Are You Prepared for the End?
Execute Strategy and Kill Stagnancy
How the End of Windows 7 Leaves You at Risk
3 Tips for Every Business Leader
Are you still running on Windows 7? If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated at least 39% of all PCs, both at home and in the workplace, still use Microsoft Windows 7. And all of these computers will be at risk next year. On Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will end support for Windows 7. New features stopped being added for Windows 7 back in 2015, but 2020 marks the system’s end-of-life phase. This means there will be no more patches or updates released to address any security issues that may threaten Windows 7 in the future. Any PCs still operating on Windows 7 will be vulnerable to new threats. In 2017, the massive WannaCry ransomware attack swept the globe, crippling businesses, universities, hospitals, and governments. This attack targeted 200,000 computers running Windows systems that had not received a recent security patch. Computers running Windows systems that were past their end-of-life phase, such as Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, were especially vulnerable. The WannaCry attack was a huge wakeup call about the importance of installing updates and security patches as they are released. It’s estimated that the WannaCry ransomware attack caused millions, if not billions, of dollars’ worth of damages. Security experts warn that WannaCry won’t be the last major cyberattack to target vulnerable systems on a massive scale. If you continue to use Windows 7 after its end-of-life phase, you are putting yourself, your company, and your reputation at risk. This system is still a fond favorite, but familiarity and convenience is no excuse for leaving your computers vulnerable. The smart move is to upgrade to a new operating system today. Need help protecting yourself for when Windows 7 goes under? Call 804- 730-2628 now. Our team at Sklar Technology Partners can help you come up with a comprehensive plan to upgrade your systems and help you avoid the next big digital disaster.
“To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed ... Execution is worth millions.” –Steve Jobs
Anyone can take this advice to heart, whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Ideas are easy, but no one becomes successful because they had a great idea. Success comes from putting that idea into action. Being able to execute a plan is a skill every business leader needs. Here are three steps to help you improve your execution. 1. Ditch Perfection Have you ever watched a behind-the-scenes featurette of your favorite movie? Some of the most successful films were all but unrecognizable in their early phases. In fact, a lot of early concepts are terrible. Look up the original designs for Woody in “Toy Story” to see for yourself. Fortunately, rather than wait for the perfect script, creators executed their visions and make changes as needed. Putting off action in favor of creating the perfect plan or strategy leads to stagnant business. Successful people know that plans take many shapes before they reach their final form. Don’t jump into something without a clear plan, but don’t be afraid to define your strategy as you go. There’s a reason audiences won’t be flocking to theaters to watch the latest galactic adventures of Luke Starkiller this December. 2. Be Methodical While you shouldn’t wait for the perfect plan, you shouldn’t be flying in blind, either. You can be too energetic about execution. Make sure everyone involved in a plan knows their responsibilities. Confusion will torpedo any strategy faster than you can say, “Who was in charge of this?” The Harvard Business Review states, “Having the discipline to organize people, assemble resources, and then generate a plan that others can commit to will collectively improve execution.” 3. Evaluate, Evaluate, Evaluate We’re not saying you should micromanage your team, but you do need to be checking in on a regular basis to evaluate progress on your plan. Schedule monthly or quarterly meetings to go over the strategy. This is where you look for any changes that need to be made and refine the strategy. A smart strategy feels reassuring, but learning to execute a plan is the only way to make progress. The best business plan in the world is worthless if you never follow through.
Windows 7 is reaching its end of life phase on Jan. 14, 2020. Will your systems still be protected from ransomware attacks? Call 804-730-2628 to find out!
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