When you begin using cloud applications, it is easy to get excited and immediately begin using the application for your business. However, it is imperative to set up the existing security features to monitor and track suspicious activity. Chris goes over the top 3 situations to look out for and how to protect your accounts from malware and hackers. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) Do you need a managed service provider to help you keep your business applications updated and secure? Contact Petra Technologies today! This post was first published on petratechit.com.

Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success and growth. With competition intensifying across industries, businesses must continually innovate and adapt to meet evolving customer demands and market trends. In this blog post, we will explore key strategies and approaches for fostering innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace. Embrace a Culture of Innovation Creating a culture that encourages and rewards innovation is essential. Foster an environment where employees feel empowered to share their ideas and experiment with new approaches. Encourage collaboration, open communication, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. By cultivating a culture of innovation, you lay the foundation for continuous impr…

Anxiety is an expected response to stress; it is a part of the human survival mechanism that has evolved to help us deal with potential threats. Severe anxiety can be related to panic, phobia, social fears, and separation. As your children grow, they could develop and manifest anxiety in various ways. Separation anxiety is a condition that can be observed in children as early as preschool age. In fact, leaving children at a preschool or childcare facility is often the first time parents or primary guardians become aware of their child’s separation anxiety. With the new school year right around the corner, here are four signs to watch out for. Headaches From the age of two, children can express headaches through facial gestures, by placing t…

As children head back to school this fall, the need is greater than ever for essential things like clothes, food and basic hygiene products. Keizertimes did an excellent feature article on how Keizer Klosets steps up to help meet those needs every year. Go to https://www.keizertimes.com/2023/07/20/keizer-klosets-fills-needs-of-local-students/ to read the full article and find out ways you can get involved. To donate food or personal hygiene products there is a donation barrel located at the Keizertimes office at 142 Chemawa Road NE. To provide financial donations, mail to Keizer Community Foundation, PO Box 20221, Keizer OR 97307. Or donate online by clicking the button below. Donate Online Together, we can make a difference!

Ah, Yuma – a sun-soaked gem in southwestern Arizona known as the sunniest place on earth. With summer temperatures frequently soaring past 100 degrees Fahrenheit, finding ways to cool off and stay entertained can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of fun indoor activities to escape the sweltering heat. Here are our top five suggestions that your family can enjoy without breaking a sweat: 1. Explore Yuma's Rich History and Culture Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park Although it’s primarily an outdoor location, the Yuma Territorial Prison Museum provides a great chance for families to dive into local history, complete with air-conditioned buildings to explore. The prison, which operated from 1876 to 1909, has a unique history.…

Does your business have a patch management plan? If you answered “no” you’re not alone. Most workplaces leave it up to fate, rely on built-in failsafe features (like when your computer automatically turns off and updates), or just let employees update their computers on a whim. Either way, effective patch management (which includes most things like software patches, updates, or security updates) works best when automated and monitored by expert managed service providers (Like Petra Tech). Chris talks through the basics of what is included in a patch management plan, and steps you can take to implement one. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) If you’re ready…

Starting college is an exciting milestone filled with new experiences and opportunities for personal and academic growth. As a freshman, being prepared with the right essentials can help ease the transition and ensure a smooth start to your college journey. In this blog post, we will highlight 10 essential items that every freshman should consider having to make the most of their college experience. Laptop or Tablet A reliable laptop or tablet is a must-have for college students. It will be your primary tool for note-taking, research, assignments, and online communication. Choose a device that suits your needs and budget, ensuring it has sufficient processing power, storage capacity, and portability. Backpack or Tote Bag Invest in a durable…

Do you struggle asking your customers for reviews?  We all know how valuable reviews are for our businesses. They provide social proof, boost our reputation and local SEO, attract new customers, and bottom line - grow revenue. But let's be honest, the process of gathering those golden reviews can sometimes feel like climbing Mount Everest. Here are a few of the challenges and mindset issues that we've seen over the years and how to overcome them. Fear of negative feedback: We worry about negative reviews, so we don't ask. We don't want to hear it! But, all feedback is good feedback and there is gold in both positive and negative feedback. Lack of time and priority: Our customers are busy, so we hesitate to ask and add one more thing to thei…

As parents, one of our primary responsibilities is to guide our children toward independence. One essential aspect of self-care is bathing; knowing when to introduce this skill to your child can be exciting and challenging. While you’ll be helping your child bathe from the moment they are born, they won’t be able to bathe independently until they are older. Teaching them how to wash themselves properly as they grow can help them be ready when the time comes. 1. Motor Skills Development The first stage to consider is your child’s motor skills development. Around the age of two to three, most children demonstrate increased movement coordination and control. They can grasp objects, pour water from containers, and use utensils. These newfound a…

Exceptional customer service is not just a transactional experience; it is the cornerstone of building strong and lasting relationships with your customers. In a highly competitive business landscape, businesses that prioritize providing outstanding customer service are more likely to gain customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and repeat business. In this blog post, we will explore strategies and best practices for building strong customer relationships through exceptional customer service, ultimately driving business growth and success. Understand Your Customers To deliver exceptional customer service, it's crucial to understand your customers' needs, preferences, and expectations. Conduct market research, collect customer feedback, an…

If you aren’t concerned about the latest malware variants… you should be. With record-breaking increases of never-before-seen malware variants being detected every month, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the cybersecurity risks your business might be susceptible to. What is the solution? Today, Chris explains what it means to implement perimeter security for your organization, the tools that detect the malware, and the benefits of working with cybersecurity experts. Managed IT service providers (Like Petra Technologies) can help you implement prevention strategies to address cybersecurity threats before they happen. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo…

Faith in Christ and diligent work form the blueprint for true, fulfilling success. This faith is active and alive, directing our hearts towards love and service.  Diligent work, as taught in the Bible, is about serving others and glorifying God through our efforts, as if we are working for the Lord rather than for human masters (Colossians 3:23). Starting each day with prayer, we are called to set goals that align with Biblical principles, work with integrity, remain steadfast during challenges by leaning into our faith, and regularly pause to give thanks to God for His grace.  When faith in Christ is combined with diligent work, our labor becomes a form of worship and a participation in God’s redemptive work in the world.  This b…

What is the difference between a domain, a website, and web hosting?If you're new to digital marketing, sometimes the lingo can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a domain, a website, and web hosting is, then this video is for you. 

Back-to-school season can be a rollercoaster of emotions for parents. It's a time of mixed feelings, from excitement and anticipation to anxiety and nostalgia. As children embark on a new academic year, parents find themselves navigating a range of challenges and emotions. In this survival guide, we will provide valuable tips and strategies to help parents navigate the back-to-school season with confidence, ensuring a smooth transition for both themselves and their children. Prepare Ahead of Time Start preparing for the back-to-school season in advance to alleviate stress and last-minute rushes. Create a checklist of tasks such as shopping for school supplies, uniforms, or new clothes. Review any required paperwork, medical forms, or immuni…

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month! Hair loss is a common problem that affects everyone, regardless of gender, by affecting a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Whether you’re experiencing hair loss yourself or you simply want to be well-informed, you might be wondering about the exact cause of the underlying problem. Genetics Genetics is a primary factor behind hair loss. If your parents or close relatives have experienced hair loss, you may be more susceptible to it. The genetic component of hair loss is known as androgenetic alopecia, which affects both men and women. This condition is caused by a combination of hormones and genetics, leading to hair follicle miniaturization and eventual hair loss. Genetic hair loss has no cure, but t…

Need junk removal in Salem? Meet Bison Dump Hauling & Junk Removal. Last week we let go of a lot of junk. Literally. Our friends Eleazar Lara and Cynthia Lara with Bison Dump Hauling & Junk Removal came and hauled away junk that has just been sitting on our property for years. They and their team are incredibly hard workers and we appreciate the great job that they did.Most of the junk was left over from when we ran a landscape business from the lower half of our property. That was ages ago. Some of it was more recent. An old swing set, a basketball hoop, and other stuff that we no longer needed.  What junk do you need to let go of? If you have physical junk, give our friends a call and they will do a great job.  It f…

In a world predominantly designed for right-handed individuals, left-handers stand out as a unique and fascinating group. August 13th is recognized as International Left-Handers Day, providing an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the talents, traits, and challenges faced by left-handed individuals. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of celebrating left-handers, highlight their unique traits, and shed light on the challenges they often encounter. Embracing Uniqueness Left-handers make up about 10% of the population, and their left-handedness is a natural variation that should be embraced and celebrated. Left-handedness is associated with creativity, innovation, and unique problem-solving skills. By appreciating and emb…

Congratulations to our friend Kara Alicia with KC Creative for her 3rd year business anniversary. Building a business is hard and many don’t stick with it.Thanks for having us at your celebration Kara. It was a beautiful evening.Kara is doing a lot of things right in her business.1. She has picked a narrow service offering focused on recurring revenue2. She has joined masterminds and learned from others3. She's very good at promoting her servicesI remember our first 3 years in business. It was absolutely brutal.1. I had no plan or idea what I was doing or what service I would provide2. I had no clarity around who my target customers were3. I wasn't part of any mastermind or peer group4. I wasn't involving Pam in creating a vision (oops, BIG…

Ah, 2020, a year that will forever be etched in history. Not just for the major global events, but for the (ahem) roll it played in the "Great Toilet Paper Famine." The TP Crisis: Flushing Away Normalcy When the world was coming to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential implications, a curious phenomenon swept supermarkets worldwide. No, it wasn’t the zombies of apocalyptic lore or even aliens demanding to know our leader.  It was the sight of empty toilet paper aisles. It all began in early 2020, when news of the virus's spread heightened. As whispers of potential lockdowns emerged, panic buying ensued. People rushed to hoard necessities. And in an odd twist, toilet paper became the white gold of our times. The Theories: W…

When it comes to cybersecurity, it is not an exaggeration to say that a simple user error can open a gateway for a cyber attack on your business or organization. For example, an employee could click the wrong link, download “free” software, or disable a security setting that could compromise the whole network — or worse, YOU could be the person making one of those mistakes. This is where Group Policy Objects (GPO) and Active Directory come in. Essentially, GPO is a set of “Dos and Don’ts” that guide permissions, users, and settings on the network, and Active Directory (or something similar) is where everything is organized and stored. While this may not be the most exciting item on the Cybersecurity Essentials Checklist, GPO and Active Dire…