Broadleaf Services - December 2019

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YOUR MANAGED SERVICES PARTNER

December 2019

‘Tis the Season for Phishing

How to Discern a Fake Email From an Authentic One

questions. Be wary of misspelled words, misused words, odd punctuation, and grammatical errors — although these emails have become much more linguistically correct over the years. If a cybercriminal does gain access to your information, it can be very time- consuming and expensive to stop. Individuals and businesses can lose thousands of dollars. During the holiday season, these criminals get especially creative in finding tempting and convincing ways to turn happy holidays into bah humbug! What You Can Do When you receive email messages, or sometimes phone calls, the best way to protect yourself is to visit the company’s website directly in your browser, manually typing the address (not using the link) or by calling the company directly. Informed users are the best defense against hackers. To that end, Broadleaf offers ongoing training for companies. This includes user testing to ensure the training was practical. We have also worked with our email partners, such as Microsoft Office 365, to ensure we have secure email rules and configurations set up to assist in catching these threats before they reach the intended recipient. Finally, Broadleaf Services also offers 24/7 help-desk support should you be uncertain about the legitimacy of an email you receive.

supposedly informs you of a required password update but then directs you to another site that requests personal and often financial information. Or the fake email may impersonate a C-level person at a company and ask an employee there to wire money to an account when, in fact, the account belongs to the cybercriminal. Sender Email Address Even if the email initially looks familiar and legitimate, it is always a good idea to hover your mouse over the contact name and look at the full email address of the sender. Be wary of any discrepancies. Also, be sure to check the email header information and where the email came from. If they don’t match, you’re at risk. Email Content Look at the subject line closely. If it seems written to worry you, scare you, or to require urgent action, it probably is a scam! Some examples of these subject lines are, “Your account has been suspended,” or “I need your help.” Others might say “Urgent Action Required” or “Missed Delivery Attempt.” The scam email may include links you should never click on. To verify, hover your mouse over the link. A small box will pop up that shows the actual URL the link is directing you to. If it looks even remotely suspicious or unrelated to the sender, don’t click. Be wary of any email asking for personal information, and look at the content of the email. If it contains too much industry jargon, don’t respond to any

‘Tis the season, and holiday sales are making their way into pop-up ads and emails. Although most of them are well- intentioned, email phishing is one of the most threatening seasonal security challenges. Cybercriminals attempt to take advantage of our expectations to receive giveaways, discounts, and e-cards and our habit of spending more money than we normally do. In the past, cybercriminals would send out blanket emails to hundreds of people, hoping to trick as many as possible into falling for their scams. Today, criminals send very targeted emails to potential victims. They use all the tools at their disposal, much as a corporate salesperson does, to find out as much personal information as possible in order to target the individual or company. They use Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more to find names, job titles, addresses, email addresses, neighbors, colleagues, and friends in their attempts to target their phishing emails. Cybercriminals often impersonate easily recognized corporations like Amazon and Microsoft or another company you might have an account with, like your bank or a credit union. They may send a phishing email that

–Ty Cornwall

BroadleafServices.com | 978-362-0500

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

DELEGATE TO ELEVATE

Poor delegation is the Achilles’ heel of most leaders, who often confuse being “involved” with being “essential.” To determine if you’re holding on to work you should delegate out, the Harvard Business Review (HBR) recommends asking this simple question: “If you had to take an unexpected week off work, would your initiatives and priorities advance in your absence?” If your answer is no or you aren’t sure, then you’re probably too involved. No one person should be the cog that keeps everything in motion, no matter their position in the company. Luckily, HBR has created an audit using the following six T’s to identify which tasks can be delegated. Tiny: Small tasks that stack up can undermine the flow of your work. Registering for a conference, putting it on the calendar, and booking the flight are all small tasks someone else can handle. Tedious: These tasks are straightforward but not the best use of your time. Someone else can input lists into spreadsheets or update key performance indicators for a presentation. Time-Consuming: These important, complex tasks don’t require you to do the first 80% of the work. Identify what they are, pass them to someone else, and step in for the final 20% to give approval. Teachable: Is there a task only you know how to do? If so, teach someone else to do it, and step in for the last quality check when it’s done. Terrible At: It’s okay to be bad at some things. Great leaders know when to pass tasks off to someone who is more skilled than they are. The task will get done faster and at a much higher quality. Time-Sensitive: These tasks need to get done right now but are competing with tasks of a higher priority. Just because it has to get done immediately doesn’t mean you have to be the one to do it. Sure, some tasks only you can accomplish, but these are extremely rare. As the Virgin Group founder Richard Branson warns, needlessly resisting delegation is the path to disaster. “You need to learn to delegate so that you can focus on the big picture,” Branson says. “It’s vital to the success of your business that you learn to hand off those things that you aren’t able to do well.” The Secret to Being a Great Leader

“You have the power to change your behaviors,” says Susan Fowler, “but to be successful in changing, you need an evidenced-based framework for motivation and techniques for applying it.” In her new book, “Master Your Motivation: Three Scientific Truths for Achieving Your Goals,” Fowler synthesizes her decades of research into a guide that provides such a framework. In the process, she overturns countless widely held myths about what motivates us. Fowler believes the traditional carrot-and-stick approach to motivation (a combination of reward and punishment to induce a desired behavior) results from our perception of motivation as being either intrinsic or extrinsic. “Simplifying motivations into two types presents a conundrum when you aren’t intrinsically motivated,” she writes. “Your only fallback position is extrinsic motivation.” In other words, just by thinking about motivation as intrinsic versus extrinsic, you’ve already set yourself up to fail. To really motivate yourself and others, she argues, you need to think about motivation in different terms. Thankfully for the reader, Fowler defines an alternative framework for motivation. In what amounts to the book’s thesis, she states, “To master your motivation, create choice, connection, and competence.” When you measure motivation across these three factors, which are the result of rigorous academic research rather than folksy conventional wisdom, you unlock the power of motivation. It’s not hard to see how Fowler’s framework is much more actionable than traditional motivational techniques. Creating intrinsic motivation, especially for others, is a mug’s game, but defining choice, connection, and competence is much less ambiguous. If you have team members who you feel lack motivation, ask yourself if their jobs have these three essential traits. Do they have agency (choice) in their work? Do they generate meaning (connection) from what they do? Do they get a sense of accomplishment (competence) from doing something well? If you can’t answer all three of these in the affirmative, you can create a plan for increasing motivation that doesn’t involve empty metrics or meaningless rewards. If you or your team could use a proverbial kick in the pants, the solution might be to ignore those proverbs entirely. “Master Your Motivation” takes a refreshing look at what makes us strive for more. It’s a great addition to any leadership library. A Science-Based Approach to Achieving More SUSAN FOWLER’S ‘MASTER YOUR MOTIVATION’

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We believe that small businesses can have a positive impact on local communities and the wider world. A successful charity campaign can make a world of difference for people in need, especially over the holidays. But not all charitable organizations are created equal, and supporting the wrong organization can do more harm than good. Here are some tips on finding the best fit for your business. Align Missions When narrowing down the thousands of local and national charities you have to choose from, comparing the mission statements of these organizations to your own is a great place to start. Charities that align with or complement your own goals as a business are natural partners. Still, while matching big-picture goals is a great start, you also need to make sure your chosen organization aligns with the heart and soul of your business: your employees and customers. is a cause that stems from the needs and passions of people connected to your work. Maybe a member of your team lives with a disability or a significant number of your customers face social, cultural, or economic challenges. Putting time, money, and effort into supporting a reputable organization that helps the people and communities connected to your business is one of the best ways to show you care. HAVE A Laugh Choosing the Right Charity How Your Business Can Give Back the Right Way And Human Connections The most powerful charity work your business can support

Check Credentials Good intentions only go so far. To really make your charity efforts count and ensure your donations are used appropriately, you need to do some research. Thankfully, organizations like the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, and GuideStar.org keep data on IRS-registered charities, making it easy to see which groups are reputable. In general, you should look for organizations that have a great track record of transparency and make all of their financial information readily available. Remember the ‘Why’ If you’re just looking for a tax write-off or good publicity, charity efforts are going to feel hollow and frustrating. More than anything, philanthropy should involve a cause your business is passionate about — no matter how big or small. Taking the time to remind yourself why you’ve chosen to support a particular cause will keep you from losing sight of what giving back is all about. PUZZLE

978-362-0500

Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com

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Inside This Edition

‘Tis the Season for Phishing

A Better Way to Think About Motivation

What Great Leaders Have in Common

Choosing the Right Charity

Have a Laugh

Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas

Don’t Get Lost in the Bustle 3 Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas

unexpected holiday greeting could keep your business in mind as they go about their holiday shopping.

Decorate your website for the season. Your customers are already in the holiday spirit, so why not indulge them with some seasonal trappings on your website? Festive holiday touches to your company logo or new webpages recommending holiday gift ideas can go a long way to attract customer attention. You don’t have to be the flashiest display on the block, but showing off your holiday spirit will spread cheer and goodwill. Create gift card giveaways or incentives. Gift cards, even digital ones, are more popular than ever around the holiday season. In one survey, 43% of respondents said they planned on giving gift cards or certificates in lieu of other holiday presents. With 1 in 4 gift cards sold in the last four days leading up to Christmas, these ideal presents make the perfect last-minute marketing tool. Offer gift card incentives or giveaways for your loyal customers. They can make the perfect present for them and, in turn, your business.

If you haven’t capitalized on the holiday season for your business’s marketing campaign yet,

don’t worry, because you still have time! Even if you’re still a long sleigh ride away from finishing your own holiday to-do list, you can ensure your business flourishes this season with a few last-minute marketing ideas for the holidays. Send season’s greetings to loyal customers. Even if your Christmas or holiday-themed cards don’t mail on time, you can still send personalized emails or social media messages to let your customers know you’re thinking of them this holiday season. Established customers can be responsible for up to 40% of a business’s sales, and your