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Aug 9th, 2021 — Aug 15th, 2021 Generate the Custom HTML Email for this Issue
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Volume 281, Issue 2 << Previous Issue | Next Issue >>
IT - Email
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How Safe Are Your Emails? [Infographic]
While email can be used as a great method of communication, it can also be a venue for a rising amount of cybercrime
"14.5 billion spam messages are sent to email inboxes every day. While some spam is nothing more than a mere annoyance, a significant portion of spam emails are phishing. Phishing emails are fraudulent messages meant to steal personal information. Every day, they cost unwitting recipients dearly.

By 2025, phishing attacks will cost $10.5 trillion each year, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. Cybercrime is the 3rd largest economy in the world, after the US and China. Since phishing is often the first step to bringing malware into a system, ransomware has reached everyone from consumers to big business. In recent times, a cyberattack against Colonial Pipeline caused massive gas panic. A recent NotPetya ransomware attack stole consumer information from the large corporate giant, FedEx..."

Business 2 Community, August 12th, 2021
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The 2021 Email Deliverability Guide For Ecommerce Businesses
Email can be a big part of your eCommerce success. It might be already.
"But it can be an even bigger part if you get more emails opened and clicked. To achieve that, you'd have to follow the latest email deliverability practices. They're really simple, plus they can make your email marketing better.

'How can they? What can I do? And what the heck is email deliverability?'

We'll address all these questions and much more in this in-depth guide..."

Business 2 Community, August 11th, 2021
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IT - Marketing
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The 5 Stages Of Conducting A Marketing Experiment, Explained
The old adage goes, 'If you always do what you always did, then you will always get what you always got.' While consistency is valuable, marketers strive for growth in strategy and results
"To avoid stagnation, we take calculated risks and try new tactics to attract, retain, and convert our audiences. Marketing experiments are our way of measuring effectiveness and deciding whether to add the tactic to our ever-growing toolbox.

Now let's get you started.

Marketing Experiment Basics

What is a marketing experiment, and why do we use them? A marketing experiment is a research method that helps marketers test strategic tactics for future campaigns. As most experiments do, it starts with an educated guess and research, and ultimately supplies information on what does and doesn't resonate with target audiences.

Now the real question: Should you be running one? And the answer is Yes!

Don't be fooled, though-marketing experiments can be done wrong. Read on for the five stages of a solid marketing experiment..."

Business 2 Community, August 11th, 2021
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As Data Rules Change, Marketers Shift Their Strategies
The number of data sources available to marketers continues to grow, a new Salesforce report shows. Meanwhile, marketing strategies are shifting as Apple, Google, and others restrict the use of third-party cookies.
"As customers leave an ever-larger digital footprint, the amount of data that marketers can mine continues to grow. That data, however, isn't necessarily valuable if marketers can't properly manage it. Meanwhile, the rules governing data usage continue to shift.

Salesforce's annual State of Marketing report, released Wednesday, sheds some light on how marketers are adapting to this dynamic landscape..."

ZDNet, August 11th, 2021
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10 Marketing Tools We Are Grateful To Have
There's no shortage of marketing tools that can help you navigate whatever lies ahead. Here are 10 that we're grateful to have
  • #1: Canva
  • #2: Google Analytics
  • #3: Screaming Frog
  • #4: MailChimp
  • #5: BuzzSumo
  • #6: Feedly
  • #7: Grammarly
  • #8: Facebook Creator Studio
  • #9: Canva
  • #10: CapCut Video Editor

The marketing tools we've listed here are only a small sample of what's available, but these are the ones we recommend as invaluable. These tools can help you boost your business and increase your profits.

Business 2 Community, August 13th, 2021
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Salesforce Research Report: State Of Marketing 2021
The 7th edition of State of Marketing 2021 report from Salesforce Research surveyed over 8,200 marketing leaders across 37 countries
"The research outlines new marketing strategies, priorities and challenges, state of marketing digital transformation, use of new technologies and changing operating models.

In the seventh edition of the "State of Marketing" report, Salesforce Research surveyed over 8,200 marketing leaders across 37 countries to discover:

  • Which shifts have occurred in marketing strategies, priorities, and challenges during recent economic and social turbulence
  • The current state and trajectory of marketing's digital transformation
  • Trends in marketing data management
  • How collaboration is changing as many teams operate remotely

The business world has experienced change at unprecedented scale and speed..."

ZDNet, August 12th, 2021
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11 Tips To Lower Your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
It is quite clear, regardless of network, that the digital space has become a competitive one for businesses
"Every company on the internet is vying for the attention of the same users (in one way or another), making effective marketing to your target customer more and more difficult. On top of that, average costs of pay per click ads are increasing.

It's important to make sure your systems and processes for acquiring new customers via these spaces are cost-effective. Aside from running or maintaining perfectly crafted paid media campaigns, there are a variety of methods you can use to lower your customer acquisition costs, or least make that figure maintainable and scalable over time..."

Business 2 Community, August 14th, 2021
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IT - Sales
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Give Your Sales People What They Need!
My friend, Orrin Broberg, wrote a great post: 5 Critical Sales Enablement Mistakes To Avoid. His first point was stunning in it's simplicity, we fail to give sales people what they need.
"It's a critical issue, we have to understand, at a deep level, what sales people need to perform at the highest levels possible. But, too often fail and as a result, actually adversely impact performance or waste money, time, resources.

There are several areas impacting this:..."

Business 2 Community, August 9th, 2021
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Companies Shift To Virtual Selling To Close Deals
The most successful and resilient organizations have adapted to all things virtual - including events and learning, talent acquisition, as well as their sales strategy
One trends that is here to stay is digital or virtual selling - a strategy that has radically increased since the COVID-19 crisis began and is seeing tremendous success. LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, today launched the third edition of the 'State of Sales' APAC 2021 report to understand how these times of change are challenging the world of sales today. Based on the responses of 400 buyers and 400 sellers in India, survey findings reveal seven enduring trends that can help sales organizations stay one step ahead of change.
CXOtoday.com, August 12th, 2021
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Can Cold Calls Really Help Build Your B2B Network?
Cold calls are probably one of those marketing strategies that you are ambivalent about. You may have received cold calls yourself and been annoyed by them. So you must be wondering whether this method is effective to build a B2B network.
"To answer this question - yes, cold call is still an effective method to build your B2B network.

Cold calling is often the first-and possibly the most important-step toward creating possibilities to make people aware of your offerings. A cold call's purpose is to make the first contact with a stranger who fits your target audience profile, explain your business or offerings briefly, and see if there's enough interest to proceed. When done well, it works like magic..."

Business 2 Community, August 12th, 2021
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How Customer Service Technology Helps You Delight And Retain Customers (+ Trends To Follow)
Technology does a lot to make everyone's lives easier - and most of it can be done from our smartphones.
"Set up alarms, send and receive work emails, and order food, to name a few. It's all well and dandy and we're all so used to it, leaving your phone at home can sometimes feel like walking around without a limb. #FirstWorldProblems.

But in addition to making the day-to-day more comfortable, having the right technology for your business has become as essential as the goods and services you offer. Failing to stay up to date means giving your competitors with a competitive advantage. This is especially true of your customer service technology because it directly impacts the entire customer experience you're providing..."

Business 2 Community, August 11th, 2021
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How To Sell Without Trade Shows (Warning: Humans Need To Do Some Of The Work)
We are undoubtedly experiencing a paradigm shift in regards to how we conduct business with each other
"Curve Communications works hand in hand with businesses in different industries, including manufacturing, education, health care and equipment companies. We work closely with our clients on all aspects of their B2B marketing needs, with a specific focus on driving leads through inbound and outbound customer-centric content, events, and advertising.

The COVID-19 crisis changed things significantly, especially as it pertains to how companies interact and communicate with potential customers via avenues like trade shows, conferences and more..."

Business 2 Community, August 11th, 2021
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Who Is OUR Buyer?
People like Hank Barnes, Scott Gillum, Ardath Albee, and Maureen Blandford are doing some great work in helping us rethink the question of 'Who is our buyer?' In addition to helping us define our buyers in much richer terms, they are helping us think about how to incite them to buy.
"For years, we've had concepts around 'Ideal Customer Profiles' and 'Personas.' We've characterized our customers with things like firmographics and demographics. We proudly say, 'We sell to the financial services companies with more than 10K employees and assets under management exceeding $10B.' That helps us narrow our focus on customers that are likely to have a higher interest in our offerings. We know that we shouldn't pursue manufacturing companies, healthcare, technology, professional services, CPG or other domains. We also know that we shouldn't look at smaller, local, or most regional institutions..."
Business 2 Community, August 11th, 2021
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PeopleTek News
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Our Books
by Michael Kublin and Jan Mayer-Rodriguez
What does Leadership Insights offer?

A key piece of effective leadership is having a strong sense of awareness, both of self and of others. Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Do you know that over-using a strength may result in a weakness? How well do you interact with others? Are you in tune with their styles and preferences and do you have the ability to draw out and leverage their unique talents to strengthen the workplace? Our 52 tips are meant to increase these levels by building and refreshing leadership skills, behaviors, and habits. We recommend reviewing and sharing one tip each week. Reflect on the message, assess what you could do differently to become more effective, and challenge your colleagues, team, and organization to do the same. Are you ready to learn, grow, and transform?

PeopleTek News, August 10th, 2021
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SF IT vBeers Boca
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In Person: vBeers South Florida (Biergarten Boca) (August 18th)
Online - Zoom
vBeers meetups are informal networking events for South Florida Tech professionals.

In-person, after work vBeers resumed in June!

August

  • August 18th - Biergarten Boca, Boca Raton
  • August 25th - Mike's at Venetia, Miami

September

  • September 1st - Zoom
  • September 7th - Funky Buddha, Oakland Park
  • September 8th - Biergarten Boca, Boca Raton
  • September 15th - Mike's at Venetia, Miami

Hang out with IT colleagues after work!

vBeers 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, August 18th 2021: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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Sponsor - TechLauderdale
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TechLauderdale
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.

Promoting the Growth, Connectivity, and Awareness of the Thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Fort Lauderdale
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Sponsor - SIM
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Society for Information Management (SIM) - South Florida Chapter
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.

Connects the Area's Premier IT leaders - for Business Solution Exchange, Professional Development, and Timely Education
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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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South Florida Chapter of the ISSA
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.

Not-for-profit Organization of Information Security Professionals and Practitioners
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Sponsor - Refresh Miami
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Refresh Miami: 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

Join today and experience some great benefits, like guaranteed tickets to all Refresh Miami speaker events, access to VIP / Speaker dinners, discounts on Refresh Miami workshops and more!
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Sponsor - Palm Beach Tech
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Tech Hub South Florida
Check our Membership options and help build the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub!
Our Memberships are based on Exposure, Talent, & Business

  • STARTUP and nonprofit - $,1000/year
  • Ambassador - $2,500/year
  • Premier - $5,000/year
  • Executive - $10,000/year

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

A Nonprofit Membership Association Building the Palm Beaches into a Tech Hub
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Sponsor - SFHIMA
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South Florida Health Information Management Association (SFHIMA)
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.

Create and Encourage an Environment Conducive to Promoting HIM Practices and Emerging HIM Occupations
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Sponsor - PMI
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PMI: Advance the PM Profession Through the Promotion of 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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IIBA: 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)
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