DEV Community: Allan Borch

Coaching a manager who lacks time management and ability to prioritize tasks

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:55:36 +0000

I use a three-step approach when coaching a manager who’s struggling with time management.

Zero in on the problem. I go through that manager’s task list and let him/her explain to me how he/she performs each task and the amount of time it takes. This usually brings to light issues or challenges that a manager might have with time management. For instance, there might be too much on a manager’s plate so he/she is unable to meet deadlines, or no tools were provided so that a task can still be done properly, but a lot faster.
Brainstorm a solution. Once we’ve identified the problem areas, the next step is to come with specific solutions to address the problem. I work with the manager to come up with a comprehensive action plan. We also agree on a time each month (of an entire quarter) to see what progress has been done.
Do monthly check-ins. I meet with the manager each month for at least three months to go over his/her action plan.

Bottom line: Supporting a manager struggling with time management can be done through a one-on-one meeting that involves identifying the problem and then providing guidance on how to come up with solutions that work.

How To be An Effective Leader During Turbulent Times

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:54:03 +0000

In a time where uncertainty is prevalent, consistency is the key.

Times are unpredictable right now. People are losing work left and right, companies are closing down. During these times, your employees are worried at how stable their job is. As a leader, you can motivate your team by being a source of stability in a time of uncertainty.

There are plenty of ways to show your employees that you are a stable leader and that their jobs are secured:

Instead of creating plenty of new projects, slow down and delegate tasks on maintaining what you currently have.
Be communicative. Show your initiative by reaching out to your team instead of waiting for them to come to you instead.
Let them know that you are willing to work things out and communicate with them whether it be suggestions, complaints or the need to discuss some personal issues that might be affecting work performance.
Provide incentives where you can to make your employees/team members feel recognized and valued.

Bottom line: Being energetic and positive, expressing your excitement while providing tasks or improving guidelines goes a long way in making your employees feel more optimistic about the current state of society.

Best tips for project management

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:52:01 +0000

I own multiple blogging sites. I run a small operation so I also manage the various projects we undertake.

My best tip for getting projects back on track is to recognize warning signs and act fast. Project snags don’t magically resolve themselves. The earlier you face these problems in the project’s lifecycle, the more options you have to resolve them.

I learned this the hard way during the launch of one of our blog sites. I knew there were tensions building up between two project members over some of the work. However, I foolishly thought that they’d work it out. Instead, they ended up in a big fight and quit just days before launch day. Both had key roles in the project and there was no time to replace them so launch day was ultimately a failure.

Now, I always do a morale check on my employees. I also encourage my team to forecast their remaining work, factoring in any project plan changes so that potential slippages are identified as soon as possible.

Hope this was useful. Thanks for the opportunity.

Small Business Management Software That You Can't Live Without

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:46:55 +0000

15% Annual Sales Growth With This Tool

Salesforce, our CRM software of choice, has helped us manage our business more efficiently and gets us more customers. Since using this CRM, we’ve seen annual sales growth of 15% year-over-year.

Salesforce is an all-in-one, cloud-based solution with a robust set of tools and resources. I like that it allows me to manage a number of key areas in our business using a single piece of software. I can track employee activity, monitor sales, and reply to customer queries with just a few clicks of the mouse. It’s also a great platform for managing existing customers and finding new ones. It can be accessed anywhere as everything’s on the cloud. No software installation required.

Bottom line: Salesforce gives my small business the power and functionality of an enterprise-level CRM in a package that can be gradually scaled and upgraded over time.

Data privacy vs. data security

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:43:50 +0000

To put it simply:

Data Privacy is an individual or a company’s right to keep their information private. Data privacy focuses on the following:
Managing terms and contracts
Applying proper regulation laws

Data Security deals with the steps we take to ensure that our right to data privacy remains guarded. Data security deals with the more active aspect of keeping our privacy such as:
Ensuring networks are secure
Dealing with breaches
Managing access
Incorporating authentication steps

Businesses need to understand data privacy so they can be aware of their right to privacy. This allows them to set boundaries for clients, sister companies, users, and even their employees when it comes to protecting their data. Equally important, data security is there to ensure that these rights and information are not breached by putting security systems in place.

Hope this was useful! I’d love to know if you ever decide to use my input so here’s my info:

Dotcom Dollar

Work From Home: Home Office Security Tips

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 03:36:17 +0000

The biggest online security threat we’ve found was information being weaponized. A recent example would be the bogus World Health Organization app created by a group of hackers. Once installed, the application downloads the Cerberus banking trojan to steal sensitive data. The attacks essentially weaponize tools and information, because they can easily be done with applications that provide legitimate benefits, too.

To protect company assets from threats like this, we have a cloud infrastructure that employees can tunnel in through a VPN with encryption. We also use a password manager so login details to different systems aren’t just pasted on some random Google doc.

I have separate devices for personal and work use and will find a way to help employees do the same if they wanted to. Regardless of whether they have separate computers or not, we all follow strict protocols when it comes to handling and sharing company data, physical safety measures while working at home, etc.

I’d strongly advise companies who’ve transitioned to working remotely to review areas in their operations where they could be vulnerable to cyberattacks and create a plan of action to prevent this from happening.

Hope this was useful.

For more information, you can visit https://www.dotcomdollar.com

Welcome Thread

Allan Borch — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 02:51:18 +0000

Allan Borch is the Founder of Dotcom Dollar (a personal blog about internet marketing). With over 5 years of practical experience in SEO and digital marketing, Allan eagerly shares his knowledge of running successful online businesses through his blog and Youtube channel.

Learn more here: https://www.dotcomdollar.com