Grundig Consulting

There has  been a lot of attention paid to the potentially damaging capabilities of the Conficker worm, which has been circulating on the Internet for several months now, but which was set to markedly increase this month with new attacks.   Whether on not you have been affected, the attention to this virus / worm does raise some good points regarding protection of your PCs in general.

1. Install a good antivirus program which automatically updates itself with the latest definitions.  Check periodically to see that it is functioning normally.

2. Make sure that automatic updates is enabled if you have a Windows operating system.  The Windows vulnerability that is targeted by Conficker is addressed through automatic updates.  Many other fixes are regularly repaired through the automatic update mechanism.

3. Use anti-malware / anti-spyware such as Malwarebytes

4. Run the Malwarebytes every other week - do the full scan

5. Don’t browse Porn or Casino sites.  A lot of junk comes from these areas, as well as from illegal file sharing platforms.

6. Consider getting a Mac for security reasons, but remain aware that Macs can be attacked, also.

Any other suggestions?

If you are a business owner, you probably have very busy periods, when it seems almost impossible to get anything done followed by very slow periods when you are wondering how to fill the day.

The busy periods are tremendous fun can be challenging as well.  The main problem with being super-busy all the time is that we only have the time and energy to focus on the immediate task at hand, whether this is the current job, the next job or the next day.  In effect, we are working “in the business” but are neglecting it at the same time!

Usually, when coming out of these busy periods, we are suddenly faced with time aplenty and not so much inclination about what to do with this time.  We are also forced to look for new work or business to keep us or our companies busy again.  We now have the time to focus exclusively on getting more work or we can choose to devote some time to ‘working on the business.’

Lately, I’ve been reading again in “The E-Myth Revisited“, by Michael Gerber, an excellent book which offers many proven ideas for taking a small business to the next level.   I’m working to incorporate some of the thinking and methods offered this book which will help my business not only now, but in the long run.  It’s a very good read and I highly recommend this book to any business owner.

How do you react when business is slower than normal.  More sales?   More marketing?  More networking?  Bigger changes to your business?