(This article originally appeared on Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 – Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak declares support for “right-to-repair”
In a Cameo recorded by a right-to-repair advocate Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak said “We wouldn’t have had Apple if I hadn’t grown up in a very open technology world,” and “I’ve read a lot of articles about the right-to-repair issue. I’m always totally supportive and I totally think that the people behind it are doing the right thing.” (Source: Vice)
Why this is important for your business:
Remember the days when you could just replace the battery in your phone? Or have access to the insides to make your own repairs? Most of the major phone manufacturers have shut that down. They say it’s to provide better support. But we know the reason: to force us to replace our phones because we can’t repair them. The right-to-repair movement is trying to change that and just signed on Wozniak and you can’t get a bigger advocate than that. So does that mean that we will one day return to being able to repair our devices ourselves? I’m not holding my breath.
2 – Microsoft issues urgent security warning: Update your PC immediately
Microsoft wants Windows users to immediate install an update thanks to a significant security vulnerability found in the operating system. The flaw is known as PrintNightmare and it affects the Windows Print Spooler service. Microsoft says that if hacked, then outsiders could potentially install programs, view and delete data or even create new user accounts with full user rights. According to reports, this would give hackers enough command and control of a PC to do some “serious damage.” (Source: CNN)
Why this is important for your business:
This is a big and public flaw and needs your attention quickly. You and your employees need to go to Windows Update on your device and download the latest patch.
3 – TikTok wants to be LinkedIn for Gen Z, launches TikTok Resumes for video job applications\
This week, TikTok began a program called “TikTok Resumes,” where users can – for a limited time – post video resumes for employers to review. Why? Because according to some reports, there are more Gen Z users on TikTok than on Instagram and over half of the app’s user base is younger than 24 years old. That number is significantly higher than what’s found on LinkedIn. (Source: Business Insider)
Why this is important for your business:
The biggest problem we have this summer is finding people. Now TikTok is jumping into the game and – given the size of their audience – the platform could be a great resource for employers looking for that next star.
4 – Survey: Nearly half of business owners say remote work is unproductive
According to a new survey of over 1,000 U.S. business owners from review publisher Digital.com as much as 45 percent of respondents said that their companies weren’t as productive while employees are remote. 39 percent of those business owners said they would fire employees who refused to return to the office. (Source: Digital.com)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s a brewing cultural war: to come to the office or stay at home. This survey says that people are less productive working from home. But other surveys I’ve seen say the opposite. The fact is that no one really knows because productivity is up to the person and some people thrive remotely while others need an office environment to perform their best. Your job is to leverage the technology, create a policy that allows some work-from-home benefits and keep things balanced.
5 – Voice tech makes inroads in the enterprise
Dustin Coates, who writes voice applications for Alexa and Google Assistant and hosts a podcast on the topic, says that voice automation is growing in the workplace. “Tech that a few years ago was only available to companies with millions upon millions of dollars to funnel into machine learning efforts is now available to everyone to integrate directly or via SaaS,” he writes. “While we aren’t seeing voice assistants in conference rooms, we are seeing the impact that they have had when new products that leverage NLU or voice recognition reduce customer support costs, make farm work easier, or provide coaching for revenue teams.” (Source: VentureBeat)
Why this is important for your business:
“Alexa, send a collection reminder to Jones Corporation.”
“Google, print out the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Alexa, send an email to HR requesting a vacation day for August 1.”
“Google, how much overtime hours were incurred last week?”
Do you see what’s coming? Because It’s coming.
