give you a good idea. When the method was introduced, it was used to avoid the problem of shrinking backup windows. However, before continuous data protection was invented, most companies are going to run a nightly tape backup, but there was a slight problem. These companies found out that they had to protect against continuously growing data sets that are set within a specific backup window. Even though there are various ways to speed up tape backups, but there is still a limit on how much data you can backup within a period. Continuous data protection software was introduced first to address this problem, but CDP works by copying the ‘delta’ from the computer being backed up to the drive or disk being stored. That’s the initial data copy, and continuous data protection is going to record each write and store in the changelog on the CDP system. As continuous data protection is always running in the background, it will recognize any changes that are made to your data. However, once the software discovers these changes, they will immediately start to backup to the master backup file. The CDP is going to track every single charge until the last write before failure that will allow you to restore the computer to the point of any previous point before there was corruption or data loss. So, even if you’ve lost data, you will still manage to restore it. That’s mainly because CDP software will take multiple snapshots of every file on different dates, so you can restore them to previous saves. ### What Types of Data Can be Backed Up? Continuous data protection software will record any changes made to various data types, which include the likes of: - Application data - Folders - Files - Databases The process of backing up with CDP is going to be similar to traditional backup, and you can choose which folders, files, and applications you want to include in your CDP backup and also schedule how often you want the backup intervals to run. ### The Pros and Cons of Continuous Data Protection Continuous data protection is one of the most powerful backup methods right now, and it works hard to protect and save your data from harm. There are several reasons why singular users and large organizations will both use this backup method. To prove that point, we are going to single out the pros and cons of continuous data protection right here: #### Pros: - Saves data in quick intervals - Uses less disk space - Can restore data from any date - Virtually no data loss #### Cons: - Can cause permanent performance issues - Higher load on data resources - Hefty spend on disk storage - Can be a single point of failure Continuous data protection is an extremely popular feature for both large and scaling organizations, and most professionals may even classify that as a must-have when it comes to protecting the sensitive data of your company. The more data that businesses start to accumulate over the years, the more a continuous data protection backup will start making sense. With low storage space and the ability to recover data from minutes, hours, days, and weeks ago, the CDP offers an outstanding solution to anyone that is looking for airtight security that doesn’t eat up disk space. ### The Impact of Help Desk Ticketing Systems on the Growth of Small Businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-impact-of-help-desk-ticketing-systems-on-the-growth-of-small-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:31.000Z Generally, in a help desk ticketing workflow, these tickets are tagged with time stamps and priority status, so the support agents can easily use the CRM software to search their dashboards and work on each ticket based on its priority. There’s no denying that a help desk ticketing system makes a big difference to small businesses. To prove that point further, we are going to highlight the impact that a help desk ticketing system has on the growth of a small business when it is integrated into the CRM software. Here is how a help desk ticketing system can make a big impact on your small business: ### 1\. No Ticket Backlogs You won’t need to deal with any ticket backlogs with a help desk ticketing system because the agents can easily attend tickets based on their priority. That allows you to provide seamless customer support and resolve the problems of your customers quickly. This also ensures there is less stress on your customer support agents as they will be more productive and efficient in resolving customer complaints. When you are handling all your customer complaints on time and without any ticket backlogs, you will feel more on top of things. There are so many things that a small business must get right, and an efficient help desk ticketing service takes one more thing off the agenda. ### 2\. Maximize Customer Satisfaction Any brand can come out with great products and services, but when customers don’t get any kind of help when they are facing problems that aren’t being resolved, you’re going to have a problem. Most customers tend to abandon the brand completely if they feel as if they aren’t valued, and their problems aren’t resolved promptly. That’s where a proper help desk ticketing system makes all the difference as it gives small businesses the platform to deal with disgruntled customers easily. That allows brands to build and cultivate loyalty from their customers and provide them with relevant solutions to their problems. ### 3\. Consistent Revenue Growth All businesses know that happy customers translate into more revenue for the brand and inspire customer loyalty. That’s because customers recognize the efforts made by the brand to offer them with a smooth and hassle-free experience during all interactions. The help desk ticketing system has a major role in inspiring such confidence from customers because it makes it easier for the brand to create meaningful relationships with their customers. That creates a snowball effect where customers help boost sales through recurring sales closures and adds to the revenue generated for business growth and development. ### 4\. Maintain Customer Support Standards Most of the time, it gets harder to maintain the quality of your customer support when there are so many tickets and complaints by customers. That’s where an efficient help desk ticketing system helps you out and allows your agents to engage with customers before they get annoyed. That helps them nurture strong relationships with the customer base and increases the speed at which resolutions are resolved. That translates into happy customers, which is directly proportional to more sales and higher revenues for the business. ### 5\. Faster Ticket Resolution When you integrate an efficient help desk ticketing system into the CRM software of your small business, you are giving it a shot in the arm. It allows you to resolve tickets from disgruntled faster leading to happier and impressed customers. The ticketing system not only automates repetitive tasks and gathers tickets from multiple sources but ensures your customer teams can focus on closing open tickets. The increased speed of interacting with customers and resolving their problems will improve customer satisfaction for your small business. That will result in better brand recognition from clients and customers, who will appreciate your efforts in providing them with exceptional customer support. ### 6\. Creating a Personal Journey for Customers Consumers today value brands that are willing to give priority and attention to them. It’s a big part of cultivating a happy consumer base because the relationship affects both the brand and the customers. That’s the reason a help desk ticketing service is such a valuable asset to any small business because the system is equipped to help customer support and service teams. The help desk ticketing system not only allows customers to resolve issues quickly but also provides appropriate solutions in real-time. It allows you to focus on building your brand and establishing healthy and supportive relationships with customers that will drive your business to success. ### Conclusion Now that you’re familiar with a help desk ticketing service and what it can do for your small business, it is time that you start thinking about acquiring help desk services. When you integrate the ticketing system into your CRM, you will be gaining a multi-dimensional tool that is designed to resolve customer issues with your products and services. Your brand can easily provide timely and appropriate solutions to customers that will improve customer satisfaction and increase revenue. That will not only help you retain a loyal customer base for a long time and allow your small business to develop and grow rapidly. So, if you’re thinking about one tool that will give your small business the chance to compete, you should think about integrating a help desk ticketing system into your CRM. ### Figuring Out Why IoT Adoption and Integration is Struggling to Pick Up Pace URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/figuring-out-why-iot-adoption-and-integration-is-struggling-to-pick-up-pace/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:32.000Z The ‘Internet of Things’ is a broad term, and the entire idea of IoT has been oversold massively with some wildly inaccurate claims being thrown in for good measure. It’s all connected from your bathroom mats to your underwear, and that simply isn’t exciting for people since they can’t see the [application](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-5-ways-the-internet-of-things-has-revolutionized-learning-and-education/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Experts believe the problem lies in trying to oversell IoT and pushing too hard with wild predictions about what it will do and how it will impact lives. # Trying to Make Sense of the IoT End Game When talking about IoT, the emphasis must be placed on the goals that it can help achieve instead of talking about the processes it will be involved in. For instance, if you’re interested in losing weight, [you](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-transformational-impact-of-the-internet-of-things-on-21st-century-manufacturing/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can do that by reducing food waste, monitoring your food consumption, exercising, and so on, which is something that IoT can help you with. However, you’re not going to be interested in the mechanism as your motivation would be the end result, and that’s something that isn’t being talked about. This is true when it comes to consumers, and even businesses must start thinking about it. Most experts working with IoT believe that that the alarmingly slow pace of delivery wasn’t anticipated, and that has had an impact on IoT adoption. There is still a surprising lack of awareness about IoT among 25% of small to medium-sized businesses, with 10% of businesses not even engaged with the idea of adopting the Internet of Things. The biggest hurdle facing the IoT challenge is that there has been immense ‘Hype’ generated surrounding IoT, and never-ending discussions about what IoT can do for industries without any proof that it can actually do that. It’s difficult to find out how companies that have adopted and integrated IoT have benefited in terms of cost savings or got significant advantages over their competitors. ### The Complexity of IoT is It’s Biggest Challenge From the outskirts, IoT is a gleaming piece of gold that promises to revolutionize lives; however, it is only when you investigate how it will bring about that change do you start realizing how complex it is. IoT is a complex ecosystem with variable technology instead of the singular, manageable entity that it actually is. It’s not only about connectivity but instead relies on data analytics, IoT security products, cloud services, and overcoming a massive skills gap to handle these things. So, even when you’ve got the data, there’s no clear way to understand what you should do with it, and that’s one of the biggest reasons why IoT has faltered so drastically. There are several companies that are still coming to terms with what IoT is, but most of them are reluctant to admit they don’t know anything about their implementation and adoption. However, when you look at companies that have embraced [IoT](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and have integrated it into their internal systems, you find out that there’s no use of the internet. That makes the name ‘Internet of Things’ confusing, but that’s not unusual because people were confused about the cloud too. The companies that have invested heavily in IoT have taken a tailored approach, but it is an expensive approach because of the price reductions and volume that comes with it. Big corporations are the most likely to adopt and integrate IoT into their infrastructure and business architecture due to the cost issues. The integration and adoption of IoT is a long-term project, and most small companies don’t have the long-term vision to see it through. ### Market Growth Will Drive New Products There are a lot of companies that have already started down the path of arranging their readiness for IoT implementation and adoption. It also helps that there are now more [IoT](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/impact-of-technology-on-generation-z/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) suppliers raising awareness through proofs of concept and trials, but the talk surrounding IoT needs to be less technical. Finding success is going to drive growth, and that will only come about when these suppliers start to focus not only on raising awareness but on making deployment easier as well. That will not only raise confidence but will generate momentum that can be maintained. One of the biggest challenges faced by IoT is that of security, and even though experts believe that IoT is going to make a massive impact, no one quite knows how to handle that conundrum. That’s because there are not a lot of technology around that can deal with this problem. It’s a classic chicken and egg case, as once the market is established, the products are going to start coming in. At the risk of adding more fuel to the ‘Hype,’ the market is well on its way, and it has been predicted that between 2018 and 2028, the number of global IoT connections will grow sevenfold to a mind-boggling 5.7 billion! That will outpace the growth of smartphones over that period, which is a positive sign that the IoT industry is here to stay. Most [experts](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/women-entrepreneurs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are aware that there are going to be massive teething problems during the process, but with newer ideas surrounding IoT adoption and integration, it will grow and develop exponentially. ### The Transformational Impact of the Internet of Things On 21st Century Manufacturing URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-transformational-impact-of-the-internet-of-things-on-21st-century-manufacturing/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:32.000Z Accenture has stated that an extensive range [of](https://percentotech.com/learn-the-secrets-behind-keeping-your-it-team-motivated/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) industries from utilities, oil, gas, agriculture, mining, discrete manufacturing, automotive, and beyond have started using IoT to collect data, connect their entire supply chain, which is driving predictive analytics and artificial intelligence. They are using a network of embedded devices and sensors to connect with appliances, vehicles, and other equipment throughout their warehouses, manufacturing floors, logistics operations, which is allowing companies to benefit from real-time process monitoring and control. That is ultimately making them better equipped to not only make faster but better-informed decisions. # Modernizing their Approach to Manufacturing IoT technologies are starting to change the way that certain products are now manufactured, developed, and delivered. McKinsey has projected that factories are now more efficient, and are ensuring better safety for human [operators](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/managed-security-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), which has resulted in reduced downtime, along with reduced error rates, which has led to saving millions of dollars. The four main areas in which IoT is going to make the most impact are the following: ## · Productivity and Efficiency: IoT devices are being connected to the [networks](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-top-5-security-predictions-for-cloud-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that can communicate with one another to drive automation, and they can also be monitored and controlled remotely with the help of on-site and off-site personnel. Companies can also analyze different data derived from IoT technology to uncover opportunities for optimizing business processes. ## · Inventory Management and Tracking: Software and devices are being installed in warehouses to track changes in inventory through automated systems, which allow companies to reassign employees to tasks that are more cognitively significant. ## · Decision Making and Data Sharing IoT has completely transformed the way data is handled, with IoT devices tracking and recording patterns in their devices. This brings real-world data that can be easily shared through the supply chain to leverage for fact-based decision making. ## · Remote Workers IoT technology is transforming the staffing of manufacturing facilities. In the past, these operations required an extensive staff of technicians for maintaining the machinery. Nowadays, sensors can provide information to workers, so that they can remotely observe the condition of the machines. # Making Use of Data As companies start deploying [IoT](https://percentotech.com/iot-monitoring/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) across all their operations, the amount of data that they are generating can be overwhelming. For deriving actionable intelligence, manufacturers are now implementing analytics solutions and data lakes that can mine both the traditional structured data that is housed in the ERPs but in other systems, along with real-time unstructured IoT [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-hype-of-customer-data-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). They can leverage data through disparate systems and use predictive analytics to uncover patterns and insights into the system. Machine learning is helping to uncover the bigger picture that is hidden in the data, and this is allowing organizations to use artificial intelligence on the vast and varied data that they are collecting. Manufacturers are empowered with this data and can [now](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/a-look-into-archinaut-the-spacecraft-assembly-technology-set-for-a-test-flight-in-2022/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) respond to the crisis, run scenarios, and identify trends that involve any possible disruption that is related to an IoT device. There are several ways in which this data can be used: ## · Location Tracking Real-time location tracking through sensors on machinery, tools, and products are helping people reduce downtime that has been lost when searching for misplaced items. ## · Improvements in Business Processes Through the integration of IoT devices directly into business processes, organizations can use their data for continuous feedback, optimization, analysis, and decision making. ## · Machine Synchronization Machines equipped with IoT technology can communicate with one another to synchronize actions or complete specific processes. If the machine goes down, the sensors can trigger a service request or another action. ## · Dashboards A device will pass data to the dashboard for analysis, and the dashboard will then deliver an alert that will trigger the defined action to resolve that problem. # Planning for Your Investment The Internet of Things is currently providing opportunities for businesses to optimize their operations and improve profitability in the long run. However, it does require an initial investment in devices and the related [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-4-biggest-technology-trends-everyone-must-prepare-for-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) infrastructure. It’s important that companies start any IoT deployment with a solid plan developed according to how their operations can best use these resources for their advantage. Companies may need to start hiring employees that have specialized skills to work and support their IoT-equipped devices and to analyze and manage the data that they generate. So, is it worth the initial investment of personnel, time, and money, along with the [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/predictive-analytics/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) disruption to deploy IoT? That mainly depends on the organization’s level of efficiency and [risk](https://percentotech.com/how-we-can-use-the-internet-of-things-to-fight-virus-outbreaks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) aversion, and it needs to drive expense reduction or upgrade outdated technology. Make no mistake, IoT can deliver great returns on investment through saving cost and time in the long run and will provide data for better-informed business decisions. It has helped organizations to work smarter, and let technology do all the work of inefficient manual processes while reducing the risk that is associated with failing legacy equipment. There are now more devices connected to the internet than it has ever been before, and that number is going to continue to climb in the future, as IoT is going to transform the entire approach to [manufacturing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/unraveling-the-common-misconceptions-surrounding-ai-and-big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The sensors in these devices are going to transmit data regarding certification, repairs, operating efficiencies, as well as opportunities to optimize the equipment. That ensures IoT can not only reduce your downtime but help ensure compliance and drive profitability and productivity at the same time. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Vulnerabilities of Data Storage and Why Backup Solutions Matter URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-vulnerabilities-of-data-storage-and-why-backup-solutions-matter/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:33.000Z Irrespective of whether you save sensitive customer data or photos of your pet, you don’t want a large chunk of your data or all of it gone or falling into the wrong hands. That’s where backup software comes in to save the day. Nowadays, backing up data is one of the safest ways to ensure that you’re proactive about the security of your data. That way, even if disaster strikes, you can rest easy knowing that your information will still exist somewhere. By employing cybersecurity techniques and backup software, you can easily take the initiative to protect yourself before anything drastic starts happening. These days cyber-attacks occur more often than ever, and it seems almost impossible to assure yourself that your data won’t be stolen or corrupted. The University of Maryland found that hackers launch attacks every 39 seconds or around 2250 times a day! That’s why you must take necessary precautions against possible data breaches and back up your sensitive data. It’s something that should be your main priority, and that’s what we are going to be talking about this in the article. We will be highlighting how you can backup your data, the types of data backups there are, and more. # Why Backups Are Important? When it comes to the importance of data backups, it is essentially a no-brainer because backup software offers protection for business data by copying it from the servers, laptops, desktops, databases, and other devices. It protects this data from any user error, corrupt files, or a physical disaster that renders all your critical data inaccessible. Backup software also protects sensitive business data from hardware malfunctions, hacker penetrations, and most other threats posed for digitally stored information. There are various data backup programs, which support data protection sources from personal computers to corporate servers. You can start storing your data on an external hard drive, but more people today are choosing cloud backups. For the most part, they will also serve a general purpose, but the cost and scope can vary by a lot. Nothing lasts forever, and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to pieces of hardware like external hard drives and computers. A day is going to come when your laptop takes its last breath, and you are at risk of losing all your data. You can take the laptop to a repair shop or the retailer, but there is no guarantee that you’ll ever recover the data you lost from the device. That’s why regular backup of your data is necessary. You should also be aware that data can get corrupted as well. Any files that are important to you must always be backed up on a regular basis. Apart from that, backing up data on the same disk as your original data doesn’t reduce any risk. You need a secure backup solution that includes a remote backup because storing data off-site or on another server ensures you can recover it if it gets corrupted. # The Threat of Data Risks Nearly everything lives somewhere online, which is why your data getting stolen, corrupted, or hacked isn’t out of the question. The reports of increasing hackings, spear-phishing, and harmful malware pose a major threat to all businesses, but they’re not the only risks you should be wary about. ## · Physical Disasters Most people assume that the only risk to their data is a digital one; however, that’s not the only way you can lose valuable files and documents. Physical disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, fires, or floods have the power to completely wipe out all your data and render the recovery process impossible. Someone may also steal your external hard drives or your laptop, and if you’ve not backed up important data, you could lose it all. ## · Hackers and Viruses Ransomware outbreaks and hackers are prevalent at the moment, and old-school tried and tested techniques, such as spyware, malware, and viruses, continue to be the main cause of system breaches and data losses. Your business is going to remain exposed to the threat of hackers if you don’t do anything as it’s not a question of if your business is going to be attacked, but when and how. # Why Use Backup Software? Irrespective of whether your data is business-related or personal, you should think about backing it up to prevent losing it. Even though backing up your information on cloud storage is the best way to do it, hard drives and on-premise servers are also capable. You should also note that multiple copies of backups can also be saved. That can be done by retaining multiple points or saving backup on multiple clouds or drives. Apart from that, backup software offers the ability to restore data if the original storage location is compromised or deleted. There are software tools that will alert you when files have been lost or corrupted, and others will update data automatically if the information is lost. Even if the information isn’t lost, your data should be transferred to a new device or network as users will trigger backup recovery and offer information on new devices. # Better Safe than Sorry In life, things don’t always go as you planned them, and when things go wrong, they can go really wrong. Your phone could break, your servers can crash, and your office may burn down in a fire, which are all things that are out of your control. What you do control though is being prepared for the worst, and that means taking steps to protect valuable data from harm. There are several reasons why you should backup data of any kind and take extra measures to secure it as it is better to be safe than to be sorry. It’s a good idea to be proactive before you’re forced to react to a data loss emergency as the survival of your organization may depend on it. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Impact of COVID-19 on IT Services URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-it-services/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:33.000Z However, amidst the shocks and declines in business operations, the IT services industry is also particularly well-suited to see some benefits and opportunities blossoming up as the nature of work changes during the pandemic. In this article, we briefly discuss some of the effects of COVID-19 on IT services. # COVID-19’s Impact on IT Services Perhaps one of the sectors most affected by COVID-19, and often in positive ways, is IT services. Ever since the first lockdowns started taking effect, there has been an unprecedented acceleration in remote working and a focus on evaluating and de-risking end-to-end value chains. The forecast suggests that IT spending will see a continued rise due to heightened demand for cloud infrastructure services, and potential investments on specialized software. It is also forecasted that there will be an increase in demand for communications equipment and telecommunication services as organizations and companies encourage employees to work from home. Not to mention, the huge demand created by schools moving online for teaching and conducting courses. ## An Accelerated Shift Towards Remote Working Scenarios As work- and study-from-home gains more and more traction in the face of contagion risks, we expect to see this trend towards a higher demand for IT services in the foreseeable future. Many also suspect that given how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated remote working opportunities, office culture and the dynamics of work may change significantly and permanently in the future. The effects of such a pragmatic shift cannot be ascertained as of right now. Whether it will occur or not is also up for debate. However, one thing is for sure; the pandemic has precipitated the world’s increasing reliance on IT and tech, a move which would otherwise have been gradual. Before the pandemic, most organizations did not have a tech stack for an effective and reliable business continuity plan (BCP). Owing to the massive shift towards remote working scenarios, IT departments will play a greater role in future BCPs. It will require the help and consultation of IT service providers for procuring devices and establishing a robust, adaptable and secure network, cloud infrastructure, disaster recovery systems, and cyber-security, etc. ## The Need for Rapid Access to Data and Automation In view of this situation, there will be an accelerated demand for ever-faster access to data and automation. This is sure to hinge significantly on 5G network deployments and the adoption of 5G-enabled equipment. To satiate this demand, IT and tech companies will need to work towards speeding up and streamlining the adoption of 5G as more and more organizations have started to adapt towards remote working. Apart from facilitating geographically distanced operations, 5G will also allow for a more rapid and robust shift towards automation as companies increasingly start to employ workers for high-skilled, supervisory jobs while decreasing reliance on low-skilled, manual work. The warehousing and logistics sector presents an example in this regard. ## Greater Reliance on Cloud Infrastructure In the face of supply chain disruptions and loss of revenue, many companies are looking for ways to enhance their supply and value chains, increase profit margins, and provide customer satisfaction. Cloud computing and networking have already started to have a beneficial impact on SMEs and giant corporations alike. Brick-and-mortar retailers have seen a shift towards Retail-as-a-Service (RaaS) models with the help of cloud computing and smarter checkout procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the ways of old may not be suitable for the days to come. This includes the use of expensive, proprietary IT software. Increasingly, companies and organizations have begun the migration to cloud-based systems, which cost substantially lesser and often involve the pay-as-you-go method. Such services can enable sectors such as retail to see a host of benefits. These include quick and wide-ranging inventory management capability, the use of AI to track consumer behavior and spending habits, faster checkout procedures, and increased visibility and networking capacity with vendors, clients, and other services. Cloud computing will undoubtedly see a wide surge in growth, and IT service providers will need to cater to a large clientele. The high demand for cloud infrastructure will see another sharp period of growth once the technology becomes more popular, and clients are better informed about it. The current pandemic scenario provides ample opportunities for IT service providers to encourage and help their clientele towards developing cloud infrastructure. Because of the several benefits as well as low costs involved in cloud setups, we can expect to see this area grow even after the pandemic ends. # The Road Ahead Despite the shocks and negative impacts of the pandemic, the IT industry is expected to see a massive market boom from $131 billion in 2020 to $295 billion by 2025\. We have mentioned some of the reasons for this huge growth in the interim period. The increased demand for software, including video conferencing, cloud computing, and industrial and logistical tools, will drive much of this growth. In the meantime, tech leaders will need to focus on managing and mitigating crises such as the pandemic. This will include evaluating value chains and minimizing the effect of disruptions in future events, driving technology adoption and innovation, buffering volatility and risks by analyzing demand and supply-side shocks, and administering work tools for business processes and back-office functions for a digitally-enabled future. The impact of COVID-19 on IT services has been diverse and arguably positive. How quickly and efficiently the industry adapts and taps into opportunities depends on the foresight and quick actions of leaders in the IT services sector. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Tiny AI Can Secure the Future of Artificial Intelligence URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-tiny-ai-can-secure-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:33.000Z All of this points to one fundamental question: Computing algorithms are getting smarter on a daily basis, but are they getting any greener? Apparently, not for the most part - and this is a significant problem in the technological atmosphere. Due to this problem, researchers can be seen working hard to look for new ways to develop smaller algorithms and we’re going to see how Tiny AI is the solution. # The Hidden Environmental Cost of AI AI has had many breakthroughs over the last couple of years - such as Deep Learning. This breakthrough has the ability to power a number of AI systems that could deliver with high accuracies. With the help of Deep Learning, algorithms have the ability to scan a medical image, identify a tumor or to translate literature from hundreds of languages or even to navigate vehicles through complex traffic patterns. There’s no doubt about it - AI is getting accurate, but there is a hidden environmental cost of this accuracy. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst resealed a [study ](https://arxiv.org/pdf/1906.02243.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com)that helped shine some light on how energy intensive it can be to train an algorithm. According to this study, training a single algorithm could consume upto 5 times the lifetime of all the carbon emissions out of an average car. This was also equivalent to around 300 round-trip flights in between San Francisco and New York. It seems as if the AI race may have lost track on the much needed focus on energy efficiency. A research scientist from the Allen Institute, Roy Schwatz, also suggested in his [paper ](https://arxiv.org/pdf/1907.10597.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com)titled Green A.I. that artificial intelligence researchers should work in a manner that they make energy efficiency a strong evaluation criteria for algorithms - alongside accuracy and other typical measures. Similarly, another article quoted Schwartz to have said that the world doesn’t want to reach a state where artificial intelligence will have become the biggest contributor to global warming. This is exactly where Tiny AI comes in. # What is Tiny AI? Tiny Ai is basically an effort of the AI community to [reduce](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-hype-of-customer-data-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) the overall sizes of their algorithms - especially in the case of those that require huge computational power and datasets to work. Researchers of Tiny AI are developing methods that will not only decrease the size of AI models but they will also accelerate inference while maintaining consistently high levels of accuracy. These methods are known as distillation methods and they can be used to scale down models by factor that may be as high as 10 times. With a much smaller algorithm, users will not have to send over [data](https://percentotech.com/how-we-can-use-the-internet-of-things-to-fight-virus-outbreaks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to the cloud. Instead, these programs could easily be deployed on the device itself. Take BERT for instance .BERT was created by Google as a pre-trained language model - or simply put - it helped users write. While this may seem simple enough, BERT has the ability to understand your written words in terms of their context - and not just via programmed grammar and vocabulary. Due to this, BERT could make better writing suggestions to help users finish their sentences. Now while BERT is a very helpful model, it is also very large. When MIT reviewed this technology, they found that BERT consisted of 340 million parameters of data! Other than this, one session of training BERT would consume as much energy as would be sufficient for an average American household for 50 days! This is also why BERT became a great target for Tiny AI researchers. ## BERT becomes TinyBert In the most recent attempt, Huawei researchers had [claimed ](https://arxiv.org/pdf/1909.10351.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com)that they were successful in reducing BERT 7.5 times while also improving its overall speed 9.4 times. Ironically, they named this new model TinyBERT but more seriously, how much better was this new version? Well, the original authors claimed that TinyBert was able to achieve as much as 96% of the original’s performance. This example shows you how as technology evolves, Tiny AI will play a significant role in moderating its environmental footprint. Even existing services such as cameras, voice assistants and the likes will not have to constantly transfer data to the cloud if they are treated with Tiny [AI](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/healthcare-and-medicine-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). # The Importance of Tiny AI Simply put, Tiny AI can make it possible for the tech community to deploy any complex algorithm from an edge device. For instance any layman could conduct medical image analysis using their smartphones. They may even be able to partake in autonomous driving without the help of a cloud. What’s more, with so many of these possibilities being limited to your average edge devices, users will also be able to improve on data security and privacy. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that cloud centers will become outdated. Instead, they will be used for very high-performing computing algorithms such as for DNA analysis. To do so, cloud systems will have to deal with huge amounts of data in a matter of hours. Again, Tiny AI will be able to help here by making hyper-efficient AI [systems](https://percentotech.com/is-next-gen-ai-technology-the-way-forward-for-the-u-s-military/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Here’s how: ## Tiny Data In other words - smarter data usage. This would involve data reduction techniques with the help of surrogate modeling. Other than this, data processing can be assisted by AI while compression strategies are deployed (such as network pruning). ## Tiny Hardware Due to the technological advances in nanotechnology, Tiny AI could help produce new architectures, [new](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/nternet-of-things-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) materials and new structures with the help of 3D integrated systems. ## Tiny Algorithms All of the above could be done with the help of energy-efficient processing for edge or extreme edge devices. AI algorithms could easily be delivered ‘on-chip’ to make technological endpoints meet. The possibilities are limitless - and more importantly - they all adhere to a greener future. # Final Word It is no longer feasible for your sales reps to wait a month to find out what they are earning and how they are achieving compared to their goals. With the right sales performance management solutions, you can elevate your sales performance management in 2020 and beyond. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Importance of Sales Force Management and How the Right SPM Software Can Elevate Sales Performance URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-sales-force-management-and-how-the-right-spm-software-can-elevate-sales-performance/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:34.000Z The key to successful sales is effective sales force management. The sales force is the face of any organization and as such, companies spend considerable time and money on sales and not on any other commercial engagement. 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Today, salespeople are required to perform a search for prospective clients or lead, balance time between a prospective customer and current customer, and effectively communicate products and services to close the deal. Salespeople also play an important role in after-sales service, which can make a difference for the company. Salespeople are the eyes and ears of your company and, thus, should be treated as such. The second step to properly design and structure your sales force is using salespeople strategically. Make sure the efforts of your salespeople are aligned with those of other team members to achieve the objective set The third step in the process is deciding the structure for your sales force. Common sales force structures include: - Territorial structure - Product structure - Market structure - Complex structure Once you’re decided on a structure for your sales force, you can move onto the fourth and final step in the process which is designing compensation for the sales force. For salespeople, compensation is a huge motivating factor, which makes it a crucial part of sales force management. Design a compensation plan for your sales force after taking into consideration the individual needs and wants of your salespeople. # Automating the Management of Your Sales Force Wouldn’t you love it if you didn’t have to do any of the above to manage your sales force? That is now possible thanks to automated solutions built to assist organizations in managing sales force. Using these automated solutions, you can manage your sales force without any trouble, which makes them a great investment. # Elevating Your Sales Performance in 2020 with the Right SPM Software We’re almost halfway through 2020 and the year so far has been tough for most companies, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there’s still time for businesses to turn the tide around and elevate their sales performance in 2020\. To make that happen, you need to find and use the right sales performance management solutions. At the start of every year, the following questions are the subject of much debate in many organizations: - How can we drive increased revenue from sales performance management technology? - What critical capabilities are most likely to improve our sales execution and operational efficiency? An organization is right to ask and discuss these questions because frankly speaking, these questions deserve all the attention in the world. Why do we say that? Discussing ways to increase revenue from sales performance management technology provides an organization with valuable industry insights into the advantages provided by SPM technology as experienced by other organizations. Moreover, it allows them to learn how to evaluate a sales performance management solution properly. On the other hand, discussing critical capabilities most likely to improve the sales execution and operational efficiency allows an organization to choose the right SPM software. To arrive at the right sales performance management solutions, some of the things an organization needs to consider when discussing critical capabilities and that are most likely to improve its sales execution and operational efficiency include: - Why sales performance management (SPM) matters - How can an effective sales compensation plan boost sales performance? - Why technology is necessary and how to create our evaluation process? Make sure to look for deeper insights into vendor products and service offerings when answering the above questions. Additionally, focus on the critical capabilities that matter the most and get actionable advice about SPM software to add to your vendor shortlist for further evaluation. # What to Look for in an SPM Solution By now, you know that investing in a sales performance management solution is crucial to the success of your sales organization. But how do you choose an SPM solution for your organization? You choose it by looking for the following. ## Data and Insights Look for an SPM solution that can provide you with in-depth reports, reduce sales performance management costs, and capitalize on your sales data to provide you with valuable insights that ultimately help your bottom line. ## Timeliness and Accessibility With the increased adoption of mobile devices in sales, timeliness has become critical. Going forward, the focus needs to be on finding solutions that make incentive compensation information available on an ongoing basis. The SPM solution of an organization must enable salespeople to check how they are doing against their goals, which of their opportunities they should be prioritizing, and ultimately what’s going to impact their pay. --- # Final Word It is no longer feasible for your sales reps to wait a month to find out what they are earning and how they are achieving compared to their goals. With the right sales performance management solutions, you can elevate your sales performance management in 2020 and beyond. **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Managed Security Services Are the Future for Businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/managed-security-services/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:36.000Z [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/managed-security-services?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Advancements in technology and ever-changing business practices have enhanced the risk and exposure of cybersecurity for businesses of all sizes. However, equal blame must be placed on the increased mobility and connectivity, along with the over-reliance on cloud technology. That has instigated a culture of [digital](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/smart-buildings/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) transformation, which has converted managed security services into the only safe and reliable option for organizations all over the world. # Security Professionals Are a Necessary Expense Most businesses don’t have the resources or the manpower to establish and run a fully staffed, cutting-edge security operations center (SOC). However, no business can afford to take the risk of being without adequate protection that is offered by state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions. The advantages of outsourcing cybersecurity to managed security services providers (MSSP) is accurately reflected by the need for risk management in an ever-evolving [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/workplace-productivity/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) environment. 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The enhanced number of data breaches and cyberattacks clearly show that criminal [enterprises](https://percentotech.com/how-your-business-can-benefit-from-facial-recognition-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are abreast of this knowledge. Then, there is the compliance factor. Simply, being compliant isn’t enough anymore as customers are facing increasingly stringent rules that vary between geographies, forcing them to look for support to help remedy issues, and understand their current exposure. For small organizations, it has become imperative to learn their exposure levels to cyber threats, especially those clients operating in highly regulated industries that must showcase their cybersecurity credentials to conduct business with them. # Solving the Conundrum of the Security Team When you’re trying to identify the main factors that risk exposure, it is vital that you look beyond [technology](https://percentotech.com/sap-warehouse/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and practices. 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[](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/ms-2.jpg?ref=bobbydavidson.com) For small businesses without dedicated IT teams, forget about a dedicated security team, there are obvious benefits to outsourcing cybersecurity. Even mid-sized businesses with existing security teams will find it to be helpful as they can easily stay on top of any major emerging threats. That will allow them to focus their efforts on other areas of strategic focus to transform their business. # Managed Services Offer Efficiency and Economic Benefit Are you still wondering what the efficiency and economic benefits of an MSSP are when compared to an in-house SOC? When you outsource security to an MSSP, it allows the organization to benefit from the threat intelligence, expertise, and capabilities of large security firms that are dedicated to that task. 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Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Unraveling The Common Misconceptions Surrounding AI and Big Data URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/unraveling-the-common-misconceptions-surrounding-ai-and-big-data/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:37.000Z Organizations today are overwhelmed with the volume of Big Data being generated and processed, as deriving business value and insight from has become complicated. Big Data naturally results in advanced analytics; whenever mass information with the potential to enhance business processes is gathered, businesses don’t want to only scratch the surface. 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Not All Big Data Demands the Application of AI AI helps to drive analysis, but this doesn’t mean that value gets extracted from Big Data. Advanced analytics is a concept that most organizations have taken for granted despite benefiting from it for several years. It depends on the data set size and number of different data sets you must analyze. Even with the greatest minds in the world, it is impossible to find insightful patterns in huge datasets in an adequate amount of time. However, not all Big Data sets are varied and huge, so you don’t always need Machine Learning (ML) to gain insight from them. IT organizations can also use business intelligence, data warehousing solutions, and analytics to visualize insights after analyzing data. # 2\. AI and Advanced Analytics Aren’t the Same Most people use the term ‘Big Data’ to give a broad description of the advanced analysis of such information assets. That’s normal. However, they may think that advanced analytics and AI are interchangeable terms, which is completely wrong. Advanced analytics and AI are closely linked, but there are several differences. For instance, AI can try out assumptions, self-learn, and enhance its analysis. The analytics can analyze data, can’t self-learn, and relies on people to set its parameters. # 3\. Big Data Can Throw Off AI Models Big Data creates the foundation for ML and AI, as the more data you acquire, the better the models are going to be in terms of accuracy and insights. However, Big Data can also introduce bias into ML and AI, when it‘s not controlled. Focus excessively on the quantity of data instead of its quality is to blame for this. AI and ML are going to fail when people can’t control the underlying data. Collecting massive amounts of data into a data pool doesn’t offer a sufficient foundation for the success of AI and ML. # 4\. People Are Vital for Combining AI and Big Data Transparency and trust are vital when it comes to intersecting Big Data and AI because you’ll need solid data foundations to drive AI to the right insights. You will also need solid data foundations to bring people into the big picture with data governance to take control of the data and the algorithms it requires for the bigger picture. # 5\. Not All Data is Useful for AI There’s a fine balance between having data and having the right data to provide insights whenever data is used in combination with AI. Not everyone has the same problem with AI because it can’t be used to create something out of nothing. All business leaders should be aware of this fact. # 6\. Businesses Are Unaware They Are Already Combining AI and Big Data There are software solutions with AI capabilities built into them already, which must be trained, used, and installed. These solutions will not only speed up the adoption of AI but will also help organizations deal with specific [business ](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/managed-it-services-partner/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)needs. In such cases, you don’t necessarily need to understand the science of AI to reap all of the many benefits that it has to offer. # 7\. Most AI Flavors Don’t Need Big Data The philosophy of ‘Garbage in, Garbage Out’ is applicable here because you don’t need large amounts of good data to drive meaningful value from your AI efforts. However, the amount of data you need must vary because when it comes to Big Data. Large data sets of structured and unstructured data will feed some applications of AI that need such volumes for training. You will need it to train AI, analyze information to spot patterns, and use probability for finding the answers to your questions. Not all AI requires Big Data analytics, and AI by [design](https://percentotech.com/business-analytics-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) needs large and normalized data sets to meaningfully discern patterns and generate requisite outputs. The volume of data needed will be driven chiefly by the complexity of the problem and the number of input features that must be evaluated before the algorithm can be used. For example, ML requires less data for training than deep learning. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Impact of Big Data in the Time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-impact-of-big-data-in-the-time-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:37.000Z To understand how [Big Data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-hype-of-customer-data-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is being deployed to forecast and understand the impact and reach of the coronavirus, we spoke with the leading experts to understand the impact of Big Data and how it can help us make sense of COVID-19. # How Big Data Is Enabling Everyone to Fight Coronavirus The near real-time trackers of COVID-19 are continuously pulling [data](https://percentotech.com/the-key-steps-to-prepare-it-for-machine-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) from sources all over the [world](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/industry-4-0/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and are helping scientists, policymakers, epidemiologists, and healthcare workers synthesize and aggregate incident data on a global basis. An interesting amount of data has resulted from GPS analysis of population movement by region and city. That has ultimately helped provide a view of the [compliance](https://percentotech.com/the-11-groundbreaking-cloud-technology-trends-on-the-horizon/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of the population, or lack of compliance with mandates for social distancing. Apart from that, a digital thermometer technology has been tracking recorded temperatures by their devices and has shown that average temperatures have declined in most locations after the enactment of social distancing guidelines. # How Advances in Big Data Management Have Made it Possible to Synthesize and Aggregate Incident Data Globally There are a lot of opportunities to use Big Data in impactful situations like the current ones as an [industry](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and as a society. However, people have still not managed to effectively leverage the power of Big Data in search of a cure. Ideas like creating large scale COVID-19 Real World Evidence (RWE) studies that have pulled data from various real-world sources, like how patients can be treated in a hospital setting, can help accelerate the development of treatments in a more patient-friendly and patient-centric manner. We have only started seeing movement in advanced data aggregation services and virtual studies platforms when it comes to serving the life sciences sector. The aim here is to connect the results to the clinical status in real-time. If the curation timelines can be overcome meaningfully, these solutions can easily help create patient data sets that can be analyzed and interrogated with both AI-based pattern detection and traditional approaches to better understand the disease. Views of population-level can help epidemiologists, clinicians, and biostatisticians to explore the relative effectiveness of variations in the protocols for local treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic can also be seen as a wake-up call to determine access to data can be improved. # How Big Data Is Helping Fight This Global Pandemic While there are greater advancements being seen with [Big Data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-big-data-and-sensors-can-help-reduce-food-wastage/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today, both as an industry and as a society, we still have to take steps to effectively leverage the power of Big Data to search for a cure of COVID-19\. Signal detection and advanced analytics within the healthcare system are two of several large automation improvements that are going to surface. Models from big data support the prediction of a pandemic. Our ability to contain and respond with treatment depends on early detection and how we can leverage data aggregated on infected people. That helps us [understand](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/deep-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) differences in presentation, response to different treatment modalities, and codification of the treatments that have a better impact. # How Big Data Is Contributing to the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Clinical Trials Clinical trial operations benefit the most from the ability of data to connect us readily with patients during this time. As a result, we get faster, more targeted patient and site recruitment while ensuring patient access to these studies. The main benefit is the opportunity for faster and near real-time evaluation of decision-making based on this data set. That is going to save lives and will result in identifying effective therapies a lot faster. Another great idea is to identify potential patients at the point of testing and then [rapidly](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/machine-learning-wheres-the-hype/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) populating patient histories and tracking progress by linking to different world sources through tokenization, without any burden on the patient and the site. When healthcare data can be used directly to build the clinical data set for safety and efficacy analysis, there are going to be fewer patients that will need to be enrolled and randomized, which will reduce the duration of the study, and the logistical burden on patients as a result. # What Lessons Can Be Learned by Sourcing and Organizing Big Data Sets on a Global Basis? There are massive efforts being deployed to leverage machine learning and AI on the [datasets](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-4-biggest-technology-trends-everyone-must-prepare-for-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that are currently available. We anticipate that the value of the currently available datasets is going to increase significantly as testing for COVID-19 becomes more readily available. The key will be to progress ‘Clinical Research as Care’ from theory to practice. We are getting better data more accurately and faster than ever before. There are various data sets in aggregation that provide us both broader and deeper views of our population health, our mobility, healthcare utilization, and lifestyle [patterns](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/nternet-of-things-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). That information is critical as we assess the potential incidence and behavior of conditions. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Machine Learning: Where’s The Hype? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/machine-learning-wheres-the-hype/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:38.000Z When Chief Information Officers (CIOs) think about their businesses and where they can deploy machine learning, the process generally begins with creating an inventory of tasks. This is where department leaders and CIOs must identify repeatable and routine processes that most humans can pass off to computers, where the IT teams and operations must set up targeted programs to ensure that those tasks are more efficient. According to most senior CIOs at the biggest corporations, it is a piece-meal approach that has been adopted as a standard procedure in most organizations. That has resulted in leading CIOs down a path of marginal returns and limited innovation, surprisingly. Legendary CIO Paul Strassman has served as CIO at the Pentagon and was NASA’s CIO from 2001 to 2003. He claimed on record that software should only be viewed as a storage place for knowledge and experience in any business, which is named as ‘knowledge capital’ by him. According to him, a new forklift shouldn’t get the same value as software. A new forklift will work better and faster, but it doesn’t improve or learn with every use because it doesn’t learn the workflow of a business or how it’s work fits into the workflow of other machines. Therefore, an even better and faster forklift is bought to replace this new forklift. All the work put into the previous forklift is scrapped because the machine couldn’t retain knowledge. Most businesses use enterprise technology in the same manner, by using it and replacing it with better technologies, instead of using it as a storage for knowledge capital that will get smarter and smarter. This is true for machine learning because it’s a tool that helps make tasks faster and efficient. Still, it’s not being used as a storage for knowledge capital but only for that task, instead of how that task and others fit together and can fit better together. CIOs that are planning to revolutionize their organization through machine learning must start adopting the same thinking patterns as Strassman if they aim to truly capitalize on the potential of machine learning. # Advanced Learning CIOs should be pushing to empower machines to learn more, learn better, and get ahead of tasks. That will require rethinking how machines analyze and process data. Companies shouldn’t only think of themselves as a collection of tasks but should start viewing their operations as being brought to life through data streams that will empower their workflows made of those tasks. These tasks are simply the muscles of the corporation, and data is going to be the blood flow of the nervous system. Their focus should turn on how they must turn that data into useful information and unique insights horizontally across organizations, as that is how they will gain a competitive edge and expand their returns on investment when it comes to machine learning. Deploying smarter systems for how data will be interpreted and processed by machines will improve efficiency and accuracy because the goal is to move from one benefit to the other benefits. # Slow Pace of Adoption Most CIOs are fighting a losing battle to convince stubborn business leaders about the best way to deploy machine-based intelligence in their organizations. The words ‘machine learning’ are thrown easily by tech marketers, but it’s difficult to back those words with high-quality and sustained results. Business leaders want to see real results and won’t be swayed by the hype in the 21st century. A CFA Institute survey conducted recently revealed that in the financial world, about 10% of investment professionals were using machine learning. The rest relied on traditional desktop data tools and spreadsheets. Across other industries, about [50%](https://sloanreview.mit.edu/projects/reshaping-business-with-artificial-intelligence/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of big corporations have adopted artificial intelligence strategies, and nearly [80%](https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/ai/almost-80-of-ai-and-ml-projects-have-stalled-survey-says/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of corporations that have rolled out machine learning or artificial intelligence projects have reported stalled progress. These reports clearly show that CIOs are going to continue struggling to modernize their businesses and show meaningful returns on investment if the effort remains task-oriented. If the social and economic systems that are in the framework remain subject to completion of tasks and place greater value on labor and its ability to complete those tasks, then AI and ML solutions will continue to be used and implemented as they are today. They will only be seen as cost-reducing enablers, and substitutes for humans instead of being viewed as partners of humans. The big question should be: How are entire organizations going to take advantage of smarter data systems that are going to pervade across workflows? Especially if the people aren’t spending their time sorting and collecting data. So, what else can they do to add more value to their organizations? That’s something that all CIOs and business leaders must work together to find the right solution. As of yet, the biggest hurdle to machine learning is the slow adoption of the technology by businesses and not trusting its complete potential. The future for machine learning and AI remains as bright as it ever was, but there is a hindrance from everyone to have complete faith in its capability and its ability to provide meaningful returns on investment. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Guide to Finding the Right Managed IT Services Partner URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/guide-to-finding-the-right-managed-it-services-partner/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:38.000Z However, increasing market maturity and service availability bring a new challenge: finding the ideal outsourced option. There are clear-cut advantages to the shift away from break-fix IT, and businesses are already better served to tackle the scope of IT issues with staffing augmentation. They target the scale of solution complexity with managed IT services or by adopting a mixture of them both. # What Are Managed IT Services? The simplest solution for managed IT packaging and delivering a third-party relationship is when a company outsources services to another provider. These services aren’t fixed in stone because some companies prefer to outsource IT service requests, while others might want help in managing their transition to the cloud. This is an extremely ‘mature’ market, where there are a lot of entrants, and several companies are offering both broad and boutique services. It’s predicted that there is going to be a significant uptick in managed service spending, and recent research offers a similar perspective, which suggests a tremendous growth over the next five years. # Why Are Managed IT Services Required? There are two reasons for managed IT service adoption, which includes peace of mind and cost savings. Most CIOs want to ensure they can sleep at night, which gets increasingly difficult thanks mainly to cyberattacks, data breaches, and tech outages. [Over 56% of CIOs and CTOs](https://www.ciodive.com/news/in-the-aftermath-of-tech-outages-execs-struggle-with-stress/558315/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) have now reported stress-related illnesses that are tied to ongoing IT issues. There is also a growing ‘war for talent’ as the IT skills gap continues to widen, and most organizations find themselves understaffed and under-skilled. Even as technology offerings diversify, it leads to a rapidly evolving technology like cloud computing or Big Data analytics. Most businesses, especially small and mid-sized organizations, don’t have the budget or the time for in-depth training. They’re often aware they need to adopt new IT services to stay competitive but aren’t sure of the best approach, and managed IT services can help bridge that gap. # What Are the Benefits of Managed IT Services? Deploying managed IT services provides multiple business benefits, which includes: ## · Streamlined Response: Service-level agreements for managed services include specific response time guidelines and ticket escalation expectations, which offer a clear path from issue identification to resolution. ## · Enhanced Scalability: The as-a-service nature of managed IT services makes it possible to scale up or down as business requirements evolve. ## · Reduced Complexity: Issues such as new service implementation and software integrations are handled by providers, who remove a critical layer of IT complexity. ## · Increased Staff Availability: Local staff can easily tackle critical in-house issues while managed IT providers handle regular maintenance, performance monitoring, and upgrading. ## · Improved Cost Management: Fixed monthly costs help CIOs in managing budgetary allocations and clearly articulating spending needs to C-suite executives. # Managed IT Services vs. Break-Fix IT Break-Fix IT response is familiar but not always effective and requires waiting for services and technology to fail before creating tickets and deploying IT resources. This ensures the specific problem resolution but also costs time and money. Software and infrastructure left unmonitored until its next breakdown doesn’t just carry the potential costs of failure, and companies must also deal with concerns regarding data breaches, compliance obligations, and regular system updating. The problem management framework offered by break-fix IT is table stakes for managed IT services, and these managed services include problem response and remediation. They also involve proactive systems monitoring to solve potential problems before critical services start to suffer. Managed IT services provide support for technology breakdowns puts the emphasis where it belongs, i.e., on the solution. # Staff Augmentation vs. Managed IT Services Another option for businesses looking to enhance service delivery with limited time, budget, and talent is staff augmentation. Outsourcing staff rather than specific services provide a more generalized approach where businesses can leverage skilled professionals to tackle top-priority tasks without overtaxing internal staff. There are clear benefits to both managed IT service and staff augmentation, and they don’t exist in isolation, for example, the use of managed services contract on top of a cloud deployment, combined with a professional services agreement. It has been noted that it’s critical to define a ‘line of demarcation’ between outsourced services and staff. When leveraged in concert, both can help address mission-critical efforts more effectively. # The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Managed IT Cost is a significant factor in managed IT service adoption, and if there’s any level of IT maturity internally, managed services are going to prove to be more cost-effective. Realizing these budget benefits demands detailed through contracts ensures that the more work there is, the better it is going to be for all businesses. You don’t need to hurry because these service contracts are like prenuptial agreements that must define the rights and responsibilities of both parties. They must also articulate what happens if there are problems, and it always ensures that it contains a way out that won’t break the bank. When there is a failure to meet SLA requirements, it often forms the basis of no-penalty termination, because it advocates for ‘clauses of convenience’ that permit an easy exit if things aren’t working out. # Ensuring ROI on Managed IT Services Ensuring a return on investment that lives up to expectations means ensuring that providers are delivering on SLA requirements for operational uptime, ongoing upgrades, application support, and timely ticket response. However, it’s important to have room for growth because the first few months of service delivery will offer peace of mind for CIOs. Innovation is now the IT service mandate because simply keeping pace isn’t enough to stay competitive. It’s recommended to create a contract that leaves room for growth rather than locking businesses into the same service pattern for months or years without the ability to evolve. In the same manner, these in-house IT solutions must adapt to changing end-user expectations, managed IT services must offer continuous improvements to deliver on ROI. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 5 Breakthroughs That Might Shape the Future of Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-breakthroughs-that-might-shape-the-future-of-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:38.000Z Now that we are at the end of another decade, we have come across many tech-related concepts gain momentum. [Tech](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/deep-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) concepts, like coffee-powered cards, brain wave passwords, and floating farms, are far from being real. However, some incredible innovations and inventions have been realized and might shape the future of [technology](https://percentotech.com/network-cabling/network-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and change the world as we know it. # 1\. Living Robots We hear a lot about nanotechnology in movies and TV shows, but could they become a reality? Well, the biologists at the University of Vermont think so. Tiny hybrid robots were made with the help of stem cells that were extracted from frog embryos. These tiny ‘living’ robots are expected to be used to gather up microplastic from oceans and even swim around in human bodies for medical procedures. Joshua Bongard, a robotics expert and computer scientist at the University of Vermont, helped develop this cutting-edge [technology](https://percentotech.com/iot-ai-consulting-implementation/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). He described these nanobots as “novel living machines.” These microscopic robots, being dubbed as xenobots, can neither be classified as a part of any known animal species or even as a traditional robot. “It’s a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism.” # 2\. Internet for Everyone All of us are already hooked to the [internet](https://percentotech.com/5g-mobile/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and it is impossible to imagine a future without it. Even though this is the case, there are still quite a few populations who aren’t online. This could be due to social or economic factors, but the fact of the matter is that there are still some people who can’t access the internet because they do not have access to the infrastructure required for it. Many [tech](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-4-biggest-technology-trends-everyone-must-prepare-for-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) giants have shown their interest in solving this problem. Google is leading the way by planning to launch helium balloons into areas and beam an internet connection to areas, which don’t have access. Facebook was planning to do the same with the help of drones, but they have abandoned their plans - which made way for other companies such as Hiber. However, Hiber has a completely different approach to solving the internet problem. They are planning on launching a network of microsatellites (approximately the size of a shoe-box) that will orbit Earth sixteen times daily. If you’re surprised by this fact alone, you should know that The British Antarctic Survey has been doing this for quite some time now. # 3\. AI Scientists If you chop off a flatworm’s head, it grows a new one. When you cut them into half, they grow into 2 different worms. If you direct radiation towards them, they repair themselves. Many scientists have been baffled by these characteristics and have tried to work out the mechanisms for years. Little did they know that an AI coded program from Tufts University in Massachusetts has solved this mystery within 42 hours! The AI-coded ‘scientist’ analyzed and simulated countless scenarios to interpret the regeneration characteristics of flatworms. Even though humans had fed the AI [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/managed-it-services-partner/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with relevant information, it was able to come up with an abstract theory on its own. This is also a landmark step for scientists towards developing a conscious computer and carrying out [complex](https://percentotech.com/gamification/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) research. # 4\. Smart Needles That Detect Cancer Scientists in the UK have been able to develop a ‘smart needle’ that could possibly speed up the process of cancer detection and, in turn, diagnosis. Researchers believe that this technology may help in detecting lymphoma while also reducing the anxiety of patients as they wait for results. Currently, people who are suspected of having lymphoma will have to go through the trouble of providing a sample of their cells before undergoing a biopsy. Naturally, this process was too time-consuming. This new technique for detecting cancer is called Raman spectroscopy, and it involves shining a low-powered laser into the body to measure molecular changes. These changes can, therefore, be associated with diseases in cells and tissues - and the best part - all of this is done within seconds. # 5\. Silicon Chips With Artificial Neurons Until quite recently, neurons were as plain as black boxes for scientists, but Professor Alain Nogaret of the University of Bath said that they have managed to open this black box to see inside. Now Professor Nogaret and a team of leading scientists have actually found a way to make silicon chips with artificial neurons latched onto them. This also means that these silicon chips can mimic all the neurons in the human nervous [system](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/10-strategic-technologies-you-must-adopt-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) by recreating their electrical properties. Professor Nogaret said in an interview that their work is going to change the future of [technology](https://percentotech.com/design-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) because their creation can reproduce what real neurons create in very minute details. Other than this, this innovation is a significant development because these artificial neurons will only require 140 nanowatts to be powered. This, according to the head of the project, was a billionth of the power that is required by a microprocessor that was used to make other synthetic neurons. So how are these artificial neurons going to be used practically? Researchers are hoping that their creation would be used as an integral part of implants that may be used to treat medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or heart failure. # Bonus Breakthrough: Sonic Fire Extinguishers What does the future of technology have in store to counter fire hazards? Well, researchers at George Mason University in Virginia may have asked the same question, and here’s their hypothesis. Since sound is created with the help of pressure waves, sound can also be used to disrupt the air around fire. Doing so will cut off the oxygen in the area, therefore leaving nothing to fuel the fire. These young researchers worked some more on this hypothesis and found that at the right frequencies, fire can be put out instantly. You can see it work its magic too. Their prototype sonic extinguisher already has millions of views on YouTube, along with making a special appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 10 Strategic Technologies You Must Adopt in 2020 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/10-strategic-technologies-you-must-adopt-in-2020/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:39.000Z We don’t have a magic crystal ball that tells us anything our hearts desire, but what we do have is a keen sense of what the future of technology holds. It seems like 2019 was just here and we are already a couple of months away from what looks set to be the start of something special for [mankind](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/essentials-tools-for-the-young-entrepreneur/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Everyone in the tech industry is already raving about 2020, and the new decade is expected to completely transform the boundaries of what you think is possible, especially when it comes to [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Anyone that has been following the tech industry and has managed to keep track of the numerous trends that come alive every year would know that 2020 is the BIG one. It’s the year where severalgame-changing technologies are going to be launched and implemented by businesses and individuals. If you’re oblivious to what’s happening in the tech space, you’ve come to the right place as we’re going to be divulging what the future holds for everyone by dissecting the 10 strategic technologies that all tech leaders must have on their radar over the next decade. We’ve already talked about how virtual and augmented reality is going to train employees in the future, while voting could become more secure with blockchain, and AI security is going to end up becoming a vital factor in risk management. But now we’re going to highlight a report released by Gartner, a research and advisory company, on the [10 strategic technologies trends predicted for 2020](https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). So, we’ll cut right to the chase and dive into each technology and try to explain what impact they could have on businesses in the future. # 1\. AI Security No one can deny the usefulness and power of AI for businesses, but it does create various security problems for them as well. Security is rapidly evolving and it’s important that risk management experts stay updated with new types of attacks that haven’t been seen before. ML and AI tools like DeepExploit and identity deception tools are posing a major threat to businesses. In the report, Gartner has predicted that by 2020 nearly 30% of AI security attacks are going to be done with training-data poisoning, adversarial samples, or AI model theft to attack AI-powered systems. # 2\. Practical Blockchain Most people are familiar with the potential uses of Blockchain by now or understand how it’s most successful implementation, Bitcoin, works. The best thing about Blockchain is that it helps distribute trust and allows everyone with access to blockchain to access that information and trace the assets to their origin without any complications. The potential uses of blockchain in the future could see it being implemented in a blockchain-based voting system, cryptocurrency payments and remittance [services](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), or as a sovereign digital identity. Gartner has already predicted that by 2023, Blockchain is going to be fully scalable. # 3\. Autonomous Things Fully and semi-autonomous technologies like drones are already popular and they are likely to continue being used extensively in 2020 and beyond. Currently, most autonomous devices are used for private use but that’s expected to change soon and will be seen in the public sphere commonly. Gartner also predicts that autonomous technology will have a big impact on search and rescue, shipping companies, self-driving cars, and agriculture. # 4\. Distributed Cloud Cloud computing is here to stay and will be stronger than ever in 2020, with Gartner predicting that distributed [cloud](https://percentotech.com/cloud/hybrid-cloud-backup-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will ensure that there are data centers everywhere. That will solve technical problems such as latency, and will regulatory challenges, such as data sovereignty. It’s going to offer the advantages of a public cloud service as well as the benefits of a private local cloud service. Gartner has predicted that distributed cloud computing is going to take place in three phases, and by 2024 most cloud platforms are going to be offering [services](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-voice-artificial-intelligence/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that execute at point of need. # 5\. Empowered Edge Edge devices are expected to increase in sophisticated with most edge devices in the future being either complex embedded edge devices, edge computing devices, edge input/output devices or simple embedded devices. Edge computing involves tech on the Internet of Things and based on a [2018 IoT Analytics report](https://iot-analytics.com/state-of-the-iot-update-q1-q2-2018-number-of-iot-devices-now-7b/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), currently, there are 7 billion IoT devices and that number is accelerating. In the future, it’s possible that by 2023 there are going to be over 20 times more smart devices at the edge of the network. # 6\. Transparency and Traceability Ethics in information privacy and AI have become growing concerns for businesses and individuals alike. Nowadays, people demand to have more active control over their personal information and data. There are 6 main elements of trust, which include consistency, competence, accountability, openness, integrity, and ethics. Considering the European Union’s GDPR, businesses must be mindful of data transparency in the future. # 7\. Human Augmentation There’s nothing new about human enhancement, as anything with orthodontic braces, a pacemaker, a smartwatch, glasses, or a prosthetic limb will happily tell you. But the future has opened new doors and avenues for physical and cognitive augmentation. It’s likely that in the future your smart contact lenses could detect your glucose levels, and wearables may become the norm with their extended functionalities and could even enhance abilities like the sense of smell or your hearing. # 8\. Democratization Citizen access and democratization gives everyone the potential to access technical expertise, which levels the playing field. It ensures you don’t need expensive training classes, which is something most people can’t afford or access. The future of citizen developers is going to involve the ability to develop without any prior knowledge of coding necessary. Assisted development tools are going to become mainstream, allowing anyone to experiment with AI and machine learning. Gartner predicts that by 2022, there won’t beAI specialists as over 40% of new application development projects will have [AI](https://percentotech.com/is-artificial-intelligence-affecting-the-legal-sector/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) co-developers on the team. # 9\. Multi-Experience The way users interact with the digital world is transforming and now involves a multisensory experience. Multi-experience, which is also referred to as ambient experience, is the future of multi-touchpoint and multisensory technology. Immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality have become common, and Gartner predicts that they have more potential than simply being used in video games. For example, MR and VR can be used to improve visualization and product design, training simulation and field service and operations. There may even be a job training program in the [future](https://percentotech.com/move-your-business-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that is completely virtual reality. # 10\. Hyperautomation Automation requires using tools each with their own narrowly defined purpose. When you use these tools together technology can become entirely adaptive and automatic. The two components that are most vital are [intelligent](https://percentotech.com/how-ai-is-affecting-the-job-market-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) business management suites (iBPMSs) and robotic process automation (RPA). iBPMSs manage long-running processes, while RPAs connect legacy systems with modern systems. Both these [technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/smart-buildings-with-the-power-of-iot-2/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are going to be used and deployed together to create automatic and sophisticated models that will shape the future. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse [sectors](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/move-to-the-cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Understanding the Rule of 40% and What is Needed to Master It URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/understanding-the-rule-of-40-and-what-is-needed-to-master-it/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:40.000Z # The Rule of 40%: What Does It Mean? The rule of 40% applies to [Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies](https://neilpatel.com/blog/how-saas-marketing-is-different/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and is used to analyze the health and/or attractiveness of the company. The 40% rule determines this by considering the two most important metrics for a SaaS company: growth and profitability. The rule requires the combined profit margin and growth rate of a company to be at least 40%. Today, it is an increasingly popular way to gauge the performance of a software company or SaaS businesses. More and more executives in the software industry today are embracing [the 40% rule](https://kellblog.com/2019/01/19/an-update-on-the-saas-rule-of-40/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), because the rule makes it easy for them to measure the trade-off between growth and profitability. Before we proceed further with the 40% rule and how you can master it, it is important to revisit the past. This is required to show how and when the rule started to gain traction. Most investors in the not too long ago had a mindset of growth-at-all-costs. However, this started to change in 2016, and investors began valuing SaaS companies that had the ‘right’ balance of growth and profitability. This was when the rule of 40% started to gain traction. The simplest way to explain this rule is that growth rate + profit should be equal to or more than 40%. Anything under that and the rule will not be satisfied. Is the rule clear yet? If it isn’t, then you would do well to pay careful attention to the section that follows next. # A Break Down of the 40% Rule The formula of the 40% rule is as follows: **GP Ratio=Growth Rate + Profit** As seen above, the rule of 40% formula adds the growth rate to the profit percentage. For example, say your growth rate is 17% and your profit percentage is 13%. Adding the two numbers gives you 30%. This is well below the 40% target required by the rule. If you want to satisfy the 40% rule, then you need to ensure that adding your profit and growth rate will give you a number that is equal to or more than 40%. This means a growth rate of zero and profit of 40% would do the trick. This can work the other way around as well. In fact, you can satisfy the 40% rule when either of your growth rate or profit percentage is above the 40% mark and the other side of the coin shows a negative sign. If you hit the 40% mark, then you are doing well as a SaaS business. If its anything above that, then you should be proud of your business. # Calculating Growth Rate and Profit Percentage The next step after understanding the 40% rule formula is to find out how to calculate growth rate and profit. Let’s start with growth. Growth can be measured in several different ways. However, the easier way to measure it is with Year-over-Year (YoY) on [Monthly Recurring Revenue](https://saasmetrics.co/monthly-recurring-revenue/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) (MRR) growth. You can find the growth rate by comparing the total revenue. However, considering monthly revenue for this purpose is recommended, which is especially important when one-time services are in the mix. The profit percentage of a SaaS business can be measured in several different ways just like the growth rate. GAAP accounting has quite a few options for this including Cashflow, Free Cashflow, Net Income, Operation Income, and more. However, the most popular and most used measure is Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ([EBITDA](https://saasmetrics.co/ebitda/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)). This measures profit without accounting for tax tables, depreciation and amortization, and interest. However, EDITDA might not be the best option for SaaS companies that host their product/solution on their own platform. This is because of the equipment purchases and the debt to finance them that apply to these companies. # Growth Vs. Profit If you listen to the rule, then you can lose money even if you are grow or make a profit. A SaaS company has two options to satisfy the rule. The first is to sacrifice one for the other. This means give up on company growth to focus on profitability or vice versa. The other way to satisfy the rule is by achieving a balance between the two measures. The goal is to achieve a profit+ growth rate that is equal to or more than 40%. That is all that is required for your company to be perceived as healthy or attractive. The approach you take to satisfy the 40% does not matter. So, there is no winner between growth and profit in the context of the 40% rule. # The Right Time to Measure the Rule of 40% Profitability can be achieved early on for most parts of a SaaS business by lowering the growth rate. However, this is not recommended. Before pursuing profit, there is a rule of thumb that indicates the amount of money to invest. This rule of thumb is referred to as the T2D3 approach. The rule recommends increasing revenue by as much as three times for two years in a row. In the three years thereafter, the revenue should be doubled. The 40% rule can be pursued once this is accomplished. Put simply, the 40% rule comes into play when you’re a mature [SaaS company](https://hackernoon.com/saas-growth-series-part-1-how-to-grow-your-saas-business-507491539439?ref=bobbydavidson.com). If you are a startup, then you shouldn’t be measuring this. [Brad Feld](https://feld.com/archives/2015/02/rule-40-healthy-saas-company.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the man who popularized the rule, recommends using the 40% only after you’ve reached an MRR of $1 million. Typically, this would be a time when all the functional departments that make a SaaS company tick are in place. Most of the functional departments are in place by this time. Therefore, your focus at this point will be on the revenue growth, operating leverage, gross margins, EBITDA etc. of your SaaS business. The rule of 40% will simply be an extension [of](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/nternet-of-things-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) this reporting package. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Guide on How Enterprises are Using Managed IT Services Today URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/guide-on-how-enterprises-are-using-managed-it-services-today/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:41.000Z Managed IT services makes using these systems easier by outsourcing the monitoring, configuration, and maintenance to third-party specialists. We understand that not every enterprise is in the privileged position to take advantage of managed IT services, which is mainly because some still feel they don’t need them. With every enterprise now shifting towards the adoption of managed services, you must get up-to-date with all that is happening in this industry. This short guide is based on clearing those doubts and show how enterprises are using managed IT services, trends, and everything else that will give your business an advantage. # What Are Managed IT Services? The term ‘Managed Services’ is used to cover a multitude of services. It essentially refers to a third-party IT provider or Managed Services Provider (MSP) that manages some or all of the [IT needs](https://percentotech.com/help-desk-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of an enterprise. As with most business solutions, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach towards managed services. A business may outsource to a managed IT service provider for [Security as a Service](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/security-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), or they may want to outsource all their IT needs with managed packages that will be designed specifically for their business operations. Managed services include the management of technologies like the data center, telephony, and core network, along with IT maintenance responsibilities such as break/fix and patch management. # How Do Managed IT Services Work? IT services have become commonplace [today](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and are even considered a necessity for most [businesses](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/strong-marketing-plan-for-smaller-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for their business operations. Even small-sized companies and startups may interact with and need several different online and digital integrated systems. The use of Managed IT services is based on the process of hiring dedicated specialists to configure, manage, and maintain these systems for the enterprise and get a significant advantage over their competition. [Enterprises](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) must pay a monthly fee to the Managed Service Provider (MSP) that will cover the entire service and the maintenance package. The service provider is going to be the one that handles everything from hardware hosting to monitoring, support, and licensing. This helps to replace but not eliminate the in-house IT staff of the enterprise. ## The Model Under previous software or hardware supply models, you would need to reach out to a vendor and choose the product or products that you need. After that, you’ll be given a quote for the licensing, and that is when your in-house IT team will deploy, configure, update, secure, and maintain these systems. The managed services model is different from this. Instead of paying a one-off licensing fee, you will be paying the managed service provider a monthly subscription fee based on the number of seats needed. It will include both the operation and maintenance of the software and its licensing. # The Growth of Managed IT Services Managed IT Service providers are growing by leaps and bounds on a yearly basis, and a Gartner report states that in 2017, the managed services industry grew by 3%. Markets and Markets have even predicted that the managed IT sector will grow to a whopping $258 Billion by 2022. The consistent growth in demand for managed IT services and solutions has meant that managed service providers are investing heavily in their infrastructure so that they can [deliver](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) high-quality services and state-of-the-art technologies to enterprises. # The Benefits of Managed IT Services Migrating any [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/pricing-for-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to using managed IT services for its software may appear to be a daunting prospect, but it comes with several great benefits that make the switch worth it. One of the biggest benefits that most enterprises notice right away is the better forecasting ability and reduced costs. Benefiting from the skills and expertise of the specialists from your Managed Service Provider ensures that you don’t hire expensive in-house staff for the dedicated monitoring and support role. The fixed monthly subscription model of managed service providers allows businesses to predict expenses for the enterprise accurately. Managed service providers are also better equipped to implement new [technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/application-modernization-its-importance-and-how-to-approach-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) at a faster rate compared to self-operated models. This gives you the additional advantage of a more secure and reliable infrastructure. # Trends for Managed IT Services The rapid growth and adoption of managed IT services and providers have resulted in the [development](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-technology-is-revolutionizing-food-delivery/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of several new trends in the industry. It has benefitted enterprises massively, and the first major trend was the movement towards cloud computing services for the provisioning and delivery of these services. This allowed managed service providers to better monitor for issues and deliver excellent services. Another major trend is the increasing use of automation in regular business operations, which has seen common tasks replaced with automated services through the cloud and managed service [providers](https://percentotech.com/facebook-brings-mobile-messenger-app-to-desktops/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The last current trend making waves is a shift from standard uptime-based service agreements for managed service providers. It has resulted in a move towards agreements that are more focused on delivering superior quality customer services. # Conclusion Managed IT services has shown massive growth in the IT industry. Enterprises today want to get their hands on the best possible solutions that will allow them to operate their businesses efficiently, effectively, and at the lowest cost possible. Managed IT services fulfill these criteria in a manner that wasn’t thought possible before. Acquiring the services of a managed IT service provider will give your enterprise the best of both worlds, as you can take advantage of efficient, cutting-edge, and reliable business systems at a more affordable and forecast-able price point. We have our own suite of solutions for you to consider for your organization. I would be happy to discuss further with you how we can assist. Feel free to contact me anytime. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Big Data and Sensors Can Help Reduce Food Wastage URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-big-data-and-sensors-can-help-reduce-food-wastage/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:42.000Z The industry is crying out for smart and precise solutions, and they are becoming available thanks to new [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-hype-of-customer-data-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that promises to revolutionize the industry. Smart farming is aiming to use modern technology for improving product and yield quality. An example is precision agriculture, where the concept of site-specific crop management deploys a decision support [system](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/predictive-analytics/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that is based on measuring, monitoring, and responding to inter and intra-field variability in the crops. This has allowed farmers to preserve their resources and optimize their returns. These monitoring solutions can be achieved by integrating electronic sensing devices that will record data on the environment, soil, and crops. This data can then offer useful information for decision-making through [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) analytics. The goal here is to make the best possible use of soil in a field, control crop care, and make informed decisions on the handling of produce after it is harvested. Technology is already being used for the development and deployment of sensors to establish the quality of an extensive range of horticultural products like fruits. Computer intelligence methods are also being used to predict the quality of fruits and detect any defects. We found out through research that data-driven solutions have several benefits. For example, they can reduce the loss of vegetables and fruits along the supply chain from the farm to the point of being consumed. # The Big Problem Vegetables and fruits can be damaged easily before, during, and after they are harvested in storage. This is wasting valuable produce. Most of the spoilage and decay are caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, or microbial pathogens. Even products that are packed tightly can get bruised, which causes them to become susceptible to infections, and they generally don’t last long. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization has reported that 14% of the world’s food is lost after harvest before it even reaches the shops and markets. Nearly one-third of all the food produced in the world is either lost or wasted. Minimizing food waste and loss has reached a critical point for creating a Zero Hunger world, where more than 822 million people suffer from hunger. One research that was reviewing the role data analytics can play in the detection of defects in fruits and vegetables found that machine learning can help. Machine learning involves the use of computers to find patterns in data to make predictions and propose decisions without being programmed explicitly. The [research](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/marketing-in-the-internet-age/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) found that machine learning is way ahead of traditional methods when it comes to classifying produce. It has made detecting diseases in plants and fruits extremely easy. This application can be extended to monitoring the quality of fruit, vegetables, and other foods. The use of sensors for detecting diseases and insects in fruits and vegetables can act as electronic tongues or noses and measure chemical composition. The technology can also be used to measure physical properties like the acidity and firmness of the produce for determining its quality. The acceptability of the product will depend on its size, shape, color, sweetness, and not having any defects like insect infestations or bruises. It will play a vital role in customer satisfaction and for the returns that suppliers and producers are going to be making. Sensing devices can also supply data about these characteristics to computer [algorithms](https://percentotech.com/why-data-analytics-is-important-for-retail-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for analysis, and these new developments in machine learning will allow for fast and effective quality determination and predictions in fresh produce. # Machine Learning Will Help Cut Down Losses There’s a current global [research trend](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1537511019308864?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that aims at integrating sensing devices from the food chain to control and monitor quality indicators continuously. We reviewed this research and found stages where the solutions used in the food chain included: ## · Post-Harvest Quality Monitoring In packaging houses, the products must be sorted and graded according to quality [standards](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-voice-artificial-intelligence/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to determine their suitability for various consumer destinations. Export products should be stored well during long-distance transportation and on the shelf. For local markets with shorter travel times, the quality requirements must be of different standards to determine if the product is suitable for human consumption or animal feed. Specialized sensors will take measurements to generate [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/essentials-tools-for-the-young-entrepreneur/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for classifying, grading, and sorting products into different categories. ## · Market Quality Monitoring Sensors can also be integrated into packaging materials that will continuously [report](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tools-for-online-business-meetings/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and monitor the status of the product in real-time. These sensors can be allowed to communicate and send data to a center of command. Detecting, monitoring, and segregating food products such as fresh fruit to classify and then remove unsafe products to meet market demand is vital for ensuring [profitability](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-top-5-security-predictions-for-cloud-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and maintaining market share. ## · Crop Monitoring Sensors can also be used to measure properties of vegetables and fruits when they are growing, like the shape, color, and size. This information will help control growing conditions like water supply and will accurately determine the harvest date, which will reduce harvest losses. # Conclusion With the global population increasing at a remarkable rate (it is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050), the food and nutrition security is going to become an even bigger challenge. The only proper solution available to us right now lies in data-driven automation. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Top 5 Security Predictions for Cloud Technologies URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-top-5-security-predictions-for-cloud-technologies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:42.000Z Nowadays, applications have evolved to leverage native capabilities, and Forrester claims that 2019 was a breakout year, which saw enterprises turn to serverless, microservices, containers, and modern approaches. It’s accepted by everyone that 2020 is going to be the year that will see enterprise applications adopt cloud-native. This will result in [cloud-native](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) technologies and tools becoming [mainstream](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/facebook-workplace-what-is-it-all-about-anyway/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and hyperscale providers will begin embracing the increasing workloads of enterprises. These new cloud-native capabilities will allow organizations to run their ERP applications like a service. There are three main trends that are going to drive cloud adoption through native applications, which will transform the face of the cloud computing market for the next decade. # Choices Galore with Distributed Cloud The distributed cloud is among Gartner’s Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2020, and it refers to the distribution of public cloud services to locations that are outside the physical data center of the cloud provider but are still under the control of the [provider](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/over-promising-is-not-good-for-your-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Its a gamechanger because the [cloud provider](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/healthcare-and-medicine-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will still deliver operations governance and updates, the delivery, and cloud service architecture. The distributed cloud will give a huge boost to organizations because it will allow them to personalize and diversify their cloud strategy. It will enable them to select from various cloud infrastructures that are designed for different types of applications. It’s an ingenious cloud distribution approach that needs robust connectivity among various modules of the [IT environment](https://percentotech.com/the-key-steps-to-prepare-it-for-machine-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and delivers a seamless experience. Even though a distributed cloud is going to be more complex to manage, it allows [businesses](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to pick the best core capabilities for different types of business processes. # Easier Adoption and Implementation of Infrastructure Layers Most organizations have already started using various combinations of cloud models in their multi-cloud environment that comprises the public cloud, the hybrid cloud, and the private cloud on-premises. Next year the cloud infrastructure layers, which include the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS), are going to be less siloed. That makes a massive difference for businesses as it allows their data streams to be more mobile, and workloads to be more portable across the entire stack. Not having any boundaries between cloud infrastructure layers brings about new requirements for the team handling cloud infrastructure. Organizations would require cloud architects who understand the entire stack instead of one specific cloud layer and provide subject matter expertise as well. # More Intelligent and Better Experience Management A study conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit and SAP found that nearly 50% of early adopters for machine learning cited increased profitability as their top benefit. It’s not a surprising find considering cloud computing is known to offer the scale and data processing capabilities that organizations require to take advantage of advanced technologies like analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and infusing intelligence to business operations and processes. Organizations have already started weaving intelligence into every IT infrastructure layer, enterprise service, and application. This is being done because they have realized how they can use the [cloud](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to become an enterprise that is more intelligent. The year 2020 is going to be a big one for companies as they are expected to go beyond capturing operational data and infusing intelligence in their core processes to become more productive and agile. They are also going to use this intelligence to analyze and capture stakeholder interactions with their products, services, and their overall [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/essentials-tools-for-the-young-entrepreneur/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The role Cloud is going to play can’t be understated as it will be integral in an organization’s IT strategy for combining experience data and operations data to achieve better workplace and product experiences. However, with more capabilities and choices, there will also be more complex because even with so much excitement about new possibilities, questions remain regarding the best method to manage a more complex IT environment productively. Organizations today now require an end-to-end capability to manage the increasing number of suppliers and partners across the ever-evolving cloud landscape. The rise of IaaS as a commodity has resulted in an increase in demand for high value-added services. The role of services has become integral, and it will continue to be that way heading into the rest of the year. It is going to be accompanied by the growing need for cloud architects to help businesses navigate their cloud environment from end-to-end and then begin driving innovation with the cloud. # Conclusion There can be no denying that the next phase of Cloud computing technology is going to be full of promise as it brings with it capabilities that were previously unknown. The year 2020 is all set to be recognized as the year where the adoption of cloud-native tools finally went mainstream. It will become a landmark year for kicking off a completely new dimension for experience management. You can expect more organizations to adopt the cloud and opt for cloud-native tools to enhance their business operations in the competitive business environment. Organizations that aren’t willing to adapt and evolve are going to be left behind, and those who have adopted cloud-native will lead the way. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Find the Right Managed IT Services Partner URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/managed-it-services-partner/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:43.000Z However, increasing marketing maturity and service availability bring a new challenge, making the search for an ideal outsourced solution necessary. Even with clear-cut advantages from the break-fix IT world, businesses will be better served to tackle the scope of IT problems with staffing augmentation, which targets the scale of solution complexity with managed IT services or adopting a mixture of both. # What Are Managed IT Services? Managed IT services aren’t fixed in stone, but most companies prefer to outsource their IT services requests, but others want to help manage their transition to the cloud. Most are looking for adaptable security architecture beyond their current scope and skill, and most want help for managing the ever-rising volume and variety of [applications](https://percentotech.com/network-cabling/network-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that are required to retain their competitive advantage in these technologically advanced times we have been living in. It is an extremely mature market, where several entrants with most companies offer both broad and boutique services. It has been predicted that a lot of uptick in managed service spending provides a similar perspective, which suggests ‘tremendous’ growth over the next five years. # Why Do You Need Managed IT Services? The two main reasons for managed IT service adoption are peace of mind and cost-saving. Business owners want to ensure that they can sleep safely at night, which is getting increasingly difficult due to the surge in cyber-attacks, data breaches, and tech outages. According to [CIO Dive](https://www.ciodive.com/news/in-the-aftermath-of-tech-outages-execs-struggle-with-stress/558315/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), nearly 56% of CIOs and CTOs reported stress-related illnesses that were tied to the ongoing IT problems. There has also been a growing ‘war for talent’ as the IT skills gap will continue to widen, and most organizations find themselves under-skilled and understaffed. When it comes to rapidly evolving [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/workplace-productivity/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) like cloud computing or Big Data analytics, most businesses, especially small and mid-sized [organizations](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), don’t have the time or budget for in-depth training. The end result is that they must adopt new IT services to stay competitive but aren’t sure about the best approach, where Managed IT services are bridging the gap. # The Benefits of Managed IT Services Deploying managed IT services provides multiple business benefits, which include the following: ## · Streamlined Response Managed service service-level agreements include specific response time guidelines, and with expectations on ticket escalation, there is a clear path from issue resolution and identification. ## · Enhanced Scalability The as-a-service nature of managed IT services makes it possible to scale up or down as business requirements evolve. ## · Reduced Complexity Problems like new service implementation and software integration are mostly handled by providers, which remove a critical layer of IT complexity. ## · Increased Staff Availability Local staff can easily tackle critical in-house problems, while managed IT providers tend to handle regular maintenance, upgrading, and performance monitoring. ## · Improved Cost Management Fixed monthly costs can help CIOs with managing budgetary allocations and clearly articulate the spending needs of C-suite executives. # Break-Fix IT Versus Managed IT Services Break-Fix IT response is well-known, but it isn’t the most effective method. Waiting around for [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/fintech/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and services to fail before you create tickets and deploy IT resources, which will ensure specific problem resolution but tends to cost both time and money. Software and infrastructure left unmonitored until its next breakdown carries not only the costs of failure, but businesses will also need to deal with concerns regarding data breaches, regular system updating, and compliance obligations. The problem managed framework offered by break-fix IT is nothing compared with managed IT services. With managed services, you get problem response and remediation, and they also include proactive systems monitoring to solve for potential problems before the critical services start to suffer. To put it into simple terms, managed IT services will offer support for technology breakdowns but puts the emphasis where it belongs, on the [solution](https://percentotech.com/facebook-friends-can-send-money-through-messenger-app/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). # Staff Augmentation and Managed IT Services Another option for businesses looking to enhance service delivery with limited talent, budget, and time is staff augmentation. Outsourcing staff instead of specific services offer a more generalized approach, where [businesses](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can leverage skilled professionals to tackle too-priority tasks without overtaxing the internal staff. There are clear benefits to both managed IT service and staff augmentation, and they don’t exist in [isolation](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Using a managed services contract on top of an Azure cloud deployment helps create a ‘line of demarcation’ between outsourced staff and services when you combine them with a professional services agreement. # The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Managed IT One of the biggest critical factors in adopting managed IT services is the cost. However, when there is a level of IT maturity internally, managed services are going to be more cost-effective. Service contracts are like prenuptials in some ways as they must define the rights and responsibilities for both parties and articulate what happens if there are problems. Reassuring the [contract](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/virtual-reality-will-change-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) annually and ensuring that it always contains a way out that won’t break the bank is a good way to go about things. Failing to meet SLA requirements tends to form the basis of no-penalty termination, and there are clauses of convenience that permit an easy exit if things aren’t working out for you. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Leading Tips for Ignoring the Hype of Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-hype-of-customer-data-platforms/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:43.000Z However, some researchers have cut through the hype, with 1 [Forrester report](https://www.forrester.com/report/For+B2C+Marketers+Customer+Data+Platforms+Overpromise+And+Underdeliver/-/E-RES143666?ref=bobbydavidson.com) claiming that CDPs tend to under-deliver and over-promise and ‘don’t have the critical capabilities for solving cross-channel orchestration, identity resolution, and data hygiene. The CDP Institute has already begun the charge to make things less confusing by launching the RealCDP, which is a program designed to reduce the confusion plaguing the Customer Data Platform industry. At the end of the day, it’s brands and marketers who will be tasked with getting the most out of CDPs, and as we step into the new decade, we’ve decided to uncover the leading [tips](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/boom-or-bust-succeeding-in-a-world-of-cutthroat-online-competition/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) on how you can make the most from a customer data platform. # Keep an Eye on Compliance Issues and Data Complexities Buyers of CDP must be aware of the mistakes [businesses](https://percentotech.com/business-analytics-platforms/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) make when they enter into a CDP engagement. Some of the main hurdles you will face include data governance, the ill-informed total cost of ownership, enterprise data complexities, adjoining technical dependencies, compliance issues, and immature internal analytical capabilities. All these issues make ROI and adoption slower and pose a problem for organizations that are keen to adopt Customer Data Platforms. Even though CDP product offerings have mushroomed and matured rapidly over the past couple of years, the technology offerings that underpin the ‘build’ solution has simplified and matured. # Prioritize Business Use Most CDPs are technically complicated, and there’s a tendency to evaluate them based on feature-fillers, but you understand that these platforms are designed to empower marketers. The key to vetting solutions lies in how well they are matching up against [business](https://percentotech.com/integrated-cx-vx-solution/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) use cases. You must ensure that your firm evaluates CDP vendors according to 9 key business scenarios, but none of the 3-dozen major CDPs in the market are capable of more than 2 or 3 use cases. Therefore, it’s vital that, as a customer, you should prioritize your business use cases when adopting it. # Know about Your Data Landscape Readiness Most organizations tend to underestimate the readiness of their [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/understanding-customers/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) landscape when it comes to CDP, risk delays, cost increase and limitations, build or buy. Readiness issues include master data management, stewardship issues, compliance, and data governance. Corporations with high availability of unidentified or anonymous behavioral and interaction data have a large and transformative opportunity. However, the solutions are complex, and the risks involved are extremely high. # Understand Your CDP Path to ROI Midsize enterprises and single brands with simplified data environments should focus on their marketing activation objectives. The CDP product landscape has plenty of options, and multi-brands with large ecosystems, sophisticated advanced analytics requirements, and complex enterprise data systems require a maturity roadmap that goes beyond marketing activations. Therefore, you must consider both build and buy scenarios because source [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) volume, variety, veracity, and velocity are crucial considerations for defining an effective approach. The fastest path to ROI has proven to be an iterative approach that is based on identifying and proving a limited number of high-value cases that have limited initial data sources. # Test Before Buying Your CDP It’s imperative that you test out the software before investing in it, but that’s not something most organizations do as they pick key pieces of their stack without first testing out the platforms. This is just like buying a car after you watched the [salesperson](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) drive it around the lot. To comprehend what the CDP offers, you must get behind the wheel and test it for yourself. This may be tricky, but it’s something that can be done with a CDP. You can employ your use cases for testing vendors through the RFP/demo process. It’s not easy, and you will need to get your data house in order to take advantage of the testing process. However, once you’ve done it, you’ll have a clearer idea about the operational requirements you’ll need to address when deploying any new CDP. # Understand the Analytics and Data Science Maturity Organizations that are thinking about adopting and implementing a CDP tend to have parallel aspirations that revolve around data science maturity and analytics. These can be approached in tandem if you have a single/shared solution. However, the advanced analytics components are often overlooked, and this includes the likes of well-governed data sets exposure for intellectual property and exploration, the ability to test analytical models, and data science workbench. # Looking at the Big CDP Picture So, where does Customer [Data](https://percentotech.com/sap-warehouse/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Platforms stand from an organizational point of view? Well, for the most part, CDP has emerged as a standard in the modern marketing technology ecosystem, which is driven by the promise of delivering a single reference point for customer data. The core construct is to have a central customer profile that comprises of analytical insights for consumption, interactional, behavioral, and [transactional](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) attributes for consumption on the customer experience landscape. The main use cases and [business](https://percentotech.com/the-fintech-revolution-and-it-effects-on-customer-experience/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) owners are generally focusing on optimization, [omnichannel](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-importance-of-social-media-customer-care-in-retaining-a-companys-clientele/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) personalization, and orchestration through journeys and segments. The early adopters have even started looking at complex use cases that are based on machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and even use cases that are outside the marketing spectrum. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The 4 Biggest Technology Trends Everyone Must Prepare for in 2020 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-4-biggest-technology-trends-everyone-must-prepare-for-in-2020/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:43.000Z Every year brings about more advancement in [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/larry-ellison/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and with it a scope of completely new technology trends that will confound anyone. Youneed to keep a keen eye on major shifts and changes in technology as it will influence the future of mankind and businesses. That’s easier said than done, which is why we are going to make things simpler by sharing the 4 biggest technology trends everyone must prepare for in 2020. # 1\. Blockchain Technology You may have heard about **Blockchain Technology** and its impact on the way businesses conduct transactions and secure valuable data. It’s a technology that has been scrutinized extensively ever since it came about, yet most non-tech-savvy people and businesses have no idea what it is and what use it has. That’s all set to change in 2020, which is shaping up to be the year of [Blockchain](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/blockchain-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/healthcare-and-medicine-in-2020/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). To give you a refresher, Blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions securely with its decentralized and encrypted nature. Some commentators have argued that this [technology](https://percentotech.com/harnessing-the-immense-potential-of-the-internet-of-things/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) isn’t going to be useful and has been over-hyped. But that hasn’t stopped the likes of Mastercard, Walmart, IBM and FedEx from investing heavily in Blockchain. If these big hitters could manage to prove what this technology is capable of with real-world results, it’s going to be a matter of time before smaller players start adopting Blockchain as well. Facebook has plans to launch its Blockchain-based cryptocurrency, Libra in 2020, and that’s guaranteed to create a major stir. # 2\. Extended Reality **Extended Reality (XR)**is a term that describes several emerging and new [technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/george-lucas/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that are being used to create more immersive digital experiences. It refers to mixed, virtual, and augmented reality. - **Augmented Reality (AR)**overlays objects in the digital world onto the real world through smartphone displays or screens, just like Snapchat filters. - **Virtual Reality (VR)**offers a full digitally immersive experience where users enter a computer-generated world with headsets that blend out the real world. - **Mixed Reality (MR)**is an extended part of AR as it allows users to interact with digital objects that are placed in the real world, just like playing a holographic piano in your room through an AR headset. There’s nothing new about these technologies as they have been around for several years now, but they have generally been used in the world of entertainment. Think about the Vive and Oculus Rift headsets that offer state-of-the-art visuals in videogames and games like Pokemon Go offering the most visible AR examples to users. All that is set to change from 2020 as businesses start getting serious about the wealth of opportunities presented to them by current forms of XR. Augmented and Virtual reality is going to be used extensively for simulation and training and offer a new way to interact with customers. # 3\. Computer Vision Speaking strictly in computer terms, ‘vision’ generally involves systems that can identify people, objects, places, or items from visual images, which are collected from sensors or cameras. This technology is responsible for allowing your smartphone to recognize what part of the image is capturing the face. It also powers technologies like Google Image Search. When we move into 2020, [computer](https://percentotech.com/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) vision is going to be seen in technology and tools for a variety of uses. It’s going to be fundamental to the way autonomous cars are going to navigate their way around traffic and danger and will be used in production lines as computer vision cameras will be used to monitor equipment failures and defective products. It’s also going to allow security cameras to alert us about anything happening out of the ordinary without needing 24/7 monitoring. Computer Vision is going to play a major role in face recognition, another major technology that will make waves in 2020\. Everyone knows how useful facial recognition technology is when it comes to controlling access to smartphones and allowing airports to offer smoother customer experiences. However, when it is adopted and implemented everywhere there are going to be more cases and debates about how to use this [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/immersive-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) because it has the potential to erode the privacy of others. # 4\. 5G Data Networks Everyone is already super-excited about the 5th generation of mobile internet connectivity, which is predicted to provide more stable connections and lightning-fast upload and download speeds. It was in early 2019 that 5G networks became widely available but they were only used in major cities or confined areas and were extremely expensive. However, 2020 is shaping up to be the year when 5G starts taking off as it is expected to come out with greatly improved coverage and more affordable data plans, ensuring that everyone has access to it. Having lightning-fast data networks will allow people to stream music and movies at a higher quality on the move, and increased speeds mean that mobile networks are going to take preference over wired networks currently running in homes and businesses. Companies are already considering the implications of stable and super-fast internet access and what it will mean for their business. The increased bandwidth is going to enable autonomous vehicles, machines, and robots to collect and transfer data efficiently, which will have a ripple effect on the [advancement](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/howard-hughes/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of smart machinery and the Internet of Things. # Final Word If you would like to follow these technologies and track all the latest developments in technology trends all you need to do is keep reading and following us on our [website](https://percentotech.com/investments-ethereum-increasing/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) for more in-depth articles on them. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The 6 Groundbreaking Technological Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare and Medicine in 2020 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/healthcare-and-medicine-in-2020/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:44.000Z So, you don’t need to apologize for not being up to speed with all the advancements being made in the medicine and healthcare industry. There are so many different technologies to comprehend, and you can’t expect everyone to be aware of how they are shaping the industry. To make things easier for you, we are going to be dichotomizing all the groundbreaking technological trends that are shaping the future of healthcare and medicine in 2020. # 1\. 5G Technology As the need for telemedicine and its capacity to allow healthcare centers to provide care in under-served or remote areas increase, it has become imperative that the speed and quality of network aren’t compromised for higher standards of service and better outcomes. The solution comes in the form of [5G networks](https://percentotech.com/network-cabling/network-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that can better support healthcare organizations by allowing easier transmission of large image files for specialists to review and advise on care. These 5G networks also allow easier implementation and integration of the Internet of Things and [AI](https://percentotech.com/how-ai-is-affecting-the-job-market-today/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), while improving the ability of a doctor to deliver treatments through [VR](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-voice-artificial-intelligence/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), AR, and mixed reality. Doctors can also manage reliable and remote monitoring of patients. # 2\. Extended Reality (Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality) Extended reality isn’t primarily meant for use in the entertainment [industry](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/industry-4-0/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and has also proven to be incredibly useful in the healthcare industry. It has been predicted that the VR/AR healthcare market is expected to grow to around $5.1 billion by 2025\. By that time, it may well be used for training and surgery simulation and will also play a crucial role in patient care and treatment. Virtual reality has already made a big impact as it has helped patients with autism, cancer, depression, and visual impairment. Augmented reality offers another support layer for healthcare practitioners by helping physicians reconnect blood vessels during brain surgery. In mixed reality, the real and virtual worlds are intertwined, which allows it to be used for educational capabilities for medical professionals and helps patients understand their treatment plans or conditions. # 3\. Robotics Would you ever trust a robot to do the right thing if it is a matter of life and death? Currently, collaborative robots, like the da Vinci surgical robot, are already helping humans with various tasks in the operating room. Meanwhile, there is potential for using robots in healthcare beyond surgical use, and while the industry is expected to expand exponentially, with the global medical robotics market expected to top $20 billion by 2023, there’s no doubt that robots are going to be heavily used in healthcare to conduct various tasks. They will not only help doctors treat and examine areas in rural areas through ‘telepresence’, disinfecting hospital rooms, transporting medical supplies, packaging medical devices, automating labs, and helping patients with prosthetics or rehabilitation. There is a lot of promise in medical robots, which includes a micro-bot that targets therapy to a specific body part, like clearing bacterial infections or radiation to a tumor. # 4\. 3D Printing No one can deny that 3D printing hasn’t had a big impact on every industry, and it’s transformed the healthcare and medicine industry as well. The [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/predictive-analytics/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has proven to be revolutionary as it has enabled [manufacturing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/andrew-carnegie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), research, customization, and prototyping for healthcare. Now, surgeons can replicate patient-specific organs through 3D printing to prepare for procedures, while most surgical tools and medical devices can be 3D printed. That makes it cost-effective for medical departments to develop organs for transplant, print tissues, and comfortable prosthetics for patients. With so much potential and so much to offer, it’s not a surprise to learn that 3D printing is already being used extensively in orthodontics and dentistry. # 5\. Machine Learning and AI The world population will continue growing and reach unprecedented levels by the end of the next decade, and with it will come the age of artificial intelligence and machine [learning](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/fintech-world/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The technology has proven to be instrumental in offering newer and better ways to create efficiencies in clinical trials and medical research, monitor health epidemics, diagnose conditions, identify diseases, and crowdsource and develop treatment plans while making operations more efficient to handle the growing demands on the healthcare system. It’s estimated that by 2020, medical data is going to be doubling every 2.5 months, and McKinsey reveals in a report that [medicine and pharma could save $100 billion annually](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/pharmaceuticals-and-medical-products/our-insights/how-big-data-can-revolutionize-pharmaceutical-r-and-d?ref=bobbydavidson.com) by leaning on big data and using machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to process it. Artificial Intelligence algorithms that have been powered by modern advances in computational power [learn](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/deep-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) from this data and predict the probability of a condition, which helps doctors create treatment plans and provide a diagnosis. Machine learning and [AI](https://percentotech.com/is-artificial-intelligence-affecting-the-legal-sector/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can help with most of the clinical problems faced in the healthcare and medicine industry if the regulatory and governing bodies determine how best to use algorithms in healthcare. # 6\. Wearable Tech Wearable fitness technology can offer you much more than how many steps you have walked in a single day. Nowadays, more than 80% of people are willing to wear wearable tech, and this presents a tremendous opportunity for using these devices in healthcare. Smartwatches can not only track your steps but also monitor heart rhythms as well. ECG monitors are another form of wearable tech that detects atrial fibrillation and sends reports to blood pressure monitors, your doctor, while self-adhesive biosensor patches will track your heart rate and body temperature. Wearable tech is predicted to have a big future as it helps consumers get proactive health support if they notice any anomalies in their trackers. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Deep Learning — What Is It and Why You Should Care? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/deep-learning/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:44.000Z Where is deep learning in today’s world? It is everywhere: virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, spam filters, product recommenders, speech recognition, image editing, this list expands into the hundreds. Deep learning is getting a lot of attention lately, and for a good reason—it’s helping to achieve results that were never possible before. # How Deep Learning (DL) Models Learn A large set of labeled data and neural network architectures containing several layers are used to train deep learning models. At the heart of this learning is the ‘algorithm.’ The [algorithm](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/nternet-of-things-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) isn’t a complete set of instructions for a computer or a computer program. Instead, it is a limited sequence of steps aimed at solving a particular problem. At its core, ML is based on trial and error. We can’t write a program manually to help an autonomous car distinguish a pedestrian from a vehicle or other objects. However, we can create an algorithm that solves this problem using data. Deep learning (DL) works in the same way but on a deeper level. Inspired by how the human brain functions and learns, DL requires high-end machines capable of crunching numbers and enormous volumes of ‘big’ data. Unlike the ML algorithms that break down parts to create data categories for solving them [individually](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), DL solves the problem end to end. The more data and time you feed a DL algorithm, the better it gets at solving a task. Deep learning (DL) follows a model that is similar to ML’s, i.e., inputs on the left, the learning process in the middle, and outputs on the right. However, the model involves more than one algorithm. Also called artificial neurons, algorithms in DL are stacked together side-by-side or on top of each other to perform the process of learning. This [network](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of interconnected neurons is called an artificial neuron network (ANN). The neurons learn through a hierarchical representation of the data. Each group of similar neurons called layer abstracts information at their level and passes it on to the next layer. # Understanding the Deep Learning Applications An early application of ANN was handwriting recognition, used to convert images into machine-readable text — a [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/pricing-for-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) now known as OCR. Since 2012, stepping beyond traditional machine-learning approaches into a new cognition level, DL has grown to offer valuable applications to our everyday life. It is now present in nearly everything we use computers for. Some examples include automotive navigation systems, machine translation, text generation and classification, image recognition and face tags, image caption generation and colorization, voice search and virtual assistants, self-driving cars, movie and book recommenders, future and spot market price prediction, earthquakes prediction, and cancer diagnostics. This is certainly the computational advancements that have led to the rising interest in DL and its applications. However, there are other aspects involved, and the most outstanding one is business values. Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google would not invest millions in this area if it was not for the benefits they gain from it. This has created a hyper-competitive environment that has kept companies like Google and Amazon racing endlessly, fighting to achieve a bit more profitability and market share. This has created an [environment](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) where businesses build capabilities and more access and control over data. Two developments have hugely contributed to this upward trend: super-sized datasets that were unimaginable to handle even ten years ago, and the boom in IoT that depends on sensors constantly producing data. This trend does not seem to be less than a [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/henry-ford/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) opportunity. # Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence When discussing deep learning, it is important to touch upon its connection to [artificial](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) intelligence (AI). Many folks use the terms ML, DL, and AI interchangeably. So, this might serve as a clarification. AI is one of the largest and most nebulous subjects in Computer Science. It ranges from studying thinking machines to creating and optimizing algorithms used in ML. AI is an ensemble of methods that include sensing, reacting, producing motion, etc. All of this to get closer to human intelligence and to perform what is easy for humans to do but not yet for [computers](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-psychological-impact-of-negative-body-image-what-can-you-do-about-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The term was coined by John McCarthy in 1956\. However, the journey began much earlier than that. Some of the current applications of AI include patrolling robots, smart homes, criminal identification, and virtual nurses and trainers. AI is still a wide-ranging subject with no clear definition to its boundaries, a fact that holds true for human intelligence. How do we quantify a machine’s level of [intelligence](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) as compared to humans? That is yet to be answered. But how does it relate to ML and DL? Both ML and DL are subfields and key pieces to AI. ML is a broader category than DL and involves more traditional statistical and computational techniques. The full maturity of AI and ML seems far ahead in the [future](https://percentotech.com/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), but they have certainly opened up tremendous [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/industry-4-0/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) opportunities today. # Final Word The successful applications of DL are numerous, but so are its failures: fatality in Tesla autopilot, a ‘crime-fighting’ robot injuring a 16-month child, Microsoft’s Tay.ai leaving racist remarks, etc. For this reason, it is crucial to understand how deep learning is being applied, what developments are being made in the field, and which possible pitfalls to watch out for. This can go a long way in enabling DL for competitive advantage and using it to fuel business growth. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 5 Emerging ‘Internet of Things’ Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2020 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/nternet-of-things-trends/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:44.000Z 80 billion terabytes are essentially 30 trillion gigabytes, and that represents a massive amount of information, as nearly 42 billion devices connected devices will be collecting, storing, and analyzing data in the next decade. This prediction places importance on the year 2020, as it is going to be a significant one for solution providers who continue building the infrastructure needed to support IoT applications from the sensors to the servers. Data is going to be the common denominator, as it will be captured, processed, and then used from all corners of the network to create value for governments, industries, and the lives of [individuals](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Understanding the amount of data that will be generated from the myriad connected devices will allow vendors and businesses to build solutions that will scale the accelerated data-driven IoT market. To prove that point, we’re going to highlight the five emerging ‘Internet of Things’ trends that you must watch out for in 2020\. Here we go: ### 1\. Infrastructure and Resilient Energy Will Drive Smart Cities It’s expected that by 2023, [smart](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) city investing and spending is going to exceed $200 billion, and the most growth is going to be driven by initiatives for infrastructure and resilient energy. Intelligent transportation and data-driven public safety initiatives are also predicted to be strong growth drivers for spending in the coming few years. Some of the cases that are going to aid this growth is going to include digital twin and office wearables, along with vehicle-to-everything connectivity. Most of the money spent by cities is going to be on initiatives that are smart-grid and involve intelligent traffic management, smart outdoor lighting, advanced public transportation, and fixed [video](https://percentotech.com/video-surveillance/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) surveillance. ### 2\. Location Tracking and Wireless Sensing Will Become Relevant Advanced location tracking and wireless sensing technologies will be relevant in 2020, thanks in large part to 5G cellular connectivity, which will open doors to new capabilities. Gartner has already claimed in a report that wireless sensing, which involves the reflection and absorption of wireless signals, will be used to create advanced radar systems for drones and virtual assistants. Other use cases involve object recognition and medical diagnostics, but for location tracking, the new IEEE 802.11az standard is predicted to allow high-precision tracking that will be the main feature of 5G networks. It will benefit businesses that are in areas like IoT, consumer marketing, and supply chain. ### 3\. Lighting and Building Automation Will Drive IoT Endpoint Growth The growing relevance of smart meters in residential and commercial markets has shown that the biggest user of [IoT](https://percentotech.com/iot-monitoring/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) endpoints is the utility industry. It represented close to 1.5 billion endpoints this year, and this number is expected to skyrocket and reach nearly 2 billion endpoints by 2020. On the other hand, building automation that involves connected lighting is predicted to be the leading driver of growth for IoT endpoints in 2020\. Gartner has already projected nearly a 50% increase to 500 million endpoints, and the next two fastest-growing sectors are automotive and government. These are expected to grow by 31% and 32% over the next year, while retail, healthcare, and manufacturing are going to show double-digit growth as well. ### 4\. IoT Metadata Will be Vital to Everything Having sensors, devices, and other types of endpoints generating [data](https://percentotech.com/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is one thing. Still, then you must consider the metadata generated alongside, which will show information like how and when the data was created. This category is going to be vital for driving intelligent systems as the growing source of data will need to be managed and leveraged. That will result in more personalization and will provide context to inexplicable situations in data sets. It’s going to bring structure to unstructured data sets and improve the method in which cognitive systems will be developed. ### 5\. Automotive and Industrial Sectors Will Drive IoT Data Growth Video surveillance and all other types of video applications are going to be a big part of the IoT data that is generated with most of the growth over the next six years coming from the automotive and industrial sectors. These two sectors are already showing a 60% annual growth rate for IoT, thanks mainly to the increasing complexity and amounts of sensors that capture data from machines, automobiles, and other industrial assets. These [data](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) types will include video, audio, images, and information, such as analytics, while artificial intelligence will amplify the type of data produced. I have covered most of the trends that we think are going to make it easier for [businesses](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), individuals, and governments to implement the ‘Internet of Things’ into daily life in this coming decade. There’s no doubt that IoT is going to be ruling and running our lives in the future. You must keep an eye on emerging trends in this field since it is going to play a significant role in making our lives easier, comfortable, and more secure than it has ever been before. What other emerging [IoT](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) trends do you think are going to be big in 2020? --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Understanding Industry 4.0 and Its Building Blocks URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/industry-4-0/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:45.000Z The combination of traditional industrial and manufacturing processes with the latest technologies, Industry 4.0 is an industrial transformation that is enabling faster, increasingly efficient, and highly flexible processes that produce high-quality goods at lower costs. In Industry 4.0, machines are connected to the web to drive more value from them. They are also connected to a system that can envisage the complete production chain and then make decisions on its own. This has led to greater efficiencies in manufacturing and [industrial](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/andrew-carnegie/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) operations, changing not only the traditional relationship between humans and machines but also the ones that exist between [suppliers](https://percentotech.com/supply-chain/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), producers, and customers. # The Building Blocks of Industry 4.0 Since Industry 4.0 is technology driven, its building blocks are technology related. The building blocks of Industry 4.0 include the following nine technology trends. ## 1\. Big Data Analytics A process that evaluates varied data sets of massive volumes, big data analytics looks at all kinds of data including unstructured, semi-structured and structured datasets to [discover market trends, hidden patterns, customer preferences, and hidden patterns](https://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/definition/big-data-analytics?ref=bobbydavidson.com); the purpose of this is to allow organizations to make informed decisions. In the context of Industry 4.0, big data analytics refers to collection and comprehensive analysis of data from several different sources—enterprise and customer management systems as well as production equipment and systems—to support decision making in real time. ## 2\. Autonomous Robots In the not so distant future, robots will not only interact with one another in a factory/industrial setting but will also work harmoniously alongside humans and will learn from them. Compared to the robots/machines currently used in manufacturing, these autonomous robots will have a [greater range](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/a-look-into-archinaut-the-spacecraft-assembly-technology-set-for-a-test-flight-in-2022/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of capabilities and will be less costly. ## 3\. Simulation In the industry 4.0 era, there will be more extensive use of simulations in factory operations to utilize data in real-time and create an impression of the physical world in a virtual model. This virtual model can include not just machines but also products and humans. Simulation in Industry 4.0 will allow factory/plant operators to check the optimize the settings of machines for the next product in line in the virtual world before the changeover is applied in the physical [world](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/technology-trends-airports/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This will greatly reduce machine setup times while helping increase quality. ## 4\. Horizontal and Vertical System Integration In industry 4.0, there will be increased coherence between teams, functions, and companies; this will happen as the cross-company evolution takes place which will ultimately lead to automated value chains in the truest sense. ## 5\. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) IIoT and Industry 4.0 are more or less the same thing; IIoT involves the [use of actuators and smart sensors to manufacturing and industrial processes](https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/Industrial-Internet-of-Things-IIoT?ref=bobbydavidson.com). On the other hand, Industry 4.0 promotes the idea of enriching more [devices](https://percentotech.com/how-technology-is-changing-the-grocery-shopping-experience/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—which often includes unfinished products—with embedded computing. The purpose of both IIoT and Industry 4.0 is to allow [devices](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/learning-to-be-heard-how-podcasting-can-rake-in-the-revenue/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the ‘field’ to communicate and interact with one another as well as with centralized controllers, as needed. Additionally, both concepts look to decentralize analytics and decision-making to enable responses in real-time. ## 6\. Cybersecurity The cybersecurity threat is significant in Industry 4.0 because of the increased connectivity and use of standard communication protocols. This puts pressure on companies to protect their critical manufacturing lines and industry systems from cybercriminals. Companies need to respond by making their communications more reliable and ensuring sophisticated identity and access management of machines and users. ## 7\. The Cloud Increasing sharing of data across sites and company boundaries will be need by more product-related undertakings in Industry 4.0\. Additionally, we will witness an improvement in the performance of cloud [technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that will help to achieve reaction times of several milliseconds. This will increase deployment of machine data and functionality to the cloud which will enable more data-driven services for production systems. ## 8\. Additive Manufacturing It is only recently that companies have started to adopt additive manufacturing. Example of this is [3D printing](https://percentotech.com/network-cabling/network-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) which organization use mostly to prototype and product individual components.Additive manufacturing methods will be widely used in Industry 4.0 to produce customized products in small batches; these customized products will offer several advantages including lightweight designs. ## 9\. Augmented Reality The ninth and final building blocks of Industry 4.0 is [augmented reality](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/big-data/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). A variety of services in Industry 4.0 are supported by augmented reality (AR). This includes the selection of parts in a warehouse and sending instructions for repair over mobile devices. While AR systems are currently in their infancy and it’s too early to say how they will progress, we predict a broader use of these systems by companies in the future to provide workers with information in real-time to help improve work procedures and decision making. These are the 9 building blocks of Industry 4.0\. The future of [Industry 4.0](https://percentotech.com/why-data-analytics-is-important-for-retail-businesses/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is tied to how each of its building blocks develops and progresses over the months and years. Also important is how these building blocks of Industry 4.0 complement each other for the good for manufacturing facilities and industries everywhere. Now that you know about and have understood the building blocks of Industry 4.0, you may be interested in finding out the challenges facing Industry 4.0 and all the advantages associated with this new-age industry that is enabled and driven by technology and technological concepts. Keeping following us to find out the challenges facing Industry 4.0 and the benefits associated with is implementation. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Pros and Cons of Cost-Based Pricing for Businesses and Why Pricing Optimization Tools are the Next Frontier in Business Development URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/pricing-for-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:46.000Z What is cost-based pricing? It is a pricing method in which prices are set based on three different costs: the cost of production, distribution, and sale. Widely used by businesses in the service industry, cost-based pricing sets prices for services based on time and materials. How does this pricing method work? let’s find out. # How Cost-Based Pricing Works for Service-Based Businesses The first step in cost-based pricing is establishing an hourly rate for the services offered. The next step involves combining any additional expenses incurred with the costs of any hours required. Businesses can then charge accordingly. The basis for pricing in this pricing method is the cost of production. This means that you are required to add a profit level to determine pricing for the product. If you use this pricing method to set pricing, then you’ll need to use your costs to find a price ceiling and a price floor. What are price floor and price ceiling? They are the minimum and maximum prices for a specific product or service I.e. the price range for the product/service. Generally, a [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-you-can-stay-happy-and-enjoy-life-more-as-a-business-owner/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) would price at a floor in case the competitive price is under the floor; the [business ](https://percentotech.com/sap-warehouse/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)may also try to lower the floor costs by lowering its own costs. # The Pros and Cons of Cost-Based Pricing For most [companies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/over-promising-is-not-good-for-your-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the ideal strategy when pricing based on cost is to set a price in between the floor and the ceiling. This pricing method is used by many companies that mass-produce goods. What is the reason for that? following are the pros of using [cost-based pricing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/4-ways-to-raise-capital-for-your-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com): ## Pros of Pricing Based on Cost - It is easy to understand and calculate the price - The pricing method covers the incurred costs - It can simplify investment appraisal decisions - The method is fair and logical - Can be useful when setting the price of new and innovative products ## Cons of the Pricing Strategy There are also some cons of pricing based on cost. Following are some reasons you may want to opt-out of a pricing strategy based on cost: - The method ignores demand and the price elasticity of demand - It ignores the competitive situation i.e. what competitors are charging - Is inflexible in the face of changes in demand levels - Costs cannot be measured with precision, which makes it difficult to determine - The method ignores capital requirements and returns on investments - May cause underpricing or overpricing In addition to the above cons, many marketing experts consider cost-based pricing to be a broken model. According to them, knowing costs is crucial to understand a company’s profitability but problems can arise when you price solely based on costs. However, this does not mean that cost-based pricing is wrong for you. Instead, it means that you should use pricing tools that allow you to choose a suitable pricing method that provides the biggest benefit to your bottom line. # The Benefits of Pricing Optimization Tools in Business Operations and Development Price is one of the most fundamental factors that help project the revenue that a business generates. Pricing optimization is a technique that is used to ensure that this objective is achieved efficiently. However, with the advent of technology, things have become much simpler. Softwares and various digital platforms have been introduced to provide a further boost to the efforts to strengthen business operations. As a result, organizations with the appropriate structures are doing amazingly for themselves. A pricing optimization tool or software needs no introduction. It is simply a program that automates simple analytical tasks that would otherwise be executed manually. This usually meant errors because [humans](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are more prone to them than machines. So, to improve processes, state- of- the- art tools were brought in so that organizations could save a lot of time, effort and other resources while implementing strategies like pricing optimization. Here we shed light on some other benefits that these tools offer businesses to achieving their objectives: ## 1\. Ease the Load on Finances A business has to employ a number of elaborate techniques in various departments in order to stay ahead of the competition. These include sales performance management, search engine optimization for digital [marketing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/4-innovative-event-marketing-ideas-for-your-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) tools as well as pricing optimization amongst many others. These are imperative tools but can cost the company huge loads of money. Softwares work wonders in this regard. They make the analysis and evaluation of data as simple as 1, 2, and 3\. This means that small teams can churn out the vast amount of useful information that is simple enough for decision-makers to comprehend. As a result, a lot of financial burdens are lifted off the company. ## 2\. Automation Computers and software programs are improving every single day. At the same time, the number of errors, speed, and performance is also growing every day. In the midst of all this, manual implementation of extensive processes like pricing optimization is impractical and therefore, becoming obsolete. This is promising for organizations because pricing optimization software can create more productive results and reports faster and more accurately than ever before. This means that operations are much more streamlined than ever before. ## 3\. Optimize Promotions Among a load of other benefits, a pricing optimization software has the ability to quickly crunch big data and provide an executive with the opportunity to introduce promotional pricing strategies that can help them trump the competition quite effectively. This can give them a competitive edge in the market as well as the industry. Additionally, customers become more inclined towards the brand for future purchases. The benefits of pricing optimization tools don’t end there. There are many more advantages that the software offers to users. As a result, it is one of the most sought-after commodities in the [business](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/fintech/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) world today. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally [involved](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Transhumanism: What It Is and How It Will Change the World in the Future URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/transhumanism/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:46.000Z What if we could skip this biological process entirely? Well, it may be possible soon as technology significantly upgrades human life and behavior. The concept that allows us to skip the process of evolution is being dubbed as ‘transhumanism’. This is a movement that aims to use advanced [technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to change humanity forever. # Understanding Transhumanism A way of thinking about the future, the concept of transhumanism states that we are not at the end of human development. Instead, we are at a relatively early phase in our development and evolution. The original definition of transhumanism was given by Max More in 1990 who defines the concept as follows: *“*Transhumanism is a class of philosophies of life that seek the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means of science and technology, guided by life-promoting principles and values*[*\[1\]*](#%5Fftn1)”* The concept of using technology/tools to modify or augment the human body is nothing new. In fact, the idea to take humanity beyond its biological constraints has existed ever since humans developed the first tools and understood how to harness fire. Every evolution that the human race went through made it more intelligent; intelligence is what has allowed the human race to not only survive but also thrive despite many biological shortcomings. This is where the inspiration for transhumanism comes from; the concept not only emphasizes using [technology](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/real-estate-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to impact the world around us, but it also floats the idea of replacing human biology with technology. The corrective lens has fixed the problem of poor eyesight, braces allow us to have that perfect smile, and there many more examples of how technology or sophisticated inventions have allowed us to alter our bodies for the better. Now, transhumanism wants to take this a step further and replace the entire existing senses in a human body with technology; the idea is to enable our body to accomplish many things that it has not been built for. The person who uses this concept to alter or modify their body is referred to as a transhuman; this is a person who chooses to upgrade their body with technology to fix a deficiency to accomplish more than what is biologically possible. # How Transhumanism Will Impact the Future of Mankind Now that you understand what transhumanism is and why it is getting more and more popular by the day, you may want to know what impact the concept will have on the future of humanity or mankind. Well, you’re in luck! Below are 3 ways in which transhumanism can potentially change humanity in the future. ## 1\. Augmented Bodies In the coming years, we will witness the birth of several body [augmentation](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/the-psychological-impact-of-negative-body-image-what-can-you-do-about-it/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) capabilities that will make humans stronger, smarter, and more resilient than today. From the increased use of implants such as microchips for the brain and RFID chips insertable into humans, we will witness a wave of technology that advances human capabilities. While these technological developments will be important, the most important type of development that will take place in the coming years that could potentially change the face of humanity is [biological](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/how-technology-is-helping-revolutionize-language-learning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) augmentation; this body augmentation will be enabled by advances in IVF technology and deeper insight into our genomes. The combination of these two things will help us select the most intelligent embryos and highly sophisticated [CRISPR gene-editing technology](https://www.forbes.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#54f4d91d2254) that can potentially eliminate all diseases that are inherited. With these [body](https://percentotech.com/how-your-business-can-benefit-from-facial-recognition-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) augmentation capabilities, humans will become stronger, more intelligent, and increasingly resilient. Additionally, it will be possible to monitor and analyze the human body in the same way we monitor and analyze connected machines today. Imagine the impact this will have on the [job](https://percentotech.com/technological-breakthroughs-that-are-reshaping-farming-and-agriculture/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) market and how athletes are selected to participate in the different sporting competitions. ## 2\. Faster and More Transferrable Thought Processes The likes of DARPA, Facebook, and Neuralink has initiated projects to development wearable as well as implantable brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). With the development of these devices, the way in which humans communicate and interact with each other, as well as with connected devices, will be significantly altered. For instance, the BMI will allow you to full emotional and sensory holiday experience with your family and friends. ## 3\. Increased Human Productivity Due to Gamification and Behavioral Science A combination of AI, gamification, and behavioral science is already being harnessed by some [innovative](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/supply-chain-innovations/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) companies today. The first name that comes to mind here is Uber, the ridesharing services with operations in over 750 cities worldwide. The behavioral science techniques of the ridesharing company include lining up the next ride as the default option without revealing how much would be made of that ride but still giving drivers an incentive of ‘going beyond’ their target to trigger the release of dopamine. On the other hand, the gamification techniques employed by [Uber](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/ces-2019/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) include a graphical interface that gives the entire traveling experience a video game-like quality. It also prompts goals that are always a little bit out of reach; the purpose of this is to encourage continued pursuit. In addition to the above, some of the other ways in which transhumanism will impact the future of mankind are by making humans more empathetic, enabling extreme customization and personalization, and significantly shifting business practices. Keep following us to stay updated with all the latest developments in the field of transhumanism. [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://whatistranshumanism.org/](https://whatistranshumanism.org/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Why Having the Right Social Media Strategy is Critical for Your Business? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-having-the-right-social-media-strategy-is-critical-for-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:47.000Z Contrary to popular belief, generating quality leads is not difficult. What is difficult is generating these leads cost-effectively. While driving the right traffic to your website is important, it should not come at the cost of a lower-quality product or service that falls below customer expectations; don’t start cost-cutting on product design/manufacturing or service features to have enough to spend on generating high-quality leads. Then how do you win high-quality leads for your business without spending bucketloads of money? With the right [social](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/social-media-marketing/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) media strategy used in tandem with other channels of digital marketing such like PPC advertising, online reviews, organic SEO, and mobile advertising. Why do we advocate using [social media](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/social-media-marketing-campaign/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) marketing for quality leads? Because it is a marketing channel designed to bring the target audience into your sales funnel cost-effectively. Despite this, we come across many business owners who are skeptical about social media marketing because they believe it wouldn’t work for them. This is laughable to say the least when you consider that there about [3.5 billion social media users in the world today](https://datareportal.com/social-media-users?ref=bobbydavidson.com).Every business in the world will have at least some of their target audience on social networking sites. This means that social media marketing is relevant for every business in the world including yours. # Your Social Media Marketing Should Focus on Generating High-Quality Leads Most businesses today realize the importance of social media [marketing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/marketing-roi/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). However, only a few of them successfully leverage it for lead generation. With [most businesses reporting that their lead generation efforts are only slightly or somewhat effective](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics?ref=bobbydavidson.com), It is about time that business owners, which includes you, took a hard look at their social media marketing efforts. For lead generation and nurturing, social media marketing is a great choice. However, if you’re not generating the right kind of leads on social media, then you’re only wasting your time and money. Put simply, the only leads that matter on social media are the leads that you can potentially convert. The point is that you need to focus more on quality and less on quantity. 10 leads that all end in sale are better than 500 leads that result in just one conversion. When it come to lead generation on social media or any other marketing channel, it should always be quality over quantity, period. # How Effective is Social Media for Lead Generation? Why social media for lead generation? Why not any other channel? You might have these questions in mind and we’re happy that you do. *Why social media? Because most of the buyers are ready and willing to have a conversation there.* One of the greatest strengths of social media is that it allows consumers to build relationships with brands. The conversational style of social media has completely transformed how businesses interact with and market themselves to consumers. But, do the numbers back the effectiveness of social media for lead generation? They surely do! HubSpot’s ultimate list of marketing statistics reveals the following about social media marketing: - Social media marketing has helped 50% of the business who have been using the marketing channels for a minimum of two years to improve sales - 90% of companies have increased awareness about their business after using social media marketing On the negative side, 63% businesses report that they struggle to generate traffic and leads with social media. Additionally, only [40% businesses feel that their current online marketing mix meets sales pipeline needs](http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2013/10556/b2bs-struggling-with-online-marketing-mix-sales-cycle-gets-longer?ref=bobbydavidson.com). If you’re on the same boat as the above businesses, struggling to generate leads on social media, then your lead generation program needs an upgrade. Put simply, you need to revisit and revise your strategy to generate leads with social media. To make you realize the importance of this, we’ll throw in another stat: [social media lead conversion rates are 13% higher than the average lead conversion rates](http://www.struto.co.uk/blog/how-effective-is-inbound-marketing-for-lead-generation?ref=bobbydavidson.com). So, if you’re not putting in the hours to correct your social media marketing strategy, then you’re wasting one hell of an opportunity to generate quality leads. So, what should be part of your social media marketing strategy to generate high-quality leads? We recommend the following: ## 1\. Create and Share Video Content Creating video content and then sharing it on your social media pages is a great way to promote your business and engage with your audience. Following are some statistics that indicate the importance of creating and sharing video content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn: - YouTube videos get more than [5 billion views each day](http://videonitch.com/2017/12/13/36-mind-blowing-youtube-facts-figures-statistics-2017-re-post/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - The number of people watching Facebook videos each day [exceed 500 million](https://learn.g2crowd.com/video-marketing-statistics?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - More than [80% of Twitter users](https://www.wochit.com/blog/2018-social-video-statistics-video-savvy-brand/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) watch video content on the platform These are just some of the countless statistics that indicate the importance of creating and sharing video content on social media. However, make sure the video content you create and share on social media pages is the ideal length, relevant to your business, and attractive to your target audience. ## 2\. Automate Social Media Interactions If you have thousands of followers on your social media pages, then you’d do well to automate your interactions with them. Unless you have a dedicated social-media team working 24/7, it can be virtually impossible for you to keep up with the demands of your audience on social media. Even if you have a dedicated social media team working for you, they will struggle to have a personalized interaction with your social media if it is in the thousands. The solution? Using chatbots to automate your social media interactions. Machines that can activate a human-like conversation, chatbots can help to keep all your social media followers engaged and satisfied. This puts your business in a position to start converting your social media audience into paying customers. While social media marketing done right can generate high-quality leads, it needs to be used in tandem with other [marketing](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/social-media-marketing-success/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) channels like PPC advertising, online reviews, Organic SEO, and mobile advertising for the best outcomes. Keep following us for more suggestions on how to improve your social media marketing to generate more high-quality leads for your business cost-effectively. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Importance of Data Quality in Predictive Analytics URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/predictive-analytics/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:47.000Z A combination of organization, methodologies, and activities, data quality assurance helps to reach and maintain high levels of data quality. In most organizations, quality assurance is applied to other activities that exist to maintain the activities or products of the company at a high level of excellence. Data quality assurance needs to abide by the same principles. Reaching high levels of data accuracy within the company’s critical stores and then keeping them, there is the goal of data quality assurance. Data quality assurance needs to include all existing, important stores of data, and above all, it needs to be involved in the creation of new data stores or in the replication, migration, or integration of existing ones. In addition to ensuring the accuracy of data when it is initially collected, data quality assurance is responsible for accurate access, accuracy decay, the transformation of data, and accurate interpretation of the data for users. Data quality assurance works based on three simple principles: improve, prevent, monitor. Unfortunately, for many businesses today, QA is an afterthought when it should be the most important step for them. For example, in predictive analytics, organizations often overlook the QA strategy to focus on planning for additional controls on the DevOps side. This needs to change if organizations want to get more out of the QA process. When it comes to predictive analytics, the quality of data is probably the greatest factor and the biggest driving force in both quality assurance and execution of this advanced analytics process. # Why Data Quality is Critical in Predictive Analytics The advantages of using predictive analytics, big data, and machine learning are there for everyone to see. However, data quality is paramount to experience the true value and capabilities of these technologies. Unfortunately, most organizations have data that cannot be trusted. According to a [recent annual benchmark report by Experian](https://www.edq.com/globalassets/white-papers/2017-global-data-management-benchmark-report.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), most businesses globally and 95% in the U.S use data to meet their business objectives. However, less than half of them trust their data’s quality. The trust deficit needs to be filled if a business wants to get the most out of their big data, machine learning, or predictive analytics. Of these, predictive analytics deserves special attention. This is because it plays a key role in helping an organization to increase their bottom line and gain a competitive advantage. How does this technology achieve said goal? Let’s find out. # Understanding Predictive Analytics and How It Benefits Organizations Today, predictive analytics is becoming increasingly popular among businesses in different industries. The reason for this increased adoption is easier-to-use software, faster and cheaper computers, the need for competitive differentiation, and growing volumes and types of data. A great quality of predictive analytics is that it identifies future outcomes based on historical data. It does this by making use of data, machine learning techniques, and statistical algorithms. The goal is to provide the best assessment of what will happen in the future. There are several reasons why an organization would want to use predictive analytics. Some of these reasons include increasing productivity, reducing cost, saving on misallocated resources, faster results, improved operations, fraud detection, risk management, and optimized marketing campaigns. With the data that can be easily used for analysis, businesses can be more proactive and make sound decisions based on past data. Additionally, predictive analytics save on both time and money by allowing businesses to save on misallocated resources. The technology is also used by many industries in the decision-making process to improve operations in terms of both quality and functionality. Another use is recognizing various types of fraud and detecting and preventing any vulnerabilities. Where does data quality come in all of this? A primary requirement of training a predictive model is historical data that meets exceptionally broad and high-quality standards. The number one enemy to the widespread, profitable use of machine learning is poor data quality. # The Role of Data Quality in Predictive Analytics Data quality in predictive analytics means that the data must be accurate, reliable, and properly labeled. Moreover, it needs to include lots of unbiased data over the entire range of inputs for which the predictive model is to be developed. Unfortunately, most of the data today fails to meet these standards. There are several reasons for this, including human error, overly complex process, and not having a clear understanding of what is expected. To compensate for this, data scientists cleanse the data before training the predictive model. For [many data scientists or 80% of them](https://hbr.org/2016/12/breaking-down-data-silos?autocomplete=true&ref=bobbydavidson.com), this is tedious and time-consuming work. It is also a problem that they often complain about. The good news for them or all others that deal with organizational data is that building data quality in predictive analytics can help to overcome this problem. What does it take to build data quality? It takes the following: - Dedicating enough time to execute data quality fundamentals into the overall project plan - Maintaining an audit trail as training data is being prepared - Charging a specific individual with responsibility for data quality - Obtaining independent, rigorous quality assurance By ensuring the above to build data quality, any organizational leader can leverage the power of predictive analytics to increase their bottom line and gain a competitive advantage. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Why You Should Trust Your Gut as An Entrepreneur URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/trust-your-gut/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:47.000Z Considering the role intuition has played in the success of the above-mentioned people, new entrepreneurs should take heart when it comes to following their gut feeling. If you’re still not convinced about following your intuition, then scientific reasoning should convince you otherwise. # The Scientific Reasoning to Trust Your Gut Explicit memory and implicit memory are the two types of memory associated with the human brain. The force that drives our intuition or gut feeling is our implicit memory. The knowledge that you feed to your brain consciously and with a focused, determined effort is your explicit memory. For example, studying to gain knowledge and pass a test is your explicit memory at work. On the other hand, your implicit memory works without any intentional or conscious effort on your part. When you can recall the lyrics of a song you like or quote a line of dialogue from a movie after watching it, that’s your implicit memory at work. You didn’t make any conscious effort to remember this kind of information; instead, your brain just absorbed it. You develop skills that eventually become second nature when you let your explicit and implicit memory work together. For example, you need to make a conscious effort to learn how to ride a bike or drive a car. However, once you’ve learned the skill and have a bit of practice, you can do these tasks without any guidance. This is your implicit memory at work. It is your implicit memory that tells you that touching a hot stove is not a good idea or to be cautious when developing feelings for someone about them not being reciprocated. These implicit prompts or “gut feelings” guide us towards better decision-making that minimizes risks in our lives and make it better. # The Importance of Paying Attention to Your Gut as an Entrepreneur Although a lot of their decisions are based on logical reasoning, successful entrepreneurs never shy away from acting on their intuition when needed. If a project no longer feels good or necessary and their gut tells them to drop it, seasoned entrepreneurs choose to follow their gut rather than persisting with something for a ‘logical reason’. Trust your gut! Learning when to listen to your inner voice or act on your gut feeling is much more difficult than developing the skills to collect and analyze metric to make logical decisions. However, your gut can guide you to a place you’ve never been before if you’re willing to turn inwards and pay attention to your intuition. Tuning into your intuition when things are rough can be hard. However, you need to isolate yourself from the situation and be honest; the cues you get from your body should get all your attention; if you pay attention to these cues, then you are likely to find all the answers you seek at the time. # Look to Achieve ‘Entrepreneurial Independence’ One of the things that all entrepreneurs should strive for is ‘entrepreneurial independence’; this is s mindset that tells you to take full responsibility for your actions. When you have this mindset, you make decisions that are not influenced by outside factors. Instead, they can be traced directly back to you. You own your decisions and your company’s fate is decided by you. What this does is give you the freedom to refuse advice from people, even the ones you trust the most, so that you may choose what feels right to you. Yes, some people’s feelings may get hurt. Others may even return to you taunting you with an ‘I told you so’ when your decision backfires. However, this is also part of your training to be self-reliant and make decisions based on your best judgment[.](http://www.puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) # Give Your Gut Time and Space to Improve This may sound absurd but you need to give your intuition some time and space to get better. This means that you need to work on your intuition or trust your gut before you use it. To get in touch with your intuition better, try mental workouts such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness exercises. Another thing that you should do to get better attuned with your intuition is to buy some time before making important decisions. Immediacy is encouraged in today’s world; however, you will gain the respect of your clients and other people if you ask them for some time such 24 to 48 hours to consider a key proposition. Although many people will tell you that waiting too long in business can create a lot of problems, you should know that making on-the-spot decisions won’t get you far, especially if you’re dealing with complex issues. While the above-mentioned process to improve your gut decision isn’t perfect, it will allow you to be more in tune with your intuition than you are now and, consequently, make better decisions in business and other areas of your life. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Vacations: They Are Important for Business Leaders to Recharge URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:48.000Z Your work is critical, and your company/department relies on it. So, how can you go on a holiday? You can because your team/employee are more than capable of handling things in your absence. Workplaces have put workaholics on such a pedestal that many Americans fail to time off from work even when they are entitled to it. This happens a lot at the managerial or executive level. While no one can argue that organizational leaders have many responsibilities to fulfill and many employees to take care, the benefits of taking time off from work far outweigh the drawbacks. Let’s dig deeper into why it is critical for business leaders to take vacations or some time off from work. # Why Taking Some Time Off from Work is Critical for Business Leaders? According to a recent study by Harvard, CEOs worked [70 percent of vacation days with an average of 2.4 hours on those days](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/20/harvard-study-what-ceos-do-all-day.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com). If you fall in this category of CEOs or business leaders, then you need to change your ways. It is great that you’re passionate about your work and company. However, working several years without taking a vacation will eventually cause you to break down. If that happens, you’re not the only one who’s going to suffer; your work, team/employees, and company will suffer as well. So, do yourself and everyone else a favor by taking a vacation or some time off from work. Following are some of the ways a vacation will benefit you in both the short-term and the long run. ## 1\. Avoid Burnout Like everyone else, leaders need a break to avoid burnout. If you continue to work for months and months without taking a break, then you will eventually start to lose your vision, perspective, creativity, effectiveness, and most important of all, well-being. Burnout is one of the most common issue among business leaders. Often, this results in leaders making rash or illogical decisions which affect the profitability and growth of their company. It also has a negative impact on employee development and growth. By taking a vacation, you will avoid burnout and in doing so, keep many problems at bay. ## 2\. Recharge Your Batteries to Boost Your Body and Brain You will get mentally blocked if you slog away at work day after day without a break. Step away from your work or business if you want to avoid a creative or mental block. You will give your body and brain a reboot by stepping away from your business and your daily routine at work. After your return from your vacation, both your mind and body will be refreshed, and you will have a renewed focus and energy. Not only is taking a vacation good for your own mental and physical health, but it is also critical to the success of your department/company. If you allow yourself to tire physically and mentally, then it will ultimately translate into a poor customer service and loss of business. ## 3\. Gain Perspective It is easy for business leaders to feel insecure and vulnerable when they take some time away from work. After all, they are the ones responsible for the daily functioning and well-being of their department or organization. However, the best leaders are not those who are constantly worried about how their department/business will function without them. Instead, the best leaders are those who spend time on envisioning the future and making long-term plans for their employees and the organization. Unfortunately, doing this is not possible when we are stuck in our daily affairs. Therefore, it is critical for business leaders to break free from the office and daily work to have an opportunity to reflect on what they’ve accomplished so far and what they’d like to achieve in the future. By taking a vacation or some time away from work, you will give yourself the chance to think. This does not mean that you spend your entire vacations thinking about work. Instead, it means that you should use your vacations to get perspective and return to work with a better idea of where your team/business currently stands and where you want it to be; this will improve your chances of achieving your organizational/team goals. ## 4\. Give Others a Chance to Lead Do you want to test the leadership capabilities of your employees or team members? Then take some time away from work. All year round, your employees/team relies on your guidance, support, and decision making to perform daily duties and deal with challenges as they arise. By taking some time away from work, you will provide your employees/team an opportunity to flex their muscles and prove their leadership capabilities[.](http://www.puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) The more chances you give your employees to prove the leadership capabilities, the more chances you will have to take some time away from work in the future. Also, you will be able to identity people in your organization with leadership potential. Even if you currently don’t have any leadership roles to fill in your company, you will need more leaders in your organization in the future as your business grows. By taking a vacation, you will be able to spot these leaders while providing them with an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience which may come in handy in the future. As seen above, there are many benefits for business leaders to take some time away from work. As a business leader, taking a vacation will allow you to recharge and return to work stronger. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Importance of a Strong Marketing Plan for Smaller Businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/strong-marketing-plan-for-smaller-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:48.000Z As a small business owner, marketing might not be your passion, but you must know the importance of a strong marketing plan for Smaller Businesses. Instead, your passion lies in your business’s core operation. However, all businesses, including small businesses, need some marketing to reach out to the target audience and create awareness about the brand. However, your marketing efforts need to be well-thought and carefully planned to optimize the use of the marketing budget and avoid any losses in business. How can you ensure this? By creating a strong marketing plan. Here, we look at all the reasons that make it critical for all smaller businesses to have a strong marketing plan. # Why a Strong Marketing Plan Is Essential for Your Business? No business can achieve its individual or organizational goals without a strong marketing plan. This is because the marketing plan provides an overview of the market and states everything that needs to be done to achieve the business goals. A marketing plan acts like a map that helps you to reach your destination. A strong marketing plan, one that is backed with research and facts, allows you to see how you can persuade your target audience or potential customers to buy from you. Another benefit of having a strong marketing plan is building confidence with lenders and showing them that you have a good chance of success in the future. With a marketing plan, you can keep track of your marketing objectives and understand how the different marketing activities will help your business to achieve its broader goals and objectives. Additionally, you can determine how your business can effectively use the marketing mix—product, price, promotion, and place—to accomplish the marketing objectives within the competitive market environment. Furthermore, you can appropriately allocate company resources on marketing activities to reach your target audience and drive them to your desired action. Following are 4 reasons that make it critical for your small business to have a strong marketing plan. ## 1\. Get into a Thinking Mode When you start to create a marketing plan, your thinking mode is automatically activated. This gets you thinking about your customers, your products, your business, and how you can bring all of these things together. It is important to explicitly think about these things. Not only do you need to think about these things, but you also need to discuss them with a team that will execute the plan. All this begins with the creation of a marketing plan. ## 2\. Set Measurable Goals Another important benefit of having a marketing plan is that it allows you to set measurable goals. Many times, small businesses set goals that are impossible to measure; examples are ‘avoid loss’ and ‘sell more than the previous year’. These aren’t good metrics for gauging business success, and they cannot be measured. A marketing plan will allow setting measurable goals for your business that your employees can work towards and ultimately achieve. By setting measurable goals with tangible targets, you will help improve employee performance and productivity which will ultimately benefit your bottom line. ## 3\. Align Marketing with Company Goals As a business owner or leader, it is your responsibility to build a framework for employees that aligns and focuses their work. This framework should include your business’s mission, strategy, and objectives. Including the mission of the company in the framework is important because it explains the purpose of your business and why it exists. As the leader of the pack, you not only need to set the corporate goals but also need to define the high-level strategies that need to be supported with marketing activities. Once they know the corporate goals and the marketing activities needed to support them, the marketers in your company can develop marketing objectives to support the broader company goals; the marketing objectives are a set of measurable goals that are tied to different marketing activity. Additionally, they are aligned with the corporate mission and goals of the business to take them forward. Let suppose, the mission of a pharmaceutical company is to create and deliver modern health solutions that let patients recover from severe illnesses. The business strategy of the company is geared towards manufacturing and distributing medical solutions. However, the company also focuses on medical research and finding new treatments. The marketing plan of the company is based on both its mission and the strategy it employs. Therefore, the marketing strategy and objectives of the company are designed to reinforce to the customer the company’s commitment to innovation and breakthrough solutions in medical treatments. ## 4\. Organize Your Time and Priorities The reality is that we have so much to do in a day but only a limited number of hours to get things done. This applies to the marketing function as well. Under such circumstances, the best thing that you can do is prioritize your time and work. To do that, you need a plan that ranks all work and/or goals in terms of importance. With a marketing plan, you will know which marketing goals are most important for your business and need to be achieved first. This way you can allocate most of your time in a day on marketing goals that rank at the top of the priority list. Once you have achieved these goals, you can move down and work on the goals ranked lower on the priority list. This shows that a marketing plan can help you to organize your time and priorities which ultimately benefits your business. As seen above, there are many reasons for creating a strong marketing plan for your small business. For more articles on the importance of a strong marketing plan [and](https://puccicafe.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) how to create one, keep following us. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Over Promising Is Not Good for Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/over-promising-is-not-good-for-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:49.000Z You can never go wrong with under-promising, yet most businesses go the exact opposite direction and over-promise. Why is over-promising a problem? Because not fulfilling the promise can lead to dissatisfied, disappointed, and often angry customers. Needless to say, this will have a negative impact on your bottom line. Over the years, we’ve heard many new entrepreneurs acknowledge their mistake of over-promising and under-delivering. Despite this, new businesses continue promising unreasonable benefits to customers. One reason for this could be that when you launch a new business, you want to attract potential customers as quickly as possible and you use all known strategies to do this. What you don’t realize is that some strategies are counterproductive and could have a negative impact on your business—over promising is one of them. # Why Over-Promising Is Never Good Although not related to the business world, one of the biggest reasons that George H.W. Bush did not return to power for a second consecutive term was because he had over-promised during the campaign that got him elected in the 1988 U.S presidential election. During the campaign for the 1988 election, the former President had promised to impose “no new taxes”. However, circumstances did not allow him to stay true to his words and he increased taxes when the country was going through a recession in 1990\. Other than the Ross Perot factor, this was a major reason that resulted in George H.W. Bush losing out to Bill Clinton in the 1992 Presidential election. The campaign and term of former President Bush should be a lesson for all entrepreneurs and business owners that they should never over-promise to customers. If you want to build trust with customers, then you must keep your promises. The best way to ensure this is by making promises that you can realistically fulfill. If you deliver on your promises to customers, then this will help you build rapport with them which will lead to building brand loyalty. This will ultimately benefit your bottom line and business growth. On the other hand, if you repeatedly fail to deliver on your promises to customers, then this can ruin the credibility of your business for many years to come, ultimately leading to its death. In a bid to get ahead of their competition, many businesses today over-promise almost regularly. They don’t think there’s anything wrong with over-promising and that it will not land them in trouble. Only someone who’s deluded or blind to the reality would say such a thing. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs and business owners today fall in this category. Let’s be honest, customers today have hundreds of choices available to them right at their fingertips. Therefore, the only thing that will make them return to your business after a first experience is delivering on the promises you made. The best way you to do is by under-promising. In a worst-case scenario, you will deliver what you promised. In a best-case scenario, you will far exceed what you promised. In other words, your chances of failure are close to zero. # How to Avoid Over-Promising We’ve already discussed why over-promising is bad for your business. So, if you want to avoid over-promising to customers, then you must do the following 3 things. ## 1\. Communicate to Your Customers About Their Expectations One of the most important things for any business is communicating regularly with customers to manage their expectations.The best way to find out what customers expect from your business is to ask them. Believe us, the guessing game won’t get you anywhere. If you want to fulfill or satisfy the needs of your customers, then you must ask them about their expectations from your business at every engagement point and at every stage of your relationship with them. If you build a habit of regularly communicating with your customers and managing their expectations actively, then you will eventually have a loyal customer base that sticks with you through both your good and bad times. ## 2\. Keep Internal Communications Open You must keep internal communications open to ensure that all your teams are consistently interacting with each other about what can and cannot be done. For example, if the sales team over-promise on what they can deliver, then this will put the front end or customer-service in a tricky situation after the product/service is delivered. Similarly, the development/execution team should be honest with the sales, marketing and customer-service departments about what the product/service can realistically help the customer accomplish. This will allow them to develop a suitable strategy to market, sell to, and deal with customers in a way which gives them the upper hand over the latter. ## 3\. Ensure Transparent Timelines The problem with keeping deadlines hidden from customers is that sooner or later this will lead them to question your competency or truthfulness. Customers will think that you are either bad at estimating the time needed to complete a project or are being dishonest with them. Both situations are bad for your business. If you try to keep things hidden from customers in a bid to go way above and beyond their expectations or what is reasonable, then 9 out of 10 times this will lead to trouble. While customers appreciate businesses exceeding their expectations, it won’t take them long to switch to a competitor if you fail to deliver on your promise more than a couple of times. So, instead of going for the spectacular every once in a blue moon, focus on meeting customers’ expectations every single time. Be transparent with customers about everything that is related to the product/service they want and when they can realistically expect to get it. Also, make sure to under-promise them so that when they the product/services is delivered to them, they are at least satisfied if not delighted. Over-promising is bad for your business and you can avoid it by following the above-given tips. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How You Can Stay Happy and Enjoy Life More as a Business Owner URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-you-can-stay-happy-and-enjoy-life-more-as-a-business-owner/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:49.000Z Have you ever come across an individual who is always upbeat? If you have, then you would have noted that no matter what life throws at the individual, they always manage to keep their calm and cope on their own without a care in the world. While these people may naturally be full of positivity, it is quite possible to observe their behavior and mannerisms and form your formula for happiness. What do you think will happen if you were to follow this formula? You will gain the ability to noticeably increase your happiness quotient within no time. Following are things that make up this formula and that will get you happy and enjoying life. # 1\. Show Some Gratitude The ability to be consciously aware of everything that you cherish and are thankful for is a factor that can boost your level of happiness. When you open your eyes every morning, you should try and spend some time recalling everything that you are grateful for. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start with the simplest of things such as showing gratitude for having enough food to eat, a roof over your head, and good health by writing this down in a journal. # 2\. Give Back to the World Do you have at least 10% of what you earn from your business to the church or a charity? If you don’t, then you should know that even though it may seem paradoxical, the act of charity has more returns than losses. Besides being an awesome act of helping others in need, whenever you give charity, you consciously experience a feeling that says, ‘Everything’s going to be alright.’ We find it hard to believe that there is any person out there who has felt disheartened after giving to charity. It’s simple—you have to give to get. When you do that, your level of happiness will automatically increase. # 3\. Laugh Daily—It’s More Important Than Money Do you laugh heartily every day? Do you purposely make it a habit to laugh every day? If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, then you should know that your body release a happy hormone known as oxytocin when you laugh. This hormone is known to naturally uplift your mood; laughter is one of the several ways this hormone is released in our body. Even if you make a habit of smiling, you will get to experience the very same effect. # 4\. Foster Great Relationships with Friends and Family Have you ever seen happy people spend too much alone or on their own? The more time you spend with people who matter in your life, you automatically forge the supportive relationships you need in stressful times. Additionally, when you bond with others by sharing common experiences such as the ups and downs of life, you allow these people to naturally become your support network. People or business owners who do not spend a decent amount of time with their friends and/or family are prone to developing a sense of depression and loneliness. # 5\. Give Yourself Some Alone Time In contrast to the point we mentioned earlier, it is also sometimes important to take a step back from your support systems and just reserve some time for yourself. Your spirit needs to recharge from time to time and spending some alone time now and then will help you find the peace and silence you so require. Planning some time away from your friends and family can do absolute wonders for your outlook and mood. # 6\. Do Whatever It Is That You Love You may have come across the phrase— “Do whatever you love, and the money will simply follow.” Doing things that you love daily will ensure that you roll happily out of bed and with a sense of purpose. Things get even better when you are paid for what you love; it can help boost your happiness levels tenfold. If your business is your passion, then the work you do will no longer feel like work. Instead, you will joy every aspect of your professional life. # 7\. Do Volunteer Work in Your Free Time Whenever you give, your focus shifts from your own life to making other people’s lives better. Whenever you do this, you start realizing that your problems aren’t as bad as you think they are. This has a profound effect on your mindset and helps you to experience an uplift in spirit. # 8\. Avoid Regret All of us make mistakes in life, and if you really think about it, this is what makes us human. Regardless of how careful you are, you are going to make mistakes now and then. Therefore, you should learn to forgive yourself and move on. Every person in this world tries their best to get through life in an ideal way. While no one wants this, mistakes can happen along the way. The key to staying happy and enjoying life is to let go and move on. If you find it hard to stay happy and enjoy life as a small business owner, then you can consider some of the great advice above to increase your happiness levels and enjoy life more. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Train Your Employees on Phishing Attempts? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-train-your-employees-on-phishing-attempts/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:49.000Z However, while you’re deleting the offending email, you start to wonder if ‘everyone in the office has enough knowledge to spot fake emails or phishing attempts that happen via email’. This realization hits your hard and start to fear that a network breach from a phishing email attack might be just around the corner. You pick the phone and ring to request HR to organize a training session on phishing attempts. If HR accepts your request, then following are the things you need to convey to your employees during the training session on phishing attempts. # What is Phishing? Phishing is basically the use of fake emails that are designed to trick people into clicking on a malicious link; clicking on the link comprises their computers by installing malware on the system. it is also used to get employees to disclose login credentials. Intruders can use many different types of phishing attempts to compromise your computer or network. Some common phishing attacks include deceptive phishing, spear phishing, CEO fraud, Pharming, Dropbox phishing, and Google Docs Phishing. # Why People Click on Phishing Emails We all get tricked at some stage. If an employee is distracted, then they may fall prey to a phishing email designed like an office or company correspondence. After all, to err is human. Generally, employees click on these emails because they have little idea of the problems that this can create. In fact, many of them don’t even know what phishing is and that it should be avoided. There are also occasions when the employees are aware of these threats, but they don’t know what to do about them. While they know about the ‘fake emails’ that get passed around, they have no training or experience to deal with the situation. While employees having awareness about phishing emails is always good, the focus should be on training them to protect against these threats. # What a Phishing Attack Looks Like Another important thing that your employees need to know about phishing attacks is what they look like. Today, hackers and cyber-criminals use highly sophisticated phishing attacks to trick people into clicking malicious links or disclosing sensitive information. Basically, cybercriminals use phishing emails to trick people into click on a link that navigates to a fraudulent page. After you navigate to it, the fraudulent page starts to gather your personal information. This includes your ID, login credentials and passwords, and bank account information. Also, it often installs malware on your system. In fact, more than [90% of all malware](https://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/enterprise/images/mktg/Symantec/Email/13927/WSTR%5FSYM%5FSpear%5FPhishing.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) come from phishing emails. While there are occasions when phishing emails are easy to spot due to fake logos or misspellings, many times these emails are highly sophisticated and contain personal information that leads you into believing they’re real. At times, they are drafted in an urgent tone that demands a response. A email that says your bank account or another important account has been compromised is often a phishing email that tempts you to click on a malicious link. Therefore, it is important to learn how to distinguish genuine emails from phishing emails and then train your employees about it. # It is Possible to Spoof Email Addresses It is important to train your employees that they shouldn’t trust an email just because it seems to be a familiar source. Often, cybercriminals use different methods to disguise emails. They are experts at tricking people into seeing an email as legitimate when it is actually coming from a malicious source. The two most common methods used by cybercriminals to spoof email addresses are [cousin domains](https://wordtothewise.com/2019/02/cousin-domains/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and visible [alias spoofing](https://lifehacker.com/how-spammers-spoof-your-email-address-and-how-to-prote-1579478914?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Also called display name spoofing, visible alias spoofing involves the use of a legitimate company name as the email sender. However, the mail is actually from a random address. This method to spoof email addresses is most effective when the intended mail recipient checks the phishing email on a mobile device; this is because the sender’s email address is hidden on phones and most users do not bother to expand the name to view the email address. On the other hand, a cousin domain is an email address is designed to look like a legitimate email address; it is only slightly modified. For example, if Microsoft.com is the legitimate email address, then the attacker may use the email address Microsoft. Co. There are also cases in which hackers trick users by using extensions. Examples of extensions are Microsoft-support.net, Microsoft-logins-co and so on. Often, confusing and lengthy sub-domains are used to trick users. # How to Recognize a Phishing Email If any of your employees fails to recognize a phishing email and report it, then your company can get into big trouble. Just one click from an unsuspecting employee could comprise your entire network. Therefore, you must train all your employees to recognize phishing emails. Following are some of things you should tell them to look for to recognize phishing emails and then report them: - Familiar company email names that end with ‘.ca’, or ‘.co’ instead of ‘.com’ - Checking the emails for any logos that seem a bit off - Being suspicious of and performing due diligence on all emails that ask for personal information, login credential and passwords, or bank account information By making the above-mentioned things part of your training session on phishing attempts, you will allow your employees to recognize phishing emails and thwart any attempts to comprise your network. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How a Positive Attitude at Work Can Help You Achieve Success URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-a-positive-attitude-at-work-can-help-you-achieve-success/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:50.000Z # The Importance of Maintaining a Positive Attitude at Work **“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”—Henry Ford** How you think and behave can make all the difference. Positive thinking and a positive attitude at work will help you accomplish your professional goals and steer your business towards success. However, maintaining a positive attitude at work is easier said than done. This is because work can be stressful and challenging. Additionally, most business owners have obstacles to overcome and deadlines to meet almost every other day. Under such circumstances, maintaining a positive attitude at work can be difficult, to say the least. However, the benefits of maintaining a positive attitude at work make the effort worth it. How you think and feel about your work and daily routine contributes greatly towards the success (or failure) of your business. Following are some of the reasons for having a positive attitude at work is crucial. ## 1\. Improved Problem-Solving Abilities According to research by psychology professor Barbara Fredrickson, people with a positive mindset [have more capacity to consume new information](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225170?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This, in turn, improves perspective and a person’s ability to ‘‘connect the dots”. Ultimately, this makes them better equipped to deal with the obstacles and problems that may arise in their life or at work. ## 2\. More Energy [Dispositional affect](https://www.jstor.org/stable/2488110?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is the personality trait that forces people to think either positively or negatively. The dispositional affect is of two types: positive and negative. According to scientists, people with positive dispositional affect have greater energy and enthusiasm than those with the negative type. However, negative dispositional affect is not necessarily a bad thing; many people with this personality trait tend to have a calm and relaxed demeanor. Nevertheless, the point is that having a positive mindset can help increase your energy levels. ## 3\. Enhanced Resilience There are not many successful entrepreneurs that made it big with their first business venture or great idea. Instead, they have achieved a prosperous business after many mistakes and failures. These failures and mistakes made the entrepreneurs more resilient. However, this wouldn’t have been possible with a positive attitude. According to Fredrickson, several studies have shown that positive thinking and attitude can help you build greater resilience. This is because positive emotions help you to quickly recover from negative emotions that you develop due to failures or mistakes. ## 4\. Better Decision Making When you’re thinking negatively, there is a good chance that any decision that you make at this point will have a negative impact. If you maintain a negative attitude at work for most of the time, then there is a good chance that you will make a whole lot of bad decisions that negatively impact your business and its future success. On the other hand, maintaining a positive mindset and attitude at work for most of the time will result in you making decisions that help your business to grow and be profitable. ## 5\. Positivity Is Infectious Business owners with a positive mindset and attitude are more likely to convince a potential customer to buy from them than entrepreneurs with negative thinking and attitude. The reason is that positivity is contagious and there’s some science behind it. When you interact with someone in a positive way, the chemical oxytocin is released in the other person’s bloodstream. Oxytocin is associated with trust, empathy, and relationship-building. Another theory is that our ‘[mirror neurons’](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-mirror-neuron-revolut/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) force us into replicating the actions of those we interact it. So, if you have a positive attitude towards your employees or customers, then you will get the same response. This can be great news for your business. Regardless of the reasons, positivity is infectious, and you should use this to your benefit. ## 6\. Health Benefits Maintaining a positive attitude at work can help to improve your overall health. The problem with negative thinking and attitude is that it can cause a lot of stress. When you feel stressed at work every day, your health is more likely to deteriorate faster. Over time, the daily stress you experience can affect your immune system and, thus, your health. To avoid this, start incorporating positive thinking and attitude into your daily work life. You will soon start to experience the health benefits of this. ## 7\. Become a Role Model As a business leader or owner, people already look to you for advice and guidance. However, this is mostly because of the position you hold. By maintaining a positive attitude at work, you will encourage your employees to come to you for advice, guidance, and feedback. They will be drawn by your positivity and you will quickly become a role model for them. # It’s Time to Be Positive With so many benefits on offer, it only makes sense for you to see the glass as half-full than half-empty. In other words, you need to start maintaining a positive attitude at work; you also need to have a positive attitude towards your employees and customers. If you don’t do this, then it will ultimately affect your employee productivity, sales, and bottom line. On the other hand, maintaining a positive attitude will not only help you to avoid all this, but it will also reduce your stress and keep you healthier. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Always Take Your Time When Hiring URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/always-take-your-time-when-hiring/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:50.000Z Considering the number of people graduating out of college today, it should be easy to find the right or most suitable candidate for an open position at your company, right? Wrong! While there will be many people graduating from college with a degree relevant to your job listing, only a few will have the ability and skill to take your business forward. Keep in mind, not all skilled or appropriate candidates would have you as their first choice and you’d have to compete with other companies for them. By giving you the above information, we are not trying to scare or demotivate you or your HR team. Instead, we are trying to make the point that you may not find the ‘ideal’ candidate as quickly as you think. Yes, if you’re extremely lucky, then the first candidate that walks into the interview room could tick all the boxes and be just the employee you’re looking for. However, this very rarely happens so don’t count on it. Instead, you should be willing to take your time when hiring and not rush into making a decision; 9 out 10 times, this will backfire. # Slow and Steady Wins You the Jackpot One of our clients shared with us their story of how it took them six months to fill four open positions at their company. Our client is not a new or small business; additionally, they have a good reputation in their industry. So, they had no trouble winning interest from people who met the basic criteria for the open positions. In fact, they received over a thousand applications for each of the open positions during the six months it took to fill them. During these six months, our client conducted hundreds of interviews, conducted many several in-person screenings, and sent out plenty of rejection emails, all to find the most qualified candidates for the open positions. The result? The company increased its annual revenues by 200% after hiring these four candidates. All the time spent vetting applications and candidates and conducting interviews and in-person screenings paid off. Six months seems like a long time but it is nothing compared to the return on investment (ROI) that our client got a year after finally making the hires. Had they rushed into making a hiring decision just so they could fill the vacant positions quickly, they most probably would not have enjoyed the growth that they did. Maybe six months is too long for you to hire someone and we understand that. The point is that you should not rush into hiring people, as this often leads to bad hiring decisions that affect your bottom line. # Reasons to Hire Slow Even in desperate times, you should stay calm and not rush into making hiring decisions. You should always look for people who can add value to your business; you won’t be getting them if you hire in a rush. They are several reasons why taking your time to hire is better than making hiring decisions in a rush. Following are some of them: ## 1\. Resumes Do Not Tell the Whole Story Most people lie and exaggerate about their career or accomplishments in their resume just to make themselves look better to a potential employer. Unfortunately, many hiring managers believe the details in the resume to be true, with thoughts immediately going towards hiring. Since they are adamant about hiring the applicant with an embellished resume, such hiring managers don’t ask too many pressing questions in the interview. They even allow the candidate to miss several in-person screenings. Ultimately, the company ends up with an employee who has far less skills or experience than mentioned in their resume. What is the outcome of this? Being stuck with an employee who is a burden on the company’s finances and makes little to no contributions to the bottom line. Therefore, you should always conduct thorough interviews and do rigorous pre-screening before deciding to hire someone, even if the process takes an entire month. ## 2\. Get Multiple People Involved in the Process While this does not apply to every company or business team out there, it is always good to get the opinion about the candidate from their potential team members. After all, they will have to work with this person so finding out if they believe the candidate to be a good fit for the team or not is important. This is especially important when hiring for a team with members that work cohesively to produce the final product. There are multiple ways to get the opinions of the candidate’s potential team members including emailing the candidate’s resume to the entire team, sharing an audio/video clip of their interview, or discussing their skills or personality characteristics with the team members. ## 3\. Test the Patience of the Candidates One of the most important qualities of any successful professional is that they can stay patient and calm under all situations. The best way to discover this before hiring a candidate is to make the hiring process incredibly slow. While this can be strenuous for you and the candidate, it will allow you to test the patience of the potential employee. If they show patience in the hiring process, then there’s a good chance that this is their nature and you can count on them in tough times. These are just a few of the many reasons you should always take your time when hiring. It will serve you well. **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 4 Innovative Event Marketing Ideas for Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-innovative-event-marketing-ideas-for-your-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:51.000Z As kids, we all wanted to attend birthday parties with a guest list that included family, classmates, neighbors and friends; it almost felt like that everyone wanted to part of the exact same events as you and no, it was no coincidence. Everyone you knew was at the same birthday party as you because they, like you, had been planning what clothes they would wear, what gifts they would give, and how much fun they would have at the event for the entire past week or maybe even more. Do you know why everyone wanted to attend the same birthday party as you? Because they knew or were certain that it was going to be an exciting and fun event. The birthday parties were deemed as successful events because so many people turned up at these events. As adults, we don’t grow out of this need to socialize and be where everyone is; it’s just that the nature of the events we want to attend changes. As a professional or businessperson, there has to be some industry events that you look forward, or maybe even dream of, attending. These are usually events that hundreds, if not thousands, of other people in your industry or field want to attend as well. Basically, the point that we’re trying to make is that the success of an event depends on how many people attend it or the successful turnout of invitees. How can you ensure this? With the right event marketing. # The Importance of Event Marketing When talking about valuable marketing channels, it would be a crime to leave out event marketing from the discussion. According to Bizzabo, live events are allocated [24% of the entire annual budget](https://blog.bizzabo.com/event-marketing-statistics?ref=bobbydavidson.com) by the average chief marketing officer; the purpose of this is to build deeper connections between a brand and its audience. So, it’s clear that event marketing is critical for every business today but what does this type of marketing entail? It’s all about informing people that you are going to host an event and you would love to see them attend it; you can promote the event using different channels and the event being marketed can be an online or offline event. Some examples of events that you can hold to promote your business are a Meet n Greet, a Facebook Live Seminar, Volunteer Appreciation Day, Donation Camp etc. The basic purpose of these events is to create buzz and entice people to join in; the right event marketing can help to do that. # Some Great Ideas to Promote Your Business with Event Marketing Effective marketing is needed to get the desired audience to attend your event; your event can be considered a success if it attracts the desired type and amount of people. Another important requirement for ensuring the success of your event is engaging with your audience/customer before, during, and after the event; this will allow you to build and maintain a strong relationship with them. Last but not the least, you need to make your event stand apart from the crowd to get people talking about it. How can you do all this? With the following 4 event marketing ideas to promote your business. ## 1\. Use a Press Release to Promote Your Event One of the best ways to promote an event is through a press release. A press release is one of the primary tools used in event marketing. With a professionally written press release, you can get the word out about your event; this includes the data and venue of the event; the special guests attending (if any), the event itinerary, and any dress code requirements. Also, you can let the target audience know how attending the event will benefit them or add to their profile. ## 2\. Use Event Discovery Sites According to research by Eventbrite, an event management and ticketing website[, more than 50% of event-goers](https://www.eventbrite.com/blog/infographic-engaging-event-goers-in-sf-la-nyc-ds00/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in cities search for things to do on local online guides. With this in mind, it would only be sensible for you to promote your event on local online guides to reach out to the target audience of your event. Examples of websites that successfully attract people searching for specific types of events are Facebook, Spotify, Eventful, Bandsitown, and Goldstar. ## 3\. Segment Your Email Lists A creative way to promote your event is by segmenting your email lists; there are several ways to do this. One of them is the use of [Bizzabo’s email platform](https://www.bizzabo.com/event-contact-management?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to segment by age, location, job level, industry, ticket type, lead status, and contact role. It will be easier to market your event once you’ve selected a focus group for the event; you can then market using CTAs that appeal most to them, writing messages with personal subject lines, and including several tests to find out what gets the most responses. Suppose you run a business that holds events across the globe. While your business caters to people in all parts of the world, marketing an event in New York City to someone in London wouldn’t be a very smart thing to do. With Bizzabo, you can set this straight by selecting a focus group for an event and then marketing to them. ## 4\. Use Emails A lot of new event marketing strategies have come to the fore recently, however, the use of emails is still the [most effective way of reaching out to the target audience and inviting them to an event](https://blog.bizzabo.com/email-marketing-tips-for-event-marketers?ref=bobbydavidson.com). So, marketing or promoting your event by sending out emails to your target audience is a no brainer. There are several other ways for you to market your event. However, the above-mentioned strategies are the some of the most effective event marketing ideas for your business. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How Technology Is Revolutionizing Food Delivery URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-technology-is-revolutionizing-food-delivery/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:52.000Z Anyone wanting to make a place for themselves in the food delivery industry should closely follow the latest trends and innovations in food delivery to offer similar technologies and services. Here, we will discuss the impact of technology on the food industry, and the technology-based food delivery services that have changed the industry. # The Impact of Technology on the Food Industry Without paying any additional cost, consumers can now view menus of their favorite restaurants, place an order, and get food delivered to their doorstep. This has been made possible by DoorDash, Grubhub, and other online ordering portals. Some of the online food delivery services have partnered with Google to enable consumers to initiate an order right from their Google Maps app. Additionally, consumers can use mobile apps to order in advance and skip the queue. This convenience is offered by Sheetz convenience stores and fast-food chains such as Shake Shack. For grocery stores, similar technology is offered by Amazon called Amazon Go. On the other hand, Domino’s allows shoppers to order through Amazon echo as well as via smartwatch, text, and the ‘zero clicks required’ app. Other innovations in food delivery include delivery trucks where your pizza is prepared while the truck moves towards your home or where you want the pizza delivered. The purpose of this is to reduce delivery time and ensure the pizza is delivered to your door piping hot. One of the most recent innovations in food delivery are robots that pick up orders from restaurants and deliver them to people who place the orders. Currently, this food delivery service is limited to Washington D.C, California, and Redwood City. However, another great innovation is the drone delivery service of Domino’s which is available to pizza lovers in New Zealand. One of the major reasons for the growing popularity of these technology-based food delivery services is that speed of delivery is one of the most important factors for customer satisfaction. In fact, the speed of the delivery service is important for [60% of consumers across various markets](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/our-insights/the-changing-market-for-food-delivery?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Due to the above reason, consumers are increasingly shifting to online food delivery channels. Additionally, many are using food delivery apps for speed and convenience purposes. In short, technology has changed how people order food and get food delivered to their door. This trend will only grow in the future. # Food Delivery Services That Have Changed the Industry In 2015, the amount spent by consumers on food delivery was almost [US$30 billion](https://www.statista.com/topics/1986/food-delivery-industry-in-the-us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This has most likely grown in the last three years. The growth is mainly due to food delivery technologies that have added convenience and speed to food delivery service. Seeing this, more and more restaurants today have started to offer online or app-enabled food delivery service. This innovation in food delivery was introduced by the following companies. ## UberEATS Developed by Uber, this online food ordering and delivery platform was launched in 2014\. The idea behind UberEATS was to allow customers to place orders quickly and keep track of their food deliveries. Additionally, the food delivery service can learn the preferences of customers, make customized recommendations, and show half-hour delivery options. Also, the app offers a filter that customers can use to choose orders based on dietary restrictions, delivery speed, and price. ## Blue Apron Launched in August 2012, Blue Apron is a New York-based ingredient-and-recipe meal kit service. Although the service is based/headquartered in New York, it has operations in many regions of the United States. The meal kit subscription of Blue Apron includes a couples’ and a family plan. There is also a monthly wine subscription. From planning crops with suppliers to using consumer data for coordinating supply-demand, an integrated ecosystem is used by the company to manage its operations. Additionally, the company has designed its packaging to keep ingredients fresh. This packaging is altered based on the season and the location of the customer. ## Freshly The largest fresh-prepared-meal delivery service in the U.S, Freshly delivers ready-to-heat meals to customers across the country. The meals are prepared at the company’s Phoenix facility. However, the delivery service is not provided by Freshly itself. Instead, the company has entered into a partnership with FedEx for delivering its meal. This allows Freshly to scale quickly, making it possible for the company to handle hundreds of thousands of orders for its meals each month. ## Plated Founded in 2012, Plated is an American ingredient-and-recipe meal kit service. With an ambitious aim to take on high-end grocery chains, Plated offers a subscription service for premium meal kits. Customers of the food service can choose their recipes and get ingredients for up to sixteen meals delivered to their door each week. Recently, the company launched an Android app as an additional service to its online portal. Using the app, customers can choose recipes and the days for delivery. Additionally, they get step-by-step instructions for preparing meals. The best part is that these instructions come with in-app timers. There you have it—the impact of technology on food industry and how online and app-based food delivery services have changed the industry. Keep following us if you want to stay updated with the latest innovations and entrants in food delivery service. **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### What Is Ambient Computing and Why You Should Take Note of It? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/what-is-ambient-computing-and-why-you-should-take-note-of-it/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:52.000Z Compared to preceding technologies, the above innovations are faster, less obtrusive, and more ubiquitous. Now, ambient computing, also known as ambient intelligence, aims to unleash innovations that could potentially change how we work and live our lives. # What Is Ambient Computing? Today, there’s so much talk about ambient computing and what it could potentially help achieve. Therefore, understanding ambient computing becomes important, including what it’s for and how it works. A term that entails several different concepts, ambient computing is the coming together of software, hardware, machine/human interaction and learning, and user experience (UX). The idea is to use an internet-enabled device or a computer connected to the internet without necessarily having the intention to do so. At its core, ambient computing is invisible, symbiotic computing that learns from the user. It works in sync with us. In simpler words, ambient computing is a combination of household and workplace devices that supplement each other to provide us with an overall seamless experience. The impact of ambient computing is that it eliminates the need to sit next to a desktop computer to operate it. # The 10 Characteristics of Ambient Computing Ten characteristics make up ambient computing. Understanding these characteristics will allow you to get a good grasp of the ambient computing concept. So, let’s dive into the ten characteristics of ambient computing. ## 1\. Invisible Although they have been happening right before our eyes, some of the biggest technological innovations in recent times have been nearly invisible. This is because the emphasis of these innovations has been on the experience delivered to the end-user rather than on the mechanics of what is needed to deliver the experience. Although data centers with massive physical infrastructures enable ambient computing, this is not visible to most consumers. ## 2\. Embedded Ambient computing embeds technology within familiar objects. The purpose of this is to simplify, strengthen, automate, or add new functionality to the current state of objects to increase the comfort levels of people while adding clarity to the use cases. ## 3\. Familiar The idea behind ambient computing is to make its control simple for even the most lay-user. In an ideal scenario, 90% of people would be able to choose the controls in a way that allows them to set them and then forget about them. However, this ease of doing things should not affect utility. ## 4\. Discreet and Discrete Ambient computing proposes the idea that technology should be in sight only when it is needed. By emphasizing on this, ambient computing hopes to enable the creation of products that are single-purpose in nature but concur in an all-embracing ecosystem. ## 5\. Distributed The ubiquity of smartphones is tempting device manufacturers to use them to integrate disparate devices. By distributing technology, ambient computing looks to enable an environment that is both connected and self-contained. ## 6\. Modular If technology is distributed in ambient computing, then how will they function together as one unit? Also, what will connect them? At this point, the theory shifts from the applications already visible to us, such as smartphones, competing standards, and devices in the IoT space, to becoming that unifying layer. Ideally, the unifying layer should be people. ## 7\. Symbiotic A major criticism of new technology is that it takes more from us in terms of attention and time than it gives back in the form of user delight and utility. By putting people at their center, products enabled for ambient computing help turn this equation upside down. A major area of focus for ambient computing in this regard has been eliminating friction from several processes. The purpose of this is to consume less of the end user’s time. ## 8\. Personal Personalization is one of the ways ambient computing removes friction from processes. Some examples of this are creating cohorts based on likeness and propinquity, the use of background location, and storing personal preferences. While these benefits are valued by most people, some people have been increasingly critical of the associated costs as well as the lack of transferability and interoperability between the different systems which store user data. ## 9\. Inclusive A major issue with many of the new technologies is that they are built in a way which allows only a limited number of people to understand them, learning their language, or buy them. With ambient computing, different products can be introduced at different stages of a technology’s lifecycle. This can make it easier to understand new technologies, learn their language, and afford them. ## 10\. Conservative Most technologies today have been built to allow an aggressive approach. However, some industry experts make a strong argument about being conservative with new technology. Whether it is due to the rules governing a prevailing technology or self-imposed, operating within a pre-established set of constraints can lead to faster adoption of the technology. While the above-mentioned characteristics can be used to define ambient computing, not all of them will be found within every ambient computing product. Therefore, you should see the above-mentioned characteristics as a framework for ambient computer and not a fixed template. This will serve you well! --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 4 Retail Banking Technology Trends to Watch Out For in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-retail-banking-technology-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2019/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:52.000Z What does this mean for customers? It means that they can look forward to more personalized services that are provided to them at a preferred time and place. Put simply, technological innovations in retail banking and emerging trends aimed at improving the customer experience promise to help banks realize greater efficiencies in their operations while changing the banking landscape significantly to suit the 21st\-century customer. By emphasizing transparency, openness, and sharing, financial technology is completely shaking up the retail banking sector. If you’re part of the retail banking sector or a key stakeholder, then following are 4 retail banking technology trends you need to watch out for in 2019. # 1\. Increased Sharing of APIs Via Open Banking Also known as connected banking, open banking has already found its feet in Europe and parts of the Asia/Pacific region and now it is looking to establish itself in the U.S. What is open banking? It is a form of banking in which APIs are shared by financial institutions with their partners or other organizations that may be interested in them. According to research, there has been tremendous [growth in banking API development](https://www.programmableweb.com/news/financial-apis-have-seen-two-growth-spikes/research/2017/08/09?ref=bobbydavidson.com) recently. Non-banking companies find it easier to develop apps when APIs are shared with them by financial institutions. This, in turn, makes it easier for retailers, end-users, and some entities to connect with banking information. An example of this is [Apple’s use of open APIs](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/26/apples-move-into-banking-raises-the-bar-for-fintech-credit-cards.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) which had made it easier for the company to get into the credit card business. Additionally, the need for relying on credit card companies or 3rd party intermediaries to make transactions will be eliminated for companies such as Amazon, Google, and Facebook. So, we know how open banking can benefit organizations but what about customers? How does open banking benefit them? It benefits them by giving them a choice. Customers, both individual and corporate, can make and receive payments and access their data through a variety of options. Additionally, open banking makes transaction costs and other fees transparent. However, it is important that open banking, wherever it happens, is regulated. A step in this direction has been taken by the European Union by designing [PSD2](https://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Regulatory%5Fagenda%5Fupdates%5FPSDII%5FLuxembourg/$FILE/Regulatory%20agenda%20updates%5FPSDII%5FLux.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or the Payment Services Directive. The purpose of this is to make the open banking system a level playing field and protect both payers and payees. # 2\. Increased Digitization Across Businesses Digital and cloud-first models have already established themselves in the retail banking sector. Now, innovative technology is being used to tinker with the front-end and meet the digitization demands of new-age customers. Therefore, you can look forward to increased digitization within business lines such as commercial lending and payments, small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), and retail in 2019 and the years that follow. You can also expect further digitization of the entire customer lifecycle. This will be achieved by re-engineering the current largely analog processes and enabling increased access through digital apps. Expect servicing, acquisition, collections, and onboarding to have completely digital foundations in the future. # 3\. Voice Banking and Intelligent Assistants An increasing number of banks and credit unions have either already implemented or are seriously considering implementing intelligent assistants and voice banking as part of their service. Following are some statistics related to this: - According to NPR and Edison Research, the number of smart speakers owned by adults in the U.S increased by [78% in 2018 to reach 118 million](https://voicebot.ai/2019/01/07/npr-study-says-118-million-smart-speakers-owned-by-u-s-adults/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - By 2020, there will be [8 billion people worldwide](https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/press-releases/digital-voice-assistants-in-use-to-triple?ref=bobbydavidson.com) using digital voice assistants such as Alexa, Cortana, Siri, etc. - In its first year, the digital assistant of Bank of America Erica was used by over [seven million people](https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/bank-of-americas-virtual-assistant-snags-7m-users-in-year-1/555676/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and it handled interactions exceeding fifty million - According to Capgemini, a good percentage of retail banking customers today [prefer to use a voice assistant](https://www.capgemini.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/World%5FRetail%5FBanking%5FReport%5F2012.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) instead of visiting the physical location of their bank While the popularity of digital assistants amongst banks and other financial institutions is increasing each day, only a few organizations in the retail banking sector have adopted and implemented intelligent assistants and voice banking. These include the likes of the U.S Bank, Bank of America, Barclays, and USAA. According to a [Cornerstone Advisors research](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronshevlin/2019/03/25/the-5-hottest-technologies-in-banking/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#55072dff53bd), only 2% of credit unions and mid-size banks have implemented chatbots or digital assistants so far. However, 13% have planned to implement them this year, 45% are thinking about it while 41% have no plans to implement chatbots. From the above, it is clear that AI-powered digital assistants remain largely untapped in the banking industry, which includes the retail banking sector. However, many industry experts predict that more than half of all interactions in banking will occur via voice-first devices in five years. # 4\. Data-Driven AI and ML-Based Decision Making Massive amounts of secure financial customer data are held by banks and other financial institutions today. This presents banks and financial institutions holding the customer data with an opportunity to utilize data safely and securely to improve customer experience. In today’s age of open banking, this has become almost a necessity. This is the reason so many banks today are looking to use data in a way which gives them a ‘720-degree view’ of the customer. Essentially, this is a way to understand the needs of customers and provide them with a financial solution even before they ask or apply for it. This data flow will be aided in real-time, from insight to action, by the recent emergence of AI capabilities and machine learning tools. Although we can see this triggering multiple applications, the most critical impact will be on credit decision making. Previously, decisions about loans were made in days. Now, they are made in hours thanks to data-driven decision making. If AI capabilities and ML tools are added into the mix, then decision making about credit might take no longer than a few minutes in the future. These are the 4 retail banking technology trends to watch out for in 2019\. For more emerging tech trends in the retail banking sector, keep following our page. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Technology Is Helping to Transform Direct Mail URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/direct-mail/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:53.000Z Another interesting statistic present in the 2017 report was that 21% of the recorded responses came from people between the ages of 18 and 21 years. This goes to show that direct mail is still effective for reaching out to younger audiences and that this marketing tool is not going anywhere anytime soon. In many ways, direct mail has made somewhat of a comeback in the past few years and this comeback has been made possible by the advances in technology. Direct mail has opened up a plethora of new opportunities for today’s marketers. The main purpose of direct marketing is to entice the recipients of the mail into doing the marketer’s desired action i.e. buying a product or service, signing-up, etc. By using new technology, direct marketers can create engaging experiences for the recipients, drive responses from them, and get them to convert into a customer. So, what are the new technologies that are helping direct marketers in creating engaging experiences for mail recipients? Here are 4 advanced technologies that are changing the game for direct marketers. # 1\. Augmented Reality (AR) Enabling an interactive experience for mail recipients, augmented reality (AR) covers the physical surface of a mailer with digital elements. This adds more connection, movement, and context to the mailer’s efforts. To enable an AR experience, a mailer can trigger a visual prompt which can be activated through the camera of the customer’s tablet or smartphone. For example, a surf camp based in Australia added an image to direct mails to trigger an AR experience. It also included the instructions to download the app that runs it. As the image was the AR trigger, positioning the smartphone or tablet over it activated the AR experience for the mail recipients. The success of this campaign has encouraged many more businesses and direct marketers to use direct mail for their AR experiences. # 2\. Video-In-Print Do you remember the last time you received an unexpected mail? What was your immediate reaction or response? Did you throw or tear the mail right away or did you read it through to know what was on offer? If you had a good first impression of the mail, then you probably read it all the way through. However, if it failed to make a good impression on you the first time you looked at it, then you would have probably discarded it in the bin without wasting much time. First impressions are everything when you are trying to catch someone’s attention with your direct mail. Therefore, you must provide your intended mail recipients with something that will keep you in their minds for a few days at least. One way to make your direct mail memorable for recipients is by using in-print video. As the name suggests, in-print video is video advertising featured in a print format. There are several ways to incorporate in-print video into your direct mail campaigns including embedding a video screen as thin as a paper into a mailer, driving mail recipients to a live stream, or simply using video-enhanced print. # 3\. Redesigned QR Codes You can direct the recipients of your direct mails to a live stream, a video, a product video, or your online store by providing them with a Quick Response (QR) code that they can scan on their smartphone. Having a sleeker look than previous versions of the same, the latest QR codes make it possible for you to include more messaging and branding within its design. To create a powerful physical-to-digital effect, you can incorporate the QR code into your logo or icon or embed it into your design. A convenient way to deliver more information to customers quickly, QR codes can help you to accomplish a lot. For example, an online grocery delivery retailer based in Bermuda lets its customers order their favorite grocery items instantly by providing them refrigerator magnets with QR codes. Customers can load items into their online shopping cart for purchase by simply scanning a grocery magnet with the QR code. # 4\. Near-Field Communication (NFC) Recipients of your direct mails can engage almost immediately with your digital content without opening a web browser or downloading an app. This is possible with the use of near-field communication (NFC) in your mails, enabled by microchip technology. An NFC microchip incorporated into your direct mail will radiate short-range radio waves that interact with a smartphone to trigger the digital experience. Your content will open on the screen of your mail recipients’ NFC-enabled smartphones as soon as they hover their mobile devices over the direct mail with the microchip. A real-world example of using NFC technology in a direct mail involves a UK-based musician who used NFC microchips to allow fans who received a direct mail message to get access to extended content of her latest album such as videos, lyrics, photos, liner notes, etc. in a bid to better engage with the fan-base. There you have it—4 new technologies that are helping to transform direct mail. However, this list is not exhaustive and there are many more technologies changing the game for direct marketers and businesses that use direct mails as the main marketing tool. To find out more about these technologies, keep following our page. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 3 Innovative Retail and E-Commerce Trends to Watch Out For in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/3-innovative-retail-and-e-commerce-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2019/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:53.000Z However, the fact remains that no retail business today, big or small, can survive for too long without embracing and adopting the latest innovations and trends in the retail and e-commerce industry. The reason for this is simple—more than [half of the American population](https://www.v12data.com/blog/50-statistics-about-retail-marketing-and-consumer-shopping-trends/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) today prefers to shop online and they want the best experience possible. With this is mind, it would only be sensible of you to find out about the latest innovations and trends in retail and ecommerce. So, what is the latest wave of innovation in retail and ecommerce? Following are 3 innovative retail and ecommerce trends to watch out for in 2019 and beyond. # 1\. Increased E-Shopping with the Evolution of Brick-and-Mortars Ecommerce is huge today and no one can deny that. After Amazon was launched and it started to make a mark on the retail sector, brick-and-mortar stores had to find a way to stay competitive—and fast. The situation is no different today as Amazon accounts for [5%](https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/13/amazons-share-of-the-us-e-commerce-market-is-now-49-or-5-of-all-retail-spend/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of all retail spending which includes both online and ‘offline’ spending by retail customers. The good news for brick-and-stores is that consumers still prefer to make some purchases in-person. Also, there is a percentage of retail customers, albeit a small one, that enjoys the in-store shopping experience even today. For this reason, the in-store shopping experience will never go away. Instead, it will get better and more innovative. The prediction for the next two years is that online buying will increase by 5%. However, this does not mean that an additional 5% of the population will stop buying from brick-and-mortar stores. Instead, it means that more people will buy the necessities from online stores in the future while brick-and-mortar stores will evolve to provide more of a luxury or personal experience. This will give rise to multichannel and omnichannel retail strategies. # 2\. Mobile Location-Based Selling To trigger a push notification when a customer walks by their store, many retailers today use geotargeting. Since it combines both online and offline shopping, the use of geotargeting to sell to customers via their mobile phones is a massive step forward for the retail industry. So, where does this leave online retailers when it comes to mobile selling? While geolocation tools and responsive websites are handy artillery to have in the arsenal for retailers with both ecommerce sites and brick-and-mortar stores, they can target their online customers better by targeting them solely based on their locations. The reason for this is that many people buy on-the-go. Therefore, it becomes crucial to not only target people when they are out and about, but also understand how they make purchases while they’re at work, dinning out, or on the train or bus. Mobile check-ins are an upcoming wave of innovation in this area. This innovation allows customers to check-in when they visit certain landmarks, places, and events. The customers receive benefits and rewards for checking-in. These benefits and rewards typically include discounts or promotions. The reason why a retailer would want their customers to check-in is to allows themselves to automatically send out a notification to a customer who may be at a competitor or similar shop that you offer similar products that are of better quality and have more affordable pricing. For example, if someone heads to a fitness facility and checks-in, they may be offered supplements at a discounted price by a retailer. # 3\. Omnichannel Retail Strategies In the past few years, omnichannel has been a buzzword in both the marketing and retail world. If we talk about omnichannel retail, then its ultimate objective is to get customers that shop using different channels to interact with and purchase from a brand. By providing them with a myriad of options to buy from a brand or retailer, omnichannel retail makes life extremely convenient for consumers. The biggest benefit of omnichannel retail is that it makes the crossover between online and offline shopping easy. For example, you may buy a product online but pick it up in-store. What this does is create not one but two opportunities for a retailer to interact with a customer. Not only does this help to increase customer engagement, but it also makes customers more likely to stay loyal to a brand. With Omnichannel retail, you can create a direct connection between two ends of your conversion funnel, such as from social media to sales. Provided you have the right tools and processes in place, the possibilities with omnichannel retail are virtually endless. This is not empty claim but a fact. According to a recent study by Invesp, compared to just 39% of customers that companies without an omnichannel strategy retain, companies with an omnichannel strategy are able to retain [89%](https://www.invespcro.com/blog/state-of-omnichannel-shopping/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of customers. The omnichannel retail prediction for 2019 is that by the end of the year, 20% of retailers with brick-and-mortar stores will start to implement omnichannel strategies. The first step that these retailers will take is link their physical stores with their online pages. However, their success will depend on how easy they make it for customers across the different channels to get in touch with them and find all the information they need. The retail and ecommerce industries are evolving rapidly, and you can expect the above-mentioned innovative trends to play a role in shaping the future of both the retail and the ecommerce industry. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 4 Ways to Raise Capital for Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-ways-to-raise-capital-for-your-business/ Last updated: 2019-10-28T22:12:15.000Z [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/4-ways-to-raise-capital-for-your-business?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Capital lays the foundation and the cornerstone for the functions of every business. Having more capital gives you more liberty to take decisions that can enhance the sale of the business. However, unfortunately, the money you need does not grow on trees. Raising capital just like any other function of a business is a challenging task, especially for small businesses which usually start operations with a very minimal investment. According to research, [73% of small businesses](https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Finance-FAQ-2016%5FWEB.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) use some external financing for their business. Given the current economic climate, financing your business is not the easiest thing in the world. Therefore, to help you through the testing times of your business, we have come up with a list of ways for raising capital for your business. # 1\. Friends and Family In your time of need, the first few people you look at should be your friends and family. Regardless of the issue, these people always have our back and are willing to risk their all to protect us. There are varying opinions on raising capital with the help of friends and family. Many entrepreneurs believe that borrowing money from a close friend or relative can strain your relationship with the person in question. A loan can become emotionally draining for both parties, especially when the lender ends up on your doorstep every weekend asking for payback. A relative not satisfied with the way you are handling the loan they gave you can create a very tricky situation. We have all come across cases where a verbal agreement between family members has led to confusion and chaos. To avoid such confusion and to ensure that your relationship is not affected, it is necessary to deal with the loan in a much more professional manner. While consistent questioning about the time of repayment may seem annoying, you should still be grateful to your family members for helping you out in your time of need. You should respect the needs of the lender, just like how they respect yours. Additionally, you should also write down the terms of the contract and ensure that you adhere to it. [The way you ask](https://peerfinance101.com/ask-family-member-loan/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) a family member for a loan is also important. Rather than asking for the amount you need, ask how much they can give; the latter sounds more compassionate and civil. The opinion held by most business experts regarding borrowing from family members may be correct in some cases. However, in cases where you have a deep bond with your friends and family, acquiring a loan from them may not be a bad idea. # 2\. Bank Loans Another common way of raising capital is bank loans or loans from a financial institution. Securing a loan from a family member is easier than securing a loan from a financial institution. The terms of the contract are much more rigorous in a bank loan; not attending to the calls and needs of the bank can also lead to severe consequences for the business. In addition to the rigorous terms of a contract, a bank will also go through your credit history to guarantee the loan they provide. A default in your previous loans may lead to the bank not offering you one. In case you have a poor credit history, check out services that provide loans, even when the borrower has a bad credit history. Bank loans have the potential to solve the issue of raising finances for businesses as they offer services that other loan giving schemes usually do not. Additionally, due to the impact on the overall economy of the country, banks are encouraged by the State Bank of America (SBA) to provide loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on favorable terms. # 3\. Working Part-Time If you need consistent sums of money to flow in your business for an extended period, working part-time or extra hours may be the right solution. Most people aiming to start their own business look for a job initially. A job gives an individual the liberty to save for the startup. Once you invest your earnings in establishing the business, you can carry on working to raise finances for the routine operations of the company. There is also much discussion between experts on whether a part-time job is suitable for a business. Many experts believe that part-time employment disorients the entrepreneur from the task at hand; juggling two jobs at once can be difficult and may lead to poor results in both. However, some experts believe that it is not the job but the passion of the individual that drives a business. A passionate individual can handle numerous responsibilities in the hope that it results in the wellbeing of the business. Additionally, you won’t always be working part-time for the rest of your life. As soon as the business is strong enough to stand on its feet, you can leave the job and focus primarily on the company. # 4\. Angel Investors [Angel investors](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/equity/infographic-whats-the-difference-between-angel-investors-and-venture-capital/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), as the name suggests, are investors who fund a business operation. Angel investors are usually individuals or businesses with a net worth exceeding $1 million. Getting in touch with an angel investor may be a complicated task. However, if you get an appointment, it is imperative to ensure that your business idea stands out from the rest of the ideas that are presented before the investors. To secure the help of an angel investor, it is imperative that you have full confidence in your business ideas. Regardless of how innovative your idea is, it is the confidence that reflects in your eye which attracts the investor. Faith in a business idea is an indicator that the entrepreneur is willing to go the extra mile for the success of his plan. There are more ways of raising capital besides the ones mentioned above. However, when looking for options to build finances, it is imperative that you don't get too greedy. Keep in mind that taking a loan beyond your ability to pay may be equivalent to tying a noose around your neck. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Technology is Helping Revolutionize Language Learning URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-technology-is-helping-revolutionize-language-learning/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:54.000Z In the past few years, technology-integrated classroom systems have become increasingly popular. A major reason for this is the growing trend of online language learning. Today, we have learning management systems and virtual classrooms focused on language learning that look to facilitate the teaching of the instructor, provide a comprehensive and well-structured learning experience, and strengthen learner engagement. It goes without saying that language instruction institutes need to start transitioning to more tech-savvy ways of language teaching. This will not only help to make their teaching more effective, but it will also ensure that they don’t fall behind their competition in the race to become the premier language learning source or institution. In other words, technology has a critical role to play in the present and future of language learning. Following are some ways technology is helping language instructors to revolutionize language learning. # 1\. Remote Access to Language Learning The biggest benefit of technology is the ability to reach audiences across the globe. When it comes to language learning, this means that people can learn a preferred language from native speakers even if they are miles away from the latter. Technology has opened doors for virtually everyone who is interested in learning a new language by allowing easy access to the resources needed. Language teaching and learning is no longer restricted by geographical boundaries or distances. Instead, it is at your fingertips whenever and wherever you may need it. # 2\. Digitization of Learning Resources The digitization of language learning resources is one of the best things to have occurred in the language learning field in the past decade or so. People no longer have to carry bulky books with them on the train or bus to learn the language of their choice. Instead, they can learn from a digitized version of the same resource on their phones on tablets. One of the earliest innovations in the digitized or virtual language learning world were web dictionaries and hyperlinked text that made it easy as hell to cross-reference words. The next innovation in the field was the digitization of entire dictionaries to allow people to learn easily on-the-go. Today, these dictionaries and other language learning resources can be easily stored on smartphone without using up too much of your phone’s memory space. Additionally, there are language services that provide translation that is collected from and reviewed by bilingual users. Also, while they may be far from perfect, translation tools such as [Google Translate](https://translate.google.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [Linguee.com](https://www.linguee.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) have helped many people across the globe to learn a foreign language. # 3\. Blended Language Courses These courses look to increase student engagement by combining online and in-class language learning. This allows online language training and classroom teaching to complement each other. As a result, the instructor transitions from a teacher to a facilitator. After learning from comprehensive and structured eLearning modules, students head to the classroom where the teacher can focus on the weak points of the class instead of having to recite the rules of language learning to the students. This saves time and makes the job of the language instructor much easier. Not only does technology make blended language learning a reality, but it also helps promote a methodology for language learning that is both intuitive and proven to be successful for language development. # 4\. The Rise of Auto-Correction The rise of autocorrection was another major breakthrough in the field of innovative language learning. Auto-correction has made it easier to learn languages whether it is pronunciation analyzers or simple text-autocorrect. The popularity of auto-correction can be gauged by the fact that today you will find spellcheckers absolutely everywhere. Often free to use, the auto-correction tools or spellcheckers will check your spelling and grammar to ensure what you’re writing in a particular language is correct. Although spellcheckers are far from perfect, some advanced auto-correction tools, such as Grammarly, will help you with correct not just the words, but also the style, to help you streamline what you write. Additionally, there are tool such as Wordbook that help to improve your pronunciation in some languages, such as Chinese. The tool will allow you to know how close, or far, you are from a native speaker. Similar functions are offered by other resources as well which includes Google Translate. # 5\. Interactive Language Learning Research has proven that learning a new language through input is ineffective and not best for achieving learner language development. Therefore, the focus of language instructors should be on an interactive learning that is enabled by technology-based tools and resources. Instead of simply learning about a language from an instructor, students must be able to ‘do’ things with the language being taught. Fortunately, technology makes this easy by allowing students to interact with language courses to gain a complete understanding of a language’s components. In a intuitive and interactive learning model, students are likely to feel more comfortable and less embarrassed to make mistakes and learn from them. This can only be a good thing. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Learn the Art of Comparing Different Cloud Service Providers to Find the Right One URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/learn-the-art-of-comparing-different-cloud-service-providers-to-find-the-right-one/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:54.000Z Ever since cloud computing rose in popularity, different providers have reinvented their cloud services with new pricing models, new configurations, and employed other methods to help their cloud services stand out from the rest of the competition. This has resulted in making things even more complex when it comes to creating a price comparison. However, people interested in purchasing cloud services must perform fair comparisons of the different cloud service providers to make the right choice for their business. Here, we are going to explore the different ways that buyers can compare cloud service providers and what key metrics to look for when comparing different cloud service providers. # What to Look for in a Cloud Provider? When comparing cloud service providers, it is important that you identify what to look for in their services. We are going to look at some of them which include the following: ## 1\. Security A cloud service provider should offer top-notch security since they will be storing your business’s sensitive data. Most providers have their own security measures. However, you should look for someone with internationally recognized certifications. ## 2\. Compliance Another important thing to look for is data security when you are shifting your IT data to the cloud. Compliance, risk, and privacy are important factors you should consider. You must ensure that the cloud provider chosen by you has the necessary controls for protecting the sensitive data. If the cloud provider has data centers in another country, the laws of the country will regulate your data. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a cloud provider that has data centers nears you. ## 3\. Credibility Reputation and trust are everything when you’re trusting a cloud provider to store your data. You should read testimonials, reviews, and case studies to get an idea of a cloud provider’s reputation and trust levels. Ask to speak to existing clients to find out whether a cloud provider stands true to its claim. You must also find out if the cloud providers you have shortlisted have any certifications and accreditations as well since you should only work with a cloud provider with a good reputation. ## 4\. Reliability You should also consider the tier of the data center offered by the cloud provider. The reliability and uptime of the data center are related to the tier and its recommended to search for top tier data centers. This will allow you to take advantage of greater reliability from the cloud service provider. ## 5\. Don’t Go for White-Labelling White labelling is all about rebranding products and services offered by one company to make it seem as if it is offered by another company. This is a practice common among cloud providers. You need to avoid white label cloud providers who don’t control their data centers. # Factors to Consider When Comparing Cloud Providers There are three main factors you should consider when you’re comparing cloud providers, and these include: 1. Types of provider 2. Services offered 3. Pricing To give you a better idea, we are going to discuss all the factors below. ## 1\. Comparison Based on Type of Cloud Provider When you’re comparing different cloud providers, you should be extremely diligent in verifying their pricing, overall capabilities, reliability, and business stability. There are also different dimensions of cloud services which you should explore. They include: - Risk and security - Location of data centers - Countries and regions of operation - Business stability and size - Compliance and audit capacity - Trustworthiness and reliability - Contract terms and pricing models - Robust API, self-service, and ease of use - Service-Level Agreements (SLA) The main cloud service providers dominating the cloud industry are Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. They are followed by various small regional providers in different global regions. One of the first things you must consider is which out of the ‘Big Three’ should you target? Should your business acquire the services of two of the Big Three cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure competition? You may choose one or another provider depending on the area your business operates in or choose to work with small providers that will provide you with unique services. ## 2\. Comparison Based on Cloud Services Offered Assessing the different cloud services provided by cloud providers is a difficult task. To make things easier, here are some of the things you should consider when comparing their services: - Value-added services - Underlying technology - Actual performance - Chip generation and CPU technology - Storage configurations and technology - Service specifications - Size or class of a cloud service The first thing to compare for end-users should be the specifications of the cloud services. After this, you should be doing some price comparisons. However, the specifications of any cloud provider only offer a very selective view of its overall performance. The factors that can be explored readily are the chip technology on the physical server, the volume size and storage type, the amount of memory, and the number of vCPUs. However, cloud providers’ services don’t live up to how they were advertised sometimes. Therefore, you must look at the pricing to get a complete comparison. ## 3\. Comparison Based on Cloud Prices Understanding the price of cloud services is not an easy task because cloud providers are continuously offering completely newer services or newer versions of existing services while their pricing strategies are focused on achieving a competitive edge against the competitors. There are straightforward pricing models, but others can be complicated. When trying to understand cloud service pricing, you should look at the following factors: - Bundling of services - Billing increments - Price of individual services - Discount strategies for multi-year commitments - Currency fluctuations for global businesses The one constant about cloud services is that their prices continue to drop, and discounts are available readily to attract new customers. This is a race that hyperscale providers are engaging in to grab as much of the market as possible and it will end or slow down eventually. Currently, it works to the advantage of consumers. What makes pricing comparisons complex is that placing workloads to the cloud needs more than a single server along with network, storage, and other services that are required to meet the needs of total application. A business may get a discount by getting a multi-year contract. However, that doesn’t make a lot of sense when cloud prices continue to fall. Looking at the picture from the perspective of a consumer, calculating the different pricing options for cloud services can be a confusing experience that requires the expertise of financial experts. However, consumers should look to find new ways for monitoring the price of cloud services and make decisions about who to partner with and what cloud services to use. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Why Choose Wireless Technology Over Hard-Wired Options for Industrial and Remote Applications URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-choose-wireless-technology-over-hard-wired-options-for-industrial-and-remote-applications/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:55.000Z While both solutions have a place in the industry, we are starting to see an increase in the use of wireless technology for industrial and remote applications. In the past, remote instrumentation was based on wired systems. However, factors such as flexibility, cost savings, and power consumption have led to the adoption of wireless remote monitoring and control systems. # Why Wireless Technology Is a Better Option than Hard-Wired Ones for Industrial and Remote Applications Many still regard hard-wired communication networks as the most reliable option. However, the substantial operating and cost advantages that come with adopting wireless systems is causing them to become more prevalent in industrial and remote applications. A growing trend in the industry, wireless connectivity today includes a wide range of products and solutions for wireless data transfer for upstream communications in industrial communications. This has been possible due to current wireless protocols that have been made more robust and reliable than previous versions by recent technological advances. Options for a plant or operational infrastructure that would otherwise be limited by connectivity in hardwired connections are offered by modern industrial wireless networks. In a wireless network, industrial operations have access to vastly increased connectivity, providing more flexible and versatile possibilities for configuration. This eliminates the need for each access point to be connected by a physical connection. Considering the advantages over hardwired options, wireless connectivity is no longer ‘an option’ for industrial and remote applications. Instead, it is a ‘necessity’. In fact, wireless sensing is already being used in thousands of process industry applications. Additionally, manufacturers are reporting a high demand for wireless networks within the industry. While wireless control is typically used to diagnose and monitor equipment, current trends indicate that wider use of the technology is just around the corner. This, along with the benefits of wireless technology over hard-wired options, makes wireless systems a more viable option than wired systems. Following are some of the benefits of using wireless technology over hard-wired options for industrial and remote applications. ## 1\. No Wiring or Trenching Thousands of yards of cable are required by a wired system to connect to different endpoints. If connections are thousands of feet away, a wired system can be expensive since installation costs fluctuate between $10 per $20 per foot. On the other hand, wireless systems are powered by battery, a power-scavenging device, or local power. They do not have any conduit requirements. As a result, the need for hardwiring instrumentation is eliminated, which lowers costs significantly. ## 2\. Ability to Operate in Different Territories In many cases, if a company does not have ownership of a road, stream, or other infrastructure, then it cannot run wires there without prior approval from concerned authorities. This problem is eliminated by a wireless remote monitoring system. This consists of industrial transceiver nodes that provide a long-range and powerful data transmission in the unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands. These nodes maintain signal strength through the terrain, structures, or weather. Even if it is left unattended for years, a wireless system can operate on its own. The system can run in dangerous and spiteful conditions without being interrupted by environmental factors such as snow, ice, rain, and dust storms. ## 3\. Lower Installation and Retrofit Cost Compared to a wired system of similar capacity, a wireless system can cost far less per measured point. Depending on specifications for vendor and application, a wireless system can cost a few hundred dollars compared to more than a $1000 required by a wired system of similar capacity. In addition to the above, a wireless system may require new cables if it is repaired or reconfigured. This involves managing and financing hardware, trenching, and labor. In contrast to this, a wireless system can easily be scaled without adding any new hardware. Wireless systems can meet changing and expanded requirements after initial installation by easily adding new wireless instruments. Additionally, it is possible to configure a wireless system in the shop which reduces on-site by more than 50%. ## 4\. Integration with Different Sensors It is possible for users of wireless remote monitoring systems with an open architecture to integrate several types of sensor to monitor assets. The result of this is an ability to add or subtract various sensors as required to measure parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, and level. Not only can users select the best sensor for each application, but they can also consolidate all the data from various sensors to a single point having a single-data interface. Additionally, they can accommodate thousands of receiver nodes using robust gateways to allow the network to cover a range of hundreds of square miles. ## 5\. No Loss of Data Since operators are not alerted to the problem, wired systems typically suffer from failures or sub-par operations until instrumentation is back online when they are affected due to dirt, corrosion, cut wires, or another adverse condition. A wireless system programmed with a communications link alarm provides alerts whenever data is not in transmission. Preventative maintenance linked to wireless diagnostics can help avoid most of the problems related to the transmission of data. ## 6\. Secure and Dependable Monitoring and Control of Building Systems The only wireless mesh standard for commercial buildings, ZigBee ensures secure and dependable monitoring and control of building systems. ZigBee, along with the building automation and control network, keeps wireless communications links connected by offering redundant, self-repairing mesh technology. It does so while co-existing with other wireless communication systems. These capabilities are not available with a hardwired system. More versatile and cost-effective than hard-wired options, wireless technology meets different challenges related to industrial and remote applications that wired systems just cannot address. This makes wireless technology a better option for industrial and remote applications than hard-wired solutions. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Wellbeing: Dealing with Rejection URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/wellbeing-dealing-with-rejection/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:55.000Z # Rejection Is Not the End of the World Is it just too hard for you to accept that you’ve been rejected? Is rejection by someone preventing you from moving forward in life and achieving all the things you are destined to achieve? If yes, then, you, my friend, have come to the right place. This is because we are about to reveal some effective ways for you to deal with rejection and go back to your pre-rejection life. ## Don’t Sob Away Your Rejection on a Packet of Chips Ah, the classic getaway! Most people, especially women, resort to crying and binge eating to deal with rejection. This isn’t good: now and for the future. Dealing with rejection by eating your feelings will only bring temporary relief which will wither away over time, taking you back to square one. Surely, you don’t want that to happen? Of course, you don’t or else you wouldn’t be here. You’re probably wondering right now, “If I can’t sob away rejection by binge eating or crying, then how do I deal with my situation?” Fear not, my friend, because we are going to provide you with all the answers you need! ## Seek Motivation Feeling down and out? Then seek motivation to get back to your old lively self. You’ll be back to your pre-rejection self within a short time if you take inspiration from stories of people who dealt with rejection to achieve great things in life. Did you know that Walt Disney was fired from his job for a lack of ideas and imagination or that Oprah was rejected by her friends, family, and peers because she became pregnant at the age of 14? If they can overcome rejection to achieve great things in life, then you can do it too. You just need to find motivation and let go of everything that happened in the past including the rejection. ## Allow Your Emotions to Flow Without Letting Them Boil Over If you allow your emotions to boil over after rejection, then you may end up hurting someone you didn’t intend to hurt. Therefore, you must make sure that you keep your emotions under control after you’ve been rejected by someone. However, this does not mean that you suppress your emotions after being rejected. If you do that, your emotions will eventually catch up with you and you will never be able to deal with rejection. The more you suppress your emotions, the stronger they become. They stay inside you, gaining power, and waiting for the right moment to explode out of you. Yes, it hurts but you need to deal with it rather than bury it under the hatchet. By refusing to deal with the negative emotions arising from rejection, you unintentionally accept rejection. When that happens, you’re no longer in control of your emotions. If you want to have control over your emotions, then you must let them flow after a rejection. By suppressing them, you’re just delaying the inevitable which is rejection taking over you and pulling you down. Surely, you don’t want that to happen. ## Meditate and Let it Go Anna, the Disney princess from Arendelle, will tell you to let it go and you should listen to her. How can anyone not want all of my ‘awesomeness’? Am I that bad? Do I have any worth? These are the common thoughts people have after they’re rejected. These thoughts or feeling only grow over time if they’re not dealt with appropriately. A tried and tested way of getting rid of the above-mentioned thoughts after a rejection is practicing meditation. Just close your eyes, meditate, and let it go. To deal with and overcome rejection, practice the following meditation exercise once every day: - Find a quiet place in your home where you can meditate without disturbance - With your legs crossed, sit as straight as possible - Take a few deep breaths and exhale out - Focus on your breath and let go of the stress - One at a time, free yourself of all that’s been bothering you. Get over the stress and concerns. Train your mind to think that everything is fine and that it has been always that way - Take your mind and body into a deep relaxation mode - Close your eyes - Visualize being at your dream destination or the best you can be - Visualize that your acquaintance or friends-circle is growing - Be in the moment joyfully for a moment and let it become part of your subconscious mind - Open your eyes and feel the new you By performing the above meditation exercise once every day, you will overcome all the stress and concerns that you’ve had since the rejection. Meditation is known to relax the mind and soul which has a calming effect on your body and overall demeanor. This allows you to deal with rejection in a way that does not cause harm to your body or mind, allowing you to live a normal life. # Get Ready to Overcome Rejection Once you’re rejected, a broken record in your mind will keep reminding you about it. For me, the mind - body - and soul is something to work hard to take care of and maintain. Selling for my company, I know I must sometimes take emotion of out it. If I don't close the deal; I know it is not necessarily me that gets rejected; but it is just not a good fit between out companies. No worries. ;) --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The 6 Real Estate Technology Trends to Watch in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/real-estate-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:56.000Z # 1\. Construction Technology While the construction industry wasn’t the first to adopt technology, it has certainly warmed to the idea of using technology in constriction operations. Today, an increasing number of builders are embracing construction technology to maximize efficiency in the construction process. In 2018, [investments in construction technology](https://geniebelt.com/blog/top-10-construction-technology-trends-for-2019?ref=bobbydavidson.com) grew by 30%. Additionally, investments are expected to go over $10 trillion by 2020\. Several factors contribute to this increased confidence in construction technology. They include a growing data ecosystem and advancements in construction software. Moreover, robots are now accurate enough to be used effectively in the construction industry. # 2\. Automation An integral part of the boon in technology in recent years, automation has an effect on several daily tasks. This includes day-to-day accounting, invoice processing, social media advertising, email marketing, and more. Automation was first introduced to deal with the repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Today, it is a growing trend in real estate. There are several real estate tasks that can be automated today. These include administrative duties and communication with clients. Since the ‘non-essential’ tasks are automated, you can have more time to focus on things that really matter i.e. expanding your customer base and growing your business. Additionally, real estate technology can help you to gain a competitive advantage. It can do this by automating tasks such as data processing and collection. This frees up more time for you to focus on growing your business. # 3\. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) These two emerging technologies are truly changing the experience for real estate customers. With VR, you can allow people interested in buying or renting a property to take on a virtual tour of the property. Even before the buyers or renter step foot onto a chosen property, they can see what it looks like from both the inside and outside. This can save a substantial amount of money for realtors. Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, produces computer-generated images of a property which interested buyers or renters can look at. Moreover, it will be possible in the future to digitally decorate the inside of the property which will take the experience with AR to the next level. Both AR and VR have tremendous potential in the real estate industry if they are utilized properly. Simulated tours of houses using the wearable VR and AR tech is only the beginning. # 4\. Blockchain In 2019, blockchain will continue to revolutionize the real estate industry. Blockchain technologies are firmly establishing themselves in the real estate industry. This is because they streamline transactions and make them more transparent and secure. Additionally, they help to prevent fraud by making it easier to manage, verify, and store the documents of a property. One of the most prominent features of blockchain technology in the real estate industry is al big-named com smart contracts. With smart contracts, you can make the real estate buying and selling process more transparent and secure. All this while saving time and money. In addition to the above, digital leases are a feature of the blockchain technology that can automate the rent payments. Additionally, transactions are automatically recorded by an automated accounting system while the full credit history of the buyer is displayed by a secure electronic record. Smart contracts are useful not just for the realtors, they are also useful for the buyers and sellers of the property. Using these contracts, buyers and sellers can speed up document verification and even provision a digital identity for properties. The digital identity shows the previous owners of the property as well as the total costs incurred for maintaining it. It does this to protect all the parties involved in the transaction from fraud. # 5\. Big Data Big data refers to massive amounts of data that is analyzed with the help of algorithms to predict various outcomes. An example of this is predicting buying behavior and intent based on history and past patterns. Today, big data is the lifeblood of several big-name companies. These include the likes of Netflix, Uber, Facebook, and Amazon. In the real estate industry, big data can be used to make predictions about the time a lead might be ready to buy or sell a home. It can also help to predict the number of people who might turn up at the next open inspection or how much a property would be rented or sold for before it is listed. In the long run, this will allow you to make your interactions more personalized, win more listing, and get ahead of your competitors. # 6\. Real Estate Robots Today, customers want answers to all their questions and they want them quickly. This is how much the expectations of customers from businesses have increased. The good news is that robots in the real estate industry are making it easier to meet these customer expectations. These bots include virtual assistants, voice bots, and chatbots. Not only can the bots answer the customer queries immediately, but they can also free up valuable time for you. Some examples of these chatbots are [CRIBZ](https://www.cribz.ai/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [ChatFuel](https://chatfuel.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [Holmes](https://www.structurely.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Based on certain keywords or actions, these bots trigger messages to provide timely assistance. Additionally, you can simplify your workload with voices bots like Siri and Alexa and real estate virtual assistants like [Aiva](https://www.hireaiva.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). There you have it—the 6 real estate tech trends to watch in 2019\. Keep following us for more technology trends that are changing the real estate industry. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 7 Ways Leaders Deal with Team Conflict URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/7-ways-leaders-deal-with-team-conflict/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:57.000Z [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/7-ways-leaders-deal-with-team-conflict?ref=bobbydavidson.com)The ideal work environment is one where everyone gets along and work together for the good of the company. Unfortunately, such a work environment is rare. This is because conflict among employees in the workplace is pretty much inevitable. It’s no secret that different people have different viewpoints or ways of looking at things. Often, these differences can escalate to conflict if there’s no ‘intermediary’ providing a balanced view of things. In a workplace, that intermediary has to be the manager or the person leading the team/organization. If you happen to be an organizational or team leader, then it is your responsibility to manage differences in opinion between your employees/team members so that it does not escalate to the level of a damaging conflict. How can you do this? let’s find out. # Resolving Conflict Among Team Members: How to Go About It Since the workforce is made of people with varying backgrounds and educational qualifications, conflict in the workplace is bound to happen. However, not all conflict is bad. Some of it is actually healthy. This conflict involves a healthy debate and often leads to a solution for an underlying problem. In projects, opposing viewpoints and different personalities can bring new thoughts and ideas to the discussion table, which can lead to solutions never imagined before. However, if the difference in personalities and opposing viewpoints erupt into resentment or outburst, then this can have a negative impact on not just the work on the project and work environment, but also on the company’s bottom line. If conflict among employees gets out of hand, then this can affect the accomplishment of team and company tasks and goals. This is where a leader needs to step on to resolve conflict and prevent it from boiling over. Conflict resolution is easier said than done. This is because it requires a lot of patience and calm. Additionally, you will need to replace the negative thoughts of your team members with positive ones. While this is a tough task, it can be achieved. Following is how: ## 1\. Acknowledge the Conflict Of course, the first step in conflict resolution is acknowledging the conflict. You may avoid hurting someone’s feelings in the short run by ignoring a conflict. However, this will come back to bite you in the future since the parties involved are likely to work together again on future projects. If you continue to ignore the conflict, then it may boil over into an abusive argument or even a nasty ‘fistfight’. Surely, you don’t want that to happen? Of course, you don’t! So, do the sensible thing and face the conflict head-on. Ask your team members to sit down and discuss every course of action they have in mind for the project. This will allow the disagreeing parties to know what the ‘other’ person is thinking and their reasoning for it. This healthy discussion will help you to avoid a serious and violent conflict. The lesson in this is that you need to manage conflict by encouraging team members to behave in a civil and respectful manner. This will only happen if you acknowledge the conflict and don’t ignore the issue. ## 2\. Discuss the Impact As a team leader, you need to sit with your team members and convey to them how the conflict is likely to affect their own performance as well as that of the team. ## 3\. Get Everyone to Agree to Cooperate To resolve the conflict, you need to get everyone to agree to cooperate. This means asking your team members to put the good of the team ahead of their own personal ideas or opinions. You will find yourself at a stalemate if everyone in your team prefers acceptance of their ideas or thoughts over conflict resolution. ## 4\. Get Everyone to Agree to Communicate When it comes to resolving conflicts, one of the most important things to do is ensuring that everyone involved in the conflict continues to communicate. Conflicting parties not talking to each other will only lead to the conflict gaining strength and boiling over. Therefore, it is critical that the people involved in the conflict talk to each other and communicate their feelings. People can move on from conflict only if they understand what the other person is coming from. ## 5\. Clarify Positions Get all the people involved in the conflict together in a place and then allow each person to have their say on the conflict/issue. Make sure that when one person is speaking, there is no disturbance or interruption from other people present in the room. Get everyone in the room to pay careful attention to the speaker and encourage them to ask questions before jumping to any conclusion. You will eliminate miscommunication between the conflicting team members by allowing each person involved in the conflict to clarify their position and have their say. Additionally, this will give each team member the opportunity to explain the logic behind their ideas or opinions which may make their ideas or opinions more acceptable to the disagreeing team members. ## 6\. Come up with a List of Facts and Assumptions Based on Each Position You need to find out what each team member believes in and values. You also need to determine the basis of their beliefs. Lastly, try to understand the criteria and processes each team member employs to make decisions. This will allow to better understand the position of each person involved in the conflict which in turn will aid conflict resolution. ## 7\. Reach Agreement and Resolve Conflict Once the position of each person in the conflict is clear, it will be time for you to decide a course of action to get your team members to reach an agreement and resolve the conflict. This is easier when you have considered all the facts and assumptions related to the conflict. These are the steps you need to follow to resolve conflict among your employees or team members. Conflict resolution is important because it can be the difference between the success and failure of your team and organization. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Best Car Tech on Display at CES 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ces-2019/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:57.000Z # 2019 CES Was Buzzing with Innovative Automakers and Associated Companies At the last CES event held in 2018, we did not witness a lot of innovative tech on display from automakers and associated companies. However, 2019 was completely different and we saw a lot of innovative car tech being launched. At the event, established automakers made important announcement related to their cars while the tech startups and big boys came up with car tech that one couldn’t even have imagined a few years ago. With variation in feasibility and realism, technology that reigned supreme was the technology that enabled autonomy, connectivity, and electrification. While full-fledged autonomous driving might be a good few years away, in-car connectivity is a reality today. Visiting every corner of the Las Vegas Convention Center, we found a range of innovative car tech from electric hatchbacks to walking cars that will be up for sales sometime in the future. However, following are the car technologies on display at the CES 2019 that we found the most interesting. ## 1\. The New-Look Mercedes-Benz At the CES 2019 event, Mercedes-Benz launched the new generation CLA. Another addition to Mercedes’ compact cars fleet, the CLA has aggressive looking front end and a fastback-life roof line. However, the most noticeable feature in the new CLA is the Mercedes-Benz User experience (MBUX) infotainment system. A ten-inch touchscreen, the infotainment system is high resolution and has an attractive look. In addition to the above, the car features frameless doors, a turbocharged2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 7-speed automatic transmission, and an all-wheel drive system. ## 2\. Urban Air Bus A product of the Texas-based Bell Helicopter, the urban air bus called Nexus attracted a lot of attention from visitors at the CES 2019\. Nexus is a flying machine that stands six feet tall. It looks like something out of a Terminator movie. The air bus takes off vertically, flies a pre-determined route, and can seat up to five people. Testing of this innovative product is expected to begin during the latter part of 2019\. Additionally, the company expects the tech to be available for use by mid-2020\. According to Bell Helicopter, the Nexus needs to be maintained less often than a typical helicopter since its motors are powered by hybrid electric. In the future, the company plans to make the air bus fully electric and autonomous. ## 3\. Hyundai Elevate At the CES 2019, Hyundai launched a design study that you’ve witnessed in sci-fi films till now. A technology that is part car, part robot, Hyundai Elevate has an appearance of a fan and can walk. The purpose of this innovation is to allow first responders to pass through rough terrain that would stop even the most-strongly built SUV in its tracks. In-wheel electric motors power the legs and the Elevate can navigate a wide range of conditions thanks to its autonomous technology. Additionally, it can walk like a mammal or reptile, step over a five-foot gap, jump over a five-foot wall, and lower itself to drive like a car on the freeway. However, Hyundai Elevate is only in the research stages at this time. ## 4\. Self-Driving Motorcycle In the past few years, several self-driving cars have been on display at the CES event. However, 2019 was different in the sense that it was the first time we saw a self-riding motorcycle. A product of the Motorrad division of BMW, the R 1200 GS can start, accelerate, slow down, maneuver around corners, and stop on its own. In addition to the above, an advanced gyroscope is part of the bike which provides insights into riding dynamics. This can prove useful in helping riders master tough maneuvers and recognize dangerous situations. As a result, BMW believes that its motorcycle technology can help to train riders. However, BMW’s self-riding motorcycle won’t be up for sale until a few years at least. ## 5\. KIA’s AI Technology for Cars The self-driving cars of Kia could soon feature AI technology that recognizes human emotions. At the CES 2019, the South Korean automaker gave people a preview of how this technology works. The technology designed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Kia’s AI technology for its self-driving cars depends on biosignal recognition to understand what emotion state you are in. It will know if you’re happy, angry, or feeling tired, After it recognizes your emotional state, the AI technology will adjust the systems of the car such as the temperature, the ambient lighting, and music according to your mood. ## 6\. Qualcomm’s Car Tech At CES 2019, Qualcomm launched a technology that aims to make car-to-everything communication a reality. Built for automakers, the technology is a 9150 chipset allows car manufacturers to add cellular car-to-everything communication to their vehicles. The technology offers backward compatibility and is 5G-ready. This will allow it to stay up-to-date with current trends when it finally hits the market. Big-named automakers such as Audi, Ford, and Ducati collaborated with Qualcomm at CES 2019 to showcase what the technology can do. Additionally, the three automakers have plans to add the technology to their cares soon. In fact, Ford made a commitment to feature it in every car and truck it produces in 2022. While other innovative car tech was also on display at the CES 2019, the above-mentioned car innovations grabbed the biggest headlines and all the eyeballs at the event. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/com](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Best and Most Interesting Fitness Technology to Get Excited About in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/fitness-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:58.000Z # CES 2019 Gave Us a Lot of Exciting New Fitness Technology If you began 2019 with health and fitness goals in mind, then getting in shape may have just gotten easier for you. This is because CES 2019 gave us a lot of exciting new fitness technology that makes getting into shape a breeze. For those who don’t know what CES is, it is an annual trade exhibition organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). One of the most awaited events in the tech calendar, CES takes place in Las Vegas in January each year. The event attracts technology experts, consumers, and some of the biggest names in the tech industry. Every year, CES is host to the prominent technology companies that showcase some of their latest inventions. It is also a platform for startups and upcoming brands to introduce their innovations to the world. Companies focused on fitness technology are also part of this. Just like previous events, 2019 CES was an event where we saw a lot of ‘cool’ new technology. This includes high-tech fitness technology aimed at helping people became the best possible version of themselves. Most of the fitness technology in CES 2019 centered around practicality, convenience, and app connectivity. Also, the brands that had put up these technologies on display were focused on helping consumer ‘personalize’ their fitness plan. Following are some of the fitness technology on display at CES 2019 that fits this fill: ## 1\. JaxJox KettleBellConnect A smart kettlebell, JaxJox comes with adjustable weight options. The weight on the kettlebell can be adjusted from twelve pounds up to forty-two pounds. One of the best fitness technologies on display at CES 2019, the JaxJox KettleBellConnect eliminates the need to maintain an entire rack of bells at home. However, the benefits of this smart kettlebell go beyond space spacing. The kettlebell is equipped with sensors that allow you to monitor your workout’s duration, intensity, and content. Featuring a rotating weight-selection core, the kettlebell functions through a bullet tracking system. Because of this, you can drop the kettlebell’s weight between 6 and 20 kg within seconds. This helps to save time and space. ## 2\. Mirror Fitness A product of a startup based in New York, Mirror Fitness is an LCD mirror that allows users to live stream fitness classes from their home or wherever they may be. This is great news for all those people who get a lot of requests for conducting fitness classes on social media, YouTube, etc. Doubling as a full-length mirror, the LCD mirror can change into a screen on which you can view on-demand fitness classes. Operate through an app, the technology looks like a standard mirror. In addition to streaming on-demand classes, you can enable a competition mode by synching the mirror with an Apple Watch or Bluetooth heart rate monitor. This will allow you to monitor your ability to accomplish, keep up, and recoup from your target heart rate zones. ## 3\. The Matrix Powerwatch 2 Do you use a fitness watch to keep track of your training sessions? If yes, then you’d know how frustrating it can be when your watch’s battery dies during a session. Not being able to track your training sessions and sharing the results online is nothing short of a nightmare. The good news is that the Matrix Powerwatch 2 is here to save the day. Unlike a traditional fitness watch, the Matrix Powerwatch 2 draws power from ambient light and your body heat. The watch comes with a calorie counting function, heart rate monitoring, and built-in GPS. Additionally, it can be integrated with third-party platforms such as Google Fit and Apple’s HealthKit. People have quickly warmed up to the first version of the watch and the watch has easily achieved its goals with lots of time to spare. ## 4\. FightCamp FightCamp is the perfect fitness technology for all those who have an interest in boxing but don’t want to get a gym or boxing club membership for it. A smart fitness system, FightCamp has been designed to allow people to practice boxing at home. The system includes gloves, punching bag, and exercise mat, and hand wraps. However, the special thing about FightCamp is that it comes with gloves that have a connected sensor. This allows users to record every hit and they receive feedback in the form of a score via an app. Additionally, you can get access to FightCamp workouts by subscribing to a monthly package. ## 5\. Withings Move ECG A dedicated ECG function is one of the best features of the Apple Watch 4\. Seeing the popularity of this Apple Watch 4 function, other companies have also started to offer similar features. An example of this is the Withings Move ECG. An analog fitness tracker, the Withings Move ECG comes with a battery that can last a full year, depending on usage. As for the function of the tracker, it takes a full-on ECG and provides the report of this to your phone after you place your fingers on specific areas. After you receive the report on your phone, you can decide whether you need to reach out to a specialist. The analog fitness trackers can also monitor routine stuff like your speed, step, and exercise performance. This is great news when you consider that the Withings Move ECG is just a piece of wrist wear. **“Strength does not come from the physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Ghandi** --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/com](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 5 Real-World Examples of Automated Workplaces URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-real-world-examples-of-automated-workplaces/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:58.000Z Today, automation is evident in virtually every business process from customer services to human resources to IT. As technology becomes more sophisticated, we will see even more automation of workplace tasks and business processes. Regardless of its outcomes, automation will almost certainly change the workplace and thus the wider economy. Here, we will look at 5 real-world examples of automation in the workplace. # 5 Areas Where Automation is Evident in the Workplace Today Most people today are scared of automation because they think this is the start of robots taking over their jobs. This is because there have been a lot of rumors in the past few years that workplace automaton could reduce or even eliminate many jobs. However, these are nothing more than just rumors. The truth is that automation is here to help us rather than replace us. With automation, you can free yourself from the repetitive, time-consuming tasks to focus on more productive activities. This will help you to drive value at work which will be good for both your career and your organization. Automation is already making a positive impact in several areas in the workplace. Following are 5 real-world examples of this. ## 1\. The Hiring Process Ask most managers and HR people what they dislike the most and they’ll answer the hiring process. This is because it is toughest yet the most critical tasks for any organization. Typically, it would involve the HR people going through a sea of applicants for days, weeks, and sometimes a few months to find the ideal pool of candidates. Businesses can do without this time-consuming task. The good news is automated hiring tools are helping businesses that have implemented them to sift through applications at great speeds and find the best candidates from a pool of thousands. A CareerBuilder survey shows that [more than 70% of employers](https://resources.careerbuilder.com/news-research/automated-human-resources-systems?ref=bobbydavidson.com) have been able to hire better candidates after using automated application tracking software. Additionally, some automated recruitment and hiring tools leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the hiring time and speed-up the screening process. Examples of these tools are [BreezyHR](https://breezy.hr/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [Smashfly](https://www.smashfly.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [Mya](https://mya.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#results). With these automated tools, you can narrow down the hiring process to a few steps. These tools are being used by many companies today to sort through thousands of applications. These tools search for applicants based on specific keywords and skip those who lack the education or skills mandatory for the job. This leaves the hiring manages with a poll of candidates who meet at least basic criteria for the job. ## 2\. Autonomous Vehicles Also called self-driving vehicles, autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly common in workplaces worldwide. Driverless cars, the autonomous vehicles have virtually endless applications. In China, these vehicles are helping the [transform the transportation industry](https://technode.com/2018/10/24/shanghai-autonomous-trucks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). In fact, some people predict that they could lead to millions of people in the country losing their jobs. What are the benefits of autonomous vehicles that are encouraging their increased adoption in the workplace? Fewer accidents, lower fuel costs, and an increase in productivity. Autonomous vehicles are also making a place for themselves within many industries. A number of businesses and suppliers worldwide are using the technology to transport good and materials in an automated and convenient way. What is enabling this? Application programming interfaces, complex navigation systems, robotics cables, and onboard sensors. ## 3\. Meetings Meetings can be a tricky affair in both big and small offices. This is because they involve scheduling the meeting, finding a suitable venue for it, and ensure that all the necessary people show up. The good news is that automation tools are making this easier. An example of this is [Doodle](https://doodle.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Using this tool, you can say goodbye to tedious group emails forever. This is because the tool makes it easy to compare availability and work out an appropriate time for the meeting. You can do this even if the people who need to attend the meeting are in different time-zones. In addition to Doodle, you can use tools like [Teem](https://www.teem.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to streamline face-to-face meetings. Using this tool, you can automate the meeting room displays to direct participants to the right room and let them know when they’re up. ## 4\. Marketing Tools Another area in the workplace where automation is evident is marketing. Marketing tools are completely transforming how businesses interact with their customers. Examples of these tools are intelligent chatbots and e-mail marketing software. Using the marketing tools, the marketing department can make many tasks less time-consuming. A real-world example of a marketing tool that is automating marketing tasks is Marketo. Before this tool was launched, marketers everywhere had to create, design, and send emails to a wide range of contacts manually. With Marketo, they can simply enter their email-marketing campaign parameters, and everything will happen automatically. For example, you can program the tool to send a follow-up email to people who opened the first email that you sent. Similarly, you can program chatbots to give automated responses to inquiries. This will allow businesses to deliver the desired customer service quickly while saving on both time and money. ## 5\. Facility Management In a small organization, facility management can be handled by only a few employees. At times, you may not need more than two or three people to maintain and repair the building. However, automation is almost necessary for larger organizations. In these organizations, automation systems assist the facility management team to take care of both the small and big tasks related to their work. This include thermostat adjustment and emergency repair alerts. These are just 5 of the many real-world examples of how automation is changing the workplace today. For more examples of automation in the workplace, keep following us. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Best and Most Interesting Fitness Technology to Get Excited About in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-best-and-most-interesting-fitness-technology-to-get-excited-about-in-2019/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:59.000Z # CES 2019 Gave Us a Lot of Exciting New Fitness Technology If you began 2019 with health and fitness goals in mind, then getting in shape may have just gotten easier for you. This is because CES 2019 gave us a lot of exciting new fitness technology that makes getting into shape a breeze. For those who don’t know what CES is, it is an annual trade exhibition organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). One of the most awaited events in the tech calendar, CES takes place in Las Vegas in January each year. The event attracts technology experts, consumers, and some of the biggest names in the tech industry. Every year, CES is host to the prominent technology companies that showcase some of their latest inventions. It is also a platform for startups and upcoming brands to introduce their innovations to the world. Companies focused on fitness technology are also part of this. Just like previous events, 2019 CES was an event where we saw a lot of ‘cool’ new technology. This includes high-tech fitness technology aimed at helping people became the best possible version of themselves. Most of the fitness technology in CES 2019 centered around practicality, convenience, and app connectivity. Also, the brands that had put up these technologies on display were focused on helping consumer ‘personalize’ their fitness plan. Following are some of the fitness technology on display at CES 2019 that fits this fill: ## 1\. JaxJox KettleBellConnect A smart kettlebell, JaxJox comes with adjustable weight options. The weight on the kettlebell can be adjusted from twelve pounds up to forty-two pounds. One of the best fitness technologies on display at CES 2019, the JaxJox KettleBellConnect eliminates the need to maintain an entire rack of bells at home. However, the benefits of this smart kettlebell go beyond space spacing. The kettlebell is equipped with sensors that allow you to monitor your workout’s duration, intensity, and content. Featuring a rotating weight-selection core, the kettlebell functions through a bullet tracking system. Because of this, you can drop the kettlebell’s weight between 6 and 20 kg within seconds. This helps to save time and space. ## 2\. Mirror Fitness A product of a startup based in New York, Mirror Fitness is an LCD mirror that allows users to live stream fitness classes from their home or wherever they may be. This is great news for all those people who get a lot of requests for conducting fitness classes on social media, YouTube, etc. Doubling as a full-length mirror, the LCD mirror can change into a screen on which you can view on-demand fitness classes. Operate through an app, the technology looks like a standard mirror. In addition to streaming on-demand classes, you can enable a competition mode by synching the mirror with an Apple Watch or Bluetooth heart rate monitor. This will allow you to monitor your ability to accomplish, keep up, and recoup from your target heart rate zones. ## 3\. The Matrix Powerwatch 2 Do you use a fitness watch to keep track of your training sessions? If yes, then you’d know how frustrating it can be when your watch’s battery dies during a session. Not being able to track your training sessions and sharing the results online is nothing short of a nightmare. The good news is that the Matrix Powerwatch 2 is here to save the day. Unlike a traditional fitness watch, the Matrix Powerwatch 2 draws power from ambient light and your body heat. The watch comes with a calorie counting function, heart rate monitoring, and built-in GPS. Additionally, it can be integrated with third-party platforms such as Google Fit and Apple’s HealthKit. People have quickly warmed up to the first version of the watch and the watch has easily achieved its goals with lots of time to spare. ## 4\. FightCamp FightCamp is the perfect fitness technology for all those who have an interest in boxing but don’t want to get a gym or boxing club membership for it. A smart fitness system, FightCamp has been designed to allow people to practice boxing at home. The system includes gloves, punching bag, and exercise mat, and hand wraps. However, the special thing about FightCamp is that it comes with gloves that have a connected sensor. This allows users to record every hit and they receive feedback in the form of a score via an app. Additionally, you can get access to FightCamp workouts by subscribing to a monthly package. ## 5\. Withings Move ECG A dedicated ECG function is one of the best features of the Apple Watch 4\. Seeing the popularity of this Apple Watch 4 function, other companies have also started to offer similar features. An example of this is the Withings Move ECG. An analog fitness tracker, the Withings Move ECG comes with a battery that can last a full year, depending on usage. As for the function of the tracker, it takes a full-on ECG and provides the report of this to your phone after you place your fingers on specific areas. After you receive the report on your phone, you can decide whether you need to reach out to a specialist. The analog fitness trackers can also monitor routine stuff like your speed, step, and exercise performance. This is great news when you consider that the Withings Move ECG is just a piece of wrist wear. There you have it—the 5 technological innovations that could change how you think about fitness in 2019 and beyond. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Top 4 Supply Chain Innovations to Watch Out For in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/supply-chain-innovations/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:11:59.000Z # The Technological Revolution in Supply Chain Despite the rapid improvements enabled by these disruptive technologies, many companies are still reluctant to adopt them for managing their supply chains. What these companies fail to realize is that the future of SCM will be enabled by robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other intelligent technologies. However, we can give these companies some benefit of the doubt since many of the new supply chain technologies are either too expensive or too complicated to be adopted ‘right now’. Nonetheless, organizations everywhere need to keep their eyes open for innovative and disruptive technologies that can potentially change how supply chain management is performed in the future. These technologies are improving supply chains worldwide by ensuring better visibility and tracking, real-time monitoring of the supply chain, and its integration with mobile technologies such as smartphones, GPS devices, tablets, and other portable devices used in SCM. All this is helping to enable the following benefits: - A lower cost of operation - Reduced errors leading to improved efficiency - Enhanced customer satisfaction So, we know all about the capabilities and benefits enabled by innovations in supply chain management. What we don’t know yet are the innovative technologies that are making this happen. However, that is about to change as we reveal the top 4 supply chain innovations to watch out for in 2019\. So, let’s begin. ## 1\. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enabled Supply Chain Technology Many of the supply chain challenges can be potentially solved with artificial intelligence (AI). Today, several things need to be accomplished by logistics operations. This includes analyzing data variables in the millions and managing different supply chain processes in real-time and end-to-end. The good news is that all this can be made easy with AI-enabled transportation management systems (TMS). These systems can provide recommendations for logistical and business situations by assessing and analyzing different options. Despite this, just [over 30% of surveyed supply chain executives](https://www.teknowlogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-supply-chain-study-teknowlogi-and-eye-for-transport.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) said they experimented with artificial intelligence (AI). Over 45% said that they were not using the technology at all. With AI innovations in supply chain is still in its infancy, companies delaying their use will miss out on a lot of competitive advantages enabled by improved and real-time decision-making. ## 2\. Radio Technology The increased irregularities in the orders in transit are one of the biggest headaches for supply chain managers everywhere. Not only do these increased anomalies result in losses, but they also bring a bad name to the brand. Not only do suppliers need to bear all the costs of a lost product, but they also need to bear the cost that result from the disruption. However, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can help to overcome this problem. Using this technology, you can effectively track every product in the production line and supply chain. Chips placed on the items make this possible. Since they are able to track the items in real-time, employees can quickly identify any irregularities in an order. With RFID, you can solve irregularities in an order innovatively to prevent them from becoming a real headache and an added cost. ## 3\. Warehouse Automation To allow distributed control systems (DCs) to address the increasing demands, the National Robotics Engineering Center at [Carnegie Mellon University is collaborating with Honeywell Intelligrated](https://www.mhlnews.com/warehousing/honeywell-and-carnegie-mellon-partner-bring-ai-warehouse?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to take robotic technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to the next level. The purpose of the collaboration is to develop the next-gen architecture that can operate and control several robotic applications. The solution introduced by Honeywell Intelligrated and Carnegie Mellon University makes the deployment of sophisticated robotics in unpredictable and dynamic environments practical. It does this by enabling critical decision-making capabilities with the use of machine learning (ML). This and other warehouse automation solutions are making it easier to manage complex tasks in the warehouse. These tasks include picking individual packets and unloading shipping containers. The main barrier to the adoption of warehouse automation technologies will be the logistics and costs of implementation involved. However, these barriers can be overcome with cloud-based AI systems that are easy to deploy and have a variable cost. ## 4\. Self-Service Logistics Recently, Delivery Service Partners was launched by Amazon. It is a funding program aimed at helping people launch and operate their own [Amazon logistics and delivery service](https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/era-do-it-yourself-logistics?ref=bobbydavidson.com). According to the company, owners that operate a fleet of up to forty delivery vehicles can earn a profit exceeding $300,000 per annum. If Amazon is able to accomplish its goal, we could see small business owners in the hundreds employing tens of thousands of people for delivery across the U.S. To ensure success in achieving its objective, Amazon has pledged an amount equaling a million dollars to startups belonging to eligible military veterans who want to launch their own delivery business. Considering this, it will be only a matter of time before self-service logistics becomes a widely adopted innovation. There are some other technologies as well that could potentially change SCM in 2019 and beyond. These include advanced weighing technology, autonomous vehicles, and the blockchain technology. To get insight into how these technologies could potentially change the supply chain, keep following me for more. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### A Look into Archinaut: The Spacecraft-Assembly Technology Set for a Test Flight in 2022 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/a-look-into-archinaut-the-spacecraft-assembly-technology-set-for-a-test-flight-in-2022/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:02.000Z # Understanding Archinaut: The Construction Robot for Space [](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/made-in-space-jpeg-2.jpg?ref=bobbydavidson.com)As part of NASA’s Tipping Point Program, California-based startup Made in Space will join hands with Northrop Grumman and Oceaneering to initiate the [Archinaut development program](https://spacenews.com/nasa-made-in-space-think-big-with-archinaut-a-robotic-3d-printing-demo-bound-for-iss/?source=post%5Fpage---------------------------). The first-ever platform that is designed to build large structures for space and in space, Archinaut enables the construction, assembly, and integration of systems optimized for space exploration into a spacecraft. An official announcement was made by NASA on Friday, July 12 that the demonstration craft ‘Archinaut One’ will be launched to low Earth orbit in 2022\. The craft launched into space will be aboard a Rocket Lab Electron booster. Once it is in space, Archinaut One will 3D-print two beams that are 10 meters or 32-foot long. The beams will extend from all sides of the spacecraft. Over time, as progress is made with the technology, the beams printed by Archinaut One will be able to dispose of solar arrays that can generate power fives time more than traditional panels that crafts of similar size sport. If Archinaut One has a successful run in space, then it could pave the way for bigger things down the road. ## The Archinaut Development Program The Archinaut Development Program will be implemented in phase. The first phase of the program will look to build the case for spacecraft manufacturing and assembly technologies that are developed for the commercial uses, defense missions, and exploration applications of NASA. In future phases, we could witness Archinaut’s integration into government and commercial missions and more complicated demonstrations of the technology on orbit. Instead of requiring designs to survive the vibrations and forces experienced during launch, this will enable structures and designs optimized for space. # About the Archinaut System A system incorporated into a satellite, Archinaut features a few prefabricated components, a manufacturing unit, feedstock, assembly robotics, and a space-manufacturing unit. Archinaut is wrapped extremely tightly while it is launched. This results in significant mass and volume savings over avant-garde deployables. Once it is in space, Archinaut can start fulfilling its duties which is to manufacture systems for the satellite that are optimized for space. These satellite systems include radiators, booms, trusses, antennae, reflectors, and other similar components. The assembly robotics and the manufacturing unit are combined to accomplish construction. According to the associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate Jim Reuter, the Archinaut technology will potentially change the basic capabilities for future exploration of the space. He made this statement in an [official press release by NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-funds-demo-of-3d-printed-spacecraft-parts-made-assembled-in-orbit?ref=bobbydavidson.com). He further commented that the technology will allow the United States to maintain its leadership in space exploration. The Archinaut technology has been in the development phase at Made in Space for several years now under a ‘tipping point technologies’ contract with NASA. The announcement made by NASA in July 12 kick starts the second phase of this contract. Featuring robotic manipulator arms and a 3D printer, the Archinaut tech will ultimately enable spacecrafts to perform several valuable tasks in space. This could range from repairing and improving satellites to constructing massive structures like telescopes for use in space. This is based on a statement made by a representative of Made in Space. A technology that has already had several successful runs on Earth, Archinaut is almost ready for its first space mission. An example of a successful test run of Archinaut was the test in which several structures were produced by its [3D printer in a vacuum chamber](https://www.space.com/37767-made-in-space-archinaut-vacuum-chamber-test.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that had controlled radiative thermal environment and imposed the space’s vacuum and temperatures. While microgravity was not induced by that chamber, other Made in Space technology that has proven itself in similar conditions provides the California startup and NASA with the confidence to move forward with Archinaut. For example, [two 3D printers](https://www.space.com/32338-space-3d-printer-lowes-madeinspace.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) have been built and launched to the International Space Station (ISS) by Made in Space while another machine of the startup which is onboard the space station has manufactured [ZBLAN](https://www.issnationallab.org/blog/taking-zblan-optical-fiber-production-to-space/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), an extremely useful fiber-optic cable. # The Innovation Enabled by Archinaut High-resolution manufacturing, the manufacturing enabled by Archinaut involves the additive manufacturing of structures that are far bigger than the spacecraft-assembly technology or the construction robot itself. In terms of in-space manufacturing, this is a revolutionary innovation simply because it is currently not possible to launch manufacturing units the size of a house into space to produce reflectors that are as big as a car. The only option available to us is launching manufacturing units the size of a washing machine to produce objects as big as a football field. Archinaut makes this possible. When this ability of Archinaut is integrated with assembly robotics, it becomes possible to manufacture both large and complicated functional structures. Many functional components including solar panels, sensors, wiring harnesses, and antennae can be integrated by the assembly system into the on-orbit spacecraft that is being manufactured. This enables the construction of structures optimized for space as well as the construction of satellites that are almost entirely optimized for space. Part of a broader vision, the program that looks to develop the Archinaut technology and launching it into space is aimed at enabling a sustainable environment for astronauts and others who take up residence in space and alien planets. To stay updated with new developments in Archinaut program, keep following me. Very cool stuff coming! --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Keep Track of Maintenance Contracts URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/maintenance-contracts/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:03.000Z # Understanding Maintenance Contracts Before you find out the ways to keep track of maintenance contracts, it’s important for you to understand what maintenance contracts and what’s included in them. A maintenance contract is defined as an agreement between two parties which makes one party liable for maintaining an asset owned by the other. Assets that maintenance contracts are created for include computers, building, equipment, landscape, information technologies, and many other things. In simple terms, a maintenance contract is an agreement to maintain something. The process starts with the setting of the expectations, timeline, requirements, and price. Terms that are not to be included in the contract will also be identified. The terms are then negotiated before the parties finalize things with a maintenance contract form. Now, changes in these terms may be requested by one or both parties at some point in the future. Once the changes are made, it becomes extremely important to carefully track and review them. So, how can you keep track of maintenance contracts for changes? Let’s find out. # Keeping Track of Your Contracts By learning the best and most-efficient ways of keeping track of your contracts, you will save both time and money. With all the invoicing and contracts you manage each day, it’s easy to feel like you spend most of your day doing tedious tasks! So how can you keep your desk and brain clear of the clutter from this pile of work? Following are five ways to keep track of your contracts and streamline your workload. ## 1\. Put Everything Online Want to make contract management easy for yourself? If yes, then put all your contract documents online. By managing contracts and invoices through online systems or services, you will make it easy and quick for yourself to keep track of maintenance contracts and allow your partner (s) to sign and return things to do. After you put everything online, you’ll be able to find all contracts and invoices under the online folder of each partner. In addition to the above, by having everything online, you will eliminate information silos. This means that you will be able to access all aspects of your contacts from a single repository. This will make contract management easier for you, your partners, and your customers. ## 2\. Have a Contract Administrator Ideally, you should have just one individual responsible for managing the official contract document. By ensuring the use of due diligence, reviewing terms and conditions, and coordinating any changes, administrators improving the tracking and management of maintenance of contracts. By doing the above, the administrator develops the ability to make necessary changes without creating additional drafts each time whenever amendments are requested and agreed upon. By having just one person to manage the contract, you allow yourself to consistently monitor and easily facilitate the official document during the contract lifecycle. An experienced and qualified contract administrator will ensure that all contracting parties are aware of the project’s progression. This includes notifying them about any shortcomings of a contracted party as well as problems that may halt project progress. ## 3\. Automate as Much as Possible Using a contract management software, you should automatically send out invoices online. If payments to you are made by credit card, you can integrate this into your system so that the software will automatically mark the invoice as paid when payers input their credit card information. Moreover, you should use the software to generate invoice reminders automatically. By doing this, you will avoid having to keep track of outstanding invoices and the system will do the follow-up for you. By automating manual processes, you can free up your management and legal team for parts of the contract where their expertise is highly desired. Additionally, automation allows you to overcome inefficiency including minimizing errors, increasing process control and speeding up the cycle time of the contract. ## 4\. Set Up a Standard Contracts with Variable Fields That Can Be Automatically Filled In If you wish to track your maintenance contracts easily then make sure your contract doesn’t change much from client to client. The only thing that should change is the details of the client. By using software where you can automatically fill these variable fields based on the information already in the file of the client, you will make the aforementioned-task simple for yourself. This will lead to efficiencies in contracting that ensure a well-structured contract process. These efficiencies include lower administration costs, faster contact cycle times, and increased capabilities for off-site administration. ## 5\. Use A Cloud-Based Contract Management Solution While managing electronically stored contracts is far easier than managing paper-based contracts, you cannot compare them to the contracts in the cloud. Using a cloud-based contract management solution is probably the most effective way to manage and keep track of maintenance contracts. With this solution, you can easily track changes during the contract lifecycle. By creating a single space accessible to both parties and eliminating the need for emails and additional reviewing, cloud-based contract management makes things incredibly simple. There you have it—the 5 ways you can keep track of maintenance contracts. One thing that is constant in all 5 ways is the use of technology. To know more about how technology can make contract management easier, get in touch with us today! --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Psychological Impact of Negative Body Image: What Can You Do About It URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-psychological-impact-of-negative-body-image-what-can-you-do-about-it/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:04.000Z # Why People Indulge in Self-Body Shaming Negative, positive, or neutral, we all have an image of our body in our mind. This image didn’t form overnight. Instead, it has made its way to our subconscious mind through a process—a process that starts as early as infanthood. The experiences of our formative years shape how we think. This includes how we think about family, friends, peers, and the world at large. During the same time, we also form an image of ourselves or rather what we think about ourselves. People often underestimate the importance and impact of self-image. While a positive self-image may or may not help you reach the stars, a negative self-image will almost certainly pull you down—at least partially. This is backed by research. According to a [2012 study](https://www3.nd.edu/~acorning/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) by researchers at the University of Notre Dame, people who continuously make disparaging remarks about their body are less likable to others than those who have a neutral or positive outlook of their body. Why do people resort to body shaming themselves and have a negative image of their body in their mind? Following are some answers: ## 1\. 24/7 Exposure to the ‘Perfect’ Bodies on Social Media Social media became a thing—the ‘in’ thing—the ‘cool’ thing—and the thing that everyone wanted to be on, after the launch of Facebook in 2006\. At a party, while dining out with friends, or even in their bathrooms, people would take selfies and after hours of ‘photoshopping’, they would upload it to –yes, you guessed right: Facebook. On seeing these uploaded images, people on that person’s ‘friends list’ would almost immediately start to compare themselves with the person who uploaded the images. Often, they would jump to the conclusion that can never be as fit, lean, or ripped as them. Today, with the advent of Instagram, the photo-sharing app, this negative—and often self-esteem running, exposure has gone to a whole new level. Today, people in general and women in particular, can’t help but compare their body to that of Victoria’s Secret models whose pictures they see on this photo-sharing platform. When that happens, there is only one outcome—the expected outcome—self-body shaming and a negative body image. ## 2\. The ‘Size-Zero’ Effect Size zero doesn’t make you unattractive but it doesn’t make you a ‘demigod’ either. A concept or a figure size established in the 1950s, Size Zero has been measured differently during different times. However, its definition has always remained the same—extremely thin girls who can pass as models. The desire for a size zero figure propels many women resort to purging, an act of self-induced vomiting to control weight or shape. This ultimately—and inevitably, leads to purging disorder or even bulimia, a condition in which a person eats excessively (binge eating) and then throws it all out via purging. ## 3\. Peer Pressure Whether it is the career path you choose, how you invest money for the future, or the image you maintain, nobody influences your life more than your peers. Where do you think most people develop the habit of smoking or alcohol consumption from? From their peers. Whether you accept it or not, peer pressure is a reality—a reality that influences most, if not all, of your life’s decisions. This includes the image you maintain of yourself. The image of peer pressure on body image is seen most in the case of teenage girls. Studies show that teenage girls resort to starting or throwing out whatever they eat the figure standards set by their peers or ‘group of friends’. Ultimately, this leads to anorexia, a condition in which you continuously resort to self-starving and have a lack of appetite. You may think otherwise, but things are no different for boys or men. Owing to peer pressure, they want to look as macho and well-built as they can. Generally, boys or men who are categorized as ‘nerds’ or ‘geeks’ are easily influenced by peer pressure. The image of the ‘perfect’ body they have in their mind comes from the people they consider as ‘cool’ and ‘winners’. When they can’t achieve the perfect body they have in mind, they resort to self-body shaming and even develop disorders such as binge eating. Too much exposure to ‘perfect’ bodies, the ‘size zero effect’, and peer pressure are the major reasons people have a negative image of their body in their mind. Is there a solution to this? A solution to overcome the psychological impact of negative body image? For sure, there is! You just need to look in the right places. # The Help That One Can Get There’s help for everything including for negative self-body image and self-body shaming. One of the best ways of getting help is opting for body image counseling. Whether you are a man, a woman, or a teenager, a body image counselor can help to overcome the negative image of your body that you have in mind. Today, there are experience body image counselors who can help you recover from all sorts of disorders arising from a negative body image. This includes permanent recovery from eating disorders such as purging, binge-eating, bulimia, and anorexia. A body image counselor has all the knowledge and tools required to treat negative body image. They can help you to overcome your condition if you’re willing to embrace your body. When you learn to accept your body with all the good as well as the bad it entails, you condition your mind to think positively about you—including thinking positively about your body and image. This makes it a whole lot easier for the counselor to treat your condition and steer you away from all the ills and evils that are a side effect of self-body shaming and a negative body image. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Keep Your Coffee Shop Hot with Self-Serving Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/self-serving-technology/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T13:23:06.000Z Ever heard of a self-service coffee shop? You probably have. Self-serve kiosks are rapidly popping up in restaurants everywhere and they can be a great asset for your coffee shop. Self-ordering kiosks may well be the magic wand or secret weapon that you need to tackle the high competition, and failure rates prevalent in the restaurant industry. Not only that, the kiosks can also help to increase your revenues and profitability. Several restaurants have already found that customers spend more when they use self-service kiosks and apps. [Taco Bell](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-04/how-taco-bell-s-ordering-app-turns-extra-onions-into-real-money?ref=bobbydavidson.com), has priced orders placed through its digital app 20% higher than orders made to human cashiers, mainly because people select additional ingredients while using the app. Similarly, Chili's—the popular American casual dining restaurant chain, reported an [increase in dessert orders](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/06/chilis-is-installing-tablet-ordering-at-all-its-restaurants/372836/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) after it installed self-service tablets. Robust, scalable, and easy to use, the tablet or iPad POS has enterprise level features for all restaurant types, which includes coffee shops. A cloud-based enterprise POS system, the POS tablet can take your business to the next level with dynamic features to increase productivity, and sales. If you have clear goals in mind, then you can leverage self-service tablets and kiosks to deliver the best possible experience to customers who visit your coffee shop. # Why Using Self-Serving Technology at Your Coffee Shop Makes Sense The self-service kiosks at your coffee shop will make things convenient for customers who are on a tight schedule. The technology will allow them to skip the line and choose their [favorite coffee](https://puccicafe.com/blogs/news/automated-and-manual-coffee-machine?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or savory items in the kiosk. Knowing that they can quickly get their favorite coffee at any time of the day from your coffee shop would make customers visit your café more often. However, you must make sure that everything your coffee shop offers is available for selection on the kiosk as well. While a self-serve kiosk will encourage your customers to visit your coffee shop more frequently, the tablet POS will allow you to the customer experience to a whole new level. It will do this by eliminating the need for you or your employees to keep an eye on stock levels throughout the day to ensure your café doesn’t run out of stocks. Tablet POS ensures that you have the supply to meet the demand by letting you monitor sales data, and inventory on one platform. A complete solution for your self-service coffee shop, the cloud-based tablet POS system provides integrated online ordering and automated solutions for inventory management and recipe control. Not only that, the innovative POS system also provides you with analytics and reporting capabilities. With these capabilities, you can cut down on expenses while increasing your revenues. Following are some ways self-serving kiosks can be a game-changer for your coffee shop: ## 1\. Increase in Check Sizes With self-serving kiosks, you will experience an increase your average check size. The kiosks make it less important to teach staff upselling techniques. This is because upselling is automated with a self-serving kiosk. You no longer need your staff to identify pricey additions and high-margin items. Instead, the self-ordering kiosk can take care of this. Customers are displayed all available add-ons for each item on the menu. This increases the chances of customers adding the additional offerings to ‘make it a combo’. This increase their total check size. ## 2\. Decrease in Wait Times In a traditional coffee shop, a line building up is inevitable. With a self-ordering kiosk, you can allow customers to skip the long line at the cash counter. Instead, they can order and pay at their convenience. This will have a direct impact on your sales. This is because customer satisfaction will increase due to the speed in taking orders and decrease of in wait times. Not only will the self-service kiosks provide customers with a fast and convenient service, it will make things less taxing for your staff during peak times. It’s a win/win situation! ## 3\. More Accurate Orders Will self-serving kiosks, your customer will be able to choose and place their own orders. This will drastically reduce the chances on error in your orders. There’s no better technology than a visual menu on a kiosk to minimize miscommunication in a restaurant such as your coffee shop. With this technology, you can ensure that what customers order is exactly what they want. They can’t go to the manager complaining that they have the ‘wrong order’. With this increased accuracy in orders, there will be less time spent in preparing items to correct a ‘wrong order’ that has the customer fuming. This will result in an increase in productivity and a decrease in ‘avoidable’ costs that arise due to incorrect orders. Ultimately, all this benefits the bottom line. ## 4\. Reduced Labor Costs With customers in charge of your ordering process, you can be more flexible in your staffing. For example, you can move some of your staff at the front to the kitchen to meet the influx of orders coming in. You can also downsize staff that you don’t really need to cut costs. Put simply, self-ordering kiosks offer you with a great opportunity to save on labor. They also allow you to be more flexible with staffing to ensure a great customer experience, ultimately helping you increase revenues and profitability. # Add to the Experience at Your Coffee Shop with Self-Service Coffee Machines Just like self-service kiosks and apps, self-service coffee machines are also popping up in coffee shops everywhere. Together with self-service kiosks and cloud-based POS systems, self-service coffee machines are adding to the experience at cafés by providing the following benefits: - Speed of service - Less queuing times - Convenience of ordering - And, more space to move around while placing order For all the above reasons and more, you should equip your café with self-serving technology to keep your coffee shop hot. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Why Free Guest Wi-Fi In-Store Is More Than a Foot Traffic Generator URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/why-free-guest-wi-fi-in-store/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:05.000Z # Reason to Offer Free Guest Wi-Fi In-Store Why should you warm up to the Wi-Fi revolution and start offering free guest Wi-Fi on-premise or in-store? There are several benefits of this including: - Bringing in new customers who walk by your store or venue. As most consumers have a need to be connected, simply advertising free Wi-Fi via a window/door decal will do the trick. - Increasing time spent in-store or on-premise which results in increase spend as Wi-Fi enables consumers to stay productive and connected, giving them no reason to rush their meals or shopping process - Gaining a competitive edge; offering fast and reliable Wi-Fi will attract customers to your physical location and those customers will spread the word, attracting even more customers to your location, which will allow you to gain an advantage over businesses that don’t offer guest free Wi-Fi on-premise or in-store Despite these benefits, you may be skeptical about offering free guest Wi-Fi at your physical location due to the costs involved. Although offering free Wi-Fi can be an expensive monthly bill, the costs can be offset with a Wi-Fi marketing automation and customer analytics platform. This platform offsets the costs of free Wi-Fi by encouraging sales and repeat business. # How Wi-Fi Marketing Can Turn Your Free In-Store Guest Wi-Fi Into a Profit Generating Tool Wi-Fi marketing automation and customer analytics platform can have a positive impact on your bottom line. It can ensure this by turning your free guest Wi-Fi into a customer tracking, engagement, and loyalty tool. Following is how Wi-Fi marketing enables benefits for your bottom line: ## 1\. Passively and Quickly Collect Customer Demographic and Behavior Data To understand your customers, you need to do some research on them. If you’re not aware of what your customers want, then you won’t be able to meet their demands. In other words, you won’t be able to provide them with the product/service they want. This, in turn, will negatively impact your bottom line. The good news is that you can solve the above problem by offering free Wi-Fi to your customers and by using Wi-Fi marketing software. When your customers try to connect to the free in-store Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi marketing software will ask them to fill out a form. You can use the form to get feedback about your business or get answers to questions. By asking customers questions, you can determine the demographics of customers as well as their likes and dislikes for the products and services you offer. Once you have this information, you can plan your products and services accordingly and get the best results. ## 2\. Easily Implement Mobile Marketing Strategies That Land in The Hands of Customers When and Where It Matters Most At present, there are [1900 million people in the world using mobile phones](https://www.voucherbin.co.uk/the-popular-world-of-mobile-phones-infographic/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and this has led to a rise in mobile marketing. Mobile marketing is something you should ignore at your own peril. Total spend on mobile advertising is expected to reach [$46 billion by 2019](https://www.socpub.com/articles/the-5-mobile-marketing-mistakes-infographic-14849?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and it is easy to see why. The number of people using Wi-Fi is increasing each day. Businesses that make Wi-Fi marketing part of their overall business strategy enjoy a plethora of benefits. This includes improving brand loyalty, enhancing customer experience, and chartering a course for the future based on the data and intelligence that is right at their fingertips. Considering that customers walk around town with their smartphones glued to their hand, it only makes sense for businesses everywhere to free in-store Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, that is not yet the case. Many businesses assume that offering free Wi-Fi in-store is not worth the expense. However, that couldn’t be more untrue. Wi-Fi presents businesses with a wealth of opportunities for tapping into the connected world and engaging with their customers in new ways. Today, more and more businesses are relying on Wi-Fi to understand their customers better. Many businesses are taking advantage of Wi-Fi to launch digital strategies and connected experiences for customers. Previously, this luxury was only available to big retailers and other established businesses. However, with the proliferation of smartphones and the advent of Wi-Fi-marketing technology, any business today can develop more personalized and hyper-targeted, location-based email and text (SMS) campaigns. These campaigns are delivered directly to customers’ smart device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, watch, etc.). ## 3\. Generate Valuable Data from Real-Time Customer Behavior and Campaign Analytics A Wi-Fi marketing automation and customer analytics platform offers a host of analytical tools. Using these tools, you can increase your understanding of customer behaviors and activities within your store. Leveraging this information, you can strategically design the offering and layout of your store. You can also respond quickly to customer preferences by incorporating what they enjoy about their ‘shopping’ experience into your offering. In other words, Wi-Fi marketing software allows you to anticipate, predict, and plan the future better. This helps to improve your return on investment. By now, it should be clear that Wi-Fi marketing can help turn your free in-store guest Wi-Fi into a profit-generating tool. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss if a In-Store Wi-Fi is right for your business. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Application Modernization: Its Importance and How to Approach It URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/application-modernization-its-importance-and-how-to-approach-it/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:06.000Z This is exactly how organizations and IT teams need to think about their legacy systems. The good news is that most CIOs are already doing that. According to the [2017/2018 Logicalis Global CIO Survey](http://www.us.logicalis.com/globalassets/united-states/downloads/cio-reports/2017-cio-survey-report.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), legacy systems were the top concern for the over 800 CIOs polled, with more than half of them planning to improve IT infrastructure to overcome problems in legacy software. The thing about legacy IT is that it is filled with unnecessary complexity and cost and there’s nothing simple or straightforward about it. Legacy systems hinder innovation and productivity, which adds to your IT and business costs. There’s also the continuing cost of maintaining the systems, which consumes most of the budget that a business has allocated to IT. So, how can organizations and IT teams get out of this situation? “Modernizing” legacy systems would be the obvious choice here.Modernizing a legacy system, also known as application modernization, is refactoring, re-purposing or consolidating a legacy system. The purpose of this is to align legacy system more closely with current business needs. With application modernization, you can new can create new business value from existing systems. However, the process of legacy modernization is a complex one and it could take several months, or even years, to migrate to a new, modern platform. This is because of the issues and challenges in modernizing legacy systems. What are these issues and challenges? # Issues and Challenges in Modernizing Legacy Systems While it can be hard to part with legacy hardware or software that you have gotten used to, eventually you have no choice but to modernize your legacy system. While modernizing legacy systems is a good thought, it can be a bit of a challenge. This is especially true if your legacy system has existed for more than a decade. While you try to carry out the modernization process, you are likely to come across several challenges and issues. Following are some of the most common challenges and issues in modernizing a legacy system: ## 1\. Organizational Change Management Legacy systems feature an outdated program or platform, and this can make it difficult for IT to migrate the data to more recent platform. Often, streamlining the modernization process requires a new set of equipment and training sessions that teach about the new platform. ## 2\. Co-Existence of Legacy and New Systems Modernizing legacy systems can be daunting, especially if your organization has more than one legacy system. Generally, migration of data to the new platform from the legacy system would be carried out in phases rather than at once. Also, validation will be required for several operational activities.These include bringing in new systems during the interim phase and providing data duplication, complete business coverage with fully serviceable overlapping functionality, and temporary systems for bridging legacy. This can be a challenge on its own. ## 3\. Significant Modernization Costs and Duration Costing you both time and money, application modernization can be an expensive exercise. You need to make significant investments and dedicate a considerable amount of your time to modernize a critical legacy system. A complex legacy system could take years to modernize, and then there’s the risk of encountering unforeseen circumstances in the process. # The 3 Approaches to Application Modernization As stated earlier, application modernization can be a complex process. The degree of difficulty varies based on the modernization approach you use. There are several approaches to application modernization and you need to choose one that is right for your company’s needs and goals. To help you make an informed decision, following are 5 of the most common approaches to application modernization with their pros and cons. ## 1\. Screen-Scrapping This approach to application modernization does not update the old applications but still creates new, modern-looking interfaces for your legacy applications. This is achieved by scrapping information off your legacy applications and presenting it in a graphical interface. While screen-scrapping can help you to quickly and affordably modernize legacy applications, it does not actually modernize your applications, which means that you will have to maintain not just your underlying applications but also the applications that have been screen-scrapped. This makes maintenance of your applications more difficult, time-consuming and expensive ## 2\. Code Conversion This involves converting old applications written in outdated programming to a modern programming language. This is a quick way to convert outdate code into modern code without having to learn a new language. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t change the structure of the outdate application, which leads to limited application capabilities and difficulty in maintenance ## 3\. Rip-and-Replace As the name suggest, rip-and-replace is an approach to application modernization that gets rid of your old applications and replaces them with new, modern applications created from scratch. This is perhaps the best approach to align IT with business and address your current business needs. Additionally, it leaves you with applications that are easy to maintain and scale as your organization grows. The only disadvantage of this approach is that building new applications from scratch can be time-consuming. Delaying or ignoring application modernization will only waste your time and money if your legacy applications are hurting the progress of your organization. As seen above, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to application modernization and you need to pick an approach that is right for company’s needs and goals. Perhaps, consulting an expert like us would help here. We are ready to discuss and consider whether we are a good fit for your organization. I would welcome your call. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." ### Looking to the Future: Smart Buildings / Cities, Deep Learning AI, Drones, Robotics, Augmented Reality, and IoT URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/smart-buildings/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:06.000Z Building/facility managers need to take on several challenges and responsibilities every single day of their assignment. While there are certain challenges that the manager can plan for, there are many that will strike them out of the blue. They aren’t prepared for these challenges. Yet, they must keep the place running smoothly, safely, and within budget. Security and facilities management is required for this very purpose. Here, we are going to discuss the top security and facilities management challenges faced by organizations today. The purpose behind this discussion is giving facility managers at least a fighting chance of overcoming these challenges. In addition to discussing the top 8 challenges faced by facilities managers today, we will look at the futuristic technologies that can help to overcome them. So, let’s begin. # The Top Eight Security and Facilities Management Challenges Faced by Organizations Today A well-established industry, facilities management has been slow to establish career paths or develop specific professional standards. However, the good news is that some associations of facility managers have recently recognized the challenges facing facilities management today and are taking measures to overcome them. However, there is still a long way to go before the security and facilities management challenges are taken care of for good. Following are the top eight security and facilities management challenges faced by organizations today: ## 1\. Fast Retrieval of Information Most facility managers take longer than ten minutes to retrieve information. A major reason for this delay in retrieving information is inadequate information systems. ## 2\. Managing and Recording Changes Changes to an asset must be documented and stored correctly. Additionally, there must be a system to track the changes made. Unfortunately, most organizations and facilities do not ensure this. ## 3\. Coordinating Vendors There are several drawbacks of the current processes for assigning work to contractors. These include delays, lack of inherent view and approval process, and a lack of audit trail. Therefore, a newer, more intelligent system or process is required to assign the correct work to each contractor and get a fair price for it. ## 4\. Handling Faults Many facilities managers lack the capacity to handle all faults in a central system. This is a major challenge that organizations must help the managers to overcome. ## 5\. Meeting Compliance Guidelines A major challenge for facility managers is inadequate record keeping. Companies are required to comply with statuary regulations for managing their documents. Therefore, organizations must provide facility managers with a process that ensures data is stored correctly. Another compliance requirement is staying on top of the changes to legislation. ## 6\. Preventing a Security Breach or Minimizing Its Impact According to a joint study by [ISACA and RSA](http://www.isaca.org/cyber/Documents/State-of-Cybersecurity%5FRes%5FEng%5F0415.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) published in 2015, 78% of the board of directors are concerned with computer security today. The new cycle of data breaches has alerted organizations and facilities of possible security breaches. Regardless of the size and sector, a security breach can have a lasting impact on the facility of an organization. This can cause a loss of customers, revenue, and even reputation. Additionally, the facility’s operational continuity is affected, and the integrity of its data is compromised. ## 7\. Skills Gap A major reason for the rising security and data breaches affecting organizations and facilities is the skills gap. According to the [Global Information Workforce Study](https://www.isc2cares.org/uploadedFiles/wwwisc2caresorg/Content/GISWS/GISWS-Skills-Gap-Analysis.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), there were 2.25 million security professionals engaged in the field in 2013 while the need was for 4.25 million practitioners. ## 8\. Rapidly Changing Security and Technology The security of organizations must evolve to tackle today’s sophisticated threats. Security and technological solutions for facilities are changing rapidly. Therefore, organizations must keep up to date with the latest technological developments in security and facilities management. This is needed to tackle security and other challenges that may come their way. # The Future of Security and Facilities Management: 6 Technologies Organizations Should Keep an Eye on to Overcome the Security and Facilities Management Challenges We discussed above the top eight securities and facilities management challenges faced by organizations today. Now, we discuss the futuristic technologies that can help to overcome these challenges: ## 1\. Augmented Reality (AR) Virtual and augmented reality systems have huge potential in facilities management. With AR, it is possible to design physically viable spaces. Therefore, there’s no reason that the technology cannot be used to create flawless workspaces. By viewing buildings based on legacy and active sensor data, facilities managers can identify weak spots, build rooms using simulations, and optimize spaces for future occupants. ## 2\. Drones Drones can be used in security and facilities management for directing high-resolution cameras to elevated spots to perform inspections and check for damage. ## 3\. Robotics Robotics has a lot of promise for facilities management. In the future, they could be linked to facilities management software solutions to intuitively perform tasks such as cleaning and repairs. Additionally, a facility robot may be able to fix software faults on its own by plugging itself into a computer terminal. ## 4\. IoT IoT isn’t a new concept to facilities management. However, unified platforms and the proliferation of connected devices in the market is changing the way it’s looked at. To ensure they’re making the best choices for their specific needs, facilities managers will need to keep up-to-date with the nuances of the IoT technologies. ## 5\. AI AI assistants may soon facilitate business operations such as contractor relations and request management. Additionally, AI systems in the facility could learn about the outcome of every decision and then use it to inform the next decision. Ultimately, this will allow facility managers to take on a largely supervisory role and focus more on larger tasks and projects. ## 6\. Smart Buildings Smart buildings automatically control a facility’s operations by using automated processes and technology connected to the internet of things (IoT). How does this impact security and facilities management? Smart buildings are always collecting data about the facility and everyone working there. Security and facilities management is changing fast and organizations must keep up with the latest challenges in the field and the technologies to overcome them. Those that don’t do this run the risk of a problem that could have a lasting effect on the well-being of the organization/facility. To ensure this does not happen to you, contact us today for valuable advice. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." ### How to Save Your Remote Employees from Cyber Threats URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-to-save-your-remote-employees-from-cyber-threats/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:07.000Z According to a [2017 report by Global Workplace Analytics](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/30140000/State%5FOf%5FTelecommuting%5FU.S.%5FEmployee%5FWorkforce.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), almost 50% of the workforce in the United States has jobs that allows them to work remotely for at least a few days during a week or month. Additionally, the [2018 Future Workforce Report by Upwork](https://www.upwork.com/i/future-workforce/fw/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) predicts that a good percentage of employers in the U.S will have employees who work predominantly from a remote location. By looking at the above statistics, it should be clear that remote workers will be a trend in the coming years. Therefore, employers must think long and hard about everything that can make their remote workers efficient at their jobs. One of the most important things in this regard is securing the remote workers or their devices. Desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other technological devices that remote workers use to connect to the workplace are vulnerable to cyber attacks. Cybercriminals are constantly looking to target the remote workers to gain access to a company’s website, network, or other sensitive data. Whether your remote workers connect to the workplace from their home, a coffee shop, or a co-working space, they are also susceptible to a cyber-attack. Therefore, you must find ways to protect your remote workers from cybercriminals. Luckily for you, we are going to provide you with some proven strategies for protecting your remote employees from cyber threats. Let’s get into the details. # Securing Your Remote Workers: What You Need to Do Today, the ability to work remotely is proving to be beneficial for both businesses and their employees. Additionally, it has changed how organizations recruit people for open positions and then manage them. Last but not least, remote work is allowing organizations to diversify and strengthen their operations. While remote work is helping to revolutionize how businesses hire and manage employees, it is also leaving their highly sensitive data vulnerable to cybercriminals. According to a study conducted jointly by Cisco and InsightExpress, a market research company, [more than 45% of employees](http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/data-loss-prevention/white%5Fpaper%5Fc11-499060.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) say they transfer files between work and personal computers when they have the option of working remotely. Remote workers pose unique security challenges for their companies since they are not physically present at the work site. This is especially true for remote workers who connect to the workplace through public Wi-Fi. Therefore, you need to come with unique strategies to mitigate the risk posed to your remote workers and protect your company’s sensitive data. To make things easy for you, the following are 3 ways you can protect your remote employees from cyber threats. ## 1\. Establish a Security Policy The first and foremost thing that you can do to protect your remote employees from cyber threats is to establish a security policy. Ideally, you should have this policy in place before allowing your employees to work remotely. What should your security policy for remote workers include? Logging off the network when working from a remote location, rules for copying or sharing files, password requirements, invalidating credentials of employees who have left the company, etc. In addition to the above, you must not allow remote employees to access data and applications that are not related to their job. You can enforce this by having restricted user access. Also, set up a double authentication requirement for login from remote locations. Additionally, allow access to special projects to your remote workers for only the time it is essential for them. Get all new recruits, especially those hired as remote employees, to thoroughly read and understand your security policy. Once your employees know and understand your security policy, there will be less likely to indulge in activities that compromise their own as well as the company’s security. ## 2\. Prohibit the Use of Unsecured Public Wi-Fi Networks Today, you will find many people in coffee shops who are working on their laptops. Most people who work remotely connect to a public Wi-Fi network for the sake of convenience. However, what they don’t realize is that these networks are highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Unsecured, public wi-fi networks make it easier for cyber criminals, such as hackers, to intercept log-in credentials and sensitive data. Additionally, cyber criminals can use the unsecured public wi-fi network to hoax a public wi-fi network or distribute malware. The idea is to lure users and capture their data. To avoid the above situation, you must make it mandatory for your remote workers to use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to the workplace through a public wi-fi network. Alternatively, you could provide your remote employees with personal hotspots so they have no need to connect to a public wi-fi. ## 3\. Use the Cloud When you use a cloud-based service provider for your business needs, the security of your business become the responsibility of the cloud provider. Cloud services have incredibly robust security features that allow them to protect the company’s data and employees. Cloud service providers are generally more knowledgeable and skilled in cyber security. This allows them to provide your employees cyber security when they are working remotely. They will put proper safeguards in place to secure the access of your remote workers to your data or applications. In addition to securing your remote workers, the cloud services will help you save money. With cloud services, you can restrict the data accessible to remote workers and protect the data from cyber attacks like ransomware. If you want to know more about how to protect your remote employees from cyber threats, then get in touch with us today! --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Benefits of Having a CRM Solution with Email Integration URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-benefits-of-having-a-crm-solution-with-email-integration/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:07.000Z Despite the rise in paid traffic, social media, and network marketing, email still reigns as the most important marketing tool. The [number of email accounts](https://optinmonster.com/email-marketing-vs-social-media-performance-2016-2019-statistics/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is much more than the number of Facebook and Twitter accounts combined and all searches on Google, Bing, and Yahoo are equal to just 1.1% of all email traffic. Email is effective for lead nurturing and other sales activities, making it a preferred customer channel. Compared to other mediums, emails have a [50% higher rate of qualified leads](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/why-marketers-should-keep-sending-you-emails?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and 20% of income is directly tied into email strategies. Moreover, email is the preferred source of business communication for [72% of consumers](https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/case-study/customer-communication-by-channel?ref=bobbydavidson.com). With an email marketing tool, businesses are not only able to create and manage data, but they can also understand who opened and read the emails. To take this ability to the next level, businesses may want to consider integrating email with CRM. KissMetrics reveals that [96%](https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/31097/12-Critical-Elements-Every-Homepage-Must-Have-Infographic.aspx?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of visitors to a website aren’t ready to buy. However, this does not mean that they won’t buy in the future as this completely depends on the marketing and CRM strategy of a business. Full email integration into the CRM system can prove pivotal here. With CRM tied to email marketing, businesses have a resource to capture contact information from first-time visitors to their site. This can be followed by nurturing the prospects with email over time, educating them about their pain-points and the solutions offered by the business. Having a CRM solution with email integration can be invaluable for any business. With this capability, businesses can get better, and more accurate visibility into their data. Additionally, they can automate and streamline processes. Most important of all, they can easily share information across the team or organization to allow everyone to do their job better. # 7 Reasons to Get CRM Solution with Email Integration By integrating email with CRM, businesses can get a more detailed picture of their customers and prospects, making it possible for businesses to segment customers and prospects into targeted groups and then reach out to them with more relevant and timely content. Unfortunately, not everyone is sold on the idea of integrating CRM with email. Many businesses are still reluctant to try this ‘new’ and ‘sophisticated’ approach to email. There are several reasons for this including: - Being comfortable with email the way it is - The fear that integrating email with CRM will make things more complicated - The fear of being spied by bosses or co-workers However, once people overcome the above fear, it will be much easier to accept CRM email integration. This is because you start to realize all the wonderful benefits you can get by having a CRM solution with email integration. A prominent feature of a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software is that it supports excellent email integration. When you integrate email with a robust CRM system, you have access to data from both programs. This reduces the likelihood of missing important information or creating scheduling conflicts. There are many more benefits of CRM email integration and some of the prominent ones are as follows: ## 1\. Holistic View CRM systems with email integration put all relevant information onto a single screen instead of moving between the email client and the CRM solution. By eliminating the need to switch between email accounts and CRM system, CRM email integration eases the efforts of sales reps. Since the CRM provides the relevant customer data needed to nurture leads or close deals, there’s no confusion and reps are able to effectively respond to a client’s email and get an overview of the customer’s information at the same time. ## 2\. Improved Sales Visibility With CRM email integration, sales reps get real-time insight into customer behavior. By knowing which prospects have opened emails and the clickthrough data, reps can be more intelligent when making sales calls. This means that they can tailor their calls to suit the interests of the prospect they are calling. ## 3\. Increased Responsiveness By reducing response time to a substantial level, a CRM solution with email integration ultimately helps to improve customer satisfaction. CRM email integration reduces the response time by displaying important customer data such as contact information, touch-point history, and more alongside the email. With this ability, reps can quickly respond to inquiries to improve customer experience instead of having to reference the customer information in one application and the switching to email. ## 4\. Integration with Other Apps Often, CRM solutions with email integration offer support for other types of third-party integration. A business can streamline its sales workflow by gaining access to marketing and sales assets in the cloud or by integrating a CRM solution into the marketing and automation tool. Project or task management is another application often paired up with CRM solutions with email integration. ## 5\. Data Integrity Sales reps confirm important information when they interact with a business’ contacts. Moreover, they find additional information such as demographic data, competitive data, and pain points. With CRM email integration, you can provide reps the ability to update records in real-time, ensuring that information is always current for when the next campaign goes out. ## 6\. Targeted Messaging To serve your customers with relevant, targeted content, you can develop content based on CRM data such as demographics, job title, or previous purchases. The outcome of this would be fewer unsubscribes and more personalized emails. ## 7\. Staying Updated with the Important Stuff With a quality CRM platform, you can get full email integration into the CRM system. Once the configuration is complete, all emails are extracted to the CRM and you get a full-featured email client in the CRM system for drafting and sending emails. Moreover, with CRM email integration, you can synchronize all the contacts, appointments, emails etc. This helps with two things—staying updated with the latest information of the customer and finalizing the meeting planner using an appointments scheduler. Another benefit of this is being able to respond to customer emails without having to switch between multiple systems. This allows you to get the required customer information and then reference to email in another system. As seen above, there are many reasons for getting a CRM solution with email integration. To find out more benefits of CRM integration with email, get in touch with us today! --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Fintech is the Answer to the Prayers of SMEs Worldwide—Here’s Why URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/fintech/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:07.000Z Did you know that the overall funding in Fintech has grown from [US$11 billion eleven years ago to US $78.6 billion today](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280402?ref=bobbydavidson.com)? And, the reasons to invest in Fintech do not end there. Fintech is thriving globally. According to Ernst & Young—a leading multinational services company, today a [third of worldwide consumers are using two or more Fintech services while more than 80% of them are aware of Fintech](http://www.ey.com/gl/en/industries/financial-services/ey-fintech-adoption-index?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—an increase of over 20% from the previous year. Consumers are warming up to Fintech and so should SMEs. # Opportunities Galore for SMEs Fintech is unlocking a plethora of opportunities for SMEs worldwide. For example, it has unlocked banking opportunities for the ‘unbanked’ in South East Asia. This is good news not just for the people without a bank account in the region, but also for the SMEs based there. According to KPMG—another global leader in financial services, people with a bank account in South East Asia are a mere [27% of the entire population](https://home.kpmg.com/xx/en/home/insights/2016/04/fintech-opening-the-door-to-the-unbanked-and-underbanked-in-southeast-asia.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com). That’s over 400 million ‘unbanked’ people in the region. Similarly, a 2010 Study by McKinsey—a global management consulting company, shows 2.5 billion unbanked people in Asia. The study suggests that by reaching those without a bank account in the ASEN region, businesses can help increase the region’s economic contribution from the [$17 billion in 2010 to $52 billion in 2030](https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/counting-the-worlds-unbanked?ref=bobbydavidson.com). It is no secret that the masses worldwide—particularly in the South East Asian region, are struggling to overcome poverty, making it nearly impossible for them to borrow or save money. This presents SMEs in the impoverished regions of the world with both an opportunity and a responsibility. By investing in Fintech and providing innovative financial solutions, SMEs worldwide can help improve the livelihoods of the unbanked in their regions while growing their own ‘customer base’. Access to banking and other financial services is a basic right. As a small or medium-sized business, you would be favoring not just the ‘unbanked’ in the region, but also yourself by enabling it. By leveraging fintech, you can deliver the right technology solutions to the unbanked to improve their standard of living while growing your business at the same time. # Reason to be Optimistic SMEs in all parts of the world that are opting to invest in Fintech have a genuine reason to be optimistic. This is especially true for impoverished regions such as South East Asia. This is because mobile networks play a key role in enabling Fintech and the percentage of mobile connections in South East Asia is [higher than the global average](https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/mobility/apac-internet-almost-completely-mobile-gfk-study?ref=bobbydavidson.com). There are other reasons as well that make investment in Fintech a great option for SMEs worldwide, particularly those based in regions with many ‘unbanked people’ such as South East Asia. Following are some of the main benefits for SMEs to invest in Fintech. ## 1\. Easier to Accept Global Payments Before Fintech, the only way for SMEs to accept payments from abroad was through a major credit card company. Luckily, things are now less complicated and affordable all thanks to new innovations in the financial sector and overseas payment collection. An example of this is the payments collected through a global online payments system such as PayPal or Stripe that require only a small but secure card reader to be accepted. These card readers can be accessed through merchants as well as a smartphone. This means that customers can make payments to your business from virtually anywhere. ## 2\. Ability to Secure Loans without Collateral In the past, banks and other financial institutions required businesses to keep something as a collateral to secure a loan from them. Typically, the collateral would be a property, holdings in gold, or other liquidatable asset. While the big companies had no problem presenting a collateral to the bank or financial institution, SMEs would typically balk at this requirement to secure a loan. Fortunately, financial technology companies or FinTechs as they are popularly known have solve this problem for small and medium-sized businesses. They have solved the problem by offering loans to businesses without asking for any collateral from them. ## 3\. Easier Access to Financing Unlike the traditional lending process that is both cumbersome and time-consuming, lending in fintech is faster and a lot less complicated. This is because of the human-centric approach of Fintech lenders. The entire lending process in the Fintech space is created to make things easier for the customer—which are mostly small and medium-sized businesses. First and foremost, SMEs can secure loans at any time and from any device. Additionally, they only need to produce minimal documents to secure the loan and they can upload these documents at their convenience. Fintechs can determine a business’ creditworthiness in less time than a bank or other traditional lender as they use smart algorithms to review data from different sources. Typically, these sources include the owners’ background, business location, net earnings, cash flow etc. Additionally, once an applicant is approved for loan, Fintech companies do not take much time is disbursing the approved amount to them. Lastly, SMEs can bring down the costs of these loans further by choosing the right product and signing up for flexible repayment plans. ## 4\. Ease of Overseas Business Before the recent innovations in the financial sector that led to Fintech, SMEs had pay huge sums to banks and other intermediaries as a fee to do business and receive money from abroad. Put simply, SMEs that wanted to do business globally had no option but to pay a hefty fee to banks or other intermediaries supervising the transactions. However, things changed with the introduction and evolution of financial technology (FinTech). Innovation in Fintech brought peer to peer (P2P) services. These services made it possible to make transactions between individuals or entities for a fraction of the fee charged by banks and other traditional intermediaries. Not only did P2P services make overseas transactions cheaper for SMEs, they also made them seamless. If the above doesn’t make SMEs optimistic, then we don’t know what will. There’s a massive consumer population waiting to adopt financial solutions and you need to cash in on this opportunity by making the most of fintech and the innovative solutions for payments, ecommerce, lending, P2P transfers and so on. So, what are you waiting for? --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Knowing Your Customers Versus Understanding Your Customers—The Key to Customer Experience Success URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/understanding-customers/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:08.000Z Many retail business owners today want to ‘know their customers better’ but are unable to do so in a meaningful way. If you’re one of them, then answer the following question honestly: ‘*Have you made a committed effort to understand your customers better*?’ If you haven’t, then your grievances are a bit unfounded. How can you complain about not knowing your customers better when you haven’t even taken any steps for it? The key to customer experience success is understanding customers better and a tool that can you help accomplish this is Wi-Fi marketing. Read on to know how. # What’s Needed to Understand Your Customers Better What is required to build positive relationships with your customers? A good understanding of their need and wants. By understanding your customers better, you can personalize their customer journey. This enables a more personalized customer experience and increased customer engagement which will ultimately benefit your bottom line. Now, you should try answering this million-dollar question: “*How can you understand your customers better*?” To understand your customers better, you need to profile them, analyze their interactions with your business, and conduct market research to identify trends and patterns. With Wi-Fi marketing, you can do all that and more in real time. Here’s how Wi-Fi marketing software can help you understand your customers better. # What a Wi-Fi Marketing Software Can Help You Achieve More and more consumers today are relying on mobile to meet their needs. Don’t believe us? Then consider the following stats based on research: - [82% of consumers consult their phones when in store](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-resources/micro-moments/micro-moments-consumer-mobile-needs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - [66% consult their phones to learn about something they saw in a TV commercial](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-resources/micro-moments/micro-moments-consumer-mobile-needs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - [51% purchased from a company or brand other than the one they intended because the information provided on search was useful](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-resources/micro-moments/micro-moments-consumer-mobile-needs/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - [People who use their smartphone in a shop are 14% more likely to make a purchase from that retailer](https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/consumer-business/us-rd-thenewdigitaldivide-041814.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) The simple argument is that you need to take advantage of the mobile marketing platform and a great way of using Wi-Fi technology. From attracting new customers to providing better service and getting data that informs your marketing strategy, there are many reasons for providing free Wi-Fi to customers. A Wi-Fi marketing and customer analytics solution can help you to take advantage of both the mobile marketing platform and Wi-Fi technology. A software-as-a-service (SaaS) based platform, Wi-Fi marketing software allows you to use your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to access a host of marketing features and analytical capabilities. With a marketing and customer analytics solution, you can utilize your existing Wi-Fi access to attract, reward, and retain customers more efficiently and effectively, ultimately growing your business and bottom line. Following is how the Wi-Fi marketing software works: 1. Offer customer access to free Wi-Fi 2. The customer joins your Wi-Fi network 3. Learn about your guests 4. Engage with customers 5. Assess return on investments 6. Improve decision making using insights gathered via Wi-Fi marketing Let’s dwell further into what’s required to understand customers better and how Wi-Fi marketing software can provide that. ## Profiling Your Customers This involves building a description of your customers including their characteristics, location, and behavior. You will come up with the best ways for meeting customer needs when you segment customers based on gender, age, location, where they work, their family size and how, why and what they spend their money on. Wi-Fi marketing software can provide you with such information via consumer smartphone devices. You would also be able to gather customer data through non-intrusive Wi-Fi tracking and data gathering that involves login authentication method. ## Analyze Customer Interactions With Your Business Customer interactions refer to any aspects of your business that customers may encounter or meet. This includes the pages they visit on your website and the time they spend in your brick-and-mortar store. Since they help shape the impression and experience of customers with your business, analyzing customer interactions or customer ‘touch points’ is important. When analyzing customer touch points, it’s important to track the customer experience or journey with your business from start to finish. Software for Wi-Fi marketing and customer analytics can create strong customer touchpoints by applying intelligent customer engagement tactics and marketing campaigns to help you map customer journey better. By providing you with useful information related to your customers such as their interests, how often they visit and for how long, Wi-Fi marketing software can help you in improving your customers’ experience and their perception of your business. ## Conduct Market Research to Identify Trends and Patterns Market research is required to identify trend and patterns in customer behavior. By identifying these trends and patterns, you will know what motivates your customers to buy and how to market to them. Additionally, you can use this information to build customer awareness of your products and services. Wi-Fi marketing software makes this research easy. Customers connect to your free Wi-Fi using their social media profile, email address or phone number. Once they have logged in, the software automatically collects contact and behavior data on your customers to build a powerful CRM database. Using the software, you can analyze your ROI by understanding repeat visitors and [footfall traffic](http://media.mbeforyou.ca/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) after a campaign has ended, easily measure campaign results and learn which channels customers respond best to. In short, Wi-Fi marketing software generates valuable data from customer and campaign analytics dashboards to help you anticipate, predict and plan better. By now, it should be clear you that Wi-Fi marketing technology can help you to revolutionize your customer experience. Using a Wi-Fi marketing and customer analytics solution, you can collect customer information, send promotional offers, increase customer loyalty, and ultimately improve your bottom line. Put simply, the mobile marketing platform turns your existing Wi-Fi structure into a customer loyalty tool. To learn more about Wi-Fi marketing and how you can benefit from it, get in touch with us today. --- **by Bobby J Davidson** We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Five Ways to Optimize Your Social Media Marketing Campaign URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing-campaign/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:09.000Z Social media isn’t just all fun and games. It can be great channel for generating leads. Here are five ways to optimize your social media marketing campaign. --- Want to improve your lead generation? Then, social media is the place to do that. Why do I say that? Since billions of people use social media each day, you would be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn’t take advantage of the powerful and mostly-free social-media platforms. Truth be told, social media platforms can be a gold mine for leads. While using social media for increasing brand awareness and credibility is still useful, it isn’t ground-breaking anymore. In fact, it’s the norm. Your social media marketing campaigns should focus on lead generation. Let increased brand awareness and credibility be a by-product of your social media marketing efforts rather than the focus of your campaigns. So, it’s established that social media marking for lead generation is a necessity rather than an option. However, this leads to a more important, pressing question: how do you optimize your social media marketing campaign for lead generation? Optimizing your social media marketing campaign can benefit your business in more than one way. It can help you increase your brand visibility and awareness, generate more lead qualified leads and improve your sales numbers. Today, many businesses are leveraging social media to successfully gather targeted leads. No matter what your lead generation goals, optimizing your social media marketing campaign can help you take your lead generation campaign to the next level. So, how can you optimize your social media marketing campaign for your business? Here are five steps to follow: ### 1\. Understand the Lead Generation Problem Your business is missing out on a lucrative marketing channel if you haven’t given social lead generation a shot. If you have tried social lead generation, but are not getting the quality leads you desire, then you may need to assess your social media marketing campaign to find out your lead generation problem and what’s causing it. For most businesses, the lead generation problem is a lack of ROI. Have the same lead generation problem? Then there are two likely issues: there is no established way for your team to measure social media success and you haven’t aligned your marketing efforts on social media with the goals of your business. So, how do you overcome these problems? You don’t allow futile metrics to distract you and instead focus on metrics that add to your revenue. This solves the first problem of having no established way for your team to measure social media success. As for the second issue, you need to have a strategy for social media that supports your efforts to generate leads. This is the ultimate objective of every marketing campaign. ### 2\. Align Actions to Goals You need to know and understand the goals you’re trying to reach to improve your social media marketing strategy. Even if your end goal is to make or increase sales, you need to specify the channels and activities along the way where social media can boost your lead generation efforts. You can get a better understanding of this by answering the following questions: - Are you increasing your know-how to construct more vigorous customer profiles? - Are your social media pages driving more traffic to your website? Getting more people to sign up for emails? - Is Your Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) improving? - Are leads converting to sales more quickly? ### 3\. Optimize Your Profiles If you want to generate more leads on social media, then the simplest way to do that is optimizing your business page profiles. How can you optimize your business’s social media presence? You can do this by accessible contact information, a compelling call-to-action, a link to your website and your value proposition obvious. It is as simple as this: if people don’t know how to reach your business or what you want them to do, they will never become a lead. So, how can you optimize your business page profiles? First, make sure you have a business name that your customers and prospects will associate strongly with your business. Not only will this ensure consistency in brand recognition, but it will also impact whether or not your Facebook business page shows up in Google search results. So, choose your business name for the profile wisely. Another important thing to do is include a link in your Bio. This includes a link to a ‘[Contact Us](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)’ page where the users can input their information and link to a landing page that has been optimized to collect leads. Also, make sure you have a call-to-action. Facebook makes this easy by giving you the option to include a CTA button. Finally, make sure your page’s ‘About us’ section is complete with your business’s address, phone number, hours of operation, and summary. ### 4\. Run Social Media Ads Social media platforms provide businesses the ability to target highly specific audiences, making it one of the most effective ways of put your business in front of people most likely to convert. Ads designed specifically for lead generation are taking this a step further. Example of these ads are [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) Lead Ads and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Lead Gen Ads. Lead ads allow [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) users to express interest in a business offering by filling out a form, which in turn allows the business to contact them. Users don’t have to enter the information themselves as [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) automatically populates the form with their contact information. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Lead Gen ads work in a similar way. By simplifying the process for users, social media ads increase the likelihood that users will submit their information in return for your content. And, this increases your changes of collecting leads. ### 5\. Offer a Free Trial This is a pretty simple strategy: offer a “free-mium” version of your product and promote it using social media. While a free trial can generate leads on its own, social media will expand the reach of your campaigns and amplify your results. Social media is the fastest and most cost-effective way to generate leads. Using the aforementioned-steps, you can optimize your social media marketing campaign for your business and generate high-quality leads that convert. For more tips on optimizing your social media marketing campaign, keep following our posts. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### What Makes a Great Chief Technology Officer (CTO)? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/chief-technology-officer-cto/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:10.000Z Responsible for an organization’s technology strategy, the chief technology officer or CTO makes sure that the company is effectively utilizing its technology resource. Since the CTO leads your technical and engineering teams, make sure they have the following qualities that make a great chief technology officer. --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/chief-technology-officer-cto?ref=bobbydavidson.com)There is one thing that all successful businesses have in common: great leadership. Any organization that is looking to grow needs a visionary technology leader who is also a good manager. These two qualities combined can help any organization to go places. When hiring a chief technology officer for your organization, there are certain qualities to look for. But, before we get to the qualities that make a great chief technology officer, let’s take a quick look at what a CTO refers to. # What Is a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)? While it is focused on the top line of a company, the chief technology officer is actually a customer-facing role. A strategic role, the CTO utilizes the latest technologies to improve the product. The chief technology officer is responsible for ensuring that an organization implements technologies that improve the development of products. Typically, the chief technology officer leads the engineering team and is responsible for developing a technical strategy that improves the final product. The person in the organization that provides technical supervision and review, the CTO oversees technical strategies, system engineering techniques, and emerging technologies in a company. Although people are quick to associate this role with the IT industry, the CTO has presence in many other industries. # How to Find a Qualified Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Since they are needed in many different industries, chief technology officers need to be equipped to take on a variety of responsibilities. For example, in one industry, the CTO may be responsible for software design while being responsible for network management or information architecture in another. The ideal CTO would be a specialist in all three. The two most important thing that makes a great chief technology officer (CTO) is a strong academic background and proven technical proficiency. Also important is the ability of the chief technology officer to perform formal research. With the basic requirements that make a qualified CTO outlined, let’s get to the complete list of qualities that distinguish a great chief technology officer from the rest. ## 1\. Good Practical Knowledge Practical knowledge that helps to build better software is a primary quality of a good CTO. Additionally, they require little to no technical input from other consultants or those working under them to get the job done. CTOs without a strong technical background are likely to permit actions that result in significant technical debt. For example, an organization may have to rewrite their software if the CTO is unable to foresee the level of difficulty in getting new hires up to speed with writing code. To avoid such issues, an organization needs to hire a CTO experienced in building code. ## 2\. Experience When hiring for your organization, one thing that you should never discount is experience. For the role of CTO, look for individuals with both technical strategy development and management experience. The CTO you hire should have experience of managing technical processes as well as experience of managing people. Even if your company has a team of talented engineers and software developers, you need an experienced chief technology officer to get the best out of them. With the CTO leading your engineering and development teams, there is a little that can stop you from fulfilling your ‘technology’ potential. ## 3\. A Large and Quality Network While the CTO is an expert in their field, they are certain things that even they wouldn’t know about. A good CTO would fill this gap in knowledge with their network. The CTO’s network includes app and software developers, technological consultants, network engineers, and so on. A good CTO will leverage the people in their network to complete a job that they cannot do on their own. ## 4\. Good Communication Skills Irrespective of your role and industry, good communication skills are always important. At a leadership position such as the CTO, they are essential. Why does a CTO need to have good communication skills? They need them to impart technical knowledge to non-technical people. Good communication skills are also needed by a CTO to effectively communicate the following to all stakeholders in an organization: - The impact of technical choices on business goals - How business goals need to drive technical choices - The direction a technical project needs to go In addition to the above, a chief technology officer needs good communication skills to ensure that there is input from all stakeholders in technical decisions. ## 5\. A Practical Approach A major quality of a good CTO is that they put their ego aside when making decisions on behalf of their team or the organization. Let’s say the marketing department is asking for an additional feature to an app but the CTO doesn’t like the idea. However, there is consensus that adding the feature will be good for the company. In this situation, a good CTO would put aside their ego for the greater good of the company and do what the marketing department is asking for. A good CTO is a flexible person who would sacrifice their own ideas for the benefit of the organization. It is important that the CTO you hire has the above-mentioned qualities. This will ensure that you have a great chief technology officer (CTO) working for you. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Best Health and Fitness Gadgets for 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/fitness-gadgets-2019/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:11.000Z At the beginning of each year, most people make new resolutions. For many of them, New Year resolutions involve cutting down on carbs and increasing physical activity to improve health and fitness levels. If you have the same resolution for the year 2019, then here are the best health and fitness gadgets that can aid your cause. --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/fitness-gadgets-2019?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Inevitably, most people’s New Year resolutions involve shedding a few pounds off their body and increasing their levels of fitness. Let’s be honest: we all want to look good in the mirror. Now it's summer and we need to do something to work on our beach bods. However, while some of us make the effort to achieve it, others sit around waiting for some miracle to happen. Sorry to break it to you but no miracle is going to take place and get you your desired results. You’ll have to work for making them happen. In real life, we have no fairy godmothers with enchanted wands to make us look good. Instead, we need to do it all by ourselves. If you want a fit body and good looks that impresses people, then you will have to make the effort for it. No more lazing around. No more making excuses for not hitting the exercise room or gym mat. If you really want a healthy and fit body that people would admire from afar, then you need to work for it. Also, do not look for shortcuts as there is no magic pill or injection that can make you fit and healthy in an instance. Instead, go for a jog, lift weights at home or your gym, do high intensity interval training (HIIT), do light cardio, go bicycling, and so on. Basically, you need to find a regimen that works for you and stick to it. If you’re looking for some assistance in achieving your health and fitness goals, you can get it through these amazing health and fitness gadgets. # 1\. Fitbit Aria 2 Smart Scale You probably already know about the fitness trackers from Fitbit. But, have you heard about the company’s amazing bathroom scale? As the name suggests, [Fitbit Aria 2](https://www.fitbit.com/eu/shop/aria2?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a smart scale—or a connected scale—that provides anyone who is looking to track weight loss over time and get in shape with a pleather of functionality. Although it is sold as a scale, the Aria 2 can monitor your body’s fat percentage and calculate your body mass index (BMI). Not only that, it can also store data for up to eight people. The best thing about this is that the information about each person is kept separate and private from the others. The data stored within the scale can be wirelessly synched with a smart phone. This makes it possible to monitor trends and produce graphs and charts that provide a good picture of your weight loss and overall health. # 2\. OZMO Active Smart Cup Hydration Tracker Do you know what is the most important but overlooked aspect of exercising? It is keeping yourself hydrated. The good news is that the [Ozmo’s Active Smart Cup](https://www.ozmo.io/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) solves this problem with its smart technology. A leak proof smart water bottle that is free of bisphenol A (BPA), Ozmo’s Active Smart Cupcomes with a vibration alert system and interactive app. You can use the bottle to track hydration levels and can sync it with Fitbit or other healthcare trackers for increased personalization. # 3\. Tangram Factory Smart Rope PURE Jump Rope We jump over a skipping rope relentlessly and repeatedly with the hope that we have burned the desired number of calories. However, we are never sure about the number of calories burned in a rope skipping session. [Tangram Factory Smart Rope PURE Jump Rope](http://tangramfactory.com/smartropepure/en/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) aims to change that. Resembling a typical skipping rope, the Tangram Factory Smart Rope has magnetic sensors that can provide an accurate count of your jumps. Additionally, it can detail your workout times and the number of calories burned when it is paired with your iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch. And that is not all! The smart rope also provides recommendations for interval training and allows you to compete with friends in a fitness challenge. # 4\. iFit Sleep HR Tracker Getting the right amount of sleep can help optimize your workout on the following day. With the ability to track the quality of your sleep, it is easier for you to get a picture of your overall health. This ability is provided by the [iFit Sleep HR smart tracker](https://www.ifit.com/shop/category/deals/sleephr?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The device determines the quality of your sleep by tracking your respiratory rate, heart rate, and sleep patterns during the night. A small disc that can paired with your smart phone, the iFit Sleep HR can be placed between your bed’s mattress and boxspring. Data related to sleep such as your respiratory rate, heart rate, and sleep patterns are transferred to your phone by iFit Sleep for you to review. The sleep tracker can inform you about the amount of sleep your got during the night, the number of times you woke up, and how relaxed you were in general. The device also comes with a smart alarm system called ‘FreshWake’. The purpose of this system is to wake you up at an optimal time of your sleep cycle. # 5\. Sensoria Fitness Socks and Anklet Smart socks, the [Sensoria Fitness Socks](http://store.sensoriafitness.com/sensoria-fitness-smart-socks?ref=bobbydavidson.com) comes with an Anklet magnetically attached to your lower body. Wearable tech, the Sensoria Fitness Socks and Anklet provides an accurate account of your steps, distance, speed, altitude, and calories. Additionally, whether you are walking or running, the smart socks and anklet can monitor your tempo and foot-landing technique. The smart device comes with a dedicated app that tracks your movement and provides real-time audio cues to guide you through your workout. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### 6 Tech Skills to Develop in 2019 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tech-skills/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:12.000Z Technology is evolving each day. If you don’t want to be left behind, then you must master all the latest IT skills before your competitors acquire them. To stay ahead of the competition and succeed in the job market, you will need to learn new IT skills in 2019\. Some of the tops ones are listed here. --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/tech-skills?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Getting the perfect job—especially if you’re looking in the IT or technology industry—is never easy. To stay ahead of the game, you need to learn certain technical skills that give you an edge in an increasingly competitive job market. One thing that you need to keep in mind, now and going forward, is that we are well and truly in the technological age and we are not going to go back. This means that future jobs will require at least a certain degree of technical know-how and expertise. In fact, even if you’re looking for a creative job, you will need to have some technical expertise such as knowledge of digital marketing, proficiency in using creative tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator etc. and a certain level of expertise in using MS-Office Suite. The point I'm trying to make is that technical skills are incredibly important now and will be even more important in the future. Therefore, it is important for you to develop tech skills that will help your search for a job in the future. Here are the technical skills to develop in 2019. # 1\. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) AI and ML are all over the news these days. They are becoming increasingly important for all businesses that want to grow and gain a competitive advantage in their industry. Therefore, AI and ML will be among the top tech skills to learn in 2019 and the years that follow. Having some sort of expertise in AI or ML will open a plethora of opportunities. This is because of AI/ML drive innovations such as Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri, self-driving, chatbots, and more. Businesses see an opportunity to optimize their business operations and practices with artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. Therefore, they will be looking for people with expertise in the use of these tools. Surely, you wouldn’t want to let go of such a great career opportunity? # 2\. Data Science Data scientists have been in demand for a while now. However, the demand for data scientists is expected to increase significantly in 2019 and beyond. This is because more and more organizations today need to collect data, consolidate it and, most important of all, draw intelligent and valuable insights from the data available to them. Having a data scientist on-board allows an organization to derive valuable information. This information allows the organization to understand their customers better and make much needed changes and/or improvements to their business operations. So, people skilled at data science will have plenty of opportunities open to them in 2019 and the years that follow. # 3\. Digital Marketing More and more organizations today are looking to hire people skilled in digital marketing. They may need these people to improve their websites or need them to market through different online channels such as social media, email marketing, etc. In today’s marketing world, having an online present is a must for every business. Therefore, people skilled in any aspect of digital marketing will continued to be hired in 2019 and at least some years beyond that. Why are businesses looking to hire digital marketers? To increase their conversions, customers, and revenue. If you’re not skilled in digital marketing and want to learn skills that will help you find a job in the field, then there are many online courses that can get the ball rolling for you. These online courses in digital marketing cover important areas of digital marketing such as SEO, Google Adwords, YouTube Marketing, SEO, Google Analytics, Facebook Marketing, and more. With these online courses, you can learn the basics of digital marketing and more if you want. These courses will teach you how to get started with digital marketing, get found in search engines with SEO, build a mailing list, and write a copy that sells. With these skills, it will be easier for you to find a job in digital marketing. # 4\. Business Intelligence/Analytics Whether they are in the private or public sector, the top-executives in an organization prefer any recommendation made to them to be supported by data. This is where the need for individuals knowledgeable in business intelligence and/or analytics comes in. With these professionals, an organization can properly process and analyze data to extract information that can benefit the enterprise. Therefore, individuals skilled in processing and analyzing data will be in high demand in 2019 and beyond. # 5\. Programming While there are many programming languages that you can learn to enhance your skill-set, Java and Python are the languages most likely to get you hired. Not only will these two languages help in handy for software engineers, they will also help the cause of infrastructure engineers, and digital marketers. # 6\. Web Designing [Thousands](https://news.netcraft.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of websites are created each day. This goes to show how much demand there is for web designers today. Therefore, web designing is a lucrative tech skill to learn and develop in 2019\. Many businesses today—big or small—has a website. They are always looking to improve their website to attract more people to it. For this, they need the help of a web designer. Additionally, they are many people without a website and they need a web designer to have one designed. So, if you’re skilled in web designing, then 2019 will be filled with career opportunities for you. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Marketing ROI: Which Channels Get You the Most Bang for Your Buck? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-roi/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:12.000Z With hundreds of marketing channels to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your business—and this is an understatement. When I say the best marketing channel, I mean that channel that brings you the highest return on your time, effort and money. The key to marketing success is correctly identifying the best channels for your products and your audience. But, how do you that? Identifying the marketing channels which get you the most bang for your buck can be difficult to say the least. However, you will be better equipped to choose suitable marketing channels for your business after going through the following comparison of the different marketing channels. ### Email Marketing Over the past few years, email marketing has been the most consistent performer of any marketing channel. As of June 2017, email marketing generated medium ROI for 43% marketers worldwide, highest ROI for 30% of marketers, and lowest ROI for 17% marketers. 10% of marketers did not use this marketing channel at all.[\[1\]](#%5Fftn1) While the results are predominantly positive for email marketing, making the most out of an email marketing campaign is easier said than done. More than a [billion](http://www.internetlivestats.com/one-second/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#email-band) emails are sent each day, which means that 2.5 million emails are delivered per second. So, getting your target to open your email can be a lot of hard work and that’s just half the battle. The other half of the battle is ensuring that your target clicks on the link in the email. Your clickthrough rate or the number of people clicking on the link in your email is the most significant measure of your email marketing ROI. While many marketers are paying heed to the CTRs and conversion of their email marketing campaigns, only a few are paying attention to other performance metrics such as bounce rate. This metric is the rate of failed message delivery due to wrong email, server error, the inbox being full, or the message landing in spam. Another metric to monitor is list growth rate which is the rate at which your email list is growing, not growing, getting worse or diminishing. Despite its challenges, email marketing can be a good marketing channel for maximizing your marketing ROI. Why do I say that? Firstly, everyone uses email and mobile devices make it accessible at all times of the day. Moreover, email is more cost-effective than many other channels and it works practically at every stage in the customer journey. ### SEO (Organic Search) The marketing channel that yields the best ROI, at least on paper, is SEO or organic search. SEO generated medium ROI for 41% of the marketers, highest ROI for 32% marketers and lowest ROI for 17% marketers. 12% marketers did not use this marketing channel at all. It is technically feasible to get started in SEO without any monetary investment. However, significant money and/or time investment will be required to scale your strategy to a meaningful level. When you first use this marketing channel, you will be left wanting more. However, you need to understand that the true power of SEO lies in its ability to scale exponentially over time. Here is the how you can calculate your ROI from SEO. Say your primary goal is to sell a specific product that costs $200 and you run a SEO campaign for it. You pay $2000 per month to your SEO agency for their services and generate 15 sales per month from organic traffic. **1 month × $2000 = 2000 investment** **15 sales × $200 = $3000** In this case, your ROI would be 150%. ### Social Media For measuring ROI, the social media marketing channel is categorized into types: organic and paid ads. Organic social media generated medium ROI for 39% of the marketers, highest ROI for 20% marketers, and lowest ROI for 33% marketers. 8% marketers did not get any ROI from organic social media. On the other hand, the paid ads on social media generated medium ROI for 36% marketers, highest ROI for 17% marketers, and lowest ROI for 24% marketers. 23% did not use this channel at all. Organic social media is a good option if the primary aim of your marketing is to build brand awareness or customer engagement. But, if your objective is customer retention or customer segmentation, then it is best to use other marketing channels. On the other hand, paid social media can help you increase lead generation and brand awareness but isn’t a good option for increasing retention or customer engagement. Over the years, the term ‘social media marketing’ has exploded in popularity. In fact, a few years ago, it was all the rage. A marketing channel known for its massive reach, organic social media marketing can help you reach each and every member of your target market if it is executed correctly. But, if you don’t execute it correctly, your ROI will be exceedingly low. ### Other Marketing Channels With the exception of paid search marketing like AdWords, other channels have performed poorly in terms of ROI when compared with the above-mentioned marketing channels. Traditional marketing channels such as billboard advertising, flyers and TV ads are no longer producing a good return on investment. Additionally, online PR and outreach isn’t as effective as it once was. So, does that mean that ignore these marketing channels and choose one from social media, SEO, PPC and email marketing for your campaign? Most definitely not! Your marketing ROI will depend on a range of factors and not just the marketing channel you choose. These factors include your target audience, the budget available, your specific objectives and your product or service. Having said that, your core marketing channels should be SEO, PPC, email marketing, and social media if your vying for marketing effectiveness and an increased return on investment (ROI). [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://www.statista.com/statistics/736848/roi-digital-marketing-channels/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/736848/roi-digital-marketing-channels/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Why ROI Is the Ultimate Measure of Your Social Media Marketing Success? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing-success/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:12.000Z When it comes to social media marketing, the key to building solid relationships and expanding your reach is increasing social media engagement and hiring the right person/company for the job. However, this poses another important question: how do you measure the success of your social media marketing? You measure it with ROI. So, why is ROI the ultimate measure for determining the success of a social media campaign? This can be a tricky question to answer but I’ll do my best to provide you with a solid justification for measuring the ROI of your social campaigns. ### Why Measuring Social Media ROI Is Crucial for Your Business A key part of any digital marketing effort, social media marketing deserves to be allotted a larger business budget than it’s currently being allocated. At the same time, it is important that you don’t keep using a social media strategy blindly. Measure a social media campaign’s return on investment (ROI) before deciding to continue with it or ditch it. Today, companies across the globe, including those in the United States, are increasing their investments in social media, as they hope to turn it into a major revenue driver. But, this is also increasing the pressure on social media managers and others in charge of social media campaigns. They now have to prove that the social media budget is being utilized effectively and is producing the desired results. This has made measuring social media ROI crucial. So, what is social media ROI? There are many misconceptions about how it is calculated, making it difficult to understand what social media ROI exactly is. You may find social media ROI difficult to understand but it does not have to be that way. Here, we provide all the details about what’s included in social media ROI and how you can calculate it for your business. ### Understand What’s Included in Social Media ROI Contrary to popular belief, calculating social media ROI is relatively easy. Following is how I would calculate the social media ROI: **Profit/Investment ×100= Social media ROI %** Here, profit is the money you’ve earned from your social media marketing efforts, while investment is the total cost of your social media marketing efforts. An example of investment would be the money you invested in an Facebook ad campaign to achieve a specific goal. The above calculation of social media ROI is a good way to start. However, it is important to know that calculation of social media ROI becomes a little more complicated when your business objectives are brought into the equation. For instance, if increasing brand awareness is your reason for doing social media marketing then you will have to calculate your ROI using related measures i.e. page likes, followers, mentions etc. Let’s say that a Facebook campaign for raising brand awareness helped you to gain a hundred new fans. At first, you may find it difficult to estimate the monetary value of new fans. But, once you start to analyze the fans as they move along the customer journey, you will know exactly how many fans became a paying customer. ### Is It Necessary to Measure Social Media ROI? This is a question I get asked a lot. There are many people who question ROI being the right measure of success for social media. They argue that a financial return doesn’t show the true value of a social media campaign for the organization. While it is true that ROI doesn’t provide you with the complete picture and you need to measure a few other variables to determine the success of your social media marketing, the fact of the matter remains that business owners and C-level executives live for ROI. For them, ROI has been the ultimate measure of success since the very beginning of their careers. You can tell them that your social media ROI doesn’t paint the complete picture, but they’re not going to believe you until you prove it to them. For this reason, it is crucial that you get serious about ROI. At the same time, make sure this doesn’t happen at the expense of other metrics. Just ensure the right balance and you’ll find yourself on the right track. ### Why You Need to Track ROI of Your Social Media Marketing Truth be told, all marketing campaigns—regardless of their shape and size, rely on trial and error to some extent. Even if you’ve researched the market thoroughly, your marketing campaigns may not always perform like you want them to and this makes it crucial to track ROI. Without understanding how much revenue an investment generates, you’ll never know if you’re spending too much or too little money. Since every business needs to remain financially stable, it’s crucial to fine-tune marketing budgets to over under or over -spending. By accurately tracking your ROI and determining there’s room for growth, you will make it easy for yourself to justify a budget increase. The more money you have for your marketing efforts, the easier it will be for you to do your job. As the social media marketing environment becomes increasingly competitive, there is increased pressure on companies and marketers to invest more and more money into their campaigns in order to stand out. However, increasing social media marketing budget can only be justified if campaigns are delivering tangible results and how do you find this out? By measuring social media ROI. As you can show that your investments are benefiting the company, analyzing your social media revenue helps you to support budget requests. On the other hand, if your ROI is too low, you can pinpoint the inefficiencies of your social media strategy and start making improvements. Either way, measuring ROI helps the growth of your marketing campaigns and your company. In addition to the above, measuring the ROI of your social media marketing can help you determine the value you’re delivering to your audience. An evidence of your messaging being relevant and compelling is a high number of converting users. This proves that quality content is crucial for earning social media revenue. For more information on how to measure your social media marketing ROI, get in touch with us today! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### What’s the Latest in POS Technology? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/pos-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:13.000Z The key to success for any business is having a firm grasp on the day-to-day details. This means having a strong insight into all areas of the business. These areas include customer insights, staffing, inventory, and profits. With a good Point of Sales (POS) system, you can keep track of stock and provide quality customer service. Here’s the latest in POS technology that you can take advantage of in today's environment. --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/pos-technology?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Contrary to popular belief, a good POS system does a lot more than processing incoming orders, generating bills, and keeping records of transactions. To maximize the potential of a POS system for your business, you should choose a system that provides access to stored information in real-time and presents the information in a format that helps you make smarter business decisions. You need your POS system to provide you critical information about your business operations. A cloud-based POS system can make this possible. This system includes mobile platforms such as a mobile POS or iPad POS that can be accessed anywhere, and at any time. Deployed as Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud-based POS can be accessed directly from the internet by using a web browser. So, how can a cloud-based POS help to track incoming order? # Keeping Track of Incoming Orders with Cloud-Based POS With cloud-based POS such as an iPad POS, it becomes easier to keep track of and record incoming orders. Also, you can use the stored information to find which items are most successful and then create targeted marketing and personalized experiences based on the buying behaviors and demographics of your customers. The best thing about this is that you can access the insights at any time, making the cloud POS great for managing your business from a remote location. Feature-rich software with premium hardware, the iPad POS is the ultimate POS for keeping track of incoming order and managing your business. With this POS system, you have the flexibility and freedom to take orders and process payments wherever you have presence. Additionally, you can accept payments wherever your customers are. No matter where you take payments, all your reports are backed up with the cloud-based mobile POS. You can also tailor the options available at your POS according to your needs. Staying organized is also easy with the new POS as it allows you to view customer data based on the type of order, visit frequency, or items purchased. In addition to the above, you can enhance productivity and coordinate sales efforts during industrious times by using the POS system to run reports that show order type by the month, week, or hour. # How a Simple and Elegant POS Can Increase Customer Satisfaction in Your Store Have you ever thought about why people buy goods from your store? They buy it because it fulfills a need—affordably and according to their expectations. For the success of your business, it is crucial that you look at things from the perspective of your customers and get a POS system for your business that increases customer satisfaction and ensure their every need is met. Why is a retail POS system important for your store? Keep tracking of small and valuable items is one of the biggest challenges for stores. A retail POS system can not only help you keep track of this inventory, but it can also provide you with a wealth of information related to shoppers. You can use this data for target marketing, improving customer engagement and more. Following are some ways a simple and elegant POS can increase customer satisfaction in your store: ## Self-Checkouts Do you know what’s the number one thing that ruins the experiences of in-store customers? It is time-consuming checkouts. By making checkouts a lot easier and shorter, a POS system can enable a frictionless and happy shopping experience in your store. By putting the last mile of the transaction in the hands of the shopper, self-checkouts greatly improve operations in retail stores like the one you run for your business. A retail POS system increases efficiency and the speed of checkout as they come with integrated bar code systems. Quick checkouts and speedy transactions lead to happy and loyal customers. ## Enhanced Efficiency When you use a POS system, your business is automatically a lot more efficient. The reason is that you are no longer wasting time on menial things such as inventory, accounting, paperwork etc. The POS system will take care of most of these things for you. This will leave you with sufficient time to concentrate on the more important aspects of your business, such as giving more attention and time to your customers and their needs. ## Integration with Mobile A POS system allows to effectively track purchases and sales, employee activity, and the receipt and shipping of goods from a smartphone or tablet. This is possible due to the integration of mobile with your POS. The mobile POS makes collecting customer data easier which leads to reduced paperwork and faster processing of information. You’ll be able to quickly gain insights on customers that will allow you to serve them better. ## Integration with Other Systems Want to ensure that all your data is organized and updated regularly? Then, you should integrate your store’s CRM or ERP system with the retail POS system. This will allow you to offer a more personalized experience to customers. That is not all—you can also provide customers with special and personalized promotions via loyalty programs. With so many benefits on offer, using a modern retail POS system such as cloud-based POS is not an option but a necessity for your business. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Social Media Marketing: The Importance of Having the Right Person/Company for the Job URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-marketing/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:14.000Z You probably already have an idea of which marketing channels get you the most bang for your buck. You may even have tried some of them, but there seems to be a slight problem—you’re not getting the expected results. Perhaps, you’re not spending enough? Or maybe you’re using the wrong platform? Maybe you’re getting nothing out of your social media marketing efforts because you don’t have the right person/company for the job? Not all people who manage social media accounts are experts in social media marketing. This means that simply hiring someone to manage and run your social media accounts will not get you the results you expect from your marketing campaigns. Instead, you need to hire the right person, the person with the skillset, knowledge and experience required to get the most out of your social media marketing campaigns. ### Why Hiring a Social Media Expert Makes Sense? No business can grow without marketing and a marketing channel that has the edge over all others is social media. For this reason, hiring a social media expert for your business is crucial. When I say hire a social media expert, I do not mean that you go out and recruit the first person who claims to be an ‘expert’ in social media. What I mean instead is that you should allocate some of your resources to hire someone who has proven themselves in the field of social media marketing. It could be a person or a company. You can choose to manage your social media accounts on your own. However, in all honesty, this wouldn’t get you anywhere. Half of the time, you’ll be thinking about how to increase engagement on your pages and other half would be spent cleaning the ‘mess’ you’ve made. Therefore, you’re best advised to leave the job to the professionals. ### What Makes a Social Media Expert? So, how do you find the right social media expert? What makes a great social media manager? What is that makes them effective? And what are the practices that make them great at what they do? There was a time when marketers learned to use social media in-between their job functions. They would read books or online articles on social media marketing, attend seminars about it, or simply ask colleagues for advice. That no longer works! Today, social media managers are required to fulfil a variety of responsibilities and they must have the expertise to perform them. These responsibilities include (but are not limited to): - Curating content - Scheduling posts - Managing a publishing calendar - Engaging with customers and partners - Experimenting to optimize social media posts - Listening to networks for brand mentions and keywords - Checking in with the rest of the company for announcements to publish - Following up on projects with connections - Reviewing analytics and determining future steps Teaching someone to be a social media manager isn’t enough for them to be effective at their job. In addition to the required skillset, they must have the mental capacity to work through problems. Is everyone who can put together two sentences an accomplished writer? Of course not! And, this same rule can be applied to people managing social media accounts. So, how can one develop the mental capacity required for managing social media and become an effective social media manager? I go back to the responsibilities of a social media manager as they are key to becoming an expert at the job. Following are some of the habits that make a social media expert. ### They Have Go-to Sources to Curate Content Though it is a time-consuming task, curation is one of the cornerstones of social media marketing and thus, crucial. A social media expert is always on the hunt for great content that would interest their followers and knows exactly where to find it. They don’t spend hours searching for the content because they know where it lives. Moreover, to avoid spending most of their day curating content, they dedicate a specific time of the day to the activity, such as the first two hours of their work day. Once the clock strikes 11 a.m., they move swiftly onto another responsibility. ### They’re Always Thinking of Ideas A common problem in social media marketing is running out of things to post about. This is the reason an effective social media manager is always in ideation mode. They are always thinking of ideas whether they are walking in the park, window shopping in the mall, or buying grocery from their local retailer. They try to make connections between things that they noticed during the different time periods and this collective thought is what helps them to post new ideas and large volume of engaging content on social media each day. ### They Focus on Building Relationships A primary quality of social media experts is that they focus on building relationships. Interacting with a wide range of people and building relationships is crucial to the success of any business. For this reason, it is imperative that the people managing a business’ social media accounts treat relationships on social platforms as crucial to the growth of the business. In addition to social listening and engaging, effective social media managers network and build relationships on social media. They focus on giving—helping and serving—rather than trying to make a quick buck off their audience. ### They Document Your Processes Perhaps the greatest quality of a social media expert is that they document your processes. Before they start marketing for you, the experts will document your existing process of curation, creation and publishing including: - What processes you use to curate content - How you come with a headline - What type of image you use - What tool you use to schedule the content to be published - What reports you pull - How you analyze the data Only after answering the above questions, the social media experts think about their own processes and what they will do to achieve the set objectives. If you notice the above qualities in the person/company managing your social media accounts, then you’re on the right track. If not, try and find someone who fits the bill. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester Used Their Crowdfunding Platform to Become Success Stories URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/crowdfunding/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:14.000Z Investopedia defines crowdfunding as the use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business venture. Following is the story of how Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester used their crowdfunding platform to become success stories. --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/crowdfunding?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Essentially the opposite of the mainstream approach to raise capital for a business, crowdfunding depends on the collective resolve of family, friends, customers, and individual investors rather than auctioning the business idea to a limited pool of wealthy individuals or institutions. The best of two worlds—crowdsourcing and microfinancing, crowdfunding is not only changing how businesses raise capital, but it is also transforming how people support companies. Truth be told, crowdfunding is a test of a person’s persuasive skills. To raise capital worth thousands, you need to persuade individuals who may be your family, friends, customers, or even strangers to cough up $10, $50, $100, or more to support your project or business venture. Today, we are witnessing a proliferation of websites offering the crowdsourcing facility. The best known among them are Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe. While all three websites are used to raise capital, they differentiate in the events they support. [Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) focuses on creative projects like art, music and films. [Indiegogo](https://www.indiegogo.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) accommodates many, diverse campaigns while GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform designed for individuals and personal causes. While Kickstarter and Indiegogo are used more for crowdfunding purposes, GoFundMe can be used to raise funds for a wider range of events, which is the reason billions of dollars have been raised so far on the[ GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) platform. As you will find out soon, the story of GoFundMe and its co-founders: Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester, is anything but disinteresting. # The History of Crowdfunding, Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe Before we dig into the success story of GoFundMe and its co-founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester, let’s take a quick look at the history of crowdfunding, Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe to see how it all started. Ask most people about the birth of crowdfunding and they’ll zero in on 2008—the year Indiegogo was launched. It was the first and probably the largest crowdfunding platform in the U.S. However, these people are limited in their knowledge of crowdfunding and its origins. Contrary to popular belief, crowdfunding did not start with Indiegogo, instead its roots can be traced back to the 1700s when Mozart—the most prolific and influential composer of the classical era, offered invitations and manuscripts in return for donations to fund his concert. Fast-forward a few decades and we find Joseph Pulitzer successfully using The New York World newspaper to raise capital of over $100,000 for the base of Statue of Liberty in 1984\. From 1884 to the turn of the twentieth century and beyond, crowdfunding was used on many occasions to finance a project or raise money for business. However, the world had to wait until 1997 to see the birth of modern day crowdfunding. This was the year when a British band named Marillion raised funds for a reunion tour using crowdfunding. The funding raised by Marillion inspired Artistshare—the first dedicated crowdfunding platform to emerge in the year 2000\. The first funding campaign on the platform raised $130,000, which inspired other crowdfunding platforms. From 2000 onwards, the crowdfunding industry grew bigger and better each year. The first major breakthrough for crowdfunding as we know it today came in 2008 with the launch of Indiegogo—an international crowdfunding website founded by Danae Ringelmann, Slava Rubin, and Eric Schell. Two years on, crowdfunding revenue tripled from $530 million in 2009 to $1.5 billion in 2011. Indiegogo is not the only company deserving the credit for the increase in crowdfunding revenue from $530 million in 2009 to $1.5 billion. Kickstarter—a crowdfunding platform launched in 2009 and GoFundMe—a crowdfunding company founded in 2010, also deserve mentions. Currently, Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Launched in 2009, Kickstarter was named as one ‘Best inventions of 2010’ by Time magazine. While the company launched amid little fanfare, it has managed to receive an estimated $3.8 billion in pledges from July 2012 to August 2018\. Additionally, it has launched more than 412,494 projects since its inception. However, the biggest and most popular crowdfunding platform today was launched in May 2010 by Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester. GoFundMe has been a major success in every sense of the word. So far, the platform has helped raise funding of more than $5 billion. Additionally, the company generated revenue of over $100 million in 2016\. So, how did GoFundMe get to this point? # The Success Story of GoFundMe and Its Co-Founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester With over 50 million donors to date, GoFundMe is the most popular online crowdfunding platform today. GoFundMe is the fastest and easiest crowdfunding platform to use whether you’re looking to raise cash to start a business, get your car fixed, or pay for college tuition. Today, the company is worth millions of dollars. The co-founders of GoFundMe: Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester made this possible by building the business largely around fund raising for charitable and other causes. GoFundMe leverages social platforms such as Facebook to find a user base that is prepared and willing to make small and large donations to people who are struggling. Often, the nature of viral social media allows these fundraising campaigns to raise much more than what the fundraiser originally thought was possible. Founded in San Diego in 2008 by Damphousse and Ballester, GoFundMe competed against Kickstarter and Indiegogo for the right to be crowned as the most popular crowdfunding website. In 2015, a few years after its launch, GoFundMe saw investments of an undisclosed amount of money from Accel Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures, and Stripes. The transaction meant that the investors took a majority stake in the business and that two co-founders had to step down from their positions as the owners of the company. At the same time, GoFundMe was valued at $600 and the company was estimated to be generating $100 million per month in funding for the campaigns using its platform. In 2017, GoFundMe acquired Crowdrise—a for-profit crowdfunding platform that raises charitable donations.[\[1\]](#%5Fftn1) Winning "Best Workplace in Technology 2017" award, the success story of GoFundMe and its co-founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester is ongoing and fun to watch. [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdrise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdrise?ref=bobbydavidson.com) --- ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Oprah Winfrey: She Told It Like It Was… And Made History URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/oprah-winfrey-she-told-it-like-it-was-and-made-history/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:17.000Z *“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ― Oprah Winfrey* --- [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/oprah-winfrey-she-told-it-like-it-was-and-made-history?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Oprah Winfrey was born Oprah Gail Winfrey January 29, 1954\. She is an extremely well-known American media executive, talk show host, actress, television producer as well as a philanthropist. However, she is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show. This was hands down the highest rated television program of its kind since television media had been invented up until that time. As a matter of fact, the program was nationally syndicated for well over a quarter century (from 1986 to 2011) in Chicago. She has also been called the "Queen of All Media" and this was a title that was particularly well deserved, considering the fact that she was widely considered to be the richest African American of the last century. Furthermore, she was also first African American multi-billionaire. Apart from that, one of her most well-deserved accolades has been that of being the greatest and most generous African American philanthropist in American history. Many publications rank her as the single most influential woman in the whole world. --- *Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” ― Oprah Winfrey* --- ## o Her early life She was born in the town of Kosciusko in Mississippi to an unmarried underage mother. Her mother, Vernita Lee was a housemaid while Winfrey' father Vernon Winfrey (born c. 1933), was a coal miner turned city councilman, who was serving in the armed forces at the time she was born. Oprah’s early life was anything but easy. Her mother was too poor to afford her, so she was sent to live with her grandmother who used to make clothes out of potato sacks for the little girl. As a result, kids used to tease her mercilessly. She was sent back to live with her mom who did not really care about her at all. During her pre-teens she was sexually abused and assaulted multiple times. Later on, when she managed to gain admission in high school, most of the privileged children made fun of her because her mom was a maid. However, she saw academics as a means of rising out of the squalor and poverty and became a really diligent student. She also excelled in dramatics and debates and managed to gain admission in college due to her oratory skills as well as her academic performance. It was in college that she really started blooming and was noticed by the local radio station. They hired her on as a DJ for their night shift and later on she ‘graduated’ to the prime time day shift, thanks to her ever increasing popularity. --- *Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” ― Oprah Winfrey* --- ## o Her TV career From radio, her progress to TV was all but inevitable. While working in the local media, she was not just the youngest news anchor but also the very first black female news anchor at Nashville's WLAC-TV. Subsequently, she moved to Baltimore's WJZ-TV in early 1976 as their new co-anchor for their prime time six o'clock news. Winfrey relocated to Chicago in 1983, in order to host WLS-TV's low rated morning talk show, AM Chicago. The very first episode aired on January 2, 1984\. At that time the show was slated to be removed from the air waves, since it was being produced at a loss. However, within only a few months after Winfrey took over, the show went from rock bottom in the ratings to actually overtaking (Phil) Donahue as the highest-rated talk show in Chicago, at that point in time. Recognizing her raw potential, the movie critic Roger Ebert persuaded her to leave the show and sign a syndication deal with King World. His TV show “At the Movies” was eventually renamed “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and that in turn was expanded to a full hour and was broadcast not just in Chicago, but pretty much all over the nation beginning September 8, 1986. The show went head to head with Donahue and in fact displaced the latter as the number one daytime talk show. Their much publicized contest was played by the media and many networks all over the world. They were even sometimes run them concurrently or one after the other. --- *“The great courageous act that we must all do is to have the courage to step out of our history and past so that we can live our dreams.” ― Oprah Winfrey* --- ## o Her “Angel Network” Winfrey created the Oprah's Angel Network In 1998\. This was a charity that actively supported charitable projects and also provided large grants to nonprofit organizations around the world. As a matter of fact, Oprah's Angel Network raised more than $80,000 since its inception. Oprah Winfrey has always personally covered all of administrative costs that are associated with running the charity, so that 100 percent of all funds raised, will end up in charity programs. In May 2010, when the Oprah's show ended, the charity also stopped accepting donations and was subsequently shut down. After Hurricane Katrina, Oprah almost immediately created the Oprah Angel Network Katrina registry to help put with the relief efforts and actually ended up raising more than $11 million. In fact, Oprah herself personally gave $10 million to the cause. Both as a philanthropist and as a talk show host, Oprah is certainly second to none. --- *You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” ― Oprah Winfrey* --- ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Boom or Bust Succeeding in a World of Cutthroat Online Competition URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/boom-or-bust-succeeding-in-a-world-of-cutthroat-online-competition/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:18.000Z From a marketing point of view, all commercial and e-commerce websites have two basic jobs. One, they need to be able represent the brand that is displayed on the website, and two, they should, also need to work flawlessly as well. In other words, they should be the showcase for all of the brand’s marketing efforts, and at the same time, should also act to ensure that the erstwhile potential customer actually goes and buys a product. The web design industry takes care of the job of making beautiful websites that are as eye-catching as they can get while being truly unique and absolutely special in their own right. However, the thing is that a whole lot of attention is paid to the ‘front end’, i.e., the overall aesthetics of the site, but unfortunately, not enough attention is paid to what is often colloquially referred to as ‘backhand operations of the site. (Such as the fact that if a site does not open within a few seconds at most, the prospective web browser will lose interest and find something a bit faster for his tastes). Then there is the part where the designer will try and touch base with the target market using his own personal judgments as to exactly what is it that the customer actually wants. He will ‘thrust’ his ideas in terms of both pricing as well as colors, fonts, etc. right on to the site owner who will, of course, have his very own ideas as to what constitutes a good enough site. More often than not, the person with the loudest voice (not to mention wallet) gets his way, and so his version of the site holds sway. ## o The seminal importance of creating a highly reliable and fast website However, all of these ideas are secondary to the real deal, and that is to get the site up and working properly so that there is a bare minimum of lag or downtime as far as the site is concerned. Many websites that exist out there tend to opt for a near relentless pursuit of good content over speed. While it is certainly true that content is very important for both holding and also securing the interest of the target market, nonetheless, it is not the sole criterion, as such. In fact, it is one of many pervasive factors that will ensure that a potential customer not only comes to the site but what is more, actually stays there as well, till such as time as he makes a purchase. ## o The need for speed However, that certainly does not mean that the speed at which your website operates at, has any less importance than various other criteria. On the contrary, the faster the website opens and displays the various products available therein, the better the chances of an eventual conversion. Apart from that, as of now, the more commonly used search engines are now also looking at the speed of any particular website as a means of improving its rankings. This, however, will not happen if the site is too slow, and therefore it will not easily show up in the first ten rankings of the search engine. This means that other faster sites belonging to the competitors will end up with a distinct advantage over your site. Not only will they be displayed in the top ten searches, but also their faster speeds will mean that the potential customers will not have to wait and therefore it will be easy from them to make that purchase decision. This holds particularly true for impulse shoppers. ## o Latency can really hurt your business As a general rule of thumb, the slower the average speed of a site, the lower the chance of the potential customer being interested enough to actually stay on it long enough to make a purchase. And if this potential customer actually leaves then it will be very difficult to get them back. And losing a long term customer can turn out to be a telling blow, chiefly because once a person becomes a loyal customer, then he will not want to go through the hassle of looking for other sellers and sites and even products. Once they feel that they are on to a ‘good thing’ they will continue to shop from the same site, till such a time when they are left jarred from the errors or downtime experienced at their favorite site. In today’s increasingly competitive 4G technology and smart device driven environment, a time lag of even a very few short seconds can mean the difference between clinching a sale or losing one. But here it is pertinent to note that speed is merely just one side of the equation. While it is certainly an extremely important part, there are other important factors to take into consideration such as the home page or about us page. ## o Creating eye-catching ‘home’ and ‘about us’ page The “Home” page is arguably the single most important page of any particular website. Here it is also very important to effectively make sure that the webmaster and designers use an eye-catching font that appears as both attractive and at the same time reflect the product’s availability on the site without taking away their luster or shine in any way. Similarly, the “About us” page should always try and aim for a relatively clean as well as an uncluttered look. This will also generate a significant amount of interest of the visitors towards the site, making them linger long enough to be able to browse through the products that are available on the site itself. In the light of the above, we can safely conclude that for a website to gain popularity and actively sell its product, it has to be both fast and attractive, at the same time. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Dr. Dre: The Rise of a One Man Music Revolution URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/dr-dre-the-rise-of-a-one-man-music-revolution/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:18.000Z *"I've gone seventy-nine hours without sleep, creating. When that flow is going, it's almost like a high. You don't want it to stop. You don't want to go to sleep for fear of missing something." Dre on the exhilaration of the creative process.”* *Dr. Dre* --- Andre Romelle Young was born February 18, 1965\. He adopted the name Dr. Dre and blazed a trail in the American rap and record production industry, which is why he is envied by many contemporary musicians. Apart from being a musician himself, Dr. Dre is also an accomplished entrepreneur as well as the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. Moreover, he was also the co-owner of ‘Death Row Records’ at the time of the company’s inception. As a music producer, he has successfully produced albums for many well-known rappers and has even been a veritable supervisor of a [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/dr-dre-the-rise-of-a-one-man-music-revolution?ref=bobbydavidson.com)‘nursery’ where they were able to nurture their talents to the maximum. Some of his more well-known prodigies include the following: - The late 2Pac, - Snoop Dogg, - The D.O.C., - Eminem, - 50 Cent, - Xzibit, - Knoc-turn’al, The Game and - Kendrick Lamar He is also widely credited to be the main figure in the crafting as well as the subsequent popularization of ‘West Coast G-funk.’ This is a popular rap style that is typically characterized as a ‘synthesizer based with slow and regular but heavy beats.' With a net worth of $825 million, Dr. Dre is the 3rd richest individual in the hip hop music industry genre. ## o Dr. Dre’s Early Life Dr. Dre was born in Compton, California, and was the eldest child of his family. In 1976, the young Andre Young commenced attending The Vanguard Junior High School in Compton city. However, it was an epicenter of gang violence, and fearing for his life, he transferred to the considerably safer Roosevelt Junior High School in a suburban part of the city. Later on, he started living in Carson where he finished his middle school. He attended Centennial High School in Compton in 1979 during his freshman year, but later on, he transferred to Fremont High School in South Central Los Angeles. *"I've gotten my personal life all the way intact and made sure that it's straight. Without that, you have no foundation. Your building is going to crumble."* *Dr. Dre on the importance of a supportive home life* ## o His Music Career He was heavily inspired by the Grandmaster Flash song "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel", and after listening to it for the very first time, he decided that music was what he wanted to dedicate his life to. Shortly after school, he started attending a club known as “Eve After Dark” in order to watch many DJs and rappers who frequented the place for live performances. Eventually, he applied for the position and became a DJ in the club. While he was there, he met many other aspiring rappers like himself and he realized that he had the talent to reach the very top of the genre. It was then that he adopted the moniker “Dr. Dre” and referred to himself as the "Master of Mixology”. In 1986, Dr. Dre met the then unknown rapper O'Shea Jackson who went on to achieve global fame as “Ice Cube”. He collaborated with Dr. Dre and recorded a lot of numbers for Ruthless Records, a hip hop record label that was run by a locally known rapper Eazy-E. This was the era of profanity-laced numbers that were a scathing indictment of urban squalor. In 1992, he parted company with RR and released his very first single that was the title track to the hit Hollywood blockbuster film *Deep Cover*. The song (also named “Deep Cover”) was a joint collaboration with acclaimed rapper Snoop Dogg. Dr. Dre also did a debut solo album around that time known as “*The Chronic*”. In those days, Dr. Dre ushered in an entirely new style of rap, not just from the lyrical context but also in terms of musical style. Some of his more important finds of that era were Jewell and Nate Dogg. Apart from working on his own songs and material, Dr. Dre also went on to produce Snoop Dogg's debut album *Doggystyle*. In just one week, the album was number one on the Billboard 200, which was a ground breaking record for an artist. *"I've gone seventy-nine hours without sleep, creating. When that flow is going, it's almost like a high. You don't want it to stop. You don't want to go to sleep for fear of missing something."* *Dr. Dre on the exhilaration of the creative process* Currently, his “Aftermath Entertainment” is one of the largest record power houses in the industry. ## o Dr. Dre as an Entrepreneur Dr. Dre released his own brand of headphones in July 2008, known as ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’. In autumn 2009, Hewlett Packard picked up the brand and bundled it with a few select HP laptops and headsets. In 2014, Apple purchased Beats from Dr. Dre for $3 billion, making it one of the most expensive technological acquisitions in recent history. ## o Dr. Dre and Philanthropy During May 2013, Jimmy Lovine and Dr. Dre donated a massive $70 million endowment to the University of Southern California in order to create the “USC Jimmy Lovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation.” This was just one of the several philanthropic endeavors. *"It's always been difficult to make a good record. To be perfectly honest with you, it's really about the person that's pushing the buttons. No matter what type of equipment you have, you still have to have a certain talent to be able to make a good record."* *Dr. Dre on creating music* ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Learning to be Heard: How Podcasting Can Rake in The Revenue! URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/learning-to-be-heard-how-podcasting-can-rake-in-the-revenue/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:19.000Z A podcast has often been described as an “*episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download and listen to*”. By and large, many, if not most podcasts are usually available to listeners for a nominal subscription. Once a user decides to subscribe to any particular podcast then all of the new episodes from that podcaster will be downloaded automatically to the user’s media payer or smartphone app or even personal computer. The process through which this is accomplished is generally referred to as ‘web syndication’. There was a time barely a short while ago when virtually all podcasting was relegated to the fringes of the marketing world. But that was then, and this is now and what had been considered to being an activity that had merely been restricted to only to a few tech-savvy people at most, has now reached the marketing mainstream. And now it has gone way beyond the mainstream, as it gathers steady momentum of its very own. This is primarily because there are very a lot of advantages to podcasting, both for the podcasting community as a whole, as well as listeners as well. Let us take a look at a few of such benefits in some detail: ### o The ability to generate revenue and attract a large audience with minimal investment Yes, it is quite possible for a Podcaster to earn revenue, and sometimes they do end up earning more than they could have possibly dreamt off before starting on this venture. If we were to take even a cursory look online, we would easily see that there are many podcasters who started small and have now signed lucrative five and even six-figure advertising contracts with many of the globally known brands. Massive brands are extremely eager to link their names with those in the leading lights of the podcast industry. Giving them an alternative way to reach people in a new and fresh way. This is primarily due to the fact that this is an untapped industry, in every sense of the term. And here it is pertinent to note that it is not just the big names that are making the big bucks. Even the so called small-time players are able to acquire contracts and sponsors on a regular basis. However, this is where the question arises as to exactly, why do many sponsors ever even bother with podcasts at all? Especially when there are many different avenues that are currently available for them to spend their advertising budget on? They do so for some of the following key reasons: ### o The convenience of easily accessible audio content for the end consumer Just about all marketers have one key factor in common with each other, and that is the fact that they are trying to catch their target audience’s attention. This is the single most important objective of the entire marketing effort, as a whole. As a matter of fact, today’s increasingly net-savvy generation has a tremendous amount of information available right at their fingertips. This means that there is often a whole lot of distractions, and all of them are competing for the attention of the end consumer. This makes it really difficult for any individual to give his one hundred percent attention to the same medium at any given point in time. Let’s consider the example of a television advertisement to better understand this situation. If you are in the middle of a particularly enthralling show and it takes an advert break, odds are that you will quickly switch channels till you come across something more exciting than the ad in question. Now, this is clearly a loss to the erstwhile advertiser who has spent a whole lot of money to place that ad in any popular prime time program. All his valuable resources go down the drain, the moment the channel is changed. Much the same holds true for print media and even the internet as well since it is possible to just simply gloss over different newspaper ads and website banners so that one is able to read the content that matters to them, the most. ### o Ability to multi-task The main reason behind this is that focusing on one thing at a time, while dealing with multiple different distractions is virtually impossible. This is indeed exactly why the great thing (from the point of view of the sponsor that is) about any podcast is that the content is in an audio format and furthermore, it is available on just about any online media player. This way the target audience can easily listen to it while simultaneously doing other things as well. They may be jogging or driving a car, cleaning their house or even doing something as tedious as working out at the local gym. Listening to an interesting and knowledgeable podcast is a really good way to take care of all such boring and otherwise mundane tasks. This unique ability to multitask makes podcast fans basically ‘tune in’ whenever they are working on other stuff. Listening to a popular podcast does not create a distraction. Instead it creates more of a diversion from their present routine activity. This often times ends up inspiring the listeners to increase their productivity along side listening to the podcast. In the light of the above, we can safely conclude that podcasts are a really inexpensive and effective means of getting your message across to an appreciative audience. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Marketing in The Internet Age: Learning to Join the Major Leagues URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-in-the-internet-age/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:19.000Z If ever there was a time to make money through an online business, this is it. As a matter of fact, in today’s world, an ever-increasing number of people are hopping on to the e-commerce bandwagon as a means of making it into the ‘major leagues’ in terms of ROI (return on investments). In fact, there is the very real example of the likes of Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Jack Ma of Ali Baba and Ali Express to follow, as well as any one of the myriads of highly successful online superstores that currently occupy the cyber landscape. However, it is prudent to understand that merely creating an online store, stocking it with products and waiting for customers to simply show up, is not going to help you emulate all those big boys out there. In fact, if you are going to build an e-commerce website and then proceed to wait for customers to show up on their own, then you may as well not create the site, to begin with. You should only go ahead until and unless you take a series of certain steps to ensure that the site is not only relevant to your target market, but also the casual browsers who end up there. In other words, any prospective visitor should be willing to take certain actions that are directly consistent with the overall objectives for which you have set up the site in the first place. ## Different types of websites that require marketing efforts For example, if you are running a product awareness site for a popular brand of footwear who might have outsourced their online brand awareness campaign to you. Then you might want to use your site as both an information center as well as a landing page to gently ‘nudge’ them towards visiting the main retail page of the company. Alternately, it could be a simple web-based retail portal (ala eBay and other sites) where you have cut out the middlemen in order to provide goods straight from the manufacturer to the end customer. For that matter, you might have created a simple data collection portal that caters to the marketing and sales needs of your clients. In any of the above scenarios, you will still need to market your website so as to be able to generate not just relevant traffic but also a more positive response as well, from your original target audience. ## The web funnel This is the part where the concept of the ‘web marketing funnel’ comes into its own. In the real world context, the ubiquitous funnel is basically a simple pipe or a tube that has a much larger (typically elongated) diameter at the top end than at the bottom. Whenever either liquids or even powder based solids are poured in at the top, they will eventually end up finding their way into the markedly narrower opening at the bottom. The idea works pretty much the same way in the virtual world of e-commerce portals and websites as well. Taking this analogy further into the sphere of digital businesses, the potential customers are gently guided or channeled into the funnel where they end up taking those actions on your site for which it was originally designed for. For example, it could be a customer’s decision to make an expensive purchase (thereby showing the end customer’s trust in the product) or even something as small and seemingly innocuous as merely filling out an email address that can be used to send great product offers to the prospective customer. In a nutshell, a ‘conversion funnel’ (as the very term implies) acts as a conduit to basically “convert” an otherwise casual browser into an actual consumer of a product or service. It also applies when the visitors at a site actually follow through on actions that the site hopes they perform. In web marketing jargon, the end result of this process is known as a “conversion.” Basically, the visitor will ‘convert’ from merely browsing a site to taking the specific action that the site owner actually wants him or her to take and that is indeed the core purpose of the site. However, there are many different stages in this entire conversion process, and just about all of them have to be defined properly. This is because poorly defined paths tend to veer off course, and the site ends up losing revenue in the long run. For instance, if a thousand potential customers visit a site and only one or two conversions take place, it means that the funnel is leaking along the way, and certain steps have to be taken immediately in order to remedy this situation. Let‘s dive deep into these steps: Step one: They have to actually visit the site Step Two: They may spend time viewing different products and services before they actually like something (browsing) Step three: They add the desired product to the shopping cart Step four: They finally go ahead and make the actual purchase For the funnel to have a really high conversion rate, it is important that each and every one of these steps is optimized in order to ensure the desired result. To a fairly large extent, the same rule applies to social media business pages as well where potential customers can check out peer reviews, see products, and eventually make that all important purchase decision. The good news is, it is not all that difficult to create a great and near watertight web marketing funnel, provided, that you have the right information beforehand, and therefore can take the relevant steps to make an online business venture, a runaway success. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Larry Ellison: The Man Who Changed the Face of IT As We Know It Today URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/larry-ellison/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:21.000Z ## Larry’s Early Life However, this self-made man did not have such a massive fortune handed to him on the proverbial silver platter. On the contrary, he had to work long andhard and use every iota of his considerable skill and acumen to become the man he is today. That his achievements are considerable goes without saying, however what is truly fascinating is the fact that he did not have a really ‘normal’ childhood, in any sense of the term. He was born to a single mother, who packed him off to his uncle’s when he was very little and ill. Nine months to be precise. It was his adoptive parents who bought him up and made him self-sufficient enough to go to college. However, his adoptive mother died when he was in college and he was too distraught to continue his education. He tried again but could not even survive even a single semester. This is the time when he decided to take matters into his own hands. At the age of 22 he headed off to the (then) emerging) SiliconValley way back in 1966\. Muscling his way into the nascent IT sector in ‘of all things’ a flashy blue Thunderbird, that he was sure would get him noticed by the movers and shakers of the IT world in Silicon Valley. He bounced around from job to job till such time as he was able to find one that really captivated his interest. As a matter of fact, it was while working at Ampex way back in the early 1970s or so, that he became profoundly influenced by a certain Edgar F. Codd and his ground breaking research with regard to the concept of the ‘relational database’ design. Indeed, it was this very concept that basically led to Larry branching off into a whole new world entrepreneurship, by creating a business entity that went on to become the globe saddling colossus ‘Oracle”. ## The Rise of Oracle However, when it had originally been created, few people believed that Oracle could ever be a resounding success. But the naysayers only served to strengthen Larry’s resolve and he went on to become a highly successful database vendor for several popular mid and low range systems. Eventually he became a direct competitor of the more well-known giants of that era, such as Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server. The very first version of the Oracle database was known not as version 1 but rather version 2\. In 1979, the original company went on to rename itself and became known as Relational Software Inc. However, so high was the popularity of its flagship product that it became a sort of generic term and in 1982, the organization formally became ‘Oracle Systems Corp’ A name that it is uses to this day. Under Larry’s able tutelage Oracle went on to become one of the key drivers of the rapidly growing computer and IT industry. However, additional growth required more funds since Oracle had hit a glass ceiling in this direction. This is why Larry made the decision to become a public limited company and its initial public offering, reported a massive capital surge of $55 million approx. ## Larry: The consummate yachtsman [](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/larry-yacht-1.jpg?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Larry has always been a really passionate yachtsman and he even founded ‘BMW Oracle Racing’ in order to compete for the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup. In fact, Oracle yachts have been the mainstay of many an important yachting and racing competition all over North America, and even beyond. ## Aviation and military aircraft Apart from the lure of the sea, Larry is also very fond of aviation and especially fast planes. He currently owns a SIAI-Marchetti S.211 as well as an unarmed MIG 29 fighter jet, both of which he can fly with equal ease. ## Larry Ellison: The philanthropist extraordinaire While his erstwhile opponents see him only as a trash talking competitor, but there is an entirely different aspect of his personality as well. One that makes him stand out and really shine as one of the brightest stars of the IT and business constellation. And that his is corporate philanthropy. After going through the agony of having his elbow shattered in an accident, Larry Ellison donated $5 million as seed money for the Lawrence J. Ellison Musculo-Skeletal Research Center. Later on, in 1998, he also financed the Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center that was opened at the Sacramento campus of the UC Davis Medical Center. Forbes magazine's 2004 list of charitable donations that had been made by some of the wealthiest people in America stated that Larry had donated $151,092,103 for charitable causes and at that point in time, it came to about 1% of his total estimated personal wealth, per se. In August 2010, Larry had signed "The Giving Pledge". In fact, Ellison wrote: "*Many years ago, I put virtually all of my assets into a trust with the intent of giving away at least 95 percent of my wealth to charitable causes. I have already given hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research and education, and I will give billions more over time. Until now, I have done this giving quietly because I have long believed that charitable giving is a personal and private matter."* In the light of the above, we can easily state that Larry Ellison is a man of all seasons. From being a philanthropist to a tough businessman to a passionate sea and air travel lover. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### The Seminal Importance of Review and Reputation Management in Today’s Online Selling Environment URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/reputation-management/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:22.000Z As a matter of fact, such reputation management is the basic key towards the improvement of an online reputation. And make no mistakes here, such a well-managed reputation can easily help attract many potential clients to the website. The key reason why it is so critically important, stems from the fact that it can easily take a great amount of both time as well as effort (not to mention hard earned funds) to establish and subsequently grow a business effectively. But nonetheless, the long-term reward of reaching many new customers simply outweighs all the challenges that one may have to consider when trying to establish a highly positive reputation in the online world. Since common search engines can easily make or break any new business enterprise, it is absolutely imperative that the website in question should strive to be amongst the most talked about, and by extension, highly recommended e-commerce site on the internet. In fact, the more people are enthusiastically talking about ‘your’ website, the more the chances are that the site will be able to clinch that highly coveted page one placement. That is, a position that is considered as the ‘holy grail’ of SEO or search engine optimization. Apart from that, understanding the myriad of different concepts relating to reputation and review management will also give the marketer a more precise insight on how their website’s reputation can also potentially affect its overall placement. Especially in the ranking structure of the most popular search engine of them all; i.e., Google. ## o Cleaning up all that negative content If there have been multiple negative reviews, then effectively reviving Google’s placement of the site is certainly a tall order and it will require a lot of time and effort. On quite a few platforms (such as Yelp for instance) the system allows a website owner to send a certain message to the end user or reviewer along with an offer for a coupon or even a freebie long before the users are asked to revise their negative reviews. There is a lot of truth in the age-old adage, “*an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure*” because repairing ones reputation can take a such a long time. On the other hand, it takes just a few seconds to try to prevent an issue. This is why it is very important that the web marketers should effectively ensure that customer service is of such stellar quality, that the customer does not need to write a negative review in the first place. But should the unthinkable happen, there is no need to panic or fret, since there do exist various ways to prevent negative content, (such as bad reviews for instance), from reaching the website in question. Many, if not most commerce portal owners these days, tend to protect their online reputation with a fairly simple, yet really powerful plugin dedicated for this purpose (Reputation Saver is a prime example here). The reputation of just about any online business is a whole lot safer with a well-made reputation management plugin because it can easily filter the negative review, long before it can do any lasting damage to the reputation of the site. This, in turn, will free up the management of the site to do what it should really be doing, which is focusing on the feedback that can actually have a positive effect on the overall business. ## o A review is the catalyst that drives an online business backward or forward Reviews (both negative and positive ones) have the undisputed potential to sway the customer's decision regarding entering the marketing funnel. This is why, should there be any negative reviews about a really bad customer experience, leading to new potential customers taking their business elsewhere. This is because the last thing the prospective customer would want is a ‘full-on repeat’ of the really bad experience that he has already read about in the review. In fact, this is the primary reason behind going through extensive customer feedback before making a purchase decision. Conversely, if a site is cited consistently with positive feedback and is liberally peppered with five-star reviews, then the odds are that the website in question will be able to do a whole lot better than other competing sites. ## o The raw power of purely negative reviews Many experts in this field believe that even a single negative article about any particular business has the potential to cause the business a massive loss, especially when it comes to its potential customer base. And keep in mind; we are just talking about one negative review right now. Should there be a whole lot of them, then it is an almost axiomatic assumption that the prospective customers will shirk from giving the site any business. ## o How extremely positive reviews can help a business? On the other hand, if the site’s overall management were to successfully engineer a more positive reputation with some well-earned constructive feedback along with a requisite solid SEO (search engine optimization) campaign. Then it would be logical to assume that the site will become a magnet for many different customers, who will not only purchase from the site in question, but also write glowing reviews and share the same on their social media platform as well. They will do this to make sure that they go viral and attract even more customers. Once that happens, the site will be able to boast of a rock solid reputation, that will be able to shrug off the odd negative review with ease. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Larry Page & Sergey Brin- The Gods of the Tech World URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/larry-page-sergey-brin-the-gods-of-the-tech-world/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:23.000Z Initially, Sergey and Larry did not get along well with each other. They would endlessly argue on almost anything relating to technology. However, both Page and Brin had one thing in common. They wanted to make it easier for people to extract information from extremely large data sets. With this vision in mind, Page and Brin set up a small company in a rented garage in 1998\. Today, the company has become a multi-billion dollar business with the largest office in the world. Here’s a sneak peek into the **success story of Larry Page and Sergey Brin** and their company: Google. ## The Early Life Sergey Mikhaylovich Brin was born in Moscow, Russia, on August 21, 1973\. The family moved to the United States in 1979\. As a child, Sergey was always interested in mathematics and computers, just like his father. Sergey went on to study computer engineering at the University of Maryland. He then went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in computer science from Stanford University. Larry Page was born on March 26, 1973, in Michigan. By the age of six, Page had developed a liking for computers after watching his father work on computers every day. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Michigan. Page then finished his Master’s degree in the same field from Stanford University. ## The Meet-Up Page met Brin when he signed up for a PhD in computer science at Stanford. Brin was assigned to show Page around the campus. Through initial interactions, they both discovered a shared interest in extracting patterns from large volumes of data. After a rocky start, the two became friends and worked together on a research project to explore various backlinks on the internet. They then developed an algorithm called PageRank, which was able to produce better results than all search engines at that time. ## Google- Initial Years After the success of PageRank, the two budding techpreneurs established a startup called Google. The name was inspired by the mathematical term googol, which represents the number one followed by 100 zeros. Google also represented the dream of Brin and Page- to develop a search engine that could organize a limitless amount of information over the internet. By mid-1998, Google was getting nearly 10,000 search results a day. This growth in business prompted the two founders to expand their business by investing in disk space and drafting a formal business plan. Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, the amount of Google searches increased worldwide. The company was growing and receiving exceedingly favorable reviews from users. Brin and Page were then able to hire proper web developers to design a unique website for their business. In the year 2004, Google went public. The company was able to raise nearly $1.7 billion through an IPO. Google also became the first company to allocate and distribute its stocks through computers rather than relying on Wall Street bankers. ## Google- Today Unlike Dell, Microsoft, and Apple, Google never manufactured any computers or accessories. The company’s sole reason of existence has been to provide its users with the most powerful search engine in the world. And over the past few years, it seems the company has succeeded to do so. The very fact that the term “google it” has now become a proper verb speaks volumes about the company’s success. From a small company with a turnover of a few hundred dollars, Google has now become a $740 billion business empire. Google’s famous headquarters in Mountain View, California, is surely something to boast about. The company has the largest office in the world, and it also offers the highest number of amenities to its employees. The campus spans over 2 million square feet of office space and is known for its relaxed environment, casual dress code, and perks. Much of Google’s success has relied on its innovation and business strategies. Firstly, Google was the first ever business to create complex algorithms to help people sort out online information quickly. Until previously, search engines had relied on content editors and researchers to look for links to specific queries. However, Google was able to automate the entire process. Secondly, Google focused more on quality. The initial PageRank algorithm only displayed trusted search results that contained inbound links from reputed websites. The algorithm also made use of keyword frequency and page titles to simplify search results. During the initial years of its operations, Google wasn’t making enough money through its search engine. At this point, Brin and Page decided to make some money out of their services. They introduced a concept of running paid ads for businesses and individuals across Google’s search engine results pages, which laid the foundation for Google AdWords. Today, AdWords is considered to be one of the most powerful and effective paid marketing tools in the world. Once Google AdWords kicked off, the company witnessed a massive surge in their profits. The company’s next target was to ensure continual growth through old-fashioned mergers and acquisitions. YouTube was one of the earliest and most successful acquisitions of Google. The company then began to diversify. In 2004, Gmail was launched. The system was capable of sending and receiving emails in an instant. With the development in technology, Google was able to create Google Drive, which gave all Gmail users the chance to upload their important files on a secured cloud-based server. Today, Google is among the top ten Fortune 500 companies. The combined net worth of Sergey Brin and Larry Page exceeds $100 billion, making them two of the richest men in the world. What started as a simple idea to extract useful information from tones of cluttered data has now become a globally-recognized entity. As we like to VERB Google; I encourgae you to: Google [Percento Technologies](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OKWM%5FenUS800US800&ei=9fSsXNnXCOTs%5FQaZsprwCA&q=Percento+Technologies&oq=Percento+Technologies&gs%5Fl=psy-ab.3..35i39l2j0l2j0i30l3j38l3.2271.8768..10079...1.0..0.81.382.5......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j35i304i39j0i13j0i13i30.n4%5Ft8tZ3vYI&ref=bobbydavidson.com)! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Smart Devices and the World of Marketing Today URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/smart-devices/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:23.000Z An ever-growing and significant part of the world’s population is now increasingly getting rid of their radios and their TV sets, supplanting them with the (by now ubiquitous) smart communication devices. The main reason behind this rapid change is not just the fact that the end user can easily gain access to a whole universe of information at the swipe of a finger, they at the same time get to access various views and news regarding products that they may be interested in purchasing. Such opinions are regularly expressed and shared on social media platforms, which makes any individual looking to by a certain product, to reach for their smart device and search for these posted opinions as part of their research. In other words, they will be far more willing to trust the reviews that they find on social media. This is due to the fact they think that they are a whole lot more ‘authentic’ than any other sort or form of paid advertisements. ## o Paid content vs unpaid reviews in the era of smart technology It is very important to understand that ultimately, advertising is precisely that; ‘paid content’, Created for the express purpose of luring potential customers into the ‘marketing funnel’ till they become a buyer. This is something that today’s (4G capable) smartphone toting, market savvy customers know only too well, and this is indeed why the reviews written by a prospective customer’s fellow peers will have far more weight when they want to make an important buying decision. Add to that the fact that there is almost always an innate element of near-total honesty, at least as far as various social media reviews and views are concerned. And of course, there is sound reasoning behind it. After all, the people posting on social media are doing so for purely their own sense of responsibility and most of them are not paid reviews. Even when some of them are atual paid reviews they easily stand apart from the rest. Especially if it is the only one positively speaking about a product that has been all but roundly rejected by everyone else. This is why it is considered so easy to be able to gauge the exact level of quality and service overall,that the product and its manufacturers may well have. Of course, all of this would not have been possible to do before the advent of smartphones and other similar devices. Very few people had the time and inclination of writing reviews on their PCs and laptops. But swiping one’s finger over a review during lunch hour is now a bit of a national pastime, these days. The era of really fast and inexpensive internet connections along with the development of a whole plethora of apps and platforms effectively means that marketing has become not just a more challenging, but at the same time, a really rewarding enterprise. additionaly it is now considerably easier to get one’s messages across to the target audience with minimum hassle. As a matter of fact, any reasonably good review can as of today, quite effectively spread a whole lot faster than any sort of ATL (‘above the line’ or mainstream media related activities) or BTL (‘below the line’ or individually targeted marketing activities) can ever possibly do. This can actually happen at no cost to the manufacturing company whatsoever. Let us say for instance, that if a sports store has a certain brand of a highly anticipated baseball bat in stock, the owner of the store will know that thanks to smart technology;the news has the potential of going viral and soon everyone will know about it within a mere few hours. This is because the news will travel from SF to NY in far less time than if the store paid an ad agency to run advertisements for him. When that happens, people will purchase and review the products, free of charge. Such reviews will be considered to be even more dependable than any paid advertisement because no one has been paid to write them and they are the actual honest opinions of the individuals who are posting them online. The reliability of such a review cannot really be compared to a real-world advertisement per se, since the odds are that there will always be an element of skepticism when it comes to critically evaluating the latter, while the former will obviously suffer from no such liabilities. ## o Issues with smart technology and its implementation However, smart technology is a double-edged sword. Should the product be faulty in any way, it will be lambasted on multiple social media platforms simultaneously. And even if the manufacturer were to try and remove the offending posts from any SM platform where the product’s page or handle exists, he will only be making a bad situation potentially worse. The screenshots of the bad review will be posted and reposted (or tweeted and retweeted, as the case may be) and by trying to hide any defects, the owner of the product will only end up making a bad situation a whole lot worse. The fact that just about everyone has a smartphone and can take screenshots within a second or two means that the manufacturers will end up losing their credibility, altogether. In light of the above discussion, we can safely conclude that smart technology is not only here to stay, but it actually has the potential to effectively revolutionize all other marketing and media channels that are currently available today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Marian Ilitch: The Pizza Queen Who Conquered the Taste Buds of An Entire Nation URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/marian-ilitch/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:23.000Z Mrs. I, as she's is more popularly known these days, now owns the pizza chain completely. And its annual revenue is in excess of $4 billion, on average. Apart from the world renowned pizza chain, she also owns the Detroit Red Wings as well as the Motor City Casino Hotel. Furthermore, Marian is also helping to build a more than $1 billion sports and entertainment district in the city of Detroit. This will also include her ‘all new corporate headquarters’ with pizza shaped windows. ## o Her Early Life Marian was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, and her parents were Macedonian immigrants. In fact, she met her husband, Mike Ilitch, for the first time on a blind date that his Macedonian immigrant father had set up. They hit it off very well, so much so that they got married within a year. The couple had a total of seven children in the time that they were together. ## o Her Business Interests The Ilitches had gone on to create the Little Caesars Pizza parlor chain in 1959, which they subsequently expanded into a massive franchise. But this was only the first rung in the ladder of success, and the Ilitch name has now expanded. It includes not just restaurants but also entertainment, sports and gaming. Ilitch was also one of the original investors in Detroit's large scale Motor City Casino project. Showing great financial acumen, Ilitch basically saw a great opportunity to purchase near total interest in the huge casino resort complex. Keeping in mind its tremendous potential, she purchased all the shares in the property from various major and minor stakeholders back in 2005. The $600 million Motor City Casino, which Ilitch owns, is widely reckoned to be the largest independently owned casino enterprise that currently exists in the United States today. And it is most probably the largest woman entrepreneur owned casino in the whole country. ## o (Marian) Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Ilitch was also the vice chairwoman as well as the secretary treasurer of virtually all of her family's extensive holdings until 1999\. That was until Ilitch Holdings, Inc. was formed. This company was the overall parent company formed to take care of her family's many interests. She took over as the chairwoman after her husband's untimely demise. As of now, the consolidated Ilitch Holdings includes the following: - Little Caesars Pizza - Champion Foods - Blue Line Foodservice Distribution - Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program - Detroit Red Wings - Detroit Tigers - Olympia Entertainment and - Olympia Development along with various other food services as well as entertainment venues that exist within these core business groups ## o Marian’s Investments in the Community The Motor City Casino has regularly contributed close to $1 million to local charity groups that currently exist in Detroit. Ilitch, with the help and encouragement of her husband, initiated the “Little Caesars Love Kitchen Foundation” in 1985\. This is basically a mobile pizza restaurant for the destitute. The Love Kitchen has to date managed to feed around 2 million people. It has been instrumental in aiding the hungry and disaster victims not just across the U.S. but also Canada. As a matter of fact, no less than three presidents viz., President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush Sr, and President Bill Clinton, have also recognized the fine work conducted by Marian through her ‘Love Kitchen’ initiative. Apart from donating literally millions of dollars to various charitable organizations, Ilitch has also successfully established the ‘Ilitch Charities for Children.’ This is a a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to the amelioration and the improvement of the lives of poor and the destitute children. It works in the areas of education, health as well as recreation. Over the past few decades, this charity has been instrumental in the sponsorship of numerous programs in the greater Detroit area. These include amateur sports sponsorship's for literally hundreds of thousands of children. ## o Her Legacy and Honors - Marian received the “Roundtable for Women in Foodservice Pacesetter Award” in 1998. - The owners of the “Greater Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Women Business” recognized Ilitch as one of Michigan's Top 25 women entrepreneurs and business owners of 1994. - She was recognized by the American Red Cross of South-eastern Michigan for helping to aid emergency services as well as the work of the “Friends of the Red Cross” - “Council Crystal Rose Award” by the Hospice of South Eastern Michigan in 1997 - “Michigan Executive of the Year” award by the Wayne State School of Business Administration in 1999 - Inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2001 - In 2004, she was named one of Detroit's “Most Enterprising Women” by the Detroit Historical Society in partnership with the National Association of Women Women's Economic Club, Business Owners, Greater Detroit Chapter and Crain's Detroit Business. - Recognized as Crain's Detroit Business Top Women in Business Honoree in 2005 - She was elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and inducted in the same in 2010. - She was recognized as the “number one woman business owner in the nation” by the Working Women Magazine. What a great woman to study and write about on International Women's Day. Cheers to Mrs. I! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Michael Dell- The Techpreneur Everyone Wants to Be URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/michael-dell/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:24.000Z Michael Dell was also one of those lucky individuals to make the most out of the computer boom. Like Steve Jobs, he was able to turn his small startup into a thriving multi-billion dollar company. Here’s what you need to know about **Michael Dell’s success story**. ## Humble Beginnings Michael Saul Dell was born in Houston, Texas, on February 23, 1965\. From a very young age, Dell showed interest in computers. At the age of 15, his family bought an Apple computer. Dell tried to disassemble the machine to see if he could put it back together. Dell’s parents wanted him to be a doctor. In 1983, Dell was a pre-med student at the University of Texas. During the first semester, he used to buy outdated personal computers from local retailers, upgrade them, and then sell them from his dorm room. As Dell’s business of upgrading and reselling old computers grew, he realized he needed more space to store his ever-growing inventory. When Dell announced his plans to drop out of college to pursue a career in computers, his parents were furious. In order to please his parents, Dell decided that if his sales turned out to be disappointing, he would go back to med school. During the first month of his new-found business, Michael Dell was able to sell off nearly $180,000 worth of PCs. From this point on, there was no turning back for Dell, and he never went back to med school. ## First Business Venture During the early 80s, Dell was quick to realize that personal computers would become an essential commodity in the near future. And when it comes to commodity, price and delivery are important. Dell figured out that he could easily purchase components and design PCs, which he can then sell to consumers at low prices. In 1984, Dell launched his company under the name PC’s Limited. His idea was to sell personal computers over the phone directly to customers and offer 15 percent discounts to reputed brands. The technique would go later go on to establish Dell as a billionaire. During the first year of its operations, PC’s Limited became one of the fastest-growing computer companies in the United States. The company reported $6 million in sales during the first year of business. Unlike his competitors, Dell did not focus on simply inundating the market with thousands of generalized computers. His strategy was to create customized machines to address the needs of end users. In 1987, Dell changed the name of the company to Dell Computer Corporation. Sales continue to soar, and they reached nearly $160 million by 1988\. During the same year, Dell’s company issued went public. The IPO raised an additional $30 million for the company, out of which $18 million went to Dell’s own pocket. Two years later, Dell married a young fashion designer named Susan Liberman. They have four kids together. By 1992, the 27-year old Michael Dell became the youngest CEO to lead a Fortune 500 company. ## Unparalleled Growth and Other Issues Once a small startup becomes an established company, business owners often think about entering other ventures. However, Dell took a different approach. Instead of opening up new companies that focused on other areas of expertise, Dell entered into a fierce competition with IBM. In 1992, Dell set a goal to achieve more than $1.5 billion in sales. Thanks to Dell’s business acumen, the company was able to generate sales in excess of $2 billion for the year. However, the company’s growth soon spiraled out of control for the young CEO. By mid-1993, Dell’s stock prices dropped from $49 to $16 per share. The company’s CFO resigned and left. Furthermore, Dell had to remove its new lines of notebook computers due to quality control issues and high production costs. As a result, business suffered throughout the year. However, Dell wasn’t eager to give up. He hired Mort Topfer and Kevin Rollins, two of the most seasoned and experienced managers, to oversee day-to-day operations at the company. Dell was also able to hire Apple Powerbook designer John Medica at a lucrative package. Within 12 months of the new hiring, the company was able to get back on track and record profits of up to $150 million. However, Dell now faced increasing competition from several other companies that were producing computers. To overcome competition, Michael Dell and his top executive made two bold decisions. Firstly, the company would focus on high-margin business customers. Secondly, the company would solely focus on direct marketing rather than retailing. Many tech experts criticized Dell’s decision. However, Dell proved everyone wrong. By using telephone and internet marketing, the company was able to push its sales to $7.7 billion in 1997\. Dell was the first ever IT company to develop a niche in direct selling. By 1999, the company outperformed both IBM and Hewlett-Packard and its sales increased to $12.3 billion. ## Takeaways Michael Dell’s success story has been motivational for some, but confusing for others. Critics often question how his company was able to grow at such an exponential rate by focusing on direct marketing and ignoring retail stores altogether. The answer lies within Dell’s ability to rethink his business operations. By 1997, Dell wasn’t focused on producing computers in bulk. Instead, he was trying to reduce his machine’s failure rate. By implementing a few thought-out strategies, the company was able to reduce its hard drive failure rate by up to 20%. Another point worth noting is that Michael Dell was gifted with a business mind. Even during his high school years, he was making thousands of dollars by selling various newspaper subscriptions to a target market he himself had identified. **When he was 18, Michael Dell said that it was his dream to compete with IBM. Today, many employees at IBM dream about competing with Michael Dell.** ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Importance of Social Media Customer Care in Retaining a Company’s Clientele URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/the-importance-of-social-media-customer-care-in-retaining-a-companys-clientele/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:24.000Z As a matter of fact, the old tried and tested ‘ BTL (below the line) and ATL (above the line)’ activities just simply no longer hold people in the kind of thrall, that they used to before. This is in spite of the really heavy budgets that different marketing departments from a number of companies (ranging from telecommunication sector to the FMCG market) still try to allocate towards such activities in order to make sure that they remain relevant in an increasingly more contested marketing space. Today, various corporations are in the process of quickly losing their market share, at least as far as their terms of engagement viz-a-viz their target markets, are concerned. Yes, it is most certainly true that absolutely massive branding campaigns still have a place in the grand scheme of things, especially when it comes to new product launches and brand awareness campaigns. However, as of now, the initiative is slowly but surely flowing from the erstwhile marketer to their consumers who are now quite willing and able to initiate conversations that are based on their own highly specific demands, Instead of the products that the companies want them to purchase. ## o The ever rising role of social media in the world of marketing today There was a time when social media was once taken as a fringe activity that would fade into oblivion, but many people who thought so, were proved completely wrong. Especially, if we take into account the fact that it is an extremely valuable commodity and becoming a veritable replacement of the mainstream mass media. This sentiment can be backed up by consumers everywhere now looking at social media as an effective means of successfully eliminating both pre as well as post-purchase dissonance, whenever they make an expensive purchase. Here, it is pertinent to note that the days when the various popular channels of communication were decidedly one-dimensional in terms of their advertising pitches, with many different companies broadcasting their own POV (point of view) via TV as well as the mainstream print media, too. Now social media thanks to the ready availability of 4G technology as well as the proliferation of smart devices has given the end customer a voice and a very vocal one at that. While it is certainly true that the typical social media post might not have the overall authenticity of their mainstream media counterparts as such, but nonetheless these are news and views that are decisively shaped by our fellow peers. Indeed, this is precisely why they are far more easily believed by the potential customer and also shared and re-shared to the point that they go ‘viral’. ## o Social media Vs. the mass media In many ways, social media has become a veritable bonanza for many net-savvy social media marketers who are now all too easily able to tap onto various social media platforms and help their client company gain really impressive results. These results are being provided with far less resources that might have been required for either of mass marketing’s favorite BTL or ATL activities. Actually, this is only possible because of the fact that customers who are online all the time (which is easy, because just about everyone now sports a 3G/4G capable smartphone) might easily ignore the brand’s message regarding its products. However, these potential customers may be far more inclined to take actual real-world decisions regarding any really important and expensive purchase based on the ‘virtual impression’ the product (and by extension, the brand has) has on social media. ## o Resolution of real-world problems via social media The above is only possible if the interaction that the social media marketers and specialists have with their customers includes the quick resolution of any and all problems in real time, rather than on chat windows alone. Unlike a real-world call center, social media interactions regarding product features and complaints in real time are also open for everyone. This includes potential customers to both see and subsequently evaluate the problem. These people may then go on to share their own personalized feedback on the brand’s page/account for everyone to see; up close and personal. This is a critical time for the company. Because its reactions are under observation. If it leads to complete customer satisfaction, the end result will almost certainly be greater and more positive brand association. This in turn, will lead to higher sales and customer satisfaction, leading to a win-win situation for all concerned parties. ## o The ‘other side’ of social media customer care and interaction However, there is a dark side to social media as well and it is absolutely imperative to both understand and realize that there is huge price to pay for not giving a social media customer the care and interaction they deserve. If the customers get angry, they will almost certainly end up ‘sharing’ their frustration on their individual accounts and groups that they participate in, where everyone will be free to see and share it on their feeds, as well. Moreover, they can also write really negative comments on the company pages that are open for all to see. This is why hiring well-trained specialists who have the requisite skill and expertise to be able to adequately respond to customer queries are an absolutely truly priceless asset for the whole company. This is due to the fact that the really satisfied customer will always look at the company and its products in a favorable light, writing about them in glowing terms, thereby effectively enabling the company to leapfrog over the competition, in the rush to grab market share. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Abigail Johnson- The Most Powerful Woman in the World of Finance URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/abigail-johnson/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:25.000Z Since 2016, a new face has been making headlines as the most powerful individual in the world of finance. Her name is Abigail Johnson, and she is the face of Fidelity Investments. Heading a company with net assets worth $2.1 trillion, Ms. Johnson is redefining gender roles and taking on a male-dominated industry head-on. Here’s a look at **Abigail Johnson’s success story**. ## Early Life Abigail Pierrepont Johnson was born on December 19, 1961 in Boston. She is the granddaughter of Edward C. Johnson II, who founded the Fidelity Management and Research (FMR) firm in 1946\. The firm managed mutual funds, which involved a team of professional portfolio specialists managing money of various stock market investors. During the stock market boom of the 1980s and 90s, Fidelity Investments emerged as one of the leading **financial management companies in the United States**. In 1977, Abigail’s father (Edward C. Johnson III) took over the company. Abigail landed her first job at Fidelity Investments after she finished her high school in 1980\. Johnson’s role in the company was to answer phone calls in the customer relationship department. Despite having a major in art history from Hobart and William Smith College, Abigail went on to pursue an MBA degree from Harvard Business School. She finished her degree in 1988. ## Career Growth Despite being in the family business, things weren’t always easy for Abigail. After graduating from Harvard Business School, Ms. Johnson worked as a lowly stock analyst at Fidelity Investments. She was initially assigned to the Select Industrial Equipment Fund division. The job wasn’t exciting at all. However, Johnson was determined to make a difference. Within a few years, she was promoted to the position of a Portfolio Manager. She established herself as an able and reliable fund supervisor after achieving exceedingly positive results for Fidelity’s long list of clients. By the year 1994, Abigail Johnson was serving as an Associate Director at Fidelity Investments. In 1995, Edward C. Johnson III divested a large share of his voting rights and handed them to the parent company FMR. Many experts predicted that this move was done as Mr. Johnson was confident in his daughter’s abilities to succeed him as the company’s chairman. In 1998, Ms. Johnson was acting as a Senior Vice President at Fidelity Investments. By this time, she was married to Christopher J. McKown and a mother of two. McKown is the Co-Founder of Iora Health LLC, a healthcare information company. ## Ascension to Presidency and Challenges In May 2001, Fidelity announced that Ms. Johnson was going to succeed Robert C. Pozen as the President of Fidelity’s mutual funds division. Abigail’s promotion made her the third most powerful individual in her company, after her own father and the company’s CEO Robert L. Reynolds. When Abigail took over the supreme position at Fidelity’s mutual fund division, the company was going through a turbulent phase due to a bear market. Under this type of market, the value of stocks was rapidly decreasing and showed no signs of improvement. Fidelity was also facing tough competition from the Vanguard group, which was gaining a strong foothold in the financial sector due to its effective marketing campaigns. However, Fidelity was still a strong company, with a net worth of $1.4 trillion and a $900 billion American mutual fund portfolio. The organization also managed $100 billion funds from over 17 million overseas investors. Experts noticed a contrast between Abigail Johnson’s management style and that of her fathers. Edward C. Johnson III believed in the Japanese principle of kaizen, which focused on small, incremental growth. Edward’s philosophy was different from the American management style of expansion through mergers and acquisitions. Abigail took a different approach. She believed in a mix of incremental growth as well as sporadic acquisitions. In an interview with BusinessWeek, Ms. Johnson was quoted as saying, “But sometimes, they (incremental growth strategies) don’t work, and you’ve got to say: Let’s grind this baby to a halt.” After Abigail Johnson took over, Fidelity allowed its portfolio managers to buy and sell aggressively in the open market. Unlike their competitors, the team at Fidelity didn’t follow any stock market indices. Ms. Johnson encouraged the managers at Fidelity to be even more aggressive with their acquisition strategies. Abigail’s younger brother is currently working with the real estate division of Fidelity Investments. In May 2005, Ms. Johnson became the president of Fidelity’s Employer Services Company. The organization offers benefit, retirement, and HR services to various companies. ## Abigail Johnson- Leading the Way Today, Abigail Johnson is the President and CEO of Fidelity Investments. She is among the handful of women who are successfully managing a trillion-dollar mutual funds empire. Ms. Johnson rarely gives interviews to media channels and newspapers. However, she is a well-known and respected figure at the company’s Boston headquarters, where her colleagues call her “Abby.” Combining her family’s inheritance with her own professional achievements, Abigail Johnson has become the fourth richest woman in the United States, with a net worth of $10 billion. Fidelity Investments has recently set up its own independent press called Fidelity Insight. The editor at Fidelity Insight, Eric Kobren, talks highly of Ms. Johnson and praises her aversion to publicity tactics. Kobren remarks that Abigail is a calm and composed woman who works hard every day. He also notes that Ms. Abaigal is humble and down-to-earth and doesn’t really come across as one of the richest and most powerful women in the United States. **Abigail Johnson is a success story for all women who want to venture into the world of finance and make a name for themselves.** ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Impact of Technology on Generation Z URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/impact-of-technology-on-generation-z/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:25.000Z However, it seems like children from Generation Z can unlock smartphones before their even able to speak. Generation Z refers to individuals who were born in the mid-2000s. Born into an increasingly digital age, this generation has been using the internet from a very young age, and it has become quite adept at it. The **impact of technology on Generation Z** has been a hot topic of discussion among sociologists, scientists, anthropologists, and medical and tech experts. Based on various observations, discussions, and [research papers](https://www.commscope.com/Insights/uploads/2017/09/Generation-Z-Report.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), here are a few ways technology is reshaping Generation Z. # The Positives Generation Y has always been branded as “entitled.” However, this label ignores the fact that millennials have to struggle against rising costs of education and living, fewer job opportunities, a crippled and fragile economy, and [lower wages compared to baby boomers](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-41095417?ref=bobbydavidson.com). It seems Generation Z is also facing a similar label. Being addicted to social media and cellphones, this generation has come to be known as the always-on generation. However, being addicted to technology is not really a bad thing, and it offers the following benefits. ## More Awareness According to a [report published by Adweek](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/gen-z-infographic-can-help-marketers-get-wise-future-159642/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), Generation Z individuals (also called gen zers) are aware of their “privilege” and are willing to do something about it. Most of them are eager to learn new skills and educate themselves. Statistics indicate that 33% of gen zers watch lessons over the internet, 20% read e-books, and 32% study with their classmates online. ## Increased Commitment to Social Causes Thanks to social media and other tools, gen zers are now aware of what is happening in their communities as well as global issues. Many children and young adults are now signing up for various social causes such as animal rights protection, women empowerment, and conservationism. A 2017 [article in Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/deeppatel/2017/10/04/11-environmental-causes-gen-z-is-passionate-about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com#5fee532d1849) lists down eleven social causes that are prominent among gen zers. ## Better Employment Prospects in the Future Since they have been born and raised in the age of the internet, gen zers are ultra tech-savvy. They are quick at learning how to operate the latest tools and gadgets. As more and more businesses are investing in IT to streamline their operations, it could create more job opportunities for gen zers in the future. ## Access to More Information With the abundance of information available online, gen zers may end up making better decisions than millennials and baby boomers. Nowadays, kids and young adults have access to smartphones, high-speed internet, and a plethora of search engine tools. Similarly, the development of technology is likely to create more specialist fields of interest for gen zers, such as social media marketing and search engine optimization. # The Negatives The advancement in technology has not only made our lives easier, it has also affected our thinking skills and social behaviors. Spending too much time on the internet is bound to create a few issues for gen zers. As kids and young adults are getting hooked to the internet, the generation becomes susceptible to the following problems. ## Low Self-Esteem A [September 2017 issue](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of the Atlantic presented a few disturbing facts. The article reported that today’s teenagers are spending very little time outside of their homes. The percentage of high school students who went on dates dropped from 85% in the 90’s to 56% in 2005\. Similarly, the number of teenagers who spend time with their friends on a daily basis dropped by 40% between the years 2000 and 2015. Limiting outdoor activities and spending more time on social media has been linked to depression and low self-esteem. It is possible that gen zers will be shyer and more socially awkward as compared to millennials and baby boomers. ## Lack of Confidence As self-esteem decreases, gen zers are likely to face confidence issues. While gen zers are fairly confident about their tech skills, they may lack the confidence to ace a job interview, have a pleasant date night, or develop deep, meaningful relationships. The phrase “technology is making us less social” holds quite true for this generation. ## Exposure to Inappropriate Material The online world is often raw and unfiltered. While several organizations and watchdogs are trying to limit the type of information that is easily accessible online, the internet is still full of inappropriate content. In the absence of any proper regulation, parental control or supervision, gen zers often have easy access to inappropriate material. In 2017, a survey was carried out among 10,000 consumers in the UK. The [study](https://edtechnology.co.uk/Article/children-being-exposed-to-inappropriate-content-online/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) revealed that children are likely to be exposed to several types of sexual and controversial content online. However, there are a few ways to prevent your child from accessing or viewing such content, like installing a high-quality antivirus with parental control capability or implementing various cyber-security measures. ## Risk of Cyberbullying Cyber-bullying has existed ever since the internet was first introduced to the public. However, the development of social media has exponentially increased the rate of cyber-bullying all over the world. The types of cyber-bullying can range from sending someone a mean email to leaking an embarrassing photo or video without proper permission. A [2014 article](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/14/35pc-children-teenagers-victims-cyberbullying-fears-grooming-tinder-snapchat?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the Guardian revealed that up to 35% of individuals in the ages of 11-17 experienced some form of cyber-bullying. The number is expected to increase due to the development of online dating apps such as Tinder. # Technology for Kids: Yay or Nay? As the tech-savvy gen zers gear up to enter the corporate world, they may find that their technical expertise gives them an edge over others. However, it is important for children and young adults to learn about the dangers of the internet from a young age. Technology is powerful, and it is up to users to make sure that it is used for good rather than bad. The responsibility also lies with the parents. **It’s not just the kids that are changing. Businesses are also becoming smart and streamlined. If you’re looking for high-quality tech tools and innovations to take your business to the next level, call one of our experts today!** ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Can Cellphones Detect HIV? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/can-cellphones-detect-hiv/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:26.000Z The study concluded that the texting of HIV test results significantly reduced the time between sample collection and result notification to primary healthcare providers. While texting HIV results to doctors made it possible for patients to seek medical treatment as early as possible, diagnosing the disease still remained a major challenge. However, this year, the researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital designed a comprehensive mobile diagnostic tool that can be used to detect HIV. Here’s what you need to know about **using cellphones to detect HIV**. ## A Brief Look at HIV According to [UNAIDS statistics](http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet?ref=bobbydavidson.com), approximately 36.9 million people all over the world had HIV in 2017\. Out of these, roughly 940,000 people died due to AIDS-related complications. Nearly 1.8 million children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with HIV in 2017\. The number of people diagnosed with this disease is expected to increase in the coming years. HIV is a serious medical condition that impairs the immune system, which makes the body susceptible to various illnesses. The virus destroys healthy white blood cells called T-helper cells or CD4 cells. As the CD4 cells are destroyed, the immune system starts to weaken. If HIV remains undetected and untreated, the immune system becomes so damaged that it can no longer protect the body against harmful pathogens. Detecting HIV is a big challenge for the medical community. In many cases, the disease cannot be detected until visible symptoms begin to appear. The disease is also associated with a social stigma, which makes it difficult for patients to seek proper medical help. In addition, the rising cost of healthcare is making things worse for people living with HIV. ## Diagnosing HIV Using Cellphones Detecting HIV in its earliest stages is one of the best ways to prevent the disease from progressing and transmitting. However, HIV detection requires careful monitoring, which could prove time-consuming for families. Cost is another major issue. Traditional HIV detection and monitoring methods are fairly expensive. Families without proper health insurance may find it difficult to pay for these tests. Even senior citizens on Medicare or Medicaid programs face considerable difficulty getting an HIV diagnosis. To overcome the challenges involved with diagnosing HIV, a new revolutionary cellphone technology has been developed. The system is capable of detecting the presence of HIV infection accurately and reducing the risk of virus development and transmission. ## How the Technology Works A comprehensive study in [*Nature Communications*](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06727-8?ref=bobbydavidson.com) explains how cellphones are used in detecting HIV. The system relies on cutting-edge nanotechnology to identify potential HIV symptoms and factors. Combining a 3D-printer phone attachment with a cellphone, a dedicated microchip, and nanotech, the researchers created a comprehensive system to detect HIV. The system is capable of identifying RNA nucleic cells of HIV infection by analyzing a single drop of blood. The cellphone used in the experiment monitored the motion of various DNA-engineered beads to detect HIV-positive cells. After analyzing the [specificity and sensitivity](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181109112642.htm?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of the experiment, the researchers concluded that the system could detect HIV with 94.6 percent sensitivity and 99.1 percent specificity. The relevant threshold value was set at 1000 virus particles/ml and the system was capable of analyzing results within an hour. ## Why This Technology Is Promising Traditional HIV detection techniques rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which involves making several copies of a particular DNA sequence. The process can only be carried out in a laboratory and under the supervision of an expert. Cellphone-based HIV detection does not utilize the PCR method, which makes it easy to use at home. All over the world, HIV tests are carried out using heavy machines and diagnostic systems. These machines can only be operated by licensed and experienced operators. However, a cellphone-based system is fairly easy to set up and get running. If you have the necessary accessories, you can easily conduct an HIV test in the comfort of your own home. Portability is another major factor. Heavy HIV detection machines are difficult to import or carry along. Doctors who frequently travel to third-world countries with limited healthcare resources are unable to detect and diagnose HIV. In contrast, a cellphone is easy to carry along anywhere and can be used to conduct an HIV test and send results to a hospital while on the move. A standard sexually transmitted disease (STD) test could [cost](https://health.costhelper.com/std-testing.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) anywhere between $10 to $30 for patients with health insurance and $50 to $200 for patients who are not covered. In comparison, the total material costs involved with a microchip and phone attachment is [less than $5](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181109112642.htm?ref=bobbydavidson.com). It is clear that cellphone-based HIV testing is far more economical than regular HIV testing. The accuracy of cellphone-based HIV tests is worth mentioning here too. As stated earlier, the results of this type of test are up to 99 percent accurate. The test is fast, which makes it easier for medical experts to determine the next possible course of action after the diagnosis. According to the researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the results of cellphone-based tests are so accurate that this type of test can be used to diagnose several other diseases. ## The Verdict Cellphones were initially developed as a mode of communication. Thanks to the development in science and technology, this tool can now assist in diagnosing various health issues. It seems highly probable that cellphone-based HIV systems will become a norm in the upcoming years. As a result, HIV patients all over the world will have access to a reliable diagnostic tool. Once the diagnosis is complete, patients can then discuss long-term treatment plans with their medical practitioners. **To learn more about high-tech tools & gadgets, their benefits, and their application, get in touch with one of our experts today!** ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Different Ways of Using Technology for Increasing Safety and Security URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/security-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:27.000Z This is the part where technology comes into the picture. It has of course made our businesses as well as our homes a bit more vulnerable to exploitation by oft unscrupulous elements. But nevertheless, at the very same time it has been used to provide us with the myriad different tools that may be used to combat the very specific risks and dangers that currently exist today. Let us check out a few of the more comparatively more innovative technologies that have been designed to make us, and by extension our business a whole lot safer, then ever before. ## o The Octopus software Few people (unless that is, that they are working in high- tech security) would give a whole lot of thought to the many highly complicated security systems that are currently functional in many schools, factories malls, as well as companies. After all, they are manned by security guards and are also suitably well equipped with various monitors that are hooked on to individual CCTV networks. Most such security is (generally speaking) discreetly hidden from sight so as to prevent any anxiety from the point of view of the visitors to these complexes. [Octopus](https://octopus.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), is an Israeli startup, that also gives surveillance and security personnel greater flexibility while simultaneously acting to enhance overall security. It effectively combines a really comprehensive security protocol enabled software with a highly robust smart phone application. In other words, Octopus is a very specific “Physical Security Information Management system” or PSIM that effectively enables various organizations to efficiently manage all their safety security, and logistical needs from only one place. The main advantage of the Octopus security software suite is that it can seamlessly interface with all the many security systems that co-exist within the organization, such as fraud prevention, alarm systems, various alerts of cyber-attacks, entrance monitoring safety, and even closed-circuit cameras. The ability to seamlessly unify all these means of ingress protection will also spare various companies a whole lot of unnecessary expenditures and payments for the purchase of highly expensive accessory equipment for their many security systems. ## o The Companion “*I will call you when I get there,”* is an oft repeated departing comment said by many people to individual friends and family members alike, when they want someone to assure their friends that they have reached home safely. The ‘[Companion](https://www.companionsoftware.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)’, is am all new app for those people who are worried about walking home alone, especially when its dark and lonely. Basically, it promotes the buddy system and allows the app’s many users to ‘go on the grid’ and choose their own “companions.” These are those people who are already part of their contact lists which they can choose (either individually or as groups) in order to track their location as they take their late night stroll to their home. Basically the “Companion app” acts as a sort of real time tracking application, that essentially enables its core users to map both their starting as well as their ending locations, easily enough. As a matter of fact, many users can also add family friends, or (if required) even police officers to be their chosen "companions." The app will allow these companions to easily follow the app user on a location map until they have safely reach their end destination. Once the individual has reached his or her home, the companions they have chosen to share their location with, will automatically be sent notifications to this effect. But in the event of an untoward incident, the companions chosen by the app user would be able to quickly go to the location themselves, or alternately send help on the way. One of the key advantages of this app is that it can be used to track the user on any map, thus effectively eliminating the overall need and hassle for both the users as well as their companions to download and install the same app on their respective smart phones or other devices. ## o The “Driver’s Little Helper’ app This is one app where technology has really helped in keeping families safe. If you tend to travel with a little “baby on board,” or for that matter any small child or toddler, then his or her safety is certainly your paramount concern. Unfortunately, many, if not most kids have a well-developed knack for wiggling out of their baby seats, especially if they have not been fastened properly. Apart from that, there have been many instances, when kids have nodded off and the adults have gone out of the car without realizing that they have accidentally left their “most precious cargo” behind. This is the part where the “Driver’s Little Helper” comes to the fore, as it is an electronic monitoring system app that seamlessly works with both iPhone and Android operating systems. It uses wireless blue tooth technology to ensure that the car seat monitor present in your vehicle effortlessly syncs with your smart phone in order to help you keep your baby safe. As a matter of fact, the car seat monitor pad will be able to measure temperature pressure, and movement and it will send you the requisite alerts through a free app that you can easily download on your smart phone (or any other compatible) device. This nifty little monitor can be easily fitted on any car seat, so that you can drive with the sure knowledge that your darling little baby is perfectly safe. While it is true that technology may not be always able to solve all of our myriad safety concerns, but it most certainly can make a certain difference, sometimes one app at a time. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Make Your Smart Home Safe for Your Kids URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/smart-home/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:27.000Z So the question is how do you make your smart home a safe place for your intelligent, hyper-active kids? Take a look at some of the ways to **make your smart home kid-friendly**. ## Ensure Adequate Lighting Many children are afraid of the dark, and they often have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. By installing nightlights, you can easily help your children overcome their fear of the dark. There are various [sensor lights](https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-multi-color-smart-lights/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that can be controlled through smartphones or smartwatches. Consider putting up these lights along the hallway between the bathroom and the bedrooms. Next, you’ll need to connect these lights to a central hub so that they can automatically turn on whenever your child opens the bedroom door. ## Invest in Smart Assistants Amazon Alexa is a wonderful invention that has simplified the lives of adults all over the globe. However, the device may not be suitable for children, who often end up accessing mature content or compromising their own security. Despite the pitfalls of smart assistants, it is still important to get your children acquainted with this technology. Typically, a high-quality kid-friendly child assistant is capable of: - Recognizing whenever a baby wakes up - Soothing a baby back to sleep by playing lullabies - Assisting children with their homework - Offering assistance in multiple languages - Monitoring kids with the help of an in-built camera ## Purchase Smart Toys No smart home is complete without a few smart toys, and these toys don’t have to be fancy electronic helicopters or hover-boards. Some smart toys, such as [Mattel View Master Deluxe VR](https://www.amazon.com/Mattel-DTH61-View-Master-Deluxe-Viewer/dp/B01CNSO79Q?ref=bobbydavidson.com), rely on virtual reality. These devices can easily transport your child to a trip on a space shuttle or an exciting wildlife safari. Other smart toys play an important role in helping children develop their cognitive skills. They offer various mentally-stimulating activities. ## Consider Home Security Despite having the best technology in place, you should never compromise on your child’s safety. There have been many instances of smart toys secretly recording a child’s video and logging their activities. Before buying any home security product, make sure to read its reviews and understand its features. Are the construction materials safe? Are there any stories circulating about the dangers of using the product? Does the system offer sufficient parental controls? These are some of the questions you should consider before purchasing any home security system. ## Assess the Quality of Air in Your Home When it comes to making a smart home kid-friendly, you’ll have to go the extra mile and consider things you may have previously ignored. The biggest environmental threat children face comes from the quality of air they inhale at home. Excessive carbon monoxide buildup kills several Americans every year. By investing in a home automation safety system, you can receive regular updates on the quality of air in your house and the presence of any irritants. These systems are also helpful in identifying toxic molds. ## Install Door Sensors Toddlers have an adventurous side to them, and they love to explore their environment. It’s almost impossible to stop your little one from climbing out of the cot and crawling around the room. However, it is quite easy to keep a check on your toddler using smart tech. There are various door sensors that can help you monitor if your child is entering an unsafe place. These sensors send notifications to your phone as soon as they sense a toddler approaching a no-go area. ## Use Geofencing Geofencing has been making headlines ever since the concept of smart homes was first introduced. The technology uses GPS to keep your child at home safe, by creating a virtual boundary every time you step out of the home. You can easily instruct a geofence to switch on your home security system as soon as you step outside and turn it off whenever your kids return home from school. By installing a geofence, you won’t have to worry about locking the doors or turning on the security system every time you go out. Some geofencing systems come with a child proximity alarm. These systems create a virtual boundary and alert you every time your child steps out of this boundary. Child proximity alarms are quite useful at homes, and they can also be used safely in public places. ## Put Up Smart Fire Alarms Conventional fire alarms are great, so long as they don’t run out of batteries. Once the battery weakens, there is no way to tell when a fire breaks out until it is too late. Even if these alarms are operational, they’ll go off over something as trivial as cigarette smoke. Smart fire alarms don’t work that way. These alarms identify the type of fire as well as its source of origin. In the event a fire breaks out, these systems will send you a notification on your cellphone. The sooner you know about the fire, the easier it will be to stop it from spreading. Smart homes are becoming a norm nowadays, and more and more companies are designing groundbreaking technological innovations to keep the home secure. It is expected that most of the homes in the United States will turn into kid-friendly smart homes with a safe and secure environment. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Women Entrepreneurs: Taking the Business World by Storm URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/women-entrepreneurs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:27.000Z These developments are a sure sign that the world of American entrepreneurship is now eagerly opening its arms to women as they become all the more comfortable in taking on the mantle of business owners and entrepreneurs. As a matter of fact, the overall entrepreneurship rate amongst women is now considered to be higher than ever before. And these rates are also steadily increasing at an even higher rate as more and more women decide to leave the patriarchal norms of society behind. As per the recent reports[\[1\]](#%5Fftn1), this is not just happening in the US. Rather, women’s entrepreneurial activities have steadily gone up all over the world by an estimated ten percent or so, and this has closed the vast gender gap (in terms of earning ability) to a great extent, especially in the preceding three years. In fact, many lady entrepreneurs are currently leading this massive surge with their individual business and entrepreneurship endeavors. At this point in time, these numbers are currently amongst the highest in terms of the global average with more and more women being engaged in various early stage entrepreneurial activities. As of now, it would not be wrong to state that many of the women entrepreneurs who have joined the economic mainstream alongside their male counterparts have done so not because of financial necessity but because they believe that they can take advantage of a raft of opportunities that are available to them. They are now making the most of such opportunities due to their resilience, ability, and desire to challenge age old traditions and socio-cultural norms. Here are several reasons why women entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses in such high numbers. Let us take a look at a few of them: ## o Entrepreneurship vs. Being Employed Many prospective woman entrepreneurs have decided to branch out on their own not because ‘being your own boss’ is just a fancy catch phrase for ‘living life in the fast lane’. In fact, woman entrepreneurs understand that starting your own business means extra working hours, a whole lot of hard work, and no breaks. Moreover, any problems that they face cannot be blamed on other people as such. They know that they have to take full responsibility for just about everything related to their business. Having said that, being an entrepreneur does have the potential of being a very rewarding business indeed. From [Abigail “Abby” Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abigail%5FJohnson?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to [Bill Gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill%5FGates?ref=bobbydavidson.com), various enterprising entrepreneurs who dared to dream big have gone on to define the very world we live in today. Being a woman entrepreneur gives the individual an absolutely fantastic sense of achievement and absolute control of her own life and the direction that it will take. Apart from that, women entrepreneurs know that running their own business is an excellent opportunity to learn, develop and ultimately polish their skills. And of course, last but not the least, a successful business is certainly a great source of revenue and immense mental satisfaction as you know that you have really achieved something absolutely wonderful entirely on your own. ## o A World of Ever Increasing Opportunities In today’s world, there are far more opportunities and prospects for a woman entrepreneur hoping to kick-start her own business than ever before. This is due to the fact that several patriarchal bonds and traditionally male-oriented spaces are now completely open to enterprising women. Today the market savvy lady literally has the whole world at her fingertips, thanks to the easy access of digital marketing technology that used to be the stuff of science fiction a few decades back. From creating a page on Facebook to advertising on the web, from acquiring peer reviews all the way to going ‘viral’ on social media; it has never really been easier or more convenient to promote a whole range of new products and services than it is today. ## o The Ability to Take That Risk A man with a mortgage on his brand new car and living in a rented property is far less prone to take risks than an aspiring woman entrepreneur. After all, even if an idea does not really work, then all she has to do is go back to the proverbial drawing board and simply start all over again. This is the part where women entrepreneurs really come into their own due to their resilience and their ability to bounce back and start all over again, even if it means failing a few times in between. However, it should be kept in mind that irrespective of whatever business that women entrepreneurs choose, there is never any room for complacency, and like their male counterparts, they have to give more than their hundred percent even after they succeed. Anything other than that would be a compromise and cutting corners, and that is one thing a new entrepreneur should never do if she really wants to succeed in the long term. [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1) The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2016/17 Women’s Report ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Howard Hughes: The Eccentric Genius Who Rocked the World of Aviation URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/howard-hughes/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:28.000Z ## o Tinsel town: The glittering world of Hollywood filmmaking He first rose to prominence as an up and coming film producer when the industry was practically in its infancy, and then later on as a highly influential figure in the then nascent aviation industry. Later on, in life, he became well known for his otherwise highly eccentric behavior as well as leading a particularly reclusive lifestyle that practically made him for all extents and purposes, a hermit. Such quirks in his personality seemed to have been caused in part by a steadily worsening OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as near permanent chronic pain because of a near fatal plane crash, from which he was very lucky indeed, to walk away with his life. Apart from that, his steadily increasing deafness also made him shy away from crowds to a large extent. As the ultimate film tycoon, a highly unconventional and at times even controversial Hughes earned the title of maverick while gaining lasting fame in the era of the silent movies, back in the roaring twenties. This was a time when he was able to produce mega big budget and often highly provocative movies such as *Hell's Angels* (1930), *The Racket* (1928), as well as the original rendition of Scarface (1932). ## o Taking to the skies: the Hughes Aircraft Company Ltd Later on, Howard Hughes went on to form the Hughes Aircraft Company, way back in 1932\. He hired various top engineers and cutting edge designers of the era in a bid to make his company a success. As a matter of fact, he went on to spend the reminder of 1930s and even the early part of the 1940s in personally setting multiple world air speed records. It was during this era that he built the (by now) legendary Hughes H-1 Racer as well as the “Spruce Goose” the H-4 Hercules. He also went for the acquisition and the subsequent expansion of the Trans World Airlines and later on its rival Air West, that he renamed Hughes Air West. It is for his memorable contributions to the world of aviation, that his name has also been included in *Flying* *Magazine's* own list of the “51 (greatest) ‘Heroes of Aviation,’ where Howard Hughes has been ranked at No. 25. ## o His early years Howard Hughes birthplace is recorded as Houston, Texas. There is a lot of controversy regarding his date as well as place of birth, with some people claiming he was born in Humble while others insist it was Houston. What is however clear is the fact that he was the son of Howard R. Hughes Sr. a man who was a highly successful inventor as well as businessman in his own right and a descendant of John Gano, the minister who had originally baptized George Washington himself. It was from a very young age that little Hughes started to demonstrate a whole lot of interest in electronic and mechanical sciences and their related technology. Here he found that he had great aptitude in the field of engineering in particular, and it was this avid interest that helped to build (what was touted to be) Houston’s first true "wireless" radio transmitter long before he was even twelve years of age. But that was not all, within a few short months, in fact hardy after his 12the birthday, Hughes was actually photographed in one of the local newspapers of the city, as being the very first boy in all of Houston to have his very own "motorized" bike. A machine that he had personally built from various parts and components that he had appropriated from his father's steam engine. From land machines, his interests soared to the skies and he partook his very first flying lesson at the age of 14\. Thus, began his love affair with aviation that was to propel him to great success and made him a well-known figure all over the world. ## o His business career Hughes had always enjoyed enviable success throughout his extensive business career that also went well beyond aviation, engineering, and even filmmaking. The Summa Corporation is one such brain child that survives to this day and has been a vehicle that ensured that much of his fortune was subsequently used for various philanthropic causes, the most notable of which would be the upliftment of the health care and medical research sectors. Indeed, these two causes had always been of great interest to him, because he had lost his parents due to medical complications, early on in life. He also branched out into the real estate sector and is widely known for transforming the city of Las Vegas from a small town that was still grappling with its ‘wild west’ image to the playground of the rich and famous, that it has become today. Since he insisted on testing his own aircraft, he had a series of near fatal crashes that left him badly injured. The severe injuries (including third degree burns) made him dependent on many pain killing medicines and he continued to use them for the remainder of his life. He lived as he had died, in the air while en route from Mexico to his residence in Houston, leaving behind a vast fortune to be distributed to philanthropic causes and a legacy that can hardly be equaled by anyone else. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 New Technologies for Older Adults URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technologies-for-older-adults/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:28.000Z For bright, young, dynamic techies based in the Silicon Valley, it can be hard to imagine what it feels like to be an elderly. Yet, they must come up with innovative solutions and design assistive devices that can make the lives of the elderly both safe and comfortable. Let there be no doubt—technology can solve most of the problems of the older population. Over the last two decades, technology has come a long way and today it is opening many doors for the elderly. For example, the internet is making the world a ‘less lonely’ place for the older population. While technology cannot replace in-person interactions with people, internet-based communication platforms such as Skype, Facebook, and other video chatting and social networking sites are helping to keep senior social when visits to friends or relative are infrequent or not possible. In addition to the internet, there’s health and mobility technology that is making the elderly more mobile and safe than ever. Surveys reveal that most seniors would rather stay indoors than be over out and about. This preference for staying home most of the times could have been a problem if we did not have the technological solutions that make it safer for the elderly to stay at home alone. An example of these solutions is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). A Wearable device, PERS enables the elderly to get help with a simple push of a button. With a PERS, not only do the seniors stay safe at home, but their families also have peace of mind knowing that if an emergency occurs, the PERS would send an alert for help. There are many seniors in America who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. For these seniors, safety is a paramount concern, especially when they start to wander. The good news is that there are many GPS tracking devices that can track the location of a senior and send alter to ensure peace of mind for caregivers and prevent dangerous or deadly situations for the elderly. PERS and GPS tracking devices are not the technologies making the lives of seniors safer and more convenient. There are also smartphone apps that can help prevent medication errors, and cloud-based health tracking systems that simplify the process of maintaining and accessing seniors’ health information. ## 4 Innovative Technologies for the Elderly Today, a significant portion of the U.S ‘aging’ population uses modern technology. This usage of technology is not limited to the use of the internet or smartphones. Instead, it includes technology for mobility, health monitoring, and more. Today, technologies providers are launching innovative devices for the elderly each day. In line with this trend, innovative technologies for the elderly were launched at the CES 2018\. Here are our top picks from the event: ### Inoxia Portable Alexa Speaker A battery powered speaker with embedded Alexa, the Inoxia Portable Alexa Speaker features voice control and has internet radio, connected message board, and hands-free speakerphone all rolled into one. With this device, the elderly can use Alexa Voice service to control smart home devices, set alarms, get information, play music, and do a whole host of other things using just their voice. All the elderly need to say is ‘Alexa’ and the device will respond instantly. ### Lenovo Smart Display While it is Intended as the competition for Echo Show, the Lenovo Smart Display has a completely different interface design. While the display is larger and bolder, it doesn’t have the ultra-detail that get from Google Assistant on a phone. The purpose of this is to keep things simple and keep your hands off the device. However, Lenovo Smart Display has a perfectly usable touchscreen which makes it easier to make calls, play music, and recognize different voices. ### MobileHelp and Samsung GearWatch MobileHelp—a manufacturer of home and wearable alert devices, announced at the CES 2018 that it was partnering with Samsung to equip Gear smartwatches with its emergency response capabilities. The devices go by the name MobileHelp Smart, and they can integrate the platform of MobileHelp into an upgraded version of Samsung’s watch to take advantage of the former’s GPS, cell capabilities, and fitness-monitoring features. ### ADT Health The stylish Samsung Gear S2 and S3 Gear smartwatches will now offer connectivity, wellness data, and a personal emergency response system (PERS) professionally monitored by ADT, all thanks to ADT, Reemo Health and Samsung joining hands. Users no longer have to worry about the stigma typically associated with wristbands and pendants instead they can wear their PERS device proudly and with confidence of knowing that help is only a simple tap away. A simple tap on the device activates a two-way voice assistance that connects users with a trained ADT agent directly from the device’s speaker. In addition to this, the two Gear smartwatches can monitor fitness trends which includes hear rate and steps, which motivates seniors to stay active. Thanks to the collaboration between ADT, Reemo Health and Samsung, senior can get help from ADT, while the families and caregivers of the elderly get peace of mind and better visibility to the elderly’s health. All this allows older people to maintain an independent lifestyle, and actively manage their own wellness. There are many more innovative technologies for older adults today. And remember: Listen to your elders advice, not because they are always right, but because they have more experiences of being wrong. Knowledge is power. :) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Orville Redenbacher: The Popcorn King Who Revolutionized an Entire Sector of The Economy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/orville-redenbacher/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:28.000Z How did he earn this title? For this, we will have to take a look at his early life and how it inspired him to become the towering popcorn magnate, that had tens of millions of people all over the world, happily munching on popcorn. ## o His early life Redenbacher was born on July 16, 1907, in Brazil, Indiana. Since his family owned a farm, he grew up around crops and farming equipment and showed his true entrepreneurial spirit early on, by selling popcorn from the back of his vehicle. He went on to graduate from Brazil High School way back in the spring of 1924\. While being one of the elite five percent at the top of his class. Later on, he joined Purdue University, and became an active member of the agriculture-oriented Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity as well as the Purdue All-American Marching Band and as a budding athlete, he became part of his varsity’ track team as well. After four years of study, he went on to graduate in 1928 after attaining a degree in agronomy. Indeed, so great was his interest in the agri based sector, that he spent most of his subsequently productive life working in this industry, and he also served as Vigo County’s extension agent for their Farm Bureau in the Terre Haute area, in Indiana, and later on at the Princeton Farms in Princeton, in the same state. ## o Redenbacher as a businessman This was the man that the NYTimes has gone on to describe as "*But for all his bumpkin appearance, the man with the signature white wavy hair and oversized bow tie was a shrewd agricultural scientist who experimented with hybrids*” had started his career by selling fertilizer, and this was his main source of income, but he was greatly interested in corn, and spent most of his spare time working with different strains of popcorn. By 1951, he felt that he had become self-sufficient enough to create this own popcorn line and recruited Charlie Bowman and together, they went ahead and bought the George F. Chester and Son seed corn plant in the state of Boone Grove, in Indiana. They named their company "Chester Hybrids", where these two enterprising entrepreneurs went about, methodically trying literally tens of thousands of diverse hybrid strains of popcorn, before they ended up settling on a particular hybrid that they decided to name "Red Bow". However, an advertising agency that they were working with, basically took exception to their choice of nomenclature and advised them to use the founder’s own name "Orville Redenbacher" as the brand name of the new product. They changed their branding image and name accordingly and launched their own line of ‘popping corn’ back in 1970. However, ever the entrepreneur, Redenbacher sold the whole company in 1976 to Hunt-Wesson Foods. This was actually a division of the well-known conglomerate Norton Simon, Inc. Meanwhile, it was in 1973 that Redenbacher had started appearing on national TV, and one of his very first personal appearance was in the “*To Tell the Truth”* TV based game show. By the mid-1970s, Both Bowman and Redenbacher had gone on to capture a whopping third of the entire unpropped popcorn market as it existed in the US at that point in time. Redenbacher subsequently decided to move to Coronado in California state. He appeared as the Redenbacher brand’s official spokesman, wearing his (by then) trademark public speaking outfit that became the image an entire generation of Americans have come to recognize. His image included a bow tie and horn rimmed glasses. Sometimes Redenbacher also made it a point to appear in various commercials with his grandson. ## o Are you real Mr. Redenbacher? In fact, so greatly was America captivated by his persona that quite a few customers wrote letters to the studios asking if Redenbacher was an actor or a real person per se?He responded to all such rumors by appearing on many different talk shows, in which he conclusively proved his own identity. In a book that he wrote Redenbacher stated, *"I want to make it clear that I am real."* ## o His personal life Redenbacher had married Corinne Rosemund Strate in 1928 and he remained with her till her death in 1971\. After her death, he married his second wife, Nina Reder, and as with his first wife, he was with her till her dying day on May 8, 1991, at the really old age of 91. ## o Redenbacher and his legacy Orville was not just renowned for his contribution to the popcorn industry, but the entertainment that had been provided by the various TV commercials that starred him, went on to create an image, that is right up there, with various other Americana food giants such as Col Sanders and others of his ilk. In fact, his image is going through a revival and since 2006, there have been several of Orville’s commercials dating back from 1970s and 1980s,that are currently being re run on many different channels,all across the nation, chiefly due to their sentimental value. Almost twelve yours ago, a television commercial actually featured a digital re-creation of Redenbacher and it was quite popular, especially amongst the older generation who still had fond memories of the original ones. In order to honor his many services to the popcorn industry, On September 4, 2012, Valparaiso, Indiana created and unveiled a statue of Orville Redenbacher in order to commemorate the city's annual popcorn festival with his enduring legacy. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### A $600 Million Deal with UK-Based Firm Secures Critical iPhone Technology for Apple URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/a-600-million-deal-with-uk-based-firm-secures-critical-iphone-technology-for-apple/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:29.000Z Apple has inked a $600 million deal to take control over Dialog semiconductor—the power management company at hear of its iPhones. The deal would see Apple acquire certain assets, and over 300 staff members of Dialog. $300 million will be paid upfront for the deal while the remaining amount would be payment for product delivery over the next few years. Here is more on the deal that secured critical iPhone technology for Apple! In November of 2017, rumors started to surface that Apple was considering developing its own power management chip. Only a month later, the CEO of Dialog Semiconductor confirmed that Apple was developing its own chip to replace theirs. In May this year, the company revealed that Apple had in fact slashed orders by thirty percent and on October 11, Dialog announced that it had reached an agreement with Apple on the licensing of certain assets or power management technologies and on the transfer of more than three hundred of the company engineers and staff. While it depends on how quickly approval is given by the supervising authority, the above transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of the new year. According to a [Reuters report](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dialog-licensing/apple-to-buy-part-of-supplier-dialogs-business-in-600-million-deal-idUSKCN1ML0IJ?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the acquisition is rare one for Apple, as the company does generally do such massive transactions. The only transaction of such scale in recent times by Apple that the media agency could recall was the company’s $359 million purchase in 2013 of PrimeSense—the Israeli manufacturer of facial recognition application that unlocks newer iPhones. John Srouji—the SVP of Hardware technologies at Apple, had the following to say about the acquisition: ***“Dialog has deep expertise in chip development, and we are thrilled to have this talented group of engineers who’ve long supported our products now working directly for Apple. Our relationship with Dialog goes all the way back to the early iPhones, and we look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship with them."***[***\[1\]***](#%5Fftn1) After the news of Apple’s acquisition of its power-management technologies and staff broke out, Dialog Semiconductor saw a 34% increase in its shares in Frankfurt. This was because the deal settled the concerns surrounding the future relations between Apple and Dialog. ## The $600 Million Adds a New Dimension to the Apple-Dialog Relationship Since the launch of the first iPhones, Apple has managed the battery life in them with the power-management chips of Dialog. However, the recent $600 million deal with Dialog will add a new dimension to Apple’s relationship with the company. The deal will see Apple buy Dialog’s patents, and about three hundred staff which includes many engineers who have already worked on chips for iPhones. The deal will also secure the offices of Dialog in Italy, Germany, and Britain for Apple. Despite all this, Dialog remains positive that its revenues in the last part of 2018 would not be affected as it would continue to provide Apple main power management integrated circuits (PMICs). The company also expects Apple to buy current and future generations of sub-PMICs from it.Dialog should consider this a real achievement as most of the other chip designers of apple have struggled to maintain their relationship with the company.Jalal Bagherli—the CEO of Dialog, was confident that the deal would strengthen his company’s long-standing relationship with Apple and he said the following: ***“This transaction reaffirms our long-standing relationship with Apple, and demonstrates the value of the strong business and technologies we have built at Dialog”***[***\[2\]***](#%5Fftn2) For most—or three-quarter of its revenue, Dialog relies on its partnership with Apple to supply chips for charging and managing power in iPhones. After the deal is completed in the first half of 2019, Dialog estimates that Apple will account for thirty-five to forty percent of its total revenues in 2022\. This is seventy-five percent less than the figure in the current year. Dialog also expects its headcount to decrease to 1,800\. Additionally, Bagherli revealed that after its next quarterly training update, his company would start a share buyback program for up to ten percent of its stock. According to analysts, the already-healthy net cash position of Dialog which is worth $525 million would be strengthened by the $600 million deal with Apple. For years, Apple has developed its own processors, however, it is only recently that the company has stepped up its efforts to design components such as Bluetooth, graphics, and other phone-related chips in-house. While this creates new risks and is expensive, it can help Apple to maintain leverage over suppliers as several acquisitions have reduced the number of chipmakers it works with. iPhone 8 and iPhone X were the first iPhones to feature Apple’s own graphics cards, or GPUs. And, this trend has continued with the recently released XS and Apple Watch Series 4\. Currently, Imagination Technologies Group Plc—a U.K. chip designer provides chip technology to Apple for products such as Apple TV, and iPad. However, it is expected that Apple would eventually transition to its own graphics processors for all its iOS-based products, which includes Apple TV and iPad. However, it is expected that Apple would eventually transition to its own graphics processors for all its iOS-based products, which includes Apple TV and iPad. As for Dialog, the company expects to turn its focus to computing, automotive, mobile, and the Internet of Things (IoT) after the deal with Apple is completed. The $300 million that Apple has paid upfront as part of the deal would see the technology provider purchase lab tools and patents, take over a staff of three hundred, and acquire energy-administration know-how. Beating the $350 million acquisition of PrimeSense, the $600 million deal with Dialog is the ‘largest of its kind’ by Apple. [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/10/apple-is-paying-300m-in-cash-to-buy-a-part-of-dialog-semiconductor-and-expand-its-chipmaking-in-europe/](https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/10/apple-is-paying-300m-in-cash-to-buy-a-part-of-dialog-semiconductor-and-expand-its-chipmaking-in-europe/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) [\[2\]](#%5Fftnref2)[https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/11/dialog-semiconductor-signs-600-million-licensing-deal-with-apple.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/11/dialog-semiconductor-signs-600-million-licensing-deal-with-apple.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Different Means Through Which Voice Recognition Technology Can Really Help Doctors URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-can-really-help-doctors/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:29.000Z Under the circumstances, it is perhaps possible to understand the tremendous pressure that the many doctors as well as other medical health practitioners have to go through on a day to day basis, in the many different hospitals and clinics that are scattered throughout the country. This is why it is all the more important for them to gain access to the type of ‘game changing’ technology that can not only streamline their work but at the same time, also save them the critical time that they really need, in order to take better care of their patients. Rather than simply taking care of tedious documentation and associated paperwork. As a matter of fact, the more time doctors have on hand to focus on their patients, all the better will they be, as far as their primary jobs of helping the sick and the really ill patients, are concerned. ## o EHRs (electronic health records) Many hospitals and other health care service facilities in the US now utilize EHRs or electronic health records for their patients so that the same can be safely and easily updated in actual real time on a ‘treatment to treatment’ basis. However, it is pertinent to note here that should a doctor even take just ten to fifteen minutes to update the EHR methodically enough, then that is ten to fifteen minutes too much, since the sheer amount time that is used for this activity on a day to day basis can easily take away, quite a substantial chunk of the medical health worker’ full working day. In the long run, what this is means is that many such patients can potentially be left over, at the end of the day. This is the part where voice recognition (VR) technology comes into the picture. As a matter of fact, even as the very term suggests, it can easily help the many doctors who are able to use this technology to help make most of the more important as well as relevant entries in the electronic health records, by the fairly simple expedient of speaking out the all of the data, that needs must be recorded as soon as possible. The benefits of speech or choice recognition technology includes the following: ## o Overall Flexibility of Speech Voice recognition software these days offers a veritable host of options where it is entirely possible to detect even the most subtly mispronounced words (based on the speaker’s accent as well as dialect). This is why today’s perennially busy clinicians can now easily store the relevant information in the software with considerably more accuracy, then had hitherto been possible before. All that the doctor has to do in effect, is to just simply ‘talk’ to the software program and it will do the rest by carefully typing out exactly what has been said into the microphone, word for word. Moreover, many of the cutting edge programs in this field that do not understand the spoken word, would actually stop and ask the speaker for clarifications before proceeding onward, so as to be able to prevent any transcription related mistakes in the final document. ## o Greater accuracy as well as quicker application Before the advent of voice and speech recognition technology and its widespread use in different areas of the healthcare industry, medical health practitioners more often than not, also relied on medical transcriptionists who were not just abysmally slow, but also really inaccurate as well. Apart from that, there was also the very real possibility of any sort of human error. However, with the wide spread availability of speech recognition software in the health care sector, now clinicians as well as other physicians do not have to wait for any transcriptionist to become free so that as they can document all of their patient’s data. This way, they can now safely and easily record it on their laptop or mobile or workstation on their own. Not only is speech recognition, substantially more accurate, but should there be any inadvertent errors, the practitioner can quite conveniently and safely make all of the required corrections in the document, affix their signature on it, and subsequently send the same to the relevant record keeping department. In other words, this technology can quite safely eliminate all the extra people or steps that were part and parcel of a tedious process, that was mired in red tape. ## o State of the art technology Today, cutting edge technological innovations have also ensured that the safety and security of the data is never compromised either. They can easily filter out the ambient background noises that are always present in any busy hospital. Moreover, the data itself is password protected and the speech recognition software can also be trained to ensure that it can only be operated by duly authorized personnel only. ## o Real time utility of this software With the help of such speech recognition technology, it is now quite possible for various doctors to record any patient’s data in an actual real time basis. This way, there is no particular need to wait for the patient himself, to leave the hospital so that the doctors and their support staff can start taking notes while relying on their own memory. In the light of the above, we can now see that voice recognition is not only here to stay but at the same time, it also will continue to serve the many doctors and their support staff and also augment their treatment efforts to a great degree at least in the foreseeable future. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Andrew Carnegie: The Man Who Embodied the ‘All American Dream’ URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/andrew-carnegie/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:30.000Z Carnegie was instrumental in leading the expansion of the entire American steel industry way back when America was just coming out of its infancy period in the 19th century. As a matter of fact, he is quite often identified as being pretty much, one of the richest people as well as being one of the richest American who ever lived. He also became a well-known and leading philanthropist not just in the United States but also throughout the vast dominions of the British Empire. But later on, he became disillusioned with the vagaries of this fickle world and dedicated the last two decades of his life towards essentially giving away his massive fortune to the less fortunate. As a matter of fact, he wrote an article in 1889 known as the “Gospel of Wealth.” In that article he actively called on the super-rich to use their huge wealth reserves to improve the lot of society in general and to stimulate a veritable Tsunami of philanthropic endeavors. ## \- Early life Mr. Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline in Scotland. He was initially educated at the Free School in the town of Dunfermline. This school had actually been gifted to the town by the renowned philanthropist Adam Rolland of Gask. The fact that his early education was the product of a philanthropist’s generosity was to have a profound influence in his later life. Apart from Rolland, it was his uncle, George Lauder Sr., a well-known political leader in Scotland who had, deeply influenced him as a boy. By introducing him to the writings of of the young Scott Nationalist Robert Burns and other historical heroes that have been the pride of Scotland since ages past. Men of myth and legend such as Robert the Bruce (of King Bruce and the Spider fame), William Wallace (immortalized by Mel Gibson in the super hit move “Braveheart”), and Rob Roy and this is why he remained proud of his Scott heritage til his last years. When he entered his teens, the nation was suffering a famine and his father’s business had suffered a terrible loss and his mom became the primarily bread earner of this family. This is why his family immigrated to the United States of America in search of a better life, back in 1848\. He initially started work in a telegraph office as an operator. He used his salary to make shrewd investments in different industries. And by the 1860s he had business interests in railroad sleeping cars, railroads, bridges, and even oil derricks (he was one of the first people to discover the vast economic potential of oil as the harbinger of the 20th century’s rush towards modernization of transport and industry). Later on, he went on to accumulate even more wealth as a bond salesman. In this regard, he traveled all over the ‘old continent’ to raise funds for American enterprises, especially in mainland Europe. He had also built the Pittsburgh Carnegie Steel Company. When he sold it to fellow tycoon J. P. Morgan at the turn of the last century, the deal amounted to $303,450,000\. A staggering sum for those days. Once the deal came through, he even surpassed America’s wealthiest man John D. Rockefeller to become the richest American of that time. ## \- Adjusting to life in America In his initial days in America he proved himself to be a really hard worker and would easily memorize all of the locations of Pittsburgh's businesses as well as the faces of various important men who formed the “whose who’ list of his adopted country. As a matter of fact, this picture perfect memory aided him no end, in making many an important connection this way. He was so good as his job that he was actually ale to distinguish the myriad differing sounds that the incoming telegraph signals produced, and he became one of the very few telegraphists around, who could translate telegraph signals by ear, without even using a paper slip. This is why his promotion to full-fledged operator status occurred within a few short months of him, even seeing the inside of a telegraph office for the very first time. It was around that time that Colonel James Anderson, a leading philanthropist of those times, opened his own personal library of 400 books that were available for working boys every Saturday night. Carnegie was able to quench his thirst for knowledge to a certain degree thanks to this library. It helped him a lot in not just his economic development but also both his intellectual as well as cultural development too. In fact, so intense was his deep seated gratitude for the good Colonel Anderson who had so graciously allowed his personal library to be accessed by young boys who had no way of acquiring any books of their own that Carnegie made a personal resolution in the following words, *if ever wealth came to me, \[to see to it\] that other poor boys might receive opportunities similar to those for which we were indebted to the noble man".* Indeed, this was a promise that he had fulfilled to the best of his abilities and the knowledge he had acquired from this library, when added to the potent mix of innate intelligence and his willingness to hard long and hard, as well as his perseverance actually bought him the opportunities that made him the man he became. ## \- His wealth and philanthropy He created his own steel empire and was renowned for being the foremost steel magnate in the country. He integrated all aspects of steel manufacturing, from iron ore to finished product in his industry and used this wealth to branch out into other business interests. However, his most endearing accomplishments had more to do with the fulfillment of his promise, early on in life. That is, the setting up of free public libraries all over the north American continent. A task for which he is renowned to this day. He died on August 11, 1919, leaving a great legacy in his wake. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The American Film Director George Lucas: Exactly how rich is the Man? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/george-lucas/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:30.000Z # “Long long ago, in a Galaxy far far away…” [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/george-lucas?ref=bobbydavidson.com)so went the legend and hundreds of millions of cine-goers who read those lines in a cinema were treated to an experience of a life time. Actually, Star Wars and its medley of colorful characters have now become part and parcels of the imagination of generations of movie lovers. Individuals such as Princess Lia Oriana, Luke Sky Walker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, the Jedi Nights and the Imperial Strom Troopers are now weaved into the very fabric of reality as we know it. And all of this came about, because of the inspiring vision, as well as the gumption and determination of a man who did not know how to accept “No’ as an answer. As of now, even though the creator of the whole Star Wars franchise will not be cashing in, at least as far as the success of his last film *The Last Jedi*, is concerned but in spite of that, the force is still pretty strong as far as his bank account is concerned. That is, he is worth all of 5.5 billion dollars, after his deal to sell the LucasFilms to Disney went though, way back in 2012. ## o Lucas and the lucrative Star Wars franchise As a matter of fact, Lucas’ vast fortune effectively makes him just about the richest Hollywood celebrity in the world today. And if we were to compare figures, then his equally well known colleague (as well as sometime collaborator) Steven Spielberg, who is widely acknowledged to be the most popular director around, thanks to his roster of over 30 movies of all kinds, is worth around $3.6 billion, despite his really impressive resume. While Lucas has been responsible for many movies, but the Star Wars franchise is primarily responsible for most of his vast wealth. In fact, when “A New Hope” hit the theaters way back in May 1977, it went on to break just about each and every box office record of that period. However, the people who were financing it certainly did not think that it would turn out to be this way at all. ## o Initial financing issues The film cost its producer that is the 20th Century Fox studios around $11 million to make. And they actually wanted to shut down production once it became clear that it would go well above the original budget of around $8.25m. In fact, they were pretty sure that the movie would not do well at all and George went ahead and took advantage of the studio’s already low expectations by putting his own salary on the line. He traded most of his payroll in return for its sequel as well as merchandising rights. In this respect, unlike the movie moguls who controlled the purse strings, he had absolute belief in his product. That is, the creation of the right mix of fantasy, science fiction and adventure, that would enable the average movie goer to be able to forget the real world and become at one, with the magic. Here, he succeeded, even beyond his wildest dreams. When he first dreamt about the concept, he knew it would be a hard sell to the men who controlled the budgets, and even though it was rough going at first, but they eventually acquiesced to his idea, and he got the go ahead to begin production. However, in order to understand his bull headed tenacity we should take a look at his early life. ## o His early life George Walton Lucas, Jr. was born on 14 May 1944 in Modesto, California. And as a young boy, Lucas took very active interest in sports cars. In fact, it was his greatest dream in life to become a driver of a racing car, and towards this goal, he spent his teenage working as a drag racer, working in vehicles he had personally modified. Glimpses of this phase in life can be seen in Star Wards: A Phantom Menace, when young Anakin basically does what Lucas himself used to do when he was a kid. However, he had a terrible accident and he barely survived. This made him rethink his whole attitude towards life and he subsequently turned to film making. “American Graffiti,” effectively launched his career in the world of Hollywood movie making and after the success of this film, he went on to develop the Star Wars franchise, and the rest as that old hackneyed cliché goes “is history”. Even though it was difficult for him to find any backers for the movie, he prevailed upon 20th Century Fox to finance it. Even offering to reduce his salary from half a million dollars (a princely sum 41 years back) up to $150,000 as long as he retained the merchandising and sequel rights of the move. For the studio big wigs’, it looked like ‘found’ money since they thought it would barely break even, at most. However, within a year of its release, the move had made $100 million in toys alone! While ticket sales for the first 6 months were more than double that amount. The world’s insatiable demand for the ‘power of the force’ had barely begun. And as the years passed, the hundreds of millions turned into billions and the franchise is still earning massive amounts, to this day. The story of Lucas and LucasFilms are interwoven together, not least because they showcase the fact that one man, if he has the vision and the determination to buck the odds can actually work magic. This is something Lucas believed, in all his life, and also made just about every Star Wars fan believe the same. *“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, naturally they became Heroes”* Senator Leia Organa: Princess of planet Alderaan (Star Wars Episode III: A New Hope) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7733758-you-never-change-your-life-until-you-step-out-of](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7733758-you-never-change-your-life-until-you-step-out-of?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Close Are You to Realizing Your Full Potential? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/realizing-your-full-potential/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:31.000Z What do people mean when they say someone’s realized their true or full potential? They mean this in an academic context and it is generally to put across the belief that everyone has the potential to overcome barriers that have been set by their own minds or others. However, the truth is that ‘inborn talent or potential’ is somewhat of an oxymoron. None of us are born with talent and we all differ in our potential to develop skills and attributes that later lead others to say that ‘we’ve reached our true potential’. However, there is a counterargument to this which says that we are all born with talent or potential and some of us are blessed with a lot of it. Whenever they are faced with a tough or adverse situation, many people are quick to shame themselves and conclude that they’re just not ‘good enough’. Often, this causes one to forget the one great quality that we’re all born with—potential. But, this inherent quality also brings with a major risk—the risk that we will fail to reach our true potential. ## Why People Fail to Reach Their True Potential We, as humans, are essentially without limit, and not making the effort to tap into that potential, is the greatest mistake that you can make in your life. There could be many reasons why someone wouldn’t make the effort to reach their potential but if someone is not making the effort to tap into their potential, then it is probably due to the reasons below. ### Lack of Self-Awareness Often, it is a lack of self-awareness that stops people from realizing their potential. This may sound odd as we’re told that people who don’t realize their potential are well-aware of it. However, that is not always true. On several occasions, people simply don’t know what they’re capable of because no one has ever told or shown them what they can achieve. In fact, it is an irony of life that the more potential you have, the less likely you are to be aware of it, which in turn prevents you from nurturing and reaching your true potential. ### Lack of Motivation Want to fulfill your true potential? Then master whatever skills or craft you’ve picked for yourself. However, there are times when you won’t feel up for the task and won’t put in the effort required. However, you can unlock your true potential only if you’re motivated for every task that comes you way. Your talent is of no good if you lack the motivation to use it for your greater good. To unlock your true potential, you need to be motivated for every task that comes your way. Motivating yourself is easy when you work on things that interests you or with people you like. So, make sure that is the case. ### Being in the ‘Wrong’ Place While some people thrive in controlled and systematic environments, other find it suffocating. For this reason, it is important that you work in environment that not only suits your interest, but also your personality type. For example, choose a dynamic work or team environment if you’re an extrovert and a solo/quiet work environment if you’re more on the introverted side. Find the right environment for your personality will help you to flourish and reach your true potential. Believe me, the right environment can do wonders for you. ## What You Can Do About It Now that you know the reasons stopping your from reaching your true potential, you need to figure out how you can overcome them. I’ll give you a few seconds: 1, 2, 3……Alright, you can stop thinking. Following are some ‘easy to do’ things that can help you reach your true potential. ### Reflect on Your Life If you want to realize your potential, then commit to half an hour of quiet reflection each day. No, if not asking you to sit on the floor, close your eyes and meditate. Instead, I’m asking you to schedule some ‘alone-time’ each day when you can quietly think about everything that’s happening in your life. Think about your past, present and future. Think about your strengths and think about where you want to be 2, 5, 10 or 20 years from now. This is all part of the process that will help you reach your true potential. ### Set Goals and Define Who Your Role Models Are Goals are what give our lives direction and purpose and without them, we’re just surviving. So, set goals and not just any goals but those that stretch your limits and push you out your comfort zone. As Roy T. Bennett—the author of the Light in the Heart, said: ***“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”***[***\[1\]***](#%5Fftn1) Not only do you need to set goals, you also need to identify your ideals or role models. Don’t just identify them, but also model yourself after them. Take lessons from their life because if you don’t do that, you will develop all the bad habits, picked up from all the wrong people. ### Become a Life-Long Learner and Embrace Change If you want to grow in life, the commit to learning each day. Go out, explore and learn new things every day as this is the only way you will unlock your true potential. But, more important than becoming a life-learner is embracing change. If you’re not willing to change, then you’re never going to realize your potential—not today, not tomorrow, not in a hundred years. So, realize that change is good and be dynamic, adaptive and evolving! If you commit to the above things and make them a habit, then reaching your true potential will be easy. An experienced life coach can help you do that. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7733758-you-never-change-your-life-until-you-step-out-of](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7733758-you-never-change-your-life-until-you-step-out-of?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How Bitcoin is Giving Other Cryptocurrencies a Helping Hand and Why You Should Consider the Investment Advice of Bitcoin’s Most Intelligent Skeptics URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-bitcoin-is-giving-other-cryptocurrencies-a-helping-hand-and-why-you-should-consider-the-investment-advice-of-bitcoins-most-intelligent-skeptics/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:31.000Z ## The Rise of Litecoin One of the oldest altcoins or alternative cryptocurrencies around, Litecoin is the 4th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization today. The only cryptocurrencies with a better market cap than Litecoin are bitcoin, Ethereum, and bitcoin Cash. Created by Charlie Lee—a former Google employee and Coinbase’ Director of Engineering, Litecoin reached $320 in value for the first time on Tuesday, December 12\. Compared to the over 1,700% increase in bitcoin value, Litecoin has risen by more than 7,200% since the start of 2017. Some financial commentators say that the recent increase in the value of cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin and Ether is due to the extraordinary performance of bitcoin in the past year or so as this has helped build the confidence of investors in cryptocurrencies. So, how exactly is bitcoin helping the other cryptocurrencies to grow? ## How Bitcoin is Helping the Altcoins The performance of bitcoin in recent times has helped build the confidence of investors in cryptocurrencies. While many people are interested in purchasing bitcoins, they cannot do it due to its exceedingly high price. This leaves them with one viable option: invest in altcoins or alternative cryptocurrencies such as Ether and Litecoin. Another reason many people are considering investing in altcoins is that they expect them to experience the same increase in value as bitcoin. If we consider how these cryptocurrencies have performed in recent times, then investors are right to be hopeful. According to Cryptocurrency—a website that tracks and streams the prices of cryptocurrencies, the value of Litecoin increased to over $400 on December 12 which was more than twice its value on December 10\. The site also revealed that the value of ether increased by 40% during the same time to reach an all-time high of $633. ## Bitcoin is Helping Increase Investors’ Confidence in Cryptocurrencies What is the reason for the increase in the value of the aforementioned-cryptocurrencies? Ask hundred people and you will get hundred different reasons for it. While one can credit bitcoin in part for this surge in the price of altcoins, there isn’t one single event causing this increase in the value of cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin and Ethereum. However, there is one thing that we can be almost sure of: investors have increased confidence in cryptocurrencies today and they are willing to dedicate their time, money and effort towards trading not just bitcoin, but also altcoins or alternative cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is giving other cryptocurrencies a helping hand by pushing investors towards them. Some investors believe that bitcoin is heading towards its climax and thus, have started to look at other options. And, this is helping alternative cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin and Ethereum to grow and increase in value. ## What Bitcoin’s ‘Smartest’ Skeptics are Saying Although the skepticism surrounding bitcoin has weared down over the years, it is still very much alive. The good news is that not all of this skepticism is bad. Some of it is actually useful for you.Here is what bitcoin’s most intelligent skeptics ate saying about the cryptocurrency from an investment point of view. ### Private Blockchains are Not a Viable Option Off late, private blockchains have been a hot topic in the cryptocurrency world. Even though people up are warming up to idea, Andreas[ Antonopoulos](https://bitcoinist.com/blockchain-bullshit-andreas-antonopoulos/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—an information security expert and one of bitcoin’s smartest critiques, believes that private blockchains are a fundamentally inept replacement for a conventional database. A major reason for Antonopoulos’ stance on private blockchain is their lack of compatibility with the technology’s core security premise. While private blockchains will ultimately be managed by enterprises, the current blockchain structure has a decentralized myriad of hosts who ensure the share ledger’s integrity, without necessarily having a personal interest in its contents. Since the private blockchains will be managed by enterprises with a personal interest in their contents, the value of public blockchains such as bitcoin will eventually go down to zero. This points to only one thing—private blockchains are not a viable option! ### Forks that Do Not Innovate Will Crash According to Mike Novogratz—a self-made billionaire, a former hedge fund manager and one of the sanest voices on Bitcoin around, not all cryptocurrencies are created equal and thus not all of them can win. Novogratz has a very valid point here when you consider forks—a place where servers operators create copies of an existing cryptocurrency’s codes and assets by splitting from it. Spreading them thinner and thinner, forking spreads the network resources over time and forks such as Bitcoin Gold, bitcoin Cash, and Etherum Classic will crash if they fail to offer competitive innovations. ### Avoid the ‘Uninformed’ Skeptics Like a Plague The last bit of advice that Bitcoin’s smartest skeptics have for investors is that they should avoid their ‘uninformed’ counterparts like a plague. Recently, Jack Boyle—the founder of Vanguard, advised people to turn their heads and eyes away from bitcoin as he believed investing in the cryptocurrency was nothing more than buying the currency in hopes that you would be able to sell it for more at some point in the future. Contrary to what Boyle or other uninformed skeptics of Bitcoin believe or say, the cryptocurrency has huge potential and value—it is set to become a truly unhackable and completely open global financial network, completely changing the financial landscape.For more news or investment advice related to bitcoin, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Race to Dominate Quantum Computing is Well and Truly On URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/quantum-computing/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:32.000Z The Battle for quantum supremacy is well and truly on! The U.S. is now focusing less on its trade battles with China and more on its strategic technology dual with Beijing. Today, many officials and other people with a stake in the U.S economy are pushing the government to invest in new technologies like machine learning and quantum computing as they could play a pivotal role in the strategic technology battle with China and some European countries. To gain an edge over the other in the race to dominate quantum computing, both the U.S. and China have already started to develop quantum computers, which is happening at U.S. technology companies and Chinese universities. The processing enabled by quantum computing is so fast that it could completely transform the way auto manufacturers, the agriculture industry, and pharmaceutical companies function, reshaping the economy and pushing it higher in the process. ## What the U.S. is Doing to Win Quantum Supremacy? A major reason the American economy has performed well in the last few decades is that the country has been a leader in cutting-edge technology. Today, the U.S. is embroiled in battle with China and some European countries to dominate quantum computing as the next technological breakthroughs will be enabled by it. This is a battle the U.S. cannot afford to lose, and this is the reason the government is taking measures towards dominance in quantum computing. One such measure is the [National Quantum Initiative Act 2018](https://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/NationalQuantumInitiativeActOnePager.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), which is helping to align and speed up not just the research related to quantum science, but also the development of quantum computing technology. The U.S. has a lot to gain by winning the race for quantum dominance and a lot to lose by not winning it—there are serious economic and national security implications of this. Quantum science has a massive role to play in the future of mankind and organizations and nations that can enable quantum science for their use have a lot to gain from it. Exploring and exploiting elusive elements of quantum physics, quantum science promotes the idea that it is possible for subatomic particles to exist in varying states concurrently. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘quantum superposition’. What is it important? Because it can enable valuable, real-world applications. As mentioned earlier, the U.S. government is relying on tech companies such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft to win the quantum race against China and Europe. But, what do these tech companies have to gain from their efforts in quantum science? A [Communications Industry Researchers report](https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/02/05/1333185/0/en/Quantum-Computer-Market-to-Reach-US-1-9-billion-by-2023-says-new-CIR-Report.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) reveals that the quantum computing market will reach $1.9 Billion by 2023\. This offers tech giants such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft with a great opportunity to grow their revenues. If the U.S. tech sector does manage to gain breakthroughs in quantum computing, don’t expect to carry around a quantum computer with you because that is just not going to happen, at least not in the foreseeable future. What we could witness though is significant improvements in several areas of science and technology. Examples are advances in chemistry that enable new medical treatments or transform industries and electric cars with longer-lasting batteries. While there’s no guarantee that they would perform everything faster than traditional computers, quantum computers will solve some problems more efficiently than the computers we have today, which will enable great progress in some fields. Coming back to the companies helping us to gain quantum supremacy, Google and IBM announced their plans to commercialize quantum computers over the coming years at roughly the same time. When the first quantum computer for commercial use is rolled out in the next few years, it would signal the shift from the lab exclusivity of quantum computing to the commercial purpose of the technology. IBM and Google believe that they can help the U.S. to achieve ‘quantum supremacy’ in the next few years, which would allow the U.S government to solve many problems that it faces today and thus gain an edge over other economies such as China and Europe. ## What China and Europe is Doing to Win the Quantum Computing Race Billions of dollars are being invested by China and some European countries in research and other efforts related to quantum computing. China has made no secret of its intention to surpass the us in the race to dominate quantum computing over the next decade and longer. While no one is sure about how much China intends to allocate to achieve dominance in quantum computing, some reports state that a National Laboratory for Quantum Information Sciences worth [$10 billion](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-10/how-made-in-china-2025-frames-trump-s-trade-threats-quicktake?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is being built by Chinese government in the city of Hefei in Anhui Province. The facility is expected to be inaugurated in 2020\. Compared to this, the U.S funding in quantum research is only about [$200 million according to a report](https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/images/Quantum%5FInfo%5FSci%5FReport%5F2016%5F07%5F22%20final.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Even though the U.S lags China in quantum research spending, it can still win the race to dominate quantum computing if it becomes the first to secure quantum technology for encryption. This could be a ‘killer app’ for quantum computing and perhaps this is the reason the [research firm Patinformatics](https://patinformatics.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has found that both the financial institutions in the U.S and the universities in China are rushing to get this quantum encryption technology patented. While China has been more aggressive in funding research and other efforts in quantum computing, we (the U.S.) have made more breakthroughs in quantum computing thanks to technology giants such as IBM, and Google. However, there is a long way to go before we can call the out the winner of the race to dominate quantum computing. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How New Technology Could Revolutionize Africa’s Agricultural Sector URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-could-revolutionize-africa/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:32.000Z Africa is a developing economy and agriculture has a crucial role to play in many of its development goals. In Africa, agriculture is a major employer, with farming making up about [60% of the entire workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa](https://agra.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Final-AASR-2017-Aug-28.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Even higher is agriculture’s share of jobs across the food system. In countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, agriculture is expected to add more than all other sectors making up the economy between 2010 and 2025. ## The Role of Agriculture in Uplifting the Economy of Sub-Saharan Africa The region with the youngest and fastest growing population, Sub-Saharan Africa will see its population double by the year 2050\. With this increase in the region’s population, the share of Sub-Saharan Africa in the world’s population would rise to 23%, which is almost two times the region’s 12% share in 2015. Not only is Sub-Saharan Africa increasing in population, it is also increasing in its labor force, which is expanding at a rate of three percent per year. As a result, an additional three hundred and seventy-five million people are expected to become part of the region’s workforce by 2035\. Provided these people are engaged in productive employment, this addition of millions of jobs to the Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy will allow the young people to transform the regions’ economy. However, things seem to be going in the opposite direction. Even If we paint the most optimistic picture of the job market, only a quarter of the new people entering the region’s workforce will find wage employment that affects the economy. Agriculture has a role to play here as it will need to absorb a substantial share of this new labor workforce and provide the workers with remuneration for their work or else the region will have to face not only direct economic challenges, but also social and political challenges that could have a bearing on the region’s economy. ## Why Africa’s Agriculture Matters and How Technology Can Help Revolutionize It According to [UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization](http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/expert%5Fpaper/How%5Fto%5FFeed%5Fthe%5FWorld%5Fin%5F2050.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com), world population will grow to 9.1% by 2050, which means that global food production will need to grow by 70% to feed all of the people in the world. Africa’s population is projected to be 2 billion by 2050 and to avoid continued mass hunger in the region, farm productivity will have to increase and produce at a faster rate than now. Today, Africa’ agriculture sector is faced with many challenges. Not only is the population growing faster than ever, the region’s is also threatened by low farm productivity arising from weather changes, and rural-urban migration that is depriving the farming sector of youth. Since the agriculture sector employs 60% of the continent’s workforce and accounts for 30% of its economy, governments in Africa and other stakeholders in Africa’ agriculture cannot turn a blind eye to the challenges facing the sector. In the past, governments in Africa used policy changes to improve farm productivity. However, these changes improve yields of farmers only marginally. Not many governments in the region realize this but most of the problems for farmers in Africa stem from the continue used of traditional processes that rely heavily on tools like cutlasses and hoes and have been the same for centuries. The need of the hour is for Africa’s agriculture sector, which includes the farmers, is to bring technology into their processes. Delaying the use of technology will run the region’s agricultural sector into financial issues. A major reason why farmers in Africa are hesitant to use foreign-made farm technologies is that these technologies are cumbersome for those who control the farmlands. Additionally, smaller farms cannot acquire such expensive tools because less than 1% of commercial lending is used in agriculture. The good news is that this is changing. Today, more and more entrepreneurs in Africa are showing an interest in how farmers in the region work and how they can help these farmers to improve their yields. The increased affordability and accessibility of computing systems, cloud computing, open-source software, connectivity, and other digital tools has made entry into farming technology easier. This has allowed entrepreneurs to deliver technology solutions to African farmers at a cost they can afford. Today soil sensors, weather forecasts, and aerial images from drones or satellites are allowing farmers and other stakeholders to manger crop growth in real-time. Also, automated systems provide early warnings in case of deviations from normal growth or other factors. A startup based in Nigeria provides precision farming technology that measures and analyzes soil data like nutrients, temperature and vegetative health. This allows farmers to use the right fertilizer, which help them to irrigate their farms optimally. The outcome of this is improved farm productivity and a less input waste because of analytics used to facilitate data-driven practices for African farmers. In addition to precision farming, farmers are also benefiting from technology enabled financial solutions designed specifically for them. One such solution connects unbanked farmers to get credit, while allowing the financial institutions to increase agricultural loan portfolios cost-effectively. Another financial solution allows farmers to earn more by providing them pricing data to remove price variability between farmers and buyers. Other tech-startups in Africa’s farming sector are deploying mobile and web technologies that provide farmers with weather forecasts, farming advice, financial tips, and market information who traditionally do not have access to such data due to a lack of literacy and/or connectivity. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Dress for Success: Is It Really Important for The Accomplishment of Professional Goals? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/dress-for-success/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:33.000Z Following a particular dress code in the workplace is a fairly common norm that most people in an organization tend to follow. But, what most people seem to be unaware of is the fact that what we wear has a pretty significant impact not just in our personal lives, but also at the professional level as well. Both in terms of our performance as well as attitude. In other words, dressing appropriately, or as per office decorum, is basically one of the most crucial factors that will be of great help in achieving professional success. The reason being that self-perception basically has a tremendous impact on how an individual is perceived by many others, that he or she interacts with on a regular basis. Especially in a professional capacity. Would you go out on a date with your crush dressed in clothes suitable only for lounging? On the contrary, you would want to make as good an impression as possible and would do your level best to ensure that the person is impressed. Even if you have to shop for clothes beforehand. Much the same principle also applies to professional attire as well. Once you start feeling that you are ‘dressed for success’ and thereby have the capability to make a really great impression on someone then not only will it give your self-confidence a tremendous boost but at the same time you will make a great impression on whoever it is that you really want to meet, thus leading you to give your very best at the meeting. Let us take a quick look at how dressing for success can help you in achieving your goals in life. ## Impressions matter! The age old adage that 'the first impression is the last impression' still holds true to this day. This is because [the first impression](https://successstory.com/inspiration/power-of-first-impressions?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of an individual certainly does play a really significant role in helping other people develop a favorable opinion with regard to the person they are meeting. This is indeed, precisely why the visual aesthetics that we tend to present (with regard to our professional selves) with the help of suitable dressing is extremely important. Regardless of how hard we may try to deny or avoid it; the fact of the matter is that we live in a highly judgmental world and others often judge us on the basis of how we are dressed and, therefore, how we look. ## Self-respect is very important When a person takes the time and puts in considerable efforts for the express purpose of dressing up appropriately; then yes, such a person will undeniably radiate an image of both self-respect as well as self-worth too. And since dressing nicely also boosts one’s confidence levels to a large extent. This in turn, will also help you to tackle the various really difficult tasks in your day to day work life with much greater ease, to say the least. ## It helps you draw attention to yourself There is a reason why peacocks have such magnificent plumage. The thing is the sharper the better you are dressed, the more noticeable will you be. If you are in the sales and marketing or public relations department, then dressing up appropriately is a practice that will help you to get noticed, easily enough. Furthermore, a really sharply dressed individual will quite easily stand out in a large crowd and thus the clothes you wear (as well as how you wear them) may well help you in attracting the right level of attention. ## A positive impact on the individual’s overall mood Being authoritative will help as well. Here, dressing better and as per your own surroundings is now almost universally known to have a highly positive impact on an individual’s overall mood. And therefore, by staying more polite, positive, and confident, it is possible for just about anyone to take the path of true professional success while simultaneously overcoming all the barriers in the way. ## Always be prepared “Be prepared” is not just the boy scout motto, but it is also the means through which you can come out on top, even when taken by surprise. The thing is, you might never know when you will suddenly bump into, at a seminar or the neighboring coffee shop, or in the bank. However, should you be dressed professionally and exude a neat and well-groomed look in the bargain, then, no matter who you meet and also irrespective of precisely where you meet them, the chances are greater than even, that you will almost always leave a really great impression and what is more, suitably apt dressing will also give you the required confidence to steal the show, even while simultaneously boosting your personality. ## It leads to an increase in overall productivity The thing is that it is almost always really easy to feel pretty comfortable when one is wearing sweatpants and t-shirts along with flip-flops, but they have the purpose of putting you in your own comfort zone. Unfortunately, such comfort zones make the average person pretty lazy. However, when one is smartly and professionally dressed, he or she will feel really motivated from both within and without and thus, such a person will be more productive and perform better. As a matter of fact, dressing smartly is widely touted to be one of the best possible means of enhancing one’s overall performance at the workplace and thereby to emerge as an exemplary performer. Being a sharped dressed professional is not just the need of today, but rather it is the central cornerstone to any well thought out plan for the accomplishment of your professional aims and objectives in life. ### Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Apple Watch Series 4 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-watch-series-4/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:33.000Z Apple lovers were treated with the launch of not one but two new products on September: the iPhone XS and the Apple Watch Series 4\. Amidst much fanfare, the Apple Watch was launched for the first time about four years ago. The first version of the Apple Watch tried to do too much with way too little, and it had a confusing software to boot. However, the worst thing about the watch was that no one knew what it was actually for since Apple had not specified this and there was no feature that stood out. To put simply, the initial version of the Apple Watch was a complete failure. Fast forward four years and we’re seeing the Apple Watch finally fulfill the promise with which it was initially launched. We can say that the Series 4 has finally achieved what the original Apple Watch was launched for. With due respect to the iPhone XS, the Series 4 was the most exciting thing that Apple launched on September 12\. People who have trial tested the Watch say it’s deserving of the hype. As mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch is available to order, and it went on sale in retail shops on September 21\. So, now you know when and from where you can buy the Apple Watch Series 4 but why should you buy the watch? Here is everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 4. ## Design and Display The design of the Series 4 is completely different from that of its predecessors. The watch comes in two sizes: 40 mm and 44 mm. Additionally, the display size has been increased by 30%. The screen has curved corners, which fit more closely to the shape of the face. The watch face is also redesigned, and it now has more detailed and graphic information. users can view boarding information, track scores from sports teams, see stocks and heart rate, and more. The series 4 watch is slimmer than series 3 and the new digital crown with haptic feedback in the Series 4 allows for a more responsive experience when you flip through items on your watch. The watch is available in stainless steel or aluminum, with the all-ceramic edition quietly dropped. The aluminum models are available in three colors options: silver, gold, and space gray. The color options in stainless steel are space black and a new gold. The Series 4’s back is made of sapphire crystal and black ceramic, which allows radio waves to go through the front and back. The purpose of this is to improve cell reception. The speaker of the Apple Watch has also been completely redesigned in the Series 4 and it is now 50% louder. Additionally, the microphone is now on the opposite side of where it used to be, which is far away from the speaker. This is meant to reduce echo and increase the clarity of phone calls. ## Specs and Battery The Apple Watch Series 4 has a 64-bit dual-core processor that is designed to work two times faster than the previous Apple watch. The dynamic range of the accelerometer and gyroscope is increased by two times, which allows them to sample motion data eight times faster. However, nothing has changed in terms of battery life—the Watch series 4 has the same eighteen-hour, all-day battery life. Though there has been an increase in outdoor workout time to six hours, with full GPS tracking for long bike rides. ## Health Features As mentioned in the beginning, the Apple Watch Series 4 has a range of new health and fitness features. Perhaps, this is the reason Apple describes the watch as ‘an intelligent guardian for your health’. Following are the most noticeable health features in the Apple Watch Series 4. ### Fall Detection By monitoring the movement of your arms, the Series 4 works out when you’re about to fall. If you fall and there’s no further movement from you, the watch will assume that something has happened you and will use the SOS features to contact the emergency services and send your location to them. ### Heart Rate Monitor While previous models of the Apple Watch had the ability to detect and warn about a prolonged elevated heart rate, the Series 4 has sophisticated heart-monitoring abilities not witnessed before in the Apple watch. For example, the series 4 can spot low rates, which wasn’t possible with the previous versions of the watch. Additionally, the series 4 watch can keep track of irregular heartbeats to notify you of a potential atrial fibrillation. However, the most noticeable change is the new ECG function. When you place a finger on the Digital Crown, the watch runs an ECH test for you, which is the first time an ECG device has been made available over the counter direct to consumers. However, a separate app which was not available at the launch is required to make the ECG function work. However, Apple says the app will be launched soon. The series 4 stores all the health-care data in the health app and this can be useful for people planning a visit to their doctor. Above are some of the most prominent features of the Apple Watch Series 4\. To know more about the latest Apple Watch, visit: [www.apple.com/watch](https://www.apple.com/watch/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Immersive Technologies Are Aiding Business Transformation? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/immersive-technologies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:33.000Z As a matter of fact, just about every day in myriad DIY (do it yourself) stores and home furnishing outlets all over the world, many, if not most customers typically make highly calculated gambles as they try to figure out exactly how the item (that they are about to purchase) will look once they manage to get it home. The ultimate cost of a potentially bad decision? Sometimes a high return rate for the erstwhile retail outlet. Which basically means an otherwise unhappy customer who has to face the bleak prospect of repainting his or her entire house. ## How companies are using immersive technologies to create greater efficiency This is why various leading home improvement retailers all over the United States and Europe as well as other developed parts of the world, are now turning to multiple immersive technologies to minimize the risk typically associated with the purchasing process, as a whole. Take Lowe's, for example; the retail based home improvement and appliance outlets that are present all over the our country: They have pioneered the concept of their ‘Holoroom’, this is an otherwise instore virtual reality (VR) room, that is easily available to customers in most of their real world stores. Thanks to this example of immersive technology, now customers can also virtually test not just various shades and hues but also different lights materials, as well as other home products even before they make a purchase. In this way the ‘Holoroom’ help them in eliminating any pre-purchase dissonance so that the final decision becomes all that much easier. And this is not the only company doing so. There are others who are now beginning to use mixed reality technologies and there are now very many other examples that can be found in not just the front desk but also the back of the store or the office. There is the global courier service DHL, that is now applying augmented reality (AR) to its vast logistics network and it is doing great with its proprietary Vision Picking Program. The program uses highly advanced ‘smart’ eyewear in shipping warehouses at their facilities all over the world, so as to be able to reduce any packaging related errors and also increase the overall speed of their pick and pack tasks. Their workers are well equipped with these highly advanced smart glasses that visually display the relevant day with respect to where each individual picked item also needs to be placed, on which shelf of which trolley. These are just a few examples of various organization and companies that have become used to the utilization of ‘immersive technology’ as a means to changing the way they typically run their business. Not just when it comes to interacting with their customers,but also with regard to how they run their business. The two of the most popular immersive technologies would be Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). When taken together, these mixed reality technologies have now effectively started to transform the overall user experience of today’s end user and turn the same into a more contextual and continuous event. And what is of some significance is the fact that in the near future they will also meaningfully change how various people interact not just with each other but also with a computing system as well. ## Multiple applications of such cutting edge technologies Predictions suggest that 20 percent of the larger enterprise businesses will thoroughly adapt and evaluate AR, VR and their advanced Mixed Reality (MR) solutions as early as next year. In addition, it is important to note that this prediction for such rapid uptake in the corporate sector is based on the ever-increasing range of applications that exist both within and without the enterprise. Many companies and organizations that involve multiple design and engineering teams are now also using immersive technology solutions in a bid to speed up product visualization as well as its maintenance, and eventual prototyping. ## Immersive tech and HR HR departments in many organizations and institutions are now also utilizing immersive technology internally for their training, and externally for the purpose of recruitment. The British armed forces have effectively teamed up with a company known as Visualizeso as to create a complete 360 degree VR (virtual reality) recruitment video, so that any potential recruits would be able to handle and experience military training, first hand. this way many such prospects will get a chance to walk away from the job before they get involved in the training program. Which means a lower dropout rate and correspondingly higher recruitment figures overall. In this regard the VR experience substantially increased the overall awareness of the British Army’s recruitment efforts by around 20 percent or so. By 2020, it is expected that not just consumers alone but also their business counterparts will have very easy and near universal access to different quality devices, tools systems, as well as services. AR, VR and MR now offer many new ways for customers to be able to engage with different brands and for organizations to be able to achieve peak efficiencies via commonly available devices such as head-mounted displays (HMDs), smartphone VRs, smart glasses and even full on 3D experience rooms. A point to be noted here is that both VR and AR basically require substantial input from their sensors,user movement, and also historical data. This is why when they are combined with other technologies such as conversational platforms (for instance), immersive technology can easily be used to create extremely personalized services products, and experiences for the customers so that they keep coming back to the same business, again and again. Exciting times! :) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Proof That Positive Cultures Are More Productive URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/positive-cultures/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:34.000Z The importance of a company’s culture on productivity cannot be emphasized enough. Based on past and current experience, the culture of a company is the overall environment and attitude in the workplace. While employee incentives can help create a positive work environment, a lot more is required to ensure a positive culture that positively impact workplace productivity. This includes the attitude and treatment of employees. It is important that both the employers and the employees take an active role in creating a positive culture for employees instead of allowing the company culture to take shape on its own. So, why the need to create a positive work culture in the first place? CEOs, business owners, and professionals are always looking for new ways to be productive. When people work at full capacity or maximum efficiency, they can get more done, achieve goals faster, and create strong foundations for their companies to build on. However, getting an entire team or office to be productive can be challenging. Many managers and professionals with supervisory roles find it difficult to ensure productivity in the workplace. Often, encouraging employees to work harder and stop wasting time is a struggle for them. However, if the managers and professionals with supervisory roles are finding it difficult to encourage employees to be more productive at work, then the problem is not with the managers or the employees they’re trying to encourage. The problem then lies with culture of the workplace. This is the reason why fostering a positive work culture is crucial. A positive company culture affords employees respect while expecting quality work every day. Additionally, it often encourages collaboration. A positive work culture can do wonders for any company and this is proven by research. The research is discussed in the following section. ## The Problem with Cut-Throat, High-Pressure Work Culture Many ‘experts’ says that stress and pressure push employees to perform more, better, and faster. However, they do not take into account the hidden costs associated with companies having a cut-throat work culture. According to a research, health-care expenditures of ‘high-pressure’ companies are nearly 50% greater than of other organizations. Additionally, the American Psychological Association (APA) estimates that more than $500 billion are siphoned off from the U.S. economy because of workplace stress, and 550 million workdays are lost each year due to stress on the job. 60% to 80% of workplace accidents are attributed to stress, and it’s estimated that more than 80% of doctor visits are due to stress. Workplace stress has been linked to health problems ranging from metabolic syndrome to cardiovascular disease and mortality. In addition to the health problems, another problem evident in cut-throat work environments is the problem of disengagement. While a cut-throat environment and a culture of fear can ensure engagement for some time, research suggests that the inevitable stress it creates will likely lead to disengagement over the long term. Engagement in work — which is associated with feeling valued, secure, supported, and respected — is generally negatively associated with a high-stress, cut-throat culture. In studies by the Queens School of Business and by [Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/reports/178514/state-american-workplace.aspx?ref=bobbydavidson.com), disengaged workers had 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents, and 60% more errors and defects. In organizations with low employee engagement scores, they experienced 18% lower productivity, 16% lower profitability, 37% lower job growth, and 65% lower share price over time. Importantly, businesses with highly engaged employees enjoyed 100% more job applications. The third and final problem with a cut-throat work environment is the lack of loyalty. Research shows that workplace stress leads to an increase of almost 50% in voluntary turnover. People go on the job market, decline promotions, or resign. And the turnover costs associated with recruiting, training, lowered productivity, lost expertise, and so forth, are significant. ## Evidence Shows That Positive Work Cultures are More Productive and Bring Financial Gains As mentioned earlier, a positive work culture can do wonders for your company. A positive company or workplace culture increases employees' satisfaction with their jobs. They find the work environment more motivating and feel a greater sense of loyalty towards the company. As a result, they are more likely to enjoy working for the company and completing their tasks, which ultimately increases overall workplace productivity and has a positive impact on the bottom line. These claims are not made in thin air. Instead, they are backed by research. Based on findings of a survey, a recent Gallup report concludes the following: *“Engaged employees produce better business outcomes than other employees — across industry, company size and nationality, and in good economic times and bad.”* Engaged employees are a byproduct of a positive work culture. According to a 2017 report by the University of Warwick published in the Journal of European Labor, being happy at work increases creativity, innovation, and motivation, thus boosting productivity. Additionally, a study by [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/research/studies/does-company-culture-pay-off-analyzing-stock-performance-of-best-places-to-work-companies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) reveals that Companies that won a “Best Places to Work” award, recognizing their positive culture, significantly outperformed the overall market by 115.6% in the S&P 500. In contrast, a portfolio of 30 companies with the lowest employee satisfaction rates significantly underperformed the overall market by 29.5%. Lest there be doubt—cut-throat, high-pressure work environment that leads to stress is counterproductive and often a costly expense for companies. For this reason, the only way forward for a company should be fostering a positive work culture. Stay Positive, my friends! ;) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Facebook Workplace: What Is It All About Anyway? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/facebook-workplace-what-is-it-all-about-anyway/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:35.000Z The core objective of the platform is to help users communicate with different groups and engage in live chat with office colleagues and coworkers, regardless of the geographic distances involved. Basically, Facebook Workplace offers various social network features that are commonly found in the Facebook social media platform, albeit for the corporate environment. The platform’s beta testing started as far back as the beginning of 2015\. A key differentiation feature of this software is that unlike the Facebook website and app itself, which has always maintained its unique blue color identity, the Facebook Workplace on the other hand uses grey as its visual brand identity. ## Free service for non-premium users As of 2018, the key features of Workplace have been available free of cost. However, a premium usage tier has been offered by Facebook Inc. available at $3 per user, per month. But the charges are not applied automatically at the moment someone signs in. Rather, all new users are given a complimentary 90 days free trial. The charged version basically adds customer support and various enterprise features such as APIs and administrator controls. However, the $3 cravat is not etched in stone. Various discounts are easily available for organizations that have over 5,000 employees/ users. This premium tier is also offered absolutely free to various registered non -profit organizations as well as educational institutions. Basically, this service combines the look and feel of the Facebook smartphone consumer app with multiple features that are more targeted toward the average enterprise user. ## Emulates the well-known FB platform The platform’s main benefit lies in its near instant familiarity among a veritable plethora of end users. Since there are now around a quarter of a billion Facebook users in the United States alone, the odds are that a company’s employees will already be adept at using this application. This means no down time in employee performance due to the training process as they familiarize themselves with the app. From a purely business perspective, this has a number of advantages. And it means that the training period will be lessened as staff members start using a new tool, and, in theory at the very least, it will considerably increase the overall likelihood of a really strong uptake all across an organization. Of course, trying to break into the ever-evolving and changing, not to mention an increasingly crowded collaboration market, will inevitably bring its own set of challenges and difficulties. The Facebook social media network has effectively revolutionized social media as we know it today. Not only has it led the way in connecting both families and friends to its online members, but at the same time, it has also been instrumental in convincing many large organizations that it is not just ready but also quite capable enough to do (more or less) the same job for the employees and the staff members of even very large organizations. In fact, Facebook actually relishes the challenge to do so. It is primarily for this reason that Facebook decided to work on this vital niche, a niche that no one seemed to be particularly interested in. However, in doing, so Facebook has taken on other online giants such as Microsoft, Cisco and Google who have also woken up to the importance of building platforms to fill this niche. Then there are team based chat platforms (such as ‘[Slack](https://slack.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)” for instance) that are trying to muscle in on this territory. But Facebook Workplace’s appeal lies in the fact that it is backed up by the all too familiar Facebook platform itself. Even corporate customers are likely to be more aware of Facebook then any of its rival platforms. This is indeed, precisely why the innocuously named ‘Facebook Platform’ has been able to achieve what has been described by 451 Research senior analyst Raúl Castañón Martínez to be truly “remarkable growth” in the relatively short time in which it has been available to the end consumers, as such. ## Steadily increasing acceptance The Facebook workplace application is currently in the process of being used by more than 14,000 organizations all over the world, as per statistics released by Facebook. As a matter of fact, RBS or the ‘Royal Bank of Scotland’ was one of the really big corporate users that had vested their full trust in this app, even before its full launch. Now even Walmart has jumped on the Facebook Workplace bandwagon and that is a fairly significant deal to say the least, since the retail giant currently employs well over 2 million staff members, all over the globe. And of course, this is but the tip of the iceberg. In light of the fact that there is so much room for growth in the online corporate communications niche. In fact, many industry pundits are convinced that such apps are merely scratching the surface and once the niche is exploited to its full potential, then the company that comes out on top will be able to accrue billions in annual revenues, per se. Here, it is deemed prudent to point out that the many differences between Facebook’s consumer application and its enterprise version tend to go deeper than just simply swapping the familiar blue interface for its markedly businesslike gray one. Apart from that, there are additional features as well that are more targeted towards the IT admins of the organization and theyinclude such important additions as asingle sign-on capability, an analytics dashboard, and one of Facebook’s iconic security features. Its two-factor authentication. We can safely conclude that the [Facebook Workplace App](https://www.facebook.com/workplace) has a lot going for it and it will easily be able to rule the roost, much like its parent company has come to dominate social media. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### H & M Turns to Big Data, AI to Tailor Store Offerings URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/h-m-big-data/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:35.000Z Whether it is the invention of the sewing machine or the rise of e-commerce, the fashion industry is one industry that has always been a hotbed of innovation. The fashion industry is huge. It is a $2.4 trillion market, which makes it one of the largest industries in the global economy. A major player in this industry is H&M—the world’s largest clothing brand. Established in 1947, H &M has its presence in over 60 countries and generates yearly revenues in the billions. However, the company has seen a slight decline in sales during recent years. In fact, it has suffered a slump in sales for ten straight quarters and this has the company’s hierarchy worried. The executives have finally awakened to the fact that sales are going down and something needs to be done and fast. The first measure that the company has taken to correct the slump is moving away from their usual approach to retail by monitoring customer data and implementing artificial intelligence in an attempt to comeback from their poor sales slump. Instead of stocking the same items in stores all over the world, H &M will now rely on AI and algorithms to better align supply and demand on a store-by-store basis. the company has 4,500 stores worldwide. The retail chain is ramping up its use of data to customize what it sells in individual stores, which is a shift from its longstanding practice of stocking stores around the globe with similar merchandise. The company is breaking away from the above practices in hopes that it will help to arrest a slump in same-store sales that has lasted ten straight quarters. A spike in online shopping has led to fewer customers visiting stores, and digital startups are putting up fierce competition. The fashion-industry giant has repeatedly slashed prices to clear out $4 billion of unsold inventory, and will now use data from store receipts, returns, and loyalty-card accounts to reduce markdowns. Like most retailers, H& M relies on a team of designers to determine what shoppers want to buy. But now it is using algorithms to analyze store receipts, returns, and loyalty-card data to better align supply and demand, with the goal of reducing markdowns. As a result of this, some H&M stores have already started to carry more fashion and fewer basics such as T-shirts and leggings. ## AI Analytics an Addition, Not a Replacement for H&M Despite no longer depending on the intuition of their managers and merchandising heads, H&M realizes that the change doesn’t necessarily mean that they have to replace those positions. Instead, the company is focused on providing its managers and merchandising heads with the data and tools to better inform decisions moving forward. According to Arti Zeighami—the head of H&M’s advanced analytics and artificial intelligence function, the shift is going to help the company. It is will interesting to see how the move will impact the overall approach of other retailers. However, one thing is for sure: as competition continues to grow, putting customer centricity at the forefront will be what helps companies stand out and offer value to both investors and shoppers alike. While H&M believes that the shift to AI and analytics will rectify the slump in same-store sales it has suffered in the last ten quarters, analysts remain skeptical that the new strategy will pull H&M out of its slump. The analysts believe that data alone cannot pull H&M out of its slump as the company’s algorithms have previously failed to factor in considerations important for keeping store sales at a profit or even at break-even. Also, analysts are worried that the strategy of H&M to use granular data to tailor merchandise in each store to local tastes, rather than a cookie-cutter approach that groups stores by location or size, is largely untested in the retail industry. Talking to journalists, Ludovica Dodero—a former retail executive of the company has the following to say: ‘*Most companies are still used to taking decisions not driven by analytics at all, only based on the experience of the manager*.’ Ludovica Dodero was pointing to the fact that we don’t really know the expected outcome of H&M’s new approach to stock and manage merchandise in store as the approach has not been tried a lot before. Not only is H&M’s new approach for stores relatively untested, getting every store right is a mammoth task for the company given its size. Compared to Zara’s 2,127 stores and Gap’s 1301 stores, H&M has 4500 stores worldwide. H&M claims that the sales at the stores have improved since it began rolling out the AI technology globally. However, the company has declined to provide figures. To detect trends three-to eight months in advance, H&M is analyzing data on a large scale from blog posts, search engines, and other sources rather than relying mainly on staff. With the help of about 200 data scientists, analysts, and engineers—internal and external, H&M is using analytics to look back on purchasing patterns for every item in each of its stores. While the data has certainly help H&M to make financially viable decisions for its stores, it doesn’t always lead to sensible conclusion. We will just have to wait and see if the new approach helps to pull out H&M of its recent slump. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What Makes Any Place A Really Great Place to Work? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/great-place-to-work/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:35.000Z But the fact of the matter is that only a mere 20 percent of staff members all around the world usually declare that they are actually fully engaged at work. Unfortunately, this is a very real disconnect and what is more, it serves no one at all. Not the employers and certainly not the employees either, who miss out on promotions and increments. This is why the need of the hour is to increase the productivity of the original 80 percent till it is really at par with the fully engaged 20 percent, so that the entire organization is fully engaged, and productivity has been maximized to the greatest possible extent. But the question is how to go about doing that? As in, how to make sure that the employees who are merely going through the motions are able to work to their best possible extent. The answer is that some employers must shift their focus from trying to get as much out of their employees as they can, and invest more in them by the relatively simple expedient of addressing their four core needs. That is their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs so that they are fueled and freed and inspired enough to bring their very best to the table, not just for one day but for each and every (working) day of the week. To put it mildly, it is little more than common sense, as such. After all, if one is on a diet that basically lacks essential nutrients that are important for life then, it will certainly be no surprise if they end up being undernourished, and otherwise highly disengaged and therefore almost totally unable to perform at their very best. ## Better wages and lower hours It is imperative that the organization should commit to paying every employee a reasonable living wage. Take the Henry Ford Example and a story my father loves to tell me: It was in the early part of the last century that Henry Ford used the assembly line concept for mass production. This concept involved multiple employees working on the same conveyor belt on which were placed different parts that constituted the iconic Ford model T. The assembly lines were categorized into mini projects, which gradually led to the construction of a fully finished Model T when it rolled off the last line. The whole project was managed by Henry Ford himself along with his team of senior executives. So successful was this project based approach that by the 1920s just about half the cars in the USA were Model T vehicles. The core human resources principle behind this concept was that workers be given more than twice the hourly wages in comparison to other car makers, giving them opportunities to buy things, such as one of those Model Ts. :) Additionally they would get two full days off per week, so that they could enjoy those high wages with their families and friends as well. And their hours were also cut shorter as well. This meant that the best talent was attracted to his company and they worked twice as hard. This is why Ford became a house hold name almost overnight, and people use his HR practices to this day. ## The workers should also have a stake It is wise for the organization to give all of its employees at least a minimum stake in the company’s success. It can be in the form of bonuses as a means of profit sharing, or alternatively stock options, or cash awards tied to stellar performance. In a nutshell, should the company be really doing well, then all employees should also get a chance to share in their success, in various meaningful ways. ## The availability of healthy and nutritious food It is the organization’s’ responsibility to provide healthy, high quality food, and to do so, at heavily subsidized rates. They can install vending machines or have really good options at their cafeteria. After all, hungry workers are not really very productive, as such. ## The importance of gym facilities It is important to take care of their physical exercise as well and here a well-equipped gym would sure come in handy and they can also try to install other facilities that also encourage staff members to move physically and try and stay fit and trim. Since physical exertion is not everyone’s cut of tea. It is important to provide incentives for various employees to use these facilities so that they are able to regain their health and vigor and feel bit refreshed and energized at the same time as well. ## The seminal importance of two way feedback It is important to institute a form of two way performance review system, so that the staff members are not only able to receive regular feedback with regard to precisely how they’re doing. Moreover, this feedback has to take and utilized in ways that support their growth, and at the same time they are also given better opportunities to be able to provide the requisite feedback to their supervisors so that they can improve their efficiency, to a significant degree. ## Respect and concern is the key All of the organization’s leaders and managers have to be accountable for treating all employees with their due respect and care. Furthermore, they should also appreciate hard work whenever possible. The good ol' pat on the back goes a long way. Following these rules in the workplace can not only greatly increase efficiency, but at the same time, make the workplace a more fun experience for everyone concerned. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Voice AI is Transforming Business Operations and Customer Experience URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-voice-artificial-intelligence/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:36.000Z Today, AI-enabled voice recognition is becoming an imperative part of how we interact with technology. What humans say is becoming valuable data that businesses can use to sell products and create personalized consumer experiences. For this reason alone, it is critical for businesses to think about how voice AI will impact the entire customer experience from discovery through to purchase. If the sales in the past eighteen months are anything to go by, then one would be obliged to say that there is an insatiable appetite for voice devices in the global market.The use of these digital voice assistants and conversational AI coupled with the advancements in AI and the overall underlying technology indicates that voice first devices are poised to transform commerce and marketing within every industry. Perhaps, this is the reason we have seen a lot of vendors in voice-based AI space come to the fore in recent years. Let there be no doubt—Voice AI is an incredibly ‘smart’ technology. Today, this technology can listen to conversations in real time and process indicators on three fronts and feed them back to agents at call centers. So what are the three fronts we talk about above? The first front, which includes short-term indicators like speaking rate, time spent speaking or not speaking for all participants in the call etc. are extracted directly from the audio recording call in real time.What this means is that AI can prompt action if an agent is speaking too fast or is leaving long pauses in between speech. The second front is the long-term patterns of speech and identification of undesirable conversational patterns with domain specific contextual awareness. This means that AI can rate the quality of long-term speech patterns for an agent in a call center or prompt recommendations.The third and last front is conversational dynamics and patterns of interaction from verbal cues. This means that AI can identify cues in the audio to attach features to tone like angry or dominant or check the empathy or support. Although the largest application for Voice AI in business is the customer service, we are also witnessing a steady increase in adoption for sales, marketing, and some other applications. This increased adoption of Voice AI is largely due to the way it functions. ## How Voice AI Works and The Operational Benefits of Using This Technology for Businesses How you ever considered the role voice plays in the smart devices that we use today. Think smartphones, smart cars, and smart home applications. If you have considered the role of voice in these devices, then you’d know that speech recognition is incredibly complicated. Let’s take how a child learns as an example of this. From the day the child is born, sounds surround them. Although infants and toddlers don’t understand the words, they absorb all the cues and pronunciations, and their brains form patterns and connections based on how their parents communicate. Voice AI or speech recognition technology works in essentially the same way: - The user speaks some words by invoking voice recognition on a mobile app or connected device - The spoken words are processed by the recognition software and converted to text - The converted text is then provided as input to search mechanism, which returns the results The success of Voice AI or speech recognition technology can be gauged by the fact that Google’s machine learning algorithms have now achieved a 95% accuracy for the English language. So, we know how Voice AI technology works but what are the operational benefits that businesses can extract from them? The benefits are as under: ### Make Communication Easier and Faster There is no doubt that easier and faster communication between in-house teams and with external stakeholders can help increase operational efficiency. Voice AI makes this possible. Not too long ago, the only option to deliver a command was with a keypad or text. This is time consuming, however, with voice AI, communication between teams and with external stakeholders has become faster and more natural due to connected devices enabled for voice recognition. ### Minimize Errors With voice AI, errors in data entry and operations can be avoided as users can focus on what they’re instead of having to look at their mobile phones or a computer screen while they’re at it. ### Improved Productivity Voice-based devices and apps enable streamlined operations that enhance operational productivity, which of course benefits the company’s bottom line. ### Improved Safety Not only is voice technology quick and safe to interpret and follow, it also makes the work environment safer by allowing people to send instructions or information to an employee or team while they perform their job without them having to risk their safety. ### Multiple Uses There are multiple uses of voice-AI or speech recognition technology. In fact, you can give multiple orders/commands at the same time through voice-enabled devices to carry out tasks. The above list is not all and there are many other benefits of using voice AI for your business operations. Add to this the customer experience advantages of the voice technology and you’ll know why it is increasing in popularity and adoption in the business world every day. Some of the popular and most recognized voice-AI technologies include [Siri](https://www.apple.com/siri/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), Baidu, [Cortana](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cortana?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and Alexa. If you want to know more about these voice-AI technologies, then get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Sci-Fi Technologies That Have Become a Reality URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/sci-fi-technologies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:36.000Z Without a doubt, most of the engineers and scientists working on cutting-edge technology are or have been fans of Sci-Fi movies and/or TV shows. Let’s be honest: science fiction has inspired many of the technologies that we use and proudly flaunt technology. From talking robots to self-driving cars, modern technology was envisioned in films and books long before it became reality. Each year in Geneva—an important city on the world map, an International Exhibition of Inventions is held where groundbreaking ideas are presented at the world’s largest inventions fair. The inventions range from everyday gadgets to high-tech industrial novelties. Like every year, the 2018 or 46th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions was the platform 822 exhibitors from 40 countries presented groundbreaking technology. Many of these inventions were inspired by Sci-Fi movies and shows. The International Exhibition of Inventions is not the only place where you will find examples of technology inspired by science fiction. Instead, these technologies are very much a part of our daily lives today. In fact, sometimes it can get difficult to see whether life is influencing art or art is influencing life. We live in an exciting time where fantasies of our childhoods are starting to become a reality. Smartphones can now actually do most of the stuff Jack Bauer—a fictional character and the lead protagonist of the Fox television series 24, expected his mobile to do in 2001, and the U.S army is trying to create an Iron-man-esque suit. Following are the top 5 Sci-Fi technologies that have made the leap into our real lives. ## Video Phones Let’s start with an invention that we see and use in our daily lives: video phones. Whether it is a Skype call, a WhatsApp call or a call via any other app, all smart phones today allow you to make a video call. Video calls became a reality only a few years ago but were envisioned decades ago in Sci-Fi movies and TV shows. There are countless examples of video phones in science fiction, but the earliest on-screen debut of the video phone was in Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece “Metropolis.” The video phone in the 1920s classic was a large, clunky phone that required four dials to set up a call, but it was undoubtedly a video phone. This was followed by several other movies and TV shows depicting a ‘closer to reality’ video phone. However, Metropolis will always be known as the pioneer that introduced the video phone to the world. ## Smart Home Lightning automatically turning on, the protagonist getting news updates from an invisible voice, and robot-butler catering to his master—we’ve all enviously watched on as Sci-Fi movies depicted the life we could have only dream of—up until now. The smart home that we have longed-for since years or in some cases decades, is now a reality. You no longer need to use your hands to switch on the light in your living room.; You can instead ask your digital assistant to do that for you. The robot-butler has well and truly arrived! With a combination of smart speaker, smart thermostat, and smart light bulbs, you can now control your entire home using just your voice. As if that wasn’t cool enough, your house can actually learn your habits, which allows it to know your preferences, for example, switching the heating on before you walk through the door, or gradually increasing the light in your bedroom to wake you up in the morning. ## Tablet Computers If you’re old enough, then you’d remember an iPad-style device appears in 1968 classic “2001: A Space Odyssey”.However, ‘iPad’ became popular after it made an appearance in the hit American TV series ‘Star Trek.’ This was in the earlier season of the show. However, the iPad became a more prominent part of the Tv series in subsequent season in the 70s and 80s and was known as PADD, an acronym for Personal Access Display Device. ## Hoverboards No matter what generation you belong to, you would have at the very least heard about Marty McFly—the protagonist of Back to the Future—arguably one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Perhaps, the most well-documented characteristic of McFly is his love for Skateboards or hoverboards in the future. In the 80s when the movie was shot and released, hoverboards or flying boards were not even a prototype. For many years, hoverboards looked like a pipe dream. There was no way hoverboards could actually exist until 2015 when Lexus created a hoverboard. Although it was just a publicity stunt, the hoverboard created by Lexus worked really well and served as an inspiration for many other companies to follow in the footsteps of the auto manufacturing giant. ## Super Solider Suits Admitted this isn’t a Sci-Fi technology for the masses, but it a highly-envied Sci-Fi technology that could soon become a reality so talking about it is mandatory. While most of us remember the Iron Man Suit from Iron Man or Avengers movies starring Robert Downey Jr., the suit first appeared in 1968 marvel comics and looked nothing like the sophisticated wearable tech it is today. However, that is not important. What is important is that the U.S military is developing an iron-man like super soldier suit called the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS). If you want to know what other technologies from your childhood have or are about to become a reality, get in touch with me today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology Can Help You Stay Safe During a Storm Like Hurricane Florence URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-hurricane-florence/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:37.000Z The first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Hurricane Florence made landfall for the first time on the morning of September 14\. Since then, it has wreaked havoc across its path. The warning for Hurricane Florence extends from the entire coast of North Carolina through central South Carolina. Wilmington—one of North Carolina’s most populous cities, was virtually cut off due to the storm making landfall. In some other communities, floodwaters pushed even higher as the rains flowed into rivers and rushed downstream. Many people in North and South Carolina who were left stranded in the midst of the storm were rescued by the authorities by both air and water. Thousands of people affected by the storm remain out of their homes and they have no idea when they’ll be able to return home. The flooding will continue for the next few days at least and with this is mind, you should prepare yourself for the inevitable if you’re in the path of the storm but haven’t been hit yet. Hurricane Florence was expected to knock out power for at least three days in some places. In other places, power could be out for weeks. Not only that, there will be damage to infrastructure and property, which will affect your daily doings in more than one way. Even if you’re not in the path of Hurricane Florence, you must keep abreast of the modern ways to stay safe during a hurricane. ## Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina, Harvey, and Irma Who can forget Hurricane Katrina—one of the most devastating storms to hit the U.S coast in recent times. At least nothing in the last ten years has reached its magnitude. The disaster forced an evacuation of an entire metropolitan area. Survivors lost everything and were displayed to different states. The storm left more than a million impacted. This was thirteen years ago. However, we don’t need to go back so far to extract valuable lessons that can serve us during the current or next storm. Only last year, we had Hurricane Harvey and Irma—two category 4 hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S in the same year. According to estimates, the two storms caused damages amounting to almost $190 billion. The good thing that came out these damages was that there were many lessons learned including the lesson that technology can be vital to staying safe and keeping track of loved ones. Following are some lessons related to technology learned from the devastation caused by the three hurricanes mentioned above. ### Protect Your Hardware and Data It is important to know that most computers and cellphones are not hurricane-proof. You’d need to keep your devices in high-quality sealable plastic bags if you are evacuating your area after the storm and want to keep your technology dry. Also, an ice chest would be a good place to store your technology if there a chance of flooding in your home. A general rule for storms is that you should move all your valuable items, which includes the technology you value, to the highest floor of your property. Also, if you feel that doing the above is too difficult for you, then you should at least store your data to a cloud service to minimize losses. ### Download Apps That Can Save the Day There are several smartphone apps that can save the day during Hurricane Florence and other hurricanes. Just make sure you download them before the storm or flooding hits you. This is important because you don’t want to waste battery life on downloading apps when there is a power outage. Nevertheless, following are some useful apps to download for the hurricane season: [**Nextdoor**](https://nextdoor.com/login/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) The app links up users who live nearby with the help of geolocation. This can be useful for anyone looking to connect with neighbors during an emergency. [**Zello**](https://zello.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) A push-to-talk app for mobile devices and PCs, Zello redefines the walkie talkie. The app works like a walkie-talkie and allow you to send images or audio to local channels centered on emergency relief. [**Firechat**](https://www.opengarden.com/firechat/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) A messaging app, firechat can work without any cellphone signal or access to the network. This makes the app extremely useful during the storm season. [**Weather+**](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/weather/id403692190?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4&ref=bobbydavidson.com) Available to iPhone users, Weather+ allows you to get the latest updates on the hurricane. With this app, you can stay on top of current weather conditions and weather for the rest of the week to come. [**ABC News App**](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc-news/id300255638?mt=8&ref=bobbydavidson.com) Available for download on iPhone, the ABC News app is a great source to get up to date information on Hurricane Florence and the damage that it has caused. ### Keep Your Phone Alive The last advice we would give you to stay safe during the Hurricane Florence with technology is keeping your phone alive during the storm. Your apps would not be of much use if you phone is dead. Charge your phone to full before the storm hits you. Also, if the storm hits you and your power is out, keep your phone running for long by closing any apps that you’re not actively using, lowering the phone’s brightness, and putting your phone in power-saving mode. Additionally, you should get an external battery pack which doesn’t require any power to operate after its off the outlet and allows for optimal mobile charging. Moreover, it should fit comfortably in your pocket. For more assistance if your disaster recovery planning and business continuity startegy, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Reasons Manufacturers Should Move to The Cloud URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/move-to-the-cloud/ Last updated: 2018-09-14T02:42:07.000Z The cloud is enabling a new era of modern manufacturing, yet many manufacturers remain skeptical about cloud computing. If you’re one of them, then you must reconsider your stance on cloud computing. If you’re in the manufacturing businesses, then here are 5 good reasons for you to move to the cloud! Almost all economists agree that the next few years are looking very positive for the manufacturing industry. Manufactures will experience organic growth due to new product categories, pent up demand from businesses and consumers, more product diversity, and greater geographic reach. All these factors are poised to keep manufacturing running profitably till the foreseeable future at least. All this growth in manufacturing almost guarantees two things: A—mergers and acquisitions will increase and B—the trend around better data management for business analysis will only grow more heated. For these reasons alone, the cloud is gaining adherents across industry, despite concerns about security and off-site hosting of critical business data. As more and more manufacturers move toward cloud-hosting of critical data, several benefits that are not limited to security and access have been achieved. These are benefits that we will discuss here to showcase why it is beneficial for businesses in the manufacturing industry to move to the cloud. So, let’s get started. ## The Case for Moving to the Cloud Before we give the reasons or benefits of moving to the cloud, we’d like to present the case for manufacturers moving to the cloud. Let there be no doubt that the era of modern manufacturing has well and truly arrived and what has made this possible? You guessed right: it is the cloud. Today, cloud computing is helping manufacturers to not just transform their supply chain, design and production processes, but also drive innovation, accelerate growth, and enhance the customer experience—all while lowering Information Technology (IT) costs. With the cloud playing an increasingly larger role in manufacturing, there has been an influx of workplace and productivity apps and tools designed to meet just about every need. As such, cloud-based enterprise communications and productivity apps and tools are playing a positive role in business growth of many manufacturers today. In the next section, we give 5 reasons manufacturers should move to the cloud and make use of the cloud-based apps and tools. ## The Reasons to Switch to the Cloud The deployment of the cloud has been a game-changer, yet it is often distrusted and rejected. Business that take this route are destined to fail. For this reason, manufacturers who have recently rejected or have refused to adopt cloud deployment should take another look. In fact, as the benefits of cloud computing grow exponentially, cloud deployment is the logical solution for several market drivers which just can’t be overlooked. There are seven market drivers growing the adoption of cloud computing. These include digitalization, supply chain visibility, acquisitions and divestitures, enhanced customer experience, security, limited cash flow, and skills gap. With the factors driving the growth of cloud computing clear, it is time to look at the 5 reasons manufacturers should move to the cloud. ### Minimize Costs There are many studies that prove that switching to the cloud can significantly reduce costs. For instance, a study by Nucleus Research finds that cloud-based implementations typically require less development and testing resources, and cloud vendors usually provide much of the application support and maintenance. As a result, organizations that deploy cloud-based applications spend 40% less on consulting and 25% less on support personnel than organizations that deploy on-premise applications. Another study by [Strategy&](https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/global/home?ref=bobbydavidson.com) found that, overall, the total cost of ownership for a cloud-based ERP system can be 50 to 60% less than traditional software implementations over a 10-year period. ### Faster Time to Market Rapid response is critical when unforeseen events take place such as new competition that can take market share in a matter of months. On-premise applications are generally not fast-enough to structure, expand, and scale up operations, which can put a company at a disadvantage when faced with other fast-growing businesses. The cloud can come to the rescue here. With the cloud, deployments are faster, and there are fewer work slowdowns during implementation. Moreover, there is no need to invest capital in upgrading your infrastructure.All this can positively impact your bottom line. ### Faster Growth The cloud makes it significantly less expensive and time-consuming to establish a business presence in new and remote locations as there is no requirement for any physical infrastructure on-site for cloud deployments. This mean that if your business is growing, you can quickly scale-up in the cloud to meet expanding needs; and if your business is going bust, then your minimal investment in the cloud deployment represents a much smaller loss than you’d incur with an on-premise solution. ### Improved Visibility The cloud makes it easy to access information about plant-floor resources. This in turn allows a business to make the most effective usage of constrained resources, find areas where they can increase throughput and efficiency, and promote better material and asset management. Put simply increased visibility—in real-time—enabled by cloud, helps you to operate more efficiently, and make better, faster decisions. ### Improved Efficiency Since they can automate several traditional steps of the business processes to replace manual activities and often eliminate the need for duplicate data entry, cloud applications are considered by many as applications best-suited for improving the efficiency of manufacturing operations. With a cloud-based ERP system, you can improve collaboration between departments, as well as externally with suppliers and distributors. Moreover, you can early-detection capabilities and real-time access to information about capacity, availability, qualifications, and interdependencies of employees, equipment, tools, and materials data. All of this helps to improve manufacturing efficiency. For more reasons to switch to the cloud or if you would like to explore if cloud is right for your organization, get in touch with me today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What is Hyperloop? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About This New Transportation Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/what-is-hyperloop/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:38.000Z Although he suggested Hyperloop as a new form of transportation in closed meetings with his partners and employees at Space X and Tesla, it wasn’t until 2013 that Elon Musk detailed engineering specifics related to the concept. In August of 2013, Musk produced a [58-page white paper](https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/hyperloop%5Falpha.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that outlined his technical thinking for how the system would work. In the white paper, Elon Musk described a futuristic transportation system that would send passenger pods through tubes at speeds of hundreds of miles an hour. At the time, the idea of actually building and operating a so-called ‘hyperloop’ seemed far-fetched, to say the least. Fast forward a few years and hyperloops no longer seem so hypothetical. In fact, a handful of firms and even some governments are now competing to develop the necessary technology. The Hyperloop technology is once again in the limelight, just like it was in the early days of concept, after German students set a new record for the transport system in July this year. The Warr Hyperloop team from the Technical University of Munich, won the SpaceX hyperloop pod competition by designing and building a pod that achieved a top speed of 284mph (457kph). The students were competing against hundreds of other engineers at the annual contest, now in its third year, at the Space X headquarters in Hawthorne, California. In addition to the above, the Abu Dhabi government is planning to have Hyperloop transportation technology operational in the City by 2020\. The Abu Dhabi government has contracted Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), that will begin to build a track in the Abu Dhabi to have it operational by the 2020 deadline. With so much interest around Hyperloop today, it would only be right to inform our readers what the Hyperloop technology is all about and what makes it different from other existing transportation systems today. So, let’s begin the discussion on Hyperloop. ## What is Hyperloop The brainchild of Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk, Hyperloop is a hi-tech, super-fast transport concept which envisages a train-like vehicle that can pass through near-vacuum tubes while levitating above a magnetic rail, a system referred to as Maglev. The lack of friction resulting from the vacuum environment and Maglev system means that the vehicle can reach far higher speeds than standard trains. Seen by many as a revolution in the transportation system, Hyperloop is a new form of ground transport which could see passengers travelling at 700 miles per hour in floating pods with low-pressure tubes. Once it is up and running, the Hyperloop would consist of capsules transported at high speeds through the length of low pressure tubes that are elevated off the ground. Put simply, the pods would work like an air hockey table. Supported on a cushion of air, the capsules can travel at average speeds of 600 mph, reaching a top speed of 760 mph. How fast is that? You can reach LA from San Francisco or London from Edinburgh in less than thirty minutes. Based on the very high-speed train (VHST) system proposed in 1972, which combines a magnetic levitation train and a low-pressure transit tube, Hyperloop evolves some of the original ideas of VHST, but also uses tunnels and pods or capsules to travel from one place to another. Elon Musk has likened the Hyperloop to a vacuum tube system in a building used to move documents from place to place. Musk claims that he is too busy running Tesla and Space X to explore the Hyperloop concept, so he has made the technology ‘available to anyone who wants to develop it.’ Currently, there are two major companies working on the Hyperloop concept: the California based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), and the Richard Branson-backed Virgin Hyperloop One. ## What Makes Hyperloop Different from Other Transportation Systems If you want compared Hyperloop with tradition rail, then there are two major differences. The first is that the pods carrying passengers travel through tubes or tunnels from which most of the air has been removed to reduce friction. This allows the pods to travel at speeds of up to 760 miles per hour. This is not possible with traditional rail. The second difference between the two is that rather than using wheels like a train or a car, the pods are designed to float on air skis, using the same basic idea as an air hockey table, or using magnetic levitation to reduce friction. Today, a number of companies—including HTT and Virgin Hyperloop one, are working to turn the idea into a functioning commercial system. According to CNBC, HTT has recently signed a deal with a Chinese government-owned transport company to build a test track in the province of Guizhou. On the other hand, Virgin Hyperloop One received an investment of $50 million from Richard Branson in December last year, which increased the company’s total funding to date to $295 million. What are the potential benefits of the Hyperloop transport system? Supporters says that it could be cheaper and faster than train and car travel, and cheaper and less polluting than air travel. Moreover, they claim that Hyperloop system is cheaper to build than traditional high-speed rail. However, only time will tell how right they are! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Tech is Changing Lives for and Empowering the Differently Abled URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/empowering/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:39.000Z We came to this planet for a reason and all of us—yes all of us, have the ability to do whatever we want with our lives. You may think that some people are less privileged in this regard due to their physical condition, but the truth of the matter is that everyone struggles in their day-to-day affairs in one way or the other. If you are differently abled, then don’t think of yourself as a lesser being. You have all the abilities in the world to achieve everything you ever desired. You just need the right guidance and tools to achieve it. When it comes to guidance, the one thing that I tell everyone, including to those with special abilities, is that you should always stay positive and make the most of what you have. Believe me, this advice can go a long way in helping you achieve everything that ever desired. Following is some other advice that I would give to every reader, especially to those who are differently abled: - Stay focused on the positive instead of the negatives - Don’t ever give up - Challenge yourself and try new things every day - Each day ask yourself if you’re happy—if there’s something that makes you unhappy, find a way to make change - Make a habit to smile - Don’t compare yourself to others and celebrate all your big and small accomplishments - Be polite and stay calm with obnoxious people - Look for support not pity - Make a choice to live with it without letting it overwhelm you If you choose to make this advice as part of your daily life, you can move onto the next step of the process that can potentially change yourself forever. What is the next step I'm talking about? It is the using tech that is changing lives for and empowering the differently abled. Check out more about the technology making a difference in the lives of the differently abled. ## New Technology with The Potential to End Disability—Forever Although differently abled people are no less than without a disability, a variety of challenges can make it difficult for many people with a disability to live as others would. The challenges can be due to personal attitudes or the environment. Whatever the cause, the challenges can prevent the differently abled from adopting and living a healthy and active lifestyle. However, there is good news—advancements in technology have given birth to tech that can not only make the lives of the differently abled easier but can also potentially help them to overcome their disability –forever. Following are 5 amazing technologies changing lives for and empowering the differently abled. ### Emotiv’s Headsets ### [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/empowering?ref=bobbydavidson.com) 5-channel wireless headsets, Emotiv’s headsets are equipped with a wireless EEG system that records the wearer’s brain-waves and translates them into meaningful data. It is built with several advanced detection algorithms that allow it to do the following: - Interpret basic mental commands - Detect and analyze facial expressions - Measure metal focus, performance, and stress Not only can the basic technology enabling the headsets help quadriplegics to use the computer, it could also potentially be used to control bionic technologies as well. ### Sign Language Decoders Not exactly a fashion statement but useful nonetheless, sign language decoders are wearable tech that translates sign gestures into text for easy reading by those who can’t read sign language. Manufacturers of the technology are currently working to add sound to the decoders, which would truly give a voice to the users. ### The ReWalk Suit Billed as the world’s first personal exoskeleton, ReWalk provides powered hip and knee movement to its wearer. This allows paraplegics to walk, something many of them thought they’d never be able to do again. Additionally, ReWalk offers many benefits to patients rehabilitating from a spinal cord injury. The suit’s motion is controlled through an on-board computer which works through the system of motion sensors built into the device. By tracking the movement of the user’s body, it allows for controlled walking that mimics the natural movements of an abled-human being. Studies prove that this provides significant health benefits to the wearer. ### Bionic Ears What is hearing? It is a combination of registering of sound vibrations on cartilage and the interpretation of those waves in the brain. At times, the inner ear develops, but the external ear—with its cartilage, does not. This makes hearing difficult. Created using 3D printing technology, bionic ear is hoping to become a ‘living prosthetic’ that can capture sound like a real ear. What’s amazing is that the ink of the ear is not plastic, rather it’s made of living cells—cells that are from the patient’s own body, which allows the body to readily accept them. Put simply, the bionic ears are more than just prosthetics. ### Bionic Eye The research team at USC hospital have developed a high-tech camera that can be implanted in the eye, which allows images to be transmitted from an external camera worn in sunglasses. The bionic eye allows patients with lost vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa to see light and dark shapes. These are other technologies as well that are changing lives for and empowering the differently abled. It's all about attitude in life, I don't care who you are and what your situation is. Attitude is a choice - make a good one and live life to the fullest. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Technology Trends for Airports and Airlines in 2018 and Beyond URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-trends-airports/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:40.000Z According to the International Airport Transport Association (IATA), the global passenger traffic last year increased by 7.6% from 2016, which was well-above the annual average growth rate of 5.5%. The number of people that took to the skies increased in 2017 and this trend will continue well into the future. But what about the trends for technological use in airports and the airline industry? I have traveled a lot through airports and by air. Most of the times my experience at airports and in airlines has been a pleasant one. However, there’s room for improvement, especially at airports. I believe that this gap in customer expectation can be filled with the help of modern technology. Modern technology has great potential to help every aspect of the airport experience, from streamlining voyages to improving customer satisfaction and increasing airport revenues. ## The Need for Increasing Technology at Airports All the eager travelers should be great news for aviation industry including for airports, airlines, and even car rental companies. However, the stratospheric growth, set against a backdrop of straining infrastructure, is putting a serious strain on travel customer satisfaction. The good news is that the industry is finding ways to keep travelers happy despite the threat of long security lines, packed parking lots, and cramped overhead compartments, mostly through the use of modern technology. To unlock the full potential of modern technology, airports have to connect people, smart devices, applications, and businesses intelligently. This will enable new business models for every aviation sector, from passenger and freight businesses all the way through to airport stores and restaurants. Some areas where modern technology can help airports include: - Connected fleets - Retail - Operation rooms In the next 5 months and beyond, airports and airlines will have to identify the new and emerging technologies that have the potential to improve the customer experience and enhance operational efficiency both on the ground and in-flight. To make life easy for airports and airlines around the world, we have researched and identified 7 technology trends that will potentially change the aviation industry in 2018 and beyond. ### Biometrics Biometrics could soon start to have a truly transformative impact in the airport transport sector as it is beginning to gain traction across the industry. There are examples of biometric-enabled process around the world. Biometric technology is being increasingly integrated into consumer devices such as iPhone X, which features facial recognition technology, and this should help to familiarize the public with the technology, which in turn will encourage to embrace the technology while travelling. ### Blockchain A buzzword today, blockchain is a technology still relatively in its early days yet many in the aviation industry see blockchain having great potential at airports and in airlines. Generally associated with cryptocurrency, blockchain provides a secure digital ledger of transactions and agreements and holds potential in any project that involves the sharing of data. Interesting developments in this area occurred in 2017 as Lufthansa announced a partnership to explore blockchain-based distribution, Air New Zealand revealed that it is exploring blockchain for baggage, retail, distribution, and loyalty use cases while British Airways, Heathrow Airport, Geneva Airport, Miami International Airport and SITA Lab teamed up to look into how blockchain technology can help to create a ‘single source of truth’ for flight data. ### Artificial Intelligence It wouldn’t be wrong to say that 2017 was the first-time artificial intelligence (AI) really came to the fore in the air transport industry. With many airlines across the globe offering their customers support through such means, chatbots that can answer the basic questions are fast becoming a commonplace in the aviation industry. ### Robotics and Self-Service ### [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/technology-trends-airports/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) From Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, customer-facing robots are starting to pop up at airports around the world. Recently, Incheon International Airport in Seoul partnered with electronics giant LG to test two prototypes: the multilingual Airport Guide Robot, which provides boarding information and directions, and the Cleaning Robot which does exactly what the name suggests. In addition to the above, there are further opportunities for automation and robotics on the horizon. However, we will have to wait for these developments to take shape. ### Baggage Technological advancements are helping to bring a revolution in the baggage space. While self-service bag drop at airports is already widespread, a new wave of developments is starting to completely redefine baggage handling as we know it. For example, Lufthansa has partnered with [BAGTAG](https://bagtag.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in a move that allows passengers flying with Lufthansa, Swiss, and Australian Airlines to purchase a re-usable, electronic bag tag, instead of having to have traditional paper bag tags attached to their suitcases every time they fly. The BAGTAG device can be attached to suitcases using fastening screws and a mounting plate. There are other technological advancements as well that are helping to bring about a revolution in the bagging space. ### Translation Technology Air New Zealand is exploring the potential of live translation using Google Pixel Buds both inflight and at the airport. The Pixel Buds Bluetooth earphones support live translation between forty languages and this has already caught the attention of Air New Zealand, which is using the technology on a trial basis onboard its aircraft and in the airport terminal. ### Augmented Reality Another technology that has great potential in the aviation industry is augmented reality (AR). Gatwick Airport in the UK recently unveiled blue dot navigation and augmented reality wayfinding, which allows passengers to use the camera function on their device to view AR directions to wherever they need to go within the terminal. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What’s Next in the Fintech World? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/fintech-world/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:40.000Z A rapidly growing area that has a lot of people excited, Financial Technology or fintech is being increasingly adopted today by people ranging from entrepreneurs and CEOs of companies to the average people on the street. Why this growing interest in Fintech? Because technologies enabling fintech have the potential to change the way we carry out transactions and make a lot of people rich in the process. However, new technologies are being released in the finance industry at such a rapid pace that it can be difficult to keep up with them. Since most people are strapped involved in financial transactions are strapped for time, we decided to research on their behalf to find the trends with the potential to change fintech in 2018 and beyond. Following is what consumers and businesses in the fintech industry can look forward to in 2018 and beyond. # Increased Interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expect the use of advanced cognitive AI solutions to decrease costs and overheads to get popular in 2018 and beyond. For fintech companies looking to gain an edge over competitors, investment in artificial intelligence (AI) will be crucial. So, which areas of fintech is AI likely to be used for? AI will be at the center stage of customer analytics, fraud detection, and anti-money laundering solutions. However, how productive AI will be in those areas is anyone’s guess. ## Diversification of Cryptocurrencies In the past few years, cryptocurrencies have been big business, with Bitcoin alone enjoying exponential growth. As a result, many cryptocurrencies have been launched through various initial coin offerings (ICOs), which means that consumers as well as financial professionals have more options than previously when it comes to the cryptocurrency to use. However, this gives birth to fragmentation, as well to fraudsters who launch ‘fake’ cryptocurrencies in an attempt to cash in on naive and unsuspecting investors. The cryptocurrency market is nowhere near maturity, but it is a market to keep a close eye on. ## Diversity in Regulation Regulators are increasingly searching for new ways to become part of the [blockchain revolution](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/blockchain-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). As such, regulatory sandboxes which are the regulatory guidelines for fintech, have started to gain popularity. This year in March, Arizona became the first U.S state to launch regulatory sandbox for fintech. As a result, regulators are still taking more of a ‘Bystander approach’, allowing fintech innovators more freedom to act. The challenge of finding the perfect balance between innovation, risks, and controls is still very much relevant. However, if cards are played right, the Fintech industry will become more powerful and secure due to the growing number of regulatory bodies, which will boost consumer confidence while further solidifying and increasing fintech’s popularity. ## The Wider Application of the Blockchain Technology You cannot discuss cryptocurrencies without mentioning [blockchain](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/blockchain-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com); it’s like committing a cardinal sin because the technology that underpins cryptocurrency and allows it to work is blockchain. Blockchain is essentially a decentralized ledger that’s distributed across many different users. What this means is that there is no single entity holding the keys to the data and that changing the ledger is not possible once data has been recorded. Currently, the technology has wide application in the fintech world including in the field of [healthcare](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/healthy-employees/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), where it could be used to store health records while making them accessible to different providers. However, blockchain has plenty of potential to further disrupt the finance market. For example, blockchain could how houses are bought and sold because each property could have its own individual blockchain record, and banks would need to factor this information in when deciding whether to offer someone a loan or a mortgage. ## The Rise of Mobile Banking and Payments Mobile is already driving fintech as more and more people today are keeping fintech mobile apps among their favorites. What’s the reason behind it? The experts say that the simplicity and convenience of fintech mobile apps act as a magnet for consumers and are shaping the industry to become customer-centric. Perhaps this is the reason mobile is one of the leading trends in fintech in 208 and that mobile banking and payments are expected to increase to $92 billion in 2019. ## Near-Field-Communication (NFC) A technology changing the way we make payments is near-field-communication ([NFC](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)). NFC is being used in many countries to enable contactless payments via bank cards held up to a reader. Additionally, it’s been built into most modern smartphones and the technology can even be surgically implanted into a person to allow them to pay for their coffees or rides home with literally a wave of their hand. While there’s some time before we see people walking around with these implants, [NFC](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/cloud-computing-retail/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will be used in many more ways than it is today as it moves towards full maturity, especially as more and more wearable devices enter the market. ## Increase in Financial Startups, Solutions and ICOs Fintech is everywhere today, and big-named corporations see this ubiquitousness of fintech as an opportunity to pour more money into newly emerging, young fintech companies, many of which prefer ICOs as their funding channel rather than going for traditional forms of funding. In short, established financial organizations have started assuming the role of venture capitalists and are pushing the smaller fintech companies to achieve success in their field. To know more current and future trends in fintech, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology Is Changing the Mining Industry—Forever! URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-mining-industry/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:41.000Z Technology is changing mining and today’s mining industry is very different from what it was ten or twenty years ago. For centuries, people restored to mining tools such as shovels, pans, chisels, hammers, pickaxes etc. to dug pits and holes. Technology is changing that forever and here is how. Whether it is your laptop auto-connecting to Wi-Fi at a mall or coffee shop, the lights in your living room switching on automatically as soon as you enter the area, or Google’s prediction API completing your search for ‘hilarious cat video’, technology has automated many things today. However, there are still some things that we’d wish would be taken care of as easily. One of them is mining. Compared to other industries, mining has been slow to embrace technological innovations with potential to change mining—forever. However, Deloitte—the multinational professional services network, [predicted in 2017](https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/energy-and-resources/articles/tracking-the-trends.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) that a plethora of new technology will take over the mining industry soon. How soon is anyone’s guess. Deloitte is not the only well-known company predicting the technological takeover of the mining industry in the coming future. Many other known organizations are also propagating the widespread use of technology in the mining industry in the coming years and decades. ## Why the Call for Increased Technology Use in the Mining Industry? Today, more and more technologists, businesses gurus, and mining experts are calling for the increased use of technology in the mining industry. So, what has brought them to this point? Until recently, the mining industry wasa sector ridiculed for its old-fashioned and labor-intensive ways. However, the industry is finally warming up to the idea of using advanced technology for mining activities, which promises to take the industry into an era that will change the face of mining forever. The introduction and use of advanced technology in the mining industry has transformed operations and opened the door for new job opportunities, which in turn has increased the demand for efficient production. We can expect to see drastic changes in the mining industry in the coming years including changes in worker safety and day-to-day management of mining activities. When it comes to productivity and employee wellbeing, the mining industry is currently underperforming or not performing even close to half of its potential, let alone to its full potential. Considering this, now is the best time for businesses in the mining industry to invest in the latest technologies and equipment to maximize their mining efforts and keep an eye on productivity, worker safety, and sustainability. Following are some technologies that promise to lead the mining industry into a new era of productivity and innovation to potentially change the face of the mining industry forever. ### Drones According to Deloitte, mining companies may soon start using drones in several ways. These companies may use drones for conducting aerial surveys to collect geophysical data without interfering with regular operations. Additionally, drones could be used for inspecting conditions and safety remotely, allowing the staff on site to go on about their duties without any worry. In addition to the above, drones that are equipped with advanced technology could assist in monitoring ore bodies in real time. As drones become less expensive and more accessible, it only makes sense for mining companies to use them for gathering imagery and data in areas that are difficult or unsafe to observe otherwise. ### HyLogger HyLogger is an invention that is changing the way mining companies look at core samples. Mining industries in the U.S and some countries are spending hundreds of millions of dollars per year to locate potentially economic mineral resources, which makes it an expensive process. HyLogger—an automated hyperspectral logging technology that characterizes minerals in drill core samples, can save the mining industry millions of dollars by locating potentially economic mineral resources faster and more accurately than a human can. ### Wearable Technology An industry that needs wearable technology more than any other is the mining industry. The good news is that we’re already seeing wearable technology stake a claim in the mining sector. An example of this is SmartCap—a wearable mining innovation and advanced fatigue monitoring tool in the guise of a baseball cap. The SmartCap observes the brain of the wearer to determine his or level of alertness. In addition to the SmartCap, there are wearables that can detect monoxide or other gases, and smart watches and vests that could indicate the GPS location of a worker and send a signal to other tools on site, such as a collision avoidance system. Quite clearly, wearable technology capable of examining the biological condition of workers has real potential to boost safety throughout the mining industry. ### 3D Printing Technology that is slowly starting to make its presence felt is 3D printing. We are already seeing its widespread use in the aerospace industry for a variety of reasons. With 3D printing, miners can develop custom parts on demand, which in turn can reduce delays in projects and cut the need for unplanned maintenance. 3D printing has the potential to transform the maintenance supply chains for mines. In fact, some companies have already started 3D printing their parts. Mining companies no longer need to have a massive warehouse for spare parts. Instead, they can get everything they need for maintenance and upkeep through an on-site 3D printer. ### Big Data The big data revolution is in full swing, enabling greater connectivity in industries and changing how they work. Just like businesses in other industries, mining companies today are creating connected network such as the ‘internet of things’ for their mines sites to collect, monitor, and process data. This is helping the companies to optimize their processes and control how they use their resources. For more information and techniques on the use of technology in business, give me a shout on how we can help. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Worth of Contactless Payments in the U.S and Globally URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/contactless-payments/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:42.000Z There is no doubting that contactless payment is becoming the new norm pretty much everywhere, with consumers increasingly embracing the speed and convenience of the ‘tap-to-pay’ technology. According to some reports, this surge in the adoption of contactless payments will further accelerate in 2018 and the trend will continue for at least another few years. According to a new research by Juniper Research—leading fintech analysts, the global value of contactless transactions via payment cards, mobiles, and wearables will reach $1.3 trillion by 2019, which is twice as much as the $590 billion it was worth in 2017\. The research says that contactless card levels will continue to dominate transaction values, accounting for 80% of total contactless transactions in 2019\. Additionally, it predicts that contactless transactions via debit/credit cards will exceed $2 trillion globally by 2021. Juniper research is not only one predicting increased adoption of contactless payment methods. According to MaketsandMarkets—a leading provider of research reports and custom research services, the contactless payment market will grow from USD 6.70 Billion in 2016 to an estimated USD 17.56 Billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.2% during the forecast period. The research says that this growth in the worth of the countless payment market will be driven by a reduction in queuing and transaction time, increased convenient in making low value payments, better customer insights, improved service delivery, ease of technology integration with existing cards, and increased revenue opportunity. ## The Contactless Payments Market in the U.S and Some Other Countries Americans were introduced to contactless payments long time back, much before it became a phenomenon globally. Although the U.S was the first to get a taste of contactless payments, it has lagged behind the likes of the U.K and Australia in terms of adoption rates. Despite adoption in the U.S lagging other countries, contactless payments are expected to rise steadily in the country, reaching nearly 230 million by 2021\. This according to a 2016 research by ABI. So, how do you the other countries compare to the U.S when it comes to the adoption of contactless payments? The UK has a 44% adoption rate and according to one report, contactless cards accounted for about a third of all card purchases in the U.K in 2016, up from 10% as recently as 2015. Contactless payment cards are ubiquitous in Australia, and consumer acceptance has been strong compared to most other markets. Australia is well ahead of markets like the US when it comes to contactless adoption. A 2016 Consumer Payments Insight Survey reveals that almost 80% of contactless card users in Australia find the technology useful while as much as 42% in the U.S believe contactless is no better than other forms of payment.Other countries with high contactless payments adoption rates include Hungary and France where adoption is approximately 60% and Switzerland where 90% of point-of-sale terminals (POS) are contactless enabled. The typical consumer making contactless payments is someone comfortable in the digital world. The numbers suggest that contactless payment technologies have a long way to go before they catch up with other types of payment—at least in the eyes of consumers. According to a 2017 study conducted by Forrester Consulting and commissioned by JPMorgan Chase, only 16% of consumers in the U.S have used a digital wallet. Additionally, 46% of those surveyed prefer paying with credit cards, while only 15% of consumers prefer mobile wallets to other forms of payments. The major advantage that contactless payments have over cards equipped with EMV chips is a slight increase in speed. Typically, a contactless payment takes one to two seconds. Also, as consumers in the U.S embrace mobile payment options like Apple Pay, issuers will be ideally positioned to capture the growing need for convenient contactless payment by leveraging their EMV infrastructures to enable a new generation of enticing payment opportunities for users. ## The Current and Future Trends in the Global Contactless Payments Market ### Europe Accounts for Most of the Market Share in the Contactless Payments Market Due to technological advancement and increasing smart card roll-outs in the region, Europe is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the contactless payments market in 2018 and beyond. ### Mobile Handsets Payments is Expected to Be the Most Promising Payments Segments Currently, contactless smart cards account for the major share in the contactless payment modes. However, mobile handsets are fast becoming the most preferred mode of payment in the developing countries of the world as these are more secure and convenient for the customers to make their payments. ### Multi-Channel Payment and Value-Added Services Will Increase in Popularity and Adoption The contactless payments market has been segmented into solutions, services, payment mode, and verticals. Currently, multi-channels payment and value-added services hold a major share in the contactless payments market and this will only grow in the future. There you have it—the worth of contactless payments in the U.S and globally. For more information on the U.S or global contactless payments market, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Walmart Patents Surveillance Technology and Here is How It Could Affect Its Workers URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/walmart-patents-surveillance-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:42.000Z Walmart may soon become the Big Brother of the real world, keeping track of everything that happens within it stores remotely. While we don’t expect Walmart to isolate its workers from the outside world or using an invisible voice to direct them, we can see the retail and ecommerce giant punishing employees who are caught breaking the rules by the company’s surveillance technology. We say this because Walmart has recently patented audio surveillance technology to monitor employees and customers at its retail outlets. # About Walmart’s Recently Patented Audio Surveillance System Composed of several sensors, Walmart’s audio surveillance system can collect all kinds of data, including beeps and noise from paper bags. Any data gathered by the audio surveillance technology can be used to assess the performance of an employee. For example, Walmart can find out how efficient someone is at bagging purchases by checking for the sounds items make when they’re placed inside a bag. Additionally, the company can determine how long a customer line is and how quickly a cashier can get through all of them through the voices of the customers. Perhaps, the most invasive feature of Walmart’s audio surveillance is the system's ability to understand conversations and use them to judge an employee's performance. A system capable of ‘listening to the frontend’, Walmart’s audio surveillance can collect audio data from the cashier areas of the retail outlets, making it possible for Walmart to listen to everything from beeps to conversations with customers to, potentially, conversations between workers. This ability of the surveillance technology is enhanced by the system’s ability to analyze the sounds to ensure the employee is working efficiently, which Walmart hopes will help to achieve ‘cost savings’ and ‘customer satisfaction’. The company so far has refused to comment on the patenting of the audio surveillance technology and whether the technology will be used to get a measure of the staff’s productivity in the future. However, talking to BuzzFeed News, a spokesman of Walmart had the following to say about the recently patented audio surveillance technology: “*We’re always thinking about new concepts and ways that will help us further enhance how we serve customers.” “We don’t have any further details to share on these patents at this time*”. It is still unclear when, or even if, Walmart will actually introduce the technology in its stores. However, since Walmart is thinking about it, it shows how corporate giants are looking to increase the use of technology to track and control their workers, which in all honesty is likely to be counterproductive. Evidence shows that excess surveillance makes workers feel nervous and actually ends up slowing them down. ## How the Audio Surveillance Technology Can Potentially Benefit Walmart The recently patented audio surveillance technology could benefit Walmart by giving it a clearer view of how to streamline the customer experience. If Walmart decides to implement the new surveillance technology, it will be able to closely monitor several metrics that allow it to boost performance of workers. Perhaps the biggest reason for Walmart to implement this technology in stores is reviewing customer-employee interactions to make sure that workers are satisfying customer needs. If the company can turn this data into actionable insights, it may well be able to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. What Walmart want the audio surveillance technology to achieve is perhaps best described by the technologies patent which indicates that technology has been designed to minimize store costs and boost customer/visitor satisfaction. The patent read as follows: “*One way to track performance metrics for employees is the use of a system including sound sensors near point of sale (‘POS’) terminals.” The system could “correlate the audio data with an employee that is stationed at the terminal and determine a performance metric for the employee.”* According to an experienced retail consultant who we talked to about the recently patented audio surveillance system of Walmart, the focus of the patent is on driving workplace efficiency through the use of ‘data’, which the company believes is ‘the next frontier’ for retailers. ## The Danger to Employee Privacy We’re well into the 21st century and yet there aren’t any laws in the U.S barring private employers from collecting data about workers. Existing law does not require employers to even inform employees about measures that intrude their privacy, let alone restrict such measures. There is a clear violation of employee privacy going on and U.S lawmakers are currently doing nothing. The audio surveillance technology of Walmart is the latest example of this. Talking to Buzzfeed, Ifeoma Ajunwa—an assistant professor at the Cornell University industrial and Labor Relations School, had the following to say about the growing intrusion of employee privacy: “*There’s sometimes a misconception that the consent of employees is required for surveillance, but frankly, as long as the employer can make an argument for why the surveillance is necessary for a business purpose as opposed to a discriminatory purpose, there’s no law that says consent is required*.” Walmart does not offer any sort of union contract to new hires, which limits the ability of Walmart workers to address the system or demand being given a notice or granted a requirement for consent before any technology/system that intrudes their privacy is implemented. If you have any further questions network cabling and security cameras, then get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How New Technology Can Help Increase Workplace Productivity URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/workplace-productivity/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:42.000Z The report ‘The Digital Workplace Initiative’ outlines how aging hardware, minor distractions, clunky software, and rigid workplaces all add up to cause loss of productivity for businesses in the UK. However, these problems are not unique to UK businesses. Instead, they affect businesses the world over, including here in the U.S. According to the surveyed employees, the biggest stumbling blocks in achieving or maintaining peak performance are interruptions, problems with the office computer or network, and problems in accessing data when working away from their desks. Konica Minolta believes—and this is the belief of many other tech experts, that businesses and their employees can overcome the above barriers by investing more in digital technology, not just any technology but technology that changes how people and workplaces interact. ## How New Technology is Improving Employee Productivity and Engagement Most businesses in the US agree that advancing technology is essential stay relevant and achieve success in the future. When it comes to achieving success, nothing is more important for a business than employee productivity and engagement as they are paramount to a company’s success. Perhaps, the best way to recognize and capitalize on these business/industry needs is investing in new technology. New technology serves as a bridge between, as well as facilitates a more cohesive drive toward unified goals, within the organization. As mentioned above, productivity and engagement in the workplace is crucial to an organization’s success. The good news is that new tech makes increasing workplace productivity easier than ever before. With proper hardware and software in place, companies can identify specific organizational challenges affecting productivity and can strategically plan for improved results. Following are some of the ways new technology helps to increase productivity and engagement in the workplace. ### Transparency Transparency across the organization is crucial to an organization’s success regardless of industry, company size, or goals for the future. Transparency in an organization gives teams more power to make informed decisions and shows employees the purpose behind their work. Through new technology such as smart phones, new hardware, or new software, employees in an organization can better communicate with each other, which increases workplace engagement and productivity. ### Collaboration Organizations that strive for long-term success realize the value of teamwork and collaboration. Work stations are no longer the cubicles in a row format that they used to be. Today, employees work from home, in open plan workplaces, and in offices across the country, which makes collaboration and interaction more difficult and more important than ever before. However, the right modern technological solution can make collaboration between staff, regardless of their location, easier than ever before. Today, there are a bevy of technological tools that enhance and inspire teamwork and collaboration. Businesses that want to be successful must leverage such technology to empower their workplace and employees. ### Flexibility As mentioned above, workers are becoming increasingly mobile and many now expect a degree of flexibility in their work. With the addition of technology in the workplace, employee flexibility is at an all-time high, allowing employees to work outside of the office, while sending and receiving vital information. Even when they are miles apart, modern technology ensures regular contact between team members, while maintaining and even strengthening the tenants of transparency and collaboration. Today, technology is at a point where most employees can work from a remote location like they are physically present at the office. ### Tracking and Analyzing Work Though not many businesses make use of it, tracking and analyzing work is one of the major benefits of modern office technology. Today, technology is empowering employee progress through their own system of goals. Using new technology, management as well as employees can follow productivity trends for individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole. This in turn allows individuals goals to be tracked, which can be useful in evaluating and motivating the performance of each employee. With the ability to assist, monitor, and streamline workflow for maximized production, new technology is taking businesses into a new era of workforce management. ## 4 Tech Solutions Increasing Workplace Productivity Following is a quick wrap up of 4 modern tech solutions that are helping to increase workplace productivity. ### Collaborative Software Modern collaborative software allows businesses to crate, collaborate, and share projects all in one place, changing the way teams operate and work together. An example of this software is Atlassian’s Confluence—a software that allows team members to easily publish, access, and organize information in one location. ### Digital Recorders With digital recorders, business teams can vocally document their big ideas and thoughts. Today, there are digital recorders available that can capture fresh ideas without the distractions common to smart phones. With these recorders, information can be stored to play at a later data, which eliminates the need to ask repetitive questions via email to find out what was covered at a specific point and time in a meeting or conference. ### Modems Designed for Efficiency Today, we have modems designed/engineered specifically for efficiency. An example of this is the Snapdragon cellular modem. Available in the 4G LTE and 5G configurations, the Snapdragon cellular modem is designed to deliver never before seen wireless performance. This ensures fast internet speeds, reliable and crystal-clear calls, and long battery life that is engineered for efficiency. ### Smart Thermostats You may be surprised to see smart thermostats in the list but thermostats are said to increase the productivity in a workplace. According to some studies, lower office temperatures can increase errors and decrease total output. A smart thermostat such as Ecobee can not only keep the temperature in the office at optimum levels, it can also learn your preferences, heating and cooling the office accordingly throughout the business day. If you want more information on how new technology and modern tech solutions are helping increase workplace productivity, then get in touch with us today. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What is Apple’s True Tone Technology? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/true-tone-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:43.000Z The new MacBook Pro was announced on July 12 and for the very first time, True Tone technology has been incorporated into a Mac’s display. What is the True Tone technology? First introduced by Apple in 2016 in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, True Tone is Apple’s system for keeping the white balance of the same in appearance to the user, regardless of the ambient light around the screen. As a result of this, the user perceives the screen to be the ‘same’ at all times even if the device is shifted from one environment to another. In addition to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the new MacBook Pro, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X also feature Apple’s True Tone technology. So, why should you give two hoots about it? The human optical system is constantly comparing near-white to perfectly white, and a ‘better’ white can affect our perceived contrast of whatever we’re looking at, which means that an adjusted white point like the one provided by True Tone can be more comfortable on your eyes. It also means that the above-mentioned iPhones, the latest MacBook Pro, and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro should be more readable than their predecessors in direct sunlight, thus improving the device’s usability. The primary objective of Apple’s True Tone Technology is to make the experience of using the Apple device more comfortable for the user. Matching the environment’s light scheme can help prevent any strain or discomfort to the user viewing a suddenly bluer or more orange screen, and one that constantly changes if the user is moving around. Perhaps the technology is best explained by Apple’s statement introducing the 9.7-inch iPad Pro in 2016: “***The 9.7-inch iPad Pro features advanced display technologies, including a True Tone display, which uses new four-channel sensors to dynamically adjust the white balance of the display to match the light around you for a more natural and accurate, paper-white viewing experience. The advanced Retina display is 25 percent brighter and 40 percent less reflective than iPad Air 2, making content even easier to see indoors and out. It uses the same wider color gamut as the iMac with Retina 5K display, delivering 25 percent greater color saturationfor more vivid colors. A custom timing controller, photo alignment and oxide TFT deliver incredible color, contrast and clarity***."[\[1\]](#%5Fftn1) ## The Creative Element to the True Tone Technology Another important element of the True Tone technology which will make the creatives sit up and take note of the technology is the ability of the technology to ensure that colors displayed remain consistent and accurate.In the above-mentioned Apple devices, particularly the new MacBook Pro, True Tone makes for a natural viewing experience that’s not skewed by ambient light. In addition to the above, as True Tone handles the environment lighting problem, it should be easier for the creative users to see their work in different conditions and perceive it in the same way. A technology that affects the display, True Tone does not interact directly with apps or files in any way, it only changes what the screen eventually shows to the user. What does it mean for the creative professionals? It means that they can work under a variety of lighting conditions, without vastly affecting color-related tasks. For example, when applying color to an illustration, the same ‘red’ color perceived in one environment will still appear to be same ‘red’ if the user opens the file up under different conditions. ## Where Can You Try It Out? The pricing on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2900 but you don’t need to dish out that much to use Apple’s True Tone technology. Instead, you can try out True Tone on iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus, iPhone X, or the 9.7-inch iPad Pro which are much cheaper to buy than the new MacBook Pro. True Tone has been available for some time in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which the iPhones with this technology were released in September of last year. On the three iPhones, you can enable and disable True Tone from the Settings menu. There are rumors and speculations that Apple will incorporate the technology in all its future iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks so you may not have to search for an Apple device with True Tone technology in the future. ## Checking What True Tone Does You may want to check what the True Technology does in your phone or how it affects what you see on your device’s display. If that is the case, the following is how you can check the True Tone feature in your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro: - Swipe up to access the Control Center and then press and hold the Brightness slider - On the next screen, you will see the brightness slider under which the button controls for Night Shift and True Tone are present - Tap True Tone to Off - You will see what your display looks like without True Tone Generally, True Tone ensures warmer and consistent colors and less strain on the eye. If you want to find out more about the True Tone technology and how it can benefit you, then get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[https://www.apple.com/sa/newsroom/2016/03/21Apple-Introduces-9-7-inch-iPad-Pro/](https://www.apple.com/sa/newsroom/2016/03/21Apple-Introduces-9-7-inch-iPad-Pro/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### Things to Consider When Choosing a Technology Partner URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-partner/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:44.000Z Regardless of their location, the expectations of customers from a business are changing rapidly. Today, the expectations of consumers are being shaped by technology-based service providers such as Apple, Uber, Airbnb, and others. Consumers and businesses today are demanding sophisticated products and services anytime, anywhere, using any channel. To deliver on these new expectations, businesses need the right type of digital capabilities. They need technology platforms that are flexible, scalable and work end-to-end. Additionally, they must secure and work across all channels—including the ones they know about and the ones they don’t. Businesses today want to cut costs and time to market, but they are constrained by legacy IT infrastructure. Not only is the legacy IT infrastructure complex and costly to maintain, it also limits a business’ ability to innovate. However, the right technology partner can help your business to overcome this challenge. How do find the right technology partner? By taking the following into consideration: ## Experience It is imperative that the technology partner you choose has the right experience for your business. This means that they should have the experience of completing projects that are similar to what you need. To determine, do a little research. Go through the digital portfolio of a potential technology partner and find out if they have worked on projects in the past that resemble the one you are planning. Find out if they have worked with a business in your industry or of your size. Additionally, find out if they have developed a website or ecommerce store that is perfectly suited to your needs. The more experience a technology company has of working on projects similar in nature to yours, the more likely they are to ensure the seamless delivery of your project. If you’re tech partner knows how to handle most of the issues before they even get down to work, you’re guaranteed a faster and more efficient turnaround. Choose a tech partner based on experience rather than price. Do this by exploring the website of the potential tech partner, looking for the case studies of their previous projects, and asking for testimonials from their clients. ## Recognition and the Right Expertise The experience of the potential tech partner is not the only thing you need to research; you also need to research if they’ve been recognized or have won any prestigious awards in their area of expertise. If a potential tech partner is doing their job expertly, then they should be getting recognized for it. Find out what kind of reputation the potential tech partner has among their clients, as well as any recognition from renowned organizations for successful projects and exceptional knowledge. If their reputation is clean and worth mentioning, then you may have found the right tech partner. In addition to above, you must find out if the potential tech partner has expertise in software delivery using emerging technologies. Look for a history of successful projects in Mobile, Analytics, eCommerce, Cloud, Social, Wearables, and Internet of Things (IoT) as this indicates their expertise in emerging/digital technologies. ## The Right Culture The technology partner you choose must have the right culture. This means that they must have a culture of being close to the customer rather than the system as this is important to create effective and efficient digital business models. To find a tech partner with such working culture, look for a successful track record of working with an ecosystem of partners. ## Ready-To-Go Building Blocks Look for a tech partner with the components, widgets or products that will speed up your time-to-market. Make sure the technology partner you choose offers building blocks of technology and can quickly implement new technology. ## Credentials Any technology company can claim to be an expert in their industry, but you need a partner who can prove it. Look for the primary credentials associated with the best in the business. Additionally, find out if the potential tech partner is member of any Technology Alliance as this indicates a higher level of trust and professionalism. ## Support As technologies like servers, mobile devices, web browsers etc. change, the software and app which run on those platforms must also change. To make the transition to new software and app, you need software support which the right tech partner can provide you. The right technology partner will provide you the software support you need to run your systems efficiently and quickly fix bugs to maintain a good user experience. While additional support services are generally an extension of the partnership agreement, tech warranties and implementation support should always be included as part of the package offered to you. ## Communication Your tech partner must be easily reachable. This means that you should be able to easily and quickly communicate with the company, whenever needed. In any tech project, there will be at least some collaboration required so make sure you can talk to your tech partner freely and whenever necessary. Additionally, ensure that the company can communicate complex technology ideas and topics in way that is easily understood by non-experts. ## A Cost-Effective and Efficient Implementation Strategy One of the major reasons businesses delay the implementation of new software or IT strategies is the fear of the implementation process itself. Businesses fear implementation going haywire or exceeding budget. To ensure this does not happen to you, research the implementation process of the potential tech partner to ensure they offer low implementation costs, while rolling out your services as efficiently as possible. By taking my comments above into consideration, you can find the right tech partner for your business. We are one of them! I have full confidence in my team to handle the consulting, procurement, implementation and management of your enterprise systems. Reach out to me personally OR one of our helpful Percento Business Development Professionals here: ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. [percentotech.com/contact](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How New Technology Can Help Increase Workplace Productivity URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/increase-workplace-productivity/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:44.000Z The report ‘The Digital Workplace Initiative’ outlines how aging hardware, minor distractions, clunky software, and rigid workplaces all add up to cause loss of productivity for businesses in the UK. However, these problems are not unique to UK businesses. Instead, they affect businesses the world over, including here in the U.S. According to the surveyed employees, the biggest stumbling blocks in achieving or maintaining peak performance are interruptions, problems with the office computer or network, and problems in accessing data when working away from their desks. Konica Minolta believes—and this is the belief of many other tech experts, that businesses and their employees can overcome the above barriers by investing more in digital technology, not just any technology but technology that changes how people and workplaces interact. ## How New Technology is Improving Employee Productivity and Engagement Most businesses in the U.S agree that advancing technology is essential stay relevant and achieve success in the future. When it comes to achieving success, nothing is more important for a business than employee productivity and engagement as they are paramount to a company’s success. Perhaps, the best way to recognize and capitalize on these business/industry needs is investing in new technology. New technology serves as a bridge between, as well as facilitates a more cohesive drive toward unified goals, within the organization. As mentioned above, productivity and engagement in the workplace is crucial to an organization’s success. The good news is that new tech makes increasing workplace productivity easier than ever before. With proper hardware and software in place, companies can identify specific organizational challenges affecting productivity and can strategically plan for improved results. Following are some of the ways new technology helps to increase productivity and engagement in the workplace. ### Transparency Transparency across the organization is crucial to an organization’s success regardless of industry, company size, or goals for the future. Transparency in an organization gives teams more power to make informed decisions and shows employees the purpose behind their work. Through new technology such as smart phones, new hardware, or new software, employees in an organization can better communicate with each other, which increases workplace engagement and productivity. ### Collaboration Organizations that strive for long-term success realize the value of teamwork and collaboration. Work stations are no longer the cubicles in a row format that they used to be. Today, employees work from home, in open plan workplaces, and in offices across the country, which makes collaboration and interaction more difficult and more important than ever before. However, the right modern technological solution can make collaboration between staff, regardless of their location, easier than ever before. Today, there are a bevy of technological tools that enhance and inspire teamwork and collaboration. Businesses that want to be successful must leverage such technology to empower their workplace and employees. ### Flexibility As mentioned above, workers are becoming increasingly mobile and many now expect a degree of flexibility in their work. With the addition of technology in the workplace, employee flexibility is at an all-time high, allowing employees to work outside of the office, while sending and receiving vital information. Even when they are miles apart, modern technology ensures regular contact between team members, while maintaining and even strengthening the tenants of transparency and collaboration. Today, technology is at a point where most employees can work from a remote location like they are physically present at the office. ### Tracking and Analyzing Work Though not many businesses make use of it, tracking and analyzing work is one of the major benefits of modern office technology. Today, technology is empowering employee progress through their own system of goals. Using new technology, management as well as employees can follow productivity trends for individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole. This in turn allows individuals goals to be tracked, which can be useful in evaluating and motivating the performance of each employee. With the ability to assist, monitor, and streamline workflow for maximized production, new technology is taking businesses into a new era of workforce management. ## 4 Tech Solutions Increasing Workplace Productivity Following is a quick wrap up of 4 modern tech solutions that are helping to increase workplace productivity. ### Collaborative Software Modern collaborative software allows businesses to crate, collaborate, and share projects all in one place, changing the way teams operate and work together. An example of this software is Atlassian’s Confluence—a software that allows team members to easily publish, access, and organize information in one location. ### Digital Recorders With digital recorders, business teams can vocally document their big ideas and thoughts. Today, there are digital recorders available that can capture fresh ideas without the distractions common to smart phones. With these recorders, information can be stored to play at a later data, which eliminates the need to ask repetitive questions via email to find out what was covered at a specific point and time in a meeting or conference. ### Modems Designed for Efficiency Today, we have modems designed/engineered specifically for efficiency. An example of this is the Snapdragon cellular modem. Available in the 4G LTE and 5G configurations, the Snapdragon cellular modem is designed to deliver never before seen wireless performance. This ensures fast internet speeds, reliable and crystal-clear calls, and long battery life that is engineered for efficiency. ### Smart Thermostats You may be surprised to see smart thermostats in the list but thermostats are said to increase the productivity in a workplace. According to some studies, lower office temperatures can increase errors and decrease total output. A smart thermostat such as Ecobee can not only keep the temperature in the office at optimum levels, it can also learn your preferences, heating and cooling the office accordingly throughout the business day. If you want more information on how new technology and modern tech solutions are helping increase workplace productivity, then get in touch with us today. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology is Changing the Real Estate Industry URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-real-estate-industry/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:44.000Z The real estate sector in the U.S and some other countries is affected by factors such as demographics, government policies, and interest rates. Another factor that has played a role in bringing the disruption in the real estate market is technology. New technology, such as smart phones, has made the house hunting process much easier, which has boosted home sales in the U.S and abroad. Additionally, some realtors are pushing technology to the next level by providing virtual tours of potential properties to save time and cost. You’d think that virtual tours would compromise the house hunting experience but that is not the case. Instead, the virtual tour experience is as good or real as physically visiting and inspecting a property or the area where it is located. For businesses in the real estate industry, there is a real opportunity to leverage today’s technology to help grow their assets and in doing so, boost an industry that is already worth trillions of dollars. ## The Growing Impact of Technology on Real Estate Over the last decade, real estate has changed a lot and new technologies have played a significant role in it. One of the biggest changes brought to the real estate sector by new technology is the way realtors perform their job. Thanks to new technology, realtors today need to be less hands on in the performance of their duties. Moreover, comparison sites provide consumers with more choice when it comes to buying and selling properties. What this means is that the real estate industry as a whole is being changed by the use of technology, with new technologies changing how real estate and businesses operate on a day-to-day basis. As we get deep into another year, it is a good time to reflect on the technology that has made an impact on the real estate sector in 2018 as well as the technology that may affect real estate in the latter half of 2018 and even beyond. ### Blockchain The first on our list of technologies impacting the real estate industry in 2018 is [blockchain](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/blockchain-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). You may already know what blockchain is but how much do you know about its potential role in the real estate sector? Probably not a lot! But, that is exactly why this piece was written in the first place. The underlying technology behind the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin, [blockchain](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/blockchain-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a decentralized database that can’t be compromised, ensuring the integrity of the data and allowing for records to be created for every property in the country. If blockchain was to become mainstream in the real estate industry, then it would dramatically reduce the potential for fraud and enable all involved to access much more data on individual properties and home owners. The benefits of this are potentially endless! ### Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) Due to their growing viability as consumer technologies, AR and [VR technologies](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/virtual-reality-will-change-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are making the news in many industries today including in the real estate industry. The potential of AR and [VR](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/virtual-reality-will-change-business/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) technologies to shake up the real estate sector can be gauged by the success of Pokémon Go. Imagine people taking a virtual tour of a property they may buy before they actually visit the place. This could make the home-buying process much more efficient and increase the chances of people making a purchase. On the other hand, augmented reality (AR) could be handing when people want to visualize what a vacant house will look like once it is furnished from the inside. If a potential buyer already knows what a house will look like once it is furnished, the chances of them making an offer for the house would automatically increase, which is good news for the seller of the house and the real estate agent brokering the deal. ### Big Data, AI and Machine Learning Once fully implemented, these three concepts or technologies are predicted to impact a variety of industries, which includes the real estate industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) can use the Machine learning process to process the data and identify new patterns that we might not have seen before. Imagine knowing in advance about a trend that will affect house prices such as a large number of college students moving to an area. The above data and the ability to understand it could be the key to success in the real estate sector going forward. Realtors can more accurately react to what’s happening in the industry and use data to make informed decisions instead of simply reacting to things based on gut feeling if they are provided with a comprehensive view of the housing market, which can be made possible with the use of big data, AI and machine learning. ### Peer to Peer Communication This is one technology trend that should have real estate agents worried. While peer to peer communication is good for property buyer and sellers, it could cause realtors to fade into obscurity, which means that they could lose their worth in the real estate sector. Online discussion forums and social networking sites that enable peer to peer communication could altogether eliminate the need for intermediary in a transaction involving the buying and selling of a property. The direction connection between the buyer and seller of a property means that there is no agent/broker fee to pay, which is an attractive proposition for many people but bad news for realtors. The above technologies are changing the face of the real estate industry. To know more about the role of technology in reshaping the real estate sector, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Tips to Effectively Manage Your Remote Employees URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/manage-remote-employees/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:45.000Z There is no shortage of skilled, talented people today; they are literally everywhere. Hiring individuals based in cities or countries where the company does not have a physical presence is becoming the new norm for organizations. This claim is backed by the research of FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics, which says that there has been a 115% increase in full-time remote workers over the past decade. Gallup— further strengthens this claim by reporting that 43% of all employees in the U.S work remotely at least occasionally. When managed successfully, a remote team can save your company a hell lot of money. Compared to in-house employees, remote workers are happier, more engaged, and often more productive. As a result, more and more companies today are preferring remote workers over an in-house team. That being said, managing remote workers is often more difficult than managing employees who are physically present in an office or workplace. Studies show that remote employees often suffer due to not being in the same place as their team. Remote workers do not have the same quality of relationships with their coworkers as their in-house counterparts. However, companies can help their remote employees overcome this challenge by managing them effectively. How can companies do that? Here are 5 tips to effectively manage your remote employees. ## Communicate Well This is the key to effectively managing your remote workers. Since you can’t be with them all the time, it is crucial that you make your message or instructions loud and clear to your remote employees—whether you do it via email, employee chat, or video conferencing. Ideally, you should use visual communication such as video conferencing for this purpose. Also, when you’re in a meeting with your remote employees, share your screen with them. Also, to make it clear what you expect them to do, use screenshots or diagrams in your emails to the remote employees. You can also use chat platforms to talk about work as a group. Additionally, build rapport with your remote workers by having a casual conversation with them for a few minutes after every work-related meeting. This will keep them motivated to work for you. ## Engage Your Remote Employees There is no doubting that working remotely breeds higher engagement. Employees appreciate the work-life balance they can achieve with a remote working lifestyle. They save valuable time since they don’t have to spend time commuting, which helps increase their productivity. With remote working, employees can fine-tune their work schedule to their most productive hours of the day, while using the downtime to tackle their personal issues. All this is great news for the remote workers and the company employing them. However, the lack of social connectivity, as it is often seen, can demotivate the remote employees. Yes, there are many collaboration tools available today that can do a great job in bringing people closer in an online environment to break physical barriers. However, the social connection that employees experience in a workplace can never be replicated online. The good news is that there is a way to overcome this challenge. Companies are advised to encourage and support their remote workers to try co-working spaces or environments where they can be around people that they enjoy being with, even if these people are not co-workers. This will go a long way in keeping the remote workers engaged in their work. ## Encourage and Enable Collaboration Whether you have remote employees or not, it is always good to have a management system in place for sharing documents and files. Some of the names that come to mind are Google Drive and Dropbox. Most companies rely on emails to communicate with their remote workers but you should avoid it. Why is that? they might get lost and your workers may have a hard time tracking the latest version and the changes made. You need to provide your remote workers the collaboration tools they need to work efficiently and make sure they are on the same page as everyone else. Luckily, there are many tools available today that make it easy for virtual teams to collaborate. ## Track Their Work It is crucial that you implement systems to track the work of your remote employees. Avoid micromanaging your workers. Instead, give them the flexibility they need but don’t completely leave them on their own. Ask your remote employees to enter their work hours and confirm if they are being paid based on these hours. If that is the case, use a time tracking software to see how many hours your remote employees work or spend time surfing the internet. This is important to keep your remote workers productive. ## Arrange a Face-to-Face Meet Up Having a remote team does not mean that you should avoid physical interaction with your employees altogether. No sir/ma'am, you should not do that! Instead, schedule annual-together to have a face-to-face contact with your workers and give them a chance to interact with each other in-person. The occasion cold be a multi-day event, or a simple one-day thing. The idea is to physically gather everyone in one place. These 5 tips can be extremely helpful in effectively managing your remote employees. For tips on how we can put some technology in place for you to achieve this, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology Can Help Enhance Customer Experience and Engagement URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/customer-experience-engagement/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:45.000Z Not only is technology changing how companies operate each day by giving them tools to be more efficient, it is also changing the way companies engage with the customer. Before the advent of the internet, customer engagement was fairly limited to the traditional forms of advertising and interaction. Customer engagement and customer experience are closely related as how a company engages with its customers shapes the latter’s experience with the business. So, how is technology helping to enhance customer engagement? Before you find this out, it is important to understand that the definition of customer engagement isn’t static. Instead, it is consistently evolving with the company due to new trends, technologies, and techniques. Considering this, the best way to define customer engagement would be the interaction between the consumer and business through any channel that the business is on. Thanks to the internet and smart phone technology, consumers today can interact and engage with companies from anywhere and at any time, 24/7. You can’t buy great customer engagement—it is as simple as that. Instead, it’s a competitive advantage that you have earn through continuous improvement evolution. The good news is that technology can help you get there. How exactly? We find that out next. ## How Technology is Helping Increase Customer Engagement Customers today operate with a digital-first mentality. In fact, the digital channels: social, messaging, SMS, Chatbots, are fast becoming the first entry into the entire customer experience. Technology is changing how people want to live, work, and engage and no one is willing to wait—or settle for less. In such times, businesses need touchpoint technology to better connect with customers, no matter what business they’re in. If you’re wondering how you can use technology to enhance customer experience and engagement, then the following trends in customer experience and engagement will give a good idea of what is required from your side to increase customer engagement and enhance the customer’s experience with your business. ### Technology is Making Customer Experience More Personalized The new era of technology allows businesses to offer ‘personalized marketing’. This type of marketing is based on the interests of the consumer—which are collected using Internet cookies and Browsing History. For example, if you’ve been searching for headphones on Amazon for the past five minutes, the ‘recommended for you’ section would most likely include headphones. Not only has the feature made things easy for shoppers, it has helped the Amazon to boost revenue by 10% to 30%. The above feature enabling personalized marketing can benefit your business’ bottom line while helping increase customer engagement. The success of this form of personalized marketing can be gauged by the fact that 44% of consumers in 2015 started their product searches on Amazon due to the above-mentioned customer engagement feature of the eCommerce giant. ### VR is Changing the Definition of Customer Experience More than any other technology, virtual technology (VR) has the capability to fundamentally change how we define customer experience. Providing them with new experiences of a product or service, VR can immerse consumers to help brands enhance their customer experience. VR can capture the attention and imagination of a consumer better than any other technology as it is designed to provide a sensory experience. As a result, more and more businesses today are using VR today to make the most of its uniqueness.Businesses are hoping that customers will appreciate seeing their products in a new light and maybe, just maybe, it would propel them to not look elsewhere. ### Omni-Channel Customer Experience Will Grow Successful business will further fuse digital and physical experiences as brands increasingly accept the need to provide customers with joined-up journeys. The boundaries between the different realms—human, digital, physical, virtual, are blurring. As a result, customer-driven businesses are starting to integrate systems of insight and systems of engagement to interconnect people, places, and objects with data to improve customer engagement and forge a two-way relationship. In the coming years, successful businesses will increasingly focus on the human experience and will make significant investments to integrate technology into the physical experiences of both customers and employees. According to Forrester—the American market research company, the coming years will see significant growth in the use of technologies that integrate digital and physical experiences through mobile devices. Examples of these technologies are image recognition, gestures, and augmented reality (AR). Forrester predicts that by 2019, companies will augment physical experiences with emerging digital technologies. ### The Growth of Chatbots Will Increase in the Future It wouldn’t be wrong to say to that chatbots are turning heads today. Today’s artificially intelligent chatbots represent an outstanding step forward for brands keen to offload easier, routine queries and encounters to an intelligent system.In the coming years, chatbots are expected to gain a greater ‘voice’ among consumers and businesses. When this happens, there will need to be a proper balance and integration between machines and humans. Most consumers today prefer chatbots for routine customer service. Moreover, 69% of consumers prefer chatbots for quick communication with brands. By now, it should be clear that technology can enhance customer experience and engagement. However, a digital-first mentality will require both: high tech and high touch. How can you ensure that? get in touch with us today to find out. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How New Technology is Transforming the Auto industry URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-transforming-auto-industry/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:45.000Z By 2020, automotive industry investments would have increased to $82 billion. As per the reports, this increase in investments would largely be due to the growing digitization and technological advancements in the auto industry. Clearly, technology is going to transform the auto industry in the coming years and this is not a wild claim that we are making. Instead, what we say is backed by proper research. According to a new report by Microsoft called the ‘Future of Automotive’, digital technology will transform everything in the automotive industry, from core operations surrounding the supply chain, manufacturing and dealerships/retail, to the entire value chain, which covers services, aftermarket, financing, and vehicle insurance. The report highlights how cloud-based solutions and other digital technologies can help vehicle manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and dealers transform their business in order to drive new levels of service throughout the entire value chain. According to Anand Eswaran—the corporate vice president of worldwide services at Microsoft, digital technology is enabling the accelerating pace of change which puts us at the threshold of unprecedented value creation for industry and society. Eswaran has the following to say: “*We will reimagine how we build cars, we will reimagine how we buy cars, and we will reimagine what it is to ‘own’ a car*.” He further added: “*We will democratize the automotive experience for billions of people across the world, and we will do this with our emerging digital capabilities. Traditional car manufacturers – not known for digital innovation – are embracing the ideas of connected cars and autonomous vehicles. Real social and economic impact will be realized*.” ## Technological Trends Reshaping the Global Automotive Sector As technology trends reshape the global automotive sector, customer preferences are moving away from its traditional strongholds, such as chassis and engine development. This shift in customer preferences has given rise to new players in the auto industry, who are a potent mix of startups and large high-tech companies. Some would say that these new entrants in the automotive sector are the reason for the recent technological disruption impacting the industry. While that is up for debate, one thing is as good as certain: if they haven’t done that already, the following technologies/tech trends will transform the auto industry in the coming years: ### Autonomous Driving Autonomous has been a hot topic in the automotive industry ever since Google started experimenting with autonomous driving. According the Elon Musk—a tech guru and highly-successful entrepreneur, autonomous vehicle (AV) will soon be the norm. Considering that most of his previous predictions about technology have come true, you’d have to think that there is at least some truth in what Elon Musk says. Elon Musk is not the only one singing praises of autonomous driving technology. Countless other technologists and business gurus are doing the same as well. Without a shadow of a doubt, autonomous driving is the emerging trend ruling the automotive field. Although not prevalent on the streets, self-driving technology is being experiment across the globe. It is only a matter of time before autonomous driving starts to rule the streets as well, mainly because many advanced technologies are collaborating for this purpose. The benefits of autonomous driving technology are many includingreducing accidents caused by a lack of driver alertness and allowing drivers to be more social with fellow passengers. ### Connected Vehicles Recently, a plethora of smart technologies have made their way into automobiles and this is enabling connectivity. Connected vehicles can share details about the driving conditions, such as sudden braking, speed, weather, and more. However, this is just the beginning of what we call Vehicle to Vehicle communication (V2V), a technology similar to Wi-Fi. Soon this technology will become a standard feature on almost every vehicle. As cars get connected to each other, to the wider infrastructure, and to people, the possibilities for ‘infotainment’ innovations, novel traffic services, and new business models and services will increase. This is one of the reasons we seen endless discussion on car sensors, vehicle transmissions, and vehicle communications in the last few years. ### Electrification As they mature and become more affordable, drivetrains will shift toward hybrid-electric, electric, and fuel-cell technologies. This could drive major innovation in the automotive industry. ### Blockchain In the past few years, the automotive industry has confronted many challenges and one of these challenges is the increase in the number of fake part sellers. A potential solution to this problem is the use of blockchain technology. Blockchain is already being examined for this purpose. Eliminating fake parts from the market can enhance transparency in the auto industry and ensure an extremely efficient pricing strategy. Additionally, blockchain can create an accurate, trusted protocol for the increasingly important supply chain. An evolving trend in the auto industry, blockchain is gaining a lot of attention in the tech space, which has resulted in many expectations from the technology. ### 3D Printing This technology is evident in almost every industry today and the auto sector is no exception.Many in the auto industry expect 3D printing to challenge the basic approach to car designing. We will have to wait to see if that actually happens. From the above, it is clear that new technology is transforming the auto industry. To know more about how technology is changing the automotive sector, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### New Technology Allows you to See Through Walls URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/new-technology-see-through-walls/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:46.000Z Growing up, we’ve all been fascinated by the superpowers of Krypton’s Kal-El AKA Superman. We’ve all wanted to fly like superman, have his strength, hearing powers, and ability to see through walls. The latter might soon become a reality. However, you need to remember that Superman is not human so his vision is different from that of us mere mortals. For us humans to see an object, light has to go from that object to the eye. The light from that object can be either reflected light or the object can emit its own light. Either way, the direction of the light is from the object to the eye. The eye is the only receiver of the light and there isn’t any type of ‘vision ray’ that shoots from the eye. Why am I pointing this out? Because it’s an idea some people actually have about light. If you’re one of them, then ask yourself the following question: “*You are in an absolutely dark room (with zero light sources) for some extended period of time. what do you see after a while?”* The answer is black and nothing but black. Black is the color our brains associate with the lack of light. Some people may say that you will see some stuff after your eyes adjust. Perhaps, their answer is based on their previous experiences (you rarely get an absolutely dark room) but also on the idea that the eyes do the seeing and can adjust to new situations. While we can make X-ray images, we are far off from having X-ray vision. We might never get that, at least not as an inherent ability. However, technology may soon make it possible for us to see through walls as scientists at MIT’s artificial laboratory have successfully devised a mechanism that lets you see through walls. Let’s find out more about it. ## The New Technology That Gives Humans X-Ray Vision Computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory has created a system that can see your body through walls. The technology recreates your pose when you walk, sit, or simply stand still. The technology/mechanism that developed by scientists at MIT’s artificial intelligence lab uses radio frequency (RF) waves to sense where you are and then recreates your body as a simple stick figure. Following is an excerpt from the release: “*The researchers use a neural network to analyze radio signals that bounce off people’s bodies, and can then create a dynamic stick figure that walks, stops, sits and moves its limbs as the person performs those actions.* *The team says that the system could be used to monitor diseases like Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis (MS), providing a better understanding of disease progression and allowing doctors to adjust medications accordingly. It could also help elderly people live more independently, while providing the added security of monitoring for falls, injuries and changes in activity patterns*.”[\[1\]](#%5Fftn1) The technology is seen as less intrusive way to monitor people for health and safety purposes. For example, if an elderly person or a sick person has a risk of falling, you may want to make sure they don’t by using this technology for their surveillance. The team is primarily interested in using the system for healthcare, allowing for passive monitoring of a subject inside a room without cameras or other intrusions. The team believes that this system can be used to monitor people suffering from Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS). This will help doctors to better understand the progression of the disease so they prescribe appropriate medications. Additionally, the technology will the elderly to live without stress as they know they are being monitored. ## The Testing Process The researchers trained the neural network by showing a machine a video of a person walking next to the RF interference they made as they moved. Because RF signals are ubiquitous, it was easier to use than other sensing technologies. Interestingly, the scientists never trained the system to see through walls but it was able to‘generalize its knowledge to be able to handle through wall-movement.’ The researchers wrote that that data of the subject has been collected after consent was given by them. Additionally, the data has been encrypted to ensure the subject’s privacy. For applications in the real world, the team has plan to integrate a consent mechanism, where a person who has installed the device will activate it for monitoring by doing a specific set of movements. A challenge that the scientists had to address was that data labeled by hand was used to train most neural networks. For example, training a neural network to spot cats requires people to look at a big dataset of images and label each one as either ‘cat’ or ‘not cat.’ On the other hand, humans can easily label radio signals. To overcome the challenge, the scientist gathered examples using both a camera and their wireless device. They collected thousands of images of people walking, talking, sitting, opening doors and doing all sorts of activities. These images were then used to extract the stick figures, which were shown to the neural network along with the corresponding radio signal. This enabled the system to learn the association between the radio signal and the stick figures of people in the scene. If you want to find out about other technological advancements in the area of ‘X-ray vision’, then get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). [\[1\]](#%5Fftnref1)[http://news.mit.edu/2018/artificial-intelligence-senses-people-through-walls-0612](http://news.mit.edu/2018/artificial-intelligence-senses-people-through-walls-0612?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### How to Build a Successful Ecommerce Website Within a Year URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ecommerce-website/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:46.000Z An extremely profitable industry to operate in, eCommerce is expected to surpass $2 trillion in sales in the next few years. That is a lot of money and you’d want to set yourself up to get a chunk of that. The primary reason eCommerce is so valuable is because it makes thing convenient for shoppers. No wonder 40% of worldwide internet users have bought product/goods online from an eCommerce business or eCommerce store. Additionally, a 2016 report by Forrester—an American research company reveals the following: - Online sales from commerce platforms are expected to rise at an average rate of 9.32% annually over the next five years. US consumer spending will reach $523 billion online by 2020. - The number of consumers browsing eCommerce businesses and eCommerce stores, and buying online is expected to hit 270 million People are increasingly looking to shop online for an easier customer experience and many of them are shopping using their mobile phones, mainly due to better mobile networks and bigger mobile sizes. Clearly, the eCommerce website boom is already upon us. If you want to sell your products online and build a successful Ecommerce business, then now is the time to hone your strategy and start building a successful Ecommerce website. ## Setting Up a Successful Ecommerce Website You may want to embark on your new ecommerce venture with lots of big ideas and that’s great. However, it is recommended that when you start, you should put aside your ambitions and focus on the most practical steps of your building an Ecommerce website first. Following are the 12 steps you need to follow to build a successful Ecommerce website. ### Buy a Domain Name This is the web address people type in to find your website. Find a domain name that perfectly matches the identity of your brand but avoid overthinking the process. You can purchase your domain name from GoDaddy or Hostgator. ### Find a Website Developer This is crucial to launch an eCommerce website. To avoid problems in the future, hire a professional to develop your website. Before hiring a developer, find out their credibility from other people who have used their services for the same purpose as you i.e. building an eCommerce site. Meet with the developer to find out how long it will take to launch your website. Additionally, ensure that they have a graphic design background. Gathering the above information is important to get the best professional for your money. ### Get all the Paperwork you need to Legitimize your Business To legitimize your business and ecommerce website, you need to register your business and get a vendor’s license. Contact a local attorney for assistance in this process. While it is an upfront cost, it will likely save you significant headache and expense in the future. ### Choose a Hosting Platform Save time and money by choosing a popular Ecommerce platform such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. Most developers are familiar with these platform, which makes it easy for them to implement the most effective plugins and payment processors that help your ecommerce website perform better. ### Find an eCommerce Website Theme Your website theme is the first thing visitors see when they land on your website. For this reason, you need to make sure that you choose a theme that will entice people to continue to navigate through your website. There are many websites where you can buy a theme for your website from. ### Go Live If you have products available to be purchased, then you should make your website live. To do this, all you need is to have a homepage, an about page, and a contact page on your website. ### Use Help a Reporter Out (HARO) This is one of the best tools for PR and SEO available to business owners and digital marketers. Free to use, HARO generates amazing exposure and can really be a game changer. HARO is used by journalists who need expertise sources for the stories they are writing. As a business owner being cited as a source, this is the media coverage that helps to build your credibility. ### Use PitchBox Developing relationship with media contacts is crucial to build a successful eCommerce website. To save you time that you can spent on other meaningful activities, Pitchbox automates the media outreach process including handling prospecting, emailing, and tracking workflow. ### Personalize Your OutReach Whether you operate online or offline, building personal relationships with media and vendors will help your business. If you want to be on the good side of your media partners and vendors, make sure to provide them with value. As your relationship grows with them, your website will be the one they will prefer to promote. ### Get a Payment Gateway Securely accepting credit payments is one of the keys to building a successful Ecommerce website. PayPal or Stripe won’t work for this purpose. Instead, you need a dedicated payment gateway such as autorize.net and 2checkout.com. ### Include a Google Shopping and Facebook Product Catalog To ensure your product images appear when users search for relevant keywords, set-up your Google Shopping Campaign. You can upload the same data feed to Facebook’s product catalog. This will boost your SEO before you launch your Ecommerce website. ### Order Your Packaging and Determine Your Shipping/Storage Options To build a successful Ecommerce website, you must know how to properly store and ship your inventory. This information will be crucial when you make arrangements with your vendor. There you have it—how to build a successful eCommerce website within a year. For more tips on building a successful eCommerce business, get in touch with us today. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 Emerging Digital Transformation Technologies URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-transformation-technologies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:47.000Z Competition is heating up in the digital world and as such, organizations need to keep abreast of the latest technological development to drive their digital transformation further. While there is no doubt that the scope of business strategy is increasingly defined by technologies, it would be foolish to think that all technologies are equally important. Organizations that identify and separate transformative technologies from the rest stand a better chance of eclipsing the competition and surging ahead in this digital era. So, what are the technologies that deserve your most attention? A new study that shows the technological areas in which businesses are investing heavily to accelerate their digital transformation journey in 2018 may provide valuable insight. According to the study by PointSource—a Digital Technology company, the technology area that businesses are investing in the most is voice-activated technologies. At the other end of the spectrum is facial technology, which is the least deployed technology in the business world. At present, only half of the decision makers feel that their current digital footprint is outdated, in comparison to that of their competitors. For this reason, investment in transformative technologies is crucial to ensure your business stays competitive in the growing digital market. ## The Need to Invest in Digital Transformation Technologies The bigger the business, the more difficult it is to transform. While this still holds true, businesses today, regardless of their size, are desperate to change. Technology is now a dynamic field, all thanks to an increase in computational power, data storage facilities, and the millennial demand. Technology is changing every day and businesses that do not cope well with these changes risk being left far behind their competition in the race to win a major share of the rapidly growing digital market. Responding to this concern, many companies today are increasing business focus on digital growth. Additionally, an increasing number of organizations are agreeing to the fact that digital technology plays a central role in the achievement of business goals. As a result, more and more businesses today are investing in emerging technologies to accelerate their digital transformation journey in 2018\. Some of the technologies businesses are investing in to accelerate their digital transformation include Blockchain, artificial Intelligence (AI), and IoT. Following is the complete list of the emerging digital transformation technologies that are having an impact on business. ### 1\. Blockchain The first on the list of emerging digital transformation technologies is blockchain. For some time now, bitcoin has been riding the waves of investor speculation. The technology enabling the cryptocurrency is blockchain. While the biggest benefactor of blockchain will be the finance sector, the technology will have an impact on other industries as well. In fact, businesses can use blockchain in multiple areas, including data security. With blockchain, everyone has a copy of the core data, which means that even if someone hacks into a data point to try to manipulate that data, the original core data will still be untouched and available. Additionally, data is protected by multiple layers of encryption with each update, which makes it practically impossible for hackers to tamper the database. In addition to the above, businesses can use the blockchain technology to add smart contracts to raise invoices and collect payments. Blockchain is the go-to solution for increasing operational efficiency, transparency and data security, and reducing maintenance costs. ### 2\. Artificial Intelligence (AI) An encouraging 80% of the businesses believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can make an immediate impact on their business, with 60% adopting AI for process humans cannot do and 40% using the technology to replace workers. Contrary to popular belief, AI is not a new concept. In fact, the field has been ever present since the 1950s. Though, at the time, AI was only available to large organizations possessing greater technological resources. The good news is that thing have changed over the past decade or so and today AI is accessible to smaller businesses as well. The simplest and most effective way businesses are using AI today is chatbots. Originally designed as an extension of customer service helplines, chatbots are now being used to increase the efficiency of the entire process. With AI-powered chatbots, customers can get an immediate response to their generic or most frequently asked questions. Additionally, if the chatbot does not have a readily available solution, it will automatically redirect the customer to a human representative. ### 3\. IoT The computing power of microprocessors is increasing every day and as a result, Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years. The advancement will help IoT to expand and become more accessible to small businesses. This growth in the IoT will have a direct impact on office management, customer engagement, store merchandising, inventory management, and security. ### 4\. Virtual Reality With the help of audio, visual and environmental cues, virtual reality (VR) is creating an experience of being present in a state or place without being physical there. Today, the technology is increasingly being utilized by the fashion, real estate, and hospitality industry as it is a great tool for data visualization. Besides being an experience in itself, VR has also branched out into Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). These 4 emerging transformation technologies are having a major impact on business, which is the reason they have seen increased investments in the last few years. To know more emerging digital transformation technologies, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Drive Value from Your Business Information System URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-information-system/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:47.000Z Recognized as a core enabler for business, information management is becoming increasingly important today. Studies from industry analysts and management companies show that companies and organizations using their information effectively perform considerably better than those who are unable to derive an advantage from their enterprise knowledge. However, as organizations grow, it is becoming difficult to get critical answers to key business issues. The primary reason for this is that data needed to inform key decisions have to be drawn from multiple offices and locations, each with different environments, many of which are not connected to each other. The problem is aggravated by the fact that there is a very real barrier to enterprise decision-making, which means that the data most needed for making crucial decisions is largely unavailable to access. Why has the above situation come about? It has come about because past technology solutions were often designed specifically to satisfy the needs for a given project or business unit. While they may be suitable for a focused use-case, such solutions are unlikely to consider the needs of the enterprise as a whole, leading to incompatibilities, and duplication of effort and cost. At the rate at which information is created today, this problem will only get worse, unless an enterprise-wide approach is taken for accessing and managing information. ## The Information Challenge for Organizations As organizations seek to gain competitive advantage, reduce costs, and gain greater efficiency and productivity, the methods they use to gather and manage increasingly vast amounts of information become a critical factor in their success. Information is data processed for a purpose. Data becomes information that people can use to make sense of their business environment after it has gone through a transformation process. The environment encompasses not just the organization itself, but also ancillary factors such as suppliers, customers, competitors, economic, as well as general technological, legal, political and geographical factors. Whether it is for tactical mid-range planning or for long-term strategic planning at the highest managerial level, businesses gather and process information for day-to-day transactional purposes. Naturally, the type and amount of information acquired depends on the particular business environment, and this information is either tangible, where cost of gathering the information is measurable, or intangible, where the value is harder to quantify. The challenge for organizations is not only identifying the best ways to use information, but also finding out the value of information systems in managing business, which means determining the return on investment of investing in these systems. Remember, the effective use of IT and staff training is far more important than merely spending on IT and business information systems. It is crucial that businesses do not unnecessarily adopt and invest in information technologies that become quickly obsolete, possibly for fear of falling behind the competition, or by over-estimating the potential benefits. In short, the challenge for organizations is to research and implement a system that is fit for purpose, use IT staff effectively, and monitor systems and staff continually to evaluate for optimal performance versus cost. ## Driving Value from Your Business Information System Development in information systems has brought both opportunities and threats. The onus is on businesses to identify opportunities and implement them. As a business, it is important you develop strategies which can best utilize information systems to increase overall productivity. Many businesses are turning to automation for this purpose. While automation can be useful in driving value from a business information system, it has its limitations. Then how can you drive value from your business information system? You can drive value from your information system by focusing on the following things. ### Customer Delight The proliferation of information systems has reduced product life cycle, reduced margin and brought in new products. Considering this, customer satisfaction alone will not be enough. Instead, businesses need to strive for customer delight. So, how can organizations collect customer feedback and develop products which exceed customer expectation? They can do this by using information systems with data warehousing and analytics capability. The customer delight will not only lead to loyal customers, but will also provide you with brand advocates. ### Organizational Productivity To mitigate distinctive process and requirements, businesses require different types of information systems. With an efficient business transaction system, any organization can become productive. These systems ensure that routine processes are captured and acted upon effectively. Examples of these routine processes are payroll, cash transaction, sales transaction etc. In addition to the above, information systems are required for executive decision. To allow top leadership to devise a strategy for organization, an information system must provide precise internal as well as external information. Look for systems that are designed to execute this function. This will help contribute to overall organizational productivity. ### Workers Productivity It is important that your information system facilitates the increase in workers’ productivity. Collaboration across organization and departments have increased with the introduction of email, video conferencing and shared white board collaboration. This increased collaboration ensures smooth execution and implementation of various projects across geographies and locations. ### Value Addition for Organization Organizations use information systems to implement various strategies and achieve their short-term as well as long-term goals. Improving productivity and business effectiveness of organization is the reason development of information systems is taking place. With correct development, deployment and usage of information systems, organization can achieve lower costs, improved productivity, growth in top-line as well as the bottom-line and competitive advantage in the market. To know more about how you can drive value from your business information system, get in touch with us today. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Technology May Soon Wipe Out Disability URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-disability/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:47.000Z According to Hugh Herr—a professor at MIT, Technology will wipe out disability during this century. How much truth there is in the claim made by professor Herr? Check it out... Recently, Hugh Herr—the head of MIT Media Lab’s Biomechatronics group, made a bold claim that technology will wipe out disability this century. According to professor Herr, fundamental advancements in human-machine interaction will allow society to eliminate disability in the 21st century, establishingthe scientific and technological basis for human augmentation. Herr lost both his leg to Frostbite after he had a climbing accident on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Following the accident, Herr had his legs amputated and doctors told him that he’d never return to rock climbing. But this statement wasn’t valid for too long. After the accident, Herr dived into math, science and engineering, and became a pioneer in the bionic limb field. Soon, he designed the bionic legs, which he still uses while performing his duties at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab. Herr’s bionic legs include multiple computers and sensors that mimic muscles. The high-tech legs allow him to run and walk normally and they make a only a light squeaking as he moves. Herr’s legs allow him to move in the same way biological legs would, but he can’t feel them—yet. The team of professor Herr is currently working on ways to make the brain have control over bionic limbs, designing the biological body for better communications and natural biomechanical movements through synthetic body part. According to Herr, the future of bionics includes ways to eliminate physical limitations. Additionally, he believes that advances in genetics, artificial intelligence, regenerative and reconstructive medicine, and robotics are beginning to enable more connections between the human body and machines. Society may be at the threshold of a new age when machines will be intimate extensions of the human body. ## The Tech Helping People to Overcome Disability Professor Herr is not the only doing research to find ways to eliminate physical limitations. There are many other individuals and organizations developing technology that could help disabled people contribute more in the workplace and improve their overall life. According to World Health Organization, around a billion people worldwide have a disability. In this United States, this would mean that one in five people have a disability. For this reason, tackling disability is crucial and what better way to do it than using technology. Following are some tech helping people to overcome disability. ### Eyegaze Edge 400,000 people worldwide are affected by Motor neuron disease while multiple sclerosis affects 2.3 million people. Neurons controlling eye movement are more resistant to degenerative diseases and this is true for other parts of the face as well such as the cheek. Eyegaze Edge—an innovation of US company LC technologies, enables people to control a computer using just their eyes. Pupil Centre/Corneal Reflection, or PCCR is the technology behind Eyegaze. A tablet is set up in front of the user, with a small video camera underneath. The user’s eye is illuminated by a near-infrared LED (light-emitting diode). This is followed by the camera measuring the distance between the center of the user’s pupil and the reflection of the LED light on their cornea. As the user’s gaze changes, this tiny distance shifts, enabling the computer to work out exactly where they are looking. ### HeadMouse Nano Developed by Origin Instruments, HeadMouse Nano is equipped with a camera that tracks the movements of a reflective dot stick to the user’s forehead, and these motions control a computer cursor. Selections are made using either a ‘sip-puff’ switch in the mouth, or by dwell time, which is the amount of time the head stays in a certain position. ### Smart Glasses According to the World Health Organization, there are almost 40 million blind people in the world. However, 90% of the have at least some level of light perception. Considering this, Stephen Hicks—a neuroscientist at Oxford University has developed ‘smart glasses’ that accentuate the contrast between light and dark objects. The smart glasses try to represent the world in simple and unambiguous real-time images. The nearest image is bright, whereas the rest of the field is black, while the contrast between them is cranked up to maximum. ### DbGLOVE There are 1.5 million deaf and blind people in the world and technology can help them as well. Deafblind people communicate using tactical alphabets, pressing or pinching different parts of the hand to represent different letters. Now, Nicholas Caparusso—a technologist from Italy, has developed a way of turning these movements and touches into electronic signals via a special glove called dbGlove. Sensors in the dbGlove turn these alphabet tracings into computer text, and actuators trace the letter back onto the hand. This enables deafblind people to operate computers and smartphones. ### Myo Advances in bio-electronics and 3D printing are helping replace missing limbs with prosthetics and give disable people extra functionality. An example of this is Myo—an armband developed by Ontario-based Thalmic Labs in 2014\. Using the armband, a person can control computer devices by reading the electricity produced by their skeletal muscles and then sending these signals wirelessly through Bluetooth to the device. In 2015, the armband was adopted by the researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to control a prosthetic limb and increased adoption of the technology is expected in the future. From professor Herr’s bionic legs to Eyegaze Edge to Smart glasses and DbGlove, technology is helping people to overcome different types of physical disabilities and it is only a matter of time before technology completely wipes out disability. For more information on this, get in touch with us today. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Mobile Technology Can Help Increase Warehouse Efficiency URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/mobile-technology-warehouse-efficiency/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:48.000Z Information and communication technology has changed our lifestyle beyond all recognition, with mobility being one of the main factors of human development. Advancements in mobile technology have made it easy to call or text someone, check emails or send instructions, track parcels and pay bills. In logistics, mobility is a crucial condition that makes all other processes possible. Businesses don’t need to stress about how complex their logistics processes are anymore. Time-consuming tasks such as manually managing a workflow are no longer required since it is now possible to automate all your tasks using mobile technology. If your objective is to increase the efficiency of your warehouse, then you should give a serious thought to mobile solutions. Why do we say that? Mobile technology can improve your company’s warehouse operations in more than one way. By implementing mobile tech for your warehouse operations, you can ensure hands-free mobility, faster data entry, and more advanced tracking. By improving your warehouse efficiency, you can improve your overall logistics operations. Mobile technology provides your workers with a more effective way to accomplish tasks and this is where all the benefits of using mobile tech in warehouse emanate from. ## Mobile Technologies That Increase Warehouse Efficiency Some of the mobile technologies increase warehouse efficiency today include mobile computers, mobile printers, and wearable barcode scanners. Following is a brief look at each. ## Mobile Computers You may think otherwise but strong computing power is not confined to desktop computers and servers. Mobile computers and rugged tablets now provide the same reliability, computing power, and standard business applications. Since most mobile computers and rugged tablets are designed to support extreme warehouse conditions and many have military grade certification, you won’t need to worry about durability. Additionally, these computers are equipped with long lasting batteries and reliable wireless network capabilities. ### Mobile Printers With mobile printers, your workers have the freedom to generate labels from anywhere in the warehouse without having to be at a specific location. Provided there is good wireless warehouse network, workers will be able to print labels on site and avoid unnecessary walking time. ### Wearable Mobile Computers and Barcode Scanners This warehouse technology is a must for any organization striving to modernize their warehouse operations and increase warehouse efficiency. From receiving, to stocking, to picking, packing, sorting, and shipping, barcode scanners are at the center of an efficient warehouse. A necessity in warehouses, barcode scanners are evolving into more mobile, more ergonomic and friendly device than its predecessor—the handheld scanner/computer. With mobile solutions such as wearable wing barcode scanner, companies get the hands-free benefit that allow their warehouse workers to remain productive and mobile without having to compromise between picking cargo or holding the scanner. ## The Benefits of Using Mobile Technology in Warehouse Operations With warehouse costs skyrocketing and supply chain networks becoming increasingly complex, more and more companies are embracing the mobile technology to improve their warehouse efficiency. Following are the reasons companies are preferring mobile technology over legacy systems to increase their warehouse efficiency. ### Hands-Free Operation Mobile barcode scanners are just one example of hands-free operation in warehouse. Other innovations such as wearable tech, AR, and RFID are also offering the same luxury. RFID and barcode technology can be operated hands-free or without any human intervention in some cases. Additionally, wearable technology and augmented reality (AR) can display the required product information without even having to handle the product. This means that hands-free operation in warehouses is becoming more and more possible. With hands-free technology, you can improve tasks such as viewing pick or pack lists, scanning items and locating bins, among others. In addition to the above, hands-free operations are possible in data-entry process as well, as products with RFID sensors can automatically check-in themselves when arriving at or leaving warehouse. This reduces the costs related to manual inventory checks. These innovations have helped companies greatly increase overall productivity levels in their warehouses and maybe someday they can help turn the vision of fully autonomous warehouse into a reality. ### Faster Data Entry Data entry can now be a quick one-step process thanks to barcode and RFID scanners. These mobile technologies speed-up the process of receiving new shipments, performing cycle counts, or packing orders. Entering the details of each item is an out-of-date process and a waste of time. Instead, it is possible to scan the same tasks in a fraction of the time. By implementing scanning with mobile devices, you can greatly improve efficiency and cut down on task completion time. This will allow you to optimize your labor for value-adding activities. ### Advanced Tracking Another benefit of using mobile technology in warehouse operations is advanced tracking. You can greatly improve your company’s supply chain visibility by using mobile technology alongside inventory management software. You can view up-to-date information on inventory database on the mobile screen itself since scanning technologies make it possible to perform data-entry in real-time. In addition to the above, mobile technology can provide you with details of each inbound or outbound orders and display detail information such as the location of packages and estimated arrival time. The technology can also help the shipping department to verify the order and print bills laden with all the customer shipping information. There you have it—how mobile technology can help increase warehouse efficiency. For more information on the use of mobile technology in warehouse and logistics operations, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Future of AI: What Will It Look Like? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/future-of-ai/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:48.000Z Today, we have more power in our pockets than we had in our homes a decade or two ago and one of the technologies enabling this is artificial intelligence (AI). Data today is evolving at an increased rate and several areas of technology are benefiting from this data onslaught including virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence (AI). Due to the rate at which these technologies are being developed and used to perform sophisticated functions, many companies have started to wonder what the future of AI will look like. This will be answered here. ## How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Our Lives Artificial intelligence (AI) has already transformed our lives to a certain degree. In our homes and daily lives, AI is evident in smart thermostats, robotic vacuums and self-parking cars. The technology is also helping bring significant changes to health, security, education, entertainment and many other fields. Over the years, people have had to adapt to technology. Want to find a file on a computer? Input a command on a keyboard attached to a machine. Want to make a phone call? Tap on an assortment of numbers on a keypad. Want a piece of information? Type a specific set of keywords into a search engine. This is how things typically work. By creating technologies that adapt to us rather than the other way around, Artificial intelligence (AI) is turning the dynamic on its head. This is the new way of interacting with computers, which doesn’t seem like computing at all. For decades, computer scientists have been working on AI technologies and we’re finally starting to bear fruit from it. We’ve already listed some ways AI is helping is in our daily lives but what about AI’s role in business? AI software programs—especially computer algorithms, can analyze massive amounts of data to identify patterns and predict outcomes. Then there is AI software that can potentially save lives by detecting cancer early and AI software that can help thwart a cyberattack. Some sectors pushing into AI with pilot projects include banking, retail and health. On many company websites, conversational ‘chat bots’ pop up to answer questions and improve customer service. To optimize inventories and supply chains, Walmart stores predict future demand and reordering stock by harnessing AI. Similarly, Monsanto—an multinational agro-chemical and agricultural biotechnology company, uses AI to identify the most promising molecules in bioengineering, while shale oil producer Devon Energy (DVN) uses AI to guide drilling gear. The use cases of AI do not end there. Banks see the future of AI in detecting money laundering and fraud, manufacturers see AI as helpful in scheduling equipment maintenance and in healthcare, AI may be useful in predicting diabetes and heart disease before they develop in an individual. E-commerce is also expected to benefit from the technology as marketers could use AI tools to personalize website content to highlight products or services that each shopper is most likely to buy and to target ads more effectively. ## The Future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) It is predicted that by 2030, there will be widespread availability of specialized AI technologies. However, there are some concerns about the design, policy and ethical challenges that AI will raise in the future. It is feared that the challenges of AI will be a significant problem in the future if they are not tackled now. However, the future of AI will be a great one if the design issues are solved and the policy and ethics aspects are streamlined. Following are some of the potential applications of AI in the future: ### Automated Transportation Though they are yet to fully commercialize, we are already witnessing self-driving cars wielding a change in the transportation industry. The technology enabling these cars is artificial intelligence (AI). The technology isn’t perfect yet, and it will take a few years before there is widespread use of automated cars. However, other modes of transportation such as buses and trains may be closer to full automation. ### Automation of ‘Dangerous Jobs’ One of the biggest concerns of governments and private companies is the safety of people in the dangerous or hazardous jobs. Examples of these are people involved in mining jobs and bomb defusing. Today, drones are being employed to defuse bomb and perform other dangerous jobs to minimize the risk of human injury. This is partly enabled by artificial intelligence. As the technology improves, expect more AI integration to help these machines function. ### Automated Manufacturing From design to distribution and services, AI can make the entire manufacturing process more efficient and hence, save big costs over time. Rather than spending time making walkthroughs of entire manufacturing facilities, an operational supervisor can sit behind a computer to identify in real-time a floor based problem that arises in workflow. ### Smart Shopping and Payment Amazon Go—a partially automated grocery store operated by online retailer Amazon, allows customers to shop and leave without having to check out and make physical payments. Customers use the Amazon Go app to check in, but thereafter the entire shopping experience is designed to be automated. Sensors track which objects customers pick up and put in their basket, and Amazon accounts of customers are automatically charged after exiting the store. As the AI technology develops, such customer experiences are expected to become a commonplace. As seen above, artificial intelligence (AI) will change how we do business and live our lives. To know more about the future of AI, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How the Internet of Things (IoT) is Reshaping the Retail and Ecommerce Landscape URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/internet-of-things-ecommerce/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:48.000Z A term coined by Kevin Ashton—an UK based entrepreneur, the internet of things (IoT) refers to the physical devices that work and process information by using internet. Intelligent security systems, smart home automation and more—there has been an increased application of IoT in the past few years. Industries across the globe are benefiting from IoT, with retail/eCommerce being one of them. The retail and eCommerce sector is currently undergoing a major technological disruption. As the lifestyle of the consumers changes and becomes more adaptive to online shopping, it will be crucial for players in the industry to leverage technology to provide services that can lead to customer delight. Enter the internet of things (IoT). With most of the growth in the retail sector taking place in the digital space, eCommerce is expected to become the future of retail. In 2016, the global retail eCommerce sales were US$ 1.86 trillion and this number is expected to increase to 4.48 trillion by 2021\. By enabling devices to exchange data with each other over the internet, IoT helps retail and eCommerce businesses to perform their operations more efficiently. ## Enable More Connected Experiences with IoT According to the experts, the internet of things (IoT) will revolutionize the in-store shopping experience. Examples of technological advancements that will enable this include intelligent barcodes that customers can scan to get more information on products, the ability of shoppers to sign up for text messages that offer special deals on products as they move around stores, and in-store advertising that uses facial recognition and can provide personalized insights. The purpose of the above is to create fun, exciting shopping experiences that integrate numerous promotional tactics. Moreover, IoT can help in-store employees to learn about shelf inventory in real time, which enables them to update price in real time without having to manually apply new price tags. ## Enable Smart Inventory Management Most retail businesses that operate online want control over the data of items coming into the warehouse and those going out of it. IoT sensors or RFID tags installed in the systems can help ensure that. With real time inventory management, store owners no longer need to hire people to keep a physical check on the items coming into and going out of the warehouse. By improving the monitoring and tracking of inventory items, RFID tags and IoT sensors minimize human errors in reordering items. Moreover, this allows information such as product type, name of manufacture, the expiry date of the items and their batch IDs to be automatically stored in the system without human intervention. Additionally, smart shelves reduce customer dissatisfaction due to out of stock products and they can track the number of products sold and automatically place orders as soon as they stock reaches reorder level. ## Improved Warehouse and Logistics Management In addition to optimizing inventory and minimizing shortage, IoT can help eliminate over-stock of items in the warehouse. With IoT, online store owners can get more access to warehouse and logistics data such as the personnel involved, traffic conditions, location, temperature etc., which makes warehouse and logistics management more efficient. An example of the above is the use of temperature-monitoring sensors to check the optimum temperature for perishable products and sending whenever needed. Moreover, there are sensors that can examine the forklifts in the warehouse for predictive maintenance, which minimizes the loss of productivity. To ensure that there are no problems related to missing shipping, IoT helps automate the shipping and delivery processes. For example, to enhance its picking and packing process, Amazon—the American ecommerce and cloud computing company, uses warehouse robots. These robots have a loading capacity of 300 kg and can move at a speed of 8 km/h and this is expected to improve in the future. In addition to the above, IoT helps to supervise the speed of vehicle and temperature. Needless to say, all this helps to ensure customer satisfaction. ## Improved Customer Service The internet of things (IoT) presents businesses with an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competitors. For example, Walmart—the American multinational retail corporation, uses IoT to get insights about products popular on social media. This allows the retailer to deliver a comprehensive shopping experience to customers with a high level of personalization, which increases client satisfaction and engagement. IoT can also help in personalized advertising for ecommerce businesses to target a specific group of customers. By recognizing shopping patterns in online browsing and search trends, the technology enables businesses to sell targeted products to their customers. With IoT, you can customize products, services, and offers according to the preference of your customers. Also, since more data related to consumer behavior is available to you, you stand a great chance of attracting customers and influencing their purchase decisions. ## Intelligent Shopping With the launch Amazon Go—the partially automated grocery store operated by Amazon, the buying process has become increasingly automated. Customers can simply walk into a store, pick up what they want, and leave without physically checking out or making a payment. Moreover, in the future, there will be widespread application of predictive systems that know when the customers leave for shopping and the products will get packed ready to be picked up based on the list customers send to the vending machines. IoT is reshaping the retail and eCommerce landscape and businesses that do not adopt the technology risk being left behind by their competitors. So, adopting IoT is the only way forward for retail and eCommerce businesses. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our [company](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Why Digital Marketing Analytics Matters to Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-analytics/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:49.000Z One of the greatest challenges facing businesses today is measuring the effectiveness of digital marketing. One way to overcome this challenge is the use of digital marketing analytics. Here is what digital marketing analytics entails and why it matters to your business. When they hear ‘digital analytics’, most marketers automatically think of metrics associated with web analytics tool such as traffic, bounce rate, unique visitors, etc. While web analytics can provide you with considerable insight and data into your website’s performance, you need much richer data to understand the impact of your marketing campaigns on conversion rates and a customer’s journey through the marketing and sales funnel. Enter digital marketing analytics—a much more comprehensive view of what’s working and what it isn’t in relation to your marketing strategy. ## Understanding Digital Marketing Analytics In digital marketing, you can measure almost everything. While you can measure virtually everything in digital marketing, you should avoid doing that. Ideally, your digital analytics campaign should focus on three things: 1. Capturing data 2. Analyzing data 3. Interpreting data (and repeat) However, this raises some important questions: what data should you analyze? How should you measure it? And, what tools should you use? All this and more will be revealed next. ### What to Measure? This will vary according to the business. Start by contemplating your business goals. Make sure that your online strategy is aligned in some way with your business (and team) goals. For example, if your main business goal is increasing revenue, then your digital marketing efforts should help you increase this revenue. Now the above doesn’t mean that all your focus should be on selling. Instead, it means that you should look at metrics like engagement, audience growth and reach, and the consider how all this can translate into revenue. A mistake that many businesses make is not choosing KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) aligned with their business goals, which makes it difficult for them to measure success or identify any tangible opportunities for improvement. So, the first thing that you need to enable successful analytics is identify what metrics matter to you the most to achieve your business goal. Next, look at all the online platforms you are currently on. List all the metrics you need to achieve your business goals and then note how to get those metrics for each network. Now that you have your list of metrics for each social network, look at them closely and choose which ones are your business drivers. Some of them may be your primary metrics such as clickthroughs to your website from the different online platforms, while others may be secondary metrics such as volume of engagement. The primary metrics will be your actual KPIs. While it is good to focus on the primary metrics or what matters to you the most, you should be aware of the remaining metrics and where/how to get them if you need to revisit your strategy at a later stage. ### How to Measure? The analytics world is vast and as such, there are multiple types of analytics covering different digital marketing aspects. While it is possible to measure virtually all digital marketing data, not all of it comes for free. In fact, organizations cannot ensure the success of their digital analytics due to budget constraints. For this reason, you need to find which analytics tools matters most to your business and is crucial for measuring your KPIs. There are many different types of analytics tools that you need to know about and we will list many of them here. ## The Digital Analytics Tools The tools for measuring digital marketing metrics or KPIs are categorized into four main types: web analytics tools, SEO analytics tools, social media measuring tools, and social media listening tools. Here, we are going to list some important tools in each category and what they can help achieve. ### Web Analytics Tools You need to measure the performance of your website that goes beyond visitors, visits and pageview and the following analytics tools can help you do that: #### Google Analytics One of the most comprehensive tools in the market, Google analytics is a powerful marketing analytics solution for companies of all shapes and sizes that can help improve KPIs such as engagement and click throughs. #### Adobe Marketing Cloud An integrated cloud based marketing tool, adobe marketing cloud can provide you with a 360-degree view of your website’s performance. #### Webtrends Specializing in web and mobile analytics, webtrends has social analytics as an integration. ### SEO Analytics Tools SEO analytics tools can help you understand we search performance for your own website. Following are some popular SEO analytics tools. #### Google Analytics You can access various SEO reports by linking your Google Webmaster tools account to your Google Analytics account. #### HubSpot Integrated into all your content tools, HubSpot’s SEO tool can easily optimize your entire site to allow you to identify SEO errors on your pages immediately. #### Moz This tool show how your social presence impacts on your SEO over time ### Social Media Measuring Tools These tools measure the performance of your social activities and include the following: #### Hootsuite A social powerhouse, Hootsuite provides a solid analytics solution and a strong management solution that allows you to see how you’re performing in real-time on social media #### Adobe Social A comprehensive solution, adobe social enables social media measurement, listening and publishing. #### Simply Measured A full-featured social analytics tool, simply measured offers in-depth measurement across owned and earned social media. ### Social Media Listening Tools Based on keywords and trends, these tools allow you to monitor online conversations. Following are some popular social media listening tools: #### BrandWatch With this tool, you can monitor, analyses and utilize online conversations about your brand, competitors and topics of interest from across the world, in twenty-seven languages. #### Synthesio This tool allows you to listen, analyze and engage in real-time within one platform, in fifty languages and across two hundred countries. There you have it—why digital marketing analytics matter to your business and the tools that can enable it. For more information on the topic, get in touch with us today! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The Future of Manufacturing Technologies URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/manufacturing-technologies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:49.000Z Today, manufacturing is undergoing the biggest change that it has undergone in over a century and as such, the future of manufacturing has become a hot topic. Globalization has already evaporated domestic jobs from many countries and automation threatens to replace even more workers there. Technology is fast changing how goods and products that fuel economies are built and delivered and this trend is only going to get stronger in the future. Here is everything you need to know about the future of manufacturing technologies and how they will transform the industry. ## How Technology is Transforming Manufacturing From computer vision in warehouses to robotics in R & D labs, technology is having an impact on every step of the manufacturing process. Today, many factories operate autonomously and require no human presence. While this may sound futuristic, such factories have been a reality for over a decade now. From warehouse equipment to unmanned transport vehicles to machining equipment, everything is factory is operated by computer-controlled robots and a central control system allows the technical staff to monitor the activities of these machines. You no longer required hundreds of workers to keep a factory operational. Automation and robotics have helped to reduce that workforce by almost ten times and all predictions are that it will be reduced by 20 times in the future. Today, a host of technologies are driving the future of manufacturing. These include IoT devices that are expected to reach fifty billion by 2020 and predictive data analytics—an advanced manufacturing technology required for driving future competitiveness. The development and integration of smart factories and industry 4.0 are other important developments too look at when considering the future of manufacturing technologies, with analysis of industry 4.0—the new wave of automation and digitization, being of particular importance. ### Understanding the Role of Technology in the Manufacturing Process To understand how technology is transforming manufacturing, you need to dive into the manufacturing process and how technology is changing it. Here is how technology is changing the different steps of the manufacturing process: #### Product R & D Artificial intelligence (AI) is aiding materials science, and intelligent platforms are democratizing R & D talent. Additionally, an AR or VR headset could be the drafting board of tomorrow. All this is transforming the product R & D process. #### Resource Planning and Resourcing Blockchain projects and on-demand decentralized manufacturing are being used to work on the complexities of integrating suppliers. #### Operations Technology Monitoring and Machine Data Technology is helping to power future factories. Factories are already exposed to basic digitization and in the future, they will have greater predictive power. #### Labor Augmentation and Management Human capabilities are being augmented on the factory floor by AR, wearables and exoskeletons. #### Machining, Production and Assembly Modular equipment and custom machines such as 3D printers are enabling manufacturers to handle greater demand for variety. #### Quality Assurance (QA) Future technology is expected to improve quality assurance. How exactly? computer vision will find imperfections, while software and blockchain tech will quickly identify problems and implement recalls. #### Warehousing With the help of robotics and vision tracking, warehouses of the future will quickly know new warehouse demand, which will help to improve warehouse operations. #### Transport and Supply Chain Management Manufactures delivering their products will be able to achieve greater efficiency and granularity with IoT, autonomous vehicles and telematics. ## Manufacturing in the Future In 2017, manufacturers predicted overall efficiency to grow annually over the next five years at 7 times the rate of growth since 1990\. The main reason for this is the technological advancement in the manufacturing industry. New technology is changing manufacturing drastically, and nearly every manufactured product—from vehicles to electronics to pharmaceuticals, will be impacted. While the technology and timeline may vary for each sector, almost all manufacturing sectors will see improvements due to the use of technology. Following are some of the ways how: ### A More Profound Look at Things To help the stimulate the design process and the assembly line before an actual product is created, new tools are allowing companies to create and test situations in the virtual world. This can help cut down on manufacturing time and ensure the manufacturing process delivers what you intended to create. ### 3-D Product Design By enabling seamless creation of tangible products with a single machine, 3-D printing is making a mark in the manufacturing world. Since it provides you with more possibilities for designing a part, you can consider 3-D product design as fundamental change. By recycling plastic and cutting down on the wait time for replacement parts and transportation, 3-d printing helps reduce waste. ### Automated Manufacturing A vital part of the manufacturing industry’s future is automation. Automation can help you achieve a level of accuracy and productivity beyond human ability. The new generation of robotics is not only easier to program, but also easier to use, with capabilities such as voice and image recognition re-creating complex human tasks. ### Intelligent Factories in the Cloud Advancements in cloud computing and smart sensors are evident in today’s factory environments. Smart sensors can convert data into different units of measurement, communicate with other machines, record statistics and feedback and shut off devices if a safety or performance issue arises. On the other hand, cloud computing enables you to extract and analyze information that affects the production line. Additionally, IoT solutions can help you to track and analyze production quotas, consolidate control rooms, and create models of predictive maintenance. From the above, it is evident that technology is transforming and will continue to transform the manufacturing industry. To know more about the future of manufacturing technologies, get in touch with us today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Measure Your Digital Marketing ROI? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/digital-marketing-roi/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:50.000Z Are you getting the desired results from your digital marketing campaigns? If you’re not sure, then you may want to measure your digital marketing ROI. Here is how you can measure your digital marketing ROI to know where it is doing well and where it’s under-performing. How do you know that your digital marketing efforts are producing the results your desire? The best indicator of this is a positive digital marketing ROI. Measuring the results of a campaign to identify trends and improve ROI is the key to success of any marketing strategy. For any modern-day business, investing in digital marketing is a must. This is the reason annual digital marketing spend is expected to top $306 billion by 2020\. But, what’s the point if you aren’t making money, getting leads or attracting customers with your online marketing efforts? This is why learning to measure what you are getting out of your digital marketing is important. In fact, it’s as important as doing the marketing in the first place. If you don’t measure your digital marketing ROI, you’ll never know which campaigns are working and which ones are not. ## The Importance of Measuring Digital Marketing ROI Most chief marketing officers (CMOs) are under immense pressure to deliver measurable return on investment. You can show the value of your marketing efforts to company leaders by measuring returns. Moreover, this allows you to know about and invest more money in a digital marketing method that is performing well. On the other hand, you can reduce investment in a digital marketing method that isn’t doing well. Either way, measuring ROI helps you to adjust your strategy. In addition to the above, ROI can help an organization hold the marketing department for their spending. In short, measuring digital marketing ROI can provide you with benefits that ultimately have a positive impact on your bottom line. So, how can you measure the ROI of your digital marketing efforts? This is discussed next. ## Best Practices for Measuring Your Digital Marketing ROI It is estimated that companies will allocated 35% of their 2018’s marketing budget to online strategies. Due to its higher ROI and the ability to generate greater results for less money, more businesses are shifting their marketing spend to digital. By calculating your ROI for any given digital marketing strategy, you can find out whether you’re getting your money’s worth from your efforts, and then allocate your marketing budget more effectively. So, how can you measure your digital marketing ROI? Following are the best practices for this purpose: ### Analyze the Data You Generate The process of marketing, gaining customers and providing customer services provides your company with an enormous amount of data. However, most businesses struggle to turn this data into actionable insights that help improve ROI. By understanding which of the data you generate is important, you can zero in on how effective your digital marketing really is. As you find out which of your digital marketing efforts bring growth in your industry, you can develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to track. You can predict your digital marketing ROI once you know your KPI performance through each month, quarter and year. ### Consider Conversions A direct digital marketing return on investment are conversions from digital marketing. While it can be difficult to know how much part your social media presence and engagement played in the conversions, you can track direct conversions. While they can be sales, direct conversions are not limited to them and you many want to consider the following metrics: - Clicks to a landing page - Calls to your sales line using a promotional code from an online ad - Clicks on a social media ad - Sign-ups for a promotional webinar ### Measure the Lifetime Value of a Customer To determine this, find out how much each customer that you acquired through your digital marketing efforts typically spends with your company over the lifetime of their patronage.Following is a simple formula to measure the lifetime value of a customer: *Lifetime Transactions X Lifetime Revenue – Lifetime Expenses = Lifetime Value of a Customer* ### Measure the Performance of Various Channels Following are some channels that you can measure to determine your digital marketing ROI: - Email - PPC - Direct traffic - Customer referrals - Social media promotion by platform - Organic search By measuring the above channels, you will know what channels are getting you the conversion, which will allow you to adjust your strategy. Moreover, it will provide you with valuable insights into your customer base. ### Measure Click Through Rates For PPC and email campaigns, click through rates are the ultimate measure of success. When it comes to email campaigns, getting extra views on your website is always beneficial. However, you must weigh up against any financial gain generates from these clicks. There are some tools that can provide an overview of how many clicks your email campaigns generate. Additionally, they reveal how many recipients viewed your mail and how many ignored it. These numbers can help determine which of your tactics are working, while making it easy for you to calculate your digital marketing ROI. ### Measure your Website Traffic When it comes to measuring your digital marketing ROI, measuring website traffic is probably the most important thing. If the objective of your marketing efforts is to drive traffic to your website, then you need to take a few factors into consideration. These include: - Unique site visitors versus return visitors - The number of pages visited per user - The time they spent on your site - Bounce rate—the number of people that arrive and leave immediately - Exit rate—which pages are they leaving from A tool that can help you to determine the above is Google Analytics.By finding out the above, you can better measure your digital marketing ROI. Want more information on how to measure your digital marketing ROI? Then get in touch with us today! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Google Pixel 3: Release Date and Rumored Specs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/google-pixel-3/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:50.000Z **Let’s Give Fuel to the Rumors: Here’s What You Can Expect?** One of the first things we notice about smartphones is their design. Rumors about the Pixel 3’s design has been circulating around for some time so what’s the truth? The cold hard truth: the company is opting for an edge-to-edge design, which delivers an immersive viewing experience. Unfortunately, the company has been tightlipped about the bezel size of the smartphone, but it is a smart guess that they would or should opt for the massively popular notched displays. Since the Android P will feature notches of different shapes and sizes, it is not that far-fetched to think the Pixel 3 will feature a notched display. If you recall that people were not too pleased with the Pixel 2’s design, which is why this time around, you can expect the Pixel 3 to feature slimmer bezels. The company is said to working on the overall design of Pixel 3\. They want to design to impress! **Google Pixel 3: More Affordable than Before** Before Pixel arrived onto the scene, Google designed and manufactured affordable smartphones. Ever since its competitors upped the ante, the company introduced the Pixel, an upgraded and pricey smartphone. With their competitors — Apple and Samsung — dominating the market, Google needs a new strategy. Instead of introducing equally expensive smartphones, they need to reduce their costs and make their smartphones more affordable to the general public. We think the company might have listened to the pleas of people for a high-end yet affordable smartphone, based on the ongoing rumors that the company will offer a lower price for Pixel 3\. Keeping in line with the trend, you can expect a pricier alternative. **Google Pixel 3: A Glimpse into Its Specifications** What we know so far about the Pixel 3 is very little, but day by day, details about Google’s new masterpiece are being revealed, just not as fast as we want it to be! We can shine a spotlight on some of the specifications, starting with its processor. The Pixel 3 will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845\. When it comes to performance, the Pixel 3 will definitely hit it out of the ballpark! Not only just that, but expect Google to upgrade its RAM and storage capacity. The Pixel 3 will have a 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage. Instead of a headphone jack, the Pixel 3 will have a USB-C. That was a given though, as previous versions of this smartphone had opted for this too. As for the display, not to get your hopes up, but this smartphone may not benefit from an upgraded display, but in the event the company decides to go for an upgrade, expect a 4K resolution. **Google Pixel 3: Improved Security** Guess what? Google wants to give the iPhone X a run for its money! The company is developing its own iris scanner support, thus putting the Pixel 3 in direct competition with iPhone X’s 3D scanner. Hold your horses though because there is a high probability of the code not to be ready in time for Pixel’s 3 release, and it doesn’t look like Google will push its release date, until all the kinks of the scanner are worked out. What is constant on this smartphone is the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner, which the company plans to relocate to under its display. Now, we know what you’re thinking? Other manufacturers have tried doing the same thing in the past, only to fail miserably! Let’s give Google the benefit of the doubt and reserve our review of this later! **Google Pixel 3: Picture Quality** Smartphones are known for their picture taking ability and with each new version released, the camera receives an upgrade. When the Pixel 2 was released, something critical was missing from it — a dual lens camera. This time around Google has learned its lesson and will likely include a dual lens camera in the Pixel 3. ### Google Pixel 3: Wireless Charging Wireless charging has become the new way to charge and Google is on it! Reportedly, the company is working on introducing wireless charging for the Pixel 3\. Google’s smartphones’ battery power has always stood out in comparison with other smartphones on the market, but with wireless charging, you can expect even more praise for the company’s Pixel 3. ### Google Pixel 3: The New Active Edge Although the Active Edge is nothing new, it will receive a new makeover for the Pixel 3\. Before in Pixel 2, users couldn’t customize the Active Edge, but they can in the Pixel 3! Users can launch any feature from the Active Edge. ## How Excited Are You about the Launch of the Google Pixel 3? Even though no date has been confirmed yet by the company with the only speculation surrounding it, you will have to wait for them to make an official announcement. You can choose from three different Pixel 3, all priced differently. Like all of their previous smartphones, you can expect the company’s Pixel 3 to deliver a jam-packed and powerful performance. People who are not regular users of Google’s smartphones must definitely give Pixel 3 a try when it comes out! Just know that the hype surrounding the Pixel 3 is real and that you will get your money’s worth if you choose to get one for yourself. You should get a smartphone that offers you an incredible number of features and is built to last, which this one is, as it is both water and dust resistant. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Social Media Is Changing Retail URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-changing-retail/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:50.000Z Even though research shows that most consumers prefer to shop in physical stores, foot traffic to brick and mortar stores in the United States continues to drop each day. As the traffic to physical stores decreases, more and more retailers have started to focus their efforts towards mobile experiences and social media engagement, with the latter garnering considerable attention. So, why is social media attracting so much interest from retailers? Because most of their consumers are there. However, there are some other reasons for the increased popularity of social media among retailers as well and we are going to discuss them here. ## Why Social Media is Popular Among Retailers? Social media is home to over 2.5 billion people and that is reason enough for retailers across the globe to have presence and be active on social networking sites. Of the over two billion using social media today, half check their Facebook account as part of their daily morning routine. This should be enough to remind anyone how significant social media is today. Today, social media is a central part of your customers’ lives. They put an incredible amount of time and energy into constructing their personas on social media, which is a digitalized version of their ‘ideal’ self and they create this persona through Facebook posts, Tweets, Instagram photos and more. Moreover, they actively respond to any information shared by their ‘friends’. Social media provides people an opportunity to not just interact with other people, but also with businesses that offer what they’re looking for. This makes life convenient for social media users and present businesses with a great opportunity to grow. ## The Impact of Social Media on Retail Today, social media is a primary driver for many shoppers. According to a recent survey by PWC—a multinational professional services network, [t](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/consumer-markets/consumer-insights-survey.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com)he shopping habits of most shoppers were influenced by social media. Today, the views of consumers matter more than ever, as their ability to share views with others is constantly growing. Moreover, the traffic from online referrals is also making it important for retailers to think about how their customers interact and share information online. According to some reports, referrals are the fastest growing revenue source for online retailers and this can be attributed to the following things: - The ubiquity of mobile devices - The culture shift in the readiness of people to share opinions online The most successful online retailers have enabled a seamless purchasing procedure to attract a vibrant online following, which is active on social media and acts as their advocate there. Over the years, how retailers use social media has evolved significantly. Not too long ago, having a social media presence was enough for a brand to gain a significant advantage. The ability to interact with customers and prospects on these platforms boosted customer service. However, as more and more businesses started to establish presence on the social networking sites, the focus on these platforms shifted from communication with customers to their shared opinions and experiences about brands. As more and more retailers realize the role social media is playing in the buying decision of consumers, the resources devoted to formulating social media marketing strategies that captivate consumers and facilitate product sales have started to increase. With the advent of new social commerce technologies, the biggest change for retailers with a social media presence will be a shift in focus from branding to lead generation and conversion. Retailers need to engage followers to develop their brand and then hope that the followers would eventually convert into paying customers. Social media has helped shrink the gap between capturing the attention of consumers and then selling to them. The shorter the path between consumer and product, the more likely a business is to convert sales. By shortening the above gap, not only can you boost sales, but you can also enjoy other benefits which include opportunity for improved demographic and behavioral data collection and direct feedback, and gaining a better understanding of your customer base and then responding to them accordingly. ## Examine Your Customers’ Idealized Selves and Deliver the Social Media Essentials Through the post they share, the photos they upload, and the pages they like, customers showcase to all viewers elements of their idealized self. Therefore, understanding and examining the information shared by your customers on social media is critical. Customers put significant time and effort into their social media presence and pay considerable attention to what is being shared by their friends. For these reasons and more, social media has become a driver of demand. As a retail business, you need to understand the communities your customers belong to and then follow these communities closely to identify emerging trends. While they don’t necessarily tell us who our customers are, the conversations that occur on social media do tell us who our customers want to be. So, closely following the conversations of your customers on social media is important for any business that wants to put customers first. ## Final Word Social media yields important data for businesses today, data that they can use to go beyond ‘simply selling’ and focus on services that fulfill customer aspirations. With social media, all retailers which includes you, have a great opportunity to connect with online communities, and gain real insight into the demographic and psychographic profile of their target customer. This is good branding and good business and successful businesses are well aware of the same. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Ensure Success in The Digital Economy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/success-digital-economy/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:51.000Z The digital economy is a reflection of how the internet has transformed how we do business today. So, what does the digital economy entail? The economy comprises of tech infrastructure, new mediums for advertising, intuitive devices and platforms, wide audience networks and an unlimited stream of content possibilities. The digital economy has forever changed how brands establish themselves and market to consumers. ## Preparing for Success in the Digital Economy The digital economy is fast changing the way organizations operate. The digital realm is here to stay and businesses that don’t embrace it, risk becoming obsolete like many organizations in the past that refused to change. While embracing the digital economy and think about your performance in it is crucial, there is no single way to ensure success in it. Instead, you need to consider how you can best adapt your structure, workforce, leadership and marketing strategies to compete in the digital economy. Today, most of us are living an increasingly digital lifestyle. We tap, swipe and click our way through life, and we make decisions in real time. No more waiting in lines, which means less patience for long delivery times, inconsistent information, and, above all, glitches in customer service. By making the right decisions, anticipating problems, seizing hidden opportunities, and delighting customers, a brand can emerge as a significant competitor in the digital economy. However, this will only be possible if the brand is driven by insight, action, and flexibility to address every step of the customer journey. ## The Types of Organizations in the Digital Economy What organizations thrive in the digital economy? The ones that adopt flexible hierarchies in which responsibilities sit closer to where decisions have effect. For any business in the digital economy, flexible, dynamic, and culturally open structures built on mutual trusts should be the basis of their operations and their long-term aspirations. Focus on outcomes and not on the processes that realize those outcomes. Based on the operational model they follow, following are the four types of organizations in the digital economy: ### The Tactical Model Businesses that use this model to operate in the digital economy work within business units to achieve existing targets, but their investments are often in silos. ### The Centralization Model In this model, digital initiatives and skills are consolidated in a central unit, with digital applications being transferred between business units. ### The Champion Model In this model, a digital strategy is in place and is effectively communicated across the business, rather than to just a central team. ### The Business as Usual Model Businesses using this operational model fully embed digital culture and processes in their daily work routine. Even if your organization isn’t digitally native, you must proactively consider what you can learn from the above models and try to understand how they you can apply new ideas in what is still a world dominated in traditional, hierarchical structures. ## Ensuring success in the Digital Economy One of the most important things to ensure success in the digital economy is establishing a recruitment strategy that is aligned to your organization’s digital strategy. This will enable you to hire people who know the ins and out of the digital world, which in turn will increase your chancesof success in the digital economy. Once you have the required talent, do the following to ensure your success in the digital economy: ### Acknowledge the Need for Change Are your processes slow and outdated? Do you lack the people and resources to succeed in the digital world? is there is a digital skills gap in your organization? If you answered yes, then it is time for a change. Acknowledging this is first step towards success in the digital economy. ### Plan in Detail With careful and detailed planning, you can identify and avoid many risks, barriers and potential pitfalls in the digital economy. Moreover, with planning, you will be able to identify the tools, tasks and techniques for the proposed changed and will ensure that it is managed by the right people at the right time. In short, planning will help you deliver the commitments you made. ### Identify Key Players This is important. By understanding the key players and identifying their needs, you will know who’ll be affected by the change, which will enable you to engage better with them. Since people react differently to change, addressing and dealing with fears early on can help mitigate the problems and concerns brought on by the change. ### Ensure communication In the digital world, it is crucial to put people first. Put those customers first who are unaware of the digital innovations or who are simply dazed by the speed of the digital economy. These are the people who are likely to obstinate or be frightened. It is important that you manage their expectations realistically and are transparent in your communications with them. Acknowledging issues is okay, in fact it is a good thing. Your customers will appreciate your honesty, and are more likely to accept the change if they are aware of the facts and outcomes. So, ensure that you have a good communication plan that minimizes resistance and communicates the benefits of the change. One you’ve done the above, implement the change with commitment and drive. Support the decision making of your customers and continuously monitor progress. This will help to ensure your success in the digital economy. For further advice, contact us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### An Online Marketing Survival Guide for Businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/online-marketing-survival-guide/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:51.000Z Online marketing has become crucial to the success of businesses. Businesses failing to create an online, digital presence are suffering. One of the main reasons for their failure is being unable to answer the question — “Where should we begin from?” Every business needs to begin somewhere, but they are just in need of guidance. They need someone to point them in the right direction so they can start to build their online presence. Businesses struggling to establish their digital presence can use this online marketing survival guide. Here’s what you need to know: ### First Step: Marketing Your Business Online You can run various marketing campaigns to spread the word about your business. You can run a pay-per-click and remarketing campaigns. Pay-per-click campaigns can provide you with instant results. However, you need to keep track of your pay-per-click campaigns to determine if they are working to attract customers or not. Next, you have remarketing campaigns, which allow you to keep an eye on your visitors. Once they leave your website, you can still target them. If they did not buy something the first time around, chances are that they might buy something the second time you target them. You can run a pay-per-click and remarketing campaign alongside each other to increase your chances of creating a buzz, making a sale, and generating revenue. ### Second Step: Optimizing Your Business You need to optimize your business’s online presence via keyword research, titles and tags, and text and titles. You need to optimize your website by adding keywords throughout the website, including in the meta descriptions, meta title, and more. For this to be successful, keyword research is essential. Without keyword research, your business will not rank on Google. If potential customers cannot find you online, you will lose revenue. By optimizing your website, you will have a higher chance of people in need of your services and products to find your website among the search results and click on it. When researching keywords, remember, not to use industry jargon, as that will go over your customers’ head. Instead, stick to using simple and straightforward terms they can easily understand. Additionally, you can link key terms and elements on your website to other related pages within your website. You can redirect your customers to a product or service you mentioned on the home page for instance by linking its name to the relevant page where they can view it in detail and order it. Apart from creating internal links, you can also create external links on other resourceful websites. Information on that website should relate to your industry and products and services. The other website will create an external link, which will redirect their visitors to your website. For that, you will have to find relevant websites and build a relationship with them. ### Third Step: Optimize for Mobile Most users use their smartphone or handheld device to find businesses and learn more about them through their website. You need to have a mobile strategy in place for exactly this reason. You need to cater to all types of users, not just desktop users. You need to invest in creating a responsive website design. A responsive website design allows your website to accommodate the window or screen size of a variety of different devices. If a new device comes out in the future with a completely difference screen size, your website will automatically adapt to it due to its responsive web design. Your customers will receive a seamless user experience regardless of the device they are using to visit your website. ### Fourth Step: Geotargeting — Targeting Specific Geographic Areas You can use Facebook to run targeted and hyperlocal mobile ads to attract your target customers. The service allows you to target customers based on their location. Since most people use their smartphone to visit Facebook, you can benefit greatly from running these types of ads on its social media platform. Potential customers who may not have found your website through Google or other online ads you launched, will find their way to your website through the ads you place on Facebook. ### Fifth Step: Local Optimization Even though local optimization may not be applicable for every type of business, it has gained momentum among businesses in the past few years due to the number of people who search for local businesses in their area. If your target market are people in your locality, your business will benefit from using local optimization to target customers. Some strategies you can use for local optimization include on-page signals, third party signals, and reviews. On-page signals use search algorithms such as implementing schema code and using geo-targeted keywords on your website. You will need to perform research to determine what local keywords you can use for local optimization. Third party signals are how search engines like Google evaluate your local presence and authority. Yelp for instance is a third-party signal where customers who have used your services and products leave reviews about it on there for others to see, thus bringing us to our next point — reviews. Reviews are essential, as that is how most people decide if they want to use your services or buy your products. Your aim is to receive positive reviews from previous customers. The more reviews your business receives, the higher you will rank on search engines. You can always prompt your customers to leave a review once they have bought something from your website. If you also have a physical presence, you can ask your customers to leave a review on a popular review website. If you want to succeed in the online rat race to rank higher and attract more customers to your website, you need to use this survival guide to ensure you cross the finish line and come in first place. If you do not what you are doing, you can always acquire the help of a company well-versed in optimizing websites and designing websites to rank on search engines. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### What to Expect from Samsung Galaxy Note 9 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:52.000Z [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/samsung-galaxy-note-9?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Are you excited about the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9? The release of the Note 9 will set the record for the biggest smartphone to date in the company’s history. The Note 9, bigger than the Galaxy Note 8 and slightly bigger than the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, will hit the market this September. Right now, speculations about what to expect from the Note 9 are still making the rounds. Fans of their Note series are buzzing about what to expect from their latest smartphone, but the company has kept everything under wraps, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating about it. If you are an excited Samsung Galaxy Note 9 fan, keep your expectations high because it looks like this smartphone is going to meet them…or perhaps…exceed them! ## When Can You Get Your Hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9? So far, all we know is that the company plans to make the big reveal at the end of summer in September of this year. Since the company has not announced a specific launch date, you need to keep your eyes and ears open. ## Sneak Peak: Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Design If you are a proud owner of the Note 8, think of the Note 9 as the upgraded version of it. The Note 8 features a glass and metal construction with a dual-edge design. It also features two of the most popular features — a rear mounted fingerprint sensor and a dual-rear camera. The Note 9 will mirror the design of the S8, S9, S8 Plus, and S9 Plus with one major difference, it will have a wider build. Like all the phones in the Note series, the Note 9 will come with a built-in S Pen, again with one major difference, increased sensitivity. Adorning the sophisticated smartphone will be slim bezels situated at the top and bottom of the display screen. Of course, its premium quality construction will be a talking point among users when it launches. Even though we are not sure how much truth is in the rumor of the Note 9 having a fingerprint sensor fitted within its display screen, we are going to cross our fingers, hoping for it to be true! What you can expect to be true for the Note 9 is that it will be dust and IP68 water resistant. ## Sneak Peak: Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Display There is a strong likelihood of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 featuring a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display screen, 18:5:9 aspect ratio, and higher resolution. Back in the day, the Note series flaunted a 5.7-inch display screen, but times have changed! Now, bigger is better! A slightly bigger screen size indicates that the Note 9 will have even slimmer bezels.. Only time will tell! Other features of the Note 9 include Mobile HDR and Super AMOLED display screen for rich and vivid colors. The resolution will also get an upgrade. According to industry speculations, you might see the Note 9 featuring a 4K resolution or it might be the same as the Note 8\. The Note 8’s resolution is 2960 x 1440 pixels with a pixel density of 522 ppi. ## Sneak Peak: Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Camera Most of us love taking pictures and when buying a smartphone, we tend to put an emphasis on its ability to take high quality pictures. Following the success of the Note 8’s dual-rear camera, the Note 9 will not part ways with it. However, rumors suggest that users can see a triple camera on the Note 9, but do not get your hope too high, as it might not be true. If you were happy with its dual camera setup, you have nothing to worry about and if it turns out to be false and it does feature three cameras, it will be a welcoming surprise. If the Note 9 features a dual camera, you can expect it to have one telephone lens and wide-angle. There is also a strong possibility of the Note 9 featuring a camera similar to the S9’s camera, which has an aperture of f/1.5 t0 f/2.4. Another feature the Note 9 will not part ways with is the dual optical image stabilization, as the Note 8 was one of the first smartphones to feature this with a dual camera set-up. If you are wondering whether the Note 9 will offer higher resolution for the rear and front-facing camera, we are wondering that too, as nothing has been released or confirmed yet. However, you can expect to see processing enhancements on the Note 9\. The company’s focus is on improving the camera of the Note 9, as that is one of the main reasons why users opt for the Note series. ### Sneak Peak: Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Hardware and Software The hardware of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will not disappoint you. The Note 9 may feature either the latest Exynos chip or Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, 6GB of RAM with 64GB of storage, and premium quality audio. In the Note 9, the company will decide to add either the latest Exynos chip or Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 based on the region. No one ever said that more storage is bad, but everyone said less storage is bad. The Note 9 may either offer 64GB or 128GB of storage depending on how generous they are feeling. Like with all Samsung devices, you can increase its storage capacity by adding a microSD. The Note 9 will be operating on a 6GB of RAM. As for the battery, it will receive either a 3,850 mAh cell or 4,000 mAh battery cell. The Note 9 may have both quick charging and wireless charging using USB type C to charge it. If you love listening to music, you will love its Dolby Atmos, which enhances sound. Lastly, the Note 9 will come with an Android Oreo and TouchWiz software. Bixby, Samsung’s own voice-assistant, will aid you in your queries. For now, all you can do is wait and cross your fingers for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to blow your mind! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Social Media Predictions for the Future URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-predictions/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:52.000Z It’s a bright one, that’s for sure! Let’s look at the statistics: - There are more than 1 billion active users on Facebook - There are more than 200 million active users on Twitter - There are more than 3 billion views on YouTube - There are more than 50 million pictures uploaded on Instagram **There are more than 1.9 billion social media users around the world with that number expected to increase to 2.5 billion in 2018** As we previously said, social media has a bright future, indeed! Social media is no longer just a platform to stay connected with friends and family, but has evolved with time and will continue to evolve with years. Now, it serves as an online platform to stay connected with brands. It has become a free platform for businesses to spread their reach and sell their services and products through it. **Another fact:** **Social media influences 78 percent of consumer buying decisions** It’s time to make some social media predictions for the future! Here are five social media predictions that future businesses need to be aware about: ### 1\. New Experiences Brought to You by Wearable Technology Wearable technology such as augmented reality and virtual reality will engage consumers and create new experiences that will leave a lasting impression on them. With Facebook buying the virtual reality headset, Oculus Rift, three years ago, you can expect the social network to use it to enhance user experience. Wearable technology will provide businesses with a new way to market their services and products to consumers. Wearable technology will enable businesses to collect large amounts of information, using it to provide context and experiences to customers on a personal level. Wearable technology creates more engagement, which leads to better and improved experiences for customers such as transporting them to live shows regardless of where they are. By 2020, the average person will own [eight wearable devices](https://www.ama.org/publications/eNewsletters/Marketing-News-Weekly/Pages/wearable-tech-will-change-marketing.aspx?ref=bobbydavidson.com) unlike today, where most people only own one. ### 2\. No More Ban on Social Media at Workplaces Most workplaces have tried to stop their employees from using social media while at work. With social media becoming a powerful tool for attracting customers, workplaces have started to change their tune. More and more businesses around the world are using social media to their advantage. Slack and Facebook for Work are two tools that play an essential role in the workplace. Slack enables workplaces to collaborate and share information. They can share information via gifs, text, images, videos, and more. They no longer need to rely on sending each other internal emails to communicate their message, but can easily do it via Slack, thus streamlining communication and making it easier. Facebook for Work is a streamlined version of Facebook that provides professionals and businesses with several useful features to help them collaborate with each other. ### 3\. YouTube Will Become Key in Generating Buzz YouTube is already the king of streaming videos online. Soon, it will play a key role in helping businesses generate a buzz about their services and products. As popular advertising on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram continues to increase costs, businesses will begin to rely on YouTube to market their brand, services, and products. From Facebook and Instagram, they will direct their target market to visit YouTube. Right now, very few businesses use YouTube to attract prospective customers and generate leads. In the future, all of this will change. YouTube Marketing will become one of the primary and effective resources to connect to people from all over the world and establish lasting relationships with their viewers without needing to pay for advertising. As a business, it is important to keep an eye out for the up and coming social media advertising trends, as you do not want to miss out on creating and uploading videos on YouTube when marketing through the channel becomes popular! ### 4\. Up, Close, and Personal through Collaborative Storytelling Collaborative storytelling among businesses, customers, and employees will allow for increased engagement. Businesses will be breaking the fourth wall! They will narrate a story to their customers to connect with them on a meaningful level. At the center of their interactive and compelling stories will be the brand, its employees, and their customers. Collaborative storytelling will also humanize the brand in the eyes of their customers. Businesses will need to focus on selling more than their services and products to customers, but share with them real-life experiences to form a lasting connection. ### 5\. Live Streaming Videos Will Become the Norm Even though videos have always been around, live streaming videos have not. They are something new! Like an unexplored territory! Some businesses have started using live streaming videos to their advantage, but it hasn’t really caught on, but down the line, you can expect more businesses to invest in this newfound phenomenon of interacting with their customers live. Several social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have introduced live streaming videos and you can see users as well as independent bloggers, celebrities, news channels, and businesses using it. Users can view a live video and leave comments in real time. With time, more and more businesses from around the world are expected to jump on the bandwagon and use live streaming videos to showcase certain aspects of their business. They can create live videos of what happens behind their business, how they create products, any festivals they host or attend, host an interview session with their customers, and more. Have you established a social media presence? Can your customers find and connect with you on various social media platforms? If they can, you should pay attention to these future social media trends so you can adopt them as soon as they become mainstream. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Massive Adoption of Block Chain Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/blockchain-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:53.000Z In terms of growth and acceptability, 2017 was one of the best years that blockchain has had to date. At the start of the year, many people predicted that 2017 would be year when technology will make the shift from proof-of-concepts to production. While there have been significant movements in this regard, the shift is yet to materialize. Nevertheless, Blockchain experienced growth in many other aspects including the formation of business networks enabled by it. An example of such a network is the Digital Trade Chain consortium (DTC). While the implementation of blockchain in 2017 wasn’t as wide as people expected it to be, the technology did enable tremendous and unprecedented market cap growth of Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. ## How Blockchain Can Benefit Businesses Businesses currently exploring the blockchain technology are either secretive on information, or are simply biding their time and watching events unfold from the sidelines—making it difficult for themselves and other businesses to unearth what’s really happening. The good news is that blockchain associations such as Blockchain NYC are holding events to help business discover how blockchain may apply to them. One such event: Bringing Your Company on Blockchain, was held in November this year. Many events that talk about the business applicability of blockchain have been held in the past but the aforementioned-event is the first one of its kind to provide businesses with actionable steps to implement blockchain and make a smooth transition to this technology. Held at the eBay startup space, the event was attended by representatives of small businesses, medium-size corporations and even large enterprises. People working for some of the biggest corporate names out there such as Wells Fargo, Mckinsey, and AIG also took part in the event. Companies differing in size, experience, and direction sharing the same space was a sight to behold. Unlike other Blockchain events that discussed the blockchain technology but suggested no actionable steps for its implementation, the Blockchain NYC event showed participating businesses how they can apply the technology. The event also informed the participants about where the blockchain technology was headed. The event was a real eye opener as it exhibited just how many businesses see blockchain as a solution to many of their underlying problems. Following are some of the takeaways from the event: ### Blockchain Can Apply to Almost Any Business Though it’s still evolving and in its early years, the blockchain technology can be applied to almost any business. Both small and big businesses can use this technology in payments, staffing, tracking, accounting, operations and more. The blockchain technology can replace existing structures and build pronounced efficiencies for existing processes and workflows. ### Business Will Benefit from Efficiently Incorporating Blockchain Into Their Workflows The further the technology penetrates the industries, the more value the different businesses will find in its application. As the different industries experiment with and embrace blockchain, several adoption and stabilization phases will be witnessed. Just like any adoption curve, it will resemble a rollercoaster ride. However, the most intelligent companies will find a way to make the ride smooth—using efficient ways to incorporate blockchain into existing processes and workflows. This will allow them to take great strides and continue leading their respective markets and industries. ### Businesses Need Guidance to Ensure Successful Blockchain Use This is a no brainer. You cannot ensure successful implementation of blockchain for your business without proper guidance. For everything in life, you need guidance and this includes the implementation of the blockchain technology for your business. By taking help from a qualified blockchain consultant, you will make the adoption and integration of the technology not just easy for your business, but also productive and effective. ## The Year Ahead for Blockchain Based on the analysis of market experts, following are some blockchain predictions for 2018. ### Blockchain Will Influence Change in Business Models As blockchain starts to alter the market, companies will start to consider changing their existing business models. Today, middlemen are not as valuable as they were in the past. In such times, businesses can benefit from becoming partners in ecosystems or on wider platforms. This means that businesses may have to change their existing business models. Considering the benefits that blockchain can enable, businesses are likely to want a slice of the pie which in turn will cause a change in their business structure/model. ### More Blockchain Solutions will be Produced As the ‘low-hanging fruit’ are addressed, more blockchain solutions will be produced. In 2018, enterprises are likely to digitize their business and try make the most of the blockchain technology. The two most prominent applications of fintech are payments and trade finance. In 2017, blockchain was enabled for payments and 2018 could be the year the technology is implemented for trade finance. Also, as the big banks start to realize the potential benefits, the implementation of blockchain for payments will increase during the year. For them, the biggest lures will be the transparency, lower costs, lower risk profiles and real-time processing enabled by the technology. Today, there is massive adoption of the blockchain technology. The adoption of the technology continues to grow each day as more and more businesses are starting to realize the potential benefits of using blockchain in their operations. The blockchain technology is only going to get bigger and better! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Ashton Kutcher Turned $50 Million Into $250 Million By Investing in Entrepreneurs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ashton-kutcher-entrepreneurs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:53.000Z You probably know Ashton Kutcher from ‘That 70’s show’ or ‘Dude, where’s My Car’. If that is the case, then you’d be surprised to know that Kutcher is now an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a successful venture capitalist. Kutcher is now worth an estimated $250 million but how did he get there? Here is his story of success. ## Kutcher Started Earning and Saving Young A major reason that Ashton Kutcher was able to build the wealth he has today is that he started earning and saving young. He did odd jobs such as roofing and mowing lawns to skinning deer at a meat locker. Aged 13, Ashton Kutcher managed to save $1,400 for a snowmobile. For one and half years, he worked after school and on weekends and whatever he earned went into his savings account. To pay his tuition at University of Iowa where he had planned major in biochemical engineering, Kutcher continued working a variety of jobs but he eventually dropped out to pursue a career in acting and modeling. However, his interest in science and technology resurfaced years later when he started to invest in tech companies. This was the start of his journey towards a $250 million wealth. ## Ashton Kutcher: The Tech Investor A well-known technology investor today, Kutcher is one of the most successful celebrities investing and helping promote Silicon Valley start-ups. Some of his investments include stakes in high-profile companies such as Skype and social ‘check in’ site Foursquare through the venture capital fund A-Grade Investments which he co-founded. Other investments of Kutcher include Airbnb and social magazine concept Flipboard and online textbook rental company Chegg. From his modeling and acting career, Ashton Kutcher managed to build a $50 million fortune but it was his investments in entrepreneurs that helped him to become a multi-millionaire. Following is how investments in entrepreneurs helped Ashton Kutcher to turn $50 million into a $250 million wealth. ### Foursquare and Skype Kutcher invested as an individual in the social network Foursquare before he co-founded the venture capital firm A-Grade Investments. The investment in Foursquare helped put Ashton Kutcher on the map of the startup scene and in 2009, he invested in Skype. Two years later, Skype was bought by Microsoft, and according to reports, this helped Kutcher triple his wealth. ### Airbnb Through his venture capital firm: A-grade Investments, Ashton Kutcher invested in Airbnb in 2011\. An online marketplace that connects travelers seeking accommodation with people renting out their homes, Airbnb is one of world’s leading online marketplace and hospitality service today. In 2011, when Kutcher invested in the startup for the first time, Airbnb had approximately 60,000 listing and claimed that users had booked over a million nights through its service, as it was reported. Airbnb welcomed Ashton Kutcher to the team in the following words: ***“*** *With his incredible wit and personality, Ashton Kutcher has shown the world the power social media has on emerging brands and in developing strong, passionate communities. With Ashton on board, we'll be working together to take our community engagement to the next level. "* Just three years on, the company had over half a million listings and more than ten million nights booked. This helped Kutcher to further build his wealth. ### Spotify Another startup that Ashton Kutcher invested in was Spotify—a music, podcast, and video streaming service headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo—a CNBC anchor, Kutcher explained the reason behind the success of companies such as Airbnb and Spotify. He had the following to say: *“You have to have the know-how and the moxie to actually put together the pieces and build the solution in a really effective way."* Kutcher’s investment in Spotify helped the streaming service to establish itself and grow, while allowing the former Hollywood heart throb to increase his wealth. ### YPlan YPlan—an events app founded in London, was another startup that Ashton Kutcher invested in. Kutcher invested in the app for the first time in 2013\. The mobile app allows users find last-minute events happening that evening and allows them to buy tickets through one click. The app, which is very popular in London, has expanded to New York and San Francisco and this has helped Ashton Kutcher to become even richer. ## Lessons to Learn from Kutcher’s Investments There are many lessons to learn from the investments of Ashton Kutcher including listening to and trusting others, investing in things that you know, chasing happiness, and thinking about what you’ll want in the future. Another lesson to learn from Kutcher’s investments is that the best investments don’t cost a fortune. Investing isn’t all about the numbers. When you learn more about the people behind a company — their motivators, challenges and beliefs — you develop a better sense of that company’s potential. And, this is perfectly illustrated by the following words spoken by Ashton Kutcher himself: *“Investing in relationships can cost as little as a few cups of coffee and a handful of emails.”* Ashton Kutcher is now worth an estimated $250 million. While his modeling and acting career helped in building that wealth, it was his investments in technology and entrepreneurs that helped him to become what he is today: a multi-millionaire. If you are inspired by Ashton Kutcher’s investments and are looking for a startup to invest in, then get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### eCommerce Sites Are Remaking Themselves to Be Mobile First URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ecommerce-mobile-first/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:54.000Z For most consumers, shopping on their smart phones is a convenient way to buy what they need. This is the reason there’s has been a recent upsurge in mobile commerce sales. According to Statista—an online statistics, market research, and business intelligence portal, mobile commerce made up 34.5% of all eCommerce sales in 2017 and this number is expected to increase to almost 54% by 2021\. Clearly, mobile commerce will dominate online sales in the future and the best time to think about your [eCommerce](https://www.statista.com/statistics/249863/us-mobile-retail-commerce-sales-as-percentage-of-e-commerce-sales/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) strategy is now. ## Why A Mobile-First Strategy is Important for Your Ecommerce Business The eCommerce landscape has changed considerably since the proliferation of smart phones. More and more [eCommerce](https://www.statista.com/statistics/249863/us-mobile-retail-commerce-sales-as-percentage-of-e-commerce-sales/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) businesses today are adopting a mobile-first strategy and there’s good reason for it. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), more than two billion people access the web using their phones. Moreover, 25% of the U.S web users mostly access the internet using their smart phone. 70% of the U.S population is with smart phone and over 90% of them use it for get information they seek. However, the most revealing stat is that almost 80% of the smart phone users in the U.S use their phones to make online purchases. In fact, most of them rely on their phones to make a decision when shopping for clothing/ accessories or planning for a night out. Considering the above, it only makes sense for ecommerce businesses in the U.S and across the globe to have a mobile-first approach. ## How a Mobile-First Approach Can Help You Improve User/ Customer Experience A mobile-first strategy for eCommerce is basically designing the user experience of your eCommerce website to cater for smaller screens first and then thinking about optimizing it for desktops and laptops rather than the other way around. Ask any eCommerce consumer what the most important thing to them when shopping online for a product and they’re likely to answer user experience. Yes, you can entice customers with promotional offers and other marketing tactics but if they find making a transaction on your site difficult or inconvenient, they won’t be sticking around for long. This is the reason your eCommerce site needs to be optimized for all devices that your customers may use to access your website. Considering that more and more ecommerce consumers today are using their smart phone to make purchases online, it is essential for you to optimize your ecommerce site for mobile usage. Today, the ways in which consumers browse and complete purchases on ecommerce site are becoming more seamless and slick. Moreover, there are many ways for shoppers to connect with your brand or any other ecommerce business they’re interested in. To build customer loyalty, you need to provide your customers with a superior customer experience both in-store and online. How can you ensure the latter? You can ensure it by providing a seamless user experience to mobile users who may access your ecommerce site using their smart phones. While your desktop presence is still relevant, it is your mobile presence that will get you noticed and win new customers. Vital to the health and growth of your business, ensuring your ecommerce platform is mobile responsive will make your ecommerce site accessible and easy to navigate on any mobile device. Now, the next question is how do you make your ecommerce site mobile responsive? You do this by ensuring that your website can adapt to any screen or device while maintaining optimal user experience. However, make it very clear that mobile-friendly and mobile-responsive is not the same thing. Today, having a mobile-friendly ecommerce site is not enough to keep smart phone shoppers satisfied. You need to elevate your design so that it is easy to read and pleasant to use of smart phones and other mobile devices such as tablets. Simply resizing your display no longer works. In fact, zooming in and out of your current website layout may make it difficult for users to navigate it on their mobile device. What you need to do is get your web designer to incorporate automatic adjustments to how text, photos, and media are presented to ensure easy, seamless interactions on your site.Most mobile users are less concerned about the design of your site and more concerned about ease of interaction and navigation. When they visit your site, they have an objective and they won’t take long to leave if you make it difficult for them to achieve that objective. Whether it is browsing your ecommerce store or making a purchase, users want to process to be as easy as the click of a mouse. To help your users achieve their objective, ensure that your website loads quickly on all devices, can easily and almost instantly switch form page-to-page and product-to-product, and make it extremely easy to make a purchase. If you ensure the above, then your eCommerce site optimized for mobile usage can provide you with a plethora of benefits, with increased sales and profitability being on top of that list. ## Final Word There should be no doubt that mobile commerce is the future of online sales. If you want to progress and grown as an online retailer, then you must adopt a mobile-first approach, which means having a mobile responsive ecommerce site. This is a site which makes it easy for mobile users to browse items and make a purchase online. For more information on how you can remake your ecommerce site to be mobile-first, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Future Of 5G And Mobile Networks URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5g-mobile-networks/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:55.000Z The first mobile networks appeared in the 1980s and ever since then, a new mobile network technology has emerged every decade or so. First it was 2G, then 3G, then 4G and then came out LTE. Each mobile network was launched to fix its predecessor’s flaws. The security weakness of analogue telephony was fixed by GSM, GSM’s lack of mobile data was sorted out by 3G, and to make data consumption less of an unpleasant experience, 4G was launched. Now, it is 5G’s turn to set the stage on fire but is it really going to be the next big change in mobile technology? If yes, then what is the problem that it going to fix? We will answer these and more questions about 5G here so continue reading to find out everything about the future of 5G and mobile networks. ## Understanding the 5G Technology While we will have to wait until 2020 to use 5G, many companies are already investing heavily in this technology to prepare for the new wireless standard. So, what is 5G and what impact will it have on wireless systems in the future. Although a formal standard for 5G is yet to be set, the technology simply refers to the next and newest mobile standard based on the IEEE 802.11ac of broadband technology. According to a White Paper on 5G by Next Generation Mobile Networks, the connections enabled by this technology must be based on system performance, user experience, management & operations, enhanced services and system performance. Additionally, the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) says that 5G must fulfill most of the following requirements: - 90% reduction in network energy usage - (perception of) 100% coverage - One millisecond end-to-end round-trip delay - Up to ten-year battery life for low power, machine-type devices - (Perception of) 99.99% availability - 10 to 100x number of connected devices - 1000x bandwidth per unit area - One to 10Gbps connections to end-points in the field 3G was a breakthrough in communications. The technology receives signal from the nearest phone tower and is used for phone calls, messaging and data. 4G—the technology that came after 3G, works in the same way but with a lower latency and a faster internet connection. The technology claims to be five times faster than existing 3G services and in theory, it can provide download speeds of up to 100Mbps. Today, the rapid proliferation in cloud-based services and applications has aggravated the acceleration in user traffic demand. Unfortunately, current wireless systems including 4G technology are not set up to meet these demands. Mobile network operators are required to significantly improve capacity and coverage across their wireless deployments as a 13-fold growth in mobile data is expected over the next five years. The solution is simple and it lies in the deployment of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology. ## The Advantages of the 5G Technology It will be a few years before 5G technology sees the light of day, but there are clues about where it’s headed and the areas it will improve. The primary advantage of this mobile network technology is that it is easier to implement than 4G or any of the mobile networks that came before it. Additionally, it promises 90% energy savings per service provided, 10% more battery life, latency below one millisecond, 100 billion simultaneous connection, and frequencies between 6GHz and 100GHz. The technology also allows new user experiences and could potentially improve ecological sustainability by reducing energy consumption. Perhaps, the biggest advantage of the 5G mobile network is it speed. Just like previous generation, 5G will be faster than its predecessor, which is 4G. This will enable higher productivity across all capable devices with a theoretical download speed of 10000 Mbps. In addition to faster download speed, the greater bandwidth of 5G will allow running more complex mobile internet apps. ## What the Future Holds For 5G and Mobile Networks 2020 is when 5G will bedeployed in phases. However, we can expect to see the 5G smartphones for the first time in 2019 when they are launched in pilot cities. Based on demand for new services and frequency availability, 5G will be phased in from 2020. While 5G isn’t available for use yet, many companies have already started to create 5G products and filed test them. Some of the notable advancements in this mobile network technology have come from BT, Ericsson, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Nokia. Also, some companies have formed 5G partnerships and pledged money to continue research into 5G and its application. The 5G efforts of Samsung and Qualcomm have focused on hardware, with the latter creating a 5G modem and the former producer a home router enabled by 5G. On the other hand, Ericsson and Nokia have focused their efforts toward creating 5G platforms for mobile carriers rather than consumers. Earlier this year, a 5G platform that claims to provide the first 5G radio system was created by Ericsson.However, the multinational networking and telecommunications company began testing 5G in 2015. 3G,4G, LTE and now 5G—mobile network technology has gotten better over the years. While the mobile networks before it helped to accomplish a lot, 5G promises to completely transform the mobile and digital landscape. However, we will have to wait until at least 2020 to see if that actually happens. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Background and Success of Google’s Founders Larry Paige And Sergey Brin URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/google-founders-larry-paige-sergey-brin/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:55.000Z If you’ve ever used the internet, then you’d know what Google is. This is how big Google LLC—the company founded by Larry Paige and Sergey Brin, has become today. While most people are quick to associate Google LLC with the search engine of the same name, it comprises of a lot more including software, hardware, cloud computing services, and online advertising technologies. In 2017, Google was ranked as the world’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of over $245 billion. So, how did Google get there? And more importantly, what was the role Google’s founders Larry Paige and Sergey Brin played in it? Continue reading to find out. ## The Background and Success of Larry Paige Larry Paige—the co-founder of Google, was born on March 26, 1973 in East Lansing, Michigan. Paige’s father was a PhD in computer science from the University of Michigan and a computer science professor at the Michigan State University. His mother was a computer programming instructor at Michigan State University and Lyman Briggs College. This clearly shows how Larry Paige developed an interest in computers and technology. In fact, recalling his childhood, Paige said in an interview that his house ‘‘was usually a mess, with computers, science, and technology magazines and Popular Science magazines all over the place" Larry Paige holds a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in computer science from Stanford University. As a student at the University of Michigan, Paige used Lego bricks to create an inkjet printer as he believed that it was possible to print large poster cheaply using inkjet cartridges. After reverse-engineering the ink cartridge, Paige built of the mechanics and electronics to drive it. Additionally, Paige proposed to the school to replace its bus system with a PRT system—a monorail with separate cars for every passenger. At the same time, he developed a business plan for a company that would use software to build a music synthesizer. After completing his Masters from Stanford, Paige enrolled in a computer science PhD program at the same university. Looking for a dissertation topic, Paige started to explore the mathematical properties of the World Wide Web. Terry Winograd—Paige’s supervisor, encourage him to pursue the idea. And, Paige says this was the best advice he ever received. At the same time, Paige considered research in autonomous cars and telepresence. Considering them to be valuable information for that page, Larry Paige focused on finding out which web pages link to a given web page. Paige nicknamed his research project ‘Backrub’ and soon he was joined in his research by a fellow Stanford PhD student Sergey Brin. Together, they authored a research paper titled ‘The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine’, which went onto become the most downloaded scientific document in the history of the internet. ## The Background and Success of Sergey Brin Sergey Brin—the other founder of Google, was born on August 21, 1973 in Moscow, Russia. Brin’s father is a mathematics professor at the University of Maryland and his mother a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Sergey Brin spent his childhood with his parents and paternal grandmother in three-room apartment. In 1979, Sergey Brin, along with his family, emigrated to the United States. Brin completed his elementary education from Paint Branch School in Adelphi, Maryland but received further education at home. Brin’s father encouraged him to learn mathematics and his family helped him retain his Russian-language skills. In 1990, Sergey Brin enrolled in the University of Maryland from where he graduated with Bachelor of Science in 1993, with honors in computer science and mathematics. Soon after, Brin started his graduate study in computer science at Stanford University on a graduate fellowship from the National Science Foundation. At an orientation for new students at Stanford, he met Larry Page and the rest is etched in history. ## The Founding of Google and The Success that Followed While still at Stanford, Page and Brin set up a simple search page for users using the former’s HTML programming skills. Simultaneously, they started searching for computer parts that they could use to assemble the computing power required to handle searches by multiple users. Additional servers were required to process the queries as the search engine grew in popularity among Stanford users. In 1996—the initial version of Google, was made available to internet users and in 1998, Brin and Page incorporated Google Inc., with the initial domain name ‘Googol’. In August 1998, Google received its first major funding—a $100,000 contribution from Sun Microsystems’ founder Andy Bechtolsheim. In June 1999, the company announced a new $25 million round of funding, with major investments from venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. By June 2000, Google had indexed one billion Internet URLs, making it the most comprehensive search engine on the Web at the time. Four years later, Google’s initial public offering (IPO) took place and since then, there has been no looking back for the company or its founders. The success of Google’s founders Larry Paige and Sergey Brin are an inspiration for those who want to be an entrepreneur. We are very pro-entrepreneurial over here. We wish you much success in all that you do. Remember what Henry Ford once said: Whether you think you can... Or whether you think you can't... You're Right! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Amazon – Taking eCommerce to The Next Level URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/amazon-ecommerce-next-level/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:56.000Z Over time, we’ve gotten used to making a queue at grocery stores or lining up at checkout counters to pay for and take home whatever we bought from the store. But, Amazon Go—the cashier-less grocery store, is changing this physical store experience. A store with no queues and no money, Amazon opened to the public on January 22nd, 2018\. So, what is Amazon Go and how will change ecommerce? Let’s find out! ## All About Amazon Go A few years back, the sole aim of retail stores was to sell the items on their shelves. However, the shift of the consumer to e-commerce has prompted retail stores to create new uses for physical stores such as click-and-collect, ship-from store and easy returns. Additionally, some retailers are taking measures to mimic the ease and convenience of online shopping while offering a real life buying experience. Example of this is Amazon Go. A new age store that does not require any checkout, Amazon Go is an advanced shopping technology that eliminates the need to wait in line. The Just Walk Out Shopping experience of Amazon allows shoppers to use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products they want, and leave—no lines, no checkout. Isn’t that awesome? To revolutionize the shopping experience, Amazon Go uses artificial intelligence (AI) and a series of sensors. Let’s quickly look at how Amazon Go works, what you can buy at this cashier-less grocery store and how to shop there. ### How It Works Deep learning, sensor fusion and computer vision—the same technology which is used in self-driving cars, enables the checkout-free shopping experience of Amazon Go. The technology automatically detects when products are taken from or returned to the shelves and this is tracked in a virtual cart. You can leave the store as soon as you’re done shopping. A few moments after you leave the store, you are sent a receipt and your Amazon account is charged. ### What Can You Buy The grocery items at the store range from staples like bread and milk to locally made chocolates and artisan cheeses. Also, you will find at the store ready-to-eat snack, breakfast, lunch and dinner options by made by Amazon’s chefs and favorite local bakeries and kitchens. In addition, the store has chef-designed Amazon Meal Kits for a quick home-cooked dinner. ### How to Shop There Amazon Go makes shopping easy and this is no exaggeration. So, how do you shop at this cashier-less grocery store? With an Amazon account, a free Amazon Go app, and any recent-generation smart phone. The Amazon Go app can be easily downloaded from the Amazon Appstore, Google Play, and Apple App Store. After you arrive at the store, use the Amazon Go app to enter it. After this, you can put your phone in your pocket or bag as you won’t need it to shop. Simply look around and shop like you would do at any other store. Once you’ve picked the items you want, you’re done: No lines, No checkout! Even though it is a cashier-less store requiring no queues or checkouts, Amazon Go does have a team of associates at the store who are there to prepare the ready-to-eat food and assist customers in case they need a product recommendation or any other help. ## Is Amazon Go the Future of Brick-and-Mortar Retail and Ecommerce? The debate about the future of automated checkouts is ongoing, but Amazon Go has already created many ripples in the retail sector and eCommerce. A company that pioneered online retail, Amazon is now revolutionizing how people shop in store and in this process, disrupting many big-named retailers that came before it. Shoppers no longer need to buy items and then line up at the checkout counters to pay for them. They can simply pick items and leave the store without waiting in line and paying for items. Once you leave the store, Amazon will track what you’ve taken and will charge you accordingly. Many believe that this will change not only the brick-and-mortar retail, but also ecommerce. By using people and machines alongside each other in tandem, Amazon Go is ensuring an optimal customer experience. Businesses can no longer compete on price and product alone as we’re living in the ‘experience era’ of online service. Customers today want a seamless, convenient journey and that is exactly what Amazon Go provides. Amazon Go is the convenience of human support combined with technological speed, resulting in a fast, efficient shopping experience. Add to this Amazon Go’s ability to maintain this frictionless experience even when something goes haywire and you have a real winner. A little while back, the team at CNBC accidently got a free yoghurt. To quell any stress, both Amazon Go and the Yoghurt company demonstrated approachability. How? They made themselves available where the customers where: on Twitter, giving them real-time support. Offline support went online and the grievances were quickly taken care of to ensure a seamless experience. ## Final Word Amazon Go is changing retail in many ways including simpler and quicker checkout process, less use of paper money and more use of online payment, increased user experience of offline customers and dramatic reduction in labor costs. Additionally, by tracking individual shopping behavior to improve the online experience, Amazon Go is helping to take eCommerce to the next level. If you want to know more about Amazon Go and how it is helping eCommerce, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 3 Mobile Apps That Convert Voice to Text URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/voice-text/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:56.000Z Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to type something on your mobile phone to someone you were talking to but didn’t have your hands-free with you? We all have. There are many instances in our life where we want to create text but there are some hurdles that stops us from doing so. For example, you might want to compose a text message on your smart phone while you’re still working on a computer or send out an important SMS to your boos or colleague while your drive. While this wasn’t a few years ago, it is now. ## What the Mobile Apps Make Possible Instead of typing on the software of your smart phone, you can now use the voice dictation feature of mobile apps that allow you to convert voice to text. Today, there are many applications of speech recognition technology. About a decade ago, this technology was only used in robots. But, today you will find it in speech recognition systems in vehicles, airplanes, and so on. While speech recognition engines in vehicles are too complicated for most people to understand or buying a vehicle with this technology is not possible for most people, many of us do own a smart phone. And, this is what makes mobile apps that convert voice to text an amazing technology. Today, it is possible to do things that you couldn’t even imagine when Nokia was the world’s leading phone brand. The phones of Nokia allowed to convert text to speech. Smart phones today allow you to do the opposite of that, which is converting voice to text. Some smart phones have this capability in-built but there are few and far between. But almost all smart phones allow you to download and access mobile apps that convert voice to text. These apps make it possible and easy to make calls, and send out text messages simultaneously. ## The Best Apps for the Purpose Today, you say something to your computer and it transforms into text by itself, text that you can use in notes, document and email etc. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this was one of the futuristic things, but today it is reality. Today, voice recognition has reached new levels of accuracy, with smart technology such as Google Now and Siri providing smartness and utility. While many people use the voice to text technology such as Siri for search or voice memos, only a few are making use of the apps that allow you to send a text or Whatsapp message by dictating it. If you want perform tasks such as making calls and sending out texts simultaneously or want to give some rest to your fingers from typing text messages, then consider use apps that covert speech to text. Not only will this save you time and effort, it will also make your life a whole lot interesting. So, what are the best apps for the purpose? following are 3 mobile apps you should consider for converting voice to text. ### The Evernote App An app designed to keep track of ideas and inspirations, [Evernote](https://evernote.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is an amazing android app which converts speech to text. An app that helps you to takes notes on the go and remember important information, the Evernote app can be used to record voice notes such as meeting or lectures, and then convert them into text. By allowing you to take notes, create to-do-lists, record voice reminder, capture photos and save your ideas, the app enhances your productivity. An interesting application of this app is that it comes with a voice to text update. This means that when you take notes, you can shout it out to the app and it will create notes for you. This app is useful for many people including students and teachers who can use it to take important notes using just their voice. A latest version of this app is available today. ### Google Voice Search Want to search something online? you no longer need to type for it. With [Google](https://cloud.google.com/speech-to-text/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) search, you can search for anything by simply using your voice as input. This amazing feature is available through Google Play and can be easily installed. After you download the app, you will notice a microphone when you open the Google search. Tap on it and you’ll find that a search dialog box opens with ‘Speak now’ prompt. Whatever speech you input, it will be automatically converted into text. So, whatever query you have, just say it to Google search and let the app do the rest. ### Voice Assistant This is a newly created app that not only allows you to convert voice to text, but also allows you to quickly post to email, Facebook or Twitter. You can convert your transcriptions to the proper format without additional clicks by switching on your preferred option. Additionally, you can send your transcriptions to apps such as YouTube, Google Search and Evernote by using the auto copy feature of this app. The app also comes with on-screen editing and grammar correction options. Apps that convert voice to text are making life easier and this is no exaggeration. These apps for converting voice to text will allow you to accomplish a lot more than you do today. To know more about how these apps can help you, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) As the President of Percento Technologies International, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the firm. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a one call source for organizations in need of Enterprise IT Consulting and Management. We also provide a line of products in the boutique Cloud Server space with a touch of high-end website strategy consulting and design services. We personalizes the IT Service experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including energy services, financial, legal, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, retail and general and/or corporate business. Our Mission: "Creating innovative IT solutions for business leaders worldwide through cutting edge technologies." Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Website Theme URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-to-consider-when-selecting-a-website-theme/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:57.000Z Most people find it difficult to pick a website theme that fits the content of their site as they are literally thousands of themes to choose from, which can be overwhelming. Often, the problem stems from not knowing what the theme is for. The basic purpose of a theme is styling your content by applying fonts, color and layout to transform it into something that captures attention and encourages visitors to stay on your website. Since it helps to style your website content, keep it responsive across devices and load it in the blink of an eye, choosing the right theme for your website is crucial. However, with so many available options, choosing a website them can be a daunting task to say the least. Before you go shopping for a theme or invest money into one, find out how you can select the perfect website theme. So, how can you choose the right website theme? To pick the perfect website them, following are 5 things to consider when selecting a website theme. ## Simplicity The first step in choosing the right website theme is embracing or striving for simplicity. While a website design service can provide you with a lot of flashy animations, complex layouts and a range of colors, you should simply look for a theme with a design layout that helps you support your objective. Your website needs to look good but you should not compromise simplicity and usability for an aesthetically pleasing website. Contrary to popular belief, a good theme does not refer to a theme that looks good rather it refers to a theme that attracts subscribers or gets new business. Complicated themes take the user away from the desired call-to-action (CTA), and are a nuisance to navigate on smart phone or other mobile devices. So, make sure the theme you pick is easy to navigate, has an uncomplicated design and provides users with exactly what they’re looking for. Here, simple is brilliant! ## Readability A good website theme ensures high readability. To ensure high readability, choose a theme with a font that is consistent and easy on the eyes. Paragraphs are part of every website that has some content. Paragraphs are important whether they are written blocks of text spanning an entire page or just 1-sentence long. However, writing illegible blocks of text is a No-no. If you desire well-structured paragraphs on your site, then ensure they’re formatted well. The style, spacing and position of typography is what generates this formatting. Also, website designers and developers recommend using a theme that allows plenty of whitespace. ## Desktop and Mobile Optimization It is important for you to choose a website theme that is optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing. Today, more than a billion people use their mobile phones to search the internet for the information and/or the products/services they need. And, this makes it essential to have a mobile-friendly website. Before choosing a theme, double check to ensure that it’s optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing. If that isn’t already the case, optimizing website for mobile browsers will become essential in the coming future as all predictions and recommendations point towards it.No extensive analysis is required to comprehend the importance of doing this. Instead, there are examples of this in our everyday life. Honestly, all it takes to realize the importance of optimizing website for mobile viewing or browsing is paying closer attention to the devices people commonly use in their daily communication, public places and transport. ## Browser Compatibility It is extremely important for you to choose a browse that is compatible with all browsers. Regardless of the browser it is accessed on, your website needs to be fully responsive as this will as this will ensure a good user experience and even help to increase your search engine rankings, along with many other benefits. Your theme will be of no good if it works perfectly on one browser but seems crooked on another. You can check the theme on different browsers by running some basic tests. In addition to browser compatibility, ensure that the website them you choose is SEO-friendly. SEO-friendly themes will help you to get found online. For most beginners, diving into a code of a theme and then analyzing its SEO friendliness can be a real challenge.If you’re among them, then we would recommend that you take help from professional developers or design teams to fine a theme that is SEO-friendly and helps you get found online. ## Plugins It is important for you to ensure that the website theme you choose supports all major plugins. In fact, it is one of the most important steps in choosing the right website theme. Additionally, it allows you to have control over your website. In case you have a WordPress website, make sure to choose a theme that supports plugins such as WordPress SEO by Yoast and W3 Total Cache. This is in your own best interest. There you have it—the 5 things to consider when selecting a website theme. In addition to the above, you can reach out to the experts such as us to choose the right theme for your website. [www.percentotech.com/websites](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Do These 3 Things to Wake Up Wildly and Happy to Go to Work URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/do-these-3-things-to-wake-up-wildly-and-happy-to-go-to-work/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:58.000Z Are you one of those who don’t feel happy or excited waking up in the morning? If yes, then you’re not alone. There are millions of others like you. The good news is that there are a few simple you can do to break this habit and wake up wildly and happy to go to work each day. ## The Key to Waking up Excited and Happy Each Day What is the first thing you do after waking up in the morning? Unless it’s the weekend, you probably press the snooze button a couple of times, and then jump out of bed in panic, doing everything you need to do to get ready for work in a hurry. Sound familiar? It probably does. However, it doesn’t need to be that way. Doing a few simple things each morning will help you relax and ground yourself for the day, which in turn will ensure that you don’t wake up each morning full of stress and with a racing mind. Not only will these simple hacks help you to wakeup excited each day, they’ll will also ensure that you’re happy to go to work. For most people, work equates to just that, work. It’s a way to make ends meet, pay bills, support a family, and in the best-case scenario, pay for a vacation or car that you’ve been eyeing for some time. Many of us sit at our desks, or in an office on autopilot, performing our daily duties which seem less like a stimulating routine and more like a daily grind. Work isn’t exactly something that excites us each day but it can be, you just need to alter your thinking. Think about it: what’s stopping you from being happy at work? It’s a lack of inspiration or motivation that not only makes work feels like the last place you’d want to be, but also prevents you from shining at work and in life. So, what is that you do to change your daily habit? Do these 3 things to wake up wildly and happy to go to work. ### Determine What Success Means to You How is success defined? The truth of the matter is that there is no one, universal definition of success. The definition of success is very subjective and depends on the preferences and experiences of the person defining it. So, what does success mean to you? What motivates you to wake up each morning and do everything that you do in a day? Motivation varies from person to person and what motivates you may not motivate another person to take steps to change his or her life. If you ask me, then I’ll define success as spending and focusing most of your time on work or tasks that are fulfilling, help you to maximize your potential, and add meaning to your life. If you want to wake up happy and excited each day, then the first thing that you need to do is define your version of success. Once you determined what success means to you, write it down and ensure that your job and career is geared can help you achieve the success that’s important to you. ### Embrace Your Uniqueness and Identify Your Potential Want to get up every morning feeling motivated and excited to go to work? Then embrace your uniqueness and identify your potential. The kind of thinking and problem solving that helps you tackle a problem or challenge is what makes up your potential or genius. When you’re in that zone, pay careful attention to what you’re doing to identify this type of thinking that will help you unlock your potential. Be specific about what the type of thinking you have in that moment because that is your genius. You need to value and use your genius or potential as much as possible because it’s the great power you possess, the power that will allow you to face challenges head on and see work as an opportunity to grow and become everything that you ever wanted to be rather than a daily grind. ### Leverage Your Purpose Completely Every person in the world wants to feel that their work is contributing to something meaningful to them and the world. However, when people aren’t clear about their purpose, they start to seek thigs that can help them change the world outside of work to make up for what they’re lacking or are not experiencing in their everyday job. If you want to wake up feeling happy and excited to go to work each day, then you not only need to have a purpose in life, you also need to leverage it fully at work. Once you start to leverage your purpose at work, you will start to experience fulfillment each day, which will help to ensure your happiness at work. In times when working on cruise control is a commonplace, don’t settle for anything that does not energize you or make you feel motivated at work. If you can ensure this, feeling challenged and fulfilled at work won’t be a pipe dream anymore. And remember - to work somewhere awesome always helps with happiness and self satisfaction. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Ways to Prepare Your Business for A Natural Disaster URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-ways-to-prepare-your-business-for-a-natural-disaster/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:58.000Z It is often seen that when disaster strikes, businesses are simply not prepared for it. And this results in huge losses. Even if your business is based in a state where natural disasters are not a commonplace, and the potential for a disaster is as good as zero, you should get your business ready to cope with the impact of a disaster. Savvy business owners and managers know well that preparation is an essential ingredient for success and one that you need to pay careful attention to. So, preparing your business for a disaster is a necessity rather than an option. While every business needs a disaster recovery plan, only a few have it. Why is that? There are several reasons for this but generally it is due to not knowing where to start. They are many variants to consider and you need to include almost all aspect of the business. While you can create the disaster plan on your own, it is best to get specialist help for it. Nevertheless, they’re a few things that you can do on your own to get your business ready for a natural disaster. What are those things? Following are 5 ways you can prepare your business for a natural disaster. ## Create a Survival Kit Whether you accept it or not, your employees or the people working for you are your biggest assets. So, the first thing you should think about when developing a disaster plan is protecting your employees. A great way to protect your employees/workers against natural disasters is creating a survival kit. In the aftermath of a disaster and all the chaos that surrounds it, finding and helping your employees would be difficult for anyone. For the above reason, it is crucial that you gather food, plenty of water, first aid supplies, an emergency phone, a quality hand crank radio, and flashlights to prepare for the worst. Additionally, you can ensure that you will have enough food and water for even the longest of rescue missions by getting your employees/workers involved in the creation of the disaster plan. ## Back Up All Your Data Today, most business transactions are conducted electronically. For this reason, it is crucial to back up and save all your files and data stored on computers and/or servers. Without important financial and client databases, your business may not be able to reestablish itself. Store your physical files in a waterproof container at the office or in an offsite facility while backing up your electronically stored data with a cloud/web service that can be accessed from any computer and at any time. Doing this is a necessity rather than an option. ## Duplicate Your Physical Assets While the companies who have their data stored in the cloud don’t have to worry about this, there are many small businesses that hold their data in local on-site servers. While duplicating your physical assets isn’t something that would be on top of your priority list, you will be wishing that you had invested in a redundant server when a natural disaster threatens your physical location. The good news is that finding such a solution today is not that difficult. You will come across plenty of simple and affordable solutions that fulfill the above purpose. An example of this is server mirror—a network management process which enables you to continuously create an exact replica of a server. With this technique, businesses can ensure the restoration of data in case the primary server fails. This in turn ensures the duplication of the entire contents of a server, disaster recovery and backup, and most importantly, business continuity. There are many different types of disasters that can strike your business. So, regardless of where you are based, having all your business data stored in a single location is an unnecessary risk and one that you can easily avoid. ## Ensure you Have Adequate Insurance Coverage Thinking about your insurance coverage is important when preparing a disaster plan. Sit down with your agent to discuss what risks you are covered for to determine if you have adequate insurance. Find out if you have business interruption insurance as this will compensate you for loss income in case your business is hit by a disaster. Your business can be completely lost to a tornado, a hurricane of even a flood in the blink of an eye. This makes it crucial for you to get a quality insurance that covers you for all types of natural disaster and everything that they impact. ## Create a Post-Disaster Plan In addition to the plan for the disaster, you need to create a plan that guides you about how you’re going to move forward after the disaster. Know how you’re going to move things forward after the disaster is part of preparing for a natural disaster. Having a plan to keep your business operational after a disaster is crucial for its future survival and success. Be ready to handle the obstacles that come your way as this will ensure that you not scrambling when a disaster strikes. There is huge value in planning ahead, and the biggest value lies in keeping up business operational after the disaster. By referring to the above information, you can get your business well-prepared for a natural disaster. Get in touch with us today to know more ways of preparing your business for a natural disaster. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Things You Should Never Say to Your Best Employees URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-your-best-employees/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:59.000Z Managing people is the toughest part of a leader’s job. As a leader, you may not be as accountable as your employees and get away with most things, but bad behavior on your part will not just affect the morale of your employees, it will also have a negative impact on your company’s growth. Just like employees, managers or leaders are human too and they can have bad days like anyone else. However, there are certain boundaries that leaders mustn’t cross. As the leader, you are the one in charge. You are responsible for steering the ship and your words carry the most weight so make sure you choose them wisely. Here are 5 things you should never say to your employees—especially to the best ones. ## ‘I’m in Charge. So, Do What I Tell You To’ If you say these words to your employees, then you’re being demeaning and disrespectful and people won’t work long for a boss who demeans and disrespects employees. Remember, everyone at work is an adult and has a certain degree of self-respect. If you say anything that hurts the self-respect of an employee, then don’t expect that employee to be motivated to work for you. Even if you are the one paying your employees, you have no right to hurl abuses at them for not doing their job. Remember, you employees are not your slaves and they will be disheartened to work for you if you come down too hard on them. If an employee doesn’t understand the importance of a task, then provide more detail. Show them how performing the task will benefit them, the team and the organization as a whole. Don’t abuse your authority. Instead, be respectful when dealing with employees by engaging them in conversation, ask questions in a polite manner and welcoming feedback from them. ## Don’t Waste My Time. We’ve Already Tried This Before By sharing their thoughts and ideas on processes they see or use each day, employees add value to the organization. However, often the idea and thoughts on processes shared by employees have been tried or thought of before. In such cases, the worst thing a manager or leader can say is ‘We already know that or we’ve already tried that’ without letting the employee complete what he/she has to say on the matter. Not only does this demotivate employees, it also shuts down innovation and initiative within the company, which in turn prevents the company from growing. So, if you want your company to grow, encourage open dialogue and allow employees to share their ideas and thoughts on processes and other company matters they’re involved in. ## It’s Your Problem. You Deal with It Maintain an attitude of shared responsibilities with your employees if you want them to be their best. Think of their problems as your own problems and contribute equally to come up with a solution. Never let your employees feel isolated in a crisis. For employees, nothing is more discomforting than a boss or leader who shuts them out and doesn’t help them when they raise an issue. As a leader/boss, it is your responsibility to be involved in the problems of your employees as this will put across to them that their work is valued and they’re part of a bigger effort. While you may not have the solution to every problem your employees face, offering support, guidance and advice to employees will help them find the required solution. The quality of good leaders is that they take responsibility for their actions. You do nothing but set a bad example for employees to follow in the future when your shrug away blame or shirk away responsibility. ## You’re Doing Perfect While validating the effort of your best employees is always good, telling them that they’re doing perfect can backfire. By telling your best employees they’re doing perfect, you stop them from improving. Remember, your employees will always have room for improvement so if you want your employees to improve, then provide them corrective feedback rather than feedback that is ‘over the top’. Honest but encouraging feedback is what will motivate your best employees to improve further and this will pay you back in form of increased productivity and revenue. ## Work till You Drop Dead You don’t necessarily have to utter these words for them to leave an impact. Your actions are enough to do that. No one is asking you to let everyone with a cold have days off from work but you will be doing more harm than good to your company if you force employees to work with contagious conditions such as Influenza and other viral illnesses. Not only will the sick employees turn in less than satisfactory work, they will also spread their germs and cause other employees to become sick. Surely, you wouldn’t want more than half of your employees to be sick when you have an important deadline coming up. If you say these 5 things to your best employees, verbally or non-verbally, you will make it incredibly difficult for your company to grow or even survive. So, avoid these words/things like you would a plague! Employees are your biggest asset. Treat them right so they treat the clients well. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Ways to Create Disciplined Work Habits URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/disciplined-work-habits/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:59.000Z There are some people at work who always seem to get things done regardless of time constraints or the complexity of the task. Procrastination is a foreign word to these people and they do need any ‘productivity hacks’. Do you know what these people have that other don’t? a strong work ethic. What makes a strong work ethic? It is a work ethic based on the ideals on discipline and hard work. Training oneself to follow these ideals is what is required to build a strong work ethic. With a strong work ethic, work—regardless of its complexity, is never a struggle. It is paramount not only to achieve your own targets but also help the company to achieve its goals. From the entry-level workers to the CEO, every employee of the company must have a strong work ethic if the company desires to function at its peak and achieve the desired level of success. A strong work ethic is the coming together of certain factors. What are these factors? Following are 5 ways to create disciplined work habits. ## Create an ‘Exciting’ Routine If you aren’t excited about waking up each day to go to work then you can forget developing any habits that allow you to be productive and successful at work. So, how can you create an ‘exciting’ routine? Firstly, make a habit of waking up early. To achieve this habit, you need to give yourself a reason to get excited about. There must be something that’d make you excited to get out of bed in the morning each day? It could be incredible breakfast or coffee, an early workout routine or someone at work that you always look forward to meeting? Whatever it is, it will have you 1-0 up. ## Ensure Unwavering Commitment and Accountability To do whatever is required to achieve a goal, you will need unwavering commitment. However, commitment rarely comes easy. Instead, it requires discipline, which is something most people are unable to achieve by themselves. One way to discipline yourself to ensure unwavering commitment is making yourself accountable for your actions. By ensuring accountability for your actionsor for your failures, you will have a new purpose, a new drive, and a little more excitement in your life. ## Develop a Sense of Responsibility How you work and the amount of work you accomplish each day depends on how strong your sense of responsibility is. You reach work on time, put in your best effort and complete tasks/projects to the best of your abilities only when you feel personally responsible for your work performance. Remember, no one will do your work for you and neither will anyone force you into action. You must do this yourself. If you want to create a strong work ethic then avoid laziness or stagnation. Develop a sense of responsibility that encourages you to move, take action, change and grow. However, this will only happen when you make some choices and get going. Also, make sure not to confuse laziness with ease. Laziness will only yield difficulties and painful regret in the long run and you will be the one to blame for it because these problems would have been avoided had you developed a sense of responsibility and stepped up your game. Make sure this does not happen to you. ## Ensure Persistency Persistence is one of the first things required to build a strong or disciplined work ethic. You lack this quality if you can’t stay focused on a task for long or quickly burn out after a short period of work. Just like it is important to build endurance for a race, building persistence is required to motivate yourself to work for longer periods of time. While ensuring persistency is important, you must balance persistence with periods of rest. This is for your own good. Even if you have a strong work ethic, working for eleven or twelve hours straight is never a good strategy. However, training yourself to work for such long work periods will ensure that these periods seem shorter to you than they actually are, which will make work easier and less stressful for you. ## Act with Good Purpose Working without an end result is a big NO. Avoid going in circles doing work that won’t lead you to the desired outcomes. Establish a purpose and then ensure your actions are aligned with it. Plan each work day in advance, ideally at the end of the previous workday. At the same time, check back with your purpose. Find out ways to develop a purpose or establish clear goals if you don’t have any clear purpose or goals. Once you’ve established the purpose and goals, ensure that your workdays are aligned with these priorities. When you start to consider possible actions, contemplate which ones will matter a year or so. Dedicate most of your time or workday to actions that you expect will help you the most in achieving the set purpose and goals. A strong work ethic is required to achieve productivity and be successful at work and this work ethic is a by-product of disciplined work habits practiced day in, day out. The ways to create these habits and build a strong work ethic are mentioned above. By loving what you do makes these habits easy to obtain. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Apple Music and Spotify Compete for Subscribers URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-and-spotify/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:12:59.000Z In January this year, Spotify confirmed its seventy million subscribers, reaffirming its position as the world’s premier streaming service. While Apple music is starting to compete for subscribers with Spotify, it is still a distant second with about thirty million subscribers as of September 2017\. However, latest reports in the Wall Street Journal and a few other publications show that Apple is gaining subscribers in the U.S at a higher rate than Spotify, with Apple Music’s subscribers growing by 5% each month compared to Spotify’s 2%. While Apple Music is gaining an edge in the local market, Spotify continues to lead globally, with the Stockholm based streaming service having twice as many paid subscribers as the streaming service of Apple Inc. This is nothing less of an achievement when you consider that all iOS devices come preloaded with Apple Music’ services and that Apple Inc has presence in more markets than Spotify. ## The Duel Pre-2018 In 2005, Martin Lorentzon and Daniel Ek co-founded Spotify—the music streaming service, in an apartment in Sweden. A year on, they launched the service in Europe. It took Ek and Lorentzon four more year to finally enter the U.S market but it didn’t take Spotify long to become popular in the country, with features such as New Music Fridays and Discover Weekly playlists helping the cause. In 2011—just a year after entering the U.S market, Spotify announced that it had reached a million paid subscribers. In 2015, Apple Inc decided to launch its own streaming service called Apple Music. Considering Apple’s might and past successes, people and experts started to predict that doomsday was imminent for Spotify. And, this prediction came true to an extent. In a little over a year, the American multinational tech company claimed half of Spotify’s users. However, Spotify refused to give in to the might of Apple Inc. And, this paid dividend. From the start of 2016 till the mid-2017, Spotify’s user base grew exponentially and in June 2016, the Swedish based streaming service announced that it had reached sixty million subscribers. This was 33 million more than Apple Music’s user base around the same time. The above strengthened Spotify’s plans for a direct listing. In the summer of last year, a few leading publications reported that the listing would take place near the end of 2017 but nothing has materialized yet. However, the company’s plans for a direct listing are very much alive and the listing may occur sometime soon. In case you weren’t aware of it, a direct listing allows companies to go public without actually going public. Confused? Well, don’t be! In a direct listing, a company does not publicly sell its shares. Instead, the listing allows insiders and early stockholders to directly sell their shares on an exchange. In 2015, Spotify was valued at $8.5 million. Considering that it had increased its user base exponentially since then, Spotify’s value is likely to be a lot more when its direct listing finally happens. ## The Battle in 2018 and Beyond As mentioned earlier, Apple Music—the streaming service developed by Apple Inc, is starting to close the gap on its Swedish counterpart Spotify in terms of paid subscribers. Since the end of 2017, Apple Music has been growing its user base at the growth rate of 5% and if this trend continues till the summer, then Apple’s streaming service will overtake Spotify in terms of user base or paid subscribers. In September 2017, Apple Music had thirty million paid subscribers. Today, that number has increased to thirty-six million. While Spotify managed to hold its ground for a few years after the launch of Apple’s streaming service, it will have a tough time doing the same in 2018 and beyond. Spotify has already started to lose subscribers to Apple Music and Apple’s streaming service will only get better, which will increase its lure and make thing incredibly tough for the streaming service headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. While both Spotify and Apple Music have made the total number of subscribers they have public, they haven’t revealed where these subscribers are based, which means that the number of Spotify and Apple Music subscribers in the U.S are not known. However, the U.S subscribers of both these streaming services are likely to be in the millions when you consider the amount of people in the U.S subscribed to streaming services. While Apple Music is expected to claim top spot at some point this year, the battle for subscribers will continue beyond 2018\. Spotify won’t lay down its arms and surrender so easily. Instead, it will fight till its last breath or till it makes economic sense to do so. Till 2018, Spotify enjoyed an edge over Apple music in terms of paid subscribers. However, this is expected to change in 2018 as Apple Music grows its user base at a rate of 5% compared to the 2% growth rate of Spotify. The paid subscribers count of Apple Music is expected to surpass the same of Spotify by summer this year. While Apple’s streaming service may overtake Spotify this year, expect the Stockholm based streaming service to make a comeback in 2019 and heat up the battle once again! Makes me want to pull up some Coldplay and chill. ;) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Why This Woman’s iPhone X YouTube Video Got Her Dad Fired from Apple URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/iphone-x-youtube-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:00.000Z The American tech giant Apple reportedly fired an engineer working at the company after discovering that his daughter had leaked information about the unreleased iPhone X on her YouTube channel.Showing off her ‘dad’s’ new iPhone X, Brooke Amelia Peterson—a Youtuber, posted a video with the smart phone in October of last year. The video includes footage of Apple’s cafeteria and showcases many of the new iPhone’s features. A few days after it was posted, the video managed to make it to YouTube’s top trending videos list and this resulted in Brooke Amelia’s father being fired from his job. Not long after, the video was removed from YouTube without any explanation. After her dad’s sacking, Brooke Amelia posted a video explaining why her dad was fired from Apple. Here is what she said in the follow-up video: *"I had no idea that this was a violation,". "My father takes full responsibility for letting me film his iPhone X." "Apple let him go. At the end of the day, when you work for Apple, it doesn't matter how good of a person you are. If you break a rule, they just have no tolerance."* **She further added**, “*They had to do what they had to do’. ‘I'm not mad at Apple. I'm not going to stop buying Apple products...My dad had a really great run at Apple.’ ‘I don't think he deserved this, but we're okay," "We're good*." ## How It All Transpired Expect no leniency if you break an Apple Rule. These are not our words but those of people working at Apple. According to them, Apple’s first rule is that you do not talk about Apple and the second rule of the company is also the same, ‘**You DO Not Talk About Apple’**. And, what worse than talking about Apple? Displaying an unreleased product in public. This is a lesson an Apple engineer and his YouTuber daughter learned the hard way. It all starts with Brooke Amelia Peterson—the daughter of the sacked Apple employee, recording a video in Silicon Valley. The video started like any other YouTube video posted by teenagers with footages of shopping for makeup and clothing and then a visit to Apple’s campus for what seemed like dinner with her father. The two head to the office cafeteria and start munching on pizzas and this is when the crime is committed. Brooke Amelia’s father hands her the iPhone X to test. And, this is when YouTube viewers get to see footage of the new iPhone X for a good forty-five seconds including the phone’s design and camera. Here is part of her Vlog video that started it all: The man fired from his job and Brooke Amelia’s father is Ken Bauer—a now former engineer at Apple. Neither Bauer nor Apple commented on the former’s sacking from the company. Tim Cook—the chief executive of Apple could pardon Bauer and welcome him back into the company fold, but history reveals that Apple shows no mercy to leaks whether they are done on purpose or are accidental. Following are a few lessons to learn from Bauer’s firing from Apple. ### Going Viral isn’t Necessarily a Good Thing Ask any novice YouTuber about their biggest wish and they will tell you ‘going viral’. Contrary to popular belief, going viral on YouTube or any other video blogging/sharing site isn’t always a good thing. Brooke Amelia did not expect her YouTube video featuring the iPhone X to receive as many views as it did. While the views far exceeded her expectations, she wasn’t too happy about it. Why? because she received backlash rather than praise from her viewers. What’s the lesson? The Internet is a crazy place with all sorts of people so you need to be extremely carefully what you post there. ### Mistakes You Make Online Can Affect People Other Than You While the decision of what you post online lies with you, you need to keep in mind that what you choose to post to the internet can affect people other than you. This includes your near and dear ones. So, avoid getting caught up in the moment and doing something you’ll regret later. Instead, think long and hard before posting anything online. Ask yourself the following questions before posting to the internet: - How will I feel about this a week, month or even years from now? - How will this affect me or others now and in the future? ### Train Your Children to Make the Right Choices Online Kids and teenagers may be more tech-savvy than a middle-aged person or older but they lack the experience and level of judgement required to make sound decisions online. For this reason, training children to make the right choices online is imperative. You wouldn’t give your 16-year-old the car keys without first teaching them how to drive so how can you allow him complete access to social media without appropriate training. After all, teaching your children how to behave on social and online can be the difference between keeping your job or being fired from it. Brooke Amelia Peterson and her father learned the hard way that misuse of the internet can result in dire consequences. If you don’t want to suffer the same fate, then always keep the above lessons in mind. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Intel’s Smart Glasses that Look Normal URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/intels-smart-glasses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:00.000Z Almost a month ago, Intel—the American multinational tech company, launched Vaunt—smart glasses enabled by augmented reality (AR) technology. Unlike the HoloLens from Microsoft or the Magic Leap from Google, the smart glasses from Intel actually look good. Also, if you don’t want to look like someone going on a mining escapade, then we’d recommend you choose Intel’s smart glasses that look normal over the Magic leap or HoloLens. The last smart glasses to be introduced in the mainstream were Google Glass—glasses that made headlines for all the wrong reasons including being used to gesture fiercely in front of surprised bystanders or record people without permission. Unlike the Google Glass, or other glasses in the smart spectacles category, Vaunt does not have features such as motion or touch controls or outward-facing cameras. To make the company’s smart glasses hands-free, the New Design Group (NDG) of Intel is relying on a combination of lasers, head motions, AI, and voice controls. If you’re wondering about the price, release date and potential features of these AR glasses, then read on to get all your questions answered. ## All About the Vaunt Ever since it was introduced in the mainstream, the Vaunt has been a hot topic of discussion among tech geeks and enthusiasts. While most of them have been asking about its price, release date and potential features, there are some who just want to know what it actually is. If you’re among the latter, the simple answer to your question is that the Vaunt is AR smart glasses manufactured by Intel. Unlike the Google Glass or other smart glasses out there, the Vaunt look normal or like the average spectacles a person would wear to read a book, watch a favorite soap opera or just see how beautiful our world really is. Alright, enough of the dramatics and back to the Vaunt—the smart glasses from Intel without any microphone, camera or odd display attached to the frame. ### The Features A key feature of Intel’s smart glasses is the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser—a laser low in power used to project a red image onto the rights lens’ ‘holographic reflector’ that isn’t in the normal line of sight. For this reason, people wearing the Vaunt are not required to look continuously at notifications. Reflected back to the retina of the user, the image is supposedly safe and always in focus. The laser technology of the Vaunt isn’t the only thing worth noticing in the glasses. The smart glasses also boast Bluetooth that can be connected to both, Android and iOS, phones. Other noticeable features of the Vaunt include a built-in app processor, an accelerometer, and a compass. Also, when the glasses receive notifications, they do not vibrate or make any noise. Instead, the notification will appear somewhere near the glasses worn by users. However, this won’t be visible to those around the users of the Vaunt. If you read the reports pertaining to it, you’d believe the Vaunt to be very basic smart glasses. While this may be true today, it is unlikely to be the case in the future. Just like the Smartphone evolved and progresses over the years, the Vaunt and other similar gadgets are expected to feature new technology and apps in the years to come. In fact, Intel has announced publicly that it will start testing new apps and possibilities for the Vaunt soon. ### The Release Date With so much to look forward to, it’s no surprise that people are curious about the release date of Intel’s smart glasses. However, there has been no announcement from the company about it. While the release date for the Vaunt is not known yet, developers can look forward to an ‘early access program’ that is scheduled to launch sometime later this year. Intel has been a bit hesitant to announce a date for the release of its smart glasses but according to some news sources, the American tech company is planning to outsource the design and sales of the Vaunt to a company that has bonafide expertise in manufacturing and selling tech products. Since Intel is unlikely to sell the smart glasses directly to consumers, one should not expect the announcement of a release date for Vaunt from it. Instead, we will have to wait for the company to pick a partner for designing and selling the Vaunt and then look forward to an announcement of the release date from the partner. ### The Price Just like the release date for the smart glasses, the price of the Vaunt is not known yet. However, industry experts are predicting that the price will be lower than the price of the smart glasses already available. Right now, Google Glass—the smart glasses from Google, is priced at $1,500 while HoloLens costs around $3,000\. So, you can expect the price of the Vaunt to be lower than those. Vaunt—the smart glasses from Intel, are making headlines for all the right reasons. Intel’s smart glasses look normal, they are anything but. What makes the Vaunt so special? When can I expect to buy it? Will it make me look odd? If you have been asking such questions, then get in touch with us today to have all your queries answered! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Business Amazon Had a Great Year Selling Echo URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-amazon/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:01.000Z Beating expectations, Amazon grew revenue significantly during the last quarter of 2017\. Major contributors to this increased revenue included a growing Amazon Web Services business, and Echo products that sold in the millions. While Amazon did not reveal the exact number of Echos it sold during the previous quarter, there is believed to be in the millions. The two days Echo products performed the strongest during the 4th quarter of 2017 were Cyber Monday and Black Friday. During Cyber Monday and Black Friday, Echo performed exceptionally well in stores as well as online. Additionally, the Echo products—Echo Dot, Echo Spot, and Echo Buttons, were completely sold out during the holiday period. Before we dig deeper into Amazon’s Echo products and why they’re so popular, let’s take a quick look at the Amazon’s reported figures for the previous year including the revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. ## Amazon’s Products That Performed Strongest in 2017 After market close on February 1, Amazon announced its earnings for the 4th quarter of 2017\. The total revenue of Amazon during the quarter exceeded $60 billion, representing an almost 40% increase in revenue from the previous quarter. The net income of the American e-commerce and cloud computing company during the quarter was over $1.8 billion, with EPS being $3.75. Over four billion dollars in revenue were raked in by physical stores, which included Amazon Whole Foods and bookstores. One of the strongest performers during the quarter was Amazon Web Services (AWS), which exceeded estimates by .11 billion to finish with a revenue of $5.11 billion during the quarter. Despite recording healthy revenues during the last quarter throughout 2017, Amazon continued to spend heavily, to help the continued expansion of the company. Compared to the over ten billion dollars in 2016, the company’s free cash flow in 2017 was only $8.4 billion. Compared to the $4.2 billion that the company was recording in the previous years, Amazon’s overall operating income in 2017 decreased by 2% to close at $4.1 billion. Though, the operating income of AWS during the year increased by forty six percent, which meant that it was the biggest contributor to Amazon’s operating income during the previous quarter. It is important to note that the above figures are not an exhaustive list as Amazon has been secretive many of its financials. While the company has made public its bestselling products and how they generally performed during a specific period, it’s hesitant to share the exact units of these products that sold during the period. And, thus we can only speculate how many Echo products sold during the last quarter and throughout 2017. ## The Echo Product That Raked in the Most Revenue On Black Friday and Cyber Monday, people flocked to Amazon’s physical and online stores to buy products such as the Kindle devices and Amazon Echo. During the last quarter and throughout 2017, Echo devices performed exceptionally well, showing no signs of stopping. According to Amazon, Echo Dot—the smart speaker enabled by the intelligent assistant Alexa, was its bestselling product online globally during the holiday period. The company also revealed that Echo was the best-selling product on Black Friday. The increase in popularity of Echo devices can be credited to a record-low price and increase in prominence of smart assistants like Alexa. On Black Friday, Amazon lowered the price of the product from $50 to $30, which helped increase sales by thousands. On Cyber Monday, Amazon further discounted the price of the Echo Dot, lowering it from $30 or $29.99 to be precise to just $20\. This was too good of an offer to let go and thousands of people across the globe bought the Echo for themselves on the day.In addition to its remarkable performance on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Echo was the best-selling product among products from any manufacturer in any category on Prime Day. While Amazon did not reveal the exact number of Dots it sold during the previous quarter, it is believed to be in the millions. ## The Echo Products on Offer Considering how popular they are today, it’s only right to review the Echo products on offer, which include the Echo Show, the Echo Plus, and the Echo Dot. Boasting a camera, a screen, and speaker, the Echo Show allows users to view weather forecasts, read shopping and to-do-lists, Watch YouTube videos, watch video news broadcasts, monitor smart security cameras, view song lyrics from Amazon Music, and video chat with other Echo users. Offering enhanced speakers and Dolby processing, the Echo Plus boasts incredible sound quality and seven far-field microphones. According to Amazon, the device can hear you from anywhere even when music is playing. Echo Dot—the best-selling Echo product, provides users with everything from weather forecast to the latest news to music playback and even control of smart home products. Additionally, the device has Bluetooth functionality, which allows you to connect it to any Bluetooth speaker in your home and play music as loud as you want to. All in all, if you have these Echo devices by your side, then your life will be a whole lot easier. Amazon had a great year selling Echo and the details are given above. To know more about Echo or find out about other similar products, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Impending Bubble or Surefire Bet: How to Explain the Soaring Price of Bitcoin URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/price-bitcoin/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:01.000Z With the current market for Bitcoin coming in at over $300 billion dollars, everyone from media outlets, to financial conglomerates, to government regulators across the world, seems to be sitting up and taking notice. But how did a currency that was once known solely as the preferred method of payment for illicit deals on the internet’s black markets become the mainstream juggernaut it is today? # Embracing the Establishment Admittedly the profile of the average Bitcoin investor has changed somewhat over the past couple of years. Where once, free market extremists and hackers drove cryptocurrency prices, today a score of major Wall Street players are pouring their money into Bitcoin. In fact, many of these well-established institutional investors have set up hedge funds specifically for the purpose of capitalizing on the rapidly appreciating virtual currency. Respected financial leaders including: Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfien, and IMF head Christine Lagarde, have only added fuel to the fire, by expressing their interest in the possibilities offered by the easily accessible exchange system. As stock exchanges open their doors to trading on Bitcoin futures, the currency now finds itself under the regulatory purview of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. And the CFTC has been quick to make its presence felt. Under new proposed guidelines issued by the agency, any contract which fails to result in a handover of virtual currency within 28 days will result in the transaction being treated as a futures contract; with all the strict oversight that entails. The increased scrutiny on risky transactions is expected to reduce some of the characteristic volatility of Bitcoin, as safer, more liquid investment begins to enter the market. # Greater Usage Not only is Bitcoin being traded more often on a daily basis, an increasing number of consumers are beginning to use the currency for transactional purposes. In just the past couple of years the number of transactions made using Bitcoin has grown from 50,000 to 140,000 per day; with the average daily value of these exchanges pegged at around $1.5 billion in late October. Today, major online retailers such as Overstock, Expedia, Newegg and even we here at Percento Technologies accept Bitcoin payment for their goods and services. With Japan authorizing Bitcoin as an official payment method in early 2017, an estimated 260,000 brick and mortar stores across the country have responded, by adapting their checkout options to include Bitcoin payment through mobile applications. As countries like Russia and India look to follow suit, it seems clear that widespread acceptance in other industries across the world is soon to follow. Indeed just this past monthly two luxury homes over in the UK were sold using Bitcoin as the method of payment. # A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Many industry insiders blame Bitcoin’s surging popularity on simple human emotion. With Bitcoin rising almost 5000% since early January, many investors are driven to buy through the fear of missing out on the surging currency now, while there’s still a chance for even greater appreciation. This is despite the fact that selling Bitcoin at market value is a far more difficult proposition, than buying it, at this point in time. For many Bitcoin adopters, investment in the currency is a signal of confidence in the future of the blockchain. These cryptocurrency enthusiasts are buying Bitcoin for the future promise it holds as a *store of value*, than as an investment to sell or hold. In a world where many Bitcoin fanatics expect the currency to surpass a million dollars per coin in just a few years, that doesn’t seem like such a far-fetched idea anymore. # Move to the Lightning Network One of the biggest stumbling blocks facing Bitcoin currently is the speed and price of transactions on the main blockchain. Currently, the network only allows 1MB of data to be allocated to each block of a Bitcoin transaction. This means that there’s a very limited amount capacity available for each new transaction; and the capacity that is available will go towards the highest bidder. So the average consumer could find themselves paying $9-$12 for a simple transaction that takes up to 10 minutes to go through. For a currency that prides itself on being accessible and responsive, those sorts of issues don’t exactly engender customer goodwill. Lightning builds upon the decentralization of Bitcoin, by adding smart contract functionality to the blockchain. By moving Bitcoin transactions to this new protocol, it would become possible to make payments to other network participants in milliseconds. The increased capacity of the network would also allow billions of transactions to take place at the same time, without any slowdown in speed. Moving to Bitcoin transactions to the Lightning network would drastically reduce the cost of each transaction, and greatly ease the amount of congestion on the main block chain as well. All in all, this innovation could see Bitcoin truly become a viable method of payment for the everyday sale and purchase of goods. With beta testing on Lightning finishing recently, industry insiders have drawn a strong correlation between this new protocol and the sudden surge in Bitcoin demand. # A Note for Concern Even as institutional investors and private buyers alike continue to clamor for Bitcoin, many banks and trading groups are urging a more cautious approach. Sudden swings in value are very common with the cryptocurrency. In April 2013, Bitcoin rose as high as $223 only to fall back down to $63 almost overnight. In November of that same year prices skyrocketed to $1150 only to crash to $500 by December. It’s this sort of volatility that gives many investors pause for thought when it comes to Bitcoin investments. Many of these parties are also concerned by the ease with which derivative trading on Bitcoin was okayed by the CFTC. While the currency is certainly riding high currently, shrewd market participants may be getting ready to short the stock in anticipation of a sudden price drop. With no fundamental value underlying Bitcoin, this sort of manipulation could see the pricing bubble collapse, suddenly and spectacularly as investors move to abandon ship. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Successful Life Story of Jack Welch URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-life-story-jack-welch/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:01.000Z Over the course of decades or even centuries, there are only a few people that leave an impact on the world that benefits the generations to come. Jack Welch is one of them. General Electric—the American multinational conglomerate, is making life easy for people in the United States and around the world in more than one way and if there was only person to thank for it, then Jack Welch would be that person. The choices to success are relatively simple. Even if they don’t have many options available to them, successful people don’t sit around idly. Instead, they give whatever makes the most sense to them a try. They try and if they fail, they pick themselves up and move on the next available option. Come what may, they do not stop and this isn’t a temporary resolve, rather a life choice they make. Successful people don’t get stuck in the mud and blame others for getting them there. Instead, they look for a way out rather than finding scapegoats for their situation. This is a message everyone who worked with Jack Welch—at GE or elsewhere, got loud and clear. During his career, Welch inspired many people to pursue their dreams and aspirations and the best thing is that he lived what he was telling people to do. ## The Early Life and Education of Jack Welch A chemical engineer and one of the most successful business executives in history, Jack Welch was born into poverty. Welch’s father was a Railroad conductor and he spent most of his middle and high school years working blue collar jobs including working as a drill press operator, a golf caddie, a shoe salesman, and a newspaper delivery boy. Although, he worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, Welch was never distracted from his studies and performed well academically throughout middle and high school. His hard work paid dividend as he was accepted to the University of Massachusetts Amherst late in his senior year. In 1957, Jack Welch graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Welch went for higher studies and in the year 1960, he graduated with a Masters and a PHD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. ## The Years at General Electric Welch’s 40-year affiliation with GE started in 1960 when he joined the company’s ‘plastics’ division as a chemical engineer. Welch’s annual salary at the time was $10,500\. Over the next decade, Jack Welch continued to impress the C-suite executives—winning their respect and admiration, and this led to him being appointed as the youngest vice president in GE’s history in 1972\. Seven years later, in 1979, he was promoted to the position of Vice Chairman, and in 1981, he became the eighth chairman and CEO of General Electric. Under Welch’s leadership, GE experienced tremendous growth with the company’s value increasing by 4000% during Welch’s tenure. As chairman and CEO of the company, Welch ensured that GE turned every opportunity into business success. Jack Welch believed in decentralizing organizations and this is the reason he gave managers complete freedom to take decisions that led to faster growth and increased profits. With Jack Welch at the helm, General Electric acquired new businesses, streamlined operations and ensured that every [business](http://www.percento.company/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) under the company’s banner was among the best. The revenues of GE in 1980—the year before Jack Welch became the company’s Chairman and CEO, was just over $25 billion. In 2000—the year before Welch’s retirement from the company, General Electric’s revenue was $130 billion. Additionally, Jack Welch helped increase the company’s market value from just $14 billion to over $400 billion, making GE the largest and most valuable company in the world. ## Life Post GE Upon retirement from General Electric, Jack Welch was given severance payment of over $400 million, which is the largest severance payment in history. However, Welch did not sit at home after receiving this mammoth severance payment. Instead, he started providing consulting services to organizations and CEOs, including serving as an advisor to Barry Diller—the chief executive of IAC, and to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice—a private equity firm.In 2005, Welch co-authored a book on management, which made it to the top ranked position on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list and appeared on the New York Bestseller list. To pay tribute to Jack Welch, the Sacred Heart University's College of Business was renamed to Jack Welch College of Business in 2016\. Since 2006 the former GE Chairman and CEO has been teaching an MBA class to hand-picked ‘future leaders’ at the MIT Sloan School of Management. In the latter half of 2016, Welch joined a business forum established by then president-elect Donald Trump to provide policy and strategic advice on economic issues. From the life and career of Jack Welch, one can easily decipher that he was a man on mission and someone not scared or discouraged by obstacles that came in his path. The successful life story of Jack Welch is the perfect inspiration for anyone looking to progress in their career or make it as a successful entrepreneur. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Latest in Office Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/office-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:02.000Z Over the past decade or two, office culture and environment has changed dramatically and a major factor driving this change is technology. The technology around us—including that in the workplace, has evolved drastically in past few years. Each year, new technology is changing how we work and live our lives. Just like previous years, new technology is expected to affect office life in 2018\. But, what is the technology we’re talking about and how exactly will it change the workplace? Let’s find out. ## Innovation in VR Technology Virtual reality or VR has increased in popularity and become a buzzword in the past few years. During this time, we’ve seen the release of Sony’s PlayStationVR, the HTC Vive, and the Oculus Rift. But, this isn’t the end of the innovation in VR technology. In 2018, new VR technology is expected to impact our lives and make its way to the workplace. Today, businesses cannot afford to ignore VR technology. In fact, making use of this cutting-edge tech is essential to better serve customers. Not only that, VR technology is driving experimentation with new software and the exploration of new users experience opportunities that can help the business to grow. In the past couple of years, there has been increase in use of VR technology by businesses include the tech’s use in medical hospitals, salons, and trainings. VR for trainings is of particular interest to businesses today and the use of virtual reality for training is expected to increase in 2018\. In addition to training, businesses are likely to use the technology during 2018 for meetings and prototyping. In 2017, VR tech made great strides—both as a technology and a workplace tool. To improve training procedures, minimize the time from concept-to-production, and deliver fully immersive customer experiences, more and more businesses today are turning to VR technology. VR is changing how businesses operate and this is no exaggeration and if you want your business to keep pace with the competition, then make sure that you have the latest VR tech on-board. ## Cloud File Streaming Have you subscribed to the G Suite’s Google Drive for desktop? If you have, then you may be looking forward to March 2018 nervously. While Goggle Drive will still be here in April 2018, it will not let you sync and store files from your desktop from March onwards. However, an alternative is available to you which is using Drive File Stream for cloud streaming. The sleeker, and faster alternative to file download, Cloud file streaming provides you access to files on-demand and without any lag time. By allowing you stream files directly from the cloud, Drive File Stream eliminates the need to download files, giving you faster access to the desired files. There are several reasons to enable cloud streaming for your office including: - Less sync- time - Less demand on disk space - Minimal company data stored on hard drives - Decreased network bandwidth load There is a strong argument for adopting this tech in the office and the above facts are a representation of this. In the business world, time is money and everything that saves your business time, contributes to and increases your bottom line. Cloud File streaming is one such thing and you shouldn’t think twice about adopting it in your office. ## Smart Apps According to Gartner—the American research and advisory company, artificial intelligence (AI) will be incorporated by every app and service in the coming future. To understand this, you just need to look at the intelligent virtual assistants such as Siri, Cortana, and Alexa and how they are helping us to perform various tasks from ordering a pizza to paying your bills to managing our workday. By tapping the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), businesses can significantly increase the productivity in their workplace/office. Some of the common office tasks that AI can make faster and easier include scheduling meetings and checking through email. There is a strong case for integrating more smart apps or the apps enabled by AI into the enterprise workflows and networks. In 2018 and beyond, insight sharing and analytics derived from the use of machine learning to automate insight discovery, analysis, and data preparation will benefit office workers in many ways. The use of smarts apps in the office is expected to increase in 2018 and this trend will continue for many years to come. ## Technology that Elevates Computer Use Each year, computers are modified to do more. In 2018, things are no different and proving this is the Neonade AirBar. Ever wished you could swipe and zoom your computer? Well, Neonade AirBar—tech that adds touchscreen capabilities to older computers or laptops, allows you to do exactly that. An attachment that sits pretty at the bottom of your PC or laptop, Neonade AirBar allows you to handle your PC /laptop like a tablet. This tech promises to make work fun for all those who are used to swiping, and tapping on their phones or other portable devices. Also, it can make app-testing easier for developers. The cool technologies above are just a few of the countless tech gadgets driving change in workplace today. If you want to know about other latest office tech, then get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Microsoft Cloud Business Is Paying Off URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/microsoft-cloud-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:02.000Z Customers on the cloud are increasing each day. As more and more customers move to the cloud, the companies providing cloud computing services are starting to think about how they can improve customer experience on the cloud to help the businesses using their service to gain an edge over competitors. The more businesses the cloud providers help, the more they will grow their market share. This is something Microsoft—the American multinational tech company has realized well. Ever since Satya Nadella—the Indian born American business executive, took charge at the company, Microsoft has been doing all the right things and making all the right moves for its cloud computing business. Since 2015, the cloud computing business of Microsoft has grown each year and today it’s reaping rich rewards for its efforts to enhance cloud for the business. The company recently released its numbers for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 and the results showed a massive upturn in the revenue of cloud computing services. ## A Breakdown of Microsoft’s Cloud Computing Revenue As mentioned above, Microsoft’s cloud business continued to grow through 2017 and the company’s figures for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 prove this. The overall growth of cloud services during the quarter was 18%. The biggest gainer among Microsoft’s cloud services was Azure which experienced a 98% increase in revenue. Microsoft realizes well that its future and that of other tech companies depends on the quality of cloud services offered by them. This is the reason the American tech company is investing heavily in its cloud services to compete with and gain an edge over other big-named providers of cloud computing such as Amazon, IBM and Salesforce. Coming back to the cloud revenue figures of Microsoft for the last ended quarter, a service that saw good growth during the period was the company Office 365 subscription service. As of now, there are over twenty-nine million consumer users of the Office 365 service, and revenue for Office 365 commercial increased by forty-one percent during the previous quarter. In statement released for the public, Satya Nadella—the CEO of Microsoft Corp, credited the growth in revenue of cloud services to the unique value across productivity solutions offered by the company and to the company’s continued investments in AI services, data and IoT across the cloud. Nadella expects the same things to drive revenue growth in the future as well. Following is the complete breakdown of the company’s cloud services revenue for the last ended quarter: - Thanks to a forty-percent increase in the revenue of Office 365 commercial, Microsoft experienced a 10 percent growth in the revenue of office commercial products and cloud services - Consumer subscribers of Office 365 increased to over twenty-nine million, prompting a twelve percent increase in the revenue of Office consumer products and cloud services - Thanks to a sixty-seven percent increases in revenue of Dynamics 365, the revenue of Dynamics CRM products and cloud services increased by ten percent - Experiencing a twenty percent growth for a fifth consecutive quarter, LinkedIn contributed over a billion dollars during the quarter Driven by the 98% growth in the revenue of Azure, revenue for Intelligent Cloud services increased by fifteen percent during the quarter, and exceeded $7.5 billion. The increase in revenue of intelligent cloud services included an 18% increase in server products and cloud services. For Azure, this was the tenth straight quarter where it experienced a revenue growth of 90% or more. ## The Cloud Revolution is Here to Stay The three biggest and most influential providers of cloud services namely Microsoft, Amazon and IBM will continue to grab the headlines in the cloud computing world in 2018 and beyond. To outshine the other, each of these cloud computing vendors will adopt a strategy that is markedly different from that of their competitor. But, in the end, all three will be taking initiatives that help to reshape and drive changes in the cloud marketplace for years to come. The cloud computing initiatives of the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM reflect the how the cloud business has evolved from a concept driven by tech to one increasingly focused on the development of customer-centric messaging, positioning and products. After several years of infancy, cloud computing is finally starting to grow up and much of the credit for this goes to the three big cloud computing vendors mentioned above. ## The Benefits of Switching to Microsoft’s Cloud Computing Platform For businesses, cloud computing is fast becoming the rule rather than the exception. Don’t want to be left behind by your competition? Then make the switch to cloud computing if you haven’t done that already. There are many benefits of switching from traditional IT systems and software to cloud services such as Microsoft’s Azure and SharePoint service including: - Minimal launch time - Greater scalability - Big Data - Low startup and capital costs - No or minimal infrastructure maintenance - Intelligent automation - Immediate global workforce Making the switch to cloud services such as the ones mentioned above is beneficial for businesses of all types and sizes. Considering how well they are doing in terms of revenue, there should be no doubt in your mind regarding the effectiveness of the cloud computing platforms provided by Microsoft. If you have any further questions about Microsoft’s cloud computing service, then get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Will Internet of Things Help Office Life URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/internet-of-things-office/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:03.000Z Smartphones, smartwatches, smart appliances—these are just a few of the countless intelligence, data-driven technological devices that surround us today and are optimizing every aspect of our life. The potential of Internet of Things (IoT) is dependent on the network of relationships that emerge among the connected gadgets. And, these connected gadgets represent the next big leap in human-communication which is the intelligent workplace. ## What Exactly is IoT? A phrase that gets coined a lot, Internet of Things or IoT is defined differently by different people. However, you should listen to what the experts are saying about the Internet of Things if you want to get an accurate picture of the concept enabling smart, connected objects. Often, it is hard to people to truly understand the IoT concept because the name doesn’t give much clue about the opportunities IoT represents. However, you can extract meaning from the term if you focus on it closely. Since the Internet enables communication, the internet part of IoT represents a system for communication, which in specific terms means the transmission of information. Things—the other part of IoT term, represents an increasing number of smart, connected devices that change the inherent nature of the things that we know too well. By generating valuable data and extending the capabilities of the internet and ‘things’, IoT is helping companies to better understand customers and improve productivity in the workplace. ## Understanding the Intelligent Workplace How often does the [smartphone](https://www.apple.com/iphone/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) feature in your average workday? A portable device, a smartphone can be used to check edit documents, check emails, and track performance from anywhere. In addition to these basic functions, a smart phone can be equipped with apps to meet a variety of professional/work needs. With smart devices—which include smart phones, you can receive important information and notifications in real time, which in turn can help you do your job better. Smartphones, applications, and wearables—the infrastructure of the intelligent office is already in place. All you got to do is bring the pieces together. IoT presents businesses and workplaces with a unique opportunity, an opportunity that has the potential to change how things are done in the office and in doing so, change how businesses operate. Following are the four main qualities of the intelligent workplace/office. ### Collective Intelligence How good would life be if you could access your entire organization whenever you wanted feedback on a customer question or a new marketing/business idea? Well, the Internet of Things (IoT) has made that possible for you. If two people working together can double the chances of achieving success in a particular area, imagine what can be achieved with hundreds of people working together. By enabling better communication and collaboration in the workplace, the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to enhance company accuracy and productivity, which in turn benefits the bottom line. Say, the person handling your company’s social media accounts gets questioned about a product’s API. Generally, this situation would have the person scrambling for relevant documentation but with the Internet of Things, he/she can simply use a chat app to reach out to the product team to get an answer within minutes. With IoT, you can connect to the right person, at the right time, no matter where you are. ### Connected Products In the past, a company would become aware of problems with a product only after it broke down. Today, we have smart devices that can track the condition of each of their component and automatically report any problems to relevant technicians. Additionally, these connected products offer unprecedented insights. Using this data, businesses can improve their products to make them more attractive and relevant to customers. ### Connected Environments The internet of Things (IoT) and things enabled by it have the potential to turn workplaces into intelligent ecosystems. Examples of this are Google’s Nest thermostat and Phillips’ hue light bulbs. Connected environments enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) allow office managers to notify reps about their next appointment or ensure the optimal workplace temperature. Similarly, employees can use these connected environments to track recent activity on different accounts and map nearby prospects. ### Business Intelligence Intelligence workplaces make it easier to manage the enormous amounts of data flowing into the organization as they present employees with only the most relevant and actionable insights. For instance, when you open a Salesforce Mobile app, you would see a list of events and tasks for a day rather than the entire calendar. Similarly, you would see the most recent activity of prospects rather than their entire history with the company when you search them. With the Internet of Things (IoT), your data is no longer a burden, instead it is a competitive advantage that you have. Smart devices and technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT) are fast changing the office and how we work. Thanks to IoT, the future of the workplace looks bright. To achieve an unprecedented degree of intelligence and sophistication, you should start thinking strategically about how you can use smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) to make your workplace more connected and data-driven. If you do this, then nothing can stop you from creating an optimal office life. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 3 Trends Driving Marketing Analytics In 2018 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-analytics-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:03.000Z A practice that involves studying and managing metrics data to identify opportunities for improvement and determine the Return of Investment (ROI) of marketing efforts, marketing analytics gathers and consolidates data from across all marketing channels to turn them into a common marketing view and help marketers evaluate the success of their marketing initiatives. Trends that drive these analytics are always changing and the same will happen in 2018\. Here are 3 trends driving marketing analytics in 2018! For most marketers, measuring marketing effectiveness has always been a challenge. According to a 2011 report by Unica ([report](https://www.slideshare.net/reds%5Fcl/unica-sannualsurveyofmarketers2011-v22-8155290?ref=bobbydavidson.com)) —an IBM subsidiary, the biggest bottleneck faced by more than 50% of the marketers within their organization is measurement, analysis and learning. However, when most marketers hear the word ‘analytics’, they are quick to relate it with metrics typically associated with a web analytics tool such as Google Analytics. These metrics include unique visitors, bounce rate, traffic etc. While these metrics provide you with much needed insight and data into your website’s technical performance, your marketing team should really be focusing on obtaining richer data that helps them understand their marketing campaigns in a way not possible with wen analytics. Enter marketing analytics. ## Analytics, Metrics, and Marketing Marketing analytics comprises of [technologies](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and processes that allow marketers to assess the success of their marketing initiatives, and allow marketers to measure performance. Some of the things metrics measured by marketing analytics include marketing attribution, ROI and overall marketing effectiveness. With marketing analytics, you can determine how your marketing initiatives are doing. By providing them with a common marketing view, marketing analytics allows marketers to extract analytical results that are required to drive their marketing efforts forward. With marketing analytics, marketing teams can show business owners and top-level executives exactly how their marketing efforts are helping drive revenue. In short, marketers can measure their success and provide stakeholders with the proof by using marketing analytics and staying on top of trends. And, this takes us to main topic at hand—the top trends driving marketing analytics in 2018\. Following are 3 of them. ## The Use of Many New Data Sources by Marketing Analysts The first marketing analytics to trend to watch out for in 2018 is the use of many new data sources by marketing analysts. Traditionally, marketing analytics that rely on big data warehouses or centrally-managed data servers have powered the business decisions in many organizations. But, this trend is starting to change and today companies are asking analysts to use the data stored in ‘mini’ data warehouses in addition to the data in big data warehouses or centrally-managed data servers to perform marketing analytics. Some of the new data sources from where data analysts are asking being to pull data include: - Email service provider - Google Analytics - Major platforms such as AdWords, Twitter and Facebook - SEO platform - Chat applications - Salesforce / other CRM By consolidating the data from the above sources, marketing analysts will be able to get deeper insights into the marketing and sales activities of the business, which in turn will help optimize pricing, drive customer interest and ensure an improved customer experience. ## The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Analytics The speed with which data is entering organizations today has made it difficult—if not impossible, for analysts to process the data coming into an organization. To help businesses overcome this problem, some companies are offering a service that offer a combination of marketing analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). To help analysts identify patterns in customer data, extract recommendations for optimizing performance, and allow others to access complicated analytics using simple language, these services utilize machine learning and other artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. An example of this is a service that takes in company data and in turn, provides the business with ‘high-impact use cases’. The above service allows businesses to upload supplier activities, financial performance, and customer interactions into the system and the output is information pertaining to supply chain management, revenue forecasting and cross-sell and upsell opportunities. Similarly, there is another service that proves marketing intelligence powered by AI. This service allows marketers to consolidate the data across systems and access powerful analytics using simple language. Additionally, this service offers voice-activated marketing analytics and is integrated with Amazon’s Alexa. ## Storytelling in Analytics Unlike previous years, marketing analysts will be expected to do a lot more in 2018 than just crunch data and produce reports. Traditionally, analysts have relied on tools such as Excel, business analysis and SQL but now they have new data sources and AI tools to subscribe to. In 2018, analysts are expected to do to the following in addition to crunching data and producing reports: - Extract data from non-traditional sources - Create attractive charts and graphs - Use data visualization tools to polish the data - Use programming languages such as Python to clean data - Convert data into easily understandable stories which non-analysts can use to understand the emerging opportunities and trends Creating a dashboard and sending weekly reports will no longer suffice. Just like other marketers, analysts will have to turn their focus to customers in 2018—this is necessary to extract meaning from all the available data and improve the performance of the business. Web analytics are no longer sufficient for businesses to measure and understand the performance of their marketing efforts. They need to invest time and money into marketing analytics as well. By consolidating the data across all marketing channels, marketing analytics provide analysts with a common marketing view which they can use to measure the performance of their marketing initiatives and if required make changes for improvement. I m a strong believer in marketing for our company and frankly I love it; knowing where our marketing/advertising dollars are spent and making sure they are spent wisely is the job of any business leader. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Successful People Do these 7 Things to Stay Healthy URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-people-stay-healthy/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:03.000Z If you’re looking for the recipe for success, then know that you hold within yourself the power to achieve everything that you ever desired. To quote Carl Jung—the famous 19th century research scientist and the founder of analytical psychology, “**You are what you do, not what you say you'll do**.” Successful people are successful because of their habits. Your habits are what make or break you. So, starting today, you need to make a conscious effort to develop good habits. One area that needs special attention in this regard is your health. ‘Health is wealth’—this is both a famous proverb and a rule by which successful people live their lives. Taking a leaf out of successful people’s book, following are the 7 things you can do to stay healthy. ## Wake Up Early Want to be successful? Make a habit of waking up early. You will get the same advice from the successful people as it has worked for them. You won’t find many millionaires who indulge in ‘beauty sleep’. And, why would they—they have so much to accomplish each day and sleeping more than necessary wouldn’t help their cause. According to Rich Habits—a research based book by Thomas C. Corley that talks about the daily success habits of wealthy individuals, almost half of the wealthiest people wake up three hours before the start of the work day. In comparison, only 3% of the poor people have the same habit. So, if you want to be successful, make it a point to wake up early each day. ## Exercise A habit common among successful people is exercise. Whether it is a gym workout, a yoga session, or a jog in the park, successful people make it a point to exercise each day. Most of the successful people exercise in the morning and there’s good reason for it—exercising in the morning fills you up with energy for the rest of the day and it provides you with a sense of accomplishment which you can leverage to accomplish even more things during the day. In addition to the above, morning exercise eliminates the possibility of missing out on your daily workout session just because you had a long and tiring day at work. Exercising daily is crucial—it conditions your body and ensures long-term health. Without going overboard with their exercise regimen, successful people commit to daily workout routine. Regular exercise and physical activity keeps the successful in a desired physical state—a state that allows them to accomplish anything and everything they want to accomplish. ## Eat Healthy Successful people value their health greatly and thus make healthy eating choices. They accomplish this by counting calories every day. In Rich Habits, Corley states that compared to just 3% of poor people, more than 60% of the wealthy individuals eat fewer than three hundred calories of high-carb food each day. Many factors contribute to this eating habit of successful people but the biggest reason for it is a longer life, which of course means more life opportunities. ## Fasting Once Per Week You may be surprised to know this but a common habit of successful people to stay healthy is restraining from all food and beverages for a 24-hour period once every week. By leveraging our body’s self-healing properties, fasting improves our health radically. During fasting, our digestive system is at rest and our organs get sufficient time to repair and heal themselves. This results in improved overall health. There are several benefits of this weekly activity including: - Eliminating Toxins - Improving digestive efficiency - Improving vision - Increasing mental clarity - Increase physical and mental vigor - Gaining a general feeling of well-being ## Maintaining a Positive Attitude The power of positive thinking is something successful people talk about a lot. But why? Negative thinking not only affects your mind, it also has an impact on your body and physical well-being. Realizing this, successful people find ways to relieve emotional stress and look for positives in the challenges they face each day. Additionally, they reward themselves for even minor achievements and they try to make light of serious situations. If there was only one thing that kept successful people healthy, then positive thinking and attitude would have to be it. ## Visualizing Most people tend to overlook their mental health when they’re talking about their health and the ways to improve it. Mental health is as important as physical health and the sooner you realize this, the better it will be for you. So, how do successful people ensure their mental well-being? By meditating or visualizing. You will many resources on meditation and how to perform it online. However, visualizing is simple and you just need to find a quiet place, close your eyes and focus on all the successes that you will have. Even a minute of this activity each day can help you improve your overall mood and how you perceive the things in your life. ## Give Yourself the Deserved Rest Don’t underestimate the importance of giving your body and mind due rest. After a long and tiring day, successful people make it a point to give their body and mind enough rest to allow it to recover and be ready for the day ahead. Successful people are successful for a reason—they do things that the unsuccessful people don’t. This includes taking care of their health in the ways I mentioned above. Time to step it up! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 Success Mobile Strategies for Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-success-mobile-strategies-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:04.000Z Smart phones have drastically changed the online landscape and in doing so, changed the way we live our lives. Today, many people rely on a smart phone or other mobile device to connect with others and stay productive at work, on the go, and even in their home. In fact, more than 70% of all internet users access the World Wide Web from their mobile devices. Considering this, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to not just have an online presence, but also market it effectively. If you’re not utilizing the power and outreach of smart phones to market your business to a wider audience, then you’re doing injustice to your business. In fact, a successful mobile marketing campaign can be the difference between success and failure. Now, a successful mobile strategy cannot be developed overnight. Instead, a lot of time and research is required to develop a mobile strategy that yields fruitful results. Ideally, you should have a mobile strategy that distinguishes you from the competition, engages users and aligns with your company’s vision. However, to make things easy for you, following are 4 success mobile strategies for business that you can try. ## Ensure a Responsive or Mobile-Friendly Site A crucial mobile strategy is having a responsive or mobile-friendly website as this can make all the difference for your business. According to [McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/why-marketers-should-keep-sending-you-emails?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—a worldwide management consultant firm, more the 60% of users are unlikely to visit a site again if they faced problems navigating it the first time, and forty percent of them will ahead to a competitor’s site instead. Now, you may be wondering what makes a responsive or mobile friendly site. The first and foremost quality of a responsive website is that it automatically adjusts its display for any screen size. If mobile users find it difficult to navigate your site on their device, then they’re unlikely to stick around for long. Another important reason to ensure this is increasing your site’s organic ranking. If you have a responsive website, then Google will consider this when ranking your site. In addition to ensuring easy navigation, you must create a site that streamlines the customer checkout process on mobile devices. Some of the things you can do to ensure this is decreasing your bandwidth’s length, allowing sign ins from social media accounts, prioritizing your information and limiting actions, i.e., limiting the steps required to perform actions. ## Allow Mobile Payments The ecommerce boom has made one thing evident—people prefer and love convenient transactions. However, this was expected since the purpose of ecommerce is making shopping convenient. Today, customers want their shopping experience to be as convenient as possible. Realizing this, many businesses are increasing their efforts to make shopping more convenient for customers including making mobile payments available to customers. If you want to your business to stay relevant in the future, then you must make the crossover to mobile payments. Allow payments for your services to be accepted from mobile devices and even smartwatches. However, since many customers are wary of mobile purchases, you need to sign them up with a secure payment processor. For this reason, search and find secure payment platforms that will accept mobile payments for your services while ensuring a simple and secure payment experience. ## Ensure Social-App Presence Mobile-social apps are increasing in popularity by the day, and businesses need to cash on this. Ensuring a presence on social apps like [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a vital marketing strategy for any business today. While having a social-app presence is important, you need to ensure that you’re not over reliant on any one app for reaching out to your audience and promoting your business. Be active across several platforms rather than relying on one social-app to market your business and generate new leads. The point is that you should focus on and prioritize a cross-platform social mobile marketing strategy for your business. Establish the message of your business across all platforms but avoid posting the same content on them. What works for one may not work for another. There are pros and cons of each social platform and your strategy on each platform should be based on them. To sum it up, you need to adapt to different social platforms to engage customers but make sure that your brand/business message remains uniform throughout. This is what will motivate your customers to leave your Brick and Mortar or online store with a purchase. ## Personalize Your Mobile Marketing Efforts The final success mobile strategy for business is personalizing mobile marketing efforts. A key strategy, this can help you to increase the impact of your business’ mobile presence. While most business owners understand the importance of personalizing their marketing efforts, only a few utilize this strategy. Today, many businesses are offering personalized experiences to desktop users, but not to mobile users. This is mistake as one of the best ways for business to maximize their mobile outreach is offering personalized experiences to mobile users. You can offer personalized experience to your intended audience on mobile devices in a number of ways including customizing offering based on their location. The more personalized your mobile marketing efforts, the greater their impact. Mobile devices and smart phones have changed how businesses market themselves online. The strategies above are proven ways of using mobile to market your business. To find out more, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology Will Change Ecommerce in the Coming Years URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-ecommerce/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:04.000Z Today, ecommerce technology is continually evolving, and this is changing how businesses interact with and offer their products/services to customers. To create and sustain customer value, some retailers today are providing advanced digital experiences that simplify the ordering process, combine digital and physical capabilities and ensure quicker delivery of orders. Some of the prominent innovations in the ecommerce world include smart refrigerators, augmented reality goggles, droids and drones—things that are helping transform the ecommerce industry. More innovations in ecommerce are expected in 2018 and beyond. Here is how technology will change ecommerce in the coming years. ## Drone Delivery Over the next decade, an innovative retail industry technology that will reshape ecommerce is drone delivery. While regulations pertaining to drone technology are yet to established in some parts of the world—affecting its widespread use by retailers, drones are being widely employed for delivering products today. Many companies have already started to incorporate drone technology into their operations and are yielding many benefits from it. The speed at which most drones can fly is 60 MPH. Additionally, they can reach at altitude of four hundred feet. Depending on the prototype, the radius distances of drones can hover between ten to fifteen miles. Additionally, most drones can carry packages weighing up to five pounds. Today, some ecommerce companies are delivering parcels to the doorsteps of customers. In fact, there are some airports in the United States and Europe dedicated specifically to drones. Soon, drones will enable companies to deliver parcels on the same day, or even the same hour the order is placed. Along with the increased exposure to online shopping, the faster delivery times enabled by drone technology will encourage more purchases over the internet in the future. ## Virtual and Augmented Reality If you are impressed by augmented reality and virtual reality now, then you will be spellbound when this technology is working in full force in the next half a decade or so. Five or ten years from now, customers may be able to have the same buying experience via AR or VR that they currently have in physical retail stores. And, five to ten years is stretch because technology enabling such experiences already exists. One of the biggest hurdles faced by the ecommerce industry today will be removed by AR or VR tech as customers will be able to physically interact with and test a product/service before buying it. While products can be viewed through virtual reality today, they are not perceived to have the same value as physical items. However, when VR and AR technology enables people to physically touch and interact with virtual items, the ecommerce industry will enter a completely new era where manufacturing products will be as easy as copying and pasting code and where designers will be the engineers. While VR and AR has the potential to completely change the buying experience, it will be some time before this becomes a reality. ## Increased Purchases from Mobile Devices Online purchases made from desktop computers and laptops are already on the decline, and this trend will increase in the future. Today, most of the web traffic comes from mobile devices, and it is just a matter of time before mobile devices become the primary technology for making online purchases. You may have heard a lot about omnichannel recently. Yes, it is important today but this will change as mobile technology get more advance and more and more people switch to smart phones. Mobile technology is already helping some ecommerce companies to gain a competitive edge. Example of this is the mobile-shopping experience offered by Amazon. Customers can now select what they want in one click and make a purchase with a single press of a button using the mobile platform of the America ecommerce giant based in Seattle. In addition to Amazon, Google—the American tech company offering internet services and products, is also stepping up its mobile-tech game. Today, search results indexing on mobile devices and not desktop computer is the primary focus of Google and this trend will only grow in the coming years. In five years’ time, expect most retail experiences to be enabled by mobile technology. ## Voice Assistants If you have an Apple device, then you probably bug Siri a lot—asking her all sorts of questions and making her open apps for you. And, if you have Alexa—the voice assistant offered by Amazon, then you probably use your digital personal assistant a lot to order food and listen to your favorite playlist. This technology will only get better in the future and this can significantly benefit ecommerce. Soon, customers will press a button on their fridge to update the list of items to be sourced if they run out of milk or bread. This technology is already in place but its use is expected to become widespread in the coming years. This will make our lives extremely convenient and will help the ecommerce industry to grow. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 Ways Technology is Changing the Travel Industry URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-travel/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:05.000Z By allowing them to streamline and automate many of their operations, technology has helped many businesses to transform how they work and increase efficiency. Today, the travel industry is not what it was five or ten years ago. Unlike in the 80s and 90s, people no longer need to visit the travel agent to book a trip or see what travel options they have—they can do this from the comfort of their home. There was a time when you’d associate travel with honeymooners, families, businessmen, or retired individuals. But, technology has completely transformed the demographic served by travel industry. Today, there are hundreds of travel apps that allow college students or young bachelors to find affordable airfare, restaurant recommendations, safe housing and other things that ensure a memorable-trip. Unlike previous generations, millennials don’t keep on checking their mailbox throughout the year for special flyers or coupons that they can use to finally afford a trip they have been planning for months or even years. Instead, they head to sites that provide them with every bit of information they need including the lowest fares, room charges and commuting costs. It isn’t just travelers that are benefiting from technology-enabled travel, travel companies and agents are also reaping many benefits from it including reaching more people than ever before. Today, travel companies and agents must embrace technology wholeheartedly or risk falling behind others in their industry. Check out below how technology is changing travel today. ## More Listings In the past, homeowners who wanted to rent out their property as a holiday home during the holiday period or summer had limited avenues available to market their property. Unless they hired a travel agency, the homeowners weren’t able to pitch their home to interested parties and as such, missed out on potential income opportunities. Technology has completely changed this and today property owners are in complete control of their destiny. There are so many sites where they can list they can pitch their property as a holiday home to increase their chances of earning an income from it. Technology has completely transformed how people find holiday accommodation today. They are some sites where travelers from all over the world go to quickly and easily find accommodation. Examples are online hospitality services such as Couchsurfing and Airbnb. ## Personalization Innovation in technology such as cloud computing and Big Data has made it possible for travel companies to offer customers personalized packages that are based on their preferences and affordability. This in turn is helping the travel companies to increase business. Without asking them to go through destinations, packages or other travel options, travel companies can offer travelers exactly what they seek and this is enabled by [technology](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Not only can travel companies use technology such as cloud computing and Big Data to offer travelers what they seek, but they can also use the information obtained through it for future promotions including offering packages and discounts designed specifically based on the needs and preferences of the customers. Albeit he is incredibly tech-savvy, the modern- day traveler can get overwhelmed by the amount of information available for researching and booking trips or holidays. By using technology to personalize travel for customers, travel companies can make things incredibly convenient for travelers, which can only be good for business. ## Increased Communication and Transparency In the past, communicating what they wanted was a problem for travelers and people looking to list their property as a holiday home. Property owners were concerned about the safety of their home and its potential to satisfy tenants. On the other hand, travelers wanted to ensure that their money was well-spent and that they would be getting the service they desired. By ensuring constant communication between all parties involved, technology has made travel viable for travelers, property owners and the travel agent/ service. In addition to ensuring better communication, technology has made travel more transparent. Travelers can now view pictures, see ratings and read reviews of the holiday destination they intend to travel to. On the other hand, property owners have the assurity that the transaction is secure and that their property will be in safe hands. Technology has helped increased the trust between travelers and people/services enabling the travel. No longer do any of the parties involved fear being scammed or getting peanuts for the price of a steak. ## Social Customer Service In every business and marketplace, one of the most important things is customer service but, in the travel industry, it is crucial. After all, travel is not cheap and people have high expectations from their trip or vacation as they are paying loads of money for it. Today, customer service in the travel industry has shifted from traditional channels to less-expensive platforms such as social networking sites. From offering packages to tracking luggage, every stage of the travel is being communicated to customers via social media today. Thanks to social media, travel companies/services can provide customers with real-time updates regarding flights, room availability or any other thing that might affect travel plans. Technology is improving travel and making it convenient in many more ways. I love all of the ways technology is infiltrating my life. I am, no doubt, an early adopter; but you have to keep your head up - new technology is being rolled out daily. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How IoT Data Can Help Businesses to Gain a Competitive Edge URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/iot-data-can-help-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:05.000Z What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Internet of Things’? If you answered consumer products such as smart plugs or wireless home energy monitors, then you’re not alone. There are many others with the same thought process as you. However, it is important to understand that Internet of Things (IoT) is as important for businesses as it is for individual consumers. Experts say that IoT technology can help transform businesses—especially if it is used in conjunction with big data. In fact, Internet of Things alone is reason enough for businesses to invest in and implement data analytics. By connecting devices and allowing them to interact and communicate with each other, the Internet of Things (IoT) is enabling a streamlined future where businesses will be able to control their processes automatically. This is the reason forward-thinking businesses are enabling their IoT initiatives such as smart machines and sensor devices for developing new data management approaches. The importance of IoT data analytics can be gauged by the fact that several established names such as SAP, GE, Amazon, Microsoft, Amazon and Salesforce have started to warm up to the idea of implementing it for their processes. ## The Importance of IoT Data To make connected devices smarter and enable actionable IoT data, data analytics is required. By connecting a range of smart products from fitness trackers to smart bike locks and smart cars, internet of things (IoT) is able to generate ‘Big’ data— creating new business opportunities and helping business to transform their operations. To create a strong relationship with customers, connected devices are continuously evolving and this evolution process is enabled by IoT data. Critical to any IoT roll out, data analytics has been implemented by many businesses to date. The advent of the Smartphone and the increase in its usage has vastly increased the data available to analytics programs. And, with the Internet of Things, data analytics can reach new heights. By enabling home appliances, transport infrastructure, health monitors and many other daily usage items for online connectivity, IoT is helping generate staggering insights for [businesses](http://www.percento.company/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). IoT data is generated by the connected devices from sensors. For example, sensors can help predict a machine failure beforehand by measuring vibration, heat and other important variables to provide the relevant data. Additionally, new techniques are employed by big data analytics to create an understanding of data and help enable automation. IoT also enable the exchange of data between a connected device and the user and can integrate data from all external sources, business systems, and other relevant connected devices. Other benefits of using IoT technology is enabling remote access to a connected device and having a platform for storing and analyzing data. There are many benefits of enabling IoT for your products and business including: - Facilitating remarkable new product capabilities - Enabling products to track and report in their condition in any environment - Using software upgraded via the cloud to enhance product capabilities and fix any performance issues or system bugs and fulfill new customer requirements - Remotely controlling complex product operations - Identifying problems in design by enabling ongoing quality management continuous monitoring of performance data - Improving uptime, utilization and performance of products and significantly uplifting the combination of remote control capability and data monitoring - Enabling remote services and preventive and proactive actions to improve services via products - Enabling automation - Modifying the operations of manufacturing facilities where machines network ## IoT Data Can Be Used to Improve Operations at All Levels Often referred to as ‘big data’, the data collected from the Internet of Things (IoT) can used for an incredible number of things. This data is especially useful for improving the day-to-day business operations and utilizing the time and energy of employees more smartly. For example, to find out where most of their employees’ time is spent and when certain spaces are most occupied, some businesses are employing smart sensors throughout their facilities. The above information enables businesses to choose appropriate times and rooms for meetings by allowing them to schedule meetings more efficiently. Ultimately, this helps lower the turbulent effect meetings can have on the productivity of workers. Today, many companies are using the Internet of Things to discover the occupancy of meetings rooms and other rooms within their facility. And this has helped them to greatly increase work efficiency and ultimately improve their bottom line. ## The Combination of IOT and Data Analytics Can Help Increase Revenue Of course, the most important thing for any business is how IoT can help can increase revenue and business growth. By generating extremely detailed insights about their customers and what motivates them, the combination of IoT and analytics can help businesses to innovate based on the needs and wants of their customers, which will ultimately help them to offer what customers want/need—increasing revenue and driving business growth in the process. As this provides businesses with a bird’s eye view of warehouse conditions, employee activity, fleet locations and mechanical processes, enabling real-time data analysis for internet of things (IoT) is crucial. By enabling data analytics and leveraging the data collected from the connected devices to improve operations and/or customers, businesses can increase revenue and grow. If you’re interested in knowing more about how IoT data can help your business, then get in touch with us today! Or you can visit our Internet of Things pages to start the conversation: [www.percentotech.com/internet-of-things](https://percentotech.com/internet-of-things/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 6 Highly Successful Strategies for Generating Leads URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/highly-successful-strategies/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:07.000Z Leads are what keep a business going. If you aren’t attracting leads to your business, then sooner or later, you’re going to have a serious problem. However, generating quality leads is easier said than done. In fact, according to one survey, the biggest challenge faced by businesses is generating leads. For many businesses today, online lead generation is a vital sales strategy. For lead generation purposes, several different online marketing strategies are being employed by businesses today. However, the plethora of online marketing options available today often makes it difficult for businesses to determine the strategy that will best help to generate leads. There is good news though—there are some strategies that have proven to help [businesses](http://www.percento.company/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) generate quality leads online. Here are the six highly successfully strategies for generating leads. ## Leverage Appropriate Data to Reach the Right Audience at The Right Time Having appropriate data is the key to meeting the expectations of customers. The better you know your customers, the more you can personalize. Compared to those that don’t do that, businesses that offer personalized experiences are able from attract more attention from target audiences—increasing their chances of generating leads. In short, you need to have a marketing strategy that enables you to reach your target audience at the right time and in the most appropriate manner. ## Fix the Marketing Funnel A significant amount of time is spent by many marketers filling leaky buckets with water. The bucket is used as metaphor for the marketing funnel while water refers to the leads and traffic generated online. A mistake that most people make here is pouring more water into the bucket rather than fixing it. Not only does this increase the costs of acquisition, it also results in less than average results. In short, you prime yourself for failure by filling leaky buckets with water. The biggest culprit here are the landing pages—especially your forms. Distinguishing leads from non-leads is the purpose of forms. This makes them pivotal to your rates of conversion and overall outcomes of lead generation. It is important for you to optimize your forms if you don’t want to miss any leads from your marketing campaigns. Here is an example of the above. Let’s say your landing page experiences a thousand visits at a cost of $3 per visit. Now, you will have to incur a cost per lead of $300 if your form converts at 1%. However, you can increase this conversion rate by a percent or two by optimizing your form. So, instead of 1%, if your form converts at three percent, you will win thirty leads at a cost of $100\. This means that by simply optimizing your form, you increase your leads by three times for just one third of the previous cost per leads. ## Develop an Understanding of Your Prospects [](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/sales-goals-478859753%5F1256x837-jpeg-1.jpg?ref=bobbydavidson.com)Behavior of your target audience can evolve as rapidly as technological innovations. This makes it crucial for you to understand your prospects and become aware of your users’ goals, buying behavior challenges and, problems. Focus on the other problems faced by your users if you managed to fulfill their demands during the previous year. Can you think of any problem faced by your users that you can fix with a neoteric offer? Always keep in mind that your marketing will be shaped by buyer persona. ## Leverage the Power of Search Marketing Of the online lead generation strategies out there, organic search marketing is arguably the most effective. A proven way to generate leads for a business, using search marketing strategies such as a search engine optimization (SEO) campaign is something you should seriously consider. While getting ranked on top of a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) isn’t as easy as it was half a decade ago, you can still significantly increase your chances of generating quality leads by using search marketing such as SEO. ## Supplement Email Marketing with SMS A great way to connect with your prospects and customers, email marketing is one of the best ways to build professional relationships. But, an even stronger way of building relationships is SMS. While people may or may not check all their emails, they will almost certainly take a quick glance—at the minimum, at every text message they receive. Use this to your advantage by using SMS in conjunction with your email marketing efforts. ## Consider Hosting a Webinar You’ve probably conducted seminars in a hall or other gathering room to create general awareness about your industry, business and the products offered by you. But, have you ever considered doing the same over the internet? Well, you can do that now with a webinar. A proven method of engaging your target audience, a webinar is an effective way to reach out to new prospects who are interested in what you have to say or offer. Ultimately, this helps to generate leads online. By using the 6 highly successful lead generation strategies mentioned above, you can reach out to your prospects at the right time and in a desired manner. Ultimately, this will increase your chances of generating quality leads. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Ecommerce Owners Can Market Their Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ecommerce-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:08.000Z The internet has made it easy to access a wealth of knowledge and tools that make you efficient at what you do. So, only a fool would not take advantage of all that the internet has to offer and this applies more to eCommerce business owners than anyone else. As an eCommerce business owner, you must harness the power of the internet to promote your business and products/services online. Today, the marketing practices you were taught at school are no longer sufficient to market your business successfully. You need to do some other things as well or more specifically, you need to find out and use the best ways of marketing your business online. So, here's how you can successfully market your eCommerce business. ## Take Advantage of Email Marketing Are you still sending out newsletters via post mail? If yes, then I’m sorry to say this but, you, my friend, are wasting your time and money. Marketing via post mail is a not a good marketing option in today’s tech-driven world and this is especially true for ecommerce businesses. If you’re conduct your business online, then you need to market it online as well. For starters, you can try email marketing. Though emails have existed since long, email marketing is a relatively new concept or marketing strategy. Today’s tech-savvy customers prefer getting all the news and information that they need about a business, service or product online. Today, people, which includes your customers, are extremely busy and have little time for most things including what a business has to say about itself and/or its products/services. The good news is that almost all of your customers check their emails at least once a day. So, by creating engaging, informative, brief and eye-catching emails and mailing them to your potential customers, you can increase the likelihood of creating awareness about your business and/or products/services, which in turn will help you to win new customers and make profitable sales. ## Use Content Marketing Almost all ecommerce businesses today use content marketing to create awareness about their business and win new customers. In content marketing, blogs, articles, photos, videos, infographics, and more are used to promote a business online and this is done in a discreet manner. The idea is to create content—blog, articles, or videos, that interests and engages your target audience. Let’s suppose your business is selling handbags. For example, can create content that reads, ‘The Perfect vintage handbags for Valentines day’, and post it online. The point is that you need to create content that your target will click on, read/watch, and share. To create a good content marketing strategy, you need to understand your target market—their interests, age group, gender, and the content they’ll find engaging and informative. Once you done that, you can choose one of the following four types of content for your target audience: **Lists:** This could be a list of products or things to do that very discreetly promote your business and/or product/services **Informative:** This gives relevant tips or advice to the readers/target audience **Topical:** This is content related to happenings in the real world that are relevant to your business and your readers **Amusing:** Trending topics you can share on social media ## Social Media Marketing Big, medium, or small—regardless of the size, almost every business today has a social media page. Most of the businesses today have a social media presence on Facebook and/or Twitter—the two most popular social media platforms among businesses today. Social media marketing is the cheapest and most convenient way of marketing your eCommerce business. Now, creating a social media page for your business isn’t sufficient to promote your business online. You need to be active on it as well. This means updating your Facebook timeline with interesting, informative, and engaging statues and posting tweets worth #Hashtagging on Twitter. Also, share your blogs, articles, or videos that you’ve posted on your website or elsewhere online. ## Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Search engine optimization or SEO is probably something you’re already know of. But, do you know how it can help you to market your ecommerce business? If you don’t, the read on. Search engine optimization or SEO is one of the best, if not the best, way to increase the visibility of your business. More specifically, it is the best way to optimize your website and increase its visibility. By using SEO effectively, you can get Google and other search engines to rank your website higher in search results. And, if your website shows up on the first page of a search result, then there’s a greater chance of it being clicked and generating traffic—relevant traffic that is. Search engine optimization is not as easy as it sounds. A lot needs to be done to get your website on the first page of search results. But, there are online marketing services that can help you to perform SEO effectively and increase the visibility of your business. In addition to info above, there are many other ways of marketing your eCommerce business. You can find out about them by getting in touch with me, today! Give me a shout. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Technology is Helping Improve the Pharmaceutical Industry URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-pharmaceutical-industry/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:08.000Z By implementing technology for their business, pharmacies can ensure the deliverance of better healthcare to patients. Moreover, this helps them to improve their operational, compliance, clinical, regulatory, and financial performance. A dynamic practice, the use of technology in the pharmaceutical industry isn’t expected to die down anytime soon. In addition to improving their access to vital medical and patient information, technology helps pharmacies to increase efficiency in their daily tasks. The potential benefits aren’t the only thing driving the adoption of technology in the pharmaceutical industry—federal legislation is also playing a role in increasing pharmacy technology adoption. How medications are prescribed, supplied and regulated in the U.S and abroad is changing rapidly and central to this transformation is Health information technology (HIT)—the information technology applicable to health and healthcare. Comprising of a wide range of tools used to electronically manage and share patient information, HIT is pushing paper records into oblivion. In addition to helping them make decisions in real time, HIT allows pharmacies and pharmacists to use their skills in innovative ways to provide better service or care to patients. In short, HIT is helping the pharmaceutical industry to lower the cost of care, improve patient outcomes, and have a positive impact on patient care. With that in mind, here are 4 technology trends improving/transforming the pharmaceutical industry. ## E-Prescribing A major part of electronic health records, E-prescribing is one of the methods employed by clinicians to meet the Affordable Care Act requirements. Contrary to popular belief, e-prescribing does not just benefit healthcare providers, it is also helpful for pharmacies. With e-prescribing, pharmacists can save valuable time and resources. To ensure seamless patient care, transferring the discharge prescription of a patient from secondary to primary accurately and on time is crucial. Additionally, this helps prevent errors caused by miscommunications. In recent times, many hospitals have invested in e-prescribing systems. In hospitals, e-prescribing systems are used to automate not just prescribing of medicines, but also their administration and supply. In many cases, this has helped hospitals to lower medication errors, which in turn has helped them improve patient safety. However, there are a few disadvantages of using the e-prescribing systems. First, they may have data fields that are not in the required format or may not have all the decision support functions. Additionally, rather than directing it to community pharmacists, e-prescribing systems direct discharge information to general physicians. Completely legible, e-prescriptions provide pharmacists with the patient record to help them assess potentially hazardous drug interactions. Additionally, the pharmacists no longer have to contact healthcare providers about contentious prescriptions. Also, it helps saves patients from any unpleasant surprises when they source their medication. E-prescribing allows pharmacists and healthcare providers to know on the spot whether the insurance plan of a patient covers a drug. Another advantage of e-prescribing is that only a few clicks are required with it to automate the refill authorization process. ## Recording the Immunizations Provided by Pharmacists Medical professionals that play a highly significant role in community health, pharmacists are the people responsible for administering immunizations. The amount and types of immunizations that local pharmacists can provide to patients are being increased by state governments each year. The popularity of vaccinations administered by pharmacists can be gauged by the fact that almost fifteen percent of all flu vaccines in 2012 were carried out at [local pharmacies](http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/directions-in-pharmacy/2015/august2015/five-technology-trends-changing-pharmacy-practice-today-and-tomorrow?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Thanks to technological advancement, it is now possible to document vaccines administered at pharmacies to provides patients and their health care providers with an accurate and complete health record. Additionally, this allows the pharmacies that administer immunizations to streamlines the process of insurance reimbursement, which ultimately benefits their bottom line. ## Barcode Identification When used in conjunction with e-prescribing systems, barcode identification of medicines has shown to lower errors in medicine administration and improve medication history completeness. However, health professionals often erect ways to evade barcode scanning because they see the barcode identification of medicines as a disruptive process. To help tackle forgery, Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD)—a directive for health care providers in Europe, advises unique identification of medicines at the place of discharge. Though the system supporting this is yet to be developed, the process in all likelihood will involve barcode medicine identification and as such, will have a significant impact on the pharmacy workflow. ## Telecare The provision of healthcare services and consultations to patients at their home via digital communications technology is referred to as telecare. There are many potential benefits of telecare including lowering the need to attend hospitals to improve access to healthcare, putting patients at the center of their care, and reducing healthcare costs and travelling times. However, the different care scenarios and applications are what the benefits provided by telecare are dependent on. Also, existing research suggests that more evidence on the benefits of telecare and its cost-effectiveness is required to justify further investments in the technology. As seen above, technology is drastically changing the pharmaceutical industry—improving the provision of healthcare and lowering costs significantly. While the aforementioned-things are significant technological developments in the pharmaceutical industry, they are not only technology enabling pharmacies to improve operations and provide better care to patients. Other technology making a difference in the pharmaceutical industry includes adherence monitoring, mobile technology, automated dispensing, and medication therapy management technology. VR and Internet of Things are fast becoming new technologies that businesses are utilizing. We, here at Percento, are always working hard to tool up to support all new technologies for business. It's very exciting times. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Davos 2018: What is the World Economic Forum all about? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/davos-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:09.000Z At the time I am writing this, the temperature in Davos is a chilling 32° Fahrenheit / 0° Celsius but this hasn’t deterred the world’s leaders from descending on this beautiful ski town five thousand feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. So, what are the world’s most influential people doing in this desolate, snow-covered Swiss town? They are there are for the World Economic Forum. ## The History of Davos An annual meeting where world leaders as well as corporate heads, intellectuals, celebrities, and activists come together to discuss the world’s problems. Davos or the World Economic Forum has been held each year since 1988\. In fact, it’s been active since 1971, only then the name was European Management Forum. The first gathering of the WEF or EMF to be technically correct, took place in 1971\. Chaired by Klaus Schwab—a German engineer and economist, the event was an academic, economic and management conference. The first forum had more than four hundred attendees. The forum grew over the next few years—becoming bigger and better, and in 1974, politicians were invited to Davos for the very first time. The purpose of this was to help revive a struggling European economy and deal with conflicts affecting the region. Two years later, in 1976, the membership of the forum was extended to include C-Level executives from the thousand leading companies of the world. In 1987, the annual gathering was renamed as the World Economic Forum—the name it bears today. Today, the World Economic Forum or Davos as it is popularly known, is where the world most influential people deliberate the biggest challenges faced by the world and how to resolve them. At the same time, they meet, greet and ink deals. The conference is opened by Schwab—now 74, and then it’s four days of discussion galore! ## What was to be Expected from Davos this Year? At Davos 2018 we've seen the world’s politicians, economists, business leaders and celebrities descend on the swiss ski town situated two hours’ drive away from Zurich. You cannot be faulted for thinking that Davos 2018 is just a conference. It is that, but it also a lot more! One-on-one on-stage interviews, speeches and panel discussions—things not associated with a normal conference, are part of this gathering. Additionally, there are meetings in the background and high profile meetings between corporate heads and world leaders to discuss the latest crisis and sign deals for mutual benefit. According to a press release by the organizers of Davos 2018, the purpose of this year’s forum is to get corporate leaders, heads of state and other influential people to renew their commitment to world cooperation in areas such as the global economy, climate change and technology. Following are some of the most important things/discussions that will take place during this year’s World Economic Forum. ### Preventing Another Global Economic Meltdown One of the most important topics of discussion during Davos 2018 will be how to prevent another global economic meltdown. The CEOs and business leaders will put forth their suggestions and the world leaders will ponder on them to determine their effectiveness and if they can be incorporated into existing policies. Whether the suggestions become part of the economic policies or not, one thing is for sure—this year’s WEF will go a long way in preventing another crash of the world economy. ### A Look at The Environment An increasingly popular topic today is that of global warming and continuing with this trend, the WEF attendees will be discussing the world environment and what can be done to safeguard it. We may even see commitments to combat global warming being made. Also, Davos 2018 may serve as the platform where initiatives to minimize global waste are launched. ### Emerging Technologies on the Agenda This one should be of particular interest to all the techies out there (me being a lover and early adopter of technology too). Emerging technologies and their ability to alter patterns of productivity will one of the main agendas of Davos 2018\. The attendees will discuss how recent technologies have changed the world and what skills are required to adapt to these changes. A topic that is bound to catch the media’s attention is the gender disparity in the technology industry. As I wrote this week, right now, [women are unrepresented](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/women-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—to say the least, in the tech world. Discussions will take place on why this is so and how it can be tackled during Davos 2018\. The discussion will be co-chaired by a women-only panel which includes the CEO of IBM Ginni Rometty, the prime minister of Norway Erna Soldberg and the International Monetary Fund’s director Christine Lagarde. ## Speeches to Look Out For If you’re interested in what the world leaders had to say about the world economy or global conflicts, then here are a few to come out of Davos 2018: **The opening address by India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi** **The closing remarks by our President - Donald J Trump** Held at the start of each year, the World Economic Forum is an annual gathering of corporate heads, intellectuals, celebrities, and activists to keep an eye on. The above is what you can expect each year and from this year’s forum in the Swiss ski town of DAVOS! With America's leadership, entrepreneurship, and the great American worker, the world is on the cusp of wonderful growth and expansion. I'm ready - are you? ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Women are Helping Transform the Technology Industry URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/women-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:09.000Z Many people believe that women are unrepresented in the technology sector. The argument for increased representation of women in the tech sector is backed by a European Commission study published in 2013\. According to the study, Europe can grow by as much as nine billion euros each year by hiring more women in the digital technology sector. While many tech leaders and companies back the need for gender diversity in the technology industry, only a few are taking practical measures to ensure it. As of now, the technology industry is dominated by men—to say the least. In the U.S, there is a shortage of skilled talent in the tech sector today. According to a recent survey, more than 60% of the chief information officers (CIOs) in the tech sector say they are facing of a shortage of skilled IT professionals in their company. To add to this, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says that by 2022, there will more than a million computer and tech job openings but not enough people to fill them. One way to overcome the above problem is addressing the current underrepresentation of women in the technology industry. By increasing the number of women working in the sector, the tech industry can not only alleviate, but also resolve its existing talent crisis. If given the chance, women can be more than just useful tech professionals. Want proof? Here are four women who are helping transform the technology industry. ## Angela Ahrendts The senior vice president(retail) at Apple Inc, [Angela Ahrendts](https://www.apple.com/leadership/angela-ahrendts/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is responsible for developing the strategy for Apple’s physical stores, contact centers and online store and ensuring their smooth operation. Ahrendts reports directly to Tim Cook—the chief operating officer of Apple, and is one of the main people helping create a seamless customer experience for the over one billion users of Apple’s devices. Delivering expert advice from creative professionals and support from high trained tech professionals, Apple’s physical and online stores ensure that customers get the most out of their Apple devices and all this is possible due to the efforts of people like Angela Ahrendts. While Ahrendts became well-known after joining the American tech company, she has been leading global teams for quite some time. Before joining Apple, Ahrendts was working at Burberry—the British luxury fashion brand, as its CEO. Under the leadership of Ahrendts, Burberry experienced outstanding growth in the UK and other places where it had a presence. In addition to being the senior-level executive at Apple, Angela Ahrendts has served as a member of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Business Advisory Council and is a recipient of the Coats of Arms award. ## Safra Catz In 2014, Larry Ellison—the founder of Oracle, stepped down as the company’s chief executive officer. Not one but two were hired as his replacement and one of them was [Safra Catz](https://www.oracle.com/corporate/executives/catz/index.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the current co-CEO of the company. Unlike many other CEOs in the tech industry, Catz has progressed through the ranks at Oracle to become the company’s CEO. Born in Israel, Catz moved with her parents to the United States when she was just six. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Catz worked for several different companies before joining Oracle in 1999. At Oracle, Catz has led many successful acquisitions. One of the highest paid female CEOs in the world with a reported salary of over $40 million, Catz has helped oracle to secure more than a hundred acquisitions since 2005\. There were rumors of Catz joining Disney as its director but nothing of that sort has happened yet. ## Weili Dai A Chinese-born American businesswoman, [Weili Dai](http://www.marvell.com/company/leadership/weili-dai.jsp?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is the co-founder and director of Marvell Technology—a manufacturer of communications, storage and semiconductors products. Dai established Marvell in 1995 and today the company ships over a billion chips each year. Prior to founding Marvell technology, Dai worked as a software develop in several different organizations. A computer science graduate from the University of California in Berkley, Weili Dai has accomplished a lot since immigrating from China to the United States aged 17\. Today, the company founded by Dai her husband Sehat Sutardja is worth an estimated $2.3 billion. ## Aparna Chennapragada The former director of Google Now—an intelligent personal assistant developed by Google, [Aparna Chennapragada](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnacd/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has served as the Technical Assistant to the CEO at one of our country's tech companies. At Google, Chennapragada has challenging duties which include developing an intelligent system for a range of users worldwide and helping drive cross company product strategy. Right now, Chennapragada is serving as the Google Lens’ Senior director of product —an app designed to bring up relevant information during visual analysis. Currently, Aparna Chennapragada is researching the potential of algorithms and artificial intelligence to build products capable of improving everyday life. With almost two decades of experience in the tech industry as a product leader and computer scientist, Chennapragada has the skills and experience required to help transform the technology industry. And, if given the chance, many other women can follow in Chennapragada’s footsteps. The four women mentioned above are just a few of the thousands of women worldwide who are helping transform the technology industry. Women in tech have proven that if given the chance, they can match—if not excel, their male counterparts, in leading the transformation in the technology industry. We are always actively looking for women with a technical background. We are very proud of the women we have on staff today and they bring significant depth to our teams. For those women with a technical background, please visit our career page today: [www.percentotech.com/company/careers](https://percentotech.com/company/careers/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 6 retail technology trends to watch out for in 2018 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/retail-technology-trends-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:10.000Z It’s 2018 and e-commerce is thriving. Today, retailers are enhancing technological skills and capabilities steadily to not only stay relevant among customers, but also gain an advantage over competitors. In the past decade, retail has undergone significant transformations and more of the same is expected in 2018\. The widespread use of the internet and smart phones has facilitated this transformation and has made shopping more customer-driven. Customers are in charge today and retailers that ignore the influence of technology on their business and don’t provide customers with seamless shopping experiences run the risk of becoming irrelevant. For this reason, knowing the retail technology trends that could impact your business is crucial. Following are the 6 retail technology trends to watch out for in 2018. ## 1\. Increased Focus on Customer Experience (CX) Despite all the hype around [Customer Experience](http://www.percento.rocks/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) (CX) last year, there was a decline in the focus on CX in 2017\. This is according to Forrester research—an American market research company. While CX stumbled in 2017, it is expected to be one of the most important areas of focus for business this year. And, there’s good reason for it. According to figures released by Salesforce –an American cloud computing company, more than 60% of retail customers say that technology has made it extremely easy for them to switch from a business to its competitor. Additionally, more than 70% of the customers expect a consistent experience across channels from retailers to stick with them. Looking at the numbers, it is fair to say that that today’s retailers require enabling an ideal customer experience across channels to achieve customer loyalty. Soon, Omni-channel retailing will be a requirement rather than an option for retailers to meet their customers’ expectations, increase revenue and become profitable. ## 2\. Increased Focus on Operational Efficiency With the average inventory misrepresentation rate being higher than ever, now is a good time for retailers to understand and conscientiously plan their entire supply chain. An important thing to do here is analyzing what is being bought by shoppers from the store and also what they are liking. Retailers will understand the value of using technology for business growth once they start using Enterprise mobility in warehouses and stores effectively. Companies will be able to connect the little pieces together and get a complete picture of things by using technology to increase operational efficiency. Additionally, businesses will need technology to achieve complete operational efficiency and benefit their bottom line. ## 3\. A Wider Technology Gap How the technology gap has widened between laggards and retail leaders is one retail technology trend from 2017 worth nothing. A ‘wait and watch’ approach to technological developments in the industry is no longer a viable option for retailers. Companies that launch online before expanding into the physical world, have an edge over others in providing tech-savvy shoppers with exactly what they want—a seamless, user-friendly buying experience. ## 4\. Immersive Shopping Experiences Direct and significant relationships with buyers are enabled by physical stores, and these immersive experiences will become essential in 2018 and beyond as technology enables buyers to take control of their shopping experiences. The physical stores will serve as the perfect platform for retailers to provides customers with experiences that are not possible online. While shopping online platforms are increasing in popularity each day, physical outlets will never lose their importance due to the immersive experiences offered by them. Currently, the creation of immersive experiences for customers is a practice employed by big brands. However, smaller retailers will follow suit as the expectations of customers rise. ## 5\. Increased Use of Data Though a lot of data is available to most retailers today, only a few of them are making full use of it. So, if you’re guilty of not utilizing your data too much, then be glad that you’re not alone. As mentioned earlier, it is imperative for businesses to implement systems that really put their data to work if they don’t want to be left too far behind the industry leaders. What you do with the data available to you is what separates your business from the competition. To ensure success, you’ll need actionable insights that can help you to improve operations and/or customer experience. ## 6\. The Use of Facial Recognition in Retail In 2018, face recognition technology will pique the interest of many businesses in the retail industry. Though, we are some way off from its mainstream adoption. Nonetheless, the use of facial recognition in retail is a retail technology trend to watch for in 2018\. While it may not be implemented during the year, recognizing a person’s profile who is present in the store and then serving him/her with personalized content digitally is an idea that will get floated a lot in 2018\. Not only that, we may even see the introduction of ‘smart glasses’ that can recognize individual customers to complement the facial recognition technology. There you have it—the six retail technology trends to watch out for in 2018\. In addition to the trends mentioned above, there are some other retail technology trends that you need to keep an eye on during the year. So, what are the other retail technology trends to be aware of? You can find out about them by getting in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Here are The Highlights of CES 2018 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ces-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:10.000Z For most people, the new year starts on January 1, but for techies the year doesn’t really start until CES—the biggest consumer electronics show in the world. Hosted in Vegas during the first month of each year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Just like its predecessors, the CES 2018 created much hype in the tech world and thankfully lived up to expectations. Here the highlights of CES 2018! 51 years and counting, the Consumer Electronics Show held in Vegas each year garners much media attention and is visited by people from all over the United States. Things were no different this year with CES 2018 attracting more than 180,000 attendees over the course of four days. The attendees included the general public, exhibitor personnel and the media. Of course, the attendees were there to either exhibit or experience the tech on display. So, what was the most noticeable or interesting technology on display? Check it out. ## Samsung Galaxy A8 It seems as if [Samsung](https://www.samsung.com/us/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the South Korean Brand of electronic items— wanted to launch its phone early this year. One of the Samsung Phones that you can expect to buy during the first quarter of this year is the midrange version of the Galaxy A8—a smart phone on display at CES 2018\. The first handset from the Korean tech company with an all-display front, the mid-range version of the A8 is expected to sell for a lower price than this year’s flagships. However, we won’t guarantee this because Samsung is yet to announce the price for the phone. Equipped with the new 2.4GHz octa-core Exynos 7885 processor of Samsung, the A8 has storage capacity of 32GB and comes with a 4GB of RAM. The phone has 16-megapixel camera on its rear side while the front is equipped with dual cameras—a 8-megapixel and a 16-megapixel f/1.9 camera. ## Home Assistants One of the things that stood at this year’s CES were the [Alexa devices](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DFKC2SO/ref=s9%5Facss%5Fbw%5Fsc%5FOdsHAHer%5Fah%5Fs1%5Fw?pf%5Frd%5Fm=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf%5Frd%5Fs=merchandised-search-top-2&pf%5Frd%5Fr=Q7PDJSW8XRN20YNXPM78&pf%5Frd%5Fr=Q7PDJSW8XRN20YNXPM78&pf%5Frd%5Ft=101&pf%5Frd%5Fp=1d0167d4-de8f-4592-ac20-a20d71bebf9b&pf%5Frd%5Fp=1d0167d4-de8f-4592-ac20-a20d71bebf9b&pf%5Frd%5Fi=9818047011&ref=bobbydavidson.com) on display by Amazon. However, the American ecommerce and cloud computing company wasn’t the only company flaunting its home assistants at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show. Google—a multinational tech company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, also exhibited its Assistant at the event and announced that it would get a screen soon. In addition to Google itself, Sony and LG will also produce Google’s home assistants with screens this year. Bixby—an updated version of Samsung’s assistant also managed to attract attention at the CES 2018\. In many ways, the smart assistant from Samsung is similar to the Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri. Unlike many other smart assistants, Bixby will be able to connect with refrigerators and televisions in addition to integrating with the phone. ## Fisker EMotion Fisker Emotion—the luxury electric car developed by [Fisker automotive](https://www.fiskerinc.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), will be up for sale in 2020\. However, it was on display at the CES 2018 and it looked drop-dead gorgeous—inside and out. A car that is expected to provide Tesla with stiff competition, the Fisker Emotion is equipped with a battery that charges rapidly, a level 4 autonomous driving technology and a carbon fiber chassis. The car can reach a top-speed of 160 MPH and comes with futuristic butterfly doors that slide up. ## HTC Vive Pro One of the most noticeable things on day two of the 2018 Consumer Electronics show was the [HTC Vive Pro](https://www.vive.com/us/product/vive-pro/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the latest version of HTC’s virtual reality headset. A headset that makes it possible for to play games at 3k resolution, the latest HTC Vive features dual OLED display for pin-sharp text and high contrast images. ## Self-Driving Cars A major attraction at the CES 2018 were rides in self-driving Lyft cars powered by [Aptiv technology](http://www.aptiv.com/home?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The rides were to twenty pre-programmed destinations in Las Vegas. By offering the rides, Lyft wanted to test the viability of making self-driving cars part of its fleet in the future. Equipped with intelligent driving systems, Lyft’s self-driving cars drove around town with the same expertise as a professionally trained chauffeur. ## Health Gadgets A plethora of health gadgets was on display at the 2018 Consumer Electronic show. The 2018 CES was thronged by gadgets that help improve the health and well-being of people. This included Sleep enhancing wearable headband by Philips and mouth guard capable of detecting concussions by Prevent Biometrics—a company that deals in concussion impact monitoring technology. Another health gadget on display at the CES 2018 that caught many people’s attention was the ‘smart swimsuit’. Jointly designed by Spire Health Tag and Swim.com, the swimsuit allows swimmers to keep track of their workouts in water. SkinScanner—a product of Neutrogena, also managed to garner considerable attention at the event. To allow users to access the health of their skin, the scanner can sync with the Skin360 app and connect to an iPhone. ## Misfit Path The area with smartwatches on display was one of the most crowded areas at the CES 2018 and a reason for this was the [Misfit Path](https://misfit.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the good-looking smartwatch from Misfit. A smartwatch with an analog timepiece, the Misfit Path can track your sleep, distance and calories burned. Additionally, it can receive app, text and call notifications from your phone. Another benefit of this smartwatch is that it is waterproof. So, you don’t have to worry about wearing it in the shower or pool. In addition to the seven mentioned above, the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show had many other highlights all revolving around the emerging technology that could potentially transform our lives and the world we live in. For those Technology Enthusiast, this show is awesome. To go, you need to have a tie to the technology industry, but if you can reach that threshold, the show will be worth your while and expense. Check it out in 2019. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Virtual Technology Can Help Enable Business Growth and Higher Profits URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/virtual-technology-business-growth/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:11.000Z A buzzword, virtualization is something most people have heard of but aren’t too familiar with. A virtual form of computing, virtualization has tremendous benefits for technology-driven businesses and if implemented properly, can save a business a lot of time and money. Contrary to what the naysayers say, virtual technology is not a passing fad that will disappear into oblivion in the coming years. Instead, it is a technology that can help you to drastically reduce your computing cost now and in the future. Virtual reality is a highly sought-after technology today and there are many reason for this. In addition to its usage in the healthcare sector, virtual reality is applicable in many other fields including military training and the creation of virtual architectural models. There are also many benefits of virtual technology use for the business. But, before we discuss how businesses can benefit from the implementation of virtual technology, let’s take a look at the sectors that can potentially benefit from this technology. ## Sectors That Can Benefit from Virtual Technology Following are the sectors that can benefit the most from the implementation of virtual technology. ### Travel The industry that stands to benefit the most from the use of virtual technology is the travel industry. This is the reason Thomas Cook—a renowned British travel company, has been investing thousands of pounds in VR technology. The company says that VR helps to enhance customer experience, which in turn increases the company’s sales. ### Engineering Another sector that can benefit greatly from the implementation of virtual technology is engineering. The VR technology enables designers and engineers to exhibit their services and goods in extremely unique way—a way never used before. According to Mark Riles—the managing directors of RenderMedia—a VR agency, virtual technology has enabled manufactures and engineers to test their products before they are built. Additionally, it has made it possible for engineers in different continents to be at the same place and interact without having to travel. This will surely make life convenient for those in the engineering field. ### Real Estate Virtual tour of properties is already a thing today and this VR experience is expected to get even better in the future. In addition to enabling property buyers to take tours of properties, virtual technology is assisting architecture and improvements to homes. ### Training Another area where virtual technology is being used is training. Not only does this include military training, it also includes medical training and training for sports. Additionally, as the VR technology develops, it is likely to be used as a training tool in many other fields. While the aforementioned-sectors are the ones currently benefiting from VR, there are many others that stand to gain from the use of this technology. How exactly can virtual technology help them? let’s find out. ## How Businesses Can Benefit from the Use of Virtual Technology Following are some of the benefits businesses can achieve by implementing virtual technology. ### Improved Customer Service A major benefit for the business enabled by virtual technology is lowered planned and unplanned computer downtime. This allows business to automatically switch to a [backup server](http://www.percento.cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Additionally, a snapshot of the last time the server was working is made available to them. This in turn enables employees to log onto their devices within minutes, not hours. However, the biggest benefit of this is that your customers are less likely to experience a downed site, and as consequence head to your competitors. ### Fast Installations One of the biggest reasons to invest in virtual technology is fast installations of switch software and new server applications or router. This is possible due to the fact you don’t have purchase equipment, wait for it be delivered and then set it up to have virtual technology up and running for your business. Instead, you can use a special virtualization management tool to set up a new virtual machine, storage device, switch or router. Generally, the only process required to significantly reduce setup times is copying an image. ### Lowered Costs Nothing pleases business owners or other people in control of business finances more than things that help lower costs. Virtual technology is exactly that. You will allow your IT department to merge data into fewer servers by enabling VT for your computer systems. This results in less hardware to maintain, which in turn means shortened hours of work, reduced power bills, lowered facility space usage and fewer licenses to buy. In addition to the above, virtual technology will ensure that you’re not dependent on a single vendor, allowing you to buy hardware for the lowest possible cost. In addition to savings, businesses can gain a competitive advantage by implementing virtual technology for their business systems. ### Increased Flexibility The final benefit enabled by virtual technology for the business is increased flexibility. You can only run a single operating system on a computer at a time with traditional technology systems. But, virtual technology has made it possible for you to simultaneously run multiple operating systems on a single computer. Equipping a single piece of hardware with various virtualized desktops is what enables this. VR and Internet of Things are fast becoming new technologies that businesses are utilizing. We, here at Percento, are always working hard to tool up to support all new technologies for business. It's very exciting times. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Great Surprises at CES 2018 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/surprises-ces-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:11.000Z With the holidays and new year celebrations done and dusted, it is time to turn out attention to the first major public event of the year—the CES 2018\. While the annual event still attracts many visitors from all over the U.S and other countries, it is not as popular as used to be a few years back. However, 2018 could be the year the CES returns to its past glory as the CES is expected to throw up many surprises this year. Attendees were to expect ‘never-seen before’ stuff at the 2018 Consumer Electronics show. However, here are the 5 biggest surprises that were at CES 2018. ## Smart Cars Though they aren’t yet regarded as consumer items, cars could be on show at the 2018 CES as they continue to get smarter and are equipped with electric motors—this could well be the justification cars need for participating in the event. Jim Hackett—the Ford of CEO, is the keynote speaker at this year’s CES and this is reason enough for a lot of car tech manufacturers to show off their gadgets. Some of the car tech that could be on display at the 2018 CES includes smart-charging devices, cheaper LIDAR sensors, and new driver safety AI systems—all that is required to produce cheaper, faster and more-intelligent self-driving cars. Though all major car manufacturers will be at the CES this year, we won’t be seeing any clash of concepts at the event. However, some of them may well surprise us will ‘out of the box’ technology. Also, since Ford is already partnering with OjO to produce variety of electric scooters, expects many electric scooters at this year’s show. But, it won’t be just smart car tech or electric scooters on display. Attendees will also come across self-balancing hoverboards, electric skateboards and any other transportation tech that helps you to get around places faster. In short, there will be a lot of futuristic transportation technology on display at the 2018 Consumer Electronics show. ## New Smart Home Devices Smart thermostats and smart doorbells are already a thing and we may soon witness a range of other smart devices in our homes as well. While it will be some time before the smart devices are part of our home, they will be on display at this year’s Consumer Electronics show. Expect to come across improved version of existing technology at the event, with home devices being subjected to the biggest changes. Amazon and Google have been trying for years to sync Assistant and Alexa work with many different home appliances. We may see a whole host of technology that integrates with the aforementioned-voice assistants at the 2018 CES. Soon, you may be able to open the front door just by speaking. Also, other tech that you may soon see in your home and that could be on display at the 2018 CES includes smart bathroom facilities, connected crockpots and transparent fridges. Major innovations in the smart appliance space is also expected to be on display at the 2018 edition of the annual consumer electronics show. ## Augmented Reality Thanks to the popularity of Alexa, voice-activated assistants were the show-stopper at last year’s CES. However, virtual reality (VR) wasn’t too far behind in the race for the top spot—with the VR press conference hosted by Intel and VR powered roller coaster rides offered by Samsun being the highlights. While VR is still popular among tech enthusiasts, exhibitors are expected to focus on augmented reality rather than virtual reality. This is largely due to the debut of Apple’s ARKit software—tech that help developers to build AR apps for iOS devices. New apps and services that leverage the AR tools offered by Appel are expected to be on display at the 2018 CES. ## Robots 2017 was the year AI voice assistant became common in homes. Additionally, robots continue to be get smarter. With this knowledge, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that 2018 could be the year robots go mainstream. From toys to manufacturing plants, robots are everywhere and the appearance of AI chips in consumer-grade products is helping increase the acceptability of robots. So, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of robotic technology on display at the CES 2018. ## Wearables A broad category, wearables at the 2018 CES can include a range of things including AR glasses, brain headbands and GPS watches. A possibility at the CES 2018 is the exhibition of health/ fitness wearables. Spanning more than 60,000 square feet, two areas will be dedicated to health and fitness tech at the CES 2018\. Some of the health and fitness wearables you can expect to see at the CES 2018 include sleep trackers, fertility monitors and gluten sensors. In addition to the aforementioned-things, there are some other new tech-based products that you can expect to come across at the CES 2018\. Head to Vegas and wait for out next piece on CES to find out about them. If you can fit the criteria to get in next year, you should go check it out. If you do, look for me. [www.ces.tech](https://www.ces.tech/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Google Maps Will Soon Tell You When It’s Time to Get Off Your Train or Bus URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/google-maps-train-or-bus/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:12.000Z A web-based service, Google Maps gives detailed information about sites and regions around the world. Not only does this service by Google—an American multinational technology company, provide conventional road maps, it also provides satellite and aerial footages of many places. Soon, Google Maps will be able to tell you when it’s time to get off your train or bus. Here’s more on it! ## How Google Maps Work For more than a decade, Google Maps has been an internet staple. Despite this, only a few people are aware of all its features and how it works. Have you ever thought about how Google is able to provide you with accurate maps of regions around the world, how the maps are maintained and updated or how the service comes up with real-time traffic updates, distance between places and relevant nearby businesses? If you haven’t, then now is a good time to do that. So how does it all work? let’s find out. ### Map Partners To gather data for Google Maps, Google leverages its Base Map Partner Program to collaborate with authoritative and comprehensive data sources. Google’s map partners include agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, the U.S National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, different county and city councils and others. These partners provide Google with detailed data which the American tech company uses to display new paths, changing waterways and boundaries and other similar information. ### Street View A road trip with seemingly no end, Google Street view allows Google to place images of street views on top of its base map. The source for these images are the GPS coordinates of the vehicles in several regions of the world that drive around every accessible road to take 360-degree images wherever possible. Contrary to what you may know, Street View provides a lot more than just a panorama of destinations and streets. Google can read things such as names of businesses, traffic signs, and other road signs by using the optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities that continue to improve each day. The data read by Google is converted into directional and navigational information that Google Maps can store in its database. If the name of a street has changed since the last time it was captured, it will be detected by a more recent Street View image. This is one of the ways Google has built the huge local business database that it boasts today. ### Satellites Satellite view is another key feature of Google Maps. A feature that joins together high-resolution footages of the planet captured by the satellites above, it indicates a close collaboration with Google Earth. Other data layers such as information provided by external agencies and Street View are used to cross-check the images. This in turn makes it possible for Google Maps to take note of new and altered buildings, geological changes and so on. ### Location Services While no clear information is available about how Google leverages mobile location services to keep Maps updated, there is no doubting that these services play a major role in the updating of Google Maps. If you give Google access to the location data collected by your smart phone, then you are a part of Google’s strategy to improve and update Maps. Google can use the location data collected by your phone to estimate current traffic speeds, provide real-time traffic updates and pinpoint road diversions. Maps has the ability to detect a diversion and adjust directions accordingly if a there is no traffic on a busy route all of a sudden. Additionally, this data is used by Google to estimate the busy hours of individual businesses. Google achieves this by tracking foot traffic in individual buildings. This is another attempt by Google to bring offline information to the internet. With a good understanding of Google Maps, you are now ready to find out about how Google Maps will inform you about the time to get off your train or bus. ## A Minor but Useful Update to Google Maps Google Maps is about to undergo a minor but extremely useful update. This new update to Maps will allow users to get live guidance and notifications in real time during their journey. You will find the notifications in the Google Maps app and on your phone’s lock screen. A small but useful update to Google Maps, this will provide with detailed guidance during your travels—alerting your beforehand when you are about to reach your bus or train stop. So, with this update, you will know when it is time for you to get off your train or bus. The notifications will appear on your phone’s lock screen, and you will avoid missing out on important alerts during your travel on the train, bus or tram. Also, you will be able to set up alerts by scrolling through the journey steps. The update will not only allow you to get live guidance and real-time notifications, it will also allow you to build a list of your favorite places and share your location in real-time. Considering how much people use their phones during their travels, the new update to Google Maps will surely increase its use. The update is another effort by Google to make life convenient and safe for people around the planet. As seen above, Google Maps allows provides users with a variety of useful functions. The latest addition to the list of functions boasted by Google Maps is a feature that tell you when it’s time to get off your train or bus. Expect more updates to Google Maps in the future. On a personal note; my cousin's son interned at Google while he attended Texas A&M over the past couple of years. After that successful internship; Google offered a full time position within their map division. While talking to him over the Christmas break, it was quite interesting to hear some of the projects his team is working on currently. Our family is very proud of Brent and if the other Google staff is as smart as this kid, take some advice from me - you might consider buying stock in Alphabet. :) [www.abc.xyz](https://abc.xyz/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Flashback: The 5 Coolest, Futuristic Technology Unveiled at CES 2017 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/futuristic-technology-unveiled-ces-2017/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:12.000Z Held in Las Vegas in January last year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 served as the perfect platform for companies dealing with automobiles, computer technology and home appliances to show off their latest innovations. While narrowing down everything that occurred at the 2017 CES was not possible, we did manage to eke out the 5 coolest, futuristic technology unveiled there. While established tech companies such as Google and Apple were absent from the event, many mid-sized companies and new startups attended the show and unveiled technology that could give the big boys a run for money in the future. The 50th edition of the event, the 2017 Consumer Electronics show had many highlights. However, the following were the five coolest and most promising gadgets unveiled at CES 2017. ## 1\. Lenovo Smart Assistant A more colorful and slightly cheaper version of the Amazon Echo, the new Lenovo Smart Assistant has eight microphones that are capable of picking speech from sixteen feet away. Also, since Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant powers it, you will get access to the same set of skills that are available to buyers of the Alexa. Lenovo pitches the Assistant as ideal for playing music, managing to-do lists and calendars and answering questions. ## 2\. Plume A wearable device, Plume tracks the pollution around you. A gadget that you can clip to a bag, Plume tracks temperature, ozone, nitrogen oxide, humidity, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter (PM2.5). ## 3\. A Laptop with Three Monitors Want to watch a Netflix movie, play a video game and write an email all at the same time? Well, Razer’s three monitor laptop allows you to do just that. For most people, a single screen laptop isn’t enough and this is a problem Razers aims to solve with Project Valeria—the name given to the cool, new laptop. Featuring two foldable displays in addition to the main screen in the center, Project Valerie features Nvidia’s 1080 graphics card and is powered by an Intel Kaby Lake processor. Capable of supporting 4K resolution, each screen of the laptop is 17 inches in size and can used as one big display or independently. While Razer—the Singapore based gaming company flaunted many cool, gadgets at the 2017 CES, it was the Project Valeria prototype that caught the attention of most attendees. One of the coolest gadgets unveiled at the 2017 Electronics show in Vegas, Project Valeria does have some downsides including weighing just twelve pounds, which isn’t acceptable for a laptop with three monitors. According to Razer, the final version of the laptop—if and when it comes to market, will be slightly different from the prototype. Whatever the final version looks like, one thing is for sure—Project Valeria will be one of the coolest, gaming laptops around when it finally comes out. ## 4\. A Credit Card-Sized Computer Not too long ago, Intel—an American multinational tech company, came up with Compute Stick—a extremely tiny computer capable of adjusting into something as small as a Chromecast. But, Intel has come up with something even better—a credit card sized computer. Unlike other innovative computers and laptops that are designed for customization and upgradation purposes, the purpose of Intel’s new tiny-sized computer is upgrading the internet-connected home appliances. Though the Compute Card has the thickness and size of several credit cards, it is packed with tons of power. Designed to fit easily into smart devices, the card comes with storage, memory, wi-fi and a Kaby Lake processor. With its new credit card-sized computer, Intel aims to upgrade connected home appliances such as connected security cameras, interactive retail kiosks and smart refrigerators. The idea behind it is to allow anyone to insert the card in a normal monitor or other type of dock to convert it into a computer system. If this materializes, buying a new computer system to improve connectivity or support faster systems may soon become a thing of the past. To win their support for the Compute Card, Intel has been marketing the gadget to manufacturers of smart appliances, kiosks, and smart TVs. In addition to the basic functions of a standard-sized computer, the credit-card sized computer unveiled by Intel at the CES 2017 features a processor, storage space, memory and wireless technology. This gadget is particularly useful for TVs as it allows you to easily upgrade the TV for new processes and apps—all you have to do is swap the old computer Card with the latest one. While the Compute Card is an incredible piece of technology, it will take sometime before it hits the market. However, you will soon see the Card exhibited at malls and hotels as Intel has gotten into a partnership with Sharp—a Japanese manufacture of electronic products, for that purpose. ## 5\. A Fitness Tracking Ring Your entire fitness tracking crammed into a ring, the fitness tracking ring by Motiv was a star attraction at the CES 2017\. Made of titanium, the fitness tracking ring can track your sleep and fitness including distance, calories and steps. Additionally, the tracker can run for up to three days on a single charge. In addition to the aforementioned-technology, many other cool, futuristic gadgets were unveiled at the 2017 Consumer Electronics show. To find out about them, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The 4 Biggest Tech Acquisitions of 2017 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/biggest-tech-acquisitions-2017/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:12.000Z According to investment banking firm Jegi, the volume of technology-related mergers and acquisitions that took place in 2017 hit record-breaking levels. The third quarter of 2017 alone saw $160 billion dollars worth of deals go through, with over 2500 businesses purchased and sold during the period. Although some industry insiders have drawn parallels between today’s investment-friendly tech environment and the market conditions that surrounded the industry during the dot-com boom at the turn of the millennium, this current trend of buyouts seems to be very different in nature. At that time, corporations were seemingly willing to pony up cash for any upwardly mobile Silicon Valley start-up, regardless of profitability and track record. In comparison, present day buyers are far more cognizant of how to leverage technologies for their business needs. Now, organizations across all sectors make use of a wide variety of technologies, including mobile platforms, AI, robotics and analytics tools to drive transformations and streamline processes; and that constant search for innovation only looks set to continue in the coming years. It’s clear to everyone from established industry juggernauts to enterprising newcomers that neglecting tech investments just isn’t a choice any longer. With that in mind, taking a look at some of the biggest tech moves over the past year should give us a much better idea about which corporations are setting themselves up best for the future. ## Apple Acquires Shazam When news started filtering in earlier this year about Apple’s interest in purchasing music recognition app Shazam, the move was hailed as a masterstroke by many in the industry. In recent years, Apple’s music services have been somewhat overshadowed by close competitor Spotify. In September, when Spotify announced it had achieved 65 million subscribers on its streaming platform compared to Apple’s 30 million, the gulf between the two companies was illustrated even more clearly. With the $400 million dollar acquisition of Shazam in December, Apple has made it clear that it plans to step up efforts to upend this dynamic. Through Shazam, Apple now has access to a pool of over 1 billion additional users, many of whom are already well acquainted with purchasing music on partnered services through the music detection app. Interestingly enough, before the acquisition, Spotify was amongst the partnered companies using Shazam to generate referrals towards its own offerings. Alongside an expanded user base, Shazam’s integration brings additional tech capabilities to Apple. For one, the app offers a sophisticated audio recognition system that could bring Apple’s devices on par with advanced voice-controlled speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo. Shazam also offers a variety of image recognition features which could easily be combined with Apple’s own high-quality digital cameras to produce several augmented reality tools on next-gen mobile phones and tablets from the company. ## Ford Acquires Argo AI 2017 has been something of a breakthrough year for self-driving technologies. From Google’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise Automation to Uber and Tesla, over the past year, major players in both the automotive sector and Silicon Valley have been in a fierce race to create the first viable solution for autonomous travel. With the $1 billion acquisition of previously unheralded AI startup Argo in February, Ford has added its considerable resources to the fray. Although Ford already has a long-running robotics unit, the purchase of Argo seems to have been made with a view towards optimizing the software and computer platform for its in-house virtual driving systems. This would include the planning and implementation for a range of sensors which include: cameras, radars, light detectors, and positional mapping features. The ultimate aim seems to be the development of a “*full stack*” system that would allow Ford’s fleet of self-driving vehicles to know where they are and how they should move in relation to changing environments in real-time. At the helm of the new partnership are former Uber and Waymo engineering heads Peter Rander and Bryan Salesky, two heavyweight names in the burgeoning field of self-driving technology. ## Verizon Acquires Yahoo In June, one of the most iconic brands in internet history saw its independent existence come to an abrupt end, as Verizon announced the $4.5 billion acquisition of Yahoo. With the move, Verizon brought together the combined digital media assets of two massive online entities in AOL and Yahoo into a consolidated subsidiary simply known as *Oath*. According to the industry insiders, the primary motive for this spate of acquisitions is Verizon’s increasing desire to extend its presence into the world of online mobile and video advertising. With this move, the telecommunications giant is putting itself into direct competition with established market leaders in the field like Google and Facebook. Indeed, the impressive portfolio of programmatic ad-buying and targeting tools available to AOL was one of the main reasons cited for the purchase of that conglomerate back in 2015\. Yahoo’s range of digital media companies, along with its stockpile of advertising technologies should work to enhance these capabilities even further. With a wide-ranging array of digital content providers including The Huffington Post, engadget, and Yahoo Finance now under the Verizon umbrella, along with a wealth of targeted user data, look for Verizon to make a huge splash in the world of digital advertising in 2018. ## Amazon Acquires Whole Foods Amazon’s eye watering $14.7 billion dollar purchase of high-end grocery chain Whole Foods sent shockwaves throughout the tech world when it was announced this past August; with the deal representing one of the biggest acquisitions in retail history. As news came in, retail industry insiders immediately started sounding alarm bells about what the merger could mean for the future of local grocers and food-delivery businesses across the US. In particular, experts pointed towards the wealth of new data Amazon would now be able to access; data that included grocery purchasing patterns, product preferences, and consumer behaviors pulled from Whole Food’s massive base of affluent customers throughout the country. In addition, the ecommerce giant now can integrate Whole Food’s range of proprietary products into its own growing line of Amazon branded goods. As Amazon redoubles its efforts towards vertical integration by incorporating a variety of fashion lines and manufacturers under its umbrella, this deal represents simply another step in the company’s quest to create the most efficient order fulfillment system in the world. This year is only going to be better! Cheers to a successful 2018! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Here’s why Facebook is Consistently Ranked as the Best Workplace in the World URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/facebook-ranked-best-workplace/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:13.000Z [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/facebook-ranked-best-workplace?ref=bobbydavidson.com) If you’re a fresh college graduate or even a seasoned professional looking to make a jump up the career ladder, then [Glassdoor’s](https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Percento-Technologies-Reviews-E479264.htm?ref=bobbydavidson.com) yearly *Best Places to Work* list might hold some pearls of wisdom for you take into your impending job hunt. Every year, the website, through thousands of company reviews from past and present employees, determines the most attractive workplace in the world. On the list, you’ll find a number of established Silicon Valley behemoths including Google, and Apple, alongside a few less obvious names such as New-York based pharmaceutical Bristol-Myers Squibb and biotechnology multinational, Amgen. However, one familiar name has ruled these rankings for the past three years and counting; and that name is Facebook. # What Makes Facebook so Special With 2 billion unique visitors per month and an estimated value in excess of $500 billion, [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) is an enormous enterprise any way you cut it. To keep the machinery and infrastructure for such a massive company running smoothly, the website employs over 18,000 employees at its sprawling, state-of-the-art headquarters in Menlo Park, California. Despite the sheer size of their workforce, the company still manages to average an impressive 4.6 out of 5 rating on jobsites. Obviously Zuckerberg is doing something right, but what exactly is that something? ## The Freedom to Fail In 2008, a Facebook intern by the name of Ben was trying to work out solution for a bug he’d noticed on Facebook’s interface. As per Facebook policy, software engineers are allowed to live-test their fixes and innovations on a group of 10,000 to 50,000 actual users; the process produces unreplicable real-time results which directly go towards improving software on the website. Unfortunately, in this instance, Ben’s attempts at finding an efficient fix somehow managed to send the entire website crashing down. Zuckerberg’s response was to hire the intern as a full-time employee. This little anecdote perfectly illustrates the ethos that’s central to Facebook’s enormous growth and continuing innovation over the past decade. Zuckerberg says it best himself, *"I think the strategy of Facebook is to learn as quickly as possible what our community wants us to do, and that encourages a culture that encourages people to try things and test things and fail.”* Despite the size and sensitivity of Facebook’s operations, the management from the top-down has created a culture where employees never feel afraid to fail in the pursuit of creativity and achievement. ## Enviable Compensation Market leading salaries and great benefits make Facebook a highly sought after option for both present and prospective employees. Amongst the perks provided to workers are: - 4 months of maternity and paternity leave, and a $4000 bonus for new parents - An on-site bike repair shop - A wellness program that finances gym memberships and other healthy activities - 3 weeks paid vacation - A complete video game arcade - Free daily catered meals and snacks - An on-site barbershop - On-site health and dental care - Valet parking - On-site dry cleaning services - An average salary of $285,000 an year (interns are reported to make an estimated $7,080 a month) Even in an industry renowned for its extravagant benefits, Facebook leads the pack. So, is it really any surprise that everyone seems to want to keep working there? ## Transparency from the Very Top While Facebook might have a long history of secrecy and shady maneuvering as far as its actual business goes, the view from inside the company couldn’t be any more different. Senior managers, including Zuckerberg himself host weekly Q & A’s in which employees are encouraged to participate and provide feedback. Any concerns expressed are handled swiftly and amicably. In addition, these sessions often provide a platform for Zuckerberg to make announcements about new features and products coming to Facebook in the following months. According to employees, the instant feedback and responsiveness from the top down is used to encourage a feeling of connectedness and community within the workforce. By all accounts, it seems to be working. ## Work That Matters That emphasis on connectedness carries over to the actual work performed by engineers and designers at Facebook. According to Zuckerberg, his biggest fear isn’t that Facebook will fail; it’s that the website won’t make full use of its lofty position to make the biggest world impact possible. It’s a driving vision that seems to be well reflected amongst the workforce at the company. According to a survey conducted by Payscale, 81% of employees at Facebook think that their work makes the world a better place. When employees enter the Menlo Park headquarters, they’re met by a large slogan, scribbled across the walls. It reads “The journey is 1% complete”. It’s a message that shows just how far Zuckerberg still thinks Facebook has to grow. ## Better Hiring and Working Practices While the average interview at Google can take up to 6 weeks, new Facebook recruits can find themselves hired in about a quarter of the time. Despite the fact that both companies get a similar quality of applicants, ex-Google employees consistently report being shunted into lower level positions where they’re not allowed to make full use of their skills and competencies. In comparison, Facebook employs far less workers, in much smaller teams. Where Google employees may feel like simple cogs in a machine, every Facebook employee seems to feel that they’re actually capable of making a lasting impact on the company at large. While Google is far more traditional in its organizational structure, with managers receiving far more freedom to make decision, Facebook employs a much more equal working environment where employees are prized for their skills and contribution rather than their position. Most importantly, employees at Facebook feel that they have room to advance further. In Glassdoor reviews workers report that they’re more than happy with the opportunities for career advancement afforded to them at the firm. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Incredible Story of How Mark Cuban Made his Fortune URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-mark-cuban-made-his-fortune/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:14.000Z # Early Failures and Successes As a tech enthusiast the job offered Cuban the opportunity to gain a foothold in an industry he had long-admired. Despite his relative inexperience, Cuban got the job; and in his mind he was now well on his way to building a great career in software sales. Unfortunately, within a year he had been let go for paying more attention to securing sales leads than sweeping floors at the store. It seemed that despite his enthusiasm, and desire to succeed, nobody was willing to give the budding businessman the platform he needed to make good on his promise of success. So Cuban decided to take the bull by the horns, and engineer his own path to riches. A few years on, and Cuban had founded a successful software sales firm *Microsolutions,* off the back of many of the client relationships that he had developed at *Your Business Software*. By 1990 he had sold off the firm to H &R Block for $6 million; with Cuban himself pocketing $2 million off the deal. At the tender age of 32, Mark Cuban was a bonafide millionaire, and like any other suddenly wealthy young man, he decided that he would enjoy the fruits of his labor. Cuban retired on his initial windfall, and promptly purchased a lifetime pass from American Airlines in an effort to see as many countries in the world as possible. But the party boy lifestyle couldn’t keep his irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit down, forever. # Broadcast.com As owner of the Dallas Mavericks and several other franchises in a variety of leagues, Mark Cuban’s love of sports should come as a surprise to nobody. Back in 1995, five years off of the sale of *Microsolutions* it was this same passion that drove Cuban into his next big endeavor. With the worldwide web taking off, Cuban had long been on the lookout for investments opportunities in the online world. When a digital media specialist by the name of Christopher Jaeb approached him to secure funding, for an audio streaming service that could play sports events from a variety of leagues; Cuban realized that he had found a perfect match for his abilities. Starting with a $10,000 investment from Cuban, the website then known as AudioNet quickly became a runaway favorite amongst sports enthusiasts. By 1998 Cuban and his business partner Todd Wagner, a fellow Indiana University graduate, had bought out the entire company, renaming it to Broadcast.com in anticipation of a public offering. The massive success of that IPO made many, of the employees at the firm millionaires almost overnight. Within a year, Broadcast.com was employing 300 people; and drawing admiring glances from a variety of tech conglomerates around the world, amongst the list of suitors was Yahoo. Eventually the search engine giant decided to make good on its intentions, in July of 1999 Yahoo acquired Broadcast.com for $5.7 billion dollars in stick, at the very height of the dot com boom. With the crash just around the corner, the sale couldn’t have come at a better time for Cuban. As a savvy stock market player, he quickly set about selling his shares and diversifying his investments in order to protect his newfound wealth against the threat of market failure. # Working in the 2000’s ## The Dallas Mavericks Amongst Mark Cuban’s most high profile investments in the early 2000’s was his $280 million acquisition of struggling NBA franchise, the Dallas Mavericks. With Cuban’s guidance, and shrewd strategic advice, the franchise slowly managed to right years of mismanagement, and poor player trading to get to the NBA finals in 2006\. Five years later, the Mavericks did one better and won the championship, much to their owner’s delight. Today, the sports franchise is valued at $1.4 billion, not a bad return on investment. ## Entertainment Over the years Cuban has made many moves in the entertainment industry, both behind the scenes, and in front of the cameras. In 2001, he introduced high definition cable TV to America with an exclusive digital network known as HDNet. The television serviced offered sports events, live news coverage, movies and other programming marketed primarily towards a male demographic. In 2012, the company was rebranded as AXS TV, with the channel increasing its viewer base to include an additional 14 million people on the Dish Network. In 2003, Cuban purchased an arthouse movie theater chain by the name of Landmark Theatres under his company 2029 Entertainment. ## Television Work Cuban has made several forays into television at various points in his career. In 2004, he collaborated with ABC network to produce a reality show called *The Benefactor*; the show was met with poor ratings and quickly went off the air. Undeterred by that failure, Cuban returned to TV in 2012 as part of the judging team on the hit series [Shark Tank](http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The show offers investors the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to Cuban, and other investors. Of the 43 business deals that Cuban has closed on the show, an impressive 31% have gone on to birth successful businesses, a figure that puts him far ahead of other savvy investors. With Cuban’s involvement Shark Tank has seen ratings grow year-on-year. The show has received strong critical acclaim as well, winning three consecutive Emmy awards between, 2014 and 2016. # Final Word With an estimated net worth of $3.3 billion and counting Mark Cuban’s appetite for success shows no signs of being satisfied. When describing the biggest contributor to his fortune, Cuban says: *“Once you have found out what you love to do, there is only one goal…How can you be the best in the world at it? It doesn't matter if you are a filing clerk, an athlete, an accountant or a bartender. All that matters is that you do whatever you can to be the best."* ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Much Startup Leaders Should Pay Themselves URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/startup-leaders-should-pay-themselves/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:14.000Z It’s your business and your money, so you get to decide how big or small your monthly paycheck should be. While this may sound great on paper, but making the call on your paycheck is a tough to say to choose in practice. So, should you pay yourself just enough to cover your expenses or should you award yourself a big paycheck, leaving little for company growth? If you’re confused about what to do, then here are some ways for you to determine your market worth and what you should pay yourself each month. ## Determine Your Living Expenses Considering how much you need to meet your basic monthly expenses is a good way to determine your paycheck. You can determine your monthly expenses by considering essential costs such as food, rent or mortgage payment, expenses of spouse and children (if applicable), and health insurance. As a startup leader, you should be willing to ignore any expenses other than the ones mentioned when determining your salary/paycheck. Once you’ve created a personal budget to pay your expenses and debt, award yourself a ‘reasonable’ portion of the business’ profit—this will be your salary. ## Consider Comparable Businesses Another way to determine your market worth is considering what owners of comparable businesses are paying themselves. Here, comparable companies refer to companies having the same size, industry and geographical location as you. A good way to find this out is checking with trade associations or connecting with other startup leaders in your industry. ## Balance off the Salary You Require and Deserve against Your Business Finances To counterbalance the added risk and responsibilities, some startup leaders may give themselves a salary three or five percent more than their market worth. Other compromise their own salary for a potentially successful business in the future. This makes it important for startup leaders to balance off the salary you require and deserve against your business finances. Start by checking the projected cashflow in your business plan to make sure that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your own salary in addition to the expenses required to operate the business. Ideally, the cash flow in your business should be big enough to pay the salary you deserve (the salary based on your market worth), save money for reinvestment and leave some for emergencies. The bad news is that the above is unlikely to happen. So, the next best thing you can do is pay yourself a compensation within the minimum salary range. This is something you will have to live with for the first few years of your business. However, as your business reaches break-even and goes beyond it, increase your salary to compensation equaling your market worth. **The Early Years** In its initial years, your business may ebb and flow a bit. For this reason, it would be a good thing to start with a basic salary with a bonus structure that comes into action only after business has reached the break-even point. This is probably the best way to compensate yourself during the early years of your business. Once your business starts to generate considerable revenue, you can allocate yourself a percentage of the company’s profits during each quarter which will be your quarterly salary. Depending on the personal financial needs, reinvestment philosophy, and business goals of the owner, the percentage of bonus can vary widely. You may want to get to a market-worth salary as soon as possible, but if you want your business to grow and succeed in the long term then delaying the above and leavings some profits in your business would be a good thing to do. **Consistent Growth** When your business starts to experience profits on a consistent basis, you can start re-evaluating your paycheck. Generally, this means increasing your salary to a percentage that is equal to the annual growth of your business, and reinvesting whatever remains in your business. However, just like the structure for bonus, there is no set way for determining how much you should increase your salary by. A good thing to do here would be factoring in your business goals and the nature of your industry. For example, you may want to use the quarterly bonus structure and the flexibility offered by it if you are in the cyclical industry. On the other hand, you may ignore the salary increase altogether and utilize the additional money to invest in new products, marketing campaigns, or expansion plans if you believe your business can grow. ## Re-Evaluate Your Salary from Time to Time Consider revisiting/reevaluating your salary every time you achieve a milestone whether it is related to completion of a project, a product launch or revenue. This will ensure that you are using the business resources sensibly. At times, this may mean giving yourself—the startup leader, and other people who have helped your company to grow, a salary increase or a bonus that you deserve and your business can afford. By using the four ways mentioned above, you can determine your salary as a startup leader—salary that is justifiable and ensures the growth of your business. Now get out there and make that money and enjoy the ride to success! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Leverage Social Media for Your Company In 2018 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/social-media-2018/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:14.000Z 2018 is almost upon us and businesses will have re-strategize their marketing and social media efforts to make an impact in the new year. So, what are the social media strategies to consider for 2018? Today, most of the company’s marketing budget and focus is dedicated to dominating the social media channels. So, if you haven’t thought about your social media efforts yet, then now is a great time to review them and see what works best for each social media platform. Today, there is an increased focus on blockchain and artificial intelligence but it is more than certain that video will be the dominating force in social media world for the foreseeable future. However, ensuring a good video content marketing campaign on social media platforms such as [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/percentotechnologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDsDVJ8wzkw&ref=bobbydavidson.com) and Snapchat is not the only thing you need to gain a competitive advantage on them. You need to do some other things as well. Here is how you can leverage social media for your company in 2018. ## Create and Share Video Content Most people—individuals and businesses, know the importance and usefulness of video on social media. However, to give your proof that creating and sharing video content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram is in your best interest, here are some revealing stats: - The total number of views YouTube videos get each day are over five billion - Almost five hundred million people watch videos on Facebook each day - More than 80% of the Twitter population watches video content on the platform - Over ten billion views are generated by Snapchat videos each day The above stats clearly show the power of video content on social media platforms. One of the best ways to grab the attention of your audience on social media sites is creating and sharing video on the platform. However, it is important for you to ensure that the video upload and share on a social media platform is the ideal length and appealing to the audience you want to attract to your business. ## Consider Using Surveys A social media trend that may see in 2018 is businesses surveying their audience or customers on social media platforms. Businesses have been using surveys to understand the behavior and needs of customers since ages. The advent of the internet and social media sites has made surveying target audiences or customers a whole lot easier for them. Thanks to social media platforms, surveying is no longer a daunting task for businesses. There is a lot to get out of surveying audiences or customers on social media platforms. Surveys can provide you with valuable information pertaining to the struggles of your ideal customer, and what you can do to help them. Start creating and sharing surveys on social media platforms that will not only help you meet the needs of your existing customers, but will help you attract new customers to your business. By conducting surveys on social channels, you will be able to identify the real challenges that people have and then you can leverage this information to provide customers exactly what they need. Additionally, this will help you to create better and more engaging content on social media. ## Make Use of Social Chat Bots According to Gartner—an American research and advisory firm, bots will assist more than thirty percent of our conversations in 2018\. A software app, a chat bot can activate a human-like conversation. Useful virtual assistants, social chat bots assist your customers round the clock and help increase your business revenue by building lasting relationships with potential customers. Does your business have hundreds or thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? If yes, then responding to the comments of the followers and having a personalized interaction on the page with every customer can be a hard task to say the least. By interacting with each follower and responding to their questions promptly, chat bots can help keep followers on your social media pages engaged and satisfied. In addition to responding quickly to customers/followers on the social channels, the social chat bots always reply politely regardless of the nature of the customer’s replies. In 2018, the businesses that use social chat bots will have an edge over their competition on social platforms at the very least. ## Leverage the Power of Livestreaming and Interactive Broadcasting If you haven’t thought about it yet, then start doing it now. One of the best ways to keep your audiences/customers engaged on your social media pages is using livestreaming. A feature available to Facebook users, livestreaming can help you reach and target your niche better. Only those people who are interested in what you have to say or offer will watch your livestream. This in turn will allow you to know which followers are most likely to turn into your customers. In addition to livestreaming, you can try interactive broadcasting for this purpose as well. The aforementioned-things are some of the many things you can do to leverage social media for your company in 2018\. If you’re interested in knowing about the other ways to gain a competitive on social media platforms, then get in touch with us today. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### US Economy Added 228,000 Jobs in November. What Does That Indicate? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/us-economy-added-jobs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:15.000Z As revealed by the monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report, more than 220,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in November. However, the rate of unemployment did not change from the previous month and remained constant at 4.1%. According to William J. Wiatrowski—the Acting Commissioner of BLS, the average monthly employment growth in 2017 was a little over 173,000\. Statistics revealed by the bureau showed unemployment at over 6.5 million—with about 1.5 million being considered long-term unemployed. This included people without a job for twenty-seven weeks or longer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics further revealed the unemployment rate for teenagers which had increased from the previous month and was 15.9%. The unemployment rate for other worker groups changed little from the previous month. There was an increase in wages as well. According to BLS, there was a 5% increase in private nonfarm payrolls average hourly earnings. ## Which Industries Benefited from the November Job Gains? Many industries benefited from the addition of jobs to the U.S. economy in November. More than forty thousand jobs were added to health care. But, not many people were surprised by this as health care performed well and remained steady even during the time of the recession. The confidence of the employers remains unscathed despite the doubts over Trump’s health care plan. The USD is subsiding and this helped the U.S. manufacturing industry to gain over thirty thousand jobs in November. Exports benefit from a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar. The sector that benefited the most was durable goods gained twenty thousand jobs in November. Just over eighteen thousand jobs were added to the temporary help services. When business starts to pick up, companies often add temporary jobs but they are reluctant to make permanent recruitments. Another industry that experienced an addition of jobs was the [construction industry](https://synergen.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) where twenty-four thousand jobs were added. This indicates that the housing market in the U.S. is doing well right now and the real estate market is likely to remain steady for the foreseeable future. The retail industry also experienced an influx of jobs—with more than eighteen thousand jobs being added to it in November. This was largely due to the record breaking sales made on Black Friday and increased consumer spending during the holidays. The wholesale sector also benefited with an addition of thirty-four thousand jobs. In addition to the above, the other sectors that benefited from the addition of jobs in November included the leisure and hospitality which gained fourteen thousand jobs. However, as the sectors suffered a lo due to the hurricanes, most of the new recruits were hourly employees. Hourly employees are paid only when they work and absence from work means no pay. This is considered by the BLS as a loss of job. However, all returns to work are considered as jobs gains in the monthly report. The average addition of jobs in this sector is twenty to thirty thousand jobs a month. An important and useful thing to do here is considering the number of manufacturing jobs added or lost each month. This is a major economic indicator. As soon as they have orders, factories are likely to add workers. Generally, this happens months or even years before the shipment of orders. For this reason, manufacturing is a more accurate indicator than service employment. While it did gain as many new recruits as the aforementioned- industries, the financial sector did experience an addition of eight thousand jobs. As long as the federal reserve continues to push up the interest rates, banks will continue hiring new people. Since it gives them the opportunity to charge more for loans, lenders can leverage the higher rates to increase profitability. The job gains were limited to the industries or private sector. The government also experienced job gains with seven thousand jobs being added to it. This came as a surprise to many as President Trump has revealed many times his intentions to streamline the federal government. The increase in the oil prices helped the mining industry to gain seven thousand jobs. Since oil prices are expected are increase in the future, more jobs are likely to be added in the industry in December and beyond. ## Is the Addition of 228,000 Good News for the U.S. Economy? The addition of 228,000 in November is good news not just for the U.S economy, but also for the Trump administration. One of the promises President Trump made during his election campaign was reviving the U.S. economy. The addition of jobs in November is the perfect platform for Mr. Trump to do that. While the Trump administration has little to do with the recent increase in jobs and salaries, people may be willing to give them the credit for the low unemployment rate and increase in wages. Regardless of who the credit for it goes to, the U.S. economy is performing better than it has in over a decade and there have been gains in income and employment. The Trump administration should do everything it can to seize the opportunity and help the U.S. economy to return to its glory days. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Tech Gifts for Health-Conscious Clients URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tech-gifts-for-health/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:15.000Z Your clients are the ones keeping your business alive and growing. So, it is important that you show them some love and appreciation this Christmas. A great way to do that is giving them gifts that they will not just appreciate, but also use. If your clients are like most people today, then it is likely that they are making a shift to a healthier lifestyle. If you know clients like that, then there are some awesome gifts for your clients out there. We have put together some great health-related tech gifts for all your health-conscious clients. These gifts would make the perfect Christmas presents for them. Even if you don’t have health-conscious clients or aren’t aware of them, consider gifting something different from unhealthy choices such as chocolates to clients this Christmas. Give them something that will improve their lives. Here are 5 tech gifts that not juts your health-conscious clients, but other clients will love as well. ## 1\. The Nima Sensor Celiac disease affects 1% of the population. Caused by the consumption of gluten, the disease can cause food intolerance or sensitivity. An attached food sensor, the [Nima](https://nimasensor.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) sensor is great for keeping gluten sensitivity or intolerance in check as the gadget can test gluten levels. The device has a very simple function as it takes less than two minutes to indicate whether the food is safe for consumption after a small food portion is placed in one of its test capsules. In addition to indicating food consumption safety, the Nima sensor has an app that allows users to inform other users about the safety of consuming specific food options and gives them an opportunity to review restaurants. ## 2\. The Omron Evolv A clinically ratified wireless blood pressure monitor, the Omron Evolv is a lightweight device which makes it super easy to carry and use. Using an app designed for the device, you can easily measure, store and share your blood pressure with the Omron Evolv. Not only does the device have great function, it also has an aesthetically pleasing design. Coming back to the device’s function, the Omron Evolv uses Advanced Accuracy—an algorithm of heart health, to measure additional data points and remove any movement interference for error-free, objectively-accurate readings. As mentioned above, you can easily store and share these readings using the device’s app. ## 3\. Oral B Genius 9000S Electric Toothbrush Most dentist will tell you that one of best ways to keep your teeth sparkling white is investing in an electric toothbrush. But, this doesn’t mean that you should buy an electric toothbrush blindfolded. Instead, do your research and find out the best electric brushes out there. The good news is that we’ve already shortlisted a top of the line electric toothbrush for you to save your valuable time. The electric toothbrush that we’ve come up is the [Oral B Genius 9000S](https://www.cnet.com/products/oral-b-genius-9000/preview/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) electric toothbrush. A unique electric toothbrush that your clients will love, the Oral-B Genius 9000S syncs with the Oral-B app via Bluetooth to inform you about how best to use the electric toothbrush. This ensures clean and white teeth that you can proudly flaunt in front of the world. Also, if someone is brushing too hard, then the pressure control alerts them and the SmartRing feature of the brush will light up a bright red light and lower the brushing speed to keep your delicate gums safe. In addition to cleaning and safety features, the Oral-B Genius 9000S comes with a compact case and has great battery life as it can last for more than ten days on a single charge. This is an ideal gift for your clients to take with them on holidays. ## 4\. PainPod This is a tech gift that your clients with any kind of chronic pain will love. People with chronic pain would kill for anyone that would help lower their pain. So, you can save your clients with chronic pain from incarceration by gifting them PainPod this Christmas. A wearable tech, PainPod is one of the alternatives to the drug-based painkillers out there. Listed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [PainPod](https://thepainpod.com/collections/all?ref=bobbydavidson.com) could potentially change medical science as we know it. Claimed as the most unique medical tech device available today by its manufacturers, PainPod is powered by a new biomedical technology that uses microcurrents. A device that can understand our nervous and body systems, PainPod can help alleviate chronic pain by managing the pain, improving performance and speeding up recovery. If you want to impress your health-conscious clients and show them that you care, then consider gifting them PainPod. ## 5\. Eight Sleep Tracker As most married people know, conflicting sleeping habits can jeopardize a relationship. The good news is that there is device that help make conflicting sleeping habits less of a problem. A modern smart sleep device, Eight Sleep Tracker can track your sleep and set varying temperatures for each bed side. This is great news for all those who want their marriage/relationship to last long. There you have it—the 5 tech gifts for health-conscious clients. To find out about other similar gifts, get in touch with us today! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 Essentials of A Company Culture URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/company-culture/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:16.000Z Every company has its own unique feel. For example, Apple and Best Buy fulfill similar needs such as selling electronics and computer yet both offer a completely different buyer’s experience. The feeling you get in an Apple store is completely different to the feel in a Best Buy outlet and this is not co-incidental. Instead, it is the result of a carefully thought-out corporate culture. And, this applies not just to these two companies, but to every organization out there including large-scale manufacturers, restaurants, hospitals, law firms and more. If there is a company, then it must have a company culture. Company [culture](https://www.google.com/intl/en/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a made of the working environment, the way things are done at the company and the people working there. The company culture affects several aspects of the business including talent acquisition and staff retention, and the reputation of the brand in the industry and amongst the masses. Often, job satisfaction is largely dependent on the company culture and if an employee doesn’t like their company’s work environment and working style, then It won’t be long before they hand in their resignation letter. For this reason, it is essential for businesses to build a company culture that attracts the desired talent and ensures the retention and motivation of the existing employees. While the right company culture varies based on the type and size company and the demographics of its desired employees, there are a few essentials of a company culture that every organization out there should consider. ## Have a Company Culture and Hire People Who Fit It This is a no-brainer. While a person may look like the perfect candidate on paper—having the required experience and qualifications, he may not excel at the company just because she/he doesn’t fit into the company culture. On the other hand, if hired, a person who doesn’t meet all the experience or educational requirements of a job, may do extraordinary well at a company just because she/he is an excellent culture fit. Often underestimated and overlooked by executives and hiring managers, hiring a person who fits the company culture should be on the top of the priority checklist along with educational qualifications and track record of productivity when shortlisting and interviewing candidates for a vacant position. A person who has an average work production rate but fits the company culture perfectly would be a better hire than a person who will be productive but does not work well with the team or is a horrible culture fit. ## Craft a Vision or Mission Statement As it is addresses who you are, what you do, how you do it, who you do it for and the value achieved from it, crafting a vision or mission statement is extremely important. The vision/mission statement is what serves as the basis of the company culture. Additionally, it provides the company with a purpose and guides its values, which in turn steers every decision made by the employees. Provided they are authentic and exhibited prominently, well-crafted vision statements can not only guide employees, but help customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Often, the success of a company is determined by how simple or compelling its vision statements are. In short, a company’s vision is simple yet foundational element of company culture. ## Have Obvious Company Values The core of a company’s culture, the [values](https://percentotech.com/company/percento-principles/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of a company informs employees and other people about the purpose of the company and the required behaviors and mindsets in pursuit of the vision. Hiring managers often ask candidates in interviews why they want to work for their company but do you know why? It is to determine whether the knowledge, personal goals and motives of the candidate are in sync with the company’s values. Many hiring managers reject candidates for a position just because they are not aligned with the company’s values. McKinsey & Company—a worldwide management consulting firm, has a clear set of values that are conspicuously conveyed to every employee and reveal how the company intends to maintain professional standards, treat colleagues, and serve clients. Another company with obvious company values is Google which is known for encouraging employee creativity, and having a casual work environment. No matter what your company values are, get the word about them out there and attract professionals aligned to them. ## Prioritize Team Over Individuals The final and probably the most important thing that you need to do when crafting your company culture is prioritizing team over individuals. By giving preference to team over individuals, you will bring the essentials of a company culture mentioned above in one place. This in turn will ensure an inviting company culture—a culture that helps attracts and retain the desired talent. Also, when people work with like-minded people, they are more likely to be motivated to be at work and complete tasks in an efficient manner. There you have it—the four essentials of a company culture. By using the some of these idea above, you can develop a company culture that helps you to not only attract and retain the desired talent, but also ensure high-employee productivity and an upbeat and motivated work environment. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 6 Technology Gadgets that Make Great Christmas Presents URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/great-christmas-presents/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:16.000Z Regardless of what their interests or hobbies are, no one can resist the temptation of a shiny new gadget. Looking for Christmas presents for friends or family? If yes, the tech gadgets are a great choice. One of the most popular and sought-after gifts today, tech gifts make great Christmas presents whether you are looking to gift a man, a woman or a child. Now, there are a range of tech gadgets that you can gift as Christmas presents including Smart phones, VR headsets, robots, laptops and many more. What you need to decide is what gifts are within your affordability. If the above isn’t within your means, then you may want to go for cheaper alternatives such as air pods, doorbell cameras and virtual assistants. Following are 6 technology gadgets the make great Christmas presents. The gadgets are listed with their prices to help you decide what tech gadget you can and cannot afford to gift this Christmas. ## Microsoft Surface Pro A great addition to the tech world is the all new [Microsoft Surface Pro](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-pro/overview?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The new laptop from Microsoft is lightweight yet powerful enough to perform a multitude of tasks including photo and video editing. Additionally, the laptop is incredibly easy to work on. The laptop has a large and sharp display and you can jot down notes by using a pen on the screen. If you get the core i5 edition, then it will cost you $999\. If you have the keyboard that comes as an ad-on as well then you will have to pay an extra $159. ## Apple Watch Series 3 With Cellular A much more affordable tech gift, the [Apple Watch Series 3](https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-3/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) with Cellular is a smartwatch with loads of features. Some of the noticeable features of this watch include push notifications, athletic tracking, and virtual assistance. Using this watch, you can control calls and emails from your wrist rather than from the phone. This smartwatch is priced at $430. ## Amazon Kindle Oasis Is there is a bookworm among your family or friends? If yes, then the [Amazon Kindle Oasis](https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Kindle-Oasis-8GB-Grey/dp/B06XD5YCKX?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will be a great Christmas present for him/her. The new eReader from Amazon is likely a gift from heaven for people who love to read. Featuring a 7-inch elnk display, the Amazon Kindle Oasis has an aluminum design which gives it a stylish look. But, this isn’t the best thing about the eReader. Instead, the best thing about it is the ability to read back audible audiobooks via dedicated page-turning buttons and a Bluetooth speaker. The eReader from Amazon costs $250 so you may want to think twice before choosing it as Christmas present. ## Apple AirPods If you are looking for an affordable tech gadget to gift as a Christmas present, then [Apple AirPods](https://www.apple.com/airpods/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are a good option. However, since the Airpods are built to sync with iPhones and the Apple Watch, make sure that you gift it to someone who has either an iPhone or an Apple Watch. The AirPods sync with the above devices to allow audio streaming on them. Browsing through Bluetooth menus is no longer required. The Apple AirPods come in a case and they have an extraordinary battery life. This means that they can run for hours when you are out and about. The price? An affordable $159. ## Doorbell Camera This is probably one of the most unique gadgets that you can gift to anyone this Christmas. In fact, it is the perfect Christmas present for people with smart locks in their home as the two gadgets combine to make a great home security system. Whenever there is someone at the door, the [doorbell camera](https://www.lifewire.com/best-smart-doorbell-cameras-4145064?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will alert you about it, providing you a live video feed of the area just outside the door. In case you missed the alert, the doorbell camera will take a snapshot for you to look at later. Depending on who is on door, you can lock or unlock the door remotely if you have the smart installed too. This gadget is priced at $199. ## The All-New Echo Virtual assistants can be great gifts at any time of the year but you can make someone’s Christmas special by gifting them this gadget on Christmas day. When it comes to virtual assistants, there aren’t many better than the Amazon Echo and the all-new [Echo](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-And-Alexa-Devices/b?ie=UTF8&node=9818047011&ref=bobbydavidson.com) gives weight to this claim. The all-new Echo comes with multi-room audio support, allowing you to listen to music in different places of your house. In addition to listening to music, you can use the new virtual assistant from Amazon to call and leave messages for other people with Echos or other Amazon products. More compact than the original, the all-new Echo has a great sound and it makes a great smart home speaker. So, how much does this virtual assistant from Amazon cost? Just $99\. If you want an Echo with more features then you can go for the Echo plus which has a price tag of $150. There you have it—6 technology gadgets that make great Christmas presents. Your family or friends or whoever you gift these gadgets to are bound to love their Christmas presents by you. To find out what other tech gadgets you can gift this Christmas, feel free to reach out to me. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Best Advice for Entrepreneurs – Take Some Time Off URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/entrepreneurs-take-time-off/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:16.000Z To get where they want to be, entrepreneurs must work their socks off. To get their ideas off the ground and make them into something worthwhile, entrepreneurs need to dedicate a lot of time, energy and resources to them. While doing this is important, it shouldn’t come at the expense of completely ditching a vacation or time off work. Taking a vacation or time off work is not just good for your health, but it also good for the success of your business. Let’s see why. ## Improve Your Physical and Mental Health by Recharging Your Batteries For entrepreneurs, being physically and mentally fit is extremely important. Working throughout the year without break can burn you out, affecting your physical and mental health. As an entrepreneur, you can recharge your batteries and improve your physical and mental health by taking some time off work and going on vacation. It won’t be long before you are mentally blocked and physically tired if you slog away at work day after day. The best way to avoid this or even overcome it is taking time off work and going on a vacation. By taking time off work and going on a vacation, you will give your body and mind a re-boot, which in turn will allow you to return to work refreshed and with renewed zest. If don’t recharge your batteries and aren’t in great physical and mental shape, then you won’t be taking your business anywhere or towards success—it is as simple as that. ## Relax Your Mind to Unlock Your Creativity, De-Stress and Rejuvenate Running a business is somewhat like a roller-coaster ride. You will your high moments. You will have your disappointments, profits, losses, good days, bad days and a whole lot more. Want to come out of this ride rejoicing? If yes, then you need to resilient and flexible enough to adapt to a constantly changing playground. To achieve the above resilience and flexibility, you need to be mentally fit. A great way to achieve this mental fitness is unwinding and relaxing your mind by taking some quiet time off. If you’re physically tired or feeling pessimistic about the success of your business, then take some time off to relax your mind and return to work with a refreshed mind and renewed hope. Following is what you can achieve by taking time off work to relax your mind. ## Unlock Your Creativity A relaxed and free-thinking mode is when our best ideas generally pop-up. If you want to spur creativity, then step away from work as a setting where you’re rushing to meet deadlines isn’t the best place to spark your creative instincts. ## De-Stress Working day-in, day-out can stress-out the best of us. So, it’s completely natural for you to feel stressed due to work. A metaphor for working under constant stress would be flying a plane with the flaps down and the wheels unlocked. If you fly like this, then you will waste a lot of energy. So, do the sensible thing and de-stress by taking time off work. ## Rejuvenate When they first start a business, most entrepreneurs are extremely excited and passionate about the venture. However, this excitement and passion generally dies down over the years. But, do you know why? It is because entrepreneurs are too mentally and physical fatigued to carry on their business with the same zest and passion they had when they first started the business. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, take time off work once every 6 months or year. By taking time off work to relax and unwind, you will avoid being physically and/or mentally fatigued, which in turn will keep your initial excitement and passion for business alive. ## Inspire Yourself Seek inspiration for your business? The best place to find it is in a vacation spot where you’re not thinking about work and have a lot of free time to contemplate. The best ideas pop up in the mind when we don’t have a lot going in our heads. So, take some time off work, go on a vacation and you may just find the inspiration or idea you seek. ## Give Your Business an Opportunity to Grow Without You Often, entrepreneurs have to assume many different roles when they first start a business. However, as the business grows, they are required to outsource or hire and delegate some of those roles/responsibilities. When you do get to this stage, take some time off work just to see how well your business can function without you. Remember, the people who help you run your business are your greatest power and if they can’t do their job without your supervision or advice, then your business is not going to be successful. These reasons and good advice (trust me) are just 4 of the countless reasons entrepreneurs should take time off work. When business owners go on vacation, they tend to need a company like ours to [proactively monitor](https://percentotech.com/managed-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) their IT network and provide help desk support for their employees. Reach out to us to discuss how we can partner up and give you the freedom to enjoy your vacation with your family. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 6 Ways to Read More Books URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/read-books/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:17.000Z For the first 25 years of my life, I had probably read approximately 15 books. But, do you know how many books I read in the whole of last year? More than 25 for the year, no doubt. So, what did I do during the last that I hadn’t been doing previously to read more books? The first and probably the most important thing that you or anyone for that matter should do to increase his or her is reading is stop giving lame excuses for not reading books. When I talk to some people who most have ‘zero’ interest in reading and if I asked why; the reply I normally get is ‘I don’t have the time’. Seriously, not enough time to read a couple of pages of a book each day? Considering the fact that I had read only 15 books till that time, this may seem hypocritical on my part but you need to get the helpful point—there are no excuses for not reading books. Once you stop giving yourself or anyone else excuses for not reading books, you can try the following that might help you to read more books. ## Set a Book-Reading Goal If you want to increase the number of books you read each year, then set specific book-reading goals. For instance, determine how many books you want to read and how fast you want to finish them. This will help you track your progress and give you a reason to celebrate finishing reading a book. A great tool for tracking books lists and setting up specific reading goals is [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Additionally, using this app, you can connect with your [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) friends, asking them to spur you on and encourage your reading progress. ## Carry Your Book (s) With You You will always have an opportunity to read. You just need to identify it and then grab it with both hands. On the bus, train, at the subway, or even at work while you eat lunch —there will be an opportunity to read but only if you carry your books with you. If you do have them with you, then just find the an opportunity and seize it before you start thinking otherwise. Carrying books with you is much easier if you have a digital version of them and this is what the next way to increase reading is about. ## Read in A Way that Suits You Best If you want to increase your reading, then you should read in a way that suits you best. If your preferred way of reading books is on Kindle or iPad or your mobile phone, then start doing that NOW. From my own experience, a suggestion that I would give you is read books in several different ways: physical books, audiobooks, digital books and any other form of books you can find. This are just suggestions; so, if you prefer to read books in a particular way, then do that. When you read in a way that you like or in a way that you’re comfortable with, then you’re likely to develop an interest in reading and read more and more books. ## Read While You Wait Did you know that we spend an average of 4 hours in transit or in line somewhere? If you wait while travelling on the bus or train from you home to work and vice versa. You wait for you turn to take ride or on a work break. The point is that there is so much waiting time in our life and most people allow this time to go to waste. One of the best ways to make use of this time is reading a book. Grab a book that you would read only when you’re waiting. Read a page or two or more of this book each time you wait. A week, two weeks, or a month later you will have finished reading this book. When that happens, grab a new book and repeat. ## Read Before Bedtime Don’t continue to give the tired excuse (pun intended) ‘I don’t have the time’. You always have the time and the best time is just before bedtime. While most adults would use this time to browse social networking sites or just chillin' on the couch surf the tube, you should use it to increase your reading. There’s no better time to read a book than the time before you hit the bed because at this time of the day, there is little disturbance and you can read a book with concentration, finishing the pages quickly and with a good understanding. ## Make Reading a Priority You could do all of the above, but if reading isn’t a priority for you then unfortunately you won’t be reading a hell-a-va lot of books. While this is last on my personal list, make reading books the top most priority. Make everything else, including TV watching or movies on Netflix / Amazon Prime. Make surfing the web or burning time on Facebook and/or Instagram a second priority. So there you go... 6 ways to read more books. Use these ways and you will surely increase the number of books you read each year. Enhance your intelligence every day. It's never too late. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How SMBs Can Thrive Through Business Technology URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/smbs-thrive-through-business-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:17.000Z ### The current business environment demands that SMBs adapt to new technologies or run the risk of becoming irrelevant in both the local and the global marketplace. Generally, small and medium-size businesses have a dedicated individual or team handling IT. The individual is responsible for not just managing IT infrastructure and projects, but also for coming up with innovative tech solutions that can help the business thrive. If you are that person, then here’s how you can use technology to help your business thrive! ### Owners of small to medium-sized business (SMBs) or the people managing them are some of the hardest working people around. But, working hard does not always pay off. There are times when you need to supplement your hard work with a bit of ‘smart’ work. [![Business Technology](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/bb/a6bbe962-8580-4354-a232-d64e855042ec/content/images/2026/07/business-work-637282352_1258x838-jpeg-1.jpg)](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/smbs-thrive-through-business-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Here, smart work refers to investing in and using technology that can help your business thrive. Generally, owners of SMBs or the people managing them are slow to embrace technology. One of them? if yes, then here’s what you need to do to leverage technology for the success of your business. ## Build A Tech-Savvy Workforce If you’re serious about leveraging technology for the success of your business, then, starting today, instill a culture that helps you build a tech-savvy workforce. Get your workforce to think in a positive, modern way before you introduce new technology in the workplace. When you have a tech-savvy workforce, integrating new technology or equipment into the business becomes a whole lot easier. If you want to save yourself the trouble, the look to hire young, dynamic people who are already well-versed in the use of technology. ## Hire a Managed Service Provider (MSP) Owners of SMBs or the people managing these businesses have little time and resources at their disposal. So, having IT infrastructure and systems om-site is nothing but a hassle for them. The good news is that there is an alternative and that alternative is a managed service provider (MSP). While you can still have a dedicated IT person or team, you will free-up a lot of their time for more important tasks than the maintenance of the system by hiring an MSP. The above does not mean that maintenance of computer system is unimportant, instead it means the system can be automated, saving you a lot of valuable time resources. Once you have an automated system in place, an MSP will monitor it for you to identify any problems in it and then rectify them. By outsourcing to a managed IT services provider, you not only get system maintenance, but you also get protection against cyber-attacks, virtualization, cloud computing, and an advanced IT infrastructure. ## Enter into Strategic Technology Partnerships According to a recent study that surveyed SMBs, technology providers such as managed IT services providers are attractive third-party partners. By partnering with the technology providers, most of the surveyed SMBs were able to achieve a much-improved operational efficiency—with some businesses feeling they were well-equipped to compete with the larger, more established businesses. As exhibited by the survey results, SMBs can strengthen their capabilities and support scalable growth by entering into strategic technology partnerships. Transitioning to a new or trending technology becomes much easier and affordable when are in a strategic partnership with a technology provider. This is one of the best things you can do to help your business thrive. ## Change the Focus of Your IT Person or Team Want to help your business thrive? If yes, the change the focus of your IT person or team from dealing with emergencies to cost-cutting and improve revenue. Once your IT person or team starts thinking in this direction, they will look to make IT maintenance and management as affordable as possible. This in turn will help you to cut-costs and improve revenues. One way that your IT person or team may do to achieve this is outsource some of the IT functions to a managed services provider (MSP). ## Go Virtual As networks become omnipresent, physical location is less of a factor, enabling you to connect to people in the remotest of locations. Not only can you sell to people in all parts of the world, you can also keep in touch with your team on their business travels to ensure their effectiveness. Today, remote offices are more secure and reliable than ever thanks to the cloud-based services that enable better security and collaboration. If you cling onto outdated mediums of communication, then it won’t be long before your competitors leave you far behind in the race for customers or market share. Not only do cloud-solutions enable real-time communication between members of a team in different locations, but they also provide SMBs will big data market analysis—allowing the businesses to navigate the global markets and interpret the behavior of their target audiences. ## Make Use of the Cloud There is popular notion in the mainstream and among the tech community that cloud-based services could render people in IT unemployed. Contrary to popular belief, the cloud isn’t here is to steal the jobs of IT people rather it is here to help them. Using the cloud, people in IT can make their jobs a whole lot easier. By reducing their daily workload, the cloud frees-up the IT people for activities that help cut-costs or generate revenue. So, if you want help your business thrive, start using the cloud for it today. Technology is a game-changer and the SMBs that use it best get all the accolades. If you want to know how you can leverage business technology to help your business thrive and grow, then get in touch with us today. This is for your own good! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How to Inspire Your Employees URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/inspire-your-employees/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:18.000Z ### Do you find it difficult to motivate your employees? Do you often find your employees slacking off? Does it seem to you that your employees don’t want to be with your company? If you answered yes to any of all these questions, then, you, my friend, have a real problem at hand. The good news is that there are ways to overcome this problem and inspire employees to be their best! Happy workers=productive workers. This is generally how things work. The happier your employees are at work, the more productive they will be in their job. So, what makes happy employees?[](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/inspire-your-employees?ref=bobbydavidson.com) To put it simply, a happy employee is an employee who is motivated to do his or her job. And, this takes us to the next and probably the most important question: how do you motivate or inspire employees to work hard and help the company grow? This is a question that we seek to answer here. So, without wasting any further time, let’s look at some of the ways to inspire employees to be their best—at work. ## Communicate Effectively Your employees won’t be motivated to help you meet your goals if you are nothing more than a name on an email for them. One thing that CEOs and managers often ignore but should not overlook is employee communications. Talk to your employees frequently, preferably face-to-face. It is important for you to regularly communicate to your employees exactly why their work is important for the company, showing your appreciation for their commitment and hard work. ## Exhibit Your Trust in Them One of the best ways to inspire employees and get them to perform better is exhibiting the trust you have in them and their ability to get things done. Now, there are several ways of doing this including giving them more responsibilities and providing them with an opportunity to grow. By doing this, you exhibit to your employees that you trust them, which often motivates them to do their best. Since it can make them nervous, watching your employees’ every move is counterproductive and it will only demotivate them from work. Instead, give them responsibility and greater autonomy and you will see them rise to the occasion in due course. ## Empower Them This is an extension of the above. If you want your employees to perform their best, then you must empower them. Want to inspire your employees? Empower them by letting them have more of a say in the work they do. Don’t dictate to your employees. Instead, ask for their opinions and get suggestions on how their performance can be improved. Often, employees would know what is required for them to become more efficient at their job, but they won’t share this with you unless you specifically ask for it. So, do just that and have meetings with your employees where you ask for their opinions and suggestions on how to make them more efficient at their job. This is one of the best ways to empower your employee and an empowered employee means an employee motivated to be their best at work. ## Give Incentives for Completing Tasks If you give your employees a reward for a job well done, then they’ll be motivated to repeat the same performance in the future as well. In short, you need to give your employees incentives for completing tasks to the best of their abilities or better than the others. One of the oldest and most tried ways of motivating workers, positive reinforcement can take many shapes and forms including movie tickets, free-lunches, small gift-items or even gift cards that convey to the employees how much they are valued. By doing this, you will not only motivate employees to work harder, but will also inspire a bit of heathy competition in the workplace, which in turn will increase your company’s chances of growth. ## Offer Career-Growth Opportunities Employees will not stay long at a company where they see little career-growth. Whether it is a fresh graduate or a person with years of experience, every person who is eligible for employment would want to work for an organization where there is huge potential for career growth and advancement. When they are working towards something, employees tend to be more motivated. No one wants to work in a place where even years of hard work will lead to nothing or to be specific—no career advancement. Even if they aren’t many opportunities for growth in your company, you need to exhibit to your employees that they can advance their careers by being with you. Offer them training and arrange career counselling sessions at the workplace. Groom your employees to be future managers whether it is at your company or somewhere else. If you do this, you employees will be motivated to be with your company for long and do their best while they are with you. ## Include Them in The Big Decisions When major changes are made to the work policies or big decisions related to a project are taken without their input or consent, employees get disappointed to say the least. If you want to encourage rather than discourage your employees, then include them in the big decisions. Don’t let your employees feel unimportant and isolated because if you do that, it won’t be long before they hand in their resignation letter. By asking for their insight on big decisions, you show to your employees how much you value them. On the other hand, when you discount their opinion completely when taking important company decisions, you lower their loyalty and trust towards your company. So, do the sensible thing and ask your employees for their opinions and suggestions when making big or important company decisions. There are many other ways to inspire employees. However, the ideas above have proven to be the most effective ways of inspiring employees and motivating employees to perform their best. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Don’t Hire Mediocre Employees – Hire the Best URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/employees-hire-the-best/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:19.000Z Compared to the past, recruitment is very different today. Thanks to the internet, getting volunteers for a job is a lot easy today. However, the plethora of candidates makes it difficult for employers to shortlist the most suitable candidates and ultimately hire the best person for the job. Another problem faced by employers in their pursuit of the ‘best’ employee is that many other companies are also vying for the same person. So, how can you hire the best employees rather than mediocre ones? Here is how you can increase your chances of doing that. ## Hire Candidates that Fulfill the 6 C’s Criteria To ensure that you hire the best employees, shortlist only those candidates for a job who fulfill the 6 C’s criteria. The 6 C’s are the seven qualities that you need to judge the potential candidates for. So, without wasting any further time, let’s look at the 6 C’s or 6 qualities you need judge the candidates for. ### Competent The first thing you need to evaluate the potential candidates for is competency. You need to determine whether they have the skills, education and experience required to completed the tasks of the job effectively and successfully. ## Capable Another thing to look for in the candidates is how capable they are of completing not just the easy tasks, but also the tasks that require considerable creativity and effort. If you are looking to hire the best employees, then the capability in the candidates that you should be looking at is how much willingness do they have to take on more responsibility and what is their potential for growth. ### Compatible A quality of ‘great’ employees that often gets ignored during the hiring process is compatibility. Look for someone who seems compatible by nature. The employees you hire won’t work in isolation and often they will have to team up with other employees to complete a task or project. So, you need to find out during the hiring process how well the candidates can get along with colleagues and people in general—the latter is important because the employees may have to deal with partners and clients. Another important thing to look for is a candidate’s willingness to be cordial with not just you or his or her boss, but also with every person in the company. Hiring such an employee can only be good for you. ### Commitment This is something most employers look when hiring for a vacant position and you’re probably one of them. But, how you determine a candidate’s level of commitment? First, you need to determine how serious or enthusiastic he or she is about working and growing with you. Make sure the job you’re offering isn’t a passing opportunity for a candidate and that he won’t move on once he finds something ‘better’. The best way to gauge the person’s commitment is looking at his employment history and seeing how long he was at each job. ### Character Another important thing to determine during the hiring process is the character of the candidates. Find out if a candidate’s values align with the company’s. Other things to evaluate are the candidate’s honesty, how well they can keep secrets and whether they are a team player and altruistic. ### Culture Every business has its own unique culture i.e. how people in the company are expected to behave and interact with each other. This culture stems from certain policies and procedures, expectations and values that influence a leader’s as well as the employees’ behavior. An employee who doesn’t align with the culture of the company can become difficult or disruptive. So, make sure the person you hire is a cultural fit—not misfit. Now that you know about the qualities to look for in a candidate when hiring for a vacant position, it is time to move onto the two great ways to make yourself visible to the ‘best’ candidates. ## Be Searchable The more visible you are to candidates, the more likely they are to apply for the job you posted online or even elsewhere. In this digital age, it is extremely important for employers to make information about themselves easily available online. To make yourself stand out among job-seekers, make your website informative and visually appealing. Clearly state on your website where you are located, what you do and what is your long-term vision. Once the candidates have access to the above information, they will be able to make informed decision about whether they can work and grow with your company. But, before all that, you need to ensure that the right candidates can get to your website and this can be achieved by optimizing your website or other online presence for search engines. ## Get Social Media Savvy There is an old saying which reads ‘Meet people where they are’. So, if you are searching for employees, then look for them in places you are most likely to find them. Today, that place is social networking platforms. Whether it is [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), or job pages on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/), job-seekers today are increasingly using social networking sites to find jobs. As you can get a lot of information about the candidates through the platform, social media is a great way to find candidates for a job and ultimately hire the ‘best employees’. With the information above, you can ensure that you hire the best employees and not mediocre ones. Are you good fit for our company - worth checking it out... [www.percentotech.com/company/careers/](https://percentotech.com/company/careers/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Leadership Qualities That Make Good CEOs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/leadership-qualities-make-good-ceos/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:19.000Z \\Hard work and dedication is required to become a CEO. Whenever the word CEO is said, one immediately starts to think of a person who commands respects and works relentlessly for the success and greatness of his company. Additionally, some great visionaries such as Travis Kalanick and Steve Jobs pop up in the head. However, not every CEO is a visionary like Jobs or has the leadership qualities that make successful CEOs. While visionaries are born, successful leaders can be made. Here are the leadership qualities that make good CEOs! A tough role to fill, the role of a CEO is not for the faint hearted. Instead, the [role](https://bobbydavidson.com/vacations-they-are-important-for-business-leaders-to-recharge/) requires a strong character—a person who can take initiative on his own and drive his team and company towards success and prosperity. However, it is seen that as soon as they are bestowed with the title, many CEOs forget about many of the qualities that they admired in their successor. For the success of a team and a company, effective leadership is key. But, what leadership qualities make effective and [successful](https://bobbydavidson.com/successful-life-story-jack-welch/) CEOs? Let’s find out. ## The Ability to Lean from Past Mistakes For CEOs, it is extremely important to learn from mistakes made in the past and avoid repeating them in the future. CEOs are humans and thus, are prone to mistakes. No matter how they try to avoid them, CEOs will make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and ensure they do not occur in the future. For example, if in the past a disaster occurred and the CEO had not devised an action plan to deal with it, then the CEO should ensure that if a disaster was to strike the company in the future, there would be a plan to deal with the situation. ## A Purpose An unambitious CEO or a CEO lacking purpose or vision can never become an effective or successful leader. A McKinsey study shows that compared to other leaders in the company, CEOs tend to exhibit a greater sense of passion and purpose. As this allows things to move effective and swiftly towards the accomplishment of goals, this is generally a positive thing. However, it can be a negative thing if the CEO allows this purpose and ambition to turn into impatience. As a CEO, you not only need to exhibit exceptional entrepreneurial skills, but you also need to show great patience and perseverance. ## Strong Communication Skills To be an effective and successful [leader](https://bobbydavidson.com/women-technology/), a CEO needs to have strong communication skills. In any setting, the most important skill that a CEO can have is the ability to communicate. A CEO who can communicate effectively will not only convey the message he intends to convey, but he will also help boost the morale of his team, ultimately helping the company to grow. From motivating their teams to complete projects on time to providing them with the knowledge required to get the job done, CEOs must be able to communicate what they need, when they need it and from whom they need it. Recently, Navalent—a consulting company, conducted a study on the development of exceptional CEOs. The study found that the most effective and successful CEOs consistently communicate in a balanced and transparent way. A direct and easily understandable communication style is what effective/successful CEOs have. They effectively convey to their team the potential challenges and opportunities for the company in the future. This in turn benefits the team, the company and the CEOs themselves. ## The Ability to Embrace Risk in Unique Ways CEOs who embrace risk in unique ways or in ways that are different from the ways of other people in the company are likely to lead a successful transformative change within the company or even within an entire industry at times. Now, many people confuse embracing risk in unique ways with dealing with risks in a liberal way. Taking an extroverted approach to dealing with risks is not a good idea but accepting that there are risks and looking for ways that haven’t been tried often but are effective in dealing with risks is a dominant trait of effective and successful CEOs. ## The Ability to Build Relationship You probably already knew this. One of the biggest [leadership](https://bobbydavidson.com/michael-dell/) qualities of successful or good CEOs is the ability to build lasting relationships. No CEO can be successful as a leader until he builds quality and lasting relationships with subordinates and clients. The best way a CEO can create loyalty and reputation for both himself and the company is building relationships. Additionally, these relationships can help create a positive word-of-mouth for both you and the company, which is always a good thing. ## Listening Skills According to the Navalent Study mentioned above, the way to distinguish the top CEOs from the rest is looking for the consistency with which the different CEOs listen to, and seek out the opinions and ideas of their coworkers and subordinates. It is seen that the top CEOs solve problems of the organization by incorporating the view of others into their plans. In short, a CEO who listens attentively is likely to be a successful [CEO](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/253143?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and leader. CEO are bound to come up with some ideas that are not so great. And, when they are in doubt about their ideas, the good CEOs will ask others for their opinion and listen to them attentively before choosing a course of action. In addition to the 6 qualities mentioned above, there are many other leadership qualities that make good [CEOs](https://bobbydavidson.com/abigail-johnson/). If you’re interested in finding out about the other leadership qualities, then get in touch with us today. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Packing Tips for Your Business Travel URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/packing-tips-business-travel/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:19.000Z Whether you’re a novice or an experienced traveler, business travel can tire and stress you out. In fact, it can stress-out the best of us. You are at the beach enjoying the start of the weekend with your family when you get a call from your boss and find that you have to travel on the same day to another city for a business conference. Not only do you have to cancel the weekend plans with your family, you also need to get things packed within a short time for the travel ahead. What do you do? Since you are in a hurry, you pack everything that you can find in your suitcase and then make the run to the airport. You reach the airport just a few minutes before the close of the check-in counter. Huffing and puffing, you drag your luggage to the check in counter and in the same state, make your way to the plane. You reach your destination, get off the plane, gather your luggage and head to the designated accommodation. Since you packed everything you virtually come across, you have ‘too much’ luggage to take care of. You spend the entire travel-period worrying about the safety of your luggage and when you are about to leave, you start thinking about whether you’ve lost something or are leaving it behind. This not only ruins your travel and hampers your work efficiency, it also causes you a lot of unnecessary stress. The good news is that there are some packing tips for business travel that can make business travel easy and less stressful for you and we’re going to get straight to them. ## Determine and Pack the Right Attire One of the most important things to determine before a business travel is the attire you will need for the trip. To do this, answer the following questions: - What is assigned dress code? - Will the attire be the same for all functions, or you need to pack a variety of clothing in your suitcase? - How long is the trip? - What is the weather of the place you’re headed going to be like? Once you have answered the aforementioned-questions, pack only what you will need during the travel. If you take more clothes and/or accessories than required, the only thing that you would be doing is making the travel more hectic and stressful for yourself. ## Pack All the Business Essentials Once you’ve determined and packed the clothing and accessory you will need during the travel, start thinking about all the business essentials you will need to ensure a successful business excursion. Your business essentials will depend on the nature of your work. However, there are a few things that almost every person needs when going on a business trip. These include: - Laptop and mouse - Mobile and laptop charger - A notebook - Pens - Business cards - Printed handouts Often, the above is enough to ensure a successful business trip and packing more things is a luxury rather than a necessity. ## Try to Pack Light Ask seasoned travelers and they will tell you that the best to travel is to travel light. Travelling light simply means packing as little as possibly can. Packing light is one of the best thing anyone can do for a business travel. As business trips are generally short, packing too much stuff for a business trip is unadvised. If your business trip is a day or two long, then there’s no reason for you to take a bulky suitcase with you to wherever you’re headed. Packing light and taking a small suitcase with you to the trip will save you both time and effort. ## Check in Your Heavy Luggage If your business trip is a week or longer or if the trip requires you take a lot of stuff with you, then you’d do well to check in your heavy luggage. One of the biggest reasons people who go on business travels a lot despise checking in their luggage is the possibility of wasting ‘too much’ time at the check-in counter after the plane has landed. However, if you have a bulky suitcase with you then check it in rather than carrying it with you to the plane. This will make the travel more convenient and less tiring for you. ## Reduce Paper Considerable weight and space is consumed by paper such as business documents, newspapers, books and magazines. The good news is that technology can help you limit the paper you take on your business travels. Whether you want access to a magazine article, a book, or business documents, you can store the paper(s) you will need during the business trip in your smart phone or laptop and then view them using the same whenever necessary. Another way to limit the paper you take on your travels is buying Kindle or another [eReader ](https://www.lifewire.com/the-best-ereaders-4046778?ref=bobbydavidson.com)and then using it to access the paper/documents you want to read. Also, you can have the business documents shipped to the hotel/ accommodation where you will be staying during your business trip. There you have it—five packing tips for your business travel. By using the aforementioned-tips, you can ensure a stress-free and successful business travel. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Intelligent Robots: Are They a Threat to Humans? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/intelligent-robots-threat-to-humans/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:20.000Z Of late, many articles by people in tech (but not in AI), have appeared in the mainstream press speculating the potential dangers of developing AI robots. According to these articles, we should be worried at the very least about the threat the intelligent robots pose to humanity. To all techies writing such articles, I would say chill—AI robots (and bots) aren’t as bad as you portray them to be. The skepticism about intelligent robots that these techies have in their mind stems from some basic misunderstandings of how progress is being made in AI, and from a misinterpretation of how far we are from having intelligent beings that act based on will or intention. So, are intelligent robots a threat to humans? To answer this, we need to get a good understanding of what AI is and how it is being used today first. ## How is AI Being Used Today Artificial or AI is making rapid progress whether it is [self-driving cars](https://percentotech.com/smart-car-technology/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) such as Waymo or voice-powered virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Watch Sci-Fi films and you’d think that AI or intelligent robots are somewhat like humans. However, the technology powering them can be found from anything such as autonomous weapons to intelligent computer systems to search engines. Since it can only perform narrow tasks such as driving a car, searching the internet or recognizing faces and fingerprints, the artificial intelligence existing today is referred to as narrow or weak AI. However, researchers and scientists are working towards creating strong AI in the future. While the existing AI can defeat humans at specific tasks, strong AI would be able to outperform us at almost everything and this is the reason many people in the tech-industry consider intelligent robots as a threat to humanity. ## How Modern Robots Behave One of the best ways to determine whether intelligent robots are a threat to humans is understanding the robotics field and how modern robots behave. Much more than just an AI research field, robotics is where all AI areas can be tested and meshed into a final result. The most sophisticated robots can walk, run, and go up and down the stairs in an extremely smooth manner. Additionally, to protect themselves from falling or get back up, they use their hands just like us humans. AI robots represent the enormous amount of money being spent on R&D in the field of electronics, and technological development. Often, a fixed number of pre-programmed instructions are what the robots’ behavior contain and these instructions are repeated regardless of any environmental changes. Contrary to popular belief, these robots have not exhibited intelligent behavior as they cannot adapt and don’t have autonomy to the changing environment. Well, not yet. Yes, robots are amazing in what they do, but just because they can move in a manner similar to humans, one should not jump to the conclusion that robots can do everything that humans are capable of. Once you reach this realization, it will be easier for you to accept that intelligent robots are not a threat to humans—at least not in their current form. ## ## What Makes Robots Intelligent Beings As mentioned earlier, robots exist in a variety of forms and not just in the form we see in Sci-Fi films. For instance, AI technology or robots are used in computing to minimize the chances of error and achieve greater precision and accuracy. Other fields where you will find the application of AI intelligence or intelligent robots includes space exploration, painstaking activities, underground excavations, smartphones, computer games and many others. In space exploration, intelligent robots help explore the space. Here, the AI robots used are designed in a way to ensure that aren’t affected—either physically or in function, by the planetary atmosphere. In addition to space exploration, intelligent robots can perform many laborious or painstaking activities that have been assumed by humans in the past. Using AI robots for painstaking activities is considered by many people as a great way to overcome the limitations of humans. One of the most common applications of intelligence robots or AI technology is smartphones. Where will their application in smart phones? You will find it in [GPS](http://gpsworld.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and Maps apps and in virtual assistants such as Siri. While intelligent robots can be applied in many fields, they do have some limitations. For example, intelligent robots are not advanced enough to perform certain tasks such as ironing a shirt or making tea autonomously. There are a lot of other things that robots cannot perform as well. The limitations in the intelligent behavior of robots is evidence enough that they are not a threat to humans and things are bound to stay the same for the foreseeable future. Are intelligent robots a threat to humans? Considering what’s been said above, one would have to say No. Things may change in the future, but we will have to wait for it. For now, just enjoy and benefit from all the good that AI technology and intelligent robots have to offer to you and the world. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Ten Best 2017 Feature Updates to Windows 10 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ten-best-2017-feature-updates-to-windows-10/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:20.000Z Available to download today, the updated [Windows 10](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/windows-10-pro/df77x4d43rkt/48DN?ocid=AID620866%5FSEM%5FWhQsdAAABVpq5Qnr%3a20171127150126%3as&ref=bobbydavidson.com) has a plethora of exciting features and upgrading to it is a no brainer. No, this update is not just for professionals, it is also for all the amateurs out there. From revamped Photos app to Files On-Demand to Mixed Reality viewer to Eye Control, the updated Windows 10 has features that will leave you spellbound. So, what are the new features of Windows 10 that you need to be excited about? Here are the ten best feature updates to Windows 10. ## The Updated Photos App This update is first on our list for one simple reason: we all love to click photos or shoot videos and then edit them to make them awesome. The updated Photos App of Windows 10 is the perfect tool to do the latter. With the updated Photos App, users of Windows 10 can trim photos and video clips and add background music and filter effects to them. The best thing is that once you select the clips or photos, the Video Remix feature of the app will do this for you by itself. As if that wasn’t enough, the update app allows you to add 3D overlays and affix them to items in the video. Finally, there is an option to create a slow-motion video. ## Mixed Reality This second update to the Windows 10 has caught the eye of many people and there’s good reason for it. One of the best new features in the updated Windows 10, Mixed Reality is an update worth mentioning. After you create them in Paint 3D, you can view 3D objects by using the Mixed Reality Viewer. Setting up this app is rather easy. You just need to launch the Mixed Reality Portal app and then run it on your PC. ## Eye Control A notable update to the Windows 10 this years is feature called ‘Eye Control’. As of now, this feature is an input method for users who cannot move their hand or arms optimally. A truly enthralling feature, Eye Control gives Windows 10 users the opportunity to control their PCs using just their eyes. However, they will need to get a hardware available exclusively at Tobii. With this feature, you can select items on screen, scroll around and even type using an ‘eye keyboard’ that supports writing. In short, Eye Control is an incredible technology that you can’t afford to ignore or miss. ## OneDrive Files On-Demand To save local hard drive space, you no longer need to choose the OneDrive folders to sync in. With OneDrive Files On-Demand, everything will be available to you in File Explorer, and if doesn’t show-up on your PC, it can be downloaded on-demand. ## Pick Up Where You Left This is the name of an actual feature in the updated Windows 10\. With this feature, Windows 10 users can easily open documents and sites that they were earlier flicking through on their smart phone. Users can continue with the work that they left on their PC on the smart phone with this help of this feature and the Cortana app. ## Timeline A feature similar to the one mentioned above, timeline allows users of Windows 10 to check the apps sand files that they run on their PC’s last. Additionally, this feature helps them to continue with the pending tasks. ## Fluent Design A new design language by Microsoft, Fluent Design adds depth, animation, and pellucidity to the apps and features of Windows 10\. With this update, you can expect a more adaptive, imaginative, engaging, coherent, eloquent, cinematic and articulate design on Windows 10\. The new design has scale, material, motion, depth and light. In short, the fluent design seems to unlock creativity. ## Cloud-Powered Clipboard Wouldn’t life be a whole lot easier if you could copy and paste to anywhere? Well, you can do just that with cloud-powered clipboard, a new feature in the updated Windows 10\. This feature can make everyday computing significantly easier and more fluid. With this update to the Windows 10, users can now copy text to one device and then hold it in the cloud before pasting it somewhere on another device. This feature can work across all platform so whether you are iPhone users or an owner of an Android device, you can use this new feature in Windows 10 to copy data from your PC and paste it to another device. Can things get any easier? ## My People This new feature in the Windows 10 is for all the [social media](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) fanatics out there. A new social feature, My People is an update to the Windows 10 that you can use to clip emails, contacts and other taskbar details to easily start a conversation. Additionally, you can use this feature to share file directly with the contact and pin up to three contacts at a time. ## Ransomware Protection An operating system can have all the awesome features in the world but if it isn’t secure, then it is of no good. Luckily, the updated Windows 10 isn’t a secure OS. The updated Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection to protect your PC against malicious software and safeguard it against other attacks and threats. There you have it—the ten best feature updates to the Windows 10\. To know what other new features the updated Windows 10 boasts OR if you are interesting in rolling out other Microsoft platforms, such as Office 365, get in touch with me today! I will steer you right. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Want to Paint Like Van Gogh? Here’s an AI System That Can Help You Do That URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/paint-like-van-gogh/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:21.000Z Developed by a tech company based in the UK, a new artificial intelligence (AI) system allows amateur artists to turn their sketches into a work that is reminiscent to the masterpieces of the great painters in history such as Vincent van Gogh. No matter how simple your sketch is, the aforementioned- AI system can turn into a piece of art that even Van Gogh would be proud of. There are many ways to define artificial intelligent or AI. However, it is generally defined as the technology that enables tasks to be completed intelligently, which means that the work performed mirrors human intelligence and evolves over time. The purpose of this AI definition is to make it easier for you to understand how the AI system we are about to discuss helps you paint like famed artists such as Van Gogh. ## Understanding Vincent: The AI System That Helps You Paint Like Van Gogh Named Vincent, the artificial intelligent (AI) system that can help you paint like Van Gogh was the result of considerable research and learning. Prior to its release, Vincent was made to learn eight thousand works of art. Isn’t that astonishing? Of course, it is! According to the engineers at the company that developed the system, Vincent can not only create eye-catching pieces of art, but it can also respond immediately to human input. The AI system has memorized eight thousand works or art from the age of the renaissance up to the 20th century. According to Monty Barlow—Cambridge Consultants’ director of machine learning and the person who led the project to develop the aforementioned-AI system, Vincent allows people to draw edges using a pen—edges of any picture they imagine in their mind, and when they do this, the AI system produces a painting based on how it’s been trained. In addition to explaining how Vincent works, Barlow used the opportunity to advocate for AI systems by pointing to the fact that the AI system developed by her team not only create paintings for humans, but also allows them to input their creativity into the process. This means that humans should not see AI systems are a threat to their jobs or existence. The development team of Vincent claims to have developed an extremely interactive system and they say that they have achieved this through the successful combination of various machine learning approaches such as end-to-end training of stacked networks, perpetual loss, and adversarial training. According to the team, the system takes a sketched idea’s ‘germ’ and then refers to the history of human art to reproduce a masterpiece. To help them understand the works and build their understanding of color, contrast and texture, the developers trained the Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) on eight thousand pieces of art from the Renaissance day up to the 20th century. Once trained on approximately two hundred million parameters, Vincent was able to understand the important paintings edges and use them to churn out a complete picture. ## Previous Attempts to Develop AI Systems Capable of Producing Pieces of Art The project to develop Vincent was not the first attempt to develop an AI system capable of producing works of art. Instead, many individuals and companies have tried in the past to develop such a system, but they failed in their endeavors. In fact, some of these projects produced rather scary results. An example of this is the Pix2Pix, a tool to draw human portraits introduced in the early part of 2017 by NP, a Public Broadcaster based in the Netherlands. The Pix2Pix-AI system attempted to turn the sketches drawn by humans into something that would look like an oil painting of a female face. However, what was actually produced by the AI system looked like a character from a horror movie. ## A Great Opportunity to Learn from the Masters of Art Vincent provides you with a great opportunity to learn from the masters of art. How exactly? The pieces of art produced by Vincent may not look as realistic as those produced by the masters of art such as Van Gogh, but they can easily pass as great impressions of the abstract creations of the art masters. According to the team that developed the AI system, Vincent has learned brushstrokes and the perfect use of color and contrast. The AI system was first presented at a deep learning summit and Monty Barlow claimed at the event that every picture that you imagine in your mind and draw into the system can be given shape by Vincent. She further boasted that while a similar system in the past would have required millions—if not billions of paintings, to learn, Vincent needed just eight thousand samples to learn and be ready to produce pieces of art. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving many changes in the world and this includes the change in how paintings or pieces of art are created. The system driving this change is Vincent—an intelligent AI system fed with eight thousand paintings from the age of renaissance up to the 20th century. Regardless of how good or bad your artistic skills are, you can use Vincent to produce a masterpiece of your own. So, what are you waiting for? :) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What You Can Do with Your Google Assistant URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/what-you-can-do-with-google-assistant/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:21.000Z A virtual personal assistant that can be downloaded to a wide range of smartphones including iPhone, LG G6, Galaxy S7 and many other devices, the Google Assistant is one of the best offerings of the American multinational tech company headquartered in Mountain view, California. So, what exactly can you do with Google’s voice-powered virtual assistant? The list is endless but we’ve shortlisted the best features and functionality of Google assistant that the virtual assistant an edge over its rivals. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get straight to the best things you can do with your Google Assistant. ## Control Devices in Your Home with Voice Commands With [Google Assistant](https://assistant.google.com/intl/en%5Fus/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), you can control the connected devices in your home using voice commands. Using the virtual assistant from Google, you can control smart devices in your home such as those from Phillips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, and Nest. Google has partnered with the providers of smart home devices to make it possible for homeowners to control their home devices using just voice commands. With Google Assistant, you can control your thermostat, lighting and a few other devices from your phone using voice controls. Also, recently Google enabled the Assistant to provide support to Chromecast, meaning that now you can start streaming a YouTube, a Spotify, or a Netflix video on your phone and then transfer it to your TV using the Assistant provided the TV and your phone are connected to same Wi-Fi network. Additionally, you can play, pause and adjust volume by giving voice commands to the Assistant. ## Manage Tasks Google Assistant makes it extremely easy to manage everyday tasks. You can get sore thumbs if you use your smart phone for everything from texting to using it as calendar to setting your alarm to editing photos. Additionally, this can consume a lot of your valuable time. The good news is that you can longer need to use your hand to perform the aforementioned-functions on your smart phone. Using the virtual assistant from Google, you can set alarms, text and edit photos on your phone by simply giving voice commands to the Assistant to perform them. This will surely make your life a whole lot easier. ## Listen to Music Listening to music is a favorite pass time of many people and with Google Assistant, doing this has become a whole lot easier. You can find and play music using the virtual assistant from Google. The default setting of the Google Assistant makes it fulfill your requests using YouTube and Google Play Music. For example, the Assistant will complete your request with YouTube if you command it to search for a specific song or artist. On the other hand, it will look for a relevant Google Play Music radio station if your request a specific genre. Also, you can enable the Google Assistant to search the Play Music’s I’m Feeling Lucky station by simply saying ‘Play music’. As google Assistant already supports Spotify and Pandora, you will only have to add in your request a third-party app. Once you’ve made the request, the Assistant will open the app for you, but from thereon in you will have to manage things the old-fashioned way. ## Unlock Your Pixel Do you hate it when your fingerprint or PIN unlocking appears on the screen, requiring an additional step to unlock the device? If yes, then there is good news for you: you can use the voice command of the Google Assistant to bypass this extra step and unlock the device. To activate this feature, navigate to your Google Assistant settings, click Ok Google Detection before selecting Trusted Voice to make your life easier. ## Give Voice Commands to the Assistant Even When You’re Not Connected This is not possible with most other virtual assistants. Though an internet connection is required for most Google Assistant’s features, you can perform tasks such as playing music, managing alarms and adding events to your calendar even when your phone isn’t connected to the internet. A lot of commands won’t work without an internet connection but even when you are offline, there are some voice commands that the Assistant will respond to and perform on your phone. Following is a list of such commands: - Screen dimming - Playing music - Adjusting the volume on the phone - Opening an app by name - Toggling flashlight, Airplane mode, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi - Adding an event to your calendar - Setting and cancelling alarms - Making calls and sending texts to contacts ## Find the Best Places to Eat and Hang Out in a Locality Often, it can be difficult to choose the best place to eat or hang out in an unfamiliar area. You and your friends ponder and debate for hours where you should eat or hang out in the locality, eventually settling for a place that turns out to be a complete disaster. The good news is that you can avoid that happening to you and your friends by using the Google Assistant. Just ask the Google Assistant to show your nearby restaurants or public places and the Assistant will give you a list of restaurants or spots with the best ratings. The restaurants listed by the Assistant will be exhibited with their address, directions and contact information. The things above are just a few of the countless things you can do with your Google Assistant. So, what are the other reasons to bring the Google Assistant home? Get in touch with us to find out. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### What is Raspberry Pi and What You Can Achieve with It URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/raspberry-pi/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:22.000Z Raspberry Pi: One would assume that this is the name of a dessert but newsflash, it is not. Instead, Raspberry Pi refers to a series of single-board computers developed in the UK to promote basic computer science teaching in schools and developing countries. Here is more about Raspberry Pi and what can be achieved with it! A great tool for artists, engineers, and students, [Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.org/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a computer board in the size of a credit card. A versatile board, Raspberry Pi is applicable in several areas. Fist launched during the start of 2014, Raspberry Pi is a bargain micro PC that brings with it innovative new computing capabilities not seen since the times of 8-bit. Inspired by the BBC Micro, Raspberry Pi has one primary aim: creating a low-cost device that would improve hardware understanding and programing skills at the pre-college level. Let’s now look at Raspberry Pi in a bit more detail. ## Understanding Raspberry Pi Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are that you would have at least heard about Raspberry Pi. A small single board computer, Raspberry Pi has been applied in several different areas including industrial and commercial products, robotics, and education. The popularity of this device is evident from the fact that to date, over five million Raspberry Pis have been sold and this figure has been achieved in less than four years. A low-cost computer in the size of a credit card, Raspberry Pi uses a standard mouse and keyboard and it can be plugged into a TV or compute monitor. The affordable price and small size of the Raspberry Pi encouraged many educational institutions, enthusiasts and tinkerers to buy the device. Generally, the purchase was made for projects requiring more than a basic microcontroller. Raspberry Pi is an extremely useful tool to make kids understand programming and how computers work. But, it isn’t just for kids. A tiny device, Raspberry Pi makes computer exploration and learning programing in languages such as Python and Scratch possible for people of all ages. Slower than the traditional desktop or laptop, Raspberry Pi can provide many computer abilities at a low-power consumption level. From word-processing to playing games to making spreadsheets to playing HD video and browsing the internet, Raspberry Pi can do everything you would expect a computer to do. An open hardware, Raspberry Pi features open and well-documented projects that you can build and modify on your own. Now that we have a good understanding of Raspberry Pi, it is time to look at the models available. ## The Raspberry Pi Models To date, five different models of Raspberry Pi have been launched. For beginners, the ideal models are the Pi 1 Model B+, Pi 2 Model B, and Pi 3 Model B. The reason for this is that these models are the most versatile and have the most capabilities. Additionally, there is an additional benefit of using the Pi 3 Model B, which is having 1 GB of RAM or a quad-core processor to support bigger operating systems such as Microsoft 10 and Ubuntu. Though it is one of the most powerful Raspberry Pi models, the Model A+ comes with just a single USB port and it does not feature an Ethernet port. This makes it a good option for only those people who are tech-savvy and have a tech or engineering background. A mini version of the Model A+, Raspberry Pi Zero has a stronger computing power than its larger counterpart. This Raspberry Pi model features a mini HDMI port and a micro USB port to ensure compatibility with 1080 output, but it doesn’t boast wireless capability. This model is extremely cheap but what kills the fun is that it is extremely hard to find as not many retailers are willing to keep it on their shelves. With good knowledge of the different Raspberry Pi models, you are in a good position to decide which model is best for your needs. ## What Can You Achieve with Raspberry Pi? Now comes the million-dollar question: what can you achieve with Raspberry Pi? There is a lot to achieve with the use of Raspberry Pi. Following are some great things that you can do with Raspberry Pi. ### Learn Programming One of the foremost reasons to use Raspberry Pi is making it easy to learn programming. A great programming platform, Raspberry Pi offers a wide choice of languages. So, if you want to learn computer programming and how the computer works, get Raspberry Pi right away. ### Create a Low-cost Desktop PC Provided you set it up properly, Raspberry Pi can be an extremely useful desktop PC. However, you will need a lot more than gadgets than just the Raspberry Pi to turn the latter into a desktop computer. Some of the things that you will require include a mouse, a screen, a keyboard and an additional storage device. Additionally, an operating system that is available for Raspberry Pi will have to be installed by you. Once you’ve set up the desktop PC using Raspberry Pi, you will have access to email, browsing and many other apps. ### Robotics Cool machines, robots can be built and controlled with Raspberry Pi. You can also use Raspberry Pi to make a robotic arm work. But, ‘robotic arms’ is just one of the several robotics projects where Raspberry Pi can be applied. Other robotics projects where the latter is applicable include humanoid robots and drones. There you have it—what is Raspberry Pi, its various models, and what can be achieved with it. If you want to know more about Raspberry Pi and its applications, then get in touch with us today. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Companies Help Keep Their Employees Healthy. URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/healthy-employees/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:22.000Z Winter is effectively here, but most employers are yet to prepare for it. The biggest preparation for the cold season ahead that employers can make is taking measures that ensure the safety and wellness of employees during winter. But, ensuring the health and wellness of employees should not be limited to the winter months. Instead, this practice should be evident in the workplace throughout the year. So, what are the measures that companies can take during the winter months, as well as during the rest of the year to keep their employees healthy? Let’s explore! ## Supporting Fitness No one can argue with the fact that there is strong connection between physical activity and overall wellness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity helps to control weight, minimize the risk of heart-related disease, minimize the risk of some cancers, improve mental health, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, strengthen bones and muscles and improve the overall chance of living longer. Considering the above, you must support and encourage your employees to engage in physical activity without actually forcing them to do so. The best way to support and encourage your employees to engage in physical activity is making it as easy as possible for them. You can achieve this by having an onsite fitness room where employees can perform cardio, strength training, or any other exercise routine they want during lunch hours or after their shift is over. An easily accessible, free-of-charge gym, is too good an offer to let go. So, you can expect your employees to engage in at least some physical activity and this is good news for you. If you’re wondering how, then here’s the answer to your question. Progressive Insurance, an insurance company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, has an onsite fitness center that is used by its many employees. In addition to exercise equipment, the fitness center offers personal training, boot camp, yoga classes, and a program that assists the cessation of smoking. According to the company, after using the onsite fitness center for a year and a half, one of their customer representatives lost 150 pounds. Isn’t that astonishing? Well, there’s more. According to a senior manager of the company running the benefits services, the fitness center has helped employees to be more productive both in work and life. The company says that after using its onsite fitness center, the employees become healthier, making them better equipped to solve problems, innovate and take initiative. This results in increased productivity and growth of the company. ## Helping Improve Their Diet Once again, you can’t force your employees to do something against their will. Specifically speaking, you can’t tell them what to and to not eat. Whether you like it or not, your employees will eat what they want. The only thing you can do to improve their diet is offer them healthier eating options. By offering healthy eating options on-premise, you will make them easily accessible to your employees. This will help to improve the diet of your employees, resulting in healthier and more productive employees. Do your employees grab a McDonalds combo meal during lunch hours to satisfy their hunger cravings? If they do, then this is bad news for both the employees themselves and your business. So, even if your employees aren’t bothered about their diet, you should make an effort to encourage them to go for healthier eating options during lunch hours at work. Don’t have the resources to provide healthy meals to your employees? Attend food-sales and stock up healthy items for your kitchen. And, then offer these food-items to your employees during the lunch hours. ## Offer Childcare Services Even if your company or business employs twenty or more people, then they’re bound to be people in your company who are a parent to infants or young kids. For such employees, the biggest concern is the well-being of their child(ren). Whether they work full time or part time with you, the employees in your company with children will always be full time parents who need to take of their children and attend to their every need. And, this is most true for employees with infants or young children. To take care of their concerns and allow them to focus completely on their work, offer the parents in your company an onsite childcare facility. This will keep your employees near to their children and it will provide them with the assurance that their children are with people they can trust and bank on to take care of their children. In case you don’t have the resources to do the above, talk to any of the local childcare services and get discounts for your employees. Make childcare services as affordable as possible for your employees. This will allow them to leave their children with people they can trust, which in turn will alleviate their stress at work—stress that comes from issues at home such as the safety and care of children. In addition to the aforementioned things, there’s a lot more you can do to keep your employees healthy and productive. With the expansion of [wearables](http://www.wearables.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com); one can monitor health 24/7\. Technology will continue to expand into the healthcare vertical and we are excited to be a part of it. If you are in healthcare and looking for a good technology partner; our company has experience and ready to talk to you. Just give me a call. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Looking to Market Your Business Online? Here’s What You Should Do URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/market-your-business-online/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:22.000Z How do I promote my business online? Do I need to spend thousands on marketing to reach the right audience? How can I use the internet to reach more people and win new customers? Asked yourself these questions? You probably have! The good news is that you’re not alone. Most small business owners have little to no clue about the best ways to market their business online, reach the intended audience and win new customers. This stems from inexperience. After you launch your business online, it can take you anywhere between a few months to a few years to figure out the best way(s) of marketing your business online—that is if you don’t have access to the right kind of knowledge. Here, knowledge refers to knowing about how the most successful businesses, especially those offering the same products/services as you, are marketing themselves online. You can’t ask them for that information so you’ll have to do you own research. But, we will relieve you from this burden and give you access to the ways being employed by successful businesses to market and promote themselves online. ## Use Search Engine Optimization Okay, you’ve probably been given this advice a million times before, but this is only because search engine optimization or SEO is an effective way to market your business online. You can’t promote your business and/or products/services to your target audience online unless they know you exist. The best way to let people know about your online existence is search engine optimization. By optimizing your website, search engine optimization or SEO increases its chances of making it to the first page of search engine results, which in turn increases your online visibility. Search engine optimization helps you to reach your target audience, and ultimately turn them into customers. Now, there are many ways of optimizing your site to get a higher ranking in search engines such as [Google](https://www.google.com/analytics?ref=bobbydavidson.com). One way and which you can perform yourself is blogging. Start blogging and regularly post unique, interesting, engaging and relevant content online. When Google notices this, it’ll automatically rank you higher on the search engine results page. Get in touch with a professional to find out what else you need to do to get ranked on the first page of the search results. ## Get Positive Online Reviews A bit like you, your potential customers aren’t sure about what they should do. But, with a bit of encouragement and guidance, they will know what course of action to take. No one is born knowledgeable and it takes time, experience and education to learn about things and distinguish the good from the bad. It’s pretty much the same with your prospects. Your prospects will consider your business only after they have significant knowledge of the products or services you’re offering—which takes time, experience and education. And, based on that knowledge, they will categorize your business and the products/services you’re offering as either good or bad. But, where do they get that knowledge from? Word of mouth and online reviews. ### The Rise of Online Reviews For long, businesses have relied on positive word of mouth to win new customers and grow. But, over the past decade or so, word of mouth has faded a bit as a vital social proof. The reason is the rise of another phenomenon: online reviews. Many will beg to differ but today no business, big or small, can grow without generating numerous, positive online reviews, on a consistent basis. You can drive all the traffic you want to a site, or landing page but you'll only be generating market awareness and sales for your competition without this vital social proof. So, why is it so crucial to generate positive online reviews for your business? ### Why You need to Generate Positive Online Reviews According to a recent study by Myles Anderson, the founder and CEO of BrightLocal, prior to visiting a business, 90% of consumers read online reviews. Following are some of the other interesting findings of the study: - 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations - Customers are 31% more likely to spend on a business with positive reviews - 72% trust a local business more if they read positive online reviews about it - 92% will use a local business if it has at least- a 4-star rating online - 72% of consumers will take action only after reading a positive review Using review sites, existing customers of a business give objective feedback about it and its product or services. Though they are individual experiences, these reviews are considered by many people as the ‘truest’ information that they’re going to get about a business or product/service. So, use online reviews to your benefit and get your existing customers to say good things about your business and/or product/service. There are many ways to market and promote your business online. However, the above listed ways are easiest, cheapest and most-effective ways to do so. If you need a new website with search engine optimaztion (SEO) in mind; we can help. We have a great team of designers and can have your site ready for your ongoing SEO efforts. Call me and we can discuss more: 800-614-7886\. ;) ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Data Can Help You Make Better Gut Decisions URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/better-gut-decisions/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:23.000Z My fellow business owners and entrepreneurs we all know whether you’re running a small business or a large enterprise, making big decisions about your business is never easy. But, in today’s world where competition is fierce and reaching out to customer is easy, making quick yet accurate decisions is more important than ever before. This is easier said than done. Taking the easy route, many business owners try to make decisions about their business based on gut feeling. This may work, but the chances of failure are greater. Making business decisions based on intuition or gut feeling is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, you can make as a business owner. So, what’s the solution? The solution is simple: leverage the business data and insights you get from the various channels to make your decisions. Whether it is a small business or a large enterprise, every business needs valuable data and insights. In fact, data is one of the most important things required to understand target audiences and customer preferences. Additionally, using this data, businesses can anticipate their needs. So, how you can make better and more accurate business decisions? You can improve your business decision making by using big data analytics. What is big data analytics and how it can help your business is what we’re going to discuss next. ## Understanding Big Data Analytics and How It Can Help Your Business Today, the expectations of customers are at an all-time high. Moreover, business competition is constantly increasing. In such times, there is a constant pressure on businesses to increase efficiency and improve results. There is good news though: the data available to businesses is also increasing. Today, companies can accumulate information from across their organization and industry. As they’re able to see where improvements are required, where potential gaps exist and where sales trends have increased or decreased, businesses with access to big data can gain serious competitive advantage. Considering what’s been said above, it is no surprise that many businesses today, big and small, are using big data analytics. With big data analytics, businesses are able to get deeper insights into customer preferences and organizational needs. By putting the information in the hands of business users and business analysts, big data analytics helps to create value and competitive advantage for a business. There are countless benefits of using big data analytics including differentiating your business from competitors, development of marketing strategies, improving procurement efficiency, supporting business growth and lowering costs. While data analytics can help you to achieve all of the above, following are the biggest reasons to use it for business. ### Maximizing Customer Value Acquiring new customer is costly to say the least. Even if you do win new customers cheaply, you will find it extremely hard to get them to spend their money on what you have to offer. Today, customers have countless options available to them and as a result, they’ve become fickle and demanding. For this reason, the best option you have is increasing retention and getting the most out of your existing customer base and you can only do that if you give your customers what they want. The key to giving your customers what they want and as such, increasing their lifetime value, is having access to the exact data you need. Also, you need to leverage that data the right way. Big data analytics helps you to identify your repeat customer and when you’re able to identify your repeat customers, you can use this knowledge to optimize your marketing investment. By focusing on your repeat customers, you will able to build a long-term relationship with them, which in turn will allow to maximize customer value. ### Improved Service One of the biggest reasons to use data analytics is improving service performance. Let’s suppose, you keep going to the same bakery every day and buy the same type of bread. After some time has passed, the attendant at the bakery would give you exactly what you want even before you ask for it. The shopkeeper knows you well enough to offer you exactly what you need or want. Big data analytics works in the same way. It gathers information related to your customers—their tastes, preferences and demographics, and provides it to you so that you can make more accurate decisions and offer a more personalized service to your customers. With data analytics, businesses can better predict their ability to fulfill customer demands. This in turn allows them to improve the performance of their service. ### Identification of Emerging Trends Another benefit of using data analytics is being able to identify new and emerging market trends. Using this knowledge, you can introduce products and/or services that help you to gain a competitive advantage. Big data analytics lets you know what’s trending among your customers, allowing you to offer or modify products/services based on the evolving needs/wants of your customer base. We all know, making business decisions is never easy. However, you can improve your business decision (making better gut decisions) and make more valuable decisions by using big data analytics. With big data analytics, you no longer need to depend on your gut feeling or intuition to make the decisions important to your business! ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Super Successful Entrepreneurs That Are Giving Back to The World URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/super-successful-entrepreneurs-giving-back/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:24.000Z Think your life is tough? Travel to the remote areas of [Africa](https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21731038-technology-africa-making-huge-advances-says-jonathan-rosenthal-its-full?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or the slums of [South Asia](http://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and I can bet you won’t be thinking that anymore. Without getting into the details, here’s an important life lesion: no matter how hard you think your life is, there will always be someone whose life is far tougher than yours. So, be thankful for what you have and start helping those less fortunate than you in whatever way you can. You need to do this both on an individual level and as an entrepreneur. While you’re working out the ways to give back to the world, there are many entrepreneurs who are already doing that. However, only a few have them have gotten recognition for their work. Who are these entrepreneurs and what are they doing to help the world? ## Mark Zuckerberg Have you ever noticed Mark Zuckerberg’s attire? You probably have! Despite being the founder of the world biggest social networking platform and one of the world’s richest people under 35, Zuckerberg never dresses over the top. You’d hardly find him wearing a tuxedo, or the latest designer clothes. In fact, his attire is more casual than yours or mine. What do think is the reason for that? The simple is simple: he’d rather help the needy out there, than spend exorbitantly on himself. Evidence of this is the $1 billion that he donated to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a foundation that serves the poor and needy in Silicon Valley. ## Sergey Brin Next on our list is Sergey Brin, one of Google’s co-founders. In 2013, Brin made a donation of over $200 million to a foundation that he founded. Known as the Brin Wojcicki Foundation, the foundation started by the Sergey Brin helps the needy in the country as well as those across the globe. In addition to making the aforementioned-donation to his own foundation, Brin has donated to many other charities, most notably to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. ## Mark Cuban The owner of Dallas Mavericks and a renowned business man, Mark Cuban is most famous for his appearances on the award-winning reality TV show Shark Tank. But, not many people about his philanthropic work. To help the families of the U.S military personnel killed or injured during the operations in Iraq carried out after 9/11, Cuban initiated the Fallen Patriot Fund in 2003\. Cuban has a foundation named the Mark Cuban Foundation. The foundation was founded by Mark, but is run by his brother Brian. Though Brian does not operate any charitable activities for the foundation, he did contribute a million dollars to the fund set up by brother Mark. Immediately after Brian’s made the contribution, Mark matched it up by contributing the same amount to the fund. The foundation set up by Mark Cuban serves people in the Dallas area as well as those throughout the United States. In addition to making regular contributions to his own foundation, Mark Cuban donates regularly to other charities as well. ## Tej Kohli An Indian entrepreneur, Tej Kohli is a real estate tycoon and the founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation. Even during his early entrepreneurial days, Kohli was keen to give back to the society, and this was what prompted him to start the Tej Kohli Foundation. Unlike the entrepreneurs mentioned-above, Kohli doesn’t just contribute money to his foundation and other charities, he also organizes and participates in activities and community programs that help make the world a better place. This includes fighting poverty, helping lower the risk of preventable diseases and promoting and facilitating education where there’s a need for it. ## Stephen Ross Another real estate tycoon, Ross is the founder of Related Companies, a real estate firm based in New York City. In 2013, Stephen Ross donated $200 million of his money to the University of Michigan. The purpose of this donation was inspiring other alumni to help reach the mammoth $4 billion fundraising goal of the company. Ross is also a regular contributor to a variety of charities. ## James Clark James Clark is probably one of the first names that comes to mind when entrepreneur and philanthropy are used in the same breath. Clark co-founded Netscape, an American computer services company, but that isn’t all that he is known for. He is also known for a $60 million contribution that he recently made to the James H. Clark Center for Biomedical Engineering and Sciences at Stanford University, a department that he co-founded in 1999. While most people are aware of the above-mentioned, contribution by Clark, they aren’t aware of the fact that he had previously contributed a higher amount to the same department. That contribution was worth $90 million. ## Anne Wojcicki Giving back to the world isn’t all about giving charity or help fundraising initiatives, it is also about making the world a more ‘enjoyable’ place to be. This is exactly what Anne Wojcicki, the CEO of [23andME](https://www.23andme.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a genetic testing company, aims to do. She wants to create a super-vibrant environment where people love to hang-out. So, how exactly is Anne Wojcicki helping to bring about the change she wants to see? Wojcicki has opened a restaurant and runs an arts-and-crafts store which she hopes will motivate people in the area to socialize more and make new friends. As proved by Anne Wojcicki, you don’t have to give millions or billions in charity to give back to the world as an entrepreneur. Just make any contribution that you think will make the world a better place and you will have done your job. [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/super-successful-entrepreneurs-giving-back?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Great corporate responsibility is giving and helping where we can. Percento Technologies (the company leaders and our fantastic staff) donate resources (money and time) to these great organizations here: [percentotech.com/company/corporate-citizenship](https://percentotech.com/company/corporate-citizenship/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) \-- We hope that you would consider doing the same when the opportunity presents itself. ## by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Great Ideas for Boosting Sales Through Social Media URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/boosting-sales-social-media/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:25.000Z When social media first hit the scene, most people were quick to disregard its importance and deem it as a waste of time. Not going to lie, I’m guilty of it as well! But, time has changed everything. Today, social media is no longer regarded as a waste of time. In fact, many people today deem social media presence necessary for businesses to stay relevant and alive. No business today, big or small, can grow without social media presence. Social media is where most of your customers are. So, logic says that your business should be there as well. This is not only important for creating awareness about your business and/or product/services, it is also important for boosting your business sales. So, how can you use social media to boost sales? Let’s explore! ## Create A Closely-Connected Social Community and Engage with Them—Regularly Conversion, conversion, and more conversion—this is what businesses using social media platforms aim for. But, this will only happen if you genuinely engage with your target audience on social media platforms, and build a relationship with them. Money comes from the people. So, the more active people you have on your social media page, the merrier things will be for you in a business sense. Now, you may be wondering how you can keep your target audience engaged on social media. Here is the answer. Most people expect their interactions on social media to be casual and light-hearted. So, if you want to get the attention of your target audience, start thinking about ways to evoke positive emotions in them. Some tried and tested ways include sharing a ‘fun’ and interesting image that puts across the message you’re trying to convey. Another thing that you can do is use the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, determine where your target audience is in the hierarchy and then create/share content that engages them. Once you’ve build an audience for your content on social media, you can leverage them to attract more people to your page. The more people you have on your social media page, the more chances you have of winning new customers and boosting sales. ## Make Connections on LinkedIn Business is all about being connected. The more people you’re connected to, the better are your chances of making sales and being profitable. In the business world, making strong connections has always been important, and today, this can be achieved easily by leveraging the power of social media. While [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are good social media platforms to engage with your target audience and promote your business and/or products/services, [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is where you can make connections—for business purposes. From CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies to Fresh grads, you will find them all on LinkedIn. So, finding your target audience on LinkedIn and connecting with them should be a breeze. Once you’re connected to your target audience on LinkedIn, get as much information about them as you can and then use it to have healthy interactions with them—on the platform. Once you’ve made a strong connection with your target audience on LinkedIn, you can ask them to visit your website or other online pages. Once they visit your site, your chances of winning new customers and making a sale will increase tenfold. ## Ask Existing Customers to Share Their Experiences with Your Business And/or Products/Services Make sure the customers you make the request to are satisfied with your business and your products/services. A massive mistake on your part, asking a ‘dissatisfied’ customer to give a review about your business and/or a product/service could harm your business to say the least. On the other hand, asking ‘satisfied’ customers to do this for you could lead to new customers and increased sales. The importance of customer reviews cannot be emphasized enough. Before making a purchase decision, most people visit customer review sites to see what past customers/buyers are saying about a business, a product or a service. If positive reviews about the business/product/service outweigh its negative reviews, people are likely to use it. But if it’s the other way around, then people are unlikely to buy/use the business/product/service and they’ll move onto the alternatives. Considering what’s been said above, you need to get your ‘satisfied’ customers to write a review about your business and/or products/services and post it online. Research shows that [one in three Facebook users](http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/vision-critical-social-to-sale.pdf?ref=bobbydavidson.com) make a purchase after reading a positive review about a business/product/service on the platform. Leveraging customer satisfaction is paramount to the success of your business online and even elsewhere. ## Build a Relationship with Influencers and ‘Social Media Stars’ Influencers have always played a crucial role in the success of a business, but today there’s a new group whose influence on people needs to be leveraged by businesses. The group I’m referring to is Social media ‘celebrities’ or ‘stars’. These ‘stars’ or ‘celebrities’ have a massive following on social media—be it Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. People listen to what they have to say—and some even act on it. Influencer marketing is a big thing today. In fact, [92% of the online consumers trust what people](http://www.adweek.com/digital/why-influencer-marketing-is-the-new-content-king-infographic/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), especially the influencers, are saying about a product/service more than what the brands are saying about the same. So, if you want to win new customers and boost sales, then build a relationship with the social media stars and other influencers on the social media. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 4 Ways to Reach Your Target Audience URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/target-audience/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:25.000Z The best ways to reach your target audience depends on who your target audience is. By finding out who your target audience is, you can map the marketing campaigns to reach out to the right people. By defining your target market, not only do you increase your chances of reaching out to the right people, you also save valuable time. Now, the ways to reach the right people or your target audience depends on who your target audience is. But, there are some tried and tested ways that work for just about every business. Here are a few: ## Choose an Appropriate Communication Channel Choose the wrong communication channel and you’re bound to lose your target audience somewhere in the middle of the sub-Saharan desert. Okay, don’t that take literally. It is just a metaphor for what’ll happen if you use the wrong medium(s) to find and connect with your target audience. On the other hand, choose the medium (s) where most of your target audience is and you won’t just increase your chances of reaching out to your target audience, but will also increase your chances of winning new customers. By choosing an appropriate communication channel, you make it easier for yourself to convey a message easily and more clearly. When your intended message reaches the audience for whom it is intended, your chances of getting a response from your target audience and winning new customers brighten. So, be smart and before anything else, determine the appropriate channel to communicate with your target audience. ## Be More Active on Social Media Want to reach out to the right people for your business? Create a social media page and be active on it. Create a page for your business on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/percento-technologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/percentotechnologies/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), or [Google+](https://plus.google.com/+PercentoTechnologiesHouston?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and be as active as you can on them. Being active here means creating content and sharing it, constantly updating status with valuable or interesting information on your company socials about social issues or things related to your business or industry. It isn’t necessary that you post on these social media platforms about things related just to your business. You can also tweet or update status about social issues or the latest happening in the world of entertainment, industry news, sports etc. Just make sure that what you tweet or post about isn’t something your target audience finds offensive. The point here is that creating a business page on social media isn’t enough for you to find and reach out to your target audience. You also need to be active on it. The more active you are on social media, the more are your chances of getting attention on it—the right attention that is! Once you get the attention you seek on social media, you should aim to get more of it. Slowly but surely, you’ll get where you want to be, which is complete exposure to your target audience. ## Build your Network Want to succeed as a businessperson? If yes, then build your network and keep growing it. Business is all about making connections and strengthening them over time. Your network works like a loop. You build one connection and you’re automatically transported to another. The more people you know, the better are your chances of reaching your target audience. It isn’t necessary that the people you know are potential customers. You can also make connections with people who you think can help you reach your intended audience. Never underestimate the power of Word-Of-Mouth. In fact, it is the one of the greatest ways to build or grow your business. Today, Word of mouth is more important than ever before. The internet has made it extremely easy for anyone to create awareness about a business, a product, or a service or spread a positive or negative word about. So, make connections both offline and online—connections that’ll act as your advocates and promote your business whenever and wherever they can. Make this happen and you’ll almost certainly reach your target audience. We have worked hard to maintain an 89% repeat or referral rate at Percento; something we are very proud of, as this is reflection on our great staff. We are very lucky to have our good people and I like to brag about them whenever we can. ## Create an App and Spread the Word This is an extension of the above. Create a business app and leverage the network that you’ve build to spread the word about your app. Most people today have a smartphone. Whether it is android or iOS, the smartphone provides the user with an app store from where he/she can download all sorts of app, from gaming apps to shopping apps to apps of different businesses. Get your app on these app stores and spread the word about it. Aim to get as many people as you can to see your app. More people having exposure to your app means more people knowing about your business and this in turn means better chances of reaching your target audience, which was the aim all along. So, there you have it—4 ways to reach your target audience. I hope this is helpful for you as there are many others to reach your target audience and win new customers. However, the above-mentioned ways to reach your target audience are proven (tested and tried) ways of reaching your target audience. If you’re interested getting help today with your social media efforts or to build an app for your company, then get in touch with us, today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Success Story: The Successful Life of Richard Branson URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/richard-branson/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:26.000Z Born Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, Richard Branson is the founder and CEO of the Virgin group, a multinational corporation active in the entertainment, health, travel, hospitality, retail, communications, banking, leisure, aerospace and many other industries. Success did not come easy to Branson and he had work tirelessly for years to get where he is today (sounds familiar). The life of Richard Branson will inspire you to build your own business empire. So, without wasting any further time, let’s look at the successful life of Richard Branson. ## How It All Started Like most other self-made billionaires, Branson was a dropout from school. Branson had no interest in studies and he dropped out from school when he was sixteen to start a magazine called ‘Student’. This was Branson’s first exposure to the business world. A mail order catalogue, the magazine helped Branson to make a quick buck. Branson would sell ads to local business and mail records to students who purchased the magazine. This served as the perfect launching pad for Branson to make a name for himself in the world of business. Within a year of launching the magazine, Branson opened Virgin Records, a recording label and studio. Not long after, some of the biggest names in the industry such as [Sex Pistols](http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [Rolling Stones](http://www.rollingstones.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) signed under the label. At the tender age of 23, Branson became a billionaire. But, he did not stop there and continued to build his business empire. ## The Growth of Branson’s Empire Branson did not stop at Virgin records instead he continued to build his empire. In 1980, he launched the Voyager Group, a travel company and in 1984, he started the world-renowned airline [Virgin Atlantic](https://www.virginatlantic.com/us/en?ref=bobbydavidson.com). The story of what inspired Branson to start Virgin Atlantic is quite interesting. Branson was in his late twenties and had a booked a flight to the Virgin Islands to meet his girlfriend. However, the final flight to the island on that day was cancelled due to some (unknown) reasons. Desperate to make the trip, Branson started thinking about chartering a plane to get there. But, he did not have enough money for that. However, Branson did not give up and an idea came to mind. He picked up a board and wrote the following on it: ‘Virgin Airlines $29’. People who wanted to go to the island bought tickets from him and he used the money he collected to charter a plan to the Virgin Islands. Branson named the plane took him to the island ‘Virgin Airlines’ and this inspired him to start his own airline which is known today as ‘Virgin Atlantic’. Virgin Atlantic wasn’t the last of Branson’s ‘business initiatives’. In 1993, Richard Branson founded [Virgin Radio](http://virginradio.co.uk/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and in 1996, he launched his V2, his second record company. In 2004, Branson and the Virgin Group set a foot in the aerospace industry with launch of Virgin Galactic, a spaceflight company. At the launch, Branson announced that his new company will license the Spaceship One technology funded by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, and designed by Burt Rutan, the renowned American aeronautical engineer. [Virgin Galactic](http://www.virgingalactic.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) aims to take people into space for as low as $200,000\. The level of trust in Branson and his group can be gauged by the fact that by 2014, more than five hundred people had already bought the tickets for the trip. Today, more than four hundred companies are operating under the banner of the Virgin Group, the group owned by Richard Branson. Present across the globe, the companies owned by Branson sell a variety of products and services including drinks, TV, mobile phones, books and more. ## His Philanthropic Work Branson is one of those billionaires who believe in giving back. While Branson keeps contributing to charity every now and then, it is his humanitarian efforts that are worth mentioning. Branson is one of the backers and founder members of ‘The Elders’, a group founded by Nelson Mandela that looks to leverage the power of influential people to find peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Another humanitarian initiative of Branson is the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an organization that helps locate missing children and put an end of young people’s exploitation. [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/richard-branson?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ## The Lessons to Learn from Richard Branson’s Life There are many valuable lessons to learn from Richard Branson’s life including not waiting for the ‘right’ time to start following your dreams. If you wait for the ‘right’ time to start doing what you love, then that right time will never come. Don’t wait for the right time and start following your passions and dreams today. Believe me, this is what’ll get you where you want to be—a life as successful or fulfilling as Richard Branson’s. Another valuable lesson to take from Richard Branson’s life is believing in your ideas no matter how absurd they sound to you or others. If you don’t believe in your ideas, why should anyone else? Believe in your ideas and have a plan to make them successful. Branson’s life also teaches us to keep looking for new challenges, enjoy ourselves and never give up. The Successful Life of Richard Branson teaches us to follow our dreams and passions as this is the only way we can achieve what we aim to achieve in life. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Starting a Business Vs. Buying a Franchise URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/starting-business-vs-buying-franchise/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:26.000Z You’re done working for someone else and now want to build your own business empire. There is just one little problem: you aren’t sure whether to start from scratch or get into partnership with an existing business. In simple terms, you can’t decide whether to start a business or buy a franchise. The good news is that I'm going to help you make a decision—the right decision—the decision that’ll help you build a business empire and become wealthy. So, without wasting any further, let’s get straight to business! ## Factors to Consider in the Decision A decision that many people think about but never practice is investing in a business to take charge of their career and life. Since this a major life decision, the apprehension is somewhat understandable. However, if you are brave enough and take the step that many hesitate to take, there are many potential rewards to be had. Since you’re here, one can only assume that you’ve decided to get into business, but aren’t sure how to start. For aspiring entrepreneurs, there are many options and a common decision faced by them is whether to start their own business or invest in a franchise. Both opportunities involve many risks but come with a number potential benefits. So, deciding which one’s better for you can be a bit of a task. However, you can the decision easy for yourself by considering the following factors. ### Ownership Model Compared to a typical small business, a franchise has a very different ownership model. Unlike the former, the latter doesn’t give you much freedom to change your products or services based on your preferences and changing market conditions. In a franchise business, most of the decisions about products and similar variables are made by the parent company. While people with their own business have the luxury to make their own decisions regarding product lines and service offerings, they don’t have the security that decisions regarding product lines and service offering have already been taken and tested and they just need to implement them. So, in short, as far ownership goes, independent owners can make their own decisions but they don’t have the security and stability available to franchise owners. ### Cost Difference The cost involved in starting a new business or buying an existing one and the fees to maintain the business is one of the major differences between an independent business and a franchise. Compared to buying a franchise, starting a business has a significantly lower average initial cost. Reason? Unlike the franchise business where a fee is charged by the parent company to give rights to start a franchise, an independent business doesn’t require paying anyone any fee to start the business. Independent business owners don’t have to pay an initial fee to start their business but they miss out on the experience and reputation of an established brand by not opting to buy a franchise. Not only that, they have to spend considerable amounts to market their business, cost they would have probably saved by buying a franchise. The aforementioned-cost savings are one of the major reasons many people today are choosing buying a franchise over starting a business. Also, when you opt for a franchise, the risk of failure is much less than it is in the case of starting your own business. ## Brand Recognition We briefly touched on this in the previous section but now we go into the details. When you start your own business, you have to work your socks off and pump a lot of money into marketing the business just so you can build a brand name. This costs you both time and money. On the other hand, when you buy a franchise, the brand name is already there and you just need to leverage it in the best possible manner to run a profitable business and make some money. However, there is a dark side to this as well. Say, the parent company of your franchise does something illegal or starts to get negative reviews from customers about its products and/or services. Now, don’t you think it would affect your franchise? It most certainly will! Generally, if the franchises of a business are being run by people other than the owners of the parent company, most people wouldn’t be aware of it. They will assume that all the [franchises](https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/franchising?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are being run by a single entity, and as such, will treat them as the same brand. So, if the parent company gets a negative review or gets into legal trouble, your franchise will be affected as well—negatively that is. So, think long and hard about this factor before making your final decision. In addition to the aforementioned-things, there are many other factors to consider when deciding which one among buying a franchise and starting a business is better for you. However, the factors mentioned above are the most important considerations to come to a viable conclusion or decision. If you’re still confused about the route to take, get in touch with us and we’ll help you in your decision. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Managed IT Services - Why it is a Great Idea URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/managed-it-services-is-a-great-idea/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:27.000Z With managed IT services, companies can outsource the management of their entire IT infrastructure to a service with the required knowledge, expertise and tools. This results in cost savings and allows you to concentrate on areas that help generate revenue. In short, there are many benefits of opting for an IT managed service, with savings on IT infrastructure cost being the primary one. Most businesses see their IT infrastructure as expensive and time-consuming. Considering this, it’s is no surprise that more and more businesses today are turning to managed IT services for managing their IT operations. These services have some that most businesses don’t have—specialized skills required to run their IT efficiently and cost-effectively. In short, there are many reasons to hire a managed IT service. Let’s look at some of them. ## IT Expertise By outsourcing your IT operations and activities, you give yourself more time to focus on business goals and core competencies. With the security that your IT infrastructure and environments are proactively being maintained by experts in the field, you have the peace of mind required to perform your best at whatever is your core competency. This in turn allows you to grow your business and make it successful. Today, IT managed services guarantee service delivery and uptime. This includes connectivity to internet providers and key vendors. Additionally, they will help you to develop a disaster recovery plan to ensure that your business keeps functioning in case there is an IT failure. ## Get an Edge Over the Competition You can boost sales and make your business successful only if you beat your competition. Do things better than your competitors and you’ll almost certainly grow your business. You can outdo your competitors and gain an edge over them by saving wherever you can, and spending on the right things. In this day and age, this generally refers to streamlining your daily IT operations, and allocating more money to updating IT infrastructure and big data initiatives. With a managed IT service, you can streamline your daily IT operations without spending exorbitantly on IT infrastructure. This way you can get an edge over the competition without spending exorbitant amounts for it. ## Solutions That Can Tailored to Support Changing Needs Today, managed IT services offer IT management solutions that are tailored to the unique set (s) of requirements of an organization. So, whenever yours or your customers’ needs change, you can customize the solutions provided by your IT managed service to meet or support the changing needs. Not only that, you can also scale your IT environment as it grows, and combine the different solutions provided by the managed IT service to support performance requirements and evolving workload. Think of the managed IT service as an extension of your internal IT team. When you do that, you’ll warm up to the idea of allowing IT resources and technical experts that aren’t part of your internal IT team to have access to your IT networks and the information stored on them. There are many business and technical benefits of doing this so avoid giving it a second-thought. ## Increased IT Security For any business, online or else, security is of the utmost importance. If your business isn’t secure, then you should not even think about growing your business and making it successful. Today, most of the business is being done online—a place prone to data breach and theft. If the data you have online is breached, your business may cripple completely. For this reason, increasing the [security](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/product-listing.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of your IT network and systems is crucial. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all on your own. An IT managed service can do most, if not all, of the work for you. A managed IT service can do all the dirty work for you—updating and patching workstations, updating software and firewalls, monitoring and maintaining your IT systems and more. By hiring a managed IT service, you can relieve your internal IT team of the above woes, while boosting the security of your IT network and systems. ## Keeping IT costs under control Generally, hiring a new service would mean adding to your existing business/operations costs but, this doesn’t apply when you hire the services of a managed IT service. While you do pay an upfront cost for recruiting an IT managed service, the IT infrastructure and management savings you get by hiring this service far outweigh what you paid to get it on your roster. Managed IT services charge a fixed monthly fee for their services. Some of the services offered by them include managing daily IT operations and updating IT systems if and when required. The best thing about hiring a managed IT service is that you can scale your services upwards or downwards to meet your budget and/or changing requirements. There you have it—the five major reasons managed IT services is a great idea. But, this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many more benefits to be had by hiring a managed IT service. If you’re interested in finding out about all the benefits of employing a managed IT service, then get in touch with us, today! Check out our own managed services page here: [www.percentotech.com/managed-services](https://percentotech.com/managed-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How eCommerce Owners Can Market Their Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/how-ecommerce-owners-can-market-their-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:28.000Z The internet has made it easy to access a wealth of knowledge and tools that make you efficient at what you do. So, only a fool would not take advantage of all that the internet has to offer and this applies more to eCommerce business owners than anyone else. As an eCommerce business owner, you must harness the power of the internet to promote your business and products/services online. Today, the marketing practices you were taught at school are no longer sufficient to market your business successfully. You need to do some other things as well or more specifically, you need to find out and use the best ways of marketing your business online. So, without further ado, let’s look at how you can successfully market your ecommerce business. ## Take Advantage of Email Marketing Are you still sending out newsletters via post mail? If yes, then I’m sorry to say this but, you, my friend, are wasting your time and money. Marketing via post mail is a not a good marketing option in today’s tech-driven world and this is especially true for eCommerce businesses. If you’re conducting your business online, then you need to market it online as well. For starters, you can try email marketing. Though emails have existed for quite a while, email marketing is a relatively new concept or marketing strategy. Today’s tech-savvy customers prefer getting all the news and information that they need about a business, service or product online. Today, people, which includes your customers, are extremely busy and have little time for most things including what a business has to say about itself and/or its products/services. The good news is that almost all of your customers check their emails at least once a day. So, by creating engaging, informative, brief and eye-catching emails and mailing them to your potential customers, you can increase the likelihood of creating awareness about your business and/or products/services, which in turn will help you to win new customers and make profitable sales. ## Use Content Marketing Almost all ecommerce businesses today use content marketing to create awareness about their business and win new customers. In content marketing, blogs, articles, photos, videos, infographics, and more are used to promote a business online and this is done in a discreet manner. The idea is to create content—blog, articles, or videos, that interests and engages your target audience. Let’s suppose your business is selling handbags. Now, since Christmas is approaching, you can create content that reads, ‘The Perfect vintage handbags for Christmas 2017’, and post it online. The point is that you need to create content that your target will click on, read/watch, and share. To create a good content marketing strategy, you need to understand your target market—their interests, age group, gender, and the content they’ll find engaging and informative. Once you done that, you can choose one of the following four types of content for your target audience: - **Lists:** This could be a list of products or things to do that very discreetly promote your business and/or product/services - **Informative:** This gives relevant tips or advice to the readers/target audience - **Topical:** This is content related to happenings in the real world that are relevant to your business and your readers - **Amusing:** Trending topics you can share on social media ## Social Media Marketing Big, medium, or small—regardless of the size, almost every business today has a social media page. Most of the businesses toady have a social media presence on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PercentoTechnologiesusa/) and/or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com)—the two most popular social media platforms among businesses today. Social media marketing is the cheapest and most convenient way of marketing your eCommerce business. Now, creating a social media page for your business isn’t sufficient to promote your business online. You need to be active on it as well. This means updating your Facebook timeline with interesting, informative, and engaging statues and posting tweets worth #Hashtagging on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Percento?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Also, share your blogs, articles, or videos that you’ve posted on your website or elsewhere online. ## Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Search engine optimization or SEO is probably something you’re already know of. But, do you know how it can help you to market your eCommerce business? If you don’t, the read on. Search engine optimization or SEO is one of the best, if not the best, way to increase the visibility of your business. More specifically, it is the best way to optimize your website and increase its visibility. By using SEO effectively, you can get Google and other search engines to rank your website higher in search results. And, if your website shows up on the first page of a search result, then there’s a greater chance of it being clicked and generating traffic—relevant traffic that is. Search engine optimization is not as easy as it sounds. A lot needs to be done to get your website on the first page of search results. But, there are online marketing services that can help you to perform SEO effectively and increase the visibility of your business. In addition to aforementioned ways, there are many other ways of marketing your eCommerce business. You can find out about them by getting in touch with us, today! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### DIY Website Builders Vs. Professionally Developed Websites – Who Wins? URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/professionally-developed-websites/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:29.000Z Over time, website builders and tools have gained popularity and soon became a preferred choice of the tech savvy and even non-techies, as they enabled them to create functional websites without having to hire a professional web designer or developer. However, while website builders provide the ease and convenience, that doesn’t mean they can do or take place of professionals. # Drawing the Line Between Website Builders and Custom Websites Website builders provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to set up with your website in an inexpensive manner. You get a whole host of free and paid templates to choose from, while the software used for creating a website is fairly user-friendly and intuitive. They often offer free or cheap hosting, add-ons, and support that allow you to add features like contact forms, newsletters, and social feeds. Generally, their code is proprietary – this means that the private development team of the website builder are the only ones working on updating the software, introducing new apps and extensions, etc. Due to this, they continually fix bugs and issues arising in their software to provide DIY website creators with the ability to seamlessly make their own virtual front of their online business. Website builders are a great option for individuals and small business owners who are on a budget and can do with mainstream design and functionality, without the need a lot of customization. On the other hand, businesses and brands requires more customization, expertise, and support, prefer working with a web development professional. For them, website is one of the most important elements of their online presence, as it is the face of their business in the digital realm. It serves as an essential marketing tool, and need to get everything right to ensure that their website is the true reflection of their brand, allowing them to effectively send their message across their target market. Professional web designers are well-aware of the latest technology and industry trends, and pay attention to every detail when making your website. The placement of content and media, calls to action, color palettes, and how everything flows on your website – they take into account everything to ensure that finished product is in line with your brand image and business’s goals. Depending on your needs and the impact a website has on your organization, you can choose the best option to create the virtual front for your business. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option, so that it becomes easier for you to make a well-thought-out decision. # Professionally Developed Website For a customized website, you will have to hire a website development company or an individual developer for create one for you. Here are the pros and cons of getting a custom website for your business. ## Pros - Integrate a full range of design customization capabilities to give a personal touch - Attention to detail on every aspect of the website - A domain name similar to your business name - Personalized ongoing support from an expert developer who created your website and knows everything about it - Personal attention to setting up with the website from ground up - Use of the latest technologies and advanced marketing tools to enhance its functionality and user experience - Complete ownership of the web design, even if the designer’s contract gives them some ownership - The final product is more in line with your expectations - SEO compliance, which is essential for visibility and credibility among the target market ## Cons - You may require searching for and select a competent designer from a mountain of options - They are more time consuming than DIY sites, as designer requires approval and revisions from time to time - They are more expensive than DIY sites, costing a few thousand dollars - You will have to communicate your specifications to your designer, which can lead to back and forth a few times # DIY Website Builders Many entrepreneurs and business owners are opting for DIY website builders for a number of reasons. However, like every other thing, they have their fair share of pros and cons. ## Pros - Inexpensive, and likely to cost you not more than $100 - Pre-prepared professional templates available for free - Takes a lot less time to launch as compared to custom websites - Equipped with basic SEO groundwork - Easy to use – some website builders only require you to drag and drop things you want to add - Safe and secure web hosting - Proprietary software updates automatically ## Cons - Free plans may not provide the required features and functionality - Customization is likely to be limited - Access to only basic SEO and marketing tools and techniques, which may require you to hire an SEO professional - You may not get ownership to your design – this means that when you decide to switch website providers, you may have to start all over again. - It takes time to grasp the tools and functions to fully utilize the builder’s capabilities ## The Conclusion? When you are stuck between the decision whether to opt for a DIY website builder or custom website, one of the top determining factors can be your budget. There is no doubt that DIY website builders make creating website inexpensive, while you may have to invest heavily to get it designed professionally. However, a well-planned website *budget and scope* that focuses on the objectives of your business will get you great bang for the buck for your investment. Furthermore, it is likely to pay you back in a short period as your sales increases and you establish a professional online presence among your target audience. While there is no substitute for the expert assistance and personal attention a professional web designer can provide, websites created using DIY builders are not bad either. It’s a matter of how good you are with the online tools and what your priorities are in terms of brand image and online presence. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Want to Improve Customer Service? Here’s How Apple’s Business Chat Can Help You URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/apples-business-chat/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:29.000Z While this may not be significant to the average person, it is sure to catch the eye of businesses looking to improve their customer service and experience. Now, you may be wondering how Apple’s Business Chat can help businesses to improve their customer service. If that is indeed the case, then all you need to do is read on. ## How Apple’s Business Chat Improves Customer Service Apple has launched Business Chat to enable businesses to make themselves available for quick chats with customers. This makes one thing clear: Apple has launched Business Chat to help businesses to improve their customer service. With that clear, it’s time to answer an extremely important question: how can Apple’s Business Chat improve customer service. ### Use it on a Mobile Device The biggest benefit of Business Chat is the ability to use it on a mobile device. You can launch Business Chat on your IOS device within Siri, spotlight, Maps or the Safari browser. Thanks to this feature of the Business Chat, businesses can easily start conversations with consumers. In addition to basic text, Apple’s Business Chat offers the ability to add attachments and use scheduling tools that integrate with the iOS calendar app for appointments. In addition to the above, Apple’s iMessage app allows the answering of questions, resolving of issues and completion of transactions. ### Perform a Variety of Tasks When taking to a business through Apple’s iMessage, customers can ask general inquiry advice, schedule appointments, file a dispute and shop from the same chat thread. Also, there are features such as predictive text that’ll load a number or address automatically. An app that makes the management of tech support, order updates and purchasing via a single communication thread possible, Business Chat can be used for appointments and buying products directly from chat. ### Chat Options Using the updated iMessage app on their iOS device, customers can initiate a conversation with a business that they found through Siri, Spotlight, Maps or Safari. The devices customers can use to access Apple’s iMessage app include iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. For each business the customers want to chat with, a different thread will pop up. Another key feature of the aforementioned-messaging app is that you can download the app of the company you’re chatting with directly from the chat conversation window. Now you know how the messaging app from Apple improves customer experience. So, how does it affect businesses? As for the businesses, they can develop their own custom features or integrate their customer service platforms on the iMessage app. As seen above, Apple’s Business chat is helping businesses to improve their customer service. So, you shouldn’t think twice about using the app for your business. ## A Lot More Than Just a Chat App! By now, you probably know well that Apple’s business chat is a great way for businesses to connect with customers. But, as mentioned earlier, Business chat can help your business to achieve a lot more than just conveniently connect with customers. With Apple’s business chat, businesses can easily schedule appointments and enable customers to easily buy from them. Let’s see how. ### Business Chat makes it Easier for Customers to Shop One of the best features of Apple’s business chat is that customers can shop and buy products directly from chat. Though, payments can only be made through Apple Pay. If you do use business chat for your business, just make sure you stock items in a list format. This will ensure that your offerings appear in the conversation with a customer and there’s no need to open a new window. ### Appointments This feature of Apple’s business chat is for you, the business owner. If you schedule appointments using Business Chat, the feature will intelligently suggest time slots that won’t clash with your schedule by linking up to your own calendar. Also, to complete certain request, you may direct your customers to download an iMessage app. ## How Can Customers Start Conversations with Your Business? Apple’s business chat makes it extremely easy for customers to connect and start a conversation with your business. To find your business, customers can use Siri, Spotlight, Maps, or Safari. Once they’ve found your business, customers can initiate a conversation with your business by simply opening Apple’s iMessage App on their iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch. As mentioned earlier, customers will have a different thread for each business they’re chatting with. ## Which Businesses Can Benefit from Apple’s Business Chat? To complete certain tasks and improve customer service, any business can sign up for and use Apple’s business chat platform. Today, all sorts of business are signing up for this new feature from Apple. Contrary to popular belief, the benefits of Apple’s business chat aren’t reserved for retail businesses. Rather, this new feature from Apple benefits all sorts of businesses. And, proof of this is the different types of businesses showing interesting in this new offering from Apple. ## Final Word! For business chats and payments features, Facebook has Messenger for Business. On the other hand, users can reach businesses via direct messages using Twitter for Business. While these platforms are useful for businesses, they only cater to those within the realms of Facebook and Twitter. This is where Apple’s business chat offers the biggest benefit. Using Apple’s business chat, businesses can reach Apple users via different touch points across its operating system. Apple’s business chat will available soon and many businesses and customers just can’t want to their hands on it. Considering what’s been said above, it’s easy to see why! ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Here’s How You Can Create a Mobile-Friendly WordPress Website URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/mobile-friendly-wordpress-website/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:30.000Z ## Why Having a Mobile-Friendly WordPress Website is Crucial? Today, having a mobile friendly website is more important than ever before. Recently, mobile traffic surpassed desktop traffic for the very first time. This clearly indicates a shift in how people access the web. Considering what’s been said above, you’ll soon start to lose customers and/or subscribers if you don’t optimize your WordPress website for mobile viewing and use right away. Also, you need to understand what makes mobile websites effective so that you can customize your WordPress site to achieve your objective. A mobile friendly website is a website that looks good and is easy to use on a mobile device. You may or may not know this but a lot of effort is required to ensure a website that works well on mobile devices. Today, most people use their mobile phones to browse the internet and search the information and/or the products/services they need. So, not having a mobile friendly WordPress website can cost you dearly in lost conversions. The aforementioned reasons should be enough to convince you to create a mobile friendly WordPress website right away. ## Testing Your Website on a Range of Devices Your website may work exceptionally well on one device and not be responsive on another. This is why you need to test your website on a wide range of phones. However, this can be a time-consuming process. The good news is that Google has made things simple by providing a free mobile-friendly testing tool. Using the testing tool of Google, you can find out if your WordPress site qualifies as ‘mobile friendly’. Simply [enter the URL](https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly?ref=bobbydavidson.com) of your website and the testing tool will let you know whether or not your website is mobile friendly. A good way to create a mobile friendly WordPress site is taking help from a IT services and management firm. In case your website fails the test, it may be a sign that you’re using an older theme that’s not responsive. When someone visits them via a mobile phone or tablet, responsive websites change their layout slightly. This ensures the readability of important content such as post content, post titles and site title on smaller screens. To ensure a mobile friendly website, create a WordPress website with a responsive menu and a mobile friendly theme. One of the best ways to do that is using plugins and this what we’re going to discuss next. ## Use Plugins to Create a Mobile-Friendly WordPress Website The use of plugins is a great way to create a mobile-responsive WordPress website, especially if the content of your site is more to you than its design. If you’re willing to compromise a bit on design, then the following plugins can help you get the job done, which is of course creating a mobile-friendly WordPress website. ### WP Touch Available in two versions: free and premium, WP Touch plugin can help you to easily create a mobile-friendly WordPress site. A good reason to go for the premium version is the selection of themes and extensions available for your mobile site. Whether you sign up for the free version or the premium version, WP Touch will get rid of your existing desktop theme and display everything on your site in a mobile-friendly way. This mobile site will pass the Google Mobile Test and the switch to a mobile design will not affect your search engine rankings. There is one con though—the design of the mobile site is almost elementary. ### MobilePress A simple, free plugin, MobilePress turns your WordPress blog into a blog optimized for mobile-viewing when it’s viewed on a mobile device. Additionally, you can create different themes for different devices with this plugin. ### Touchy Compared to a desktop’s screen, the screen of a mobile device is much smaller in size. Therefore, navigating on a mobile device is easier than doing the same on a desktop and this experience is further enhanced by Touchy, a WordPress mobile menu plugin. With this plugin, you can easily customize your site to fit the needs of mobile users and offer them a flawless browsing experience. The mobile-focused usability features of this plugin give you complete control over how your WordPress site appears to others. ### WordPress Mobile Pack This plugin is like an advanced version of WP Touch. For example, with this plugin, you can customize many aspects of your site including its color scheme. Additionally, you can use it to create content and edit posts on the mobile site. ### SuperFly Easy navigation is the key to great user experience and this is something SuperFly can help you with. Make your site easy to navigate and people will visit it again and again. A top-choice for many WordPress site owners, SuperFly can help you help you to build a site that is responsive and user-friendly both on desktop and mobile devices. By proving a range of customization options and eliminating extra clicks, SuperFly makes website navigation easier and enhances the menu’s style, mobile support and display control for different pages. By using any of the aforementioned-plugins, you can make your WordPress website mobile friendly. A mobile-friendly website is the need of the hour as most people today use their smartphones or tablets to browse products or services online and make purchases if required. So, do the sensible thing and create a mobile-friendly WordPress website right now! ### by Bobby J Davidson We design and develop amazing WordPress websites while helping you be SEO ready, also giving you a dashboard so you can do those simple content adds or modifications on your own. Call me to discuss more. We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 5 Tips to Secure Your WordPress Website URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/secure-your-wordpress-website/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:30.000Z Generally, when a site gets hacked, it is the fault of the website owner. For this reason, you must do everything you possibly can to save your site from being hacked. This include taking help from professionals to set up secure gateways. Following are some of the other things that you can do to secure your WordPress website. ## Implement Two Factor Authentication Login One of the simplest but most effective ways to secure your WordPress website from hackers and other miscreants is implementing a two-factor authentication (2FA) login. By requesting additional proof of ID, 2FA login adds an extra layer of login security to your website. A useful security practice, two- factor authentication helps prevent your WordPress site from being compromised. By requiring a second form of authentication, you ask would-be attackers to not only provide the user’s password, but also their physical USB or mobile phone key. This makes an attack less likely. By exclusively offering login information to accounts and personal devices registered with your 2FA system, two-factor authentication prevents ‘outsiders’ from accessing your website even if basic login information is available to them. Two-factor authentication is one of the easiest ways to secure your WordPress website against stolen passwords. Even if someone stole your password, they’ll still need to provide a security code sent to you phone to gain access. Now, in WordPress, you can set up 2FA in two different ways including: SMS Verification: you receive the verification code via SMS/text message Google Authenticator App: You receive the verification code in an app ## Avoid Using Admin as a Username If you want to secure your website from hackers and other miscreants, then you mustn’t use admin as a username. This measure to beef up the security of your website costs nothing so you shouldn’t think twice about implementing it. To make the life of hackers a little more difficult, choose any username other than ‘admin’, preferably one with capital letters. Assuming that already have a WordPress Website, you should: - Create a new user with admin privileges - In case your previous ‘admin’ user was your only user, assign all pages and blog post to the new admin user you just created - Remove the old ‘admin’ user from your WordPress site The above will make it extremely difficult for hackers to log into your website. However, this won’t work in isolation and you’ll have to ensure a few other things. ## Secure your Passwords You can have the most unique password in the world but if your password is weak, then it would be easy for a hacker to gain access to your site and destroy its online visibility. Something that’s been emphasized time and again, securing your passwords is an easy yet effective way of making your website more secure. To ensure this, you must use less common passwords. This means that your password should be a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Okay, let me guess your password. Is it “123456”, “password”, “12345678”, “qwerty” or “123456789”? Got it right? No, I’m not Nostradamus! I got your password right because your password is among the most common passwords in 2016\. A recent study that gathered ten million passwords from the web in 2017 revealed that the aforementioned- passwords were the passwords people used the most. And they are a major reason many WordPress sites get compromised. Passwords are vital for the security of your WordPress site. For this reason, you need to have passwords that adhere to the following rules: - Don’t have any words that invite a [dictionary attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictionary%5Fattack?ref=bobbydavidson.com) - Is at least 15 characters long - Includes symbols and numbers If you’re finding it difficult to come up with a strong password, then you can try sites such as [Phonetic Password Generator](https://tools.arantius.com/password?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and [Strong password generator](https://strongpasswordgenerator.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to generate a password that’s less likely to be compromised. ## Change Your Login URL If you want to secure your site from hackers then, you must change the URL address of your login page. The default settings of the WordPress login page allow the page to be accessed easily through wp-admin or wp-login.php, which is visible in the site’s main URL. This makes it extremely easy for hackers to gain access to your login page, which ultimately allows them to gain access to your site. For this reason, it’s crucial that you change your default login URL to make it more secure and infrangible. Now, you can either use the [iThemes Security plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-wp-security/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or create a custom URL like my\_custom\_login to change your login URLs. ## Take Help from a Professional The final tip to secure your WordPress website is taking help from a company that offers managed services. As they see your website differently, the managed services can help you to optimize your WordPress Security. There you have it—5 tips to secure your WordPress website. By using the aforementioned-tips, you can increase the security of your WordPress site and make it less vulnerable to attacks. ### by Bobby J Davidson We design and develop amazing WordPress websites while helping you be SEO ready, also giving you a dashboard so you can do those simple content adds or modifications on your own. Call me to discuss more. We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: 1-800-614-7886 or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 2017 Incredible Marketing Automation Tactics Every Business Should Know URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-automation-tactics/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:31.000Z Marketing Automation used to be a buzzword back in the day, but now it has become a prerequisite for well-organized, efficient marketing campaigns when concepts like Big Data, machine learning, Business Intelligence are dominating the market. It has gained significant traction over time because it allows businesses and marketing agencies who gear their process with the latest technologies to optimize their lead generation, customer segmentation, and forecasting tactics. Marketing automation heavily relies on different software and IT systems to help companies design and implement an autopilot strategy for effectively engaging their target market across several online platforms. According [emailmonday](https://www.emailmonday.com/marketing-automation-statistics-overview?ref=bobbydavidson.com), about 49 percent of companies has integrated marketing automation tools in their campaigns, of which 55 percent are B2B organizations. Since marketing automation is one of the best ways to nurture leads while reducing inconsistency or chaos in managing different aspects of a marketing campaign, it is readily being accepted by the masses. What started with automating emails and social media posting now offers a whole of opportunities for businesses that helps in improving customer experience, enhancing productivity, and stretching bottom line. While this technique holds an undeniable importance, you should stay up-to-date with the latest marketing automation practices to maximize the impact of your marketing campaigns. ## 1\. Predictive Analytics Predictive analytics is a great way of saving time, energy, and resources spent in analyzing consumer behavior. It allows you to make accurate predictions based on historical data and determine when and how leads can be effectively converted into a sale. It also helps in streamlining a variety of business processes, as it helps in forecasting demand. When marketing automation and predictive analytics are used together, it becomes a powerful combination that enables you to optimize your marketing campaigns based on your prospective customers’ intention to purchase. By having this knowledge, you get the benefit of striking the iron when it’s hot, dramatically increasing the probability of success. Moreover, having an idea about your customers’ needs can help you take effective steps accordingly, leading to higher customer retention and satisfaction. ## 2\. Integrated Marketing Automation According to a study by Smart Insights, with so many companies using marketing automation practices, [only 2 percent](http://www.smartinsights.com/managing-digital-marketing/marketing-innovation/digital-marketing-trends-2016-2017/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) are able to make the most of them. This is typically because effective implementation of marketing automation requires seamless integration with multiple campaigns across different platforms. This allows you to a consistent form of interaction with customers throughout their journey. It’s Consumer Psychology 101 that they expect companies to remember them and be fully aware of their relationship. This is a prerequisite for consumers in order to trust the company enough to let them cater to their needs. The key to improving overall customer experience is for all channels to exchange information through seamless communication to create a single, synchronized image for the customer. ## 3\. Increased Reliance on Machine Learning Machine learning and Big Data have been in the limelight for some time now, and that too for a good reason. These advanced data analysis techniques allow marketers to create personalized messaging and individualized experiences for highly segmented audiences. In the digital B2C marketing realm, customizing content for delivering personalized messages is one of the most important ingredients for forging long-term relationship with customers and winning their loyalty so that they return to buy your products or services again and again. ## 4\. Optimizing for Mobile and Beyond It’s a well-established fact that mobile phones have taken both the online and offline world by storm. People have become reliant on their handheld devices more than ever, which goes much further than just calling, texting, or checking emails. In today’s digital age, it is of paramount importance to optimize websites, PDFs, email, landing pages, and other online avenues for the smaller screens. It’s not only important for user experience, but the search engine giant, Google, puts a great deal of emphasis on responsive websites that are display in the same way on all devices. From the marketing automation perspective, you are likely to have all information about which customer is using what kind of device to view a particular page. If you know that half of your audience is using a desktop, while the other half is using mobile devices, you need to cater to both segments to ensure you retain the maximum number of customers. It won’t be wrong to say that Virtual Reality (VR) is going to be the next big thing. It won’t be long when people will demand for VR optimized messages or interactive websites – it’s a whole new world of opportunities for marketers to tap into and accommodate the increasingly tech savvy audience. While marketing through VR may not gain a lot of traction in 2017, it is likely to grow in popularity in the upcoming years. ## 5\. Account Based Marketing Account based marketing is a B2B strategy that focuses on dedicating marketing and sales resources on a well-defined set of consumer accounts to deploy highly personalized campaigns revolving around each specific account. For organizations with target market comprising of top level SMEs and large enterprises, this can prove to be a highly effective strategy that is supported by marketing automation and has been found to yield great outcomes. ## 6\. Artificial Intelligence and Marketing Automation Today, consumers generate a tremendous amount of data that is difficult to analyze and keep track of. By combining the capabilities of marketing automation and AI, getting valuable insights from such huge volumes of data can be of great usefulness to marketers. With the help of AI, marketers can easily track the performance of different campaigns and predict their results, saving a lot of time and energy. This can allow them to forecast potential outcomes and predict customer behavior, which can be used to create highly personalized and relevant content and optimize other essential aspects of marketing campaigns. Furthermore, it allows them to take into account the boundless scope of artificial intelligence, you can use its capabilities for replacing a large amount of human driven contact, giving marketers more room to let their creative juices flow into their marketing activities. Marketing automation allows you to resolve a wide range of marketing difficulties, from launching lead generation campaigns to breaking down large chunks of data to extract meaningful insights. When companies use integrated marketing automation techniques in the right way, the difference between the past and present performance is likely to be enormous. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3 Ways to Improve the SEO Ranking of Your WordPress Website URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/seo-ranking/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:31.000Z While setting up a WordPress website is easy, properly optimizing it for SEO can be a bit of a task. To improve their SEO rankings, some SEO experts have used deceitful means to try and trick Google and other search engines. The deceitful means include tactics such as ‘Black Hat SEO’ that are used to fool search engines such as Google. Since Google doesn’t encourage these practices, it is always fine tuning its algorithm to eliminate them altogether. The primary objective for Google is to deliver search results that users find timely, interesting and relevant. For this reason, you need to ensure that Google finds your website and content timely, interesting and relevant to users. But how can you do that? Let’s find out. There are tons of ways for you to get your website and/or content ranked high on search engines like Google. But before try doing that, you need build an understanding of SEO and how it works. ## Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) A strategy used to target different kind of search, SEO improves the quality or volume of traffic to your website from search engines such as Yahoo, Bing and Google. The theory is that the higher a site appears in a search engine results page (SERP), the more traffic it will generate from the search engine. Most WordPress users talk about SEO but only a few practice it. Now, there are many different strategies to boost the SEO ranking of a WordPress website. Some of these strategies are standard operating procedures, while some are practiced on a relatively small scale. So, without wasting any further time, let’s take a look at the 3 ways to boost your SEO and improve the ranking of your WordPress website on search engines. ## Create Unique Content You just can’t separate SEO from unique content or vice versa. Google loves unique content and there is no doubting that. Search engine optimization will be effective only if it is aided by unique and high quality content. For this reason, the content on your website should contain keywords and be easily readable. Crucial to SEO, unique, quality content helps a website rank higher in search engine results. Additionally, since they portray you as an authority on a particular subject or field and relay to your website visitors that you can be trusted, the links earned with quality content can be extremely beneficial for SEO. Now, there are four aspects of unique, quality content. The first aspect is that the content should be comprehensive and meaningful, meaning your content should be relevant to your business and the readers. The second aspect of unique, quality content is long form content. This means that you should create lengthy articles or blogs. The reason being that compared to shorter articles, longer content tends to be shared more on social media and other content sharing platforms. Another important aspect of high quality content is that it includes photos and/or videos. Rather than reading plain text, many web users prefer reading content which has both text and phots/videos. The final and probably the most important aspect of quality content is that it should be easily readable. Use a Font that easy on the eyes and ensure that the content flows smoothly without any errors. ## Exchange Backlinks Another way for you to improve the SEO ranking of your website is exchanging backlinks with other relevant websites. This is something most developers of WordPress sites also recommend. Backlinks are like votes for your page. This makes them extremely important. The more the websites ‘vote’ for your webpage, the higher your ranking will be. From an SEO perspective, backlinks demonstrate how popular a site is. When sites link to your pages, they are basically saying to your visitors that your content is reliable and worthy of sharing. If a lot of sites do this, then search engines will automatically conclude that your site provides quality information and thus, should be awarded with a higher ranking. For the aforementioned reason, Google gives great importance to backlinks. If other sites are ‘voting’ for your site or content, then Google presumes that you’re offering the kind of quality content that it wants to give its search engine users. Consequently, it gives you a higher search engine ranking, which is obviously good for your business. ## Highlight Informative Keywords or Content [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/seo-ranking?ref=bobbydavidson.com)A great way for you to boost your SEO is highlighting informative keywords or content on your website. While highlighting these keywords or content on your website is important, make sure that you don’t overdo it. Make sure that your keyword density does not exceed 3-5%. If you don’t do that, then search engines such as Google may confuse your site with spam. When that happens, your content is rejected and penalized, and it won’t appear in search engine results. You can have the most informative and well-written content but it won’t do you any good if people don’t know where to find you. Keywords are crucial. So, do your research to ensure that you know what your customers are searching for. Since competition to get to the first page of search engines is fierce, avoid using highly general search terms. Instead, use long tail keywords phrases that are important to your niche. This will brighten your chances of claiming a spot on the first page of search engines. There you have it—the three ways to boost SEO and improve the search engine ranking of your WordPress website. In addition to above, you can take help from SEO professionals to improve the SEO ranking of your website. ### by Bobby J Davidson We design and develop amazing WordPress websites while helping you be SEO ready, also giving you a dashboard so you can do those simple content adds or modifications on your own. Call me to discuss more. Here are is a representative listing of some of our prior work: [PORTFOLIO](https://percentotech.com/portfolio/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Worried About the Security of Your Business Data? Here’s How You Can Prevent a Data Breach URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/prevent-data-breach/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:32.000Z According to a 2013 data breach investigations report, of all the businesses that suffered a data breach in 2012, more than 60% were categorized as small businesses. Do you know the reason for this? Most small business owners think that their businesses won’t be attacked by cyber-criminals and thus are safe from threats such as malware, viruses, hackers or a cybersecurity breach. This prevents them from investing in a cybersecurity plan. Ultimately, this leads to a data breach. If you’re a small business owner who thinks that their business is not at a risk of a cyber-attack such as a data breach, then you need to know this: regardless of its size, your business is at a risk of a security or data breach if you process customer payment information. The good news is that there are ways to prevent a data breach whether you’re a small business or a big organization. Following are 8 ways to prevent a data breach and make your business safer. ## Retain Only What You Need One of the best things you can do to prevent a data breach is reducing the volume of information you store on your systems and keeping only what you need. Also, limit the number of places where you keep your important data. By doing this, you’ll know exactly what you’ve stored and where you’ve stored it. This in turn will allow you to ensure better safety of your data. ## Know the Location of Your Most Sensitive Data According to a recent study, almost 30% of security professionals have little idea about where the sensitive data of their organization is stored. Moreover, 60% of the security professionals had limited knowledge of the location of their organization’s sensitive date. The aforementioned-numbers should be a cause of concern for businesses as knowing where the most sensitive data is located is the first step in preventing a data breach. Once you know where the most sensitive data is located, you can perform a risk assessment to find relevant solutions to shore up any security loopholes. ## Never Rely on Passwords When it comes to ensuring the safety of your data, don’t be over-reliant on passwords. Avoiding re-using passwords or trusting websites to store them securely. Instead, set-up a two-factor authentication for all your business accounts present online to increase the security of your online/virtual data. ## Regulate the Use of Work Computers by Employees Often, data breaches occur when employees transfer files to their work computers, install unauthorized software or unknowingly download viruses. Now, if you use Windows computers for your business, then you can de-authorize optical drives and USB to prevent file transfer by using the Windows Registry. If you aren’t sure how they to do this, consult an IT expert. In addition to the above, use Microsoft Outlook for internal communication. The reason for this is that Outlook automatically prevents the download of file types that it recognizes as potentially harmful. Another important thing here is checking the strength of your employees’ passwords and getting any weak ones changed. ## Educate Employees Who Operate POS Terminals Educate employees who are handling Point of Sale (Terminals) about the practices that can make your business vulnerable to risk— and the best practices they should keep in mind to prevent it. For instance, a customer’s credit card number should never be shared via an unsecured email. It should only be sent through a private, connection that is also password-protected. Make your employees aware of these things! ## Encrypt Your Data Most data security experts will tell you that one of the most important things you can do to protect your business data stored online or on your work computers is encrypt it. A recent study from the Ponemon Institute reveals that of all the surveyed companies that lost information to a data breach, 60% were guilty of not encrypting their data. It is crucial that you encrypt your files if you want to minimize the likelihood of a network security breach and your company’s liability in case one occurs. ## Thoroughly Read the Service Agreement of Your Cloud Service Provider To meet their storage needs, most small businesses turn to affordable cloud storage providers. Unfortunately, not many business owners go through the service agreement of their cloud providers. This is a mistake you mustn’t make. By not going through and understanding the service agreement of your cloud storage provider, you inadvertently make the business vulnerable to security risks. When picking a cloud storage provider, consider a lot more than just price. To understand the salient points, read the service agreement carefully. Also, find out who’ll handle your data and who’ll have access to it. ## Backup Files in Multiple Locations Even if you find a reliable cloud storage provider, you should back up your data and files in multiples location including on a USB drive and a hard drive. This is a good additional security measure. There you have it—the 8 best ways to prevent a data breach. Using the aforementioned-information, you can prevent a data breach and make your business more secure. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Apple Watch Accessories Worth Buying URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/apple-watch-accessories/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:32.000Z Though it isn’t as popular as the Mac or the iPhone, the Apple Watch is starting to build its very own fan base. So, what are the things propelling people towards Apple’s smart watch? Following are some of the most popular features of the Apple Watch, features that are helping the watch win many fans and advocates all around the world ## The Most Popular Features of the Apple Watch A smartwatch, the Apple watch connects to the iPhone to run apps and deliver notifications. However, the Apple Watch is much more than an iPhone on your wrist. Following are some ‘awesome’ things you can do with the Apple Watch. ### Answer Calls After connecting it to your iPhone via Bluetooth, you can use the Apple Watch to answer calls. But, since the audio quality isn’t great, you should only use the watch for shorter calls. Also, as you can only attend calls on speakerphone, be conscious of where you are before taking a call on your Apple Watch. Nonetheless, the watch is great for answering calls when your hands are busy elsewhere. ### Use it Under Water Twenty years ago, no one would have pondered, let alone tried, using their watch under water. But today, you don’t even think, you just dive in with your watch. As it is waterproof up to fifty meters, you can swim with your Apple Watch on. So, you no longer need to worry about missing an important call from your boss while you’re swimming. ### Track Your Runs As it has a built-in GPS, you can use the Apple Watch to track your runs without connecting to your iPhone. Isn’t that great news? Sure, it is! After all, you don’t have to carry that big iPhone 7 or 8 with you anymore while you make a dash on the track. You can use the tracker of the watch to measure your speed and pace during runs and the precise distance you covered. Additionally, you can use the watch to get directions. ### Monitor Your Hear Rate By measuring your heart rate, the Apple Watch can help you stay healthy. To check your heart rate, the watch uses sensors on its back. The watch tracks your heart rate at various intervals and stores the data for you to check later. When you’re exercising, you can see your heart rate on the watch throughout the work out. ### View and Reply to Text Text, text, and more text—people love writing and viewing them on their phone, and now they can do the same on their Apple Watch. You no longer need to take out your iPhone from your pocket or handbag to read and reply to a text message. Simply connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone via Bluetooth and view and reply to texts directly on your watch. The aforementioned- features are some of the features that make the Apple Watch attractive to tech enthusiasts and users of iPhone. If you want to further enhance the Apple Watch experience, then get Apple Watch accessories available in the market. To help you in this regard, we will give you a quick overview of the best Apple Watch accessories. ## The Best Apple Watch Accessories Accessorize your Apple Watch for a truly ‘epic’ Apple Watch experience. So, what accessories can help you to ensure this experience? Let’s find out. ### CMRA Strap Camera People have been predicting that Apple is going to add a camera to the watch but that hasn’t happened yet. However, what you can do for now is get the CMRA wearable strap that comes with two cameras, a 2MP upward facing camera and an 8 MP front facing one. ### Beats Powerbeats 3 Headphones Going for a run? You no longer need to take your phone with you. You can store music on your Apple Watch to listen to while you make that sprint. An accessory that can enhance this experience is the Bluetooth Beats Powerbeats 3 headphones. Comfortable to wear, the Bluetooth Beats Powerbeats 3 headphones produce bass-rich sounds and have a 12-hour battery life. ### Watchkeeper If you want to keep your Apple Watch safe and looking new, then the Watchkeeper is the ideal accessory for you. A stylish watch case, the Watchkeeper is available in two different colors: tan and black. The steel unibody core and protective leather finish of the Watchkeeper protect your Apple Watch from harm. ### Pantheon keychain Magnetic Charger The Pantheon Keychain Magnetic Charger is the kind of thing people dreamt about a decade or so ago. An ultraportable keychain, the Pantheon Keychain Magnetic Charger sticks to the Apple Watch like a magnet to charge it. Surely, there can’t be a better charger for your Apple Watch then this. ### Ultimate Shield Screen Protector If you want to maintain the gloss and shine of your Apple Watch then you need to protect its screen and this is something the Ultimate Shield Screen Protector can help you with. A slim yet sturdy screen protector, the Ultimate Shield Screen Protector has a 0.2 mm protective film, which makes it barely noticeable. So, with the Ultimate Shield Screen protector, you can add a protective layer to your Apple Watch without anyone noticing it. Apple Watch is great in its original form and you can further enhance it by supplementing it with the state-of-the-art accessories on offer. Believe us – you’ll be better off with them. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### It’s the iPhone Time of the Year –Here is All You Need to Know about the iPhone 8 URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/iphone-about-iphone-8/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:33.000Z This year, Apple came out with two phones: the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X. While the iPhone X marks the 10-year milestone, the iPhone 8 is the replacement of what we have been waiting for through the year, i.e. the iPhone 7S. The latest phone by Apple has gone bionic, offering smarter cameras, inductive charging, neural engine processing, fantastic displays better than ever before, and the first time ever, Augmented Reality (AR) optimization. Following suit of the last two iPhone generations, the iPhone 8 has been launched in two versions: the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. # The Burning Question – What’s New and Different? With innovation being synonymous with iPhone, people expect to get new features that no one has ever seen or heard of. However, over the past few years, Apple has been lagging behind a bit in introducing such technology in their iPhones, because users have to delve into their phone to learn about the superior performance and other cutting edge features integrated in the device. Let’s take a look at what’s new and different in the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. ## Design and Connectivity Back in the day when the iPhone 7 hit the market, a majority of the fans were underwhelmed in terms of its design. While there is no doubt that it was sleek and classy, it looked almost similar to its predecessor—just without a headphone jack. Unfortunately, things haven’t changed much since then. If a brand new look is what you are looking for, the iPhone 8 is going to disappoint you to some extent. What’s new though is the all-glass back, adding to its sleekness, shine, and grandeur. As the Apple officials put it, “It’s the most durable glass ever in an iPhone.” However, the problem with a glass back is fingerprints, scratches, and whatnot, that can turn your beautiful iPhone into an ugly mess by the time new iPhone is released. Aside from this, the iPhone 8 is slightly thicker than the iPhone 7\. In terms of connectivity, almost everything is the same, except for Bluetooth 5, which is an upgrade from the iPhone 7's v4.2. ## Performance Here is what makes the iPhone 8 a truly remarkable device. The other areas may not have received many improvements, but the performance has been taken to a whole new level. The new iPhone is equipped with the A11 Bionic chip that makes both the devices impressively fast, smooth, and efficient. Believe it or not, this chipset may be the fastest, most powerful we have seen to date, when it comes to mobile devices. It is coupled with an M11 motion coprocessor, the first GPU that Apply has developed in-house. The iPhone 8 is packed with 2GB RAM, while the iPhone 8 Plus has 3GB. The last year’s model had the A10 with four cores – two efficiency cores and two high-performance cores. This year, the iPhone 8 has the A11 with six cores – four efficiency cores and two high-performance cores. Certainly, a sizable upgrade, if you ask me. What does all the Bionic jargon and more cores means to the average user: Well, in the simplest sense, everything will feel smoother and faster under the finger – better than the previous iPhones. ## Display – True Tone Retina HD The display specs are somewhat same as the iPhone 7, i.e. 4.7in 750 x 1,334 IPS display. In the battle of LCD vs. OLED, the addition of the True Tone feature can be called a game-changer for the new iPhone. True Tone Retina HD display was first rolled out in the iPad Pros, which allows the device to adapt to your environment by changing color temperatures. With this, you can experience a better, more comfortable viewing experience, which is a great benefit for the iPhone 8 Plus users. ## Augmented Reality (AR) AR is one of the most fascinating, and arguably the highlighting features of the iPhone 8\. Augmented Reality has been around for some time now, but having the functionality in your phone is, well, kind of cool. Apply has demonstrated how the iPhone 8 and the upcoming models will allow users to use AR in different ways, such as through sports apps, educational apps, games, and more. A few other noteworthy features include spatial change in the audio volume and texture of the sound as the user moves further or closer to the source while in the AR. ## Video Shooting Experience We’ve already seen the 4K ability two generations ago in the iPhone 6S. The iPhone 8 is equipped with an upgrade – now you can shoot videos in 4K at 60 FPS. What this means is your videos will be smoother, enhancing the viewing experience. Not only that, the iPhone 8 has 240 FPS slo-mo at 1080p, which is a leap from the previous model in terms of quality. # iPhone 8 in a Nutshell ## The Good - Solid still pictures and excellent video shooting quality - Mindboggling performance, thanks to the new and improved A11 chipset - Wireless, fast charging to add to the convenience - Supports a multitude of new apps and games, as well as enhanced functionality, due to iOS 11 ## The Bad - Battery life for the iPhone 8 is still questionable, though the iPhone 8 Plus can last a bit longer - Design and aesthetics are not something one would say meet the consumer expectations - The phone lacks mobile HDR - While the glass back gives the luxurious feel, it is not completely resistant to fingerprints and scratches The iPhone 8 is a high-performance and those who realize it are going to love it. But for those who are all about aesthetics and what’s new, they may not be wowed by this new Apply release and might want to wait out till the iPhone X is released. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Here’s Why You need Business Intelligence Software URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-intelligence-software/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:33.000Z On the other hand, there is no involvement of data in decisions made based on ‘gut’ feeling. These decisions are based on intuition, which may or may not be correct. Often, decisions based on intuition lead to decreased productivity, frustration and loss of revenue over time. If you want your business to prosper in today’s competitive environment, then you must consider using business intelligence software to assess risks and make key business decisions. Software that allows you to collect, analyze and leverage a wide variety of data, business intelligence helps your business to increase its visibility and gain competitive advantage. Following are 9 benefits of using business intelligence software. ## 1\. Reporting Data is continuously gathered and analyzed by business intelligence software. With business intelligence software, you can generate a wide variety of reports including reports related to customer service, staffing, operations process, and expenses. While these reports are useful, the biggest benefit of using business intelligence software is the relevance of information. As they contain relevant data that is easy to understand, BI reports allow businesses to make informed decisions. ## 2\. Less Guesswork Running a business is not gambling and this is something you should always keep in mind. ‘Going with the gut feeling’ or ‘making the best guess’ to make key business decisions is a big NO! The future of your company depends on the decisions you make for it. Surely, you wouldn’t want the future on your business to be dependent on hit- and- miss guesswork. By using business intelligence software, you will get access accurate data and real time updates which in turn will allow to more accurately ‘predict’ how a decision will affect your business in the future. ## 3\. Elimination of Waste Anything that does not add value to your business is referred to as waste. By identifying the areas of waste in your company that you may not have noticed till now, BI software helps you to eliminate the waste in your company. By eliminating waste, you can increase business productivity and ultimately, revenues. ## 4\. Performance Management Business can use business intelligence software to set performance goals and track progress on a daily basis. Known as performance management, this ability of the BI software allows businesses to easily and effectively implement and manage performance goals. This is turn helps businesses to improve performances and increase productivity. ## 5\. Easy Access to Data In an effort to improve their processes, businesses have traditionally relied on several different software systems to gather transactional data. However, as these rich data resources continue to grow, businesses are finding it incredibly hard to manage, evaluate and process the data. By gathering information from multiple and often dissimilar systems, as well as from an organization’s various geographic locations and merging it into a single, integrated gateway, business intelligence software makes it easy for business owners and manages to access all the data for extensive auditing, reporting and predictive analysis. ## 6\. Respond Faster Instead of waiting till the month’s end for it, business owners and managers can use BI software to view reports daily. This in turn will allow them to respond faster to even the most unforeseeable situations. As a business owner or manager, you can get a clearer understanding of what’s happening in the business by using BI to access operating data and customize report views. This will enable you to immediately make changes that improve performance rather than wait until it’s too late. ## 7\. Better Tracking of Inventory Business intelligence software makes it easy for businesses to track spending, assess suppliers, develop strategies to minimize spending, perform in-depth financial analysis, analyze procurement data and measure performance. Additionally, to minimize extraordinary buying and ensure compliance, the procurement department can turn to the BI software. The business intelligence software churns our detailed reports that you can use to understand spending trends and patterns to make more informed decisions that conserve resources and increase revenue. ## 8\. Easily identify Problem Areas Problem areas that might otherwise go unchecked in a business such as poor performance and fraud can be easily identified with a business intelligence software. For example, if your floor manager notices an increased exhaustion of an item but can’t find sales that match that then, a BI software will allow him to track purchases vs. earnings so that the required adjustments can be made. ## 9\. An improved Customer Experience By integrating BI software into your daily operations, you can improve customer experience and build long-term relationships with them. Using BI software, you can provide a more personalized experience to your customers i.e. an experience which is more in line with their interests and preferences. This in turn will allow you to boost satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. In today’s competitive world, customers expect an extraordinary and personalized experience and ensuring this requires a lot more than spreadsheets and ‘gut feeling’ to operate at maximum efficiency. To protect your market share or increase it, you don’t need to work harder. You just need to work smarter and this is something a business intelligence software can help you to do. There you have it—the 9 benefits of using business intelligence software. With BI software, you can improve both decision making and customer experience, which will ultimately lead to business growth. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### How Enterprises are Using and Benefiting from Cloud Services URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/enterprises-cloud-services/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:34.000Z When you see the above icon on your phone or your desktop, you probably hear sales pitches which go something like, “Store your files in the cloud.” But, then this begs the question: what is the ‘Cloud’? Now, there seems to be a lot of confusion about what exactly the Cloud is. Some people think that if they upload their pictures or files in the Cloud then they’ll literally kind of float around somewhere in cyberspace. If you think the same, then following is a simplified explanation of what the ‘Cloud’ is to clear your confusion and help you understand exactly how the cloud services can secure your future. ## Understanding the ‘Cloud’ When you think about the Cloud, think of it as a computer, just like the computer you have on your desktop or your phone, the only difference being that it is a computer that’s somewhere else. Now, I know that may look odd or an extreme oversimplification of things but if you don’t know what the Cloud is or have no real conceptual understanding of what it is then you should really just think of the ‘Cloud’ as a computer that’s somewhere else that you are in some way utilizing. Whether it is for storage or processing power, you’re utilizing the ‘Cloud computer’ that is somewhere else in some way, obviously using an internet connection. Now, in reality, the ‘Cloud’ isn’t one single computer, it’s more of something like this: ↓ [](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/enterprises-cloud-services?ref=bobbydavidson.com) The above picture is of racks in a data center. You may have seen pictures like these in the past where there’s just rows and rows of server computers that you’re utilizing. So, you think of companies like iCloud, DropBox or Amazon Web Services (AWS), your files or pictures or documents or whatever you’re storing, aren’t just going up into the cloud into this magic mystery box rather they’re being stored on a server computer which is in one of the racks in the data center. Today, there are thousands, if not millions of data centers, around the world. Generally, when people refer to Cloud services providers, they think about storage, computing power, databases but services such as AWS offer a lot more in terms of networking, analytics, developer tools, virtualization and security. Now, you don’t need to understand or know what these terms are but it is important for you to get the picture that using Cloud computing platforms such as iCloud or DropBox or AWS to store the pictures, videos or documents that you may have is only a very small subset of what Cloud computing is and the list of things mentioned above, while certainly not all encompassing, is a much broader list of things that Cloud services providers provide. ## How Enterprises are Using and Benefiting from Cloud Services Let’s now see how enterprises are using and benefiting from cloud services. For this purpose, we going to use ZZ software, a hypothetical software company, as an example. Let suppose, ZZ software is using the Cloud Service provider AWS and has 1000 users. Currently, there are two servers that the users have provisioned and are using in the world. Suppose the company grow. Now, as the user base increases, say from a 1000 to 4000, Cloud service providers can automatically and instantly add additional servers. So, ZZ software didn’t have to estimate growth, ensure that they have space in their on -premise data center, spend time researching the types of servers it needs to buy, order them, wait a few weeks for delivery, install the servers, install the operating systems, test them and load the software onto it. Quite literally, within minutes, using a Cloud service provides like AWS, the company can have two new servers up and running with their software installed and that can be done at any time. So, the process that used to take several weeks can now be done in matter of minutes using a Cloud Service provider like AWS. Continuing with the example, let’s say the user-base increased to 4000 but then at some point, lowered to 3000\. Now, as the use-base drops, one of the servers will automatically disappear from your ‘premise’. The reason for this is that when you use Cloud service providers, especially when you’re using servers, you’re only using them ‘when you need them.’ So, the second the user base dropped from 4000 to 3000, the Cloud services provider simply just de-commissioned that server and ZZ software was no longer being charged for it. ## How Cloud Services are Helping Businesses to Lower Costs and Improve Efficiency Unlike in the case of on -premise technology or servers, where the company has to buy physical hardware, install it in its office, and if it isn’t used, the company would still be stuck paying for that hardware, using a Cloud service provider, a company only leases hardware and that too on an on-demand basis, meaning that as your user base grows, you can add more, and as it shrinks, you can pair those down and no longer pay for them. Using Cloud services, you can ensure that your files are highly available, meaning that your files are available all the time and from any device that you want. Also, if something was to go wrong like if your hard drive was to crash or your computer was to go down, you’d have backup. So, no matter what goes wrong, your files will never be deleted. Finally, a Cloud service such as AWS allows you to quickly grow and shrink on-demand based on your needs. The four reasons given above are why many personal users and enterprise users today love Cloud services and are using them. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### The Best Business Features Coming to macOS High Sierra URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-features-macos-high-sierra/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:34.000Z The most exciting thing is that this is the first complete macOS upgrade in the industry, since Snow Leopard in 2009, and the beta version of this OS has already been well received by everyone. Apple is very optimistic about the adoption of their latest operating software, even though the upgrades made to High Sierra aren’t that noticeable. However, this didn’t stop people from purchasing Snow Leopard in 2009 and Apple thinks that people will love High Sierra as well. The major gripe that Apple users may have is that there aren’t shiny new features with the macOS High Sierra, but there are some great enhancements made to it. This operating system is proof that Apple is looking towards the future and is working hard to improve business features in their operating system. The fact that only the beta version has been released is going to make it tough for anyone to do a complete review of the OS. However, there are some key notes that must be highlighted, which include performance upgrades. The most significant changes are the overhaul of the Photos app, and the new search in Safari. Apple has been working extremely hard to tweak the technology used in the Mac, and it is going to prove to be an asset for businesses work with macOS High Sierra. So, should you choose to upgrade to the latest operating software from Apple? We highly recommend it. To prove our point, we are going to be highlighting the best business features that have come with the macOS High Sierra. # High-End Graphics Capabilities If you are highly creative and work with high-end graphics, then this operating software is going to be a treat for you. Once you start running High Sierra on your machine, you will notice an instant upgrade to the graphics, and will also gain VR capabilities, brought to you by Metal 2\. Most businesses aren’t jumping into VR right now, but it is going to have its moment, which is why it is a good idea to get into it right now. # Enhanced Apple Main Functions The Apple Mail function has also gotten a newer version, with numerous adjustments made to fine tune the Spotlight search function. Now you can easily search and filter everything you want, while there is a full-screen Split View option with mail. This will help you multi-task easily, and the best thing is that it will take up 35% less disk space as well, ensuring a smoother running machine with this OS. # New Photo Features Another feature that is going to be useful for businesses is the photo feature, which has gotten an upgrade. Apple has helped make it easier for people to edit and search for pictures in Photos, and the new operating software will help you filter per media types, favorites, and keywords. You will also enjoy photo recognition for different devices as well. Apple has also added new editing tools, which will help you do the simple things, and you can hone your Photoshop prowess here. This is going to be a very effective tool for small business owners, who won’t need to hire web designers, or graphic designers. # Smarter and Faster Safari One of the biggest upgrades you will notice with High Sierra is that Safari has gotten a serious performance upgrade. Apple has enhanced the browsing with its new operating software, and has claimed that Safari will outperform Google Chrome in privacy and speed. The browser is expected to have features like Autoplay Blocking, and will stop loud videos to be played automatically. This will mean that you won’t be distracted by loud advertisements when you’re browsing or reading articles. Apple has also placed emphasis on the privacy of the operating software, as it has stopped ads from following you to another website, with the Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP). It also has machine learning to scrip data from different websites, and this will prevent advertisers from following you all over the internet. # The Other Stuff There is loads of other stuff that should get you excited about the macOS High Sierra, most notably how Siri has also gotten smarter. It can now easily play any song you want by learning and tracking your musical preferences, when you subscribe to Apple Music. It has also made it easier for file sharing and link sharing, especially if you are using iCloud Drive. The Spotlight feature can help you check on fight status, by entering your flight number, and you can also save Live Photos from any Facetime video call. The Notes app has also gotten an upgrade, as it can now support tables, which has made it a must have feature for everyone. The messages app can also be synched easily to another device, and family sharing is also offered by Apple now. # The Takeaway There are lots of businesses that will benefit from the macOS High Sierra, since Apple has clearly identified what businesses value currently. They have made communication easier, and their new file system, along with improved developer tools are going to make a huge impression on business operations. It is clear to see that with High Sierra, Apple wants to transform their operating system, and this is good news for businesses, because they are getting a significant advantage. Common users may not be as excited about the latest upgrades in this operating software, but for businesses this is an important upgrade. The gauntlet has been thrown by Apple in upgrading its operating software to benefit businesses, and its competition is surely going to follow in the future. ### by Bobby J Davidson We love our company and we love what we do. Check out the '[Why Percento](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)' page to learn more: [Love of Technology and Business!](https://percentotech.com/company/percento/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Don’t Want to Lose Your Valuable Information? Here are 3 Ways to Backup Your Data URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/back-up-data/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:35.000Z Today, many people still store their important information and documents in the hard drive of their computer. For this reason, getting into the habit of routinely backing up the data stored on your computer is a good idea. If you don’t want to lose any of your valuable data and information, then routinely backing up the data on your computer is a practice that you should definitely consider. By creating a backup of your important and precious files, you’ll minimize the risk of losing your school or office work, tax documents and prized pictures in the event of fire, theft or hard drive failure. While backing up photos and files isn’t hard, people often get confused as there are several different ways to back up data. Today, storage space is cheaper than ever but the options and types of storage can make things a bit complicated. You could use a small universal serial bus (USB) or go for a giant external hard drive. Another to back up your data is storing it in the cloud. So, which choice is right for you? Based on expert recommendation, following are the three best ways to back up your data. **Use an External Hard Drive** A hard disk drive similar to the one inside your computer, an external hard drive is where you can store any kind of file. As external hard drives are generally small and portable, you can easily carry the data you backed up in the external drive with you. By backing up your data on an external hard drive, you’ll can ensure that your valuable doesn’t get lost in case your computer is damaged or stolen. Whether you use Windows or Mac, you can easily back up your data to an external drive. Here’s how to go about it: ### On Windows 1. Get an external backup drive from any electronic store. A good thing to do would be getting a drive with twice as much space as your computer. This will ensure that you have enough space for multiple backups and any data that you might get in the future. 2. When you plug in the external drive to your computer, Windows will ask if you want to use it as a backup. Answer ‘yes’ by clicking the ‘ok’ button. In case the option to backup doesn’t pop up on your screen, click on the Start Menu, enter ‘backup’ in the search box, and hit Backup and Restore. 3. Click the ‘Set Up Backup’ button and hit Next. 4. Finally click on ‘Save Setting and Run Backup’. Windows will now start backing up data to the external drive. ### On Mac 1. Same as Windows. 2. In case the option to backup doesn’t pop up on your screen, go to System Preferences, click on Time Machine and set it as a backup disk. 3. Click on ‘Select Backup Disk’ and choose your external drive. 4. Mac will now start to back up data to the external drive. **Save It to A NAS Device** Another way to backup your data is saving it to a network attached storage or NAS device. A server dedicated for storing data, NAS can be operated wirelessly or with a wire depending on your computer and the drive. The information displayed by NAS will look just like the information on your computer’s hard drive. The biggest benefit of NAS is the ability to back several computers simultaneously. With a network attached storage device, you can setup automatic backups that mirror any changes made on the computer. As soon as you make a change to a document or folder, network attached storage will reflect that change. Also, using the software option of most NAS devices, you can configure remote access to ensure that you can access your documents and files regardless of where you’re in the world. In simple terms, NAS is you own private cloud storage. Isn’t that amazing? If having private cloud storage is your main reason to switch to network attached storage, then make sure that the NAS device you choose allows a full cloud storage experience. Private cloud storage and increased storage space are just a few of countless reasons to use NAS for backing up your data. So, do consider this option. **Store It on a USB Flash Drive** Small solid-state drives, USB flash drives allows you to back up your data and carry it in your pocket. Available in a variety of designs, flash drives plug into your computer through the USB port. You can easily back up your data to a USB flash drive by copying your data to it. There are many benefits of using a flash drive to back up your data, including affordability and portability. Following are three reason to choose a USB Flash Drive for backing up your data. ### Simple to Use With just one click, you can backup your data to a USB flash drive. That’s how easy it is to use a USB for backing up your data. Installation isn’t difficult either. All you got to do is plug in the USB drive and let Windows recognize the drive. ### Affordable USBs are inexpensive—250 GB drives are available for less than $100 while 500 GB drives come within $300\. Also, there’s no additional cost. Surely, that’s a good reason to consider USBs for backing up your data. ### Portable A USB flash drive is a portable device that can be used for backing up the data on several computers. The portability of the USB drive is another reason to choose it over the other ‘back-up’ options mentioned above. Today, backing up the data on your computer is more than ever. The aforementioned-methods are the 3 best ways to back up your data. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Cloud Computing is Changing Retail: Here’s how URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/cloud-computing-retail/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:35.000Z E-commerce poses an existential threat to traditional brick and mortar retail stores and the source powering E-commerce or online retail stores is technology such as Cloud. According to a recent study, the worth of retail cloud market will grow from just over USD 11 billion in 2016 to almost USD 29 billion by 2021\. To meet the ever-changing needs of consumers, the retail industry is evolving each day. Factors influencing this transformation include social networking, e-commerce and the latest technologies that ensure an interactive consumer experience. ## How the Retail Industry is Embracing Cloud Cloud computing is being widely adopted in the retail industry. This is the finding of a recent report published by Accenture, a global management consulting and professional services company. According to the report, investments in various cloud technologies hit $15 billion last year (2016), an increase from $4 billion back in 2011\. This clearly indicates how much faith retailers have in cloud computing technologies today. In today’s digital world, cloud computing is playing a transformative role and this is something the retail industry has started to embrace. Following are three ways retailers are embracing the Cloud to revolutionize their business strategies: ### Selling Products Today, the competitive advantage of retailers is increasingly dependent on how well they serve their mobile based customers. As more than 30% of e-commerce buying happens on mobile devices today, retailers cannot afford to ignore their mobile customers. If this wasn’t enough to motivate you then we’ll thrown in another stat: 80% of customers use a mobile device or app before making a purchase decision. For retailers, offering a convenient, seamless mobile experience to customers today is more important than ever before. And, moving to cloud technology is what retailers need to do to achieve this. ### Creating Products Cloud technology provides retailers with big data analytics and retailers use this data analytics to make quantitative decisions about the items to produce and sell. To help retailers make informed business decisions in real time, the cloud pulls data from search engines, e-retailers and social media. By making big data analytics available to retailers, the Cloud has removed the guesswork about what’ll sell and what’ll fail to catch the buyers’ interest. Additionally, by leveraging the smart data provided by the Cloud, retailers can now identify and produce more unique items each year. For retailers, this is great news! ### Managing Inventory For any retailer, one of the most important assets is their inventory. With the advent of the cloud technology, retailers can now manage this asset more efficiently. Proof of this is Hallmark Cards, the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States and a retailer with almost forty thousand stores worldwide. To track its inventory in real time including store orders, stock availability and shipping details, Hallmark uses a retail-as-a-service (RaaS) solution that runs in a private cloud. This allows Hallmark to focus less on their operations and more on what matter most—providing great customer service! ## How Cloud Computing is Changing Retail To stay ahead of competition, retail businesses have to constantly innovate and ensure accuracy and agility. By allowing them to build relevant capabilities, cloud computing helps retail businesses to do all three. Today, retailers are fast realizing the importance of cloud computing as a cost-effective technique to ensure a seamless experience and meet the needs of the customer. Additionally, many retail businesses are whole-heartedly embracing retail cloud computing to improve their retail management systems. The use of cloud based retail technologies and services is helping retailers to gain visibility and track inventory throughout the supply chain cycle. There are many benefits of adopting cloud computing for retail businesses including: - Real-time reporting - Cost-effective streamlined operations - Quicker speed to market - Flexibility to scale up and down when required The aforementioned-benefits are just a few of the many reasons retailers should opt for cloud-based retail solutions. Cloud computing is fast changing retail and following are some of the ways how. ### Buyer Forecasting Thanks to cloud based services, today retail business owners can easily manage customer information. By providing them with big data analytics, cloud allows business owners to gain insight into the purchasing habits and shopping preferences of their customers such as preferred delivery options and favorite shopping location. Based on customer behaviors revealed by the cloud-based solutions, business owners can control their selections and bring the best merchandise into the store. ### Efficiency Cloud eliminates the need for employees to spend time fighting fires or managing data and systems. This in turn allows them to focus on more strategic business objectives such as product and sales development and competitive analysis. ### Lower Operational Costs and Predictable Subscription By making them part of your monthly subscription fees, cloud computing eliminates unexpected software costs. As you don’t have to worry about unexpected software costs, you can focus on more important things such as cash flow, productivity and employee payroll. As everything in the cloud is automated and managed by cloud service providers, you don’t need to worry about the seasonal rush. The cloud service providers will ensure that you get easy access to the necessary infrastructure without interruption. This in turn will ensure that you don’t unnecessarily lose money. ### Consolidation Most retailers that use on- premise technology to manage their operations have fragmented data. This means that they have different systems for shipping, reporting and inventory, which in turn means that the information of each department is stored and analyzed separately. This can be both a waste of time and a waste of money. By consolidating all their data into one single system, cloud computing helps retailers to save time and lower operational costs. Cloud computing is fast changing retail and the aforementioned-information shows exactly how. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 4 Big Challenges that Small Businesses Face URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/4-big-challenges-small-businesses-face/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:36.000Z Entrepreneurs must undergo a plethora of challenges when they start their own business, because small businesses need to be nurtured properly to flourish. Every small business, irrespective of what industry it belongs to, faces challenges it must overcome to ensure its survival and growth. These can range from building your brand, hiring talented employees, and cutting down on overhead expenditure. The state of the economy isn’t kind for small businesses, and they must deal with the challenges in the appropriate manner to have any chance of survival. Small businesses must face both small and big challenges, which will determine the success and survival of the enterprise. Business owners must identify these challenges beforehand so that they can solve the problems and guide their business down the right path. Most entrepreneurs tend to struggle with a new business, simply because they don’t understand the scope of the challenge and aren’t prepared to solve the problems they will encounter. The first part of resolving any problem is to identify and understand it. So, if you’re running a small business or thinking about starting one, here are the four biggest challenges that your small business will face. ### 1\. The Tiredness Factor As a small business owner, it is going to be all hands-on deck during the first couple of years. You must do everything yourself, which means long hours, intense pressure, and mental fatigue. Most business owners don’t account for the tiredness factor in running a small business, and by the time they realize the problem, they have already made grave mistakes. Fatigue can cripple the thinking of any entrepreneur, since it makes you cranky, inattentive, forgetful, and disorganized, which can spell disaster for your small business. That is why you must pace yourself, and embrace the challenge of running a tight ship during the first couple of years. The enthusiasm, motivation, and energy you extend when running your small business will quickly evaporate if you don’t delegate tasks to other employees. Don’t try handling everything yourself, and it is better to only focus on things where your expertise lies. While it is important that you remain on top of things, it shouldn’t come at the cost of overworking yourself or burning out. You can hire specialists and delegate crucial tasks related to legal matters, and accounting to them. It will not only help save time, but will save you a lot of stress and headaches. Come up with a plan and stick to it, so that you are not only running your business smoothly, but can also manage a healthy work-life balance. ### 2\. Problems with Cash Flow Another important challenge that all small businesses must deal with is the cash flow issue. You will invariably have money problems, which is why it is important that you plan and budget well in advance. Your small business is not going to start turning over profits in the beginning, and you must account for errors, mistakes, and unaccounted for expenditures during the first couple of years. Small businesses generally face issues with outstanding bills, clients stalling payments, and unexpected costs, which can cripple it financially. That is why you must have a plan in place to deal with this problem, and there are lots of money management tools available that can help you with that. Managing your cash flow is going to prove to be a challenge initially, which is why you need all the help you can get. ### 3\. Motivating Your Employees Any small business that wants to make a name for itself needs to have highly motivated employees. Your employees should buy into the business vision of your organization, since that is the only way they are going to take their jobs seriously and make a serious impact. To motivate your employees, you will need to invest some time to understand them, more importantly what motivates them, and how to get the most out of them. Boosting employee morale will lead to more engagement within the organization, which will translate into a smooth-running operation. Good companies nurture an open and relaxed atmosphere, where the staff feel comfortable in talking and voicing concerns to management. Including perks like Christmas parties, free snacks and free coffee for the staff will also help motivate employees. To gauge the proper method for motivating your employees it is necessary that you communicate with them, and acquire employee feedback. This will help you understand their needs, which is critical in getting everyone on board the organization. Businesses that ignore what their employees want, and assume everything is fine, are often left wondering why they are suffering from high-staff turnover. This is a common small business problem that must be dealt with. ### 4\. Finding and Retaining Profitable Customers There is a business term that states that to ensure success for your business, you must find customers with a problem and offer them a solution that works in their favor. That can prove to be a difficult task, because in general you won’t be the only business in your industry with the solution. That is why you need to work on identifying your unique selling point, and then market yourself effectively to your audience. This is the best way to find profitable customers, but that is only the beginning, the hard part is retaining those customers. The only way you will be successful here is if you start researching about your customer base, and learn about their characteristics. This way you will be able to identify their best customers, and you can then easily analyze the value they bring to your organization. After doing so, you will be able to expand your efforts into attracting new clients that will help bring value to your business. ### Conclusion These challenges are faced by all small businesses, and rather than fear them, entrepreneurs should embrace them and prepare for them. One of the worst mistakes any business owner can make is not account for the challenges that their business will face. That is why we have tried to make things easier by highlighting the 4 biggest challenges that small businesses face. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### A Guide to Windows 10 Security Settings URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/windows-10-security-settings/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:36.000Z Windows 10 offers users a host of different security settings to help them keep their sensitive data and information safe and away from prying eyes looking to leak them onto the internet or give to one of your competitors if you are a business owner. However, you would think the developers would have made it easier and less complicated for businesses to fully comprehend the security features of Windows 10\. Unfortunately, that is not the case. When trying to access the security settings, users need to navigate from one window to another, thus resulting in confusion. It would have been ten times better if every security setting was in one place, but no, it is scattered all over the place. Not to worry, we are here to help! Use the following guide to learn how to make Windows 10 secure: ### 1\. Access Windows 10 Security Settings To access Windows 10 security settings, select the “**Windows Key**,” and click “**Settings**.” Return to the “**Home Window**,” select the “**Gear Icon**,” located in the upper left-hand corner, and select “**Update and Security**.” ### 2\. Update Windows Under “Update and Security,” you will find “Windows Update.” Windows 10 checks and installs updates automatically. In doing so, it creates instability and can even create security risks. You have the option to manually uninstall an update. To prevent your computer from installing the update again, use this [Microsoft tool](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Additionally, you can instruct Windows 10 to not install updates automatically or update a driver without permission. To prevent Windows 10 from automatically installing drivers, select “Windows Key,” type “**Device Installation**,” but without the quotes, select the **first search result** at the top, select the second “**Radio Button**” to get several options, click the **second option** to instruct Windows 10 to ignore all future updates for drivers. Return to the “**Windows Update**” settings and select “**Advanced Options**” to modify how Windows 10 delivers system updates to you. You can specify a time you want Windows 10 to install system updates or instruct to install the updates when you are not using the computer. To remove an update or see a list of error messages, click on “**View Your Update History**,” located at the top. ### 3\. Manage Windows Defender Under “Update and Security,” located in the left-hand section of the “Settings,” you can manage Windows Defender. Windows Defender is an anti-malware software, which you cannot completely disable, but can disable it for a certain duration. It offers real-time protection and you can leave the default settings as is. ### 4\. Backup Controls Windows 10 offers backup controls for users to create backups for their data. However, the backups of data you create are not protected by a password. It is recommended you use the external hard drive’s backup software. Without passwords, you risk having your security breached and your data stolen and leaked. If you want to recover your data after an error, select the “**Tool**,” select “**System** **Image** **Backup**,” located in the lower left hand side,” and select “**Create a System Image**,” located on the left. You can create the image backup on a USB, burn it on a DVD, or save to another drive. ### 5\. Protecting Backups with Passwords The system image backup you created earlier is not protected by a password. If your run Windows 10 Professional on your computer, you can manually add a password. Right click a file, click “**Properties**,” select the “**Advanced**” button, and click the box next to “**Encrypt Contents to Secure Data**.” To decrypt the file, enter the password. If you are using Windows 10 Home, you need to use WinZip or WinRar, as the option to encrypt a file is greyed out. Make sure you remember the password because these options do not offer you a way to recover your password. ### 6\. Securing Your Wi-Fi Sense Return to the “Settings,” window, select “Network and Internet,” scroll down to the bottom, and select “Manage Wi-Fi Settings.” You can either connect to the recommended hotspots, but it is not advised, as hackers can easily gain access to your system. The second option is network sharing. If you share your network with other people, which you would in a business setting, click that option to enable it, but do not give the password to your employees or anyone else for that matter. For this reason, businesses have security administrators who enter the password for employees to gain access to the internet. ### 7\. Cloud Data and Cortana Cortana is a virtual assistant that helps users find information. You can communicate with Cortana by speaking to it or messaging it. By default, Cortana is disabled in Windows 10\. If your focus is on security, do not turn on Cortana. By turning on Microsoft’s assistant on, you allow it to collect data and information, which it then stores in the cloud. You can manage the information Cortana stores though. Select the “**Windows Key**,” type “**Cortana**,” but without the quotes, select “**Cortana and Search Settings**,” and select “**Manage what Cortana Knows About Me in the Cloud**.” Doing this will take you to a website on Bing. Sign in to your Microsoft account. This will take you to the “**Personalisation**” section on Bing. You have the option to clean your history or “**Interests**,” which holds details on everything you have clicked on while using MSN, Bing, and Cortana. In addition to this, you have the option to clean your entire search history on Bing as well as any data Cortana has recorded and stored such as calendar entries, contacts, location history, and browsing history. On the same page, you can disable the function that stores your search history. You can also clear all data stored in Bing Maps. If you go to the bottom, you will come across several options. Use those options to manage how your system uses the data collected and stored from Xbox, Outlook, OneDrive, and Microsoft’s own platform for advertising. It is important for both individuals and businesses to take measures to protect their information and data from potential hackers who might try to infiltrate the system, steal it, and misuse it. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3D Printing for Better Development URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/3d-printing-better-development/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:36.000Z Considered as a subgroup of additive manufacturing, 3D printing has transformed the manufacturing process by creating parts a traditional manufacturing would not be able to create. 3D printing enables businesses to design prototypes and parts for their products in a more efficient and productive manner. Business owners trying to think of ideas to streamline their business operations should choose 3D printing for better development. ### 3D Printing — A Revolutionary Manufacturing Process Businesses that incorporate 3D printing technology into their manufacturing process witness several notable changes during the design and development phase of their products. Here are a few ways the revolutionary manufacturing process benefits businesses: - ***Shortens the Manufacturing Process*** - ***Creates Personalised Products*** - ***Reduces the Assembly Time*** - ***Simplifies Logistics and Supply Chains*** - ***Minimises Waste*** - ***Eliminates the Need to Design Products or Parts in Large Quantities*** - ***Requires Less Energy*** - ***Designs Spare and Complex Parts on Demand*** - ***Allows Businesses to Go Straight from the Design Process to the Manufacturing Process*** - ***Promotes a Go Green Culture*** - ***Replaces Parts for Legacy Systems*** Even though 3D printing offers businesses several benefits, it is in no way replacing the traditional manufacturing process instead it is adding on to it. It is advancing the traditional manufacturing process, making it more adept than before by allowing businesses to design parts for products that traditional marketing cannot create. Therefore, it is essential for us to look at the major benefits 3D printing services offer businesses so they too can incorporate it into their manufacturing process and cut down the time it takes them to create a finished product. # The 5 Benefits of 3D Printing for Businesses Earlier, we mentioned a host of benefits 3D printing design services provide businesses. However, out of all those benefits, there are five key benefits 3D printing offers businesses, which deserve a closer look and a detailed explanation. ### 1\. Avoid Mass Production; Save Money! Additive manufacturing is not a new concept. Businesses have been using it for several years now to design products quickly and without the added expense of ordering costly factory manufactured models in bulk. The introduction of 3D printing designs has advanced additive manufacturing, allowing them to manufacture the exact number of finished products instead of mass producing them. For instance, you are creating a product for a niche market, you can produce them in low quantities instead of being forced to produce them in bulk, which would be the case if you were ***ONLY*** using a traditional manufacturing method. ### 2\. Easily Design Complex Parts 3D technology enables businesses to design and scan complex and complicated shapes on a computer. You can create illogical or distorted shapes and designs that would be impossible for a machine to create. This ability of 3D technology has opened new doors for businesses. If you are a business owner and you aspire to create a product with a unique shape, you can use 3D printing to design it. With 3D technology, there is no limit to creativity and innovation! ### 3\. Personalise Products Businesses can offer their customers 3D printing personalisation services. For instance, you can connect 3D printing technology to the internet and allow your customers to create their own products, personalising them to suit their requirements and vision. Perhaps, one day, customers can design and download their products from home However, it is a complicated process, as companies need to take several factors into consideration such as intellectual property and how to give customers access to 3D printing technology from home. One thing is for sure, 3D printing technology will continue to evolve with time. ### 4\. Go Green Businesses wanting to opt for an environmental friendly manufacturing method should opt for 3D printing. For instance, your company supplies products to another company or delivers them to another city within your country. Instead of transporting the products via road or airplane, you will send them the design, which they will print in their own facility using 3D technology. In doing so, you save money on transportation and reduce fuel emissions. That is not the only way you give back to the environment. You also reduce the need to produce more raw materials to create lightweight and basic parts. ### 5\. Reduce the Supply Chain Risks A traditional supply chain begins with market research, the product development phase, launching the product, selling the product, and delivering the product. 3D printing technology has made the entire supply chain process simpler and less complicated. For instance, before you had to produce several products with only two out of the twenty you made selling, thus resulting in a loss. With 3D printing, you don’t need to produce in bulk, but only need to design it when you receive an order from a customer. You can always outsource 3D printing services to other businesses if you don’t have access to 3D technology. If you are big business with a large facility, you should invest in 3D technology. # Conclusion Whether you are a large or a small business, investing in 3D printing technology is a lucrative investment. You will no longer need to fill up warehouses with products, but can create products that customers order. You also shorten the time it takes to create a product. Instead of taking weeks to manufacture a product, you only need one week or less to manufacture a product and deliver it to your customer. In addition to this, you save operational costs up to 70 percent. You can conceptualise unique and innovative designs for your products, which will definitely make you stand out from your competitors. More importantly, not only will you be designing better, improved, and out-of-the-box products, you will also be using 3D design services for business promotions. Create 3D business cards to hand out to your customers. In short, 3D printing for better development is the future and more businesses should get on board and invest in 3D technology. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### Understanding the Everything On-Demand Concept URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/on-demand-concept/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:37.000Z We want everything instantaneously and our hunger for the instantaneous is only going to grow. To ensure truly immediate gratification, automated task completion and immediate access will be employed in the future. In that future, how we spend our time and what we expect from experiences is bound to change. From streaming in VR to printing in 3D, everything will be available on demand to fulfill our desires. And, we could be telling our grandchildren: once upon a time we had to wait! ## Understanding the ‘On-Demand’ Economy and How it is Revolutionizing Consumer Behavior Created by tech companies that meet customer demand through the immediate provision of goods and services, the on-demand economy is revolutionizing consumer behavior around the world. In an on-demand economy, advances in technology drive supply. An accelerating pace is what the growth of the industry, the categories represented and the number of companies at expanding at. The evolution in consumer behavior and the years of technological innovation manifestation is what the businesses in this new economy represent. When it comes to the on-demand economy, people ask all sorts of questions including is this a fad? Is this a bubble? Will the hyper-growth we’re currently witnessing slow down? The simple and categorical answer to all the aforementioned-questions is No. Consumers have embraced the new on-demand models with an unprecedented frequency because they’ve opened the door to real full-time fulfillment of goods and services. The question is no longer if the on-demand economy will revolutionize consumer behavior and create thousands of opportunities rather the question is ‘when’ will the consumers outside of the tech-savvy, early adopters start to utilize the services offered in the above-mentioned economy. When that does happen, the aforementioned-economy will force a paradigm shift similar to the one witnessed during the advent of the internet in the late 1990s. ## Technologies that Encouraged the On-Demand Economy Our world is being transformed in both major and minor ways by on-demand companies. According to the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the ride-sharing services of Uber and Lyft could minimize the number of cars on the road by seventy-five percent. Fewer vehicles on the road automatically translates to reduced carbo emissions, less traffic and potentially fewer accidents. While not every on-demand company is saving the world, the on-demand economy has changed how we book trips, purchase groceries, and adopt pets. Just a few taps and you can fulfill your daily needs and desires and that too with little or human interaction. For many people, this is like a dream come true. As they become extremely accustomed to the convenience of on-demand services, many people have started to take the complex technology powering these services for granted. To ensure that you don’t do the same, following are three technologies powering seamless experiences in the on-demand economy. ### Payment Options Easy payments for developers and users are facilitated by commerce-based APIs such as Stripe and Braintree. Thanks to the simple interfaces of these payment options, customers need to provide credit or debit card information only once before checking out with a right click. Moreover, with the knowledge that payments are transferred across secure platforms, developers can easily integrate these APIs into their apps. Many varying payment setups including one-off and subscription options are offered by Commerce APIs. Finally, the playing field is leveled for established brands and startups in emerging markets by the low barrier to entry. ### Mapping APIs Today, maps are used by virtually every on-demand service. For the developers interested in enabling map functionality and real-time navigation within their apps, Mapping interfaces like Mapbox make available a host of features. As people enjoy tracking their orders in real time, people providing the services require features that provide delivery directions and locations. While enabling developers to build interactive map for end users, the aforementioned -Mapping API provides estimates arrival times, traffic updates and directions. ### Front-End Frameworks In addition to being easy to manipulate, front-end frameworks such as Angular2 and React are fully customizable. To allow developers to create responsive, reliable experiences, these platforms make many user interface elements available. Moreover, they’re compatible with a range of operating systems and devices. Applications must be able to accommodate the platforms embraced by customers as new devices enter and grow in these markets. Additionally, companies must have the ability to deliver instantly and provide great customer experiences in today’s competitive world where consumers have personal drivers and gourmet meals at their fingertips. Further integrating tech in the on-demand economy, APIs allow companies to do that. There you have it—the 3 technologies that encouraged the on-demand economy. With that discussed, let’s take a quick look at how the on-demand economy is impacting the world today before calling it wraps. ## The On-Demand Economy and Its impact on the World Today Many people say that now is the best to be a consumer and it’s hard to argue that. Only a few clicks and you can order almost anything from the comfort of your home. However, the benefit isn’t just limited to the shopper. It goes far beyond that. According to a recent study, about a third of America’s workforce are associated with the on-demand economy. This figure includes drivers of the ride-sharing service Uber but it includes other people as well. Other people that associated with the on-demand economy include independent contractors and adjunct professors. A new economic class is being created by all these temporary and part-time employees and it is only a matter of time before they start to rule the roost in the on-demand world. ## Final Word! The on-demand economy has made our lives increasingly convenient and this trend is only going to get bigger over time. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Machine Learning: What it is and Why It Matters URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/machine-learning-what-why-it-matters/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:37.000Z Often used interchangeably, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) are two very hot buzzwords right now. Though they aren’t the same thing, the perception that they are can sometimes lead to some confusion. For this reason, writing to explain the difference is ‘worth the while.’ Terms that crop up very frequently when the topic is Big Data or analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two varying concepts. AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way that we would consider “smart”. On the other hand, Machine Learning is a current application of Artificial Intelligence based around the idea that we should really just be able to give machines access to data and let them learn for themselves. ## Renewed Interest in Machine Learning Machine Learning is making a comeback. In the last few years, there has been renewed interest in machine learning. The revival seems to be driven by strong fundamentals—an incredible amount of data being emitted by sensors across the globe, with cheap storage and lowest ever computational costs! However, not everyone understands what machine learning is. So, it’s important to explain what machine learning is and why it matters. ## Understanding the Concept of Machine Learning A part of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning enables computers to learn by themselves without being specifically programmed. Upon coming across new data, computer programs learn, change, develop and grow by themselves. A data analysis method, machine learning turn analytical model building into an automated process. Thanks to machine learning and algorithms that constantly learn from data, computers can find insightful information without being programmed to do so. The concept of machine learning is not new. However, using complicated mathematical calculations for big data has become popular only recently. Cyber fraud detection, offers recommendations from Amazon, Google’s self-driving car, Netflix movie recommendations and friend recommendations in Facebook are some of the instances where machine learning is applied. The above testifies the vital role that machine learning is playing today. According to a recent McKinsey Global report, machine learning will drive innovation and technological advancement in coming times. Hopefully, by now, you have a better understanding of machine learning. ## Where Machine Learning came from A concept that was born at the same time as AI, machine learning over the years included the following algorithmic approaches: - Decision tree learning - Reinforcement learning - Inductive logic programming - Bayesian networks - Clustering You may or may not be aware of this but none of the aforementioned-approaches achieved AI’s ultimate objective. In fact, for many early ML approaches, even narrow artificial intelligence was out of bounds. Though, there was one ML approach that turned out well: computer vision. But, even that approach had a problem: to perform the job, one had to do a considerable amount of hand-coding. Using their bare hands, programmers would write classifiers such as edge detection filters to enable the program to identify the starting and ending point of an object. Using the classifiers, the program would develop algorithms to understand the image and how to determine the stop sign. This was good but still far off from what was expected from machine learning or artificial intelligence. Until recently, the aforementioned qualities of machine learning were nowhere near ‘human abilities’. However, time and, the appropriate learning algorithms have turned things around. ## How Businesses are Using Machine Learning Machine learning is at the top of the ‘hype curve’ and there’s no denying it. Machine learning is already forcing massive changes in the way businesses operate. Today, machine learning is helping many businesses to run more efficiently and make more money. Following are some of the ways businesses are using machine learning today. ### Making User-Generated Content Valuable Awful is the word I’d use for the average piece of user-generated content (UGC). To be honest, it’s way worse than you think, with misspellings, vulgarity or flat-out wrong information everywhere. However, by identifying the best and worst UGC, machine-learning can filter out the bad bubble up the good without needing a real person to tag each piece of content. ### Find Products Faster Today, all businesses need smart search results. To show high-quality content to their users, most successful online businesses employ machine learning. Also, there are some businesses that employ machine-learning strategies to give their online customers the benefits of machine learning when they are browsing for products. ### Understand Customer Behavior Sentiment analysis is something machine learning excels at. In fact, machine learning drives a lot of customer-related decisions today. For example, social media listening through machine learning has become standard operating procedure for many businesses today. ## What the Future Hold for Machine Learning To automate their decision processes, many organizations today are using machine-learning based tools. In 2017, corporate investment in artificial intelligence is expected to triple. Moreover, it is predicted to become a $100 billion market by 2025, with machine learning boasting a sizeable share. In 2016 alone, $5 billion were invested in machine learning venture and the numbers are expected to increase each year. So, we can conclude by saying that the future is bright for machine learning and every business that adopts it! --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3 Benefits of iOS 11 for businesses URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/ios-11-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:38.000Z ## iOS 11: Software with a Bunch of Exciting New Features On Monday, June 5, [Apple](https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-11-preview/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the tech company headquartered in Cupertino, California, announced its newest iOS operating software at the 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California. While iPhone users will start to benefit from Apple’s annual update this fall, you can try iOS 11, the software that will power the next iPhone, right now. On June 26, twenty days after making the announcement, Apple made the beta for iOS 11 to everyone, not just software developers. The new software from Apple features several improvements. So, you have all the reasons to get excited and brag about the update in front of Android fans. iOS 11, the new Apple software launched in early June, clearly indicates that the next iPhone batch will be something ‘special’. If you think that the iOS 11 is just another iterative update that brings small tweaks and improvements, then think again because the software is so much more. Containing a bunch of exciting new features, iOS 11 will improve your iOS experience on both the iPhone and the iPad. Following are some of the most noticeable changes in the iOS 11 and how they’ll improve your iOS experience. ### Control Center One of the most important and noticeable changes in the iOS 11 is the Control Center. User customizable, the Control Center received a massive overhaul this year. Now, in addition to the default ones that Apple won’t allow you to change, you can add the toggles you want to the Control Center screen. Boasting a 3D touch support, iOS 11’s Control Center contains more options than ever before. Moreover, it contains secret features such as screen recording. ### Notes A useful iPhone tool for business owners, especially business owners, is Notes. Apple always improves the application with each iOS update, bringing it closer to other word editors. In iOS 11, you will be able number of useful functions in Notes including a built-in scanner, support for drag and drop, a tool to add tables to your notes and mark up tools. And, I’m talking about the updates in iPhone. iPad is going to have even more Notes features. ### Maps Another feature upgraded in iOS 11 is Apple Maps. Users of iOS 11 will be able to easily navigate to the local places and view the places with a better experience using the 3D feature. Moreover, the lines have been brought outdoors by the update. In addition to the guidance warnings and speed limits, you will get information on where to turn. ### The New App Store Something that should have happened years ago, is finally happening now. Apple is set to change the App store in iOS 11 like users long wanted. The new App store will offer a rich discovery experience and games will be separated from other apps in it. There you have—four of the most important and noticeable changes in iOS 11\. With that discussed, it’s time to look at how the iOS update can help your business. ## How iOS 11 Can Benefit Your Business Some businesses rejoice the launch of a new software while others are disappointed by it. A software change that has impacted businesses, in particular small businesses, in recent times is the launch of new iOS operating system. Whether they are good or bad, major changes occur in Apple devices whenever a new iOS system is launched. Often, not transitioning to the new iOS system is detrimental to users, especially if the user happens to be a business. On the other hand, making a smooth transition to the new software allows users, especially businesses, to reap the many benefits of iOS system update. Following are 3 ways iOS 11 can benefit your business. ### Make and Receive Payment through Apple Pay The ability to transfer money using Apple Pay is one of the best things about iOS 11\. To do this, you need to open Apple Pay via the Messages app and then send money from credit or debit card through your Apple Wallet. Siri may suggest you to use Apple Pay to send or receive money if money is discussed on the Messages app. Moreover, you can ask Siri voice commands to pay someone. When you receive payment in iOS 11, your Apple Pay Cash account will automatically be updated and the additional money will appear in your account. You can use the money in your account to make purchases in stores, apps and on the web. By fall 2017, the P2P payments and Apple Pay Cash will be available in the U.S to users of iPhone 6 and later, iPhone SE, iPad mini 3, iPad Air 2, iPad 5th generation and Apple Watch. ### News App Update All business owners want to the know the latest and trending news in their industry. This is something Apple has ensure with iOS 11 updates. In the iOS operating system, the News App will feature a new Spotlight Tab. Now, you will be able to view the best videos of the day related to your industry or other related industries under the ‘Today View’. This will surely make it easy for you to keep tabs on the latest developments, which in turn will help you innovate and grow your business. ### Better Storage Today, many business owners need to store a lot of data and files in their iPhones. For all such people, Apple has some good news: in addition to informing you about the data cluttering your iPhone’s memory, the storage menu in the iOS 11 will automatically free up space that you’re not using. There you have it—the 3 benefits of iOS 11 for businesses. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3 Big Challenges that Small Businesses Face URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/challenges-small-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:38.000Z Small business owners have to make many decisions each day. Most of these decisions are small and have minor impact. However, there are some big decisions that have to be made as well. And, this is where the challenge lies for small business owners. Today, we live in a rapidly changing world, and this is especially true for businesses. In this day and age, businesses have to decide how to invest in and utilize new technologies, adapt to entirely new marketing channels, and compete on a global stage—all at the same time. In today’s competitive world, the theory ‘survival of the fittest’ fits really well. There are 150 million startups in the world today with fifty million new startups launching every year. This means that an average of 137,000 startups emerge every single day. If these numbers don’t make you anxious, I don’t know what will! For small businesses in the U.S, times are tough, as they face issues that are unique to their situation in an economy that still looks and feels as if it’s suffering through a recession. Today, small businesses face a number of key challenges that recur over and over as major problem areas. Ask any small business owner and they’ll tell you: running a small business is anything but small. Getting off the ground requires dedication and lots of hard work, but creating your own profitable business can be beyond rewarding. However, to transition from ‘small business’ to ‘large enterprise’, you’ll have to face some growing pains. If you’re small business owner or even an aspiring entrepreneur, start planning for some of the potential obstacles ahead if you want your venture to be successful. Businesses, in particular small businesses, face a myriad of challenges today. Throughout the course of managing their business, small business owners encounter many problems. As a small business owner, you must be prepared to take on and solve the problems that come your way. However, this is easier said than done. Generally, small business owners, in particular new entrepreneurs, are not prepared for the problems coming their way. If you’re one of them then you need to understand that problems are an everyday part of every business and you need to face each problem with determination and a proper solution. So, what are the problems that you’ll need to overcome as a business owner? Following are 3 big challenges that small businesses face today. ## Your Finances are Numero Uno! Cash is King! Businesses exist to make money and most small business owners run their finances without adequate planning or oversight. While they do monitor expenses, accounts receivables and bank balances, many small businesses today don’t have a basic financial forecasting and reporting/monitoring structure in place. Also, many of them don’t have the luxury of a line of credit or other funding sources to help them remain creditworthy when the inevitable financial speed bump occurs. To overcome the challenges in the financial area, consider using the following ‘best practices’: - Use QuickBooks or accounting software of your choice to create a basic financial reporting structure - To assure timely reporting and item entries that you and your employees will follow, document financial reporting guidelines - Create a forecast of all important financial data, such as key expense types, accounts receivables, and revenues. - Commit to a set schedule to review the reports, comparing your results to forecasts and previous time periods - Research short-term financial options such as a line of credit, silent investors, credit card, or other personal funds ## Customers Can’t Find You Online People are turning to the web for just about everything and there’s no denying it. Without a professional online presence, your business is already a step behind. The good news is that putting your business online and developing a strong online presence isn’t as difficult or costly as it was five, ten, or 15 years back. Following are some easy and inexpensive ways to create a strong online presence, allowing customers to easily find you online. ### Get a Professional Business Website To create a strong online presence, one of the most important things that you need to do is get a professional business website. Now, you can create your website yourself, even if you have little or no technical knowledge. But, it’s better that you get your website made by a professional web designing service that’ll optimize your website for mobile and beef up its SEO. This will ensure that, no matter what device your customers are on, they’ll be able to find you. ### Have a Social Media Presence Find out which social networking sites your target audience frequently visit, and set up a professional account on them. To help drive traffic to your website and ultimately grow your business, creating and maintaining a social presence is crucial. Engaging audiences is the name of the game now, and social media is your ticket for doing just that. ### Try Email Marketing Using e-newsletters, keep in touch with your contacts and customers. By using e-letters to keep in touch with them, you’ll remind customers about the online presence of your business. ## A Fast-Paced Market Technology moves at an incredibly rapid pace, and keeping up with the changes can be a challenge for many small business owners. In today’s competitive world, small businesses must be able to anticipate the next wave of major opportunities that technology will create for the customers. And then build into that future with new products that delivery truly unique value. While you should strive for innovation, you can easily become distracted by new technology, projects and markets, losing sight of your niche market that makes your business valuable. So, the key is to stay ultrafocused on the core. Small businesses face a myriad of challenges today. If you don’t take a step up, you could drown in the noise. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How Automation Is Helping Business Operations URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/automation-helping-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:38.000Z Creating a profitable business is what every entrepreneur wants to do. However, for most entrepreneurs this remains a pipe dream. A major reason for this is the go all-out, hands-on approach that many business owners take. It’s simple: if you want your business to grow then you need to ditch the hands-on approach—for good. What you need instead is a way to leverage, and a way to scale. Automation may well be that way. Used to create a profitable business, automation allows you to ditch hands-on approach to handling business operations. Today, business competition is fierce and the path to glory is somewhat like a roller coaster ride. By automating your business operations, you’ll allow a few processes to pass through automatically without your involvement. This in turn will free up precious time, time you can leverage to make more money and grow your business. ## Is Automation a New Concept? Contrary to popular belief, automation is not a new concept. In fact, long before the term ‘automation’ was first coined, the idea of a mechanized world flourished. Proof of this is Electro, a robot exhibited at the World’s fair in 1939\. The star of the exhibit, Electro could talk, walk and count on its fingers. Unfortunately, Electro and his kind never evolved and thus, were relegated to mere exhibits that we come across while scampering through the history pages. Luckily, Electro was not the last of the ‘automated bots’ that the world would bear witness to. Fast forward twenty year to to the 60s and we had something far more useful—the computer. Most businesses saw computer, the latest technology, as a welcome addition to the business world. However, the variety of software required to perform key functions challenged and created a problem for operations management. Human operators were the drivers of the initial solutions and their salaries consumed a big chunk of the IT budget. A monster that had to be constantly fed, operations required support from the entire administrative structure. This led to a system that was prone to errors, increasing in expense and complexity. Soon, the situation was out of control and something had to be done. This is when the concept of automated computer operations was born. ## The Birth of Automated Operations Over four decades ago, IBM introduced the OS/360 operating system and this was when automated computer operations were born. A supervisory program, the OS/360 managed system resources and enabled automatic transition from one job to another. This was referred to as batch processing. While it could run them, OS/360’s control over the sequence of the batch jobs was limited. Moreover, it didn’t have the ability to schedule future jobs and required a high level of operator involvement. The need to continually perform complex, labor-intensive tasks led software developers to begin developing automated operations software. Today, this software can schedule future jobs without much operator involvement. However, this is just one of the many ways automated operations software is making life easy for business owners and operations managers. Following are five ways automation is helping business operations. ### Improved Organization The seamless distribution of information is what automation makes possible. For instance, all the information related to the project will be in the same place when you automatically create a quote for a new project and can invoice it from the same system. Looking across multiple systems to get the information you need is no longer required. By automatically sending the information where you need it, automation keeps your data current and prevents your team from spending a lot of time looking for it. ### Increased Productivity Automated operations resolve productivity issues in several ways. For example, by automating the production batch schedule, job scheduling software increases batch throughput. In the past, the speed with which operators could reset switches on the console limited computer throughput. Today, the solution is not allowing the computer to stay frivolous while waiting for the operator to release the next job. By minimizing operator intervention and eliminating idle time between jobs, automated operations save businesses time and money. In some cases, you can use automation to reduce your process hours, allowing you to process more work and significantly improve system use. ### Well-Established Processes Setting up specific workflows and processes in advance is what makes automation possible. To set up these workflows and processes, you need to consider best practices as well as how your team actually works. Once implemented, these processes can help make your operations consistent and efficient. Moreover, by making it easier to accomplish more in less time, these documented, repeatable processes can help you scale. When they no longer need to spend time worrying about the process itself, your team can focus on areas that actually help grow your business such as performing jobs efficiently and providing excellent customer service. ### Increased Accountability Determining exactly what is happening at every moment can be difficult when you have many different systems in place. For example, if employees wanted to eliminate tasks they didn’t want to perform, you’d need processes to know this was going on. What if the eliminated/deleted task was an accident? How would you know that something was deleted accidently and you can get the information back? By providing a digital paper trail for your entire operation in one place, automation reduced human errors. This increases the accountability for every employee’s actions across different systems, eliminating issues such as the one mentioned above. While automation isn’t a new concept, its use in business operations is a relatively new practice. By providing the aforementioned benefits, automation is helping business operations and making the life of business owners and operations manager a whole lot easier. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 4 Technology Tools for Business Meetings URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technology-tools-business-meetings/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:39.000Z I am sure that every [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) owner looks forward to in-house meetings or meetings with clients, right? Often, that is not the case. Ever get the feeling that you’re wasting your and your employees’ time in business meetings? If yes, then you’re not alone. Many times, [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) meetings become housekeeping lists, presentations on topics, with little interaction among employees. The good news is that there are some tech tools that you can harness to make the most of your limited—and valuable—time. ## The Need for Advanced Communication Technology Today, communication [technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is advancing each day. In such times, no [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can be successful until its improves its communication tools. By ensuring the flow of information, communication accelerates the rate of decision-making in an organization or business. Talking about communication, an increasingly popular trend in the business world is virtual meetings. To save time, many organizations and [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) owners are resorting to virtual meetings. By making communication easy, technology is improving [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) meetings. Today, to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) partners, business owners/managers can use web-conferencing tools. These tools support video chat which allows both parties to see each other, making the communication real and effective. Participants will need to install web conference software on their devices before they can benefit from the virtual conferencing tools. You can start holding/attending meetings via your smartphone after you download a virtual meeting mobile application: it’s as simple as that! ## The Need for Business Meeting Tools Raise your hand if you find [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) meetings a waste of time? If you did raise your hand then you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll for Clarizen, 3 out 5 five employed adults in the United States spend more time preparing for a status meeting than attending the meeting itself. The results of the survey further revealed that about a third of the people attending meetings find them a waste of time and almost half of the respondents felt that watching paint dry or going to the DMV is more productive than sitting in a meeting. The survey mentioned above isn’t the only study that puts forth the case for using tech tools in business meetings. Research by Bain Consulting, published in the Harvard Business Review, revealed a case where people at one company spent three hundred thousand hours a year either in or supporting the weekly executive committee meetings. Keeping all of this in mind, it’s safe to say that tapping into the tech tools, apps and services that can save time by making meetings less frequent, less annoying and more efficient is beneficial for businesses. So, without further ado, let’s look at the 4 [technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) tools that can make your business meeting less frequent and more productive. ### Google Docs/Drive If you want to collaborate with your team to make awesome documents, then [Google Docs](https://www.google.com/docs/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is what you need. However, it is good for non-document purposes too. Your team can work all at once on forms, presentations, spreadsheets and more using [Google Docs.](https://www.google.com/docs/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Moreover, [Google Docs](https://www.google.com/docs/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) allows you to leave yourselves a note for later or leave a note on someone else’s work to request a change. [Google Drive](https://www.google.com/drive/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), a key feature of [Google Docs](https://www.google.com/docs/about/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), allows your team to set up your own file storage system. Also, keeping everything in one central location should not be a problem for you as you have 15 GB of free space available to you. Compared to using a flash drive or emailing documents back and forth, this is a far better system. ### Dropbox The repeated misplacement of his USB flash drive while he was a student at MIT, prompted Drew Houston, the co-founder of [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), to develop the [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) concept. The recipient of many awards, [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is a simple and easy to use file hosting service. [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) offers file synchronization and cloud storage. Moreover, it can house documents, photos and videos. As these materials will show up on all synced devices, your team can access them from anywhere. One of the most useful features of [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is the ability to share large files and backups. A basic account with 20 GB of traffic per day and two GB of online storage is free. To increase capacity, users can upgrade their accounts by paying a fee. ### Appear.in Often, it isn’t possible for all your team members to be in the same place at the same time. For such times, when you need to discuss matters over a video call, [Appear.in](https://appear.in/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) can solve all your problems. A favorite app of many people, this business meeting tool allows you to create a meeting room in your browser and host up to eight people. You don’t need to create an account and this tool doesn’t require any downloads or plugins. All you need to do is claim a meeting room as your own and everyone can connect via a text chat, audio or video. Also, you can share your screen, which makes Appear.in the perfect meeting tool when everyone’s located at different places. ### Slack A team messaging tool, [Slack ](https://slack.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)eliminates the need for long email threads and links by bringing all types of communication together. By reducing internal email, slack helps users streamline work and become more productive. Also, for particular departments or projects, you can organize team conversations into open or private channels. An app that can be loaded onto both desktops and mobile devices, [Slack ](https://slack.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)integrates with file sharing programs such as [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) as well as with all social media platforms. Using this tool, you can drag, drop and share documents, PDFs, images and spreadsheets. Also, you can add flag messages or comments for future reference. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3 Business Tablets for Entrepreneurs URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/business-tablets-entrepreneurs/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:39.000Z ### Why Tablets are a Good Choice for Entrepreneurs Technology is changing our lives and making it a whole lot easier. When it comes to running a business, making the transition to technology is extremely important. Now, you don’t need to do something extravagant or fancy. In fact, you can take your business to the next level with something as simple as an 8’’ tablet. Provided you use the right tablet for your business, a business tablet can help you boost your revenue. Today, many business owners are in awe of the business tablet and who can blame them—the impressive large screen, the powerful processor and the numerous productivity applications to choose from are good reasons to be impressed. When it comes to the choice for business owners, it’s pretty evident that tablets are giving laptops a good run for their money. While you can conduct your business effectively from either device, the convenience offered by a tablet makes it our winner. Following are some reasons business tablets are a viable choice for entrepreneurs. ### Creating and Sharing Visual Presentations As a business owner, one of the best ways for you to grow your business is offering your customers a visual experience of your business, products and/or services. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Depending on the nature of your business, you no longer need to use programs like excel to prepare visuals for customers. Tablets owners have several awesome tools available to them which they can use to create engaging infographics in less than five minutes. As they help them to come across as experts in their niche, infographics are one of the best visuals that entrepreneurs can create for their customers. ### Boost Interaction One area where small businesses can compete with the larger firms is personal interactions. When it comes to personal interactions with customers, business tablets can greatly help the smaller businesses. Unlike a few years ago when you needed a desktop PC to take notes and enter information while conversing with the client, you can now talk to your client while maintaining eye contact using a tablet PC. Thanks to these personalized consultations, you can establish greater trust and rapport with clients. ### Maintain Your Website on The Go A [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is essential for most small businesses. However, maintaining it on a day-to-day basis can be tough, especially if you work alone or are always out and about. Here’s an interesting observation: while most business owners spend a considerable amount of time looking for cost-effective marketing methods, they rarely consider their tablets as [website management](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) tools. For instance, if you can’t afford a content writing service then you’ll have to do your blog yourself. With a tablet, you can easily manage this. Even while travelling, you can keep your clients updated by using a business tablet to access your WordPress or Blogger website. There you have it—four reasons business tablets are a viable choice for entrepreneurs. With that discussed, it’s time to look at the 5 best business tablets for entrepreneurs. ## The Best Business Tablets for Entrepreneurs With so many tablets on the market, choosing the right tablet for your business can be tough. Whether you want a powerhouse that can replace your desktop computer or an affordable tablet for checking email, you can easily find a tablet that fulfills your unique business needs. Following are the 3 best tablets for entrepreneurs available today. ### Apple iPad Pro On hearing the word ‘tablet’, the first thing or name that comes to mind is [Apple’s iPad](https://www.apple.com/ipad/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Having the best app support on the market, the iPad is an extremely secure tablet. However, the 12.0-inch [Apple’s iPad](https://www.apple.com/ipad/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), the most commonly used iPad is a bit pricy. For this reason, the recommended iPad for entrepreneurs is the 9.7 inch iPad Pro. Cheaper than the 12.9 inch iPad, the iPad pro has a small screen and is extremely portable. Costing between $700 and $1300, the iPad Pro is a relatively affordable tablet that comes with most, if not all, of the features required by entrepreneurs. ### Microsoft Surface 4 Over time, most business owners get used to having Microsoft Office, Outlook, and other Windows apps at their disposal. And many of them don’t want to sacrifice that familiarity for a portable tablet. If you’re one of them, then here’s some good news for you: The [Microsoft Surface](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface?ref=bobbydavidson.com) Pro 4 has made it possible for you to get the Windows ‘desktop experience’ on a tablet. Unlike other business tablets, this tablet from Microsoft runs a full version of Windows, ensuring a familiar feeling about the interface and availability of programs. To make things better, the [Surface Pro 4](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-pro/overview?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is available with optional keyboard for typing and a pen for note-taking. You’ll have to pay $129 and $100 respectively for the upgrades though. Today, many business owners are ditching their bulky desktops and laptops for the sleek, lightweight Microsoft Surface Pro 4. ### Android Tablets Every bit as good as the Apple equivalent, an [Android tablet](https://www.android.com/tablets/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is an affordable choice for entrepreneurs. However, as the android world is a very much a mixed bunch, you need to know what you are getting. The plus points of getting an android tablet include the ease of transfer from PC or Mac to Android tablet and the Universal USB support. Some good android tablet options include Google’s Pixel C, the Sony Experia Z4 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. As they allow to manage your business on the go, business tablets are a great option for you to have as an entrepreneur. With a good tablet in tow, you can manage and grow your business like never before. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 8 Steps for Setting Up an E-Commerce Store URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/e-commerce-store/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:40.000Z How to set up an e-commerce store is something many small business want to know. If you’re one of them, you need to know this: building an [e-commerce](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) site or online store can be daunting task but only if you don’t know the right way of doing it. Contrary to popular belief, setting up an online store is easy and affordable. However, this does not mean that you can set-up an [e-commerce store](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) without making any effort. You may require a lot of learning if you’ve just entered the world of online retail and are looking to set up an [e-commerce](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) site for the very first time. What’s required to get your online business up and running may not become immediately obvious to you. As your rival is no more than a click away, the competition in [e-commerce](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is fierce. If a customer finds your website less than impressive or difficult to navigate, he’ll simply move onto another e-commerce site offering similar products and/or services. Making your website as useable and customer-friendly as possible is the most important thing if you want to attract attention and gain more customers. You could have the lowest prices or the best products but if customers find your [website](https://percentotech.com/portfolio/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) difficult to navigate, then you won’t be making any sales. Unlike a brick and mortar store, an online store allows businesses to reach out to customers in all parts of the world and make sales at any time of the day. To get the benefits offered by an online store, here is how you should set up your e-commerce store. ## Create A Website The first thing you need to set up an e-commerce store is a website. You can skip to step 2 if you already have a website. A platform to sell your products, your [website](https://percentotech.com/portfolio/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) must be easy to find online. The easier it is to find and use your website, the more sales you’ll make. ## Get A Domain Name The second step in setting up an e-commerce store is getting a domain name for your website. Now, domain names can be bought from domain registrars or hosting companies. Domain name is what people type in their browser to search for you. When buying domain names, an important thing to consider is who you’ll be targeting; just your local market or multiple regions or countries. Choose a domain name that helps you better reach out to your target market. Finally and mostly importantly, your domain name should be simple enough for people to remember. An example of such a domain name would be [www.abcapparel.com](http://www.google.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ## Obtain an SSL Certificate In most cases, an SSL certificate will be required alongside the domain name. The communications between the web server hosting your website and the web browser of a visitor is what an SSL certificate secures. Today, many companies are offering SSL certificates. Additionally, you may be able to purchase SSL through your web host as some hosting companies take care of this for their clients. Before you can buy an SSL certificate, you’ll need to get your domain name registered. Moreover, costs of these certificates vary according to provider. ## Choose A Payment Method To allow customers to buy anything and everything on your [e-commerce](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) site, you need to have a functional payment processor. This processor is how you’ll receive your income. Most website building platforms support the integration of payment processors into an e-commerce site. However, before you can integrate these processors into your store, you’ll need to separately sign up to each payment processor. 3rd party services that function based on their own policy, these processors may ask for transaction fees. So, choose them carefully. ## Build Your Ecommerce Site At this stage, you’ll need to write web copy that describes your business and persuades the visitors to visit your website and make a purchase. Adding products to your website is just one of the many things you need to do to build your online store. Following are some of the pages that your e-commerce [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) must have: - An About Us page where you briefly describe what you do and who you are - A home page where you feature weekly deals and sales items - A blog where you post industry news and other useful/relevant information - A Contact Us page where you inform the customer how to reach you ## Equip Your Site with A Search Function To allow customers to find what they’re looking for and enhance their user experience, equip your e-commerce site with search functionality. Often, a satisfying user experience results in the customer making a purchase. If you ask your customers, they will tell you that they’d prefer not having to go from page to page and read the description of each product to find what they’re looking for. If you allow customers to find what they’re looking for easily and quickly, they’re likely to return to your site again and again. ## Apply for Licenses and Permits You may or may not know this but certain licenses and permits are required to run an e-commerce store. So, before launching your e-commerce store, consider the license and permits you’ll need to operate legally in your city, county and/or state. ## Market Your E-Commerce Store You won’t be making any sales if your customers are unable to find you on the web. For this reason, marketing your business online is extremely important. If you market your [online store](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) appropriately, customers will find it and you’ll start to make sales. There you have it—8 steps for setting up an e-commerce store. Use the information mentioned above, and set up the online store of your dreams. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How Technology Is Changing Procurement URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/procurement-technology/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:40.000Z Invaluable to their companies, procurement professionals possess the skills required to balance costs, manage supplier relationships, fulfill social responsibility and deliver massive returns. Moreover, they’re aware of the innovative methods that can help their company gain a competitive advantage. Talking about innovation, many procurement professionals today are turning to technology to perform their duties efficiently and cost-effectively and make positive contributions to their businesses. [Technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) isn’t just a catalyst for change, it is also enabling it. Businesses that do no invest in technology-driven solutions run the risk of falling behind. Coming back to procurement, technology has completely changed the buyer-supplier relationship. The changes in procurement brought about by technology are a plenty. This includes the use of software to manage supplier data and find out all sorts of information about the suppliers you work with. While the use of [technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in procurement is a relatively new practice, it is by far the biggest change that procurement has undergone to date. [Technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is constantly changing in procurement and companies are always on the lookout for newer, innovative technological systems that could improve the speed and quality of their processes. This is one of the reasons more and more companies today are looking to hire procurement professionals with sound knowledge of the latest technology/innovations. [Technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) has made the job of procurement professionals simpler and less risky. Thanks to increased data volumes, procurement professionals can manage risks better. Moreover, they can use analytics to accurately track savings and utilize e-sourcing tools to improve the way they source and communicate with suppliers. At least a third of the overall budget of most companies goes towards the purchase of goods and services. This makes procurement critical to the bottom line. Considering this, you can dramatically improve efficiencies and cut costs by investing in technologies that improve your procurement process. In short, acknowledging the importance of technology for procurement is in your own interest. Following is how technology is changing procurement. ## More Informed Decisions Are Being Made Today, businesses are able to make smarter and more informed procurement decisions. The reason for this is use of [technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in procurement processes and the consolidation of data-sharing across buyer behavior, ratings and purchase history over a period of time. ## Faster Response Times The introduction of new marketplace technologies has made procurement quicker and easier than ever. Using sites such as Amazon to source, make purchases and arrange delivery of items, buyers can now take advantage of many online procurement possibilities. ## The Rise Of E-Procurement Commonly known as supplier exchange or electronic procurement, e-procurement is the business to business or business to customer purchase and sales of work, services and supplies performed over the internet. Slowly but surely, businesses are starting to understand how e-procurement works and how it can be implemented to yield benefits. Probably the biggest change in procurement brought about by technology, e-procurement can help businesses in the following ways: ### Cost Reduction By minimizing the possibility of human error, e-procurement helps businesses save money. The moment you digitize something, the cost for running it reduces. By eliminating paperwork and digitizing this part of the procurement process, e-procurement helps reduce costs. 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Sometimes, these processes do not require any human intervention. This saves you time which you can use to be productive elsewhere. More time means more work can be done. So, it’s a win-win situation for you! ### Increased Productivity E-procurement has simplified the procurement process. Today, procuring the items you need is as easy as buying groceries via an app. The use of internet in procurement has given birth to electronic catalogues. Using an e-catalogue, you can pinpoint exactly what you need. Moreover, to save time, the prices are all put in the same catalogue. Until you’ve picked the exact product you want, you don’t need to call or email anyone. Using an online requisition and ordering system, you can obtain the items you want from a catalogue of approved items. As they no longer have to process orders and handle low value transactions, procurement staff can focus on strategic sourcing and improving relationships with suppliers. This results in increased productivity. As seen above, e-procurement can help your business in a number of ways. However, to fully realize its advantages, you need to have the proper systems and processes in place. To ensure success, you need an adequate, fully-integrated e-procurement approach. If you have the right approach, e-procurement can ensure significant bottom line benefits including controlled spending, process efficiencies, cost reduction and compliance. ## Final Word! A powerful enabler, technology is here to stay. The importance of procurement technology is something that many companies have started to realize. Its benefits to the bottom line should be reason enough for you invest in procurement technology and make your procurement processes technology-driven. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 3 Strategies to Win Customers with Online Marketing URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/strategies-win-customers-online-marketing/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:42.000Z Technology has changed everything including how [marketing](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is done. Today, businesses no longer need to spend exorbitantly on television advertisements and billboards to make themselves known. Thanks to the internet, you can market your business to your target audience affordably and conveniently. While the internet has made [online ](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)[marketing](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) cheaper, the onus is on you to make the most of this opportunity. Using online marketing to win new customers is a great decision. But, this decision will bear fruit only if you use the right online marketing strategy to attract customers and keep them with you. Finding ways to increase customers and stay in touch with your existing customer base is what creating successful online marketing strategies is all about. The digital landscape i.e. the internet is constantly changing and there always seems to be a new way to market your business online and attract new customers to your [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). While novices will rush to use every new online marketing strategy, the veterans will have a calmer approach. The reason for this is simple: the veterans or experienced marketers know quite well that there are only a few strategies that actually work. The use of the latest or hottest internet marketing strategy doesn’t guarantee more customers or better online visibility of your business. Rather than going with the trend, you should focus on what’s likely to work for your business. By knowing your customers and their online habits, you will be able to design an online marketing strategy that makes you visible to your targeted audience/customers and attracts them to your [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com)/other online presence. Today, the competition is intense. In such times, businesses need to do something special to get ahead of competitors and make their brand stand out. Online marketing strategies change by the hour and new customers enter the market each day. This makes reaching customers and retaining them a mammoth task. The good news is that there are some basic online marketing strategies that can help you to get ahead of competition, win new customers and keep them with you for a long time. So, without further ado, let’s look at the 5 strategies that can help you to win customers online. ## Ensure Visibility If you want your customers to find you then you must maximize your online visibility. Now, there are a few different ways for you to make your business visible to customers online. The first way or strategy is improving your search engine ranking with search engine optimization or SEO. The second strategy is heavy use of social media to reach target audiences. It is important that you set up your business online in a way that allows you to stand out in relevant search results. To ensure that you have only current, reliable information that is well presented and optimized, clean up your [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or blog content. To improve the credibility of your website and ultimately brand among your targeted customers, check for and fix irrelevant information and missing pages on your [website](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). If you have already optimized your website, then look to build relationships with users who are likely to become your customers in the future. The best way to do this is increasing online interaction and audience participation. It is important that you don’t sell at every given opportunity. Rather than being pushy towards sales, look to build relationships and attract people to your business. ## Start Blogging Do you have a [blog](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) section on your website? If not, then add one now. Compared to those without it, companies with a blogging platform generate 55% more business. Add a blog section to your website and use it to provide visitors with relevant and useful information. Whether you’re a large-scale manufacturer or a small coffee shop, [blogging](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) will work for you equally well. Share your blog through social media and make it easy for readers to subscribe to it via email and RSS. Finally, allow your customers to leave comments on the [posts](https://percentotech.com/bobbyjdavidson/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). This will ensure a healthy and constructive interaction between your business and the readers which will increase your chances of winning new customers. ## Use Mobile Video Advertising For a few years now, mobile advertising has helped many businesses market themselves effectively and today, mobile video advertising is taking things to a whole new level. In 2014, the expenditure on mobile video advertising was $1.5 billion. This number is expected to increase to $6 billion by 2018\. This clearly shows mobile video advertising is growing each day and the reason for this growth is simple: as long as they have a smartphone with mobile internet service, users can share mobile video ads from anywhere and at any time. Since apps are what mobile users spend the most time on, marketers are uploading videos to apps to engage audiences between tasks. In most cases, users can skip the video ad after watching it for a few seconds. However, there are some cases where users to have to wait for the ad to end before they can continue doing what they were doing. Also, some ads offer users an incentive to watch the full video. In addition to mobile apps, marketers can upload video ads to social media networks such as YouTube and Facebook. While these social networks aren’t strictly mobile platforms, they are designed to allow video ads to load quickly and run smoothly on mobile devices. In fact, businesses using the Facebook platform are offered premium videos by the social networking site. Additionally, to reach their audience, some brands are using video ads on Instagram and Snapchat. In short, mobile video advertising can help you engage audiences and grow your customer base. There you have it—3 strategies to win customers with [online marketing](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Using the aforementioned-strategies, you can attract new customers and retain existing ones. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### 4 Technologies to Improve Supply Chain Management URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/technologies-supply-chain-management/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:43.000Z Having done a lot of research and writing on supply chain management, I can say without doubt that SCM has changed a lot in the past twenty years. Over the past two decades, [supply chain management](https://percentotech.com/cloud/enterprise-cloud-storage/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) or SCM has experienced a lot of ‘revolutions’. The first revolution was the shift from the concept of logistics to the concept of supply chain. Other notable revolutions include the introduction of the lean and six sigma approaches. The more recent revolutions were orchestrated on the back of technology advancement. The modern SCM concepts of TQM and JIT are driven by [technology](https://percentotech.com/cloud/enterprise-cloud-storage/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). Moreover, the introduction of technology such as barcode, RFID and warehouse drones has changed how items are replenished, stocked in warehouse and delivered to end customers. Currently, supply [chain management](https://www.oracle.com/applications/supply-chain-management/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) is undergoing a major transformation whether it is the use of drones for online fulfilment or unmanned mobile robots in warehouses. Moreover, future advancements in artificial intelligence may make supply chain self-orchestrated and completely autonomous. While self-orchestrated and completely autonomous supply chain remains a distant dream, there are some SCM technologies that business owners and/or supply chain managers can currently use to improve their supply chain. So, without further ado, let’s look at the 3 SCM technologies to improve supply chain management. **Warehouse Technology** Today, warehouse managers can use mobile innovations to seam up the [information](https://percentotech.com/cloud/enterprise-cloud-storage/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) mustered on the floor. To enable more efficient operations and improved decision-making, mobile applications, wearables and handheld scanners are helping warehouse supervisors/ managers connect every warehouse aspect together. As slow fulfillment times or inaccuracy can stop the growth of a business, the use of the aforementioned-technology in the warehouse is extremely important. **Road Technology** The job of truck drivers becomes extremely dangerous when their managers are unable to monitor them. The reason for this is the lack of sleep and long hours experienced by these drivers. By enabling them to clock in and out remotely, mobile technology enables drivers to provide their managers with accurate information related to how long they’ve been working. This in turn helps to lower the chances of driver fatigue and ultimately, accidents. Moreover, thanks to technology, today you can create bills of materials, monitor distribution, manage shipment and organize your inventory data on the go. **Tracking Technology** If you’ve been running your business for a while, then you’d well know how customers can lose their tempers at the slightest of delays in delivery/shipment. Yet to deal with an angry customer who wanted to know where their order was? If yes, then you should count yourself extremely lucky. But remember, things won’t remain the same forever. On the other hand, if you’ve had an angry customer scream in your face, know you’re not alone. Many other people have been in the same boat. To keep up with shipments, a mistake that many people make is using everything from written reports to calendars. If you’re one of them then let me ask you this: do you hate yourself and want to give yourself a punishment? If you answered no, then you shouldn’t think twice about using the simpler and more efficient ways of collecting and appraising information. The first and most important step in the right direction is the use of technology for tracking shipments/orders. You will be able to serve customers better, improve support to the different departments/functions and grow your business if you have key shipment information available at your fingertips. Thanks to the handheld scanners and more accurate [tracking technology](https://www.oracle.com/applications/supply-chain-management/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) available today, customers can now track their packages and find out when they’ll land on their doorsteps. Since the patience of the customer can dwindle, enabling the customer to track his/her package is crucial. And by giving customers the ability to track their packages in real-time, businesses can greatly improve customer satisfaction which in turn will help them grow and be successful. ## Buying/ Procurement Technology In the supply chain world, a term that gets thrown around a lot nowadays is purchase order management or POM. To some, POM is simply knowing what stock-keeping units (SKUs) are in a container. For others, purchase order management means being fully integrated with the systems of a supplier to determine exactly when a purchase order was actuated and fulfilled. Regardless of how you perceive it, a software based POM system will help you streamline supply chain in a number of ways. A sound purchase order management system provides you with the solid data required for year-end metrics. Moreover, it allows you to hold suppliers responsible for delayed or missed orders. In addition to providing you a considerable amount of data, a reliable software based POM system will give you greater visibility of your supply chain. The end-result of this is you being able to serve customers better. A software based POM system may cost you a bit upfront but the increase in productivity over time with this system more than makes up for what you paid for it initially. In addition to the POM system, another [technology](https://www.oracle.com/applications/supply-chain-management/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) aiding the procurement/buying process is barcodes. After being procured from suppliers, parts and components are assigned bar codes. The information on the barcodes includes date of manufacture, batch number, item no, serial no, order no, etc. This information makes the identification and tracking of the components easy. Also, after entering a warehouse, goods are scanned by a handheld scanner. After decoding the information on the goods/barcode, the scanner immediately logs into the central computer to update inventory records in real-time. This allows a business to know about the inventory at hand and whether more supplies are required. Technology has changed everything including how supply chain management is performed. By using the aforementioned-technologies, you can improve supply chain management and grow your business. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### Benefits of Incorporating New Technologies into Your Business URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/benefits-new-technologies-business/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:43.000Z The only way to remain abreast of the changing dynamics of the market, the demands of your customers, and retaining your edge over your competition is to leverage the latest new technologies. Two of the most important new [technologies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/marketing-analytics-2018/)every business must incorporate in their day-to-day operations are data analytics and file sharing. In this post , we will discuss the positive impact of data analytics and file sharing technologies on the businesses and how you can use them for maximum benefits. ### Data Analytics: Strengthening Businesses by Streamlining Their Operations Every enterprise or business is not just competing with its peers, but also against time. 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You might not get the benefits from these technologies within a few days, but they will make sure that your business will prosper in months and years to come. --- ### by Bobby J Davidson I love our [companies ](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/) and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit [www.bobbydavidson.com/about](https://bobbydavidson.com/about/). Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### How the internet of things will change businesses in the future URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/internet-of-things-change-businesses/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:44.000Z A relatively new concept, the Internet of things ([IoT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet%5Fof%5Fthings?ref=bobbydavidson.com)) is slowly but surely making a place for itself in the [business](https://percentotech.com/cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) world. The internet of things may be in its infancy but it is fast changing everything, particularly in the workplace. There is no sign of IoT slowing down and if things remain the same for a few years, IoT may become the most important thing for [businesses](https://percentotech.com/cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) in the future. So, what is the internet of things and how does it affect your business? Let’s find out. ## Understanding the Internet of Things and The Effect It Has on Your Business A hot topic in the digital [business](https://percentotech.com/cloud/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) world, the Internet of things (IoT) refers to a system of devices connected to the web and to each other. This can include devices such as coffee makers, light switches, fridges, garage doors, wearable devices, tablets, smartphones, headphones, washing machines, etc. If you look at the list above, you may think that the internet of things relates only to household devices. However, that is not true! 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Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page. ### The 6 Key Features Of User-Friendly Software URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/6-key-features-user-friendly-software/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:45.000Z One of the biggest challenges faced by [software](https://percentotech.com/cloud/cloud-software-as-a-service/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) development teams today is developing user friendly [software](https://percentotech.com/cloud/cloud-software-as-a-service/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) . When developing a [software](https://percentotech.com/cloud/cloud-software-as-a-service/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) product, the first question thing that the developer thinks about is what qualities the [software](https://percentotech.com/cloud/cloud-software-as-a-service/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) should have. 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Before the introduction of HR technology, this was a complex and time-consuming process. However, by eliminating many unnecessary steps and streamlining the process, HR tech has made performance management easy and accurate. HR technology is fast changing human resources management and the aforementioned-information reveals exactly how. ### by Bobby J Davidson As the [President of Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/company/letter-president/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the company. 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But after this period of human suffering came extreme prosperity and better living standards for countries that experienced it first, giving them a head start in technological innovations. **What kind of jobs are automable?** Those jobs that are repetitive in nature and are easy to predict under well known settings are the most prone to change. These include, well – flipping burgers in a fast food joint or extracting milk from a cow. Anything that doesn’t require the creative potential stored locked up inside the recesses of our minds will get swept up by the fast paced automation industry. These jobs result in a lot of human toiling and it is better to do without them. Before the advent of computers, banks had rooms brimming with accountants who manually sifted through large spreadsheets. It was a task that was prone to error and much slower than the quick speed afforded by computers. 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Vehicle manufacturers argue that self driving vehicles will make roads and travelling a lot safer by eliminating human error, they’re not affected by boredom, tiredness and sleep—features characteristic of our human biology. This will reduce traffic accidents and road congestion. Tesla, one of the first manufacturers to aggressively pursue automation has already reported a 40% drop in accidents on the road after they deployed their self-driving tech on the roads. For a car to be truly autonomous, there are still a few challenges to be met. The chief program engineer of the Autonomous Vehicle Development, Chris Brewer of [Ford Motor Company](https://corporate.ford.com/innovation/autonomous-2021.html?ref=bobbydavidson.com), says, “virtual driver system is the brains of the car and the autonomous vehicle platform acts as the body”. In order for the car to properly function, both will have to work in perfect harmony with the ever dynamic environment of the roads. Coping with congested traffic, identifying on-coming vehicles, obeying traffic laws and recognizing a human on the road will take powerful software to power everything. It is said that software is much more important than the underlying hardware and infrastructure. Elon Musk says that the road to fully autonomous vehicles will require precise maps, artificial intelligence to process all that information and a computer powerful enough to accommodate all that computation while still fitting in a tiny portion of the car. **Is there much to complain though?** It is estimated that self autonomous vehicles will endanger 1.7 million jobs in the US related to driving trailers and heavy rigs. Indeed President Obama highlighted in his farewell speech that the next wave of job dislocations won’t come from globalization, where an illegal immigrant takes up the jobs of native folks, but rather it will be the relentless pace of automation which will overtake middle class jobs. ### by Bobby J Davidson As the [President of Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/company/letter-president/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the company. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a Business Technology | Anytime | Anywhere for organizations in need of [Managed IT Services](https://percentotech.com/managed-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [Professional IT Consulting](https://percentotech.com/it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [Infrastructure Projects](https://percentotech.com/it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). We have a fantastic suite of boutique-managed [Cloud Servers](https://percentotech.com/cloud?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to choose, along with [Network Cabling](https://percentotech.com/network-cabling/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) and high end professional [website services](https://percentotech.com/websites/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). We personalize the IT experience with a team approach, working with clients from diverse sectors of industry, including banking, legal, health-care, energy and corporate business. Contact me today to discuss how our great team can assist: [1 800 614 7886](tel:1-800-614-7886) or our [Contact Form](https://percentotech.com/contact/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). ### 3D printing – accelerating humanity’s progress URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/3d-printing/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:47.000Z 3D printing is no longer the domain of artists and architects looking to showcase unusual pieces of art which can only be admired from afar but not have any intrinsic value that can benefit us in real time. It is the latest in disruptive [technology](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) to push its way into our lives, with the potential to impact every facet of the world from medical equipment to space fabrics. **How it works** 3D printing works a lot like regular printers except that they offer an elevated height by printing multiple layers over the same area – all based on the instructions fed into the 3D printer. 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Imagine the thousands of tons of materials that will have to be transported to Mars via space vessels, and the enormous amounts of fuel and large room space required for these materials. 3D printing can save us billions of dollars and completely do away with transport costs of huge amounts of material; the only requirement would be to properly land the 3D printer and the required infrastructure onto mars. These houses would not be limited by structural weaknesses, as [Behrokh Khoshnevis](http://www.bkhoshnevis.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) demonstrated by making a kind of concrete without the need of water, a resource that is not abundant on either Mars or the Moon. A rover on the red planet would simply have to collect rocks and sand and feed all this construction material to a 3D printer nearby, the robots attached to the 3d printer would then begin construction without so much as a tiny lift of an operator’s finger. 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On-demand, cheap subscriptions that viewers could avail anytime anywhere. Their main competition being Hulu, Amazon and soon Facebook’s own take on premium TV. Their big breakthrough came in 2013 when they debuted the critically acclaimed *House of Cards*. Netflix today is worth an impressive $13.6 billion. **Uber and others** In 2011, Uber launched their cab hailing app, and without owning a single car or having access to a single driver, managed to connect millions of drivers and passengers together. You no longer had to face the expensive fares offered by normal taxi rides since Uber offered you a much more streamlined service on-demand at sometimes half the rates offered by the taxis. Drivers could offer their service whenever they felt like it, and despite the cheap fares they were forced to take, ended up making a hefty profit after a hard day’s work. Today despite a myriad of controversial cases against their name, Uber has a net worth of $6.5 billion. 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The most revolutionary of these changes is Apple’s new file system APFS (Apple File System) which replaces the HFS+ aiming to fix core problems with the 18 year old relic and refine some of its perfected features. More specifically it brings in the advanced 64-bit architecture, stronger encryption and overhauling optimization for flash and SDD storage. As a result moving and searching for files will be a lot faster than with HFS+. Apple also intends to phase out support for 32-bit software, and any new apps developed in 2018 must be based on 64-bit architecture. Developers will get enough time before to get used to the changes brought about High Sierra. **Duplication and space optimization** A noteworthy tool of APFS is cloning and snapshots. Over a period of time most [operating systems](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) *duplicate* files, this duplication consumes a lot of space and resources of your system slowing it down. 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The use of Time Machine hasn’t not been completely phased out it seems, backups will always be relevant. **Photos** An exciting addition for users who love their pictures, **Photos** is going to prove even more addicting because of the major overhauls brought about by High Sierra. These include the addition of a new sidebar that makes it a loss less cumbersome for users to access important editing tools. [Professional](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) tools such as Curves and Selective color will be brought along to Photos, which means you won’t have to look at dedicated graphic editing tools such as Photoshop for your picture editing needs. Photos will suffice. And if you do use Photoshop and Pixelmator, any changes you make there will also be read by Photos. **Safer and faster Safari experience** It boasts an 80% faster browsing speed than Google Chrome, and brings a lot more features to the table such as Autoplay Blocking and Intelligent Tracking Prevention. The former deals with preventing unwanted videos from playing in the background, imagine you browse a news channel which is notorious for playing videos in the background without your permission, High Sierra will kill the tab where the video is playing. The latter is more than just a glorified vaporware gimmick; it takes advantage of machine learning technology to protect a user’s privacy by identifying websites that track their online behavior and then sells it for a premium to advertisers. **Metal 2 developer kit** Metal 2 is Apple’s version of the Direct X API which grants developers access to low level hardware graphics acceleration. Metal 2 brings access to virtual reality support and Apple even partnered with Valve’s Steam VR. It will also work with external GPUs. Apple is also bringing the Thunderbolt 3 external graphics kit for programmers to use. Compared to its predecessor, Metal 2 will also have 10 times the draw call output. Hopefully this will bring in the level playing field for Mac computers compared to their PC counterparts. High efficiency Video Codec (HEVC) and High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF)Apple finally brings in support for H.265, the new industry standard for high quality videos, to Macintosh computers. This would enable video streaming and playback of resolutions of up to 4K. In addition videos with H.265 are also smaller than H.264 counterparts, while maintaining the same standards in image quality. HEIF will be the future industry standard for still images, replacing both JPEG and GIF in one fell swoop. In addition it also supports videos that also contain images. Just like HEVC, the image format packs in more data in a shorter file size. While High Sierra will bring HEVC to all Mac computers, only select models can take advantage of hardware acceleration. This is important for video streaming and playback at high resolutions. Some of the models that take advantage of HEVC hardware acceleration are 5K iMacs from 2015 and 2017, MacBooks from 2016 and 2017— Basically any Mac computer that contains Skylake or Kaby Lake processors. ### by Bobby J Davidson As the [President of Percento Technologies](https://percentotech.com/company/letter-president/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the company. The company was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a Business Technology | Anytime | Anywhere for organizations in need of [Managed IT Services](https://percentotech.com/managed-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), [Professional IT Consulting](https://percentotech.com/it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com), and [Infrastructure Projects](https://percentotech.com/it-services/?ref=bobbydavidson.com). 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All the best! --- ### Bobby J Davidson As the President of Percento Technologies, I provide day-to-day leadership to the company’s senior management and I am personally involved in the strategy, business development and sales activities of the company. ### Tools for Online Business Meetings. URL: https://bobbydavidson.com/tools-for-online-business-meetings/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:13:50.000Z The young [entrepreneur](https://percentotech.com/company/letter-president/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) no longer has to worry about making expensive [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) trips to the far corner of the world to close a deal. Now, they can just use the right tech tools to conduct their [business](https://percentotech.com/?ref=bobbydavidson.com) meetings online. With the advancements in video conferencing (VoIP) it would be as though you were actually there in person. The concept of videoconferencing has origins in movies from the early 50s. 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