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PIC Newsletter - January 2016
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| Greetings! |
Hope you enjoy the latest edition of The Buzz!
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A message from PIC chair Sharon Aschaiek
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 On a day-to-day basis, we mostly focus on the art, craft and business of communicating. That's only natural, because that's what keeps us in business. But I recently a received stark reminder to pay more attention to something else important to my enterprise -- data security. I recently wrote about a presentation at U of T Mississauga led by Ryan Duquette, a digital forensics expert who runs Hexigent Consulting. Duquette discussed the growing threats to our personal information online, and how it can be misused or stolen by hackers, or exploited by businesses. He also talked about how this trend will become magnified by "The Internet of Things" phenomenon, wherein devices ranging from thermostats to fridges to toothbrushes are becoming embedded with network connectivity. |
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Ryan Duquette of Hexigent Consulting.
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"If devices are not secure, hackers can gain a connection to them. They can go into your home network and jump from device to device," Duquette said, adding, "Do companies have privacy as your first priority? No, it's about money."
Some sobering statistics Duquette shared:
- 36% of Canadian businesses have been hit by cyber-attacks;
- 17% of Android device apps are loaded with malware, malicious software that damages or steals data; and
- everything you say to Siri, the iPhone digital assistant, is stored by Apple for two years.
I also recently read about CryptoWall, a type of ransomware -- malware that locks your files until you pay a ransom to the perpetrator -- that has so far netted attackers about $325 million. Altogether, it can spell potential trouble for our businesses if we don't adequately protect our data. Duquette says securing our sensitive digital data is possible if we take the right steps. These include: - Use a respected antivirus program.
- Strengthen the privacy settings on your social media account and in your web browser.
- Secure your Wi-Fi with a password.
- Activate your computer's firewall.
- Increase the complexity of your passwords -- test them at howsecureismypassword.net.
- Use a virtual private network, which lets you encrypt data traveling on the web.
- Back up data to an external hard drive and/or the cloud.
- Use "burner" or disposable email accounts when appropriate.
"Be careful of what and how much you post on social media," he added. "These things can haunt you in the future." Continued success, |
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Newsletter archives
| Find back issues of The Buzz here.
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We want your talents!
| Interested in writing, editing or contributing ideas for PIC's The Buzz or IABC/Toronto's Communicator? We'd love your help. Let us know!
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PIC 2015-2016 Executive
| Contact any of us with questions, comments and ideas for speakers or topics:
Chair: Sharon AschaiekCommunications: Sue Horner
Membership & Events:
Sohini Bhattacharya
Programming: Susan Nakhle and
Social Media: Jacqui d'Eon |
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Jan. 5 recap: Use focus and five steps to be more productive
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by Sue Horner You don't have to hire someone to slap you every time you turn to Facebook. That was the extreme step blogger Maneesh Sethi took to be more productive, detailed in Why I Hired a Girl on Craigslist - and How I Quadrupled My Productivity. But to be productive, you DO need to focus on what's important. So said PIC member and speaker Jane Langille at the January 5 PIC meeting.
"If you're paying attention to one thing, you're not paying attention to the other," Jane told the group.
1. Capture Collect all of the "things to do" that have your attention -- big and small, personal and professional. Use an in-basket or simple pencil and paper, or tools like MindNode, Coggle , FreeMind or XMind. 2. Clarify
Look at each item. Can you act on it? If you can do it in less than two minutes, do it now. If not, defer it to a scheduled time, or delegate it (outsource your housecleaning, gardening, bookkeeping and so on). If you can't take action, trash it or file it. Note that if you are filing it, be sure you have a searchable system.
3. Organize Get those items out of your head and onto a list. Set up buckets for projects, areas of responsibility, "someday/maybe." Use your calendar, not your to-do list, to schedule meetings, phone calls, interviews, etc. Jane suggested apps like Things, Daylite or Evernote, or organizing systems Bullet Journal or Planner Pad. 4. Reflect
Review and reflect on your system often: daily, to plan your time for the day, and weekly, to clean up your lists, delete or make sure items are in the right spot and plan your upcoming week.
5. Engage Take action. Organize your day into 25-minute chunks of time for work, followed by a five-minute break away from your computer screen. (This Pomodoro technique also has apps, but a kitchen timer will do fine.) Email is a particular distraction that affects productivity. Here are some tips for keeping your in-box in check: - Don't keep mail as a "to do" list. Move tasks to your proper list and delete the email.
- Use set times to process your mail (using the Clarify rules above).
- Set up rules, folders and filters to automate as much as you can.
- Unsubscribe from things you no longer read or promotional mail you don't want.
- Turn email notifications off to let you focus on work.
- If you want to be really gutsy, declare email bankruptcy -- wipe everything out and start over.
"Being more productive will help you get more things accomplished, increase your income and have a better work/life balance this year," Jane encouraged us. Check Jane's blog for the complete list of resources she mentioned in her talk, including apps, articles, books, tools and systems. A version of this article also appeared on Sue's blog. |
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Feb. 4: Got the winter blues? Kick them to the curb with the next PIC social
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Beat the February blues at PIC's next social on Thursday, February 4, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. onward. Join your PIC friends and colleagues as we enjoy classic pub fare within the warm and inviting atmosphere at the Duke of York. The Duke of York is located steps from St. George subway station at 39 Prince Arthur Ave., just east of Bedford and north of Bloor.
PIC social events allow you to meet new people or get to know others better. Bounce ideas off your fellow indies, rehearse your elevator speech or get answers to questions. It's pay-your-own-way for drinks and munchies, but the conversation and company are free.
To make sure we have reserved enough space for everyone, let Susan Nakhle know if you can make it, at snakhle@dynamicpr.ca. See you there!
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Other upcoming events
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(1)
Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, 7 p.m.
PWAC Looks at Books
Room R318, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave., Toronto
This seminar for fledgling and experienced non-fiction authors alike will examine ghostwriting, traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, ebooks and other literary-minded topics. Panellists will include publishers, editors and writers.
Learn more and register
(2) Friday, Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Social Media 101 Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Ave., 4th floor, Toronto Are you tired of trying to figure out social media on your own? Would you like to get your burning questions about the WHY and HOW of social media answered? Come to this workshop led by PIC member and prolific blogger, podcaster and Twitterer Donna Papacosta. Earlybird pricing applies if you register by Jan. 31, and PIC members receive a 15% discount with the code iabc2016. Learn more and register.
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Friday, Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A Deep Dive into Twitter
Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Ave., 4th floor, Toronto
In this intensive workshop led by Donna Papacosta, you will learn to use Twitter to follow news, to connect with influencers, to uncover business opportunities or to spread your non-profit organization's message. Earlybird pricing applies if you register by Jan. 31, and PIC members receive a 15% discount with the code iabc2016.Learn more and register. Note: If you hear of a communication-related course, workshop or other event we should share with PIC members, please let Sue Horner know. Thanks!
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Welcome new members
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Julia Morgan
Evoke
Toronto
416 828-5538
Evoke creates lively, persuasive and strategic branded content that makes change possible. Reports, articles, proposals, case statements, speeches, media materials, CSR, video... Subject matter expertise includes health, mental health, disabilities, research, First Nations and child development. Nathalie Noël Brand & Communications Strategy Coach Toronto Using the principles and tools of holistic branding and strategic communications and marketing, Nathalie helps entrepreneurs and organizations define what makes them unique, and how to use that uniqueness to stand out and achieve goals. |
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PIC Personalities
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Meet Carolyn Black
by Sue Horner
Carolyn Black offers freelance writing and editing services to the education and non-profit sectors, building on 16 years of experience in educational publishing and higher education. She writes reports, successful grant applications and sharp web copy. Learn more about her on LinkedIn or reach her by email at carolyn.sheila.black@gmail.com.  When did you launch your independent business? I'm actually working full time at the moment, but I've had freelance work bubbling on the side for many years. The reason is that a few years ago, I was laid off suddenly -- told at 4:30 p.m. Friday that I had no job on Monday. I panicked, and realized that being absorbed in that job had caused me to neglect my professional community and made me vulnerable. In 2015, I decided to make freelancing a bigger part of my life. I had worked as freelance editor and writer in my 20s, and decided to re-energize the business. I realized that with my 16 years of experience in education and educational publishing, I already had a niche. What's your background? I have an MA in English from U of T, then worked in editorial work at Oxford University Press Canada, then found a longer-term home at a research and publishing project at U of T, where I am currently. I've also published a collection of short stories, The Odious Child. What type of work are you doing now? At the moment, I'm freelancing for an education consulting company, writing material for SAT preparation resources. What do you enjoy most about being an indie? Unlike full-time work where you have other things pulling at you, when you're independent, you get discrete projects. I love hunkering down over a project and getting totally absorbed in it. I love writing, love the language. I love that I have the option to choose what interests me most, knowing each project is slightly different than past ones. The future is unpredictable. What don't you like about being an indie? The future is unpredictable! Although I have full-time work supporting me at the moment, I remember the cash flow anxiety when I was just operating as a freelancer. Being laid off a full-time job gave me a window into thinking about the situation differently. Even with the job I thought secure, cash flow could become an issue. That's when I realized the strength of freelance work. You have diverse streams, and if one disappears, you aren't left totally in the lurch. That's both a strength and a weakness -- if you have a diverse client base, there is something secure in that, but you have to do a lot more grubbing around for work. What advice have you taken to heart about the independent life? You need to build your network and meet new people. You need to keep current, keep learning and develop your skills as a communicator. Don't isolate yourself. That makes sound business sense, but it's also good for your mental health. Join as many writing or indie organizations as you can afford to. Of course, PIC is at the top of the list! How long have you been a PIC member, and what value do you get or expect to get from your membership? I joined IABC in 2015 and PIC shortly after. It was a pleasant surprise to discover PIC since it is so appropriate for my needs. The PIC events are so informative, and collaborating with colleagues is a real pleasure. Shortly after joining, I met Sohini Bhattacharya, and have already worked with her on one freelance project. I hope to collaborate more, and being part of PIC seems like a great way to make that happen.
We count more than 160 members in PIC, offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to video production and writing. Do you know everyone? Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members and randomly profiles existing members. Let Sue Horner know if you'd like to be profiled and she'll be in touch to set it up! You can find previous PIC Personalities in The Buzz archives and on IABC/Toronto's CommVersations blog.
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Get your LinkedIn profile link on the PIC member list
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You may not have a website to include in your profile in the PIC Member List on the IABC/Toronto website, but you do have a LinkedIn profile, don't you? Send the link to PIC's Director of Membership & Events, Sohini Bhattacharya. Sohini keeps a running list that she updates with IABC/Toronto every quarter.
Not on the list yet? What are you waiting for? As a member of PIC, you can promote yourself at no charge in the directory. Simply send Sohini your name, company name, location, email address, telephone, website, blog and a brief description of your business (up to 35 words).
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Be sure to join PIC's LinkedIn group
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Speaking of LinkedIn, we're working hard to make our LinkedIn group -- IABC Toronto Professional Independent Communicators -- the place for PIC members to get information about upcoming PIC events and share useful information about building and managing a small communications business. If you want to be in the know, join the Linked In group and set your notifications to at least weekly to keep up with the latest developments. We'll post PIC events to the group, and members are welcome to post articles or ask questions that will help other members grow and manage their businesses. Jacqui d'Eon moderates the group and is our 2015-2016 Social Media Director.
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PIC wants YOU...to be a mentor or mentee
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Some PIC members are new to being an entrepreneur, while others have been on the playing field for a while. That sparked the (we think) brilliant idea to match the newbies and the veterans in an informal mentorship program. We do the matchmaking; the rest -- when, where and how often to connect, what to discuss, etc. -- is up to you. If you fit either category and want to participate, let us know. Email PIC chair Sharon Aschaiek at sharon@cocoamedia.ca. Watch for a profile next month of one of our mentor pairs.
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Can you offer an internship? Humber College would like to chat
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Humber College has launched Professional Writing & Communications, a two-semester post-graduate certificate program that teaches the core skills needed to work in communications. As part of the program, students complete a 12-week internship to gain workplace experience and build their professional network.
The college is looking for employers to provide mentorship, performance feedback, work space and pay (encouraged, not mandatory). The internship would run May 9 to July 30, 2016. Internship postings are required by February 2016, and student interviews will take place in March 2016.
Students will be able to contribute to an organization's communications efforts through social media writing; research; blog writing and publishing; editing; copywriting; proofreading; media writing; project management and more.
To learn more about bringing an intern on board, contact Bianca Sorbera, student placement advisor, at 416-675-5000 ext. 73601.
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PIC is a special interest group of IABC/Toronto. PIC's mission is to support independent IABC/Toronto communicators through professional development, networking and marketing. The Buzz is PIC's e-newsletter, intended to inform independent communicators about our activities, share professional development tips from past meetings and keep us aware of what's going on. Connect with us on the web at pictoronto.com and LinkedIn.
As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC/Toronto provides access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. IABC helps people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication. For more information, visit the IABC website.
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Editor and Director, Communications - PIC
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