The lie: A virtual private network (VPN) connection is very secure. Why it is a lie: VPN encrypts your traffic. But someone could hack into your VPN username and password and access it, and therefore your traffic and all personally indefinable information. Also, your VPN service provider has access to your internet protocol address, URLs you visit, the amount of time you spend connected online, your browsing patterns, data, etc are visible to your provider. A VPN may protect you against your ISP from seeing your traffic, but not from the VPN owner. That is why many governments now use…
Three data privacy challenges
Today is a global data privacy day! Is there data privacy in reality? I have identified three challenges that prove privacy is just good for conferences. Here we go: Data privacy challenge 1: the entity called “marriage” Many married couples lack an understanding of data privacy. To most, data privacy applies outside the home. Marrieds or folks living together do not appreciate data privacy. They need unlimited access to the other partner’s data, but not theirs. Each wants to read the other partner’s private messages addressed to them. Wants to collect and know as much personally identifiable information about the…
In these tough times, empower others
Today I received a call from a car salesperson. I decided to play along. Sometimes salespeople are looking for a small break. Something to give them hope of a better tomorrow. Your words may make or break their careers. We need to learn to be diplomatic in the way we reject offers. As a consultant, I am a salesperson. When I write a proposal and fail to get a response, I feel bad. However, when the prospect calls or writes back explaining why your proposal was not successful this time, it shows professional courtesy but we improve a lot from…
How some rich people empower their children, case 1
Occasionally, a request for an investigation service is received that appears too interesting to reject. Unlike other services, investigations expose our company and team members to great risk of personal injury. Work well done involves assembling watertight evidence that points a finger at a specific suspect or suspects. Clients do not want stories. They need specific relevant evidence that helps solve cases. The process of collecting the evidence exposes our staff. We are very careful about the kinds of clients we accept. Our professional indemnity insurers do not allow us to take uncalculated risks. For that reason, few investigators, apart…
Are you a board member: answer the following questions?
On March 14th, 2013, the Board Chairman informed members at the board assembly that one of the directors had resigned mentioning busy and conflicting schedules. the primary reaction from one of the directors turned into “appropriate riddance!” the majority of the directors shared comparable sentiments. Some people are sick. They resign expected to be begged to stay, not knowing that peers and other colleagues alike are tired of their presence. You must continuously reflect on the value you add and whether it meets expectations especially of the appointing authority and your close peers. Key questions to continuously ask yourself are: How dynamic and impactful are you on the board? You need to manage board dynamics so that you impact not only fellow board members but…
Do you have any questions to ask this Interview Panel?
Your last impression is as important as your first. The two critical questions you must expect are a) Tell us about yourself, and b) Do you have any question or questions for the interview panel? I help many candidates prepare for executive panel job interviews. During my experience on the Interview panel, candidates who fail the two questions are generally ranked poorly. In these Coronavirus times, many executives are conducting virtual interviews. You must avoid the temptation to read your answers off the screen as you appear unnatural with poor delivery. Great answers speak to the heart other than the…
