Liliana Ciurlino joins Managed Solution as a Marketing & Engagement Coordinator. She worked the last several years as a Regional Marketing Manager with H&R Block in the areas of new client growth strategy, execution and partnership development. She has trained hundreds of professionals on how to build their book of business in field marketing. Prior to her work in direct mail and TV advertising within the Financial Industry, she founded a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization, contACT ARTS, which produces the San Diego International Fringe Festival. In 2015, she created the World’s First Bi-National Fringe Festival (MEX/USA) and Emerging Fringe; a San Diego Regional Performance Competition for grades 6-12 to present their original work.
Liliana is a native of San Diego and has had the opportunity to live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sonoma, Miami, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business with a Marketing Concentration and is pursuing her MBA from Missouri State University. Liliana serves on the Latino Committee with the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, California College Program Advisory Board and volunteers with the Girl Scouts.
Liliana enjoys playing guitar & piano, yoga, running and hiking. In Old San Juan, she studied black and white analog photography and would like to build herself a dark room. Her favorite movie is Rocky and one of her favorite quotes is by Henry David Thoreau, "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see". We’re excited to welcome Liliana to the Managed Solution team!
Microsoft dove deeper into Internet of things technology with the acquisition of Solair, an Italian company that operates a cloud-based IoT platform.
According to a Microsoft blog post, Solair's technology will be used to upgrade the company's Azure IoT Suite, a collection of cloud services meant to help companies use the Internet of Things.
Microsoft and Solair didn't disclose the financial terms of their deal.
Solair's technology, which already uses Microsoft's Azure cloud services, offers IoT services focused on a variety of markets, including home automation, smart metering, remote maintenance and inventory management.
Microsoft didn't say specifically what it will get out of Solair's technology, but it promised to release more details on the integration of the two companies later.
Microsoft acquired Solair for its technology, not its customer base, MachNation analyst Dima Tokar wrote in a commentary. Sam George, the partner director for Azure IoT, said in a blog post that Microsoft is excited about the technology and talent that will come with the acquisition.
Azure is a key part of Microsoft's corporate strategy. The company is betting big on getting more customers to use its cloud offerings, and acquisitions like this one are aimed at getting more companies to buy into the Azure ecosystem, especially for new workloads like those driven by IoT.
For many of us, the rise of the remote workforce comes as no surprise. For years now, office workers have been abandoning their desks in favor of settings that are farther afield and allow them to work in a more comfortable, and often more productive, environment. And it’s a trend that only promises to keep growing. In fact, according to theInternational Data Corporation (IDC), the U.S. mobile worker population is on track to grow from 96.2 million in 2015 to 105.4 million mobile workers in 2020. And by the end of the forecast period, IDC projects that mobile workers will account for nearly three quarters (72.3 percent) of the total U.S. workforce.
Although the mobile workforce has been building for some time, managers are, in many ways, still catching up and trying to determine how best to lead their teams when they’re not only not in the same room, but may be spread out over a number of cities, states or even countries. However, because so many organizations have used a remote workforce model for so many years now, and technology has moved ahead by leaps and bounds, leading remote teams is certainly easier than in years past. Of course, finding your own path to successful leadership will largely depend on your personal style, corporate culture and team members, but if you don’t know where to start or would like to add new techniques and technology to your bag of tricks, you would do well to try these time-tested tips:
Manage results, not style—
Remote employees often have their own style of working. Some may work for two hours, then take a break to take their kids to school or run an errand, then work four more hours, take a break and work the remaining two (or more) later, while others may keep regular office hours. So instead of managing how an employee gets his or her work done, focus on the quality of the work, whether deadlines are being met, whether they exhibit good decision-making skills, etc.
Encourage teamwork—
Working great distances from your co-workers can feel isolating, so make a point to encourage project work that allows team members to work together. This way, your staff will feel more connected to each other, and your department will benefit from shared ideas and greater communication between team members.
Communicate—
Because you can’t just pop over to someone’s desk or grab a cup of coffee in the break room, managers need to take initiative to establish relationships with their teams. Weekly or bi-weekly status calls can often help you address upcoming projects, performance issues, etc. Yet, other times an instant message or email conversation (that may or may not be work related) might be the best way to stay in touch. Whatever your approach is, be clear in your communications—but also let your personality shine through. After all, when you’re building and managing a team it’s important for everyone to know who they’re working with.
With everyone’s camera up and a shared view of your agenda, presentation, etc., your team can not only see each other—and put faces to names—but see the presenter’s desktop and get a clear picture of the information being addressed.
Give them the right technology—
Part of being a good manager is ensuring that your team members have everything they need to work efficiently. And when your workforce works remotely, that means supporting your staff with the right technology. When researching your options, look for software that makes sharing files safe, secure and simple; works on a range of devices, including laptops and desktops, tablets and mobile phones; and gives your workers the power to work on the same documents simultaneously. This way, everyone will have access to the same tools, you can mitigate compatibility issues, and your collaborative efforts can flourish.
Give them a reason—
Remote workers can feel disconnected from an organization’s goals and may not have a clear understanding of where their work fits into its mission. If you share the company’s vision and goals with your remote workforce and address how their work contributes to the success of the organization, your team will feel less detached from the company. This, in turn, inspires remote teams to work toward a common goal and be productive members of the organization.
Be inclusive and provide praise—
When it comes to training, praise for a job well done, and parties, offsite employees are often overlooked or simply forgotten about—which does nothing to encourage loyalty or foster relationships. As you manage your team of remote workers, try to ensure that they have the same opportunities for training as others and receive the same, prompt praise for a job well done that you would offer onsite workers. As for parties and team outings, if remote team members can’t make it to an event, consider giving them a small gift or a few extra hours off in a week. It’s a small gesture, but it can go a long way toward making them feel appreciated.
Encourage a work-life balance—
For remote workers, it’s easy to get caught up in a project or want to make just a little more progress on something before calling it quits for the day. It’s also equally easy to get distracted by projects at home, spouses, kids, pets, etc. The key is to strike a balance between the two. When onboarding new remote workers, talk to them about setting a schedule that they can stick to and setting aside a space designated for work only. Then, at the end of the day, they can shut down their laptops and disconnect from work. This will help them mentally unwind and enjoy their downtime, and start work with a clear head and a fresh perspective the next day.
Finally, as with most things in life, you must lead by example. By taking a proactive, transparent approach to work, being available to your teams and communicating clearly and often with staff in a wide variety of ways, they’ll see that you can not only be relied on, but trusted. They’ll see firsthand how you want the team to function and will follow your footsteps—helping you create a supportive virtual environment that’s conducive to mobile productivity and exemplary work.
With the exponential growth in technology, the world has seen not only profound change in various industries, but also a fundamental shift in the structure to our global society.
To unwrap this bit of jargon, let’s look at the intersection of human rights and technology. The fundamental nature of human rights is to allow individuals to exercise their autonomy, liberty and free will, insofar as it doesn’t infringe upon the rights and liberties of others. Broadly speaking, governments are supposed to provide the protection under which the citizenry can freely exercise such will.
Historically, sovereignty has been the golden rule that must not be violated, regardless of what actions take place within the confines of a given territory. This has given authoritarian leaders the freedom to rule as they please. But with the advent of Right to Protect, deriving from the Rome Statute, the emerging customary law opens the door for countries to yield their sovereign rights if they fail to uphold and protect basic human rights.
While this is a monumental leap for international law and human rights, it still begs a more practical question: Outside of rhetoric and tough speak, how can we empower individuals living in countries that lack adequate civil societies to bolster state institutions, have a say in the national dialogue, usher in an era of accountability and transparency to the political system(s) and exercise their human rights? The answer seems to reside in technology.
Technology can … empower individuals through networks, information and digital trade.
Take for example Ushahidi, a company that runs an open-source tech platform developed to map outbreaks of violence in Kenya. Here, technology is used as a means of an emergency tool for individuals to report, monitor and evaluate violence in given communities. Such technology is helping facilitate a decline in community violence and abuse toward women.
In countries where access to capital is lacking because of inadequate financial institutions, micro-loans and peer-to-peer money transfers have allowed small business to not only spring up, but also stimulate local economies. To put the potential in perspective, the International Finance Corporation estimates that “up to 84% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa are either un-served or underserved, representing a value gap in credit financing of US$140- to 170-billion.”
In countries where systemic subjugation and deprivation is run-of-the-mill, individuals using the power of social media are showcasing to the world the gross negligence of their government(s) and forcing world leaders to respond.
While civil society, rule of law and regulatory mechanisms surely cannot spring up overnight, the world does not have the luxury to wait and watch its slow evolution. Technology can circumvent traditional processes and empower individuals through networks, information and digital trade. Technology emboldens the notion of human rights, quite literally, with the touch of a hand.
The question is, will governments around the world back the inevitable tide of technology or will they cling to tradition?
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Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Let's celebrate the Fifth of May with tacos, tequila, and Skype for Business!
Cinco de Mayo represents the day the Mexican Army, against all odds, defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla. Now, people around the world take this day to appreciate Mexican and latin culture. The best way to celebrate? Use Skype for Business tools to increase your efficiency and make more time for margaritas and mariachi bands. Check out these 5 awesome foundational tips for Skype for Business, as written on bettercloud.com, with quick tutorial videos.
Schedule a Skype for Business Video or Audio Call Straight from Outlook
Since becoming part of Office 365 in April, Skype for Business has integrated with Lync and made scheduling video and audio calls a cinch. Straight from your Outlook calendar, you are able to schedule Skype for Business calls both within your calendar and within an invite. For those of us who need a demonstration or reminder, the video below will show how to create a Skype for Business meeting using both Outlook 2013/2016 and the Outlook Web App.
Share Only What You Need to Share with Others on Your Skype Meetings
Now that you know how to schedule a Skype call, here’s how to launch the meeting and share your screen with other participants on the call. Screen sharing is a feature of corporate calls that many of us have come to expect and Skype for Business provides several different content sharing options. Shareable options include your whole desktop, a certain application, a PowerPoint presentation, or event an attachment. Check out the video below.
Just Need to Chat Real Quick? Make a Skype for Business Direct Call Instead of a Video Call
While you can make a video call, you can also just use audio (and let’s admit, we all have bad hair days and may not need to be on camera for every meeting). In Skype for Business, users can easily make phone calls from their computer and connect with colleagues. For those work from home days or weeks on the road, making a direct call in Skype for Business can be the ticket to get work done.
Who’s in Your Skype for Business Address Book?
Skype for Business contacts represent the people you know, do business with, and communicate with. If you’re just getting started with S4B or you need to expand your circles, you can add people to your contacts list, whether they’re in your organization or outside of it (with some limits, based on your administrator’s settings).
An Instant Message in Skype for Business Can Do the Trick for a Quick Question
And then there’s times when you just want to send a quick message. If you’ve got something to share that doesn’t warrant an email, send an instant message with Skype for Business. The basic steps to send an IM will be intuitive for most users: simply double-click on the name of the contact you want to send a message to, type your message, and press your Enter key to send.
Now that you've learned 5 useful tips in Skype for Business, it's time to celebrate! Bring out the sombreros, cook up some traditional Mexican dishes (or just grab some take-out from the local food truck), and take a shot at the Mexican Hat Dance. Cinco de Mayo is the perfect day to celebrate and appreciate Mexican culture, so enjoy this Fifth of May!
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Wednesdays With Will: Do You Have A Business Process?
By William Marchesano, Technology Advisor & Evangelist
I recently met up with a friend of mine who owns a small but growing business. He was telling how when the business had less than 10 employees things seemed so much simpler. Everyone wore multiple hats and they just figured it out as they went along. They must have been doing something right because before he knew it they had doubled in staff. As they approached 15-20 employees, he realized they couldn’t do things as they had in the past. Roles became more defined and the need to put processes in place became essential. Like most entrepreneurs, he was more of a visionary than a process implementer. For that reason, he hired a management consultant firm to help him develop processes for his expanding business.
Though the management consulting firm helped him in multiple areas of his business, my friend was most proud of his newly developed sales process. They hadn’t had a formalized process in the past and pretty much left it up to each salesperson to figure it out on their own. Once again this was fine when they only had 2 or 3 sales people but as the business continued to grow and their sales team approached 8-10 people there were need for some standardization. His goal was to help his sales team open more opportunities and achieve a higher success rate from those opportunities. He was also thinking about how he could simplify the onboarding process for a new hire and reduce the amount of time it would take to get them up to speed. Having a sales process in place would allow him to accomplish both outcomes.
My friend is aware of my passion for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. The management consultant recommended they start using one to reinforce the processes that had been developed for them. I couldn’t agree more. What is the value of developing a process if you have no way to ensure it stays in place? I told him how Microsoft Dynamics CRM has had an “out-of-the-box” business process built into it since the 2013 version. Every business has its own unique sales process and Microsoft has accounted for this. You have the ability to customize the business process to match your business’s need. Analytics provided by Dynamics CRM would allow you to adjust your business process if need be as well.
Here’s a short video showing you what the business process looks like in Microsoft Dynamics CRM:
As always, I encourage you to reach out to me to discuss these topics in deeper detail. I hope you enjoyed and found this week’s article informative. If you’re interested in some how-to related CRM material, check out blogs by my colleague Ben Ward here. Till next time…
About the author:
Will has over 16 years of experience in business development, team management, and project management. Will has worked at Managed Solution for over four years and is currently advising businesses on best CRM practices and implementations. Will’s focus is on process improvement and analytics specializing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Will is a Microsoft Certified Professional, with certifications in Presales Technical Specialist – Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013, Sales Specialist- Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 Application, Sales Specialist- Office 365, Sales Specialist- SMB Infrastructure and Sales Specialist- Datacenter.
For information on deploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM in your organization, please call us at 800-257-0691.
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