Sarah K. White

Author Archives: Sarah K. White

Businesses lack a streamlined approach to digital transformation

Technology is transforming the business world, but for many companies, it's happening faster than they can keep up. Gartner released a report on the state of digital business transformation in 2016, polling 396 leaders of large companies in over 30 countries. The research showed that CEOs are generally optimistic about the future of digital transformation. Three quarters of CEOs reported an understanding about the future of digital transformation and that there needs to be a shift in how it's approached -- but just because they understand the implications doesn't mean they've made any moves towards going digital.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Recruiters increasingly rely on social media to find talent

When you decide to start looking for a new job, Twitter and Facebook might be the last places you'd expect to connect with recruiters. But that's quickly becoming the reality, as more recruiters turn to social media to find viable candidates to fill open job requisitions. Alexander Mann Solutions, a talent acquisition and management service; and Social Talent, a recruiting software and analytics company, released their 2016 Global Recruiting Survey, which shed light on how some recruiters use social media in their efforts.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

How HR can bridge the tech inequality gap

Implementing cutting-edge technology is a concept no longer relegated to IT departments. And HR is no exception. In fact, 92 percent of HR workers cited in a recent study are currently using some type of HR analytics system. However, there is still a growing gap between the early adopters, and the more traditional departments that are slower to change, according to Steffen Maier, co-founder of Impraise -- a company that provides real-time employee feedback for HR -- and Tom Haak, partner at Crunchr -- a company that uses data analytics to create meaningful employee data.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

How to manage workers in the gig economy

The gig economy continues its rapid growth, with nearly 35 percent of today's workforce consisting of nonemployee workers as of 2015. The fast-paced growth of these non-traditional workers has businesses scrambling to develop strategies to manage them -- and much of the responsibility has fallen on the desks of HR workers. However, there are efficient ways to manage these atypical workers without overburdening the HR department with more paperwork.Enter PEO, or Professional Employer Organization, a growing trend in which businesses partner with a third-party service to outsource a lot of the maintenance work that can come with employees. The theory is that PEO systems can free up HR to spend time on developing company culture, fostering engagement and moving the company forward. "PEO systems allow small and midsize companies to access technology that would normally be cost prohibitive for companies that are not larger enough to support an IT budget," says Andee Harris, chief engagement officer at HighGround, a human capital management provider and an organization that currently uses a PEO system.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

9 business-worthy Chrome for Work devices

Chrome for Work devicesChromebooks have been around for a while, but they haven't received nearly as much business press as hybrid devices like the Surface Pro 4 or iPad Pro. But while they may be flying under the radar, Google has an entire lineup of Chrome-based devices aimed at business users. While these devices might not get as much enterprise-worthy buzz, they are well-equipped for both casual and power users alike. They run the gamut in terms of design and configuration, which means there is likely an option for you -- whether you want a desktop, tablet or notebook experience. Here are nine Chrome for Work devices you've probably never heard of aimed at the enterprise.Acer ChromebaseThe Acer Chromebase will remind you of those all-in-ones that were slated to be the future of the desktop just a few years ago. It features a 21.5-inch touchscreen display, 4 GB of memory, a 16GB hard drive and an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor. The all-in-one display features two USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0 ports, a built in HD webcam and microphone, a microSD memory card slot, two speakers and, of course, the Google Chrome Operating system. Continue reading

How to define the evolving role of data scientist

In its recently released 25 Best Jobs in America for 2016 report, Glassdoor listed data scientist as number 1 career -- but it wasn't just top of the list for tech. It topped every industry. The report cites 1,736 openings in the field, a median base salary of $115,840 and an overall job score of 4.7 out of a total 5, which are all promising stats for this quickly growing career path. But the fast-paced growth for data science jobs has been met with a severe lack of qualified candidates. And businesses that do hire data scientists often have no idea how to effectively utilize their skills.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IT resume makeover: Breaking through tech jargon

Resume writer Donald Burns was faced with an interesting challenge this time around -- he needed to take a resume that was already in good shape and make it even better. This month, makeover candidate, Sudhakar Gorti, COO and CTO for Environmental Data Resources, recruited Burn's help take his resume from tech-focused to one that showcased his business acumen. This was especially important because his ultimate 10-year goal is to move out of the tech world and become a business executive.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)

5 hard truths about employee engagement

A 2013 study from Gallup found that as much as 70 percent of U.S. workers aren't actively engaged in their jobs. Engagement hasn't gotten much better since then, with Gallup's 2015 report showing nearly identical numbers and stagnant growth from 2014, as well as mostly flat growth since 2000. And for new hires, there's an "engagement honeymoon" period, according to another recent report from Gallup -- it found that employees perform the best and are the most engaged within the first six months of starting a new job, and after that there is a fast drop off.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

10 best-paying companies in tech

Best-paying companies in techImage by ThinkstockThe modern business world runs on technology, which means companies need people to manage it. Getting a job in STEM is a great way to not only ensure job security, but also earn a six figure salary. Glassdoor -- a website that offers reviews, salaries and benefits information provided by employees on companies from all industries -- collects salary data on the biggest tech companies in the U.S. to determine the 10 highest paying tech companies. Using their self-reported data, Glassdoor calculated the average total compensation and median base salary for companies across every industry. These are the top 10 technology companies that report the highest average salaries. Juniper NetworksImage by ThinkstockTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IT leaders pick productivity over security

Results from two recent studies suggest that cybersecurity needs an overhaul at most companies with root causes of the problem including poor communication, a lack of employee awareness, slowed productivity and a lack of budget.In its 2016 Cybersecurity Confidence Report, Barkly, an endpoint security company, surveyed 350 IT pros to determine the top security concerns for 2016 and gauge how confident IT leaders are when it comes to cybersecurity issues. The survey looked at IT leaders' biggest security concerns, levels of confidence around security, number of breaches in 2015, amount of time spent on security, biggest priorities in IT and the downsides to current security solutions -- and, for the most part, the results were grim.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Top U.S. universities failing at cybersecurity education

High-profile data breaches have become all too common in recent years with companies such as Target Home Depot and Anthem forced to own up to and handle PR nightmares following large-scale hacks. As a result, security has become a major priority for businesses both big and small -- but hackers always seem to be one step ahead. Experts agree that there is a growing need for cybersecurity professionals and universities across the country haven't caught up to the needs of the corporations. In fact, a recent study by CloudPassage found that most schools earn an "F" grade when it comes to teaching the next generation of cybersecurity pros.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Top U.S. universities failing at cybersecurity education

High-profile data breaches have become all too common in recent years with companies such as Target Home Depot and Anthem forced to own up to and handle PR nightmares following large-scale hacks. As a result, security has become a major priority for businesses both big and small -- but hackers always seem to be one step ahead. Experts agree that there is a growing need for cybersecurity professionals and universities across the country haven't caught up to the needs of the corporations. In fact, a recent study by CloudPassage found that most schools earn an "F" grade when it comes to teaching the next generation of cybersecurity pros.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

IT salaries increase across 12 tech job categories

Salaries increase across 12 tech job categoriesImage by ThinkstockMondo's 2016-2017 IT Salary Guide points to steady increases in tech salaries across 12 verticals. The study points out that as technology influences every industry, the demand for STEM workers is only going to increase, with a projected 1.5 million open positions in STEM by the year 2020. If you are already in the technology field, or are hoping to break into it, it couldn't be a better time. Mondo tracks the salaries of popular technology jobs to see how the annual compensation range increases year over year and this most recent report shows increases in nearly every tech job evaluated; and for jobs that didn't increase in this report, they at least didn't show a decline in average salary either. DevOps/SDNImage by ThinkstockTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

8 universities at the forefront of big data

Universities at the forefront of big dataImage by ThinkstockBig data has exploded in a way that has left companies unable to find enough qualified candidates to hire, and schools can't churn out skilled data scientists fast enough. Up until now, boot camps have helped fill the data skills gap and plenty of colleges and universities have created master's programs in this burgeoning field. And, while it's true that boot camps are a great way to learn new skills fast and a master's degree is a great way to move your career in another direction, there has been a glaring lack of undergraduate programs for young people looking to get right into the industry after graduation.However, that is starting to change as more undergraduate programs start to pop up at reputable universities and colleges across the country. And it's no surprise, considering the Department of Labor cites a projected 25 percent growth in data jobs by the year 2018, which is exceptionally fast compared to other industries. These universities are priming the next generation of data scientists who will be tasked with handling the steadily increasing influx of data information that nearly every industry is experiencing. Here are Continue reading

8 universities at the forefront of big data

Universities at the forefront of big dataImage by ThinkstockBig data has exploded in a way that has left companies unable to find enough qualified candidates to hire, and schools can't churn out skilled data scientists fast enough. Up until now, boot camps have helped fill the data skills gap and plenty of colleges and universities have created master's programs in this burgeoning field. And, while it's true that boot camps are a great way to learn new skills fast and a master's degree is a great way to move your career in another direction, there has been a glaring lack of undergraduate programs for young people looking to get right into the industry after graduation.However, that is starting to change as more undergraduate programs start to pop up at reputable universities and colleges across the country. And it's no surprise, considering the Department of Labor cites a projected 25 percent growth in data jobs by the year 2018, which is exceptionally fast compared to other industries. These universities are priming the next generation of data scientists who will be tasked with handling the steadily increasing influx of data information that nearly every industry is experiencing. Here are Continue reading

Why curious people make better employees

Curiosity isn't reserved for childhood. It's a powerful characteristic that keeps you engaged and sharp at work. And, at the right company, being a curious person might land you a job over someone who may look more qualified on paper. At least, that's the case for Tony Vartanian, co-founder of Lucktastic, a division of the mobile game design company Jump Ramp. Vartanian has grown his company by hiring qualified, curious candidates over people who simply have an impressive background, but don't demonstrate the same thirst for knowledge.According to a study from Gallup International, some of the best entrepreneurs are curious and creative thinkers, which the study says indicates they can "creatively look beyond the present and imagine possible futures for their company." They aren't the type of people who sit around and wait to be told what to do -- instead they drive the change within their own organization through out-of-the-box thinking. And, according to Vartanian, that's a quality you want in every employee you decide to hire at your startup.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Enterprise tablet wars: Galaxy TabPro S vs. Surface Pro 4

It was no surprise when Samsung unveiled its first tablet hybrid, the Galaxy TabPro S. However, the surprise came when Samsung announced it opted to equip the device with Windows 10 instead of Android. It was a smart move by Samsung, firmly placing the Galaxy TabPro S alongside the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. The Surface 4 is the most popular Windows 10 hybrid today, but that could change with Samsung's latest flagship device. But which device is the better enterprise option when you pit them head-to-head? Microsoft Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 is the kind of device leading the trend toward detachable tablets, also called 2-in-1s. Many Windows 10 detachables are expected to be launched in 2016.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

How to create enterprise apps employees want to use

Mobile apps have become a cornerstone in the enterprise as a way to connect business leaders, clients and employees. A major contributing factor to this shift, according to Adam Fingerman, cofounder and chief experience officer of ArcTouch Mobile & Connected Experiences is our reliance on our mobile devices; there's even a name for this phenomenon, "nomophobia." This reliance on technology has fundamentally affected businesses that have adopted a "if you can't beat them, join them" attitude about mobile devices. But a problem arises when a business thinks it can just create an app and expect employees to use it. People are accustomed to using apps that are finely tailored to their user experience, easy to use and fun. Business apps should be no exception -- if you want them adopted by your staff.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

4 biggest misconceptions about hiring data scientists

When you think of the perfect candidate for a data science role, a few preconceived notions come to mind. You want someone who is analytical, detail-oriented and intuitive -- all important qualities in a data scientist. But there is more to data science than being good with numbers -- the core of a data scientist's role involves influencing decision-makers within the business and guiding the future of the company.While there are a lot logical traits that make a good data scientist, there are plenty of skills data scientists need that don't fall under the category of data. Ziad Nejmeldeen, senior vice president and chief scientist at the Infor Dynamic Science Labs, knows this better than anyone, having hired his own data scientists and helped guide the data strategies of numerous businesses at Infor. If you hold common misconceptions about data scientists, it might be time to reevaluate your strategy, according to Nejmeldeen.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

How to earn the trust of millennials concerned with security

Part of a great marketing strategy includes building trust with consumers, especially with influential groups like millennials. You might also call them Generation Y or digital natives, but whatever you call them, it applies anyone born between 1980 and the early 2000s. This group is usually top of the list for companies’ brand awareness efforts, but the biggest threat to your marketing strategy lies more in your approach to cybersecurity than how much money you spend on advertising.Intercede, a company specializing in identity management and secure authentication technology, surveyed roughly 1,000 U.S .and 1,000 U.K. participants aged 16 to 35 about levels of digital trust. And the study found that millennials have suspicious attitudes and a general mistrust towards businesses. In a time where celebrities’ iCloud accounts are hacked and every few months there is another data breach, it makes sense for young people to have a general sense of uncertainty towards where their data goes and how it’s used.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here