Relaunch of the tKnowIT Monthly Newsletter

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Many years ago we put together a monthly newsletter containing useful tips and information  along with any offers that were available.

Over time this has been replaced by emails, website posts and social media posts but it can be handy to have a monthly newsletter that you can read.

Some people prefer to get their updates in this style rather than an email or having to keep up with Social media or navigate several articles on the website.

So, we have relaunched the monthly newsletter to see if you find it useful.

please let us know what you think

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What does the global chip shortage mean for your business?

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For the past couple of years, the tech world has been struggling with a huge shortage of chips.

But it’s not just tech businesses that are feeling the impact.

So many of the things we use every day contain a chip. Laptops and desktops, sure. But also household appliances, even our cars. It’s hard to find an electric device without a chip.

This shortage has the potential to disrupt our modern lives.

Did you know, it’s been ongoing since 2020 (ah, that year really was a gift, wasn’t it)?

It started during the pandemic as production fell while demand went up.

Other events since have made it worse, including extreme weather, the Ukraine war and a factory fire.

We’re told that increasing chip production isn’t easy. It can take years to build a new factory because of the unique production demands.

Of course, all of this is someone else’s problem. Let’s make it real to you – what does this actually mean for your business?

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If any of your staff work remotely, you need to be on top of this

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Remote and hybrid working is now the norm for a lot of people.

But a recent survey has found that, despite it being more than two years since many of us were forced to work from home, too many businesses still don’t have the right cyber security measures in place for those away from the office.

The survey was originally intended to learn about spending plans from now into next year. However, the results highlighted just how few businesses have the right cyber security protections.

And it’s a worry.

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Some employees won’t stop using apps that could be a security risk

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It’s likely a lot of the applications and software tools you’re using now are different from the ones your business used before the pandemic.

That’s because we’ve all had to make big adjustments to the way we communicate and collaborate.

And to begin with, it may have been hit and miss. It’s possible in the first few weeks and months that your employees had to use whatever tools they had available to them.

Now that we’ve settled into permanent new ways of working, we can pick the software tools that best suit our businesses.

Unfortunately, your employees might not like your choice of which apps should be used within the company. And some of them may continue to use the ones they prefer, despite the security risk that comes with that.

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Microsoft’s taking a responsible leadership position on AI

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Microsoft’s decided to retire and rework an AI tool that could not only recognise our facial features, but also identify our mood.

Azure Face is an emotion recognition tool. These are highly criticised by experts who believe they violate human rights.

Microsoft has just published the updated version of its Responsible AI Standard.

It wants AI to be a positive force in the world, and says it recognised Azure Face has the potential to be misused.

It seems like it’s not goodbye for good for the AI facial recognition technology though. Although the public won’t be able to access it, Microsoft sees the value of controlled access for specific needs, such as assistance for the visually impaired.

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How do you stop Teams opening when you start your windows 11 computer

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People have come to rely on MS Teams for hybrid working and communicating but it can be frustrating sometimes.

When you start your computer it automatically opens. It can be disabled from doing this.

In Windows 11 this is a simple change. You can still manually start Teams when needed but this video will show you how to prevent it starting each time you start your computer.

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Ever wondered if your apps are spying on you? Now you can find out

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It’s no secret that some applications are a little too interested in us and what we’re doing.

We’ve all had this experience. You might be talking to a friend about a new product that you’d like to try. Or perhaps you’ve discussed somewhere you’d like to visit.

Then the next time you go online you see adverts for the exact things you were talking about.

It’s more than a coincidence, surely???

Until recently, we haven’t had a lot of control over what information our apps are gathering about us.

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Your business is losing hundreds of hours to spam every year

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Spam emails. Everyone hates them.

It’s not just the emotional pain of clearing spam from your inbox. Having to do that is a real productivity killer, too.

A recent report found that each one of your employees could be losing up to 80 hours each year, thanks to filtering and deleting spam emails.

That’s a LOT of lost productivity.

Anywhere between 45% and 85% of emails generated each day are spam emails. And worryingly, that also includes malicious emails and those hoping to infect you with malware.

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The business owner’s briefing: Reduce the burden on your brain

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When you own or manage a business, your cognitive load can be overwhelming.

Not only do you have your own work to think about, but your focus often has to be split between that and what your people need from you.

That can mean interruption after interruption; a mounting to-do list; and never quite achieving that work/life balance. Which was probably one of your main goals when you started your business.

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Now ‘Do Not Disturb’ means exactly that

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Imagine hours to get on with your most important tasks, without any interruptions from your team.

It’s the dream isn’t it?

A major update to Windows 11 will help you work with zero distractions. Our new video shows you how.

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