Responding to COVID-19 together

As the world responds to the outbreaks of COVID-19 in various ways, many people and organizations are doing what they can to help others. Microsoft is working to ensure the safety of its employees, protect the health and well-being of its communities, and provide technology and resources to its customers—many of whom are now working remotely. Have a look at the compilation of resources that address the four areas in which Microsoft has prioritized its assistance: remote working, education, community support, and technical support. If you have extenuating needs right now, be sure to look for support that might be available.

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Promoting Workplace Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19

There's plenty of information—everywhere—on how to safeguard our physical health during this COVID-19 situation. But what about mental and emotional health; how do we make sure we're addressing those needs? Elizabeth Bille and Erin McClintock, in their blog for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), share solid strategies both for organizations and for ourselves. One important element in alleviating stress with your employees is maintaining flexibility in the workplace. "One of the biggest stressors for many employees is the well-being of those they may care for. Those with children are likely concerned about how to handle school or daycare closures; employees who care for older adults may have increased responsibilities given the CDC's advice that those populations stay home," writes Bille and McClintock. Help employees navigate these concerns by providing flexible work arrangements, such as virtual check-ins, telecommuting, flex-scheduling and other plans that may help relieve them of some of their worry. These are extenuating times—look to offer extenuating flexibility and support to your employees. As with any global health scare, it's natural that people may experience an increase in fear and anxiety. We know from previous epidemics that quarantine has impacted people's mental health, and thus we have a responsibility to address this topic—to make it just as vital and attention-garnering as the physical health component. Read the rest of this article to learn about more ways you can support mental health in the workplace during especially stressful times.

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Security Is Not Privacy

Do you know the difference between security and privacy? Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are quite different. And both are crucial to business longevity. Check out this thought leadership article to help you get started.

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Technology: How it Benefits Small Business

The role of technology in business has led to tremendous growth in trade and commerce. Business concepts and models have been revolutionized from today's innovative technologies. What business doesn't want to streamline accounting, manage costs better, and connect with customers in a more immediate and authentic way? In this article, you'll learn about a wide range of new technology solutions that can be key enablers of growth and expansion.

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How Online Collaboration Tools Could Help Your Business

It's no secret that teamwork is one of the key ingredients to a successful business. But in today's interconnected, wireless world, teams don't necessarily need to be in the same location to make teamwork work—that is, as long as each team member is equipped with the right tools for collaborating and communicating on a project. So how do you determine which tools are right for your organization and teams, and what should you look for when evaluating prospective solutions? Read this Lifewire article, "The Benefits of Online Collaboration Tools," to see what author Gabriela Warren feels are the greatest benefits of adopting such tools and, by extension, what features you should look for when shopping around.

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Investing in a CRM solution? Follow these 7 steps for a successful implementation.

For many organizations and their management teams, the mere mention of customer relationship management (CRM) inspires immediate fear and disillusionment. Far too numerous are the stories from companies across all industries about failed implementations, wasted money and time, and overly frustrated sales executives. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to a Forbes article entitled "Seven Steps For Successful CRM Implementation." In the article, author Marc Emmer asserts that past frustrations and failures with CRM implementation have little to do with technology, and more to do with the culture of the organization attempting to implement it. Read the full article to discover what Mr. Emmer feels are the seven keys to successfully deploying and utilizing CRM.

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Millennials Trade Benefits for Flexible Work Options

Graphic highlights a statistic showing that most millennials favor flexible work options over benefits.

6 ways you're getting teamwork wrong

All it takes to put together a winning team is finding the most talented people possible, assigning them to the same project, telling them the requirements and deadline, and then letting them run wild...right? Not so, says Sharon Florentine--in fact, far from it. In her article for CIO magazine entitled "6 ways you're getting teamwork wrong," Ms. Florentine draws a clear distinction between assumption and reality when it comes to teamwork, outlining what it really takes to assemble a truly superb group for getting the job done. Check out the full article before you put together your next mission-critical team.

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What Does Teamwork Look Like For You Today?

Illustration showing what teamwork looks like for today's SMBs.