DEV Community: felix yim

What is the Long-Term Impact of Living in a Technological World?

felix yim — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:53:46 +0000

A technological world sure has its pros and cons. Technology is often described as a necessary evil by so many people. As much as it is important in our lives, it has also led to some evils facing society.

Technology, for instance, has made the world a global village and made it easier for people to reach each other. Today, you don’t even have to be in the same location to collaborate in terms of jobs and different activities.

In addition, you can reach out to friends and family who are thousands of miles away as if they are just next to you. How has this been possible for many people?

Well, social media is one way that has made it easier to keep up with people from different parts of the globe. But at the same time, social media has led to depression for many and even suicide through body shaming and cyber-bullying.

So, as you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this advancement in technology. As we move deeper into the article, you will understand how these advantages and disadvantages of technology affect you directly.

What is Technology Today?
Technology has constantly revolutionized our world over the years. Today, we enjoy a lot of simplicity in performing different activities due to the presence of technological tools.

Things like smartwatches and smartphones are a result of advancements in technology. And there’s still more to expect in the coming years if the current trend we’re seeing is anything to go by.

Indeed, it is safe to say that technology has made each and everyone’s lives better, faster, easier and even more fun.

Technology Has Changed Our Life
Technology has led to an enhanced quality of life not only for the younger generations but also the old ones.

Through social media and instant messaging platforms, we’ve been able to keep in touch and maintain communication even amidst some of the most challenging times of humanity, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has taken a toll on so many households and lives, leading to isolation and new norms such as social distancing and work-from-home policies. All this would have kept people completely away from each other if not for technology keeping things afloat.

Some of the new devices that we have gained from technology have made our lives a lot easier and smoother. And we can even add that some devices have helped to boost the quality of life, such as health devices. For instance, those who have a problem hearing well can benefit from the help they get from hearing aids and TV listening devices. Thus, people can move through everyday life with ease and peace of mind.

Pros of Technology
Like we have stated in this article, technology has definitely improved the quality of life. So, let’s take some time and analyze some of the advantages that it has.

For People with Disabilities
Technology has been a strong pillar for people living with disabilities. Sure, life is challenging for this group. Through product design and development, technology has made it a lot easier and simpler for them. Talk of hearing aids as we have given an example earlier.

There are also adaptive keyboards and alternative input devices that help people with disabilities to use technological tools that would have otherwise been impossible to use. Foot switches and eye-tracking software can also help in making those hard controls for people living with disabilities.

Ease of Communication
You can certainly agree with us when we claim that technology has made it easier for individuals to communicate with each other. Take social media and instant messaging platforms as an example. It has made it easier for individuals to communicate regardless of their current locations.

Comfort
Technology plays an integral role in our domestic lives. Smart light bulbs are one example of an application of technology for comfort. This creates a color ambience that’s relaxed and ideal for different activities. Some will even help you sleep better when it’s time for you to retire to sleep.

Improved Education
New tools have emerged that help in both learning and teaching. A good example that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic is the use of video technology such as Zoom.

Change in Health Sector
Digital technological tools help to change unsustainable healthcare systems into more sustainable ones. Also, new technological tools have helped improve the value of life in terms of aiding in the treatment of certain ailments.

Access to Information
Through the presence of social media, information has become a lot easier for people to access. Today, you don’t even have to switch on your TV for news updates to know what’s happening around you. Do this swiftly from the comfort of your smartphone.

Achieving Goals
Living in a technological world will help you to achieve quickly what would have rather taken you ages before. It also becomes easier and more convenient to do things.

Cons of Technology
Of course, technology has its fair share of cons that we need to talk about. Some of them include:

Increased loneliness.
Less value in human workers.
Competency.
Depletion of natural resources.
Too much dependency.

Final Thoughts
For sure, technology has made its mark in this world – whether positively or negatively. It all depends on what side you’re analyzing from. All in all, you should seek advice from a qualified person if you’re stuck wondering anything about technology.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in Alternative Assets

felix yim — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:53:08 +0000

It’s important that you first understand what alternative assets are right before investing in them. Alternative assets are investments that fall out of the conventional asset classes. These conventional asset classes are mostly accessed by investors. They include bonds, stocks, and cash investments.

Alternative investments are a bit less liquid when compared to their conventional partners. They may also need you to pump in funds and investments for a longer period before they even start to materialise. Thus, when you’re investing in alternative assets, it’s important that you avoid the following mistakes:

Not Understanding the Investment
When you fail to understand the investment, you’re bound to make a mistake when you start pumping your funds in it. And this is an issue that cuts across different groups of people. Someone rushes into an investment without even checking what it entails. Then you start regretting later on wishing you never invested in the first place. The good thing is that you can avoid such issues by first understanding the investment.
If you ask some of the most successful business people in the world, they will immediately warn you about this mistake. They never invest in business models that they don’t have a clue about.

If you decide to invest in a specific company, ensure that you understand what they do, how they run, and how they get their profits. The same applies to investing in any alternative asset.

Falling in Love with the Asset
What you need to understand about assets is that they are not human. They can go anytime if you’re not careful. Thus, having a close emotional attachment to any of your alternative assets can be a challenge for you. It may end up really badly for you when you lose it.

Always remember the reason why you acquired the asset. And in most of the cases, the reason is to earn some money out of it. Thus, if it’s not working out for you, then it would be better for you to dispose of it instead. It’d be better for you to go at a smaller loss before it’s too late and you encounter an even bigger loss.
For instance, items such as jewelery or engagement rings can pull in investors and result in them overpaying. Thus, you need to ensure that you make a calculated investment all the time.

Forgetting About Liquidity
The bad thing about alternative assets that we have told you above are their deficiency in liquidity. If you’re solely investing in them because you expect that they will be liquid quickly, then you might be just taking yourself for a ride. Thus, you need to always have this liquidity fact at the back of your mind.

Failing to Diversify
It’s important that you remember the principle of diversification. Different asset classes have their own independent risks. Therefore, you need to diversify so that you can avoid risking on just one asset. Banking on just one asset with all of your finances and savings can be a risk too big to handle.

Check on all of your financial goals and needs then secure investments that support them. Just make sure that you’re not fully dependent on one investment, which can fail at any given time.

This takes us back to the point above on emotions with investments. Don’t invest your feelings on assets, as they can leave your presence at any time. Always remember this clearly.

Trying to Time the Market
This is something that will kill your returns so fast that you won’t even believe it. Successfully timing the market is not an easy thing to do. Even institutional investors find it hard to time the market successfully.
What will help you out is your asset allocation decisions. Neither security selection nor timing the market will help you out.

Final Thoughts
As you can see, these are some of the mistakes that you need to avoid whenever you’re investing in alternative assets, and indeed, any other types of assets. Don’t be quick to put your emotions into the assets too much. This will ruin your investment and can even distort your chances of making a profit.

How to Stop Worrying About Money (Habits to Form in 2021)

felix yim — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:05:03 +0000

Money is required for almost everything in our modern lives. Managing money can often be a challenge. Even the thought of the potential problems money can cause leaves many people worried and stressed. Learning the tricks and tips to stop worrying about money will not only improve your financial situation but will also improve your health and well-being by lowering your stress levels.

In this guide, we'll talk through some ways you can utilise to help you get better control of your finances and stop worrying about money.

4 Habits That People with Surplus Money Have

Part of a successful strategy to stop your worry about money is understanding how people who have surplus income, and therefore people who don't worry about money, manage their finances.

They Are Prepared for Everything

Possibly one of the best ways to stop yourself having to worry about money is to plan ahead and be prepared for the unknown. It may seem like a contradiction to plan for something unknown, but it's simpler than you think. The essence of being prepared is to always have a reserve to handle emergencies. When working out what you can afford, both now and in the future, always build in a percentage to cover emergencies.

They Protect Their Money

Setting up your finances to give you a safety net when you require it is only helpful if you can rest easy that the safety net is well protected. If you don't take good care of your money, then the safety net you have spent time building up to ease your mind might not be there when you need it. Be careful with investments, be especially careful to spread your money around rather than keeping it all in one place. Also, don't be afraid to move your money if the current location isn't offering the safety and returns you expect.

They Have a Savings System in Place

Savings can be useful for a variety of reasons. Whether you use them in the case of an emergency, for a big upgrade purchase (e.g. a new car), or a luxury treat, having a savings pot to fall back on can add a valuable safety net to stop you worrying about money. It can be hard to motivate yourself to save money, though, so having a good system in place is essential. For example, rather than just saving some money when you remember, try setting up an automatic transfer as a percentage of your income each month.

They Know When to Get Help

The final trick is knowing when to ask and seek out help with your finances. Help can come from many places from friends and family to formal financial institutions. The important thing is that you seek out help and advice when you are unsure. Asking for financial guidance will pay off in the long-term when your money is safer and works for you. Also, don't be afraid to seek out help in the form of loans, but only when absolutely necessary. A small influx of cash at the right time, even if you have to pay it back over a term of years, can make a significant difference, but borrowing money for needless expenditures can end up causing more stress and worry.

Increase Your Sources of Income

Sometimes saving and scrimping can only go so far when it comes to free up additional money in your budget. If your income sources can't keep up with your expenditures, then it doesn't matter how much you cut back and save, you will still be left with a deficit and end up worrying about money. In that case, the only thing you can do is look for ways to increase your income.

Increasing your income can be done in a number of different ways depending on what resources you have available and how much extra money you are looking to raise. Some amounts of money can be raised, and saved, by selling old items that you would otherwise throw away, for instance. If you are looking to raise more than a bit extra, though, it may be worth considering getting a secondary source of income. Freelancing and gig type work can be an excellent way to supplement your income without committing to the full hours of a second job.

Cut Out Unnecessary Luxuries

One of the singlehanded best ways to increase your cash flow and help you stop worrying about money is to cut out unnecessary luxuries. The key term here is unnecessary, though. Saving some extra money, and thereby increasing your savings and cash flow, doesn't mean cutting out all luxuries from your life; the trick is to cut out the unnecessary luxuries. With every purchase and luxury, first, ask yourself if this is something you truly want or need, and then ask if there is a better and cheaper solution you can use to save yourself some money. For example, if your furniture is looking a bit worn, before rushing out and spending lots of money on a new set, thinking about spending a fraction of the cost by restoring your old furniture first.

Very few people don't have to worry about money at all. It is the elite minority that has the luxury of never thinking about their bank account balance for both the big and the small. For the rest of us, money is a constant consideration. While we all have different circumstances and resources, everybody finds themselves worrying about money at one point or another. Whether it's affording the necessities or luxuries, having a reserve for when something breaks, or saving up for a holiday, money is always a concern. Using the tips and advice in this guide, you can learn how to plan and improve your financial status to help you leave concerns and worry about money in the past.

How To Handle Stress When You Work In A High Pressure Environment

felix yim — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 23:40:12 +0000

Any job can be stressful at times, even if it’s a job that you love to do. But when stress seems to be constant and chronic, it can quickly and easily become so overwhelming that it’s harmful to your emotional and even physical health. While you can’t always avoid work-related stress entirely, there are steps you can take to manage it better. Here’s how…

Stay Calm

Because we react to stress in a similar way to physical danger, you may notice your palms sweating and a heightened heart rate thanks to the increased adrenaline in your body. This is actually a good thing, because the quicker you identify the signs, the faster you can start dealing with stress by being as calm and collected as possible.
Many people don’t realize or notice it, but stress can also stop your breathing for a number of seconds. So when you start feeling stressed, it’s a good idea to use deep breathing exercises to fill your body up with oxygen, which will slow your heart rate and relax your muscles. You can also try using other forms of calming relaxation such as meditation or yoga. By ensuring you have a calm attitude, it will reduce the effects of chronic stress and also help you to stay focused on your workload.

Take Breaks

Contrary to what many used to believe, taking these breaks from work will actually help to boost productivity rather than decrease it. That’s because these time out periods away from your job will actually help you physically relax and mentally recharge. In fact, studies have shown that taking these occasional breaks enhances productivity while improving decision-making, replenishing energy, and also enhancing creativity and attention spans.

So, make sure that you take a few short breaks to step away from your computer throughout your work day so you can move around a little and let your mind rest. Block out a planned ten minute break on your calendar each day, one during the morning and another during the afternoon, as well as making sure you have time away from your workstation or desk during lunch. Whether you chat with a friendly co-worker, practice relaxation techniques, or go outside for some fresh air, taking breaks is critical to reducing stress.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough quality sleep each night is essential when it comes to dealing with stress, because that’s when our bodies and our brains can recover. While many people may feel that staying awake longer to get more work is more important than a full night of sleep, it actually interferes with productivity, creativity, and focus during the day. So the more rested you are each morning, the better equipped you’ll be to cope with workplace responsibilities and stress.

When you feel tired after sacrificing sleep, it can make even the smallest issue seem like a massive crisis. It will also impair your thought process while generally making you become increasingly irritable. Start building healthier sleeping habits each night by limiting stimulating activities such as caffeine consumption or screen use. Staying off computers and TV in the hour before going to bed will help you fall asleep faster for a better quality of recharging sleep.

Exercise Daily

When you’re constantly concentrating on your workload, it’s very easy to overlook the importance of good physical health. But regular exercise has a well-documented ability to elevate moods by releasing endorphins, which makes it one of the best methods of naturally reducing your stress. So when you’re looking after yourself with regular exercise and good nutritional health, you’ll become physically and mentally stronger, making you more resilient to chronic stress.
Taking good care of yourself doesn’t necessarily mean a completely new lifestyle. There are many ways that you can fit a little extra exercise into your daily schedule, from waking up earlier to go for a jog, to taking a walk during your lunch break, or swimming a few laps in your pool after work. Even the smallest amount of physical movement each day can help reduce your stress, boost your mood, and increase your energy so you start feeling like you’re back in control.

Ask For Help

You shouldn’t try to handle all stressful situations on your own, as there are some high-pressure circumstances which you may need a little bit of help with. So instead of feeling hopelessly stressed and overwhelmed, try talking to someone. Whether they’ve experienced a similar situation or not, simply talking with them about how you feel may be enough to help you get through it all and improve how you feel.

While it may sound pretty easy, talking about it is one of the most effective methods of dealing with stress. Sharing your problems and accepting help from someone you trust can improve how well you manage your current situation as well as helping you deal with stress in the future. If you still feel like you’re overwhelmed with stress after talking with someone, it might be a good idea to talk to a professional therapist. They will be able to help you make behavioural changes and teach you better methods of stress management.

Final Thoughts

Stress is no joke. So if you continually feel overwhelmed at work, practice incorporating the tips above into your life to help you effectively deal with stress and stay calm under pressure.

How to Instil a Strong Culture When Your Team Works Remote

felix yim — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:06:19 +0000

Remote working is more popular than ever before, with companies around the world embracing it in both the short and long-term. The technological advances and solutions available today have made sure that most business operations can continue to function even when employees are physically distant. Remote working isn't without some challenges, though. Some aspects of the workplace can be especially challenging to adapt.

Maintaining a strong company culture is often key to a business's success, unifying staff and better enabling people to work together. A lot of company culture is developed and reinforced by the interactions that occur in a physical workplace that are simply missing when working remotely. Developing and instilling the same culture is still, though, it just requires some extra thought and work.

The Value in Remote Working

Remote working can be a powerful tool for a company to utilise for the benefit of both the business and employees. The main benefit of remote working, either fully or partially, is the ability for employees to work from anywhere. This allows both the employees to benefit from lower costs of living by no longer being tied to a particular location, and it benefits the business by widening the recruitment pool outside of their geographical location. Remote working is also a great way to add flexibility to local workers, enabling them to work from home a few days a week if they require.

Of course, remote working isn't ideal for all working environments, and while it does have many advantages for both employees and employers, it's not without its challenges. Communication is particularly challenging when working remotely as communication methods like video conferences or emails take time to set-up or respond to, causing delays and reducing the fluidity a local working environment enjoys.

Company Culture and Values

Before you can begin to instil a strong culture in a remote working environment, you have to have a well-defined culture and set of values. All companies have a culture, but many haven't taken the time to think about it enough to clearly define what it is. This also gives you a chance to refine the culture and values, shaping them in a direction best suited to the company. Remember, though, that company culture isn't just the property of the company. The employees equally create and contribute to the culture each in their own way. If there is a disparity between the companies envisioned culture and that of the employees, it may be time to redefine the culture.

Once you have a clearly defined idea of what the company's culture and values are, the next step is to communicate that concept. A strong culture cannot develop, especially when working remotely, if it only exists in the minds of senior management. Spend time communicating your culture both internally and externally, shaping your company's image to both staff and the public as a reflection of your culture and values. Pay particular attention to communicating the culture and values to new employees. Entering a new job remotely can easily amplify the problems of integration. Introduce the new hire to everybody, and take extra steps to immerse them in the company's culture.

Communication is Key

Identifying and informing people of the company culture is only a small part of the battle. The bigger hurdle is maintaining the company culture and fostering its growth over time. This is where good communication is critically important. Without strong communication philosophies in place as part of your company culture, any work you do to instil a culture will be wasted.

Start by encouraging an environment of open communication and feedback. Whatever the culture of your company, it will benefit from staff being able to openly communicate and provide feedback on any element of the culture and working environment they like and dislike. Treat communication and feedback with respect and encourage everybody to participate. Be mindful of employees' individuality, though. Not everybody sees things in the same way or communications the same. Taking the time to learn about each employee will better enable you to receive and address feedback. Also, be mindful of the way communicating remotely can change things. People often communicate differently in a video conference, phone call, or email than they would face-to-face. Set your expectations accordingly.

Finally, keep in mind that employees' feedback and communication may be hindered due to missing the "water cooler" effect. This is where employees have a chance of small talk around the, sometimes metaphorical, water cooler. This small talk allows ideas and feedback to be discussed and processed in a casual setting before being presented formally. Do whatever you can to still allow employees the opportunity for private, idle small-talk, e.g. a dedicated instant message channel for chat not related directly to work.

Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is critical to the success of attempts to instil a strong company culture, whether working remotely or not. If employees aren't engaged in the workplace, then they will likely be oblivious to any company culture factors, regardless of what other work you put in. Keeping an eye on employee engagement should be a key part of your strategy for both instilling a strong culture and overall business success.

There are many ways to increase employee engagement when its focus appears to have wandered. Some methods, such as changing work assignments, will require time to implement, while others can be used to engage employees more quickly. The easiest method of increasing engagement is to check-in with employees informally regularly. Requests for formal work updates can lead to additional stress and reduced engagement, but quick informal check-ins can be a great way to keep employees feeling engaged and allows you to be up-to-date on any issues that can be resolved to further increase engagement.

Even once the ongoing global pandemic is over, remote working is likely to continue in various forms long into the future. And no matter how long people have been working remotely, the challenges don't get any easier. Employees and employers are going to have to make a conscious effort to sustain remote working in the long-term. The tips and tricks in this guide may not be a one-stop solution to all remote working challenges, but incorporating them into your business workflow will help to reinforce and develop your company's culture, a vital component in maintaining successful remote working conditions.

What Developers Need To Know ‘Before Agreeing’ To A BYOD Agreement

felix yim — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 03:38:00 +0000

A mobile phone is an essential tool for work these days. With workplace flexibility being greater than ever, people have the capacity to work remotely; be that on the road to clients, from the home office to preserve work/life balance, or even working while on holiday, opening up a broader range of travel and relaxation options, as you would no longer need to wait for downtime between projects.

The question is, though, whether you should use your personal phone for work. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) is an increasingly contentious point of debate, with organizations having different policies on BYOD, and professionals split on whether they want to manage separate devices or use a single device for both personal and professional applications. The pros and cons are there for both.

The concern with BYOD
The big concern that employers have with BYOD is the security of the data. Most organizations have sensitive and proprietary data, whether that’s customer data, unique applications or internal processes, or IP that provides them a competitive advantage. If they lost that to a rival, it could be catastrophic to the business.
There are steps that can be taken to protect data while using the phone, however, there’s more to consider than just the security of the device, too. What happens when the employee leaves work, for example? Some organizations with strict BYOD policies insist on the entire phone being wiped at that point, which would take personal information, contacts, and photos with it.

Other companies are much more flexible and won’t insist on a device-wide wipe and the end of employment. It’s important to read and understand the BYOD policy closely before deciding to use your personal phone for work.

Another consideration is what the phone does to your life and the ability that a BYOD phone has to become a major disruption to your work/life balance. A study found that one in four adults check their phone less than one minute after waking up in the morning. It’s one thing for that action to be to check social media and catch up with friends – though it’s an addiction to technology that’s still not healthy. To allow work to be a part of that process, however, and to start seeing work emails within a couple of minutes of waking up, can become very detrimental to a person’s sense of balance in life.

The benefits of BYOD
Of course, there are significant benefits to BYOD too. The first, and most obvious one is that it’s irritating to carry around multiple phones, and if enterprises are going to take this “work/life balance” approach seriously – as many organizations would like to (because studies show that we’re more productive and available for work for longer hours when we’re not restricted to the 9-5 day), then it is incumbent on them to provide an environment that allows for the fair use of personal devices for the purposes of work.

Another benefit of BYOD is the money saved. An organization doesn’t need to supply phones under BYOD, and the professional can minimize the expense of the phone – either the employer will cover some of the cost of the phone, or the part of the phone used for the purposes of work becomes a tax incentive. In this way, many professionals are able to justify the purchase of a higher-end phone, which allows them to work better, and also enjoy their phone more.

Finally, there’s the familiarity to consider. When an employee is using their own phone, they’re much more comfortable with it. They selected the phone because they like the interface and design, and have customized and tailored it to their preferences. What this translates to is greater levels of productivity with the phone when also using it for work. 49 percent of employees say that they’re more productive when using their own device.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
It would seem that BYOD is the way forward. The benefits do outweigh the risks, and it is something that both employers and employees prefer. The challenge is in how it’s managed. Employers do need to be cognizant that a BYOD device is that employee’s personal possession, and they need to respect that. At the same time, the employee needs to understand the sensitivities of their employer and be willing to cede a little control over their phone by way of agreeing to the BYOD policy so that they can enjoy the benefits of rolling their work and personal devices into one.

6 Things You Should Know Before Launching Your First Product

felix yim — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 03:31:40 +0000

From the biggest corporations to the smallest start-ups, launching a new product is always a time of uncertainty and risk. There are no guarantees when presenting something new to the world, and it is rare to get a second chance if the product doesn't see the reception that was hoped for.

No formula will ensure a product launch goes on without a hitch, but there are a few things that can be done to help increase the chances. Here are a few of the techniques that can be utilised to help make a new product launch as smooth as it possibly can be.

Don't Underestimate The Power of Marketing

Marketing is a vital part of any business, whether launching a new product or supporting an existing one. Marketing is the way businesses reach and inform consumers about their products. It is also an expensive endeavour, making it easy to be one of the first cutbacks when pre-revenue on a new product. Resist that urge, though. While marketing may swallow a large chunk of a product launch budget, it's a hugely powerful tool in making a launch successful.

Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Sales Director of Crystal Bathrooms, stresses the importance of a good digital marketing strategy in developing a strong consumer relationship: ”As technology becomes a significant part of everyday life, it helps us establish brand awareness and credibility towards potential clients. Digital marketing allows us to reach and engage with our target audience and ensure them that we deliver high-quality services through our contents and customer support.”

Test Ideas with an MVP

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the most basic version of a product that you can release to the marketplace. An MVP is free from any of the luxury and advanced features that aren't essential to a product's purpose. In some cases, an MVP is a spin-off product, related to the final idea, but on a much smaller scale and scope.

MVPs are a great way to test a product ideas market viability before investing significant time and resources into its development. Google benefitted from the MVP concept when trialling AdWords Express—a system designed to generate automated ad-copy for customers—by first having students write the copy behind the scenes. This model allowed them to first test if the idea was something consumers were interested in before investing the money and resources to develop the product further.

Communicate with Customers

Customers will ultimately make or break a new product. It doesn't matter how reliable, innovative, or competitively priced a product is if customers aren't interested and engaged it will fail. Communicating with customers, whether they are customers of previous products or new leads developed through marketing, is crucial to developing and launching a product consumers are going to want to buy.

Bree Bensley, National Marketing Manager of Narellan Pools, talks about how engaging with customers is a key component in Narellan Pools success: “Our client engagement strategy relies on an effective digital marketing presence. Being able to communicate with prospective and current clients through several digital touch-points ensures that we can be there to inspire, connect, and help them, no matter what stage of the buying journey they’re at.”

Establish Goals and Metrics

Every product launch is unique. Even when the product is a new iteration of an existing product that is tried and tested in the marketplace, the launch will be a unique experience. To determine the success of a launch, various goals and metrics will need to be set to measure the success against. With every product and launch being unique, however, it's of paramount importance that the goals and metrics for the measurement of success are unique too. Once the measurements for success have been established, they should be consulted regularly and remain unaltered throughout the launch.

Leverage Your Network

Networks of contacts, both professional and personal, are a hugely powerful tool when it comes to trying to get the word out about a new product. Leveraging the personalities and skillsets of a network can aid a product launch by filling in gaps and overcoming blocks. A good network can also help to simply get the word out, putting the product in front of the right eyes to develop interest and excitement.

Get Ready to Pivot Your Plans

A new product launch can be a particularly turbulent time in a businesses' lifespan. It's unfeasible to anticipate every change that may be required to a product, its marketing, or its launch plans while introducing it to the world for the first time. Factors both internal and external to the business can have a huge impact on the success of a launch. It's impossible to avoid disruptions to a launch, but the ability to adapt and pivot plans will enable a business to keep a launch on track regardless of the issues that arise.

Launching a new product is one part science, one part art, and a touch of luck. New products, by their very nature, are untested in the marketplace and therefore it's impossible to tell what consumers' reaction will be. The tips and techniques in this guide aren't a magic solution to guarantee a smooth and successful product launch, but they will set you on the right track.

6 In-Demand Tech Skills That Don't Require Coding

felix yim — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 01:18:52 +0000

Tech companies are well known as some of the best places you can work. But if you don't have any experience with coding or a background in data, you might think that there's no place for you. But there is a wide range of jobs for people who don't know anything about programming. The following are some of the most in-demand tech jobs that you can get without any coding skills at all.

Header Data Analyst

Software development isn't just developers creating what the end user tells them. Bridging the gap between clients and developers, data analysts are required to gain a solid understanding of what the end-user wants the product to do. Utilising the results they extract from raw data helps them to identify issues, facts, and rising trends regarding their products. Data analysts will then be able to establish a list of tasks that developers will be able to address individually to create a product that will benefit customers.

Header Micro Soldering Expert

Micro soldering will become a huge role in the not too distant future. Everything is getting increasingly smaller, and because manufacturers are using less space, they're starting to stack internal boards to allow for more room. Learning how to work on component level installations and read schematics can be applied to every piece of electronic equipment, and is an important skill for repairing iPhones. With the age of IOT expanding and 5G internet already being rolled out globally, everything will soon have a computer inside so the demand for micro soldering experts is set to skyrocket.

Header Technical Copywriter Or Journalist

If you already have talent with writing, technical writing may be for you. From programs to products, everything in the tech industry usually needs extensive, useful, and concise content for documentation. Whether it's developer requirements, technical reports, product specifications, or customer instructions for use, they all need technical documents to be written. Tech journalism, on the other hand, requires similar skills to technical copywriting and has boomed significantly as the industry has grown. From interviewing new tech start-ups, to creating simple tutorials for complex ideas, or reviewing hardware for the end user, there are plenty of things that need writing about when it comes to tech.

Header SEO/SEM Specialist

With literally billions of web searches carried out every single day, optimising content for search engines to boost organic ranking and create traffic that converts still matters as much today as it did 20 years ago. Every company looking to succeed in the 21st century will need at least one Search Engine Optimisation or Marketing Specialist to plan, implement and manage the overall SEO strategy. Their roles will usually include web marketing and analytics, as well as strategic planning for content, keywords, and link building. SEO/SEM Specialist positions would suit anyone with an interest or experience with research, analysis, and an overall knowledge of how search engines operate.

Header Social Media Marketer

Everyone understands the power of social media today when it comes to client engagement and communication, which is why each company needs to be marketing themselves on these platforms. If you have experience with successfully building a following on social media, with excellent people skills and an understanding of trending topics, these digital talents will put you in high demand in this growing area. Remember, though that the social media landscape of marketing and algorithms are always constantly evolving, so you must stay on top of these changes.

Header Graphic Designer

If you're artistic and want to get involved in the tech industry, you might want to consider graphic design. Because graphic design requires no coding at all, and while coding might be considered more art than science, graphic design is almost exclusively about art. There are several areas graphic designers can specialise in, from ad design to brand imaging, or even web page layout. You could design packaging for corporations that produce physical products, or you might design the products themselves like custom-made engagement rings or the very latest smartphone accessories. Or you could become a freelancer and do a little bit of all different styles of graphic design.

Header Final Thoughts

Learning how to code and program software is a great skill, but if you don't like the idea of coding, you can still find a job in the tech space. As you can see above, there is an ever-expanding number of careers you can pursue in the tech sector, as long as you're willing to work hard, increase your skill set, and prove your worth.

Why Programming is a Non-Negotiable Skill in a Tech First World

felix yim — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 04:20:50 +0000

Almost every single company in the world uses technology in at least some aspect of their business. Regardless of the industry, technology has permeated our work lives in many different ways just like it has our personal lives.

The demand for tech specialist jobs within businesses across the world has skyrocketed, and they are now some of the most promising and in-demand career paths. But demand isn't just for dedicated tech specialists in development and support roles.

As companies come to rely more and more on technology for mission-critical systems, they expect their staff to have basic tech groundings and skills that most people weren't even aware of a few years ago. Developing these skills will not only make you more attractive to your current and future employers but will help you to develop a number of related skills that can be applied to all aspects of life.

Making You A Better Problem Solver

Problem-solving is a critical thinking skill applicable to any job in any career path. Problem-solving comes in many shapes and forms from solving mission-critical issues to talking to potential customers. No matter how repetitive and monotonous your job may seem, you can be sure that there is some degree of problem-solving involved in the work, and programming can help you refine those skills.

Programming may seem almost like magic at times, but once you have learnt the basics of a language you will quickly come to discover it's all really just about logic and problem-solving. The problem-solving starts at the most basic level with isolating what exactly is the problem to be solved and designing an overall solution to solve it, but it doesn't end there. Each stage of the software development process from coding the solution to figuring out improvements and optimisations is all about problem-solving.

Another great skill programming forces you to develop is splitting a problem up into its constituent parts, tackling large and overwhelming problems in small, isolated functions.

Reduces the Frustration In Using Technology

Modern technology can sometimes be infuriating to use. Simple tasks that should be incredibly quick and easy often spiral out-of-control due to vague errors or unintuitive workflows.

Programming won't make you an expert at operating your computer, mobile, or tablet—even the best programmers have to call IT support on occasion—but it will make your life easier. Once you have a greater understanding of the underlying systems and methodology that were used as the building blocks of your devices and software, everything becomes a lot less frustrating. Even when things are going wrong, and there is nothing you can do directly to fix the error, having a better understanding of what is causing the error can go a long way to reduce frustrations. That understanding can also be a major bonus when it comes to communicating the issue to the relevant support departments; the ability to communicate in the same jargon and language as the developers is guaranteed to make communication smoother and faster.

Allows You to Build and Prototype Your Own Ideas

Computer systems may seem magic at times, but at the end of the day, they are simply just a tool we all use to make our work easier and faster. Programming is the skill set that allows us to manipulate that tool effectively. Computers can do some amazing things; automating parts of your daily workflow can save hundreds of hours throughout the year. The ability the program opens up the door, giving you the ability to quickly build and prototype ideas and scripts, testing and confirming their effectiveness before spending the money and resources on full-scale development.

Makes You A Better Leader

The ability to communicate effectively is a core skill of being a manager. An MBA (Masters of Business Administration) is a popular qualification amongst CEOs and industry leaders, and its core teaching is the ability to communicate effectively between the numerous different departments and disciplines required to run and operate a business.

“Those that succeed are the ones who are quick to read and act on signs of change. They work out how to experiment rapidly, frequently, and economically—not only with products and services but also with business models, processes, and strategies.” - Elias Haddad, Company Director of Cheapest Load of Rubbish, Australia’s Leading Rubbish Removal Service.

With technology dominating so many critical aspects of a business, being able to effectively communicate with the technical departments is an important skill to manage them effectively, ensuring they have the resources they require to do their job.

Future Proofs Your Career

Almost every single job and career involves working with technology at some level, and as time moves on so does technology and it will only become more and more embedded in our work lives.

The ability to program alone will not suddenly open up new doors to a tech-related career, but it will make you more valuable to your current employer, and give you an edge when it comes time to apply for promotions or look at moving companies.

The tech world is forever changing and evolving, and it can seem overwhelming to start from scratch without any prior knowledge, but it's easier than you'd think to jump in and start learning. Many resources are available for people of all skill levels from free online and interactive courses to paid intensive boot camps designed to give you a fast-paced crash course with in-person tuition. Whatever your career, experience, or skill level, there has never been a better time to start learning, develop new skills, and advance your career.