How has your organisation reacted to the COVID-19 crisis? Fortunately our team at iotum has performed well and adapted quickly to life under pandemic.
Now we are facing a new chapter as governments talk about re-opening, and many grapple with a ‘new normal’ that evolves by the day.
Iotum's primary office is based in central Canada in Toronto. Our province – Ontario – is implementing a phased approach to opening the economy after the COVID quarantine. Phase One, a limited re-opening of businesses and services, commenced on 19th May 2020. (more…)
With the state of the planet making its way from once being an afterthought, now to the forefront of how we live, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that we as humans can do our part to pitch in. The way in which we approach work, for example, can have mega effects on our carbon footprint as an individual as well as part of a workforce.
In our lifetime we have never seen anything like this. There have been massive natural disasters, the trauma of 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. They pale in comparison to what is unfolding before our eyes today.
In my reporting days, I recall vividly working all hours after the terror attacks on the World Trade Centre. During the great ice storm, a cameraman and I did a white-knuckle drive through crazy conditions on the 401 all the way to Montreal, where everything was closed, hydro towers were bent in half, with no sign of when the electricity would come back on. In 2008, I stood, astonished at the news conference where Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a massive bailout of the auto industry, saving the sector that was once the backbone of the Ontario economy from collapse. (more…)
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, we are living in a time we never thought could possibly happen in the modern world. For now, we are being urged to slow down our lives as our health and the health of others comes first and foremost.
But just because life as we know it has been put on pause, it doesn’t mean we have to come to a complete halt. It just requires a creative solution.
Yes, there are lots of question marks.
Yes, we need to create space and stay at home.
Yes, we need to take necessary precautions to ensure one’s physical health is in top shape.
Remote work takes on many shapes and forms including the idyllic “digital nomad” pictures of
laptops-on-beaches flooding Instagram. Sure, that’s an aspect, but if you’re looking for other options, then this post is for you.
The value of meeting clients face to face whether in person or with video conferencing is imperative to making a good impression and securing work. It’s your opportunity to put your best foot forward, and literally, be the face of your brand. With such a huge rise in the gig economy, however, the landscape is competitive and it begs the question, do freelancers need video conferencing to make their business successful and stand out?
One of the biggest hurdles for freelancers when attracting clients is providing them the peace of mind that they are paying for a hard-working, dedicated professional who they may likely never meet in the flesh. It’s important to bridge that gap if freelancers want to ramp up client in-take and bring in more jobs for themselves. Standing out doesn’t just get you jobs – creation, connection and collaboration by way of video conferencing does. (more…)
There’s something about the holiday season that brings people closer. From the moment November slips into December, and the holiday lights go up, there’s a sudden urge to do “Christmassy” things. Make eggnog, bake cookies, go shopping, wear red and green, watch nostalgic movies – you get the idea!
When it comes to traditions, every family’s got ‘em! Being together and in the moment is what it’s all about, whether you decorate a palm tree or Christmas tree, light a menorah or fly across the country to be with the ones you love. (more…)
In the not so distant past, going into the office everyday was just part of the job. While telecommuting was the norm for some fields (mostly IT), others are now just implementing the infrastructure to facilitate remote working capabilities. With adequate 2-way technology that comes with high quality audio and video, and other features that ensure smooth communication, many industries are following suit, like sales and admin, customer service, teaching and training, marketing, writing, creative services and more. Even hybrid solutions (flex time, remote and office hours, etc.) are cropping up in other fields. There’s a reason for this upward trend, and it’s showing signs of heightened productivity, focus and output – to name a few!
Cities are growing larger and more spread out. So too are businesses with more clients, more employees and higher metrics to attain. With growth comes change, and not all change is bad, especially if it means sitting at home in your pajamas working on your laptop. Consider the abundant benefits that come along with telecommuting when you don’t have to battle traffic or even get dressed. (more…)
How many times have you been at your desk; longingly looking out the window, imagining swaying palm trees against blue skies as the backdrop to your everyday instead of four white walls? What if you could carry your office with you, and set up shop wherever your heart desires that day running your tasks, creating content and managing clients? Now more than ever, it’s possible. Audio and video calls via conferencing technology gives you the power to run your online business seamlessly, allowing anyone to live that work/life integration lifestyle. Are you looking for some inspiration to take the next step towards your dreams?
Kiki Ura is a Toronto-based spiritual business coach who helps entrepreneurial women scale their business and manifest unlimited freedom, money and success. She’s the founder of Namaslay Babe and started her business from the ground up. As she grows her network from her laptop, she’s been able to embark on her very own digital nomad journey. (more…)
It’s hard to think that some of the mega-corporations today came from such humble beginnings as small businesses! With nothing but a wing and a prayer, these forward-thinking future CEOs forked over lots of their time, and tons of their money to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship. And to imagine that most of our household items, the ones we couldn’t possibly manage our day to day without, are quite literally a product and combination of innovation and the courage to see it through to the end from merely a dream. (more…)
