IT News and Events
Fort Lauderdale Tech Meetup (April 3rd)
Feb 8th, 2021 — Feb 14th, 2021 Generate the Custom HTML Email for this Issue
IT News and Events IT News and Events
Volume 275, Issue 2 << Previous Issue | Next Issue >>
IT - Email
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How To Keep Employees Emails Protected From Prying Eyes
No matter how big or small you are, security should be 'baked in' to the design of your network. If it isn't, then it's time for an update.
"Even though there is now a huge range of ways to communicate, email is still very much the default option in most situations. Email does have a whole lot of benefits. It does not, however, offer a lot of in-built security. Fortunately, you can take steps to rectify this. Here are some tips.

Make sure your own network is secure

All business-related cybersecurity starts with a secure network. No matter how big or small you are, security should be 'baked in' to the design of your network. If it isn't, then it's time for an update. This may require an investment you'd rather not make when money is tight. It is, however, vital that you find the budget. The survival of your business could depend on it..."

ITProPortal, February 10th, 2021
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IT - Marketing
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Demand Generation Strategies: Biggest Shifts Happening In Marketing Strategy
If we learned anything from 2020, it's that anything can happen in the world at any time
"As a marketer, being flexible and adapting to the ever-changing world as we know it will be your greatest strength. What worked in terms of marketing strategy before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is old news. Even further, what may have been relevant three or even six months ago might no longer be a strategy that works today, right here and now.

Our world is shifting fast. As we move into 2021, we want to be mindful of the biggest shifts in marketing, to monitor how we're adapting and maintaining relevancy as we fight to compete in our respective markets..."

Business 2 Community, February 8th, 2021
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Customer Loyalty In 2021: Your 10 Most Important Questions
Stepping into 2021, we've all vowed collectively to make this year better than the last one
"But before we put a lid on the past, I say we use it to better ourselves, and create a bullet-proof plan for 2021. Actually, our most recent joint webinar with marketing automation provider dotdigital was centered around devising a new action plan for companies. It was a very interactive event with plenty of community input. So, based on your inquiries and our most up-to-date insights, here are 10 questions and answers about the ins and outs of customer loyalty in 2021..."
Business 2 Community, February 12th, 2021
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B2B Content Marketing Trends In 2021
Marketing has undergone multiple changes over the years, thanks to constant shifts in consumer behavior and technology.
"The internet has given consumers a massive amount of decision power and information. If you want to stay competitive, it has become necessary to adapt to these changes and focus on building a digital space presence.

Consumers typically start their decision-making journey on search engines to explore, educate, and research products and services. Similarly, their B2B counterparts actively seek product information before making a purchasing decision. Businesses that don't show up during that research period would find themselves trailing behind their competition..."

Business 2 Community, February 12th, 2021
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50 Unbelievable Email Statistics You Need To Know
While not new or perhaps very exciting, email still reigns strong as one of the least expensive and most cost-effective marketing techniques
"Take a look at these 50 amazing statistics showing just how strong this marketing channel is:

Email ROI

1) - Email continues to outperform other marketing channels by a long shot. For every dollar brands invest in email marketing, they receive 42 dollars in return. (Litmus)

2) - 77% of marketers say email is one of their two most effective marketing channels and 78% of marketing executives indicate email marketing is vital to the overall success of their company..."

Business 2 Community, February 10th, 2021
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5 Types Of Video Content To Boost Your Marketing Campaigns
Every brand needs a marketing strategy to promote the business
"In this case, a content marketing campaign is ideal for this purpose as it helps brands achieve their goals seamlessly. Videos are one of the best options to go when it comes to running a campaign.

The reason is that videos are much more appealing than other types of content. The moving pictures and sounds are great in attracting the audience's attention at a single glance. The information conciseness is another reason why more and more people are attached to videos..."

Business 2 Community, February 10th, 2021
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IT - Sales
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Your Value Proposition Is Not About You
Today few business concepts are as topical and 'buzzwordy' as that of an organizations' value proposition
"The subject of constant debate and conjecture, a value proposition can be defined as a 'positioning statement that explains what benefit you provide for who and how you do it uniquely well'.

Here's the thing: most people don't care. That is, most people spend their days in a busy, if not hurried state, focused on their own problems and priorities. Adding to the marketers' challenge is that the average American will see between 4,000 and 10,000 ads per day. While the traditional advertising approach is fighting for a potential customers' attention, that customers' subconscious mind is actively blocking out the noise so that they focus the finite amount of mental processing we have available to us..."

Business 2 Community, February 10th, 2021
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What Is Social Selling?
Social selling and buyer engagement on social media is changing the sales landscape
"As digital interactions become the norm, sales activities increasingly take place on digital channels. The buyer experience is evolving quickly, with prospects taking greater responsibility for researching a business before they communicate with a salesperson. And when prospects interact with sellers, their communication-more often than not-takes place in digital channels.

So, what's replacing tried and true outbound tactics? To put it simply, customers and prospects are ignoring cold calls. An IDC report found that ninety percent of c-suite executives ignore cold calls. So, what's changed?..."

Business 2 Community, February 9th, 2021
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Sales Enablement - A Comprehensive Guide For Sales Teams
'Sales enablement' is a term that's been thrown around a lot over the past several years
"It's far more than another marketing buzzword, however; in fact, sales enablement could very well be the key to unlocking the true potential not only of your sales team but of your other customer-facing departments, too.

This article is designed to give you a high-level, yet a comprehensive breakdown of what sales enablement is, what it involves, and why it's so important. They say that 'knowledge is power' - and the more knowledge you gain around sales enablement, the easier it will be for you to unlock its power for your brand.

With that being said, let's dive in!..."

Business 2 Community, February 8th, 2021
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Rethinking Sales Enablement
Billions are invested in sales enablement programs, worldwide. We have tools, training, processes, programs, systems
"To be honest, I have a 'love/hate' relationship with sales enablement (not the people in sales enablement.)

I think it's a critical function to support and enable sales people. But too often, we see massive failures. It may be failures on the part of sales managers and sales people, failing to implement the programs sales enablement people develop. It may be the failure of sales enablers, implementing the wrong things in the wrong way. It's probably more likely a combination of failures on both the part of sales enablement, sales leadership, and sales people..."

Business 2 Community, February 9th, 2021
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How To Increase Sales Without Salespeople: A Real-World Use Case
I need to share a Big Truth that I've learned as a revenue coach, helping hundreds of CEOs market and sell more successfully: The behavior of the business leader making decisions about marketing and sales makes an incredible difference to the success of the company.
"The proper behavior of a business manager can be summarized in these two concepts:

  • Selling is no longer about selling. It's about making it easier for the customer to buy.

  • Marketing used to be 80 percent creative and 20 percent logistics; now it's flipped; it's 80 percent logistics and 20 percent creative.

What happens to a company where these two realities are embraced, well-managed, and implemented? Sales go up, even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.

I'm happy to say, I currently have a stellar example of someone who has embraced, managed, and implemented these two realities..."

Business 2 Community, February 13th, 2021
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3 Tips To Level Up The (Virtual) Sales Process
In the past year alone, the sales process has undergone significant changes. As more business takes place in digital environments, customers are changing the way they interact with sales teams
"In the LinkedIn 2020 State of Sales Report, 44% of respondents noted longer sales cycles, with customers playing a larger role in the awareness and consideration stages of the buyer's journey. The virtual sales process has seen a shift in the way customers engage with sales teams, with many buyers interacting with thirteen pieces of content before scheduling a call with a sales rep.

As sellers adapt to changes in the sales process, pivoting to an online-first approach can help unlock new opportunities today and into the future..."

Business 2 Community, February 9th, 2021
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SF IT Sales
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Virtual Monthly Meetup of IT Sales and Marketing Professionals - South Florida
online

This is a group for IT Sales and Marketing Professionals to meet with their peers, learn from each other and share referrals.

I will ask each participant to introduce themselves - who are you, what do you do, what does your company do, etc.

That will be followed by an open discussion.

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin From IT Sales and Marketing Professionals - South Florida

Monday, February 22nd, 2021: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
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SF IT vBeers Broward
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vBeers South Florida - Weekly Virtual Meetups via Zoom February 17th 2021
Online - Zoom
vBeers meetups are informal networking events for South Florida Tech professionals.

In-person vBeers are suspended until the COVID-19 thread is diminished and public gathering are again allowed. I will host a Virtual vBeers every Wednesday until in-person events resume.

After the intros, the rest of meeting will be an informal hangout!

Please join the live meeting at 6:00PM EST with this Zoom link:

You can also join by phone:

  • Meeting ID: 792 850 274
  • 646 558 8656 US
  • +16465588656,,792850274# US (New York)

vBeers@Boca is sponsored by TechLauderdale:

  • "TechLauderdale promotes the growth, connectivity, and awareness of the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale"

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin

Wednesday, February 17th, 2021: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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vBeers South Florida - Weekly Virtual Meetups via Zoom February 24th 2021
Online - Zoom
vBeers meetups are informal networking events for South Florida Tech professionals.

In-person vBeers are suspended until the COVID-19 thread is diminished and public gathering are again allowed. I will host a Virtual vBeers every Wednesday until in-person events resume.

After the intros, the rest of meeting will be an informal hangout!

Please join the live meeting at 6:00PM EST with this Zoom link:

You can also join by phone:

  • Meeting ID: 792 850 274
  • 646 558 8656 US
  • +16465588656,,792850274# US (New York)

vBeers@Boca is sponsored by TechLauderdale:

  • "TechLauderdale promotes the growth, connectivity, and awareness of the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale"

Hosted by John J. McLaughlin

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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PeopleTek News
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Your 2021 Expectations
High expectations are the key to everything - Sam Walton
Success Magazine - In January they published an article about making 2021 the year you want it to be. If asked, could you respond? Do you have expectations and plans at least drafted to support achieving what you want?

Here are 10 suggestions to help.

PeopleTek News, February 9th, 2021
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Sponsor - TechLauderdale
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TechLauderdale's ITPalooza 3D Sponsorships
South Florida's most exciting tech event & expo is going virtual. But this is no boring Zoom event. Our highly interactive virtual 3D platform will make you feel like you are at a real event.
Exhibitors & Sponsors

Follow this link to register for one of our Demo Sessions which showcases the exciting new platform for this year's event. Learn about your opportunities to exhibit and sponsor at ITPalooza 3D.

Community Partners

We are inviting our Community Partners to help us grow and expand the technology ecosystem of South Florida. Becoming a partner with SFTA/TechLauderdale will be a rewarding opportunity for everyone. Click here to find out more.

Attendees

More information and registration coming soon!

March 24th and 25th, 2021
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Promoting the Growth, Connectivity, and Awareness of the Thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Become a Member of the Ecosystem, Join TechLauderdale Today
Membership benefits for TechLauderdale were designed to provide individuals and organizations with the choice on how to best utilize member benefits, with a great deal of flexibility and exclusivity. Key benefits of this structure include new ways for members to support the Greater Fort Lauderdale tech ecosystem, while at the same time taking advantage of ongoing tech education and training, exclusive networking and learning opportunities, and making valuable connections.

Corporate Membership Levels

  • Bronze - $500 (1 to 3 Employees)
  • Silver - $1,500 - (4 to 25 Employees)
  • Gold - $2,500 - (25 to 50 Employees)
  • Platinum - $3,500 - (over 50 Employees)

Individual Memberships

  • Individual - $100/year or $10/month

TechLauderdale has recently updated its membership levels with increased benefits for each level to better align the value we have to offer with the mission of the organization and our value pillars of: Learn, Connect, and Grow. Read the full membership letter here that explains the changes to the program in greater detail.


Sponsor - SIM
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Connects the Area's Premier IT leaders - for Business Solution Exchange, Professional Development, and Timely Education
Joining SIM connects you with top IT leaders in the industry, including: CIOs, senior IT executives, prominent academicians, consultants, and other top IT professionals
The Chapter strives to strengthen professional communications among members who direct the application of information technology in private and public organizations. Chapter activities include:

  • Meeting to share innovative ideas and real-world experiences which address enterprise information needs. We have excellent speakers from our membership and bring in industry executives or subject matter experts from many sources.
  • Providing presentations by leading national information-management professionals and executives who benefit from management-information systems.
  • Challenging our comfort levels by exchanging ideas with peers and business counterparts.
  • Being a resource for each other, and personal networking.

The geographical scope of the South Florida Chapter is Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Subscribe to receive emails from the chapter to get notified of all relevant events in the area. If you are already subscribed, you will be sent a link to update your preferences.

Society for Information Management (SIM) - South Florida Chapter
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Sponsor - ISACA
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ISACA South Florida Chapter
A diverse group of innovative thought leaders partnering with the community to serve as the first choice for professional development and a global role model for ISACA Chapters by 2024
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

  • ISACA South Florida Chapter outreach to more than 1,000 professionals, and partner organizations which represent a range of Corporate IT Audit, IT Compliance, IT Governance & IT Security responsibilities in a cross section of industries and business sizes
  • Extensive networking opportunities, face-to-face contact and one-on-one meetings
  • Display of your latest products and services to all attendees
  • Traffic flow throughout the exhibition area
  • Display of your logo and link to your home page on our ISACA South Florida Chapter web site

Find out more! Contact us at president@isacasfl.org

Corporate IT Audit, IT Compliance, IT Governance & IT Security Professionals
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Sponsor - ISSA
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Not-for-profit Organization of Information Security Professionals and Practitioners
The ISSA South Florida Chapter (SFISSA) is a not-for-profit organization of information security professionals and practitioners
ISSA provides educational forums and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members. Members include practitioners at all levels of the security field in a broad range of industries, such as communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and government. SFISSA is an excellent vehicle for those who need to acquire CPE credits for certification needs. We need your support, so we hope that you will consider becoming a sponsor to support our chapter.

Sponsorship Options: Chapter sponsorship

Platinum sponsors $1,500/meeting benefits include:

  • Non-marketing presentation at one SFISSA meeting (including attendee/sign-in list)
  • Higher priority in speaker selection for SFISSA Annual Conference
  • Logo signage displayed at meetings*
  • Logo, name and company URL on SFISSA website for event
  • Materials distributed at SFISSA meetings*
  • 5 minute presentation at 1 SFISSA meetings per year

Program sponsors $1,000/meeting benefits include:

  • Non-marketing presentation at one SFISSA meeting
  • Logo signage displayed at meetings*
  • Logo, name and company URL on SFISSA website for event
  • Materials distributed at SFISSA meetings*
  • 5 minute presentation at 1 SFISSA meetings per year

Conference sponsorship opportunities coming soon.

South Florida Chapter of the ISSA
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Sponsor - Refresh Miami
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Educate, Inspire, Connect and Grow South Florida's Tech and Startup Ecosystem
Be front and center at all our monthly speaker events, get training on the latest technologies, break bread with our distinguished speakers, and find qualified candidates via our sponsored job listings
Be front and center at all our monthly speaker events, get training on the latest technologies, break bread with our distinguished speakers, and find qualified candidates via our sponsored job listings.

Refresh Corporate: $2000/Year

  • Guaranteed ticket to all speaker events
  • Complimentary ticket to three (3) Refresh Miami workshops ($150 value!)
  • 40% discount on all other Refresh Miami workshops ($160 value!)
  • Preferred Access to VIP/Speaker Dinners
  • Discounts on Community Events
  • Partner Discounts
  • Refresh Miami T-Shirt
  • Ability to post relevant events to Community Calendar
  • Ability to post jobs to Refresh Job Board
  • Ability to post business to Refresh Miami Tech Map

$2000/Year


Sponsor - Palm Beach Tech
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A Nonprofit Membership Association Building the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub
Check our Membership options and help build the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub!
Our Memberships are based on Exposure, Talent, & Business

  • STARTUP - $500/year
  • Tier 3 - $1,000/year
  • Tier 2 - $2,500/year
  • Tier 1 - $5,000/year

Palm Beach Tech is a nonprofit membership association Building the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub.


Sponsor - SFHIMA
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Create and Encourage an Environment Conducive to Promoting HIM Practices and Emerging HIM Occupations
We are the SMEs in health information! So whether you are a student, a recent graduate, seasoned professional or profession partner, your local chapter is here for you.
South Florida Health Information Management Association.

The theme from FHIMA for this year is 'Smooth Sailing Ahead'.

SFHIMA is ready to set sail with more great informational sessions, networking and continuing education opportunities. Sessions this year will be offered in person and via remote web connections.

South Florida Health Information Management Association (SFHIMA)
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Sponsor - PMI
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Advance the PM Profession Through the Promotion of PMI Certification Training
To be a conduit of innovation, networking and support for the next evolution of Project Managers through strategic focus, customer centricity and operation agility
Mission

  • Advance the PM profession through the promotion of PMI certification training and project excellence acknowledgement.

  • Provide members and volunteers with networking, leadership roles and superior development and education events and activities,

  • Ensure alignment with PMIs talent triangle, compliance with PMIs core values and contribution to the improvement of the PM body of knowledge.

We are only one of over 270 Chapters serving Project Management Institute (PMI) members and communities in more than 70 countries around the world. These local communities help spread awareness of the profession and PMI by reaching out to local governments and organizations, hosting events or seminars for local practitioners and providing opportunities to learn, network and earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward maintaining credentials.

PMI South Florida Chapter
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Sponsor - IIBA
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Premier World-Wide Professional Association for Business Analysts
We are the local representative of the International Institution of Business Analysis (IIBA), the premier world-wide professional association for business analyst
Sponsorships are available.

The objectives of the Chapter are to:

  • Promote and advance the profession of Business Analysis
  • Provide opportunities to our members to gain knowledge and network with experienced professionals across various industries and government agencies
  • Provide access for members to a formal "knowledge base" as well as forums for sharing expertise, expressing professional opinions and building a reputation within the industry
  • Provide pathways to learn about business analysis best practices
  • Create corporate support for the IIBA within the local market by superior marketing/awareness programs that demonstrate the value of business analysis and the IIBA
  • Liaise with industry and association partners to increase awareness and benefit of IIBA Chapter members
  • Encourage and provide opportunities for our members to become Business Analysis certified professionals

As our events calendar and past events reflect, we have a mix of day time symposiums for professional development, after work meetings focused on a topic of particular concern to business analysts, and online meetings and webinars to develop your technical skills and analytical competencies, as well as one to two premiere dinner events per year with at least one distinguished guest speaker.

International Institution of Business Analysis (IIBA), March 12th, 2020
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