ConferenceCall.co.uk blog Posts

We’ve all witnessed first hand how the coronavirus crisis has had a positive impact on the environment – forced lockdowns have meant less travel and cut in the amount of industrial energy being used, all of which has combined to cut pollution and greenhouse gasses.

If we continue to work from home once the pandemic becomes manageable and life returns to ‘normal’, will this help us to continue to help the environment?

Around the world Flexible working News

The coronavirus pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, from day-to-day shopping and commuting, to annual holidays and business travel plans. But will the pandemic still be affecting travel and personal mobility 12 months or longer into the future?

Around the world Infographics News

Credit card and bank account fraud have risen by 40% in the past year, affecting around 5 million people in the UK.

It’s not just individuals that are suffering either – figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau show that impersonation fraud has lost UK businesses around £32 million in the last year, with one company alone conned out of a staggering £18.5 million! And, of the £32 million reported to be lost by businesses to CEO fraud, just £1 million has been recovered by the victims.

But what is impersonation fraud? And how can you protect yourself and your business against this type of fraud?

Guides & How-Tos News Small business

Social distancing measures designed to help stop the spread of coronavirus have meant that more and more food and retail outlets have been asking for contactless payments. If you’ve ever wondered how this tech works, it’s all down to NFC – an easy and intuitive technology that allows you to use your mobile phone for special purposes.

Still none the wiser? Read on…

Technology

Has lockdown affected the way you sleep? Are you having trouble drifting off, or waking up at regular intervals during the night? Or is your sleep punctuated by strange, vivid dreams?

If so, don’t worry. This is all perfectly normal during times of uncertainty and stress – something business owners have not been in short supply of since the lockdown.

The problem is that getting a good night’s sleep is vital for your physical and mental health and well being. Here are some ways to get better sleep so you can be at your best and fighting fit for coming out of lockdown.

Inspiration Work from home

Working on computers all day, intermittently checking our phones, watching television to relax, playing video games for fun – if you spend the vast majority of each day in front of a screen, your eyes will be feeling the strain by bedtime.

Here’s how to look after your eyes and help avoid all sorts of health issues such as eyesight problems, headaches and tiredness.

Inspiration

News Small business Technology

Could you manage a remote team? The coronavirus crisis has seen an increasing number of businesses offering employees the chance to work from home, as much out of necessity to help stop the spread of the virus as anything.

But now that these employees have been given the chance to work from home, it’s a perk that many will want to keep in place long after we’ve all returned to our offices and workplaces in one capacity or another – especially if it’s proven to be a success.

Would your business be able to handle a remote workforce in the long term?

Flexible working Guides & How-Tos Infographics Small business

Cyber security experts are warning us to be extra vigilant online, as the panic caused by the coronavirus crisis has seen a surge in cyber crime and online fraud.

And while anyone who regularly reads our blog will be all too aware of the dangers posed by cyber attacks* – which can cause everything from mild irritation to a full-on international incident – did you know that hacks are graded on their severity?

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – the part UK spy agency GCHQ we’re actually allowed to have sight of – has drawn up new framework for ranking cyber attacks in an effort prepare ministers, agencies and law enforcement for a major attack.

News Technology

Before the Covid-19, there were around 4.2 million of us enjoying the benefits of remote working – that’s 13.9% of the entire UK workforce, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

But the coronavirus lockdown has seen more employees than ever working remotely, with some businesses setting up entire remote workforces and call centres almost overnight.

And while we regular readers will know we’re right behind remote working, it’s not always as easy as it should be, especially if you have to work from a coffee shop, or don’t quite have the right set up at home.

This infographic from Turnstone, designers of inspiring office furniture, highlights the problems faced by anyone working away from the office.

Flexible working Infographics Work from home