Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1518155
wbjournal.com | April 1, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 19 10) Become security aware: Organi- zations face the enormous challenge of safeguarding data from complex cyber threats. Human error still accounts for 95% of security breaches, according to the World Economic Forum. 9) Employee accountability: Security lies in what employees know and are trained to know, the tools at their disposal, and how they respond to phishing attacks. 8) Build a human firewall: By regularly conducting simulated phishing exercises seven times a year, organizations can train their workforce, cultivating their intuition and muscle memory to combat threats. 7) Limit tech overreliance: A holistic approach considering people, processes, technology, and oversight is necessary for security enforcement. 6) Awareness vs. action: Fostering a cul- ture of security-minded behavior requires motivation and participation. Develop a shared sense of responsibility. 5) Communication challenges: Communi- cate concerns to all department levels with- out jargon. Security professionals should stress the financial fallout from an attack. 4) Behavior science: Understanding moti- vations, discouragements, and responses to phishing tests can make training more effective in creating a strong security culture. Use the carrot, not the stick. Never humiliate when someone fails a phishing test but highlight the risk to the business. 3) Tailor training content: Tailor the train- ing content to various groups or depart- ments depending on their security maturity. Use fun incentives like gamification, gift cards, badges, team vs. team. 2) Buy-in from the top: Leaders should set an example by taking the training. Em- ployees need to hear about the potential for business disruption and costly remedia- tion of a cyberattack. 1) Integrate awareness with new tech: As new technologies like AI and blockchain are more prevalent, employees must be trained to manage their security aspects. Build community relationships BY SLOANE PERRON Special to WBJ T he COVID pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the way we conduct business, including the acceleration of remote work. Work- ing from home is a benefit businesses are still incorporating, as of 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work a hybrid model, ac- cording to Forbes. e key to success- fully working from home is maintaining productivity. Develop a routine. While hybrid jobs help maintain a normal work sched- ule, those who are completely remote must rely on their own discipline and time management. BambooHR says consistently waking up on time and still going through a morning routine of getting dressed will help enforce a work schedule from home. Organizing your calendar to include all your work meetings and trainings, along with per- sonal activities such as lunch breaks or walking the dog, will provide structure throughout the workday. Overcommunicate with your team. ose working from home miss the benefit of seeing coworkers in person. Since most communication is nonver- bal, the lack of seeing facial cues or body language can be an obstacle. is is why overcommunicating with colleagues and supervisors is critical to effective remote work. Being upfront with your team, updating them on your progress, and being open about any questions or clarifications you might have are key to ensuring positive workflow, according to the Human Resources Training and De- velopment Department at the University of Georgia. When in doubt as a remote worker, always choose transparency and talk to your team. Create a dedicated workspace. Remote work forgoes the cubicle, but it is still important to maintain your own workspace for privacy and productivity. Entrepreneur Magazine recommends creating an office space, preferably one limiting outside interruptions and noise. Once you have your location selected, set it up with some work from home essentials like reliable WiFi, high quality headphones, and a comfortable chair, and you now have a workspace emulat- ing the productivity of an office with all the comforts of home. S TAY I N G P R O D U C T I V E W H I L E W O R K I N G F R O M H O M E BY ULYSSES YOUNGBLOOD Special to WBJ I n today's competitive markets, the symbiosis between your business and its geographical and cul- tural community is essential for economic prosperity. Genuine en- gagement with the community is a cor- nerstone of this relationship, fostering a loyal customer base, enhancing repu- tation, and opening doors to invaluable local partnerships and networks. My journey of growing a community-based business, which includes 400+ daily retail visitors, underscores the power of authentic community interaction. In the 2.5 years Major Bloom has been serving customers, we've found these strategies are key for community bonds. Establish your presence: It's crucial for businesses, especially those in dy- namic or underserved areas, to immerse themselves in the community. Down- town offices are naturally at the heart of community groups eager for collabora- tion, but don't be deterred by distance. Actively research and reach out. Partner- ing with organizations supporting vital social causes, such as providing essential resources to needy families, is incredi- bly impactful during the giving season. Understanding the operational model of these organizations, even nonprofits, is critical to meaningful collaboration. Elevate your voice: Visibility is para- mount. If your business serves consum- ers directly, engage in person and online with other community-facing compa- nies. Utilize technology, like customer relationship management databases, to spotlight community connections and collaborations. Initiating or participating in events, new product launches, or ser- vices in partnership with another local business can enrich your community presence. Consistency and originality in your content creation and cross-pro- motion efforts will set you apart, as will the story of your brand. As humans, we love to connect with those around us and find pieces of ourselves reflected in our favorite media, brands, and local leaders. At Major Bloom, we use our voice to tell a story about the legacy of weed and the incredible people in the community. Strategize and measure: Setting clear, achievable goals is the foundation of any results-driven organization. Commu- nity collaboration can be nebulous, requiring specific internal objectives and deadlines, particularly when supporting another organization's initiative. Authen- tic engagement, underpinned by a deep understanding of the community's and stakeholders' needs, will lend credibil- ity. Regularly assess the impact of your endeavors, adjusting strategies to ensure ongoing and meaningful involvement. Diversity drives collaboration: A diverse team is beneficial and crucial for successful community collaboration, allowing you to meet a broad spec- trum of stakeholder needs. Operating a community-based cannabis business in Worcester's vibrant but economically challenged Green Island neighborhood presents unique challenges and oppor- tunities. From addressing local issues to supporting neighborhood events, our commitment to creating specialty prod- ucts and original content has significantly enhanced our brand engagement beyond our immediate locale. Major Bloom col- laborated with Femme Bar, a safe space for lesbian and queer women, to produce a pre-roll with potential to provide relief to people living with painful reproduc- tive conditions, like endometriosis – and bring a new spark to women's sex drive. Long-term commitment yields ROI: Investments in community collaboration should be viewed through a long-term lens. Our podcast, Infused Influence, is a testament to this approach and has become a cornerstone of our community engagement strategy. By featuring a mix of business and community leaders, we've created a platform for sharing stories and successes, measuring our impact through listener engagement and the heartfelt feedback of our guests. 10 Things I know about … ... Security training W Ulysses Youngblood is the president of Worcester cannabis dispensary Major Bloom. W W By Janelle Drolet Janelle Drolet is vice president of operations and sales for Towerwall, a cybersecurity con- sulting firm based in Framingham.