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November 2017
The Perfect Holiday Thanksgiving :
Thanksgiving has always been one of my absolute favorite holidays. Not only because of the incredible food, but because, to me, it perfectly embodies what a holiday should be about. Sure, I love Christmas and the other big holidays, but today, pretty much every annual celebration has become heavily commercialized and surrounded by a bunch of extra “fluff.” In the midst of all that unneeded noise, it can be easy to get distracted from the days’ original meaning. But Thanksgiving is simple. It centers on nothing more than the essentials: family, friends, and a meal.
(baby squid in black ink sauce — yum) and other types of fish. I always appreciated the shift. After eating two whole traditional turkey dinners, it was a delicious and welcome change. Back then, it was an awesome day of catching up with family from all sides, but it was also incredibly overwhelming. Some years, I could hardly stand it, complaining to my parents that I couldn’t keep up this crazy Thanksgiving pace. When my mom and dad’s parents, the glue of the whole operation, passed away, the tradition slowly dissolved and I found myself missing the chaos. These days, the holiday is a much smaller affair, with fewer members of the extended family around the table. There’s a small sense of sadness that comes along with that loss of tradition and seeing people drift out of our lives as we’ve grown apart. But don’t get me wrong. Thanksgiving is still always a fantastic time for catching up and reconnecting with the people we care about. Usually, we host it at our house, inviting my wife’s side of the family and my parents if they’re in town. Everybody chats and laughs over the traditional fare: roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and my favorite, sweet potatoes. Though, I have to say, I do miss the squid and fish. Beyond giving all of us a chance to slow down and spend some quality time together, Thanksgiving provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the past year and really consider the many things for which we’re grateful. This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful, as always, to have such a happy and healthy family supporting me every step of the way, a business that I’m passionate about, and, of course, the many awesome clients upon whom we depend to make MicroTech possible. Oh, and on a less serious note, I’m glad I got this new standing desk, which really helps break up the day from just sitting or staying on my feet. Sometimes, it’s the little things.
Well, I say Thanksgiving is simple, but it wasn’t always that way for my family and me. When I was a little younger and all my extended family
resided here within the Treasure Valley, we used to have to split the big day between three different groups. First, we’d visit my mom’s side of the family a little before noon to chow down with them. Then, once we’d scarfed down Thanksgiving dinner No. 1, my wife
“Beyond giving all of us a chance to slowdownand spend some quality time together, Thanksgiving provides uswith the opportunity to reflect on the past year and really consider themany things forwhichwe’re grateful.”
and I would hurry over to her parents’ house in
the midafternoon for round two. Once that was through and we’d sufficiently caught
up with them, we’d cruise on over to the get-together for my dad’s side of the family around dinnertime. On that side, my family’s all Basque, so the spread usually had a few unusual added items, most notably tximinoiak
–Randy Amorebieta
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day. Save yourself some cash and book a hotel within walking distance of where your meetings will be held. Plus, after sitting in meetings all day, a brisk walk outside can do wonders for your health.
The Global Business Travel Association estimates around 488 million Americans fly for business every year. There are millions of conferences, meetings, and continuing education courses across the country. These trips are important, but getting to them can be a pain. If you were exhausted by your last business trip, here are some tricks to make the next one easier. FLY THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY WITH TSA PRECHECK One of the most trying parts of airline travel is the time- consuming experience of the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA. Long lines inch slowly along as you hurry to remove your shoes, empty your pockets, and locate all the liquids in your carry-on luggage. Say farewell to this headache with TSA Precheck. Travelers who qualify for TSA Precheck don’t have to remove their shoes, jacket, or belt; electronics and any 3-1-1 liquids remain in your carry-on; and the line is much shorter. In some cases, flyers wait a mere five minutes in TSA Precheck compared to 80 minutes in the standard security line. Learn how to apply at tsa.gov/tsa-precheck. BOOK A HOTEL NEAR YOUR MEETINGS Transportation fees can take a hefty chunk out of your travel budget, even after you step off the plane. Business Travel News’ 2015 Corporate Travel Index estimated travelers drop an average of $46.89 per day on their rental car. Even rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft can add up fast when you use them to get back and forth between your hotel and the conference center each
Business Travel Better How to Make
EAT RIGHT AND SLEEP WELL When you’re in a rush to get from the hotel to your meeting, you might be tempted to grab a donut from the coffee shop. Resist the urge! You don’t need to add to the stress of the trip by falling into unhealthy habits. Don’t let your diet become nothing but fast food. Pack an extra water bottle, avoid alcohol or heavy foods before a flight, and get enough sleep each night.
Until teleportation technology like that in “Star Trek” becomes a reality, traveling for work will continue to be a hassle. But if you’re smart and well-prepared, it doesn’t have to be something to dread.
See What Our Customers Are Saying November Testimonials
“We have been using MicroTech for six months, and I wish we would have made the change earlier. They respond to tickets in a timely manner and have helped us ensure that our systems are running as efficiently as possible. The staff is friendly and professional. I would highly recommend MicroTech to anyone looking for a new IT company.” –Jason S. “I have enjoyed working with MicroTech for several years. In particular, Joe at MicroTech is prompt, professional, and a joy to work with. When I call in for assistance, he has my system
up and running within minutes of my call. He is very good at solving IT problems, no matter how big or small they turn out to be. That alone has earned some respect.” –Karren H.
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The Most Destructive Malware of All Time
document, the Trojan begins its attack on the computer. By posing as a legit company, the ransomware uses social engineering to trick the user into performing the required actions. WANNACRY RANSOMWARE The most destructive ransomware thus far has struck over 150 countries and over 100,000 organizations, including major corporations and government agencies. Initially introduced to systems via phishing emails, WannaCry spread using a known Windows vulnerability. Like Cryptolocker, victims find their information restricted unless they pay the ransom. Unlike previous ransomware varieties, WannaCry uses a worm to infect systems and then spreads through the user’s entire network. It can be tough to avoid a malware attack, especially with the social engineering aspect. The best you can do is have a good industry standard firewall that screens for malware, make sure you get your Windows updates installed, have a good antivirus program, and BACK UP YOUR DATA! Roasted Parmesan PESTO POTATOES It only takes 3 ingredients to make these crispy, flavorful potatoes. They’re the perfect side dish for any meal.
All malware is dangerous, but there are a few threats that stand out above the rest when it comes to inflicting major damage. Here are some of the worst malware of all time. CIH VIRUS The CIH virus, also known as the Chernobyl virus, first emerged in 1998. It worked by wiping data from the hard drives of infected devices and overwriting the BIOS chip within the computer, rendering the device unusable. BIOS chips were not removable on many PCs at that time, which meant users had to replace their entire motherboard. Creator Chen Ing Hau was never imprisoned or fined for his virus, and he was actually offered a job at a software company because of his creation. CRYPTOLOCKER TROJAN The Cryptolocker Trojan, created in 2013, is a ransomware that encrypts its victims’ hard drives and then demands payment before the files are unlocked. The Trojan enters the user’s system through email, in a message supposedly sent by a logistics company. Once the user opens the email’s zipped file and provides the password for the enclosed PDF
Have a Laugh!
Ingredients
• •
Salt and pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
•
2 pounds red potatoes, quartered 2 tablespoons basil pesto
•
Directions
3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to large baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast 20 minutes and remove from oven.
evenly over potatoes and put pan back in the oven. Roast for additional 10–15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crispy. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.
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Inside
Thanksgiving: The Perfect Holiday
Don’t Dread Your Next Business Trip
November Testimonials
The Most Destructive Malware of All Time
Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes
Change Unwanted Behavior With ‘The Power of Habit’
‘The Power of Habit’ Gives You the Tools to Change Unwanted Behavior
Habits affect us in every aspect of our lives, from our offices to our houses. Whether it’s nail biting, eating too many sweets, or putting off tasks until the last minute, we all have habits we wish we could break. But how do you escape a behavior you know little about? In his book “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,” New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg examines the structure of habit, its underlying causes, and the impact of habit on our careers and personal lives. The first part of “The Power of Habit” investigates what Duhigg calls the “habit loop.” This loop comprises the cue (the situation that leads to habitual behavior), the routine (the behavior itself), and the reward (the feeling of satisfaction provided by the behavior). Breaking down this loop, Duhigg argues, is the key to altering behavior. If you don’t understand the “why” for an action, it becomes much harder to escape that action itself. “Once you break a habit into its components,” Duhigg writes, “you can fiddle with the gears.” From there, Duhigg zooms out to take a look at the habits of successful organizations. As a business owner, the habits you instill in your staff go a long way in determining the success of your company. Duhigg looks at organizations ranging from huge corporations like Target to the more intimate structure of NFL teams. If you’re not creating positive
habits in your staff, you’re not doing your all as a leader. If you notice a way to replace a bad operational habit with a good one, you’ll improve productivity and employee happiness. Finally, in one of the most instructive sections in any book in recent memory, Duhigg details four steps to changing any habit. First, you pinpoint the routine. Then, you interrogate the reward you receive
from that routine. After that, you isolate the situations that cue your behavior. Finally, you make a plan to change the behavior. Self-belief is a huge part of this process. As Duhigg says, “You have to actually believe in your capacity to change for habits to permanently change.” With the tools and examples Charles Duhigg details in “The Power of Habit,” you’ll be able to take control of actions you thought were unbreakable. In both business and life, there’s hardly a more valuable asset.
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