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Listen, I’m done. I’m done writing about it, I’m done talking about it, I’m done thinking about it. 

The timeless Serenity Prayer looks inside to find ¨the serenity to accept the things we cannot change¨…well, at the moment there’s not a lot we can change about this strange new world we share.

However, it also asks for ¨the courage to change the things one can¨…and that’s where we can take positive action in this time of uncertainty.

After some deep reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion that the healthiest thing to do given the circumstances is to get back to work, in mind and spirit if not in body…with that in mind, I was lucky enough to secure an interview with someone I really admire. 

Steve Anderson knows I consider him an all-around good guy, but what he may not know until reading it here, is that I also think of him as a mentor. 

Steve’s thought leadership in the space of Insurance and Technology and his steady work-ethic has given me consistent guidance throughout my career. I’ve also learned a lot from his new book, an insightful examination of tech magnate and junior world leader Jeff Bezos.  Steve has a worthy perspective, and so I hope you enjoy the video interview. It’s definitely insightful and worth a watch. And maybe you want to subscribe to my Youtube channel while you are at it.
 

The Right Tools for the Job

There are CRM capabilities built into many agency management systems the same way there may be a pair of scissors built into a Swiss Army knife…only kinda. The fact is that in most cases, the native resources in this area tend to…well, suck. Enter Hubspot. At just 50 bucks monthly to get started, Hubspot will transform your agency sales process and likely pay for itself in no time…another worthy mention, where it will actually integrate with your management system is  Agency Revolution, which you should also give a try.

A Portable Pop-Up Party

…but enough about work, already! One lesson from early 2020 that I will be taking with me into my future endeavours concerns the importance of making the most of our leisure time, and so I´m already looking forward to grilling season. 

That’s right, summer is right around the corner, so I´m already scouting out this year’s addition to my outdoor kitchen. The lead candidate is this sweet collapsible model from Coleman…they named it the ¨Roadtrip X-Cursion,¨ which seems a bit redundant…but hey the thing folds flat for storage, wheels around as easy as a shopping cart, and pops up into a propane powerhouse in seconds so ya know what I can overlook it.
 

HealthWatch

In the meantime I´m going to have to offset all that impending grillmastery with a little extra attention to wellness…I´m not going to cut BBQ out of my life, just not gonna, so it´s probably a good idea to keep an eye on my overall health.

The right apps can go a long way in helping you monitor your habits…I personally use Sleep Watch and HRV Tracker on my Apple Watch daily.

In fact, there are quite a few Watch apps that can help you work around one vice or another–or become the picture of overall health, if you insist–and this piece from TechRadar spotlights a few of the best to come out so far in 2020.
 

The Last Word 

Well, that should just about do it for this week. Thanks as always for making time in your routine for another exciting episode of ¨Brad´s Blog!¨ I´ll be checking in again within a few days, but until then remember: we seldom control our circumstances, but almost always control our responses to them.

The post Mindfully Moving Forward with Steve Anderson first appeared on Archway Computer.

¨Social distancing¨ has become enshrined in the pop culture vocabulary of 2020 and beyond, but any nerd knows that we were doing it way before it went mainstream….so when my daughter came up with the concept for the shirt you see, I immediately ordered one for all of Team Archway…but I didn´t think it was fair to keep all the style and social media likes for ourselves…and that´s why we made it so you can get one of your very own!

Not only is this shirt an ideal attire choice for all the hottest and most exclusive video conferences of the season, ALL SALE PROCEEDS will go to the Feeding America program, so you can look good, have a laugh, and help the most vulnerable people in our country keep food on their tables through this unprecedented challenge. That´s a nice little bundle of wins.

Is There Such a Thing as Home School School?

It’s been a while since my last PTA meeting, but I can only imagine what it’s like to have school-age children sitting around the house just waiting to be educated, as kids do…it’s like some kind of endless snow day (or at least what this Southern California boy hears that snow days were like on the TV).

The students themselves may not mind the free time too much, but if you´re looking for a way to salvage some semblance of schooling between now and the usual end of the academic year, Rosetta Stone has stepped to the plate with a sweet offer. 

The language learning resource is offering free student access to its online tools for 3 months, and since your 3rd grader is probably going to slack off at some point in the next 90 days, it’s a good opportunity for you to pick up a few phrases as well, n´est-ce pas?

A Cavalcade of Concerts

While we can–and will–try to make the best of it, in some cases the reality of the current crisis is always evident. Particularly here in the LA area, the concert and festival season would typically be in full swing by the end of April, but with Mayor Garcetti recently making the pronouncement that Angelenos should probably not expect to amass anytime soon, it´s safe to say that this is not a typical year.

On the bright side, it is definitely cool to see big-time artists and creators still looking for ways to keep their fans engaged through these strange days, and this list of upcoming livestreams is proof that is we absolutely have to pick a time to be locked inside indefinitely, the Internet age isn´t the worst choice. Featured artist range from Snoop Dogg to the Grateful Dead and pretty much everyone in between, so you´re bound to find something worth a click and listen.
 

The Last Word 

All right, that´s about all for this week, but before I go I want to thank everyone reading this for taking the time to do so…it´s great to know I still have an audience with all this competition. I´ll be checking in with you in a few days, keep an eye on your inbox, but if you have something worth sharing for the next episode, a reader email always puts a smile on my face so shoot one over anytime!

The post Social Distancing Archway Style first appeared on Archway Computer.

The ability to work around our current circumstances and try to enjoy our ride around the Sun no matter what is a skill set that can prove useful in many facets of life…and so it was really encouraging to see so many friendly faces during our happy hour last Saturday.
25 of us showed up and it was actually a great time…humans are, after all, social creatures, and a little upbeat interaction can go a long way toward keeping up morale in a difficult and unpredictable time. I find myself even more sold on Zoom…it´s free to sign up, but the premium features are worth the investment.
 

Advantage: Wimbledon

These days pretty much everybody in the business is having to write half a billion emails daily explaining to clients that their standard policy doesn’t cover pandemics…it’s just not something most people think about on a day to day basis the way they might a fire or flood.

Most people, that is.
As one of the rare exceptions, the guy responsible for procuring insurance for Wimbledon apparently deserves a raise. That´s right, back during the SARS scare about 20 years ago, this person displayed a singular level of foresight in asking a single profound question: ¨hmm, but what if no tennis because pandemic?¨

And so, after what I imagine was many long conversations with the High Council of Wimbledon (made that up, but I said ¨I imagine¨), the tournament was insured against a global medical crisis at the cost of 2 million USD yearly.
Oh, how the other sports must have laughed…and then 2020 rolled around and foresight paid off to the tune of $141,000,000. 

Even the least mathematical among us can see a good bit of daylight between less than 40 million and almost 150 million, so kudos to Wimbledon Insurance Guy (WIG is what they call him… OK, I made that up too).

Hit the Couch Running – With Angela Adams

To say that the tools of the Internet will be essential managing the workplace of the near future is like observing that an advanced alien technology ¨runs on some sort of electricity.¨
You´re not wrong, it´s just that there’s a fair bit of missing information.
Fortunately we have people in the industry like Angela Adams–of Angela Adams Consulting, of course–to help fill in the gaps. She made this video full of actionable information about making a smooth transition to the offsite office, including helpful tips on managing a remote workforce.

The Last Word 

Well, that´s about all for this week! Thanks as always for taking the time to check out this essential edition of ¨Brad´s Blog¨…with so many options for how you spend your time now, I´m honored that you spent a little with me. Until next time, stay safe!

The post The Best Ability is Adaptability first appeared on Archway Computer.

Before we get started this week month year decade, I want to start out by wishing everyone out there a successful and fulfilling 2020 possible! 

(sidenote: isn’t 2020 the most fun year to type in a while?) 

It’s a particularly special time for me, as 2020 marks my 10th year of leading Team Archway and it’s been an interesting ride to say the least. 

Still, I’m saving myself some time during this latest lap around the Sun by realizing early that this is not the year I give up sugar, desserts, dairy or carbs…it’s one of the consistent themes of every New Year. Another regular realization that hits me around this time is that a lot of insurance agencies start wondering if they’re getting the best IT services out there.

That’s why we specialize in providing that level of constant care all year long.

Put simply, Archway’s focus is on helping independent agencies just like yours get the most out of the hardware and software they rely on every day. That means identifying potential problems before they transform into costly downtime, keeping your resources available to you so you can spend more time doing what you do best: growing your insurance agency.

If you’re still reading this, I’m appreciative of your time. If you would like a little of mine in return, you can schedule a 15 minute call with me by clicking this link. 

Happy New Year from all of us at Archway!
 

Habitual Line-Skipper

If this year is like most others, I’m set to travel abroad my fair share in 2020. One thing about traveling outside these United States is the process of returning home, and that means dealing with immigration…apparently I’ve been doing it the caveman way all this time.

My son (leave it to him, naturally) recently clued me in on an app that really speeds the process up for many people traveling in and out of the country, and fittingly it’s called Mobile Passport. The service allows American citizens and our Canadian counterparts to quickly move through the screening process through pre-registration…rumor has it that folks are getting through customs in under a minute.

Mobile Passport is not a replacement for your original travel documentation–there will certainly be someone around checking for that, don’t you worry–but the app is live in 27 of the country’s largest airports and 4 major cruise ports, and I for one look forward to wasting less of my life standing around in a glorified bus terminal waiting in line to wait in line.
 

An Audience With Angela Adams

If you’re not familiar with Angela Adams, you might have some homework to do. She is the undisputed queen of all agency management system consulting and accounting…we should all be so lucky to benefit from a bit of her insight. 

Fortunately, I’m exactly that lucky.That’s right, Angela is having a customer connect educational get together in sunny Orlando this February, and I am honored to be a part of the event…click here for more information!

Roaming Data

I know many of you are still using a data center for your hosting needs. TAM On-line is just one example of a high profile management system who will host your information in a data center (either one they own directly or a colocation or “Colo” facility). There are many IT providers that hold clients data hostage and make it difficult to leave.

According to a recent poll in this piece by Gartner, 80 percent of enterprises surveyed had plans to close their data centers and transition to a cloud service by 2025…even Apple, an 800-pound gorilla in any industry it touches, has abandoned the data center in favor of Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

That’s what we call a consensus.

The Last Word

Right then, I’ve got a packed agenda this week as the Western world shakes off the slack and dives into the first full week of 2020! I promise not to type “2020” anywhere near as much next week, but thanks as always for making time in this ten-year period for another inspired installment of “Brad’s Blog!” I hope to be back in your best inbox next week–not the one you ignore, the one with 4,186 “new messages”–and if you want to chat before then, just shoot me an email.

2020!

The post To Clearer Tech Visions in 2020 👀 first appeared on Archway Computer.

In case you weren’t aware (shame on you), Mother’s Day is coming up this week!

If it sort of snuck up on you this year, this feature from PC Mag details some of the best gifts for the tech-savvy mother in your life. My personal favorite is the Drop scale, which updates as you add ingredients. It can even adjust a recipe if you’re running low on something…whether she’s a great cook or just really likes to try, that’s sure to come in handy.

This Uber Delivers Too

Out on the streets, a certain San Francisco-based ridesharing company is about to run into some serious labor issues with a multi-city strike for higher wages looming over this week’s scheduled IPO, but here in the office Uber Conference gives us everything we need to make sure work goes a little more smoothly.

Uber Conference offers quick and easy chat and video calling with customers, clients, and coworkers, no download required. It also allows instant screen-sharing, so we can collaborate on projects from across the hall or across the country. Gotta love convenience.

Spend Smarter with Siftwallet

Half of the reason so many of us have multiple credit cards is to take advantage of those sweet, sweet benefits, right? A gas card here, a store card there, and you feel like you’re really working the system…but not so fast, my friend! Unless you’re usingSiftwallet to maximize your gains, you may just be seeing the tip of the iceberg.

Siftwallet is an app for iOS and Android that curates and tracks credit card benefits, allowing you to unlock rewards faster and more economically. It calculates the best credit card to use on each purchase, so you can make the most of price matching and  rental card discounts as well as strategically racking up those airline miles, all at the lowest possible rates.

Appointments Made Easy

Scheduling appointments can be a real hassle…at times, I’ve spent longer scheduling and organizing a meeting than actually interacting with the person. Thankfully, those days are long past thanks to TimeTrade.

TimeTrade allows you to quickly set up an appointment, so your customers can always connect with you at a time that works for both parties. You can even use my personal TimeTrade link to schedule a call with me to talk tech!

The Last Word

Fantastic, that will just about do it for the first full week of May! As always, I want to take a moment here at the end to thank all my readers for sticking with “Brad’s Blog” week after week, the feedback I get is so fulfilling and I’ve really met some great people through writing this newsletter. I’ll be back on schedule next time around, but until then CALL YOUR MOTHER!!!

The post Mother’s Day Upgrades and Saving with Siftwallet first appeared on Archway Computer.

If you were trying to get in touch with me this past Friday, I may not have immediately responded but I had a  really good reason for it: I was having my quinquennial colonoscopy (means every 5 years, thought learning something new would take some of the edge off this lead-in).

Fortunately I’m all clear, and although prep is still not a trip to Disneyland I have to saythe process has improved even in the last 5 years. It really could have been worse for a number of reasons…when I was in the recovery room afterward, I overheard other patients being informed that they would have to do the whole thing again because they had failed to finish their jug of prep solution before their appointment…basically, they cheated!Luckily I followed doctor’s orders to the letter, so I was able to decline the bonus colonoscopy…if you want proof that I really committed to getting this right the first time, here’s a shot of me with my outstanding patient award.

Ideal Eyewear for a Bright Future

If you gave that picture of me posing with the prep jug a click you might have taken note of my stylish new spectacles. I spend a lot of time using the computer in this line of work–heck, this entire timeline–and eye strain from gazing into the screen all day is becoming a widespread issue among us citizens of the future…”The Jetsons” glossed over that way back when.

I feel as though I was born a bit too early to be in the first epidemic of Computer Vision Syndrome sufferers, and so I decided to take action. The new glasses are designed to minimize the damage, treated with an anti-reflective coating that eliminates glare and cuts down on the amount of blue light that gets through…naturally, I found them on Amazon.

Gmail Goes to Work

Like so many of us, I use Gmail as my primary personal email provider…hey, when you’re the best, you’re the best. However, it’s not as peerless for professional use, especially for insurance agencies. Integration issues with the major management system providers run rampant, and it can be less than intuitive to use with the default settings.

Still, Gmail so familiar by now that people are looking to find every possible workaround, and I recently caught wind of this new Chrome extension that creates a much cleaner inbox than the default settings so at least it’s not a total mess. I supposewho better to fix Gmail than its former lead designer…if it’s good enough for him, it should serve your purposes as well.

Thanos Takes Over the Internet

If you’re a geek like me or have friends who are, by now you’ve either seen the latest Avengers movie or had it spoiled for you by some loser on the Internet.

In any event, this little easter egg from Google outdoes even their usual standard for imaginative delight…Google the word “Thanos,” then click the big golden glove at the right side of the screen and watch what happens. You don’t even have to be a fan of comic books or the 2,486 movies they have spawned in the last few years to appreciate that little visual treat.

The Last Word

Well then, that will just about do it for this week. As always, I want to thank my loyal readers for continuing to make “Brad’s Blog” a part of your week, it means a lot to me that so many people have not added my email address to their spam folder yet. I’ll be back around right on schedule next week, but until then remember to take a break from the computer screen every so often…you’re finished reading this, so now seems like a perfect time.

The post Clean Colon – Happy Eyes – Better Gmail first appeared on Archway Computer.

I’ve always thought that being a big shot must be nice…public spotlight, friends in high places to handle sticky situations…and now that I’ve had a taste of the life, I know it for a fact.

You see, I’ve talked before about the billing issues at my former home in the wake of the Malibu fires, namely that service provider Frontier Communications kept sending me invoices despite the fact that my home (and all their equipment) had been destroyed.

That’s why I decided to get the local NBC I-Team involved, and that’s when I began to get the star treatment. Not only did I get to make my big TV debut, but was Frontier a lot more open to resolving the issue with a bit of pressure from the media…surprise, surprise.

Beyond the Body

We the Species are doing some interesting things with tech these days…what if I told you that we are the robots we’ve been waiting for since the 60s or so? I recently read about a cybernetic program that allowed scientists to attach sensors to a person in one room and have him control a mechanical arm in another using only his brain waves.

It might sound like science fiction but believe me, it’s here and it’s happening. What the coming integration of man and machine means for our society remains to be seen, and honestly it’s just a bit weird for me to imagine being part robot, but regardless of your feelings on the subject, you have to admit it’s pretty darn cool.

Free Photoshop for All

It seems like you can turn anything into anything else using Adobe Photoshop…if we’re not already at this point, I feel as though it will be nearly impossible to distinguish a doctored image or video from an untouched picture or footage in the very near future. Strange times.

Point is the software is powerful, which is why the full version is expensive, but it includes a bunch of tools that only advanced users would take advantage of. For my simpler needs I like Photoshop Express…not only does it come in mobile and desktop versions, it’s free, which sold me.

Micro(soft)Management

While we’re on the topic of useful free apps, here’s a standout from Microsoft. ToDoallows users to keep their day-to-day lives neatly organized, using an intuitive interface to help you track work tasks, grocery lists, workout plans, and even shows and movies to watch because that’s just as important.

The Last Word

Well, hope this made up for missing last week! Thanks as always for joining us on another educational edition of “Brad’s Blog!” I’ll be back on schedule next week–that is, if you’ll have me–but if you want to drop me a line before then, please don’t be shy!

The post Free Photoshop and I-Team to the Rescue first appeared on Archway Computer.

I’ve been dealing with some billing issues for services at my former home that burned down in last year’s California wildfires. For months I’ve been trying to let my cable and Internet provider know that I no longer have a need for services at the location–one would think they would at least know where their clientele lives and whether the area has been devastated by a natural disaster–but lo and behold, the bill just kept showing up.

I finally got tired of being kicked from department to department getting non-answers, so I turned to the A-Team for help.

Well, it wasn’t quite that serious, but the local NBC I-Team was able to assist. 

After hearing my story they decided to pursue the issue and give me a consumer complaint feature. No company likes that kind of attention so the problem has since been resolved, but the feature is airing soon and I can possibly share some footage if you’re interested.

The whole ordeal has really highlighted the importance of having people on your side when dealing with companies. This time those people were a major network affiliate’s investigative team, but ideally it’s the human beings in the customer service department…can you imagine resolving an issue like that over an automated phone system?

That’s why in all but the most dire situations, I use gethuman.com to find living, breathing representatives at a company. Machines can’t do everything….yet.

Positively Linked

I always joke that we have no normal customers since we only work with independent insurance agencies, and LinkedIn is a great resource for finding agencies that can benefit from our IT support. It’s a highly effective tool for connecting with organizations, especially in conjunction with a product called Sales Navigator. There’s a monthly charge involved, but you know if Frugal Brad is shelling out for it, the service is well worth it.

Streamlined Screensharing

Speaking of IT, screen sharing for technical support can be a pain in the extreme lower lumbar region, between requiring a download (which spooks a lot of clients off the bat) and waiting while the person figures out how to use the program. Fortunately there’s Screenleap, an easy to use online screen sharing utility that doesn’t need a download and comes at a very reasonable price: free. We use it so much I almost want to figure out how to pay for it.

Almost.

It’s About Time

TImeTrade is another valuable resource for ensuring everything runs smoothly for Team Archway. TimeTrade makes scheduling appointments and sharing agendas with participants simple, and although it’s not free the services it provides are well worth it. Put simply, TimeTrade helps turn intentions into commitments, and I’m sure we all know that actually getting a prospect to nail down a time to sit down and chat is half the battle.

The Last Word

Well then, that will just about do it for this illuminating installment of “Brad’s Blog!” Thanks as always for making time to engage with me today, and if you want to schedule a time to speak geek before next week, just reserve a time here and I’ll return the favor. Here’s to a productive and fulfilling week!

The post Customer Service: The Right Mix of Man and Machine first appeared on Archway Computer.

Hey, it’s not that I never use profanity–just ask my dog Dante if I’ve ever dropped the F-bomb after yet another cord-chewing—but for me, it has a time and place and neither is in a newsletter like this one.

I was recently reading a piece produced by another blogger that was absolutely laced with four-letter words that I really didn’t feel were necessary to get the point across and honestly detracted a bit from the message.

In any event, a lot of the information presented was sound, and since I saw so much potential in his perspective I raised my concern to him in an email.

Naturally they brushed me off, claiming authenticity and that many marketing gurus use profanity…which is true I suppose, but I think it’s kind of a cheap way to stand out. Kind of like the kid in your kindergarten class who used to flip their eyelids inside-out for attention.

I did stop to wonder if I was just being uptight about the whole thing, but that was before I stumbled upon Michael Hyatt’s thoughts on the matter, which are laid out in logical fashion to make a salient point: it could be costing you a lot of blanking money.

Samsung’s Innovation Unfolds

It seems like it’s been forever since there’s been any innovation in the smartphone space, the basic black or silver rectangle popularized by the iPhone way back in 2006 is essentially what 90 percent of phones look like to this day.

That’s why the tech world is abuzz after the announcement of the Galaxy Fold, a cleverly named addition to Samsung’s flagship line of devices that transforms from the familiar smartphone profile to a small tablet.

I see what they were going for here since the hybrid laptop-tablet is a pretty slick setup that has become broadly popular over the last few years, but in my opinion this is more of a first step than a finished product: the form factor needs tweaking and I can envision all kinds of problems finding a suitable case to protect multiple vulnerable screens instead of just the one people can barely keep intact.

Still it’s truly refreshing to see a major company actually trying to innovate instead of rolling out slight performance upgrades every 6 months, so I’m excited to see what effect this potential next evolution in the world of smartphones will have on the market.

At the very least I hope the inevitable competition pushes the prices down…hard to justify dropping 2k on what amounts to a public beta test.

Convenience at Costco

I’m the proud owner of a Costco card, meaning about twice a month I head down to my local superstore for a loaf of gluten-free bread and leave with a receipt as long as my arm. It’s something of a love-hate relationship, but a point that goes solidly in the “love” category is their photo printing service, which is ready to roll in about as much time as it takes to run a lap around the sample booths.

The Last Word

This is typically the part where I cheerfully sign off, but before I go I want to take some time to acknowledge all the kind words you readers have sent me regarding the newsletter.

It really means a lot to me that people appreciate my angle on this brave new world in which we live, even to the point of contributing new topics. It’s rewarding to be able to exchange inspired insights with like-minded people.

Being able to interact with fine folks such as yourselves on a regular basis is pretty much priceless, but in case you were looking to put a number on it I could really use a new pair of sunglasses, specifically this pair of wearable speakers from Bose.

It was worth a shot.

In all seriousness I really enjoy being able to do this every week, and I can only hope you have as much fun reading this as I do writing it. Thanks as always for taking the time, here’s to a productive and fulfilling week ahead!

The post Four-Letter Wisdom and Skipping the Galaxy Fold first appeared on Archway Computer.

I got rid of my truck a while back and my wife never forgave me for it.

She’s always scouring Offerup for some elegant vase or fabulous coffee table to spruce up our new home, but since I dumped my delivery vehicle and it’s really bad form to stuff a bookshelf in the backseat of an UberXL, I didn’t have a means of transportong them…that is, until now with Taskrabbit.

Taskrabbit is a site that allows you to connect with people willing to do things you don’t want to, like lugging a decorative full length mirror clear across town. She gets her stained glass standing floor lamp for 25 bucks, the driver makes a little cash as well, and I get to keep my house slippers on all Sunday afternoon…everyone wins.

A Better Brad, One Tweak at a Time

I’m definitely a creature of habit, and you know what, that’s not always a good time. Sure, there’s a commendable consistency to waking up at the same time each day and having an established routine from there, but if I’m being honest with myself some of my habits are overdue for an upgrade.

That’s why I recently picked up this book by the name of “Atomic Habits,” and I have to say I’m not at all disappointed. The book is all about making major improvements to your everyday lifestyle one small change at a time, and author James Clear has some really interesting ideas on the matter…I suppose writing a NYT bestseller requires them.

Size Matters

One of the questions I get most from agency owners is whether they should have their email hosted by their IT provider. It might make sense on the surface, but my stance on the matter can be summed up in two words (allcaps incoming): BAD IDEA.

If you need a more detailed explanation, PCMag has already provided it. The article highlights how a smallish email provider had their servers erased in a devastating hack, which is something that would be virtually impossible to do to a big-time player like Microsoft or Google…I say stick with them.

HDMI Cable – Go Cheap

Most of us have been at least fleetingly tempted to buy one of those expensive high-end HDMI cables…I get it, that brand new 4k plasma TV and home theater system deserve the best of everything, right?

Well, I’m here to tell you that most of those are a ripoff unless you like paying for packaging. By sharing this CNET piece on the best HDMI values, I might have just saved you about 50 bucks, which you can go ahead and apply to my birthday gift this year.

The Last Word

All right…that will just about do it, folks. Thanks as always for allowing me into your most active inbox with another engrossing edition of “Brad’s Blog!” I’ll be back on schedule next time around to put a nice bow on our shortest month, and if you have anything to contribute go ahead and shoot me an email…have a great week!

The post A Moving Experience with Taskrabbit first appeared on Archway Computer.

It’s always disappointing not to get the Internet speeds you were offered in the sliccompany ad isn’t it? Odds are your provider has been trying to woo you away from competitors for years with little bribes like gift cards and free sports packages, and so not getting what you came for is a bit like being stood up for a date–worse, you can’t even count on making it a Hulu night instead.If your internet speeds aren’t up to par with the lofty promises made before you signed that contract, the answer is to complain. Long and loud, that is, that old adage about the squeaky wheel getting the grease plays perfectly straight with Internet providers and the like. Of course, you’ll need to prove you’re not getting your end of the bargain first, and this Lifehacker piece goes into more detail about popular speed testing apps.

Virtuous Cycle

My daughter is an excellent athlete, letters in high school, walking up several flights of stairs without keeling over, the whole deal. Anyway, she takes her everyday fitness about as seriously as I should, and that’s why when she introduced me to Soul Cycle I knew it was something worth looking into.

Soul Cycle is the high-intensity meeting of a yoga class and spinning session, combining elements of strength training and cardio into an engaging workout. It’s about more than the bikes too…the sense of camaraderie that comes from pushing yourself to the limit in a group is impossible to imitate, especially with heart-pumping music set in a candle-lit environment. It’s almost ritualistic in a way, immersive in a way going for a long run to nowhere just isn’t.

The instructors at Soul Cycle do an excellent job of making the whole thing approachable for newcomers, so it’s easy to jump into a class and see if it’s for you. Don’t worry if you don’t have clip-on spin shoes either, your local outpost should have them for sale plus they’re available in the online shop.
 

Mapping Success

Data only becomes information in the proper context, and eSpatial is a great resource for combining raw numbers with location information to give you a multidimensional look at how your outreach efforts are being received.

Just take a spreadsheet with all of your prospects and clients and the eSpatial tool will lay the contact info on a map, and you can hover over any of the entries to see the full data set.

It’s an amazing tool for identifying location based patterns and taking advantage of trends, so you’re armed to the teeth with information. Here’s an example map we made with our clients…pretty slick, yeah?
 

The Last Word

That seems like about enough for one week, wouldn’t you agree? Thanks as always for making space in your schedule for another enlightening edition of “Brad’s Blog!” I’ll be scouting out things to talk about until I’m back in your inbox, but if you find something worth sharing, don’t be shy about sending it my way…I might even give you credit!

The post Internet Promises and Connections through Cycling first appeared on Archway Computer.

Summer is as good a time as any to slowly become as active as you said you would be on New Years’ Eve, and if you’re in the market for a great new pair of workout headphones I recently received some as a gift that I’m starting to swear by.

Jaybird X3 Wireless Headphones offer a secure custom fit that is both sweat-proof and water resistant, giving you 8 hours of access to music and calls on the treadmill or on the trail. You can also customize an individual sound profile using the associated app…perfect for drowning out the little voice in your head that says “maybe tomorrow.”

Of course, if those are a little spendy for you–I get it, like I said, these were a gift–one of the cool kids at the office was telling me about these.

Air Bud wireless headphones may not have individually-tailored sound rendering or slick metallic-accented colorways like Jaybird’s “Sparta,” but they do have background noise cancellation and can be charged up to 10 times in the portable carrying case. For one easy payment of $19.99, I’d say that’s pretty darn solid.

The Coolest Cooler

Speaking of an investment in your lifestyle, isn’t it time you upgraded that cooler? Sure, red’s a fine color, and those molded can holders on the lid can almost hold a drink, but aren’t you a little tired of changing the ice in that big bucket every couple of hours?

Enter the Yeti. If you’ve never encountered one in person–you’d know if one of your friends had one, they’d tell you–the Yeti is visibly built to last from an ultra-rugged material and can keep your beverages ice-cold until the moment you’re ready to break the sweltering summer heat with a deluge of frosty refreshment.

Made to Order

Even after a few years of service, the Keurig remains one of my favorite everyday devices…the convenience of exotic coffee options on demand cannot be overstated, in my opinion. My absolute favorite blend is Peet’s French Roast, a sharp and smoky brew which I find delicious and indispensable when my eyes are glazing over from some mundane Monday task.
 

Better Lighting for better living

I’ve being reading a lot about better sleep and your Circadian Rhythms.  A friend of mine started a company called Ario Living which has a light that uses this known science to produce lighting for waking up in the morning. I’m about to start using it and they have offered a special discount for my readers. You can see the offer here.
 

The Last Word

Well, that’s about all we have time for early this Monday morning. Thanks as always for making a few moments for this engrossing edition of “Brad’s Blog!” Should be back in your inbox around the same time next week, but if you’re more accustomed to hearing from me on Tuesdays you could always shoot me an email. Here’s to a strong start in July!

The post Everyday Upgrades: Fitness and French Roast first appeared on Archway Computer.

To borrow an insight from the late Frank Sinatra, “this is my kind of town, Chicago is.”

I decided to visit since my son is thriving in the IT geek field after graduating college in the area, and I have to say it’s a spectacular city with some of the most stunning architecture I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Check out this pic of us taking in the town, or take it in yourself with this feature on some of the local masterpieces of architecture.

Patience, Humans.

I’m a strong proponent of the self-driving car, I believe the day is fast approaching when human drivers will be a nostalgic novelty.

Still, there are a lot of kinks to work out when you’re talking about such a transformative technology, and while we’re refining the systems I would recommend that if you decide to take a ride from a robot in the near future that you maybe watch the road, just as a backup plan.

You see, apparently a tester for one of these smart vehicles did a dumb thing, making time for a Hulu streaming marathon on the open road. It ended badly–the technology is far from perfect at this time–but hey, the first passenger airliners used to suddenly break apart in midair from time to time and we nailed that down, so I have confidence that we Sapes can pull this off as well.

In any event, self-driving vehicles are all but certain to take over our highways in the coming years, and not only will they have an outsized effect on our day-to-day lives, it’s expected to make a huge impact on our industry. Check out this piece speculating on the ways the insurance industry will change forever the day you see your first self-driving car commercial.

The Trusted Traveler

If you’ve ever considered going through the process of being certified with TSA PreCheck, I say go for it. Getting through security takes me about 5 minutes now that I’m in the registry, so it;s saved me untold hours of standing around frustrated. Many credit cards even offer free application, so I’d definitely advise looking in to both the PreCheck and CLEAR programs.

Automation with Appeal

Drip is a concept in email marketing that ensures your campaign can adapt to each prospects engagement and level of interest, increasing conversion through an approach that is as individualized as possible. It’s also a product folks are using to increase their numbers through intelligent outreach automation…it’s a pretty nifty resource, and could be just what you need to take your agency to the next level. You know you’re curious.

The Last Word

All right everyone, that is a complete week of geek from this end…thanks as always for carving out a few minutes in your weekly boot sequence for this educational edition of “Brad’s Blog!” I’ll be back in your inbox next time around–if you’ll have me–but until then be sure to look both ways before crossing the street…the day you save may be your own.

The post Second City Scenery and the Self-Driving Saga first appeared on Archway Computer.

Not every step forward is a step up, and so I can’t be the only one that sort of misses physical keyboards on smartphones. They were ubiquitous in the era of Blackberries and Sidekicks, but fizzled out almost all at once as screens got larger and devices got ever slimmer.

You can almost certainly expect not to see a keyboard listed among the features of the next flagship devices from Samsung or Apple, but in case you also have a soft spot for the time when the laptop and smartphone were as close as they’ve ever been, these Bluetooth keyboards are pretty darn slick.

Every one of these sleek little devices slips neatly into a pocket so you can take it on the go, and features a special coating to keep it protected from the spills and debris of everyday life. They even come in an array of stylish colors because hey, phones do now so it’s important.

…And What’s New is Even Newer

But if you really want to make your smartphone into the most productive device possible, using it as a full size laptop is definitely the way to do it.

This convenient little device plugs into your iOS device to display and control apps, websites, office tools, and more on larger screens in the crisp 1080p HD that discerning modern users demand.

Android users never fear, there’s a solution for you too. The Mirabook is a laptop-style command unit that docks with your device to give it all the functionality of a portable PC.

It’s available for preorder right this sentence, so if you’ve ever dreamed of a true all-in-one device that fulfills all your day to day digital needs, the gap between smartphone and computer may finally be bridged.

A Less Lawless Internet

If you’ve noticed a lot of new privacy agreements in your favorite apps, it’s not your imagination.

Many of the most popular resources are fundamentally changing the way they operate in order to comply with new EU guidelines, and since it’s pretty expensive to develop a specific version of an app for every region in which it will be used, in many cases these changes take effect across the board.

The updated guidelines, known collectively as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), are designed to force companies to keep better control over your personal data in the wake of several high profile breaches, leaks, and other flavors of failure for these multinational online services.  For further reading on the impact of GDPR, this CNET article goes into further detail.

News Cleanse

Okay, so you may have noticed that in that last segment I found out about a major update to the way connected software providers interact with their users only after the changes took effect.

That’s just kinda what happens when you resolve to take a week’s vacation from the 24-hour news cycle…it’s difficult for a number of reasons, about the only thing I’ve been able to keep consistent tabs on is the NBA playoffs.

Perhaps the need for daily updates on everything in the world is a bit of an addiction, they say it’ll get better, but in the meantime I’ve had to take some fairly drastic measures to keep up my commitment.
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The Last Word

Well, that’ll do it for this week’s insightful edition of Brad’s Blog! Sorry for the delay, getting started after a Monday holiday is always a little tricky.

I’ll try to be back on schedule next week since I won’t have an excuse, but feel free to drop me an email if there’s something you feel should make it past my news embargo.

The post Is That a Laptop in Your Pocket first appeared on Archway Computer.

I hope you woke up feeling lucky this morning: it’s that special time of year again! The NetVU conference is upon us once more, and we’re giving away some truly sweet tech toys this time around: Apple Airbuds and Amazon Alexa Show! You don’t even have to attend to win!!

…but just in case you do plan on making an appearance at one of the industry’s biggest yearly events, you can enter online AND at our booth to double your chances to win. You might even take home both prizes if the Universe is really smiling on you this week.

NetVU is always an exciting event, especially emanating from a great city like Atlanta but I’m looking forward just as much to meeting some of you in person while I’m in town. If you’d like a little face time with The Maestro, click here to schedule an appointment…he might even buy you a drink.

The Maestro is me, by the way.

This Segment Was Written by a Human

Technology is getting a lot smarter, and doing it in a hurry. The latest innovation from the folks at Google is undeniable proof of this, with Google Assistant Duplex rapidly becoming the personal helper you never knew you needed. Want to book a restaurant reservation, go for a haircut, maybe just order a pizza? Your Google Assistant can make the call and iron out all the details.

Of course, the flip side to this next-level AI advancement is pretty apparent to anyone who has watched Netflix’s “Black Mirror,” spiritual successor to “The Twilight Zone.” The emerging AI age brings with it all sorts of ethical concerns, and this piece from CNET highlights some of the more…compelling aspects of AI proliferation.

Aftermarket Browser Upgrades

I always like to share any new browser extensions that make my life a little easier, and one of the apps I’ve recently come to appreciate is called Clockshark. Clockshark helps me increase the efficiency of my remote helpers by tracking their time and location while on the clock with a convenient online dashboard. Try it for 14 days and see if it’s a good resource for your team.

Building a great company starts with the best talent, and Lever is a useful resource in the hiring process. Lever simplifies the hiring process, allowing our recruiting department to make smarter decisions and keep the most qualified applicants on our radar.

Also, if you’ve committed to a browser–I always suggest Chrome–you might want to get Station. Station combines all those fantastic little extensions you’ve collected over the life of your laptop into one streamlined tool. It’s great for cleaning up all the clutter in that menu.

The Last Word

Thanks for clicking in to another exceptional edition of “Brad’s Blog!” Don’t forget to enter our great giveaway to celebrate NetVU Atlanta, and if you find yourself in the Peach State this week, why don’t y’all come on down to the conference and say hi!

The post NetVU Atlanta and Google Duplex first appeared on Archway Computer.

The True Value of You

They say the user is the product in any service that is both free and convenient, and Facebook in particular makes a fortune in leveraging the data you directly and indirectly provide. As the man behind the plan himself said with a satisfied smirk in a congressional hearing “We sell ads, Senator.”

In retrospect, we should probably count our blessings that the intent of advertisers up until recently has always been to reprogram us to buy stuff instead of something more nefarious, given how effective the methods are and well it has proven to work.

Sign Off With Style

How do you punctuate a professional email? “Thanks?” Not always appropriate. “Regards?” Sort of sounds like a summons or notice of foreclosure. “Yours?” Maybe a little forward if you haven’t even had a second date.

If you find yourself staring at your keyboard wondering how to sign off for longer than it took to compose the message, this list of 70 different options for filling the space in between the main message and your signature line might be a lifesaver.

Moving Forward with InCite

As we’re almost all aware, the agency community is about merging and being acquired. InCite Performance Group specializes in taking agencies to the next level, and I’m proud to say Archway is a featured partner. In fact, I’’ll be in Vegas for the annual conference, so if you’d like more info on what the group does and how they do it, just give this a click.

Hey, you wanna waste a little time, possibly make a few dollars to spend on that Amazon wish list? My son was telling me about this game called Fortnite that the kids–and a staffer at Time–are using to make some pretty serious pocket change, like 500k a month in some cases.

If you are one of the many former children whose parents and teachers told them that there was no future in playing video games, spite can be an excellent driver of financial success…just ask dissatisfied ex-Ferrari customer Ferrucio Lamborghini.

The Last Word

All right scouts, that’s about all we have on the docket for this week! Thanks as always for carving out a chunk of your busy day for this compelling installment of “Brad’s Blog!” Look out for next week’s edition, where I crow about all the fantastic devices I purchased from the Internet with my video game income and why this future we have here is so great.

The post Your Friends, For Sale first appeared on Archway Computer.

In case my svelte silhouette doesn’t give it away, I’ve gotten more into fitness in recent years. Part of it’s by necessity since I like the way my knees work and the doc says staying active will keep them functional longer, but it’s also easier than ever before thanks to connected tech.

I started out with the original Apple Watch a couple of years back, and have since upgraded to the Apple Watch 3 as my everyday device. It’s pretty much everything I need in a connected device, and finding new features is always fun.

Still, that hasn’t stopped the Motiv from catching my attention. This slick smart ring is the lowest profile smart device yet, putting activity tracking and sleep monitoring capabilities in the palm of your hand, and with your choice of slate grey and rose gold finishes it can also bring out your eyes.

Finance and Foresight

Have you ever considered maintaining a health savings account? If not you could be missing out on substantial tax savings as well as a convenient financial tool that could give you easy access to capital when you need it.

This article in the Wall Street Journal goes into more detail, and just in case you’ve reached your limit for their articles this month, there’s always Incognito Mode to help you bypass the paywall. Savvy.

The Finishing Touch

An email signature can make your communications stand out from the endless walls of text the typical professional finds in their box on a daily basis, and WiseStamp lets you design one from the ground up.

With WiseStamp, you can add information, links, and even a picture to your email with an easy to use template. Even better, it’s free to use and can make your emails look like a million bucks.

Perfect Timing

Nailing people down for an appointment can often feel like trying to do so literally. You know the dance, they never got the memo, they never adjusted their watch for Daylight Savings, they’re taking a quick 3-hour lunch at that time…it can be problematic to say the least.

Enter TimeTrade, a resource that puts the power of scheduling in your customers’ hands by adding a button to your site that allows them to schedule a consultation at their leisure so you stay better connected with your clientele and never have to leave 3 voicemails again.

The Last Word

All right, that’s about it for this thrilling installment of everyone’s favorite weekly tech newsletter! (Yes, everyone’s, they told me!)

Thanks as always for making room in your inbox for this little labor of love, and don’t be shy about dropping me an email if you want to chat about something amazing during this 6-day commercial break.

The post Ultimate Upgrades: Your Life, But Smarter first appeared on Archway Computer.

One Day at a Time (for 279 Years)

I’ve started looking into retirement options before it’s too late–or at least, that’s what I set out to do recently. Apparently if I want to maintain my standard of living after I punch the digital clock for the last time, I’ll be putting in full shifts on the job until the year 2,300.

Okayfine, it was only 2297 AD according the the online calculator at Wealthfront, but still…point is, my financial plan could use some fine tuning.

On a more encouraging note I’ve been talking to some of the younger members of Team Archway and some of my kids’ friends about maybe not waiting until the wrong side of 30 to start caring about retirement, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn they’re a little ahead of the game.

One name that kept coming up in these discussions is Acorns, an investment resource that not only enables the account holder to build up their nest egg with the money they haven’t dedicated to designer streetwear and DLC, but rewards their friends with monetary bonuses for every new sign-up. It’s a great way to be passively responsible, which can be just as good as the other kind.

Another popular tool among financially savvy teens and twentysomethings is next-generation brokerage Robin Hood, which promises all of the benefits of a professional investing firm with almost none of the associated overhead. Manage your portfolio from your smartphone in minutes, close the app, then check your notifications or get some swiping in…convenient enough for sure.

It seems like an intriguing prospect, but over the years I’ve found that brokerage fees don’t always deliver the bang for your buck and I’ve also come across some advice that actively managed portfolios actually tend to underperform, but I’m by no means an expert so if you want to educate me or just compare notes, you’re more than welcome.

Eyes on the Road

Ever see those crazy Russian dashcam videos with footage of collisions, incidents of road rage, and insurance fraudsters caught on candid camera? Well, the open road is a crazy place whether the traffic signs are in metric or imperial units, and so mounted cameras are fast becoming a necessity for the conscious motorist.

Owl takes the concept a step further, combining a high definition camera with an integrated smartphone app so you can monitor your vehicle whether you’re driving it or not. It can send an alert directly to you in case of a break in or even just a rogue shopping cart, and can transmit live video to your screen wherever you are.

As an added bonus, the camera is on even when your car isn’t, so if there’s a spectacular sunset or a streaker near your vehicle you can be the first to know (and share it online, as is Internet Law).

Methodical Management

In my experience, most commonly used agency management systems are well suited to keeping a handle on everyday operations such as processing, commission tracking, and of course, paying the bills. With that typed, they’re not always robustly equipped for the more directly sales related aspects of the game, and that can be problematic since studies show sales are correlated with profits.

That’s why we’ve scoured the marketplace to identify the best tools for agencies who want to sell more insurance and do it right–which I assume is most of yours. If you’d like to check out a few of the apps that we find indispensable to our work and most frequently recommend, click here to let me know and I’ll send you a list. Don’t worry, I won’t sell your info, what we have is more special than that.

Home is Where the Art Is

Scrolling through an album on your phone or posting it on your social media account is one thing, but I know I’m not the only one who misses physical photos…the allure of a moment in time made tangible. There’s just something so much more substantial about holding a picture in your hands, and although I guess you can just print it on paper. don’t you want to take a little more advantage of the future in which we live than that?

Enter Fracture. Fracture is a cool new service that enables you to have pictures printed on glass as a wall or stand mount, adding vibrant warmth and visual interest to your most frequently visited spaces. Being immortalized in a stained-glass window once required approval from the Pope and usually took place after your final birthday, but now all you need is a major credit card and you can enjoy it during your life. Isn’t technology great?

The Last Word

Well, that’s certainly a ripe and relevant installment of “Brad’s Blog,” wouldn’t you say? Thanks as always for joining me for this periodic presentation, I express my gratitude for not being sent to the spam folder often and I do mean it every time. I’ll be back on schedule next week, but until then if you want to chat or suggest a new topic, you know where to find me. Have a great week!

The post Brad’s 23rd Century Retirement Plan first appeared on Archway Computer.

It’s really amazing to the sum total of human knowledge and a global communication device fit into your pocket, isn’t it? If we’re being honest, it’s sort of addictive…we’ve all seen that table of friends enjoying a night out with their smartphones, silently scrolling through their Snapchat.

You may have even been part of such a group, in which case you know the whole thing can go a little too far sometimes. Surprisingly, portable electric fun can even make it harder to focus at work, which is why I found this Lifehacker article pretty helpful. Turns out “Do Not Disturb” mode can be used to save you from yourself in a number of situations, if only for a little while.

More Show, Less Dough

If you’re looking to get the most possible value out of your streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, a tablet is definitely the way to go. Just save a few programs using the “Watch Later” feature and your 8 hour flight just became a movie marathon.

I like to have a tablet specifically for streaming so I don’t have to take my office iPad or smart home control panel out into the world, and this piece from PC Mag spotlights the models on the market that offer the most bang for your buck.

At Home With Siri

I was really excited for the release of the Apple HomePod, the manufacturer’s answer to the Amazon Echo, but the early reviews are less than glowing.

Apparently the sound quality is fine–”superb,” according to TechRadar--but if you’re used to dealing with the intuitive Alexa, Siri’s limited functionality in the device leaves something to be desired. Nothing that can’t be patched, I suppose.

Still, if you’re full ensconced in the world of Apple, the HomePod is an essential addition to your arsenal, featuring a streamlined setup and automatic pairing with compatible devices. May be smart to wait a few weeks, in any event.

Your Laser Mouse is Cool, But…

If you’ve managed to make it through the last 5 versions of Windows without becoming one of those Power Users the menus speak of, it’s not too late to unlock your true potential.

This handy guide from Windows Central can help you discover nifty keyboard commands that make interfacing with your PC easier than ever before. It’s like a basic spellbook for computer nerds.

The Last Word

Well, that’s pretty much everything I have for this episode. Thanks as always for allowing me into the inbox that you actually check, and for making time in your week for this little labor of love. Have a great week, and don’t forget to go outside every so often, just to get a little fresh air and existential perspective.

The post This Week’s Upgrades for Your Life first appeared on Archway Computer.

Where’s My Jetpack?

We were told as children that in the future people would be wearing jetpacks and jumpsuits, but until relatively recently until now the most advanced developments in high tech apparel were those light-up sneakers my son insisted on having for the first day of second grade.

Now with wearable tech entering a boom period with the popularity of the FitBit and its descendents, I’m excited for the future of fashion gadgets. Apparently so is famed clothier Ralph Lauren, who is rolling out a special line of heated jackets for the US Olympic team.

The jackets feature a special “conductive ink” that transmits heat from the smartphone-sized power cell, keeping you warm and toasty on the medal stand or on the way to Whole Foods. Unfortunately they’re sold out for now, but the early success of the technology has encouraged the brand to take a closer look at large scale production, and I’m looking forward to it.

I still want my flying car, but that’s another gripe entirely.

A Zone of Your Own

The world of today is full of distractions…many of them of our own creation, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re there. Noisli is designed to help you disconnect from everything but the task at hand using specially selected soundtracks. If you need increased focus to power through a tedious task or just want to block out the background and escape, this is the tool.

Keyboard Superuser

Oh, I see you’re still using a mouse for most of your input. How quaint. You must not really know how to work that keyboard. That’s right, there are actually a wide range of convenient controls integrated with your keyboard, from switching windows to toggling private browsing mode, even recovering that window you hit the “x” on when you thought you heard your supervisor coming.

Flights of Fancy

I’d like to take just a moment to reminisce about Concorde, Earth’s first supersonic passenger transport.

It’s hard to explain the sense of wonder that came with seeing this sleek and elegant bird appear on the scene for the first time in the early 70s. When I heard Concorde could zip from New York to Paris in under 4 hours, I thought flights to space from the nearest airport were just around the corner.

Of course, Concorde was eventually phased out due to a number of factors (with a triumphant spiritual return slated), but for me, the name itself will forever be linked with the spirit of travel.

Flight finder Concorde is mostly unrelated, but it does allow those who can never have enough passport stamps to search for cheap round trip flights on short notice. None will take you across the Atlantic in three and a half hours, but it’s tough to beat Boston to Shanghai for $500.

The Last Word

Well, that’s about everything I have this week, but as always thanks so much for making time for another exciting installment of “Brad’s Blog.” Believe me, I know you could be watching YouTube’s newest recommended videos or doing a sudoku puzzle right now, and your preference is appreciated. I’ll be back in your inbox on schedule, but until then don’t be shy about shooting me an email!

The post The Future We Were Promised and Super Keyboard first appeared on Archway Computer.

Well, it’s been a couple of days and I’m still recovering from the big game–that is, UCLA extending its win streak by taking down archrival USC at home on Saturday. The Lady Bruins even threw in a victory over their counterparts from Southern Cal Monday night just for good measure.

With the pair of victories both squads are looking like viable Tournament entries, which is always an exciting development, especially after last season when both teams made the Sweet Sixteen. We’re a basketball school, always have been…what can I say?

Spy Screen

Do you consider yourself paranoid? It’s not the absolute worst mode of operation, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get you. Well, for you shifty-glancers and triple-checkers out there, I present to you the HP Elitebook.

The EliteBook’s main feature is its HP SureView screen that is only fully visible from straight on and fades at an angle, so your trade secrets, account balances, password entries, and other private screenings remain for your eyes only.

Amazon Tracking

Speaking of paranoia, Amazon has unveiled the next phase of its plan to completely take over all facets of your life.

Not content with robotic listening devices that record all your conversations while controlling your music and electronic locks that give strangers access to your home when you’re not around, now the company that has spent years finding out exactly what you like and where you live is getting into the insurance game.

Tinfoil hat off, this latest direction for the e-commerce titan is sure to shake up the industry in interesting and unpredictable ways. Imagine your health insurance being tied to your lifestyle purchases such as fitness equipment, activity trackers, and delicious snacks on demand. Amazon is putting a lot of their muscle behind this, so we’ll just have to see where it goes.

Top Terminals

I spend a lot of time in airports, and while some are pretty much the worst combination of a bus station and a warehouse, others are actually pretty cool. This site spotlights some of the most fascinating features of airports from around the world, from the extravagant world class retail space you would expect in Dubai to the live music stages in Nashville. Good info for a long layover, wouldn’t you say?

The Last Word

Well, that’s quite enough for this week! Thanks as always for checking out this exciting episode for Brad’s Blog! I’ll be back on schedule when scheduled, but until then don’t be afraid to shoot me an email!

The post Stealth Screens and Insurance by Amazon first appeared on Archway Computer.

“…Pray That I Do Not Alter It Further.”

If I’m being honest, I myself am not a huge user of Facebook—I just cut out the middleman and share my vacation photos directly with you–but its power as a tool of connection with our clients is beyond any glib quip about social media so I’ve really come around on its usefulness.

Archway’s Facebook page has all the latest from “Brad’s Blog” along with targeted news and industry updates…we try to make it well worth a follow if you’re in this line of work. If you want to check it out or just want to learn my middle name, give us a visit at Professor Zuckerberg’s Museum of Online Oddities.

In fact, while we’re on the subject of The Mad Social Scientist, Facebook’s founder just recently announced the most comprehensive update to the Facebook News Feed that we’ve seen since you needed a college email address to sign up.

The changes will drastically affect how and where your network sees your posts, and of interest are early testing results that show business pages are experiencing up to 4 times fewer interactions with fans and followers and 2/3 less reach overall.

The shakeup is set to be finalized in the coming weeks and expanded to Instagram as well later in the year. Although the full implications remain to be seen, my guess is that savvy marketers are going to have to overhaul their approach to connecting with their customer base through Facebook, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.

Saving Facebook

In the wake of these massive changes to one of the biggest resources to social outreach, taking the time to maximize the effect of any content your customers will see during and after the transition could determine the success of your campaign for the foreseeable future.

In short, every post counts when we’re talking about the kind of reach reduction we just discussed, and that’s why having a social media expert is paramount to ensuring your social media presence remains relevant as Facebook goes out of its way to encourage the opposite.

The Creative House Social team has been anticipating this development for months now–and actually broke the story to me–and have devised some proactive strategies to help cushion the blow to your business outreach.

Full disclosure: the owner is my daughter, but she is still amazing at what she does and I’m excited to see her put her plans for helping businesses adapt to this seismic shift into action.

Delicious Diversion

With all this talk of shifting and paradigms and upheaval, it’s nice to have something in this world that remains consistently magnificent…Texas BBQ is one of those things. I haven’t met the brisket I didn’t like yet, but if you’re looking for an especially mind-blowing experience and find yourself in the Lone Star State, do yourself a favor and bring Kreuz Market into your life.

You name it, they have it…fresh made sausage, meaty beef ribs, succulent smoked turkey…if you’re a fan of BBQ, you owe it to your inner fat kid. They even offer home delivery to those without access to Texas, which I haven’t decided is a good or bad thing.

Humanity’s Final 5:00

It seems like we’ve been discussing the rollout of cashierless Amazon Go stores for a year or two now, and the first location has finally opened its automatic doors in Seattle.

This pioneering brick and mortar extension of the world’s largest retailer laughs at your primitive currency, your crumpled bank notes and jingling pocket weights. To purchase items at Amazon Go, you check in to the store using the Amazon Go app and scan your products at a turnstile. Cameras track your choices, and your account is charged when you leave.

It’s a fascinating step forward for automation, and although I don’t believe anyone truly knows what the long term effects of the declining human role in the workplace will be, it’s something we definitely have to start thinking about.

This piece from CNBC spotlights the perspective of noted futurist Elon Musk, and unsurprisingly, it’s a compelling read. His outlook isn’t the sunniest, but it’s honestly what people need to hear on the subject. The future is here, ready or not.

The Last Word

All right, that’s certainly enough food for thought this go-round. Thanks as always for letting this newsletter arrive to the inbox you actually check, and for enjoying this installment of “Brad’s Blog” (if I may be so presumptive). I’ll be back on schedule in about a week’s time, but if you have any thoughts you want to share on any of these groundbreaking recent developments or questions on how they affect you, shoot me an email and we’ll explore them together.

Until next time, my geek elite!

The post Facebook’s Facelift and Amazon’s Automation first appeared on Archway Computer.

The post The Flu Goes Viral first appeared on Archway Computer.

…and we’re back!

First things first: Happy New Year 2018 to all my readers! By now just about everyone is settling back into their everyday routines, which have hopefully been amended to reflect all those ambitious resolutions made just last week.

A simple alteration that has made a tangible impact on my quality of life was deciding to make stretching a priority. As the song says, “be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone,” and regular stretching goes a long way toward keeping all your flexy parts in good condition.

For full disclosure, I didn’t just start this on the 1st, but hey…it’s not too late to make a change and you might need some easy ideas.

A New Challenger Appears!

Getting to Know Alexa

The post New Year, Same Geek first appeared on Archway Computer.

For Your Family

I wish I could start off with better news, but this is important to me and could be to you or someone close to you as well.

My mother had herself a bit of a fall recently, and unfortunately she sustained some injuries including a concussion and blood loss in the incident so I spent some time consulting with some highly experienced medical professionals to get the clearest picture of the situation possible.

They really impressed upon me the dangers that concussions can present such as memory difficulties and even physical effects, and although they are common in household falls and other relatively minor accidents, they can’t always be detected by CAT scan.

Thankfully she’s making positive progress toward a recovery, but early detection and treatment was a substantial factor here. That’s why if someone you love has been the victim of a mishap and you suspect they may have had a concussion, this message from the Mayo Clinic could prove vital.

Check Out the Big Brain on Brad!

What Sorcery Is This?

The post Falls and Screen Shares first appeared on Archway Computer.

The post Talking InsureTech and InsureTurkey first appeared on Archway Computer.

California Wildfires

Before the fun and games kick off today, I have to take a minute to address something that continues to affect many of my fellow Californians.

Even though the pictures and videos from the disaster paint a dramatic image t’s hard to get a sense of the devastation that the ongoing wildfires have had on everyday people just by watching the news.

I was actually planning a visit to an area that has been affected by the frighteningly intense blazes to visit a prospective client. We had spoken a few times, and developed such a rapport that I feel like I already know her personally.

A day or two before the scheduled meeting, I was concerned about reports of power outages in the area–computers running on electricity and all–and reached out to her to make sure everything was set to run smoothly.

The news she gave me was honestly pretty terrible…not only had the outages temporarily shut down her agency, her home also burned to the ground in the disaster. The silver lining is that everyone was fine, but it’s obviously a less than ideal situation for her.

If you’re curious, the meeting had to be postponed, but I really hope for a better update when I finally do make her acquaintance official. Best of luck.

In the meantime, the California Fire Foundation does great work for the families of fallen firefighters in times like these, and since what they do is such an important part of keeping us safe in this state, I strongly believe in supporting them.

If you also believe that running toward a fire is one of the most heroic things a human being can do in service to his fellow man, you can learn more about the program here.

The post Slick Sales and Christmas Chromebooks first appeared on Archway Computer.

Hacking the Holidays

Tis the season…for email phishing and other scams. Unfortunately, cybercrooks are well aware of the increase in online activity that comes with this time of year, and with tools such as keystroke loggers and spoofed links in widespread use, it’s no surprise that a recent survey says at least 15 percent of people polled have had an active social media account compromised.

With this in mind, Google has a recent post on its official blog designed to help keep you from making some criminal’s Christmas. It spotlights the true pervasiveness of the issue, with over 25 million users victimized by email phishing and keystroke logging attacks. Here’s a tip: the IRS will likely send you a heavy letter if an issue demands your attention, and Gmail definitely will not ask for your password in a customer service message.

In all seriousness, cybercrime continues to be a constant struggle as the bad guys try to stay one step ahead, and a little vigilance goes a long way to helping keep your information secure.

Weekend Update

If you have friends with iPhones, you may have noticed they were having some technical difficulties over the weekend. Apparently a bug in one of the latest iOS builds causes some types of notification to temporarily send the processor into overdrive, heating it up until it overtaxes the system and forces a reset. So many Instaperfect moments lost to cruel fate.

The good news is that a solution is being rolled out in the form of the iOS 11.2 update, and this Lifehacker article goes into more detail about how to make it happen for you.

Sweet and Sour

We all have days where we could use a little extra juice, and when I need a reminder of how great life can be when you try really hard, I like this little Chrome extension called Momentum.

With Momentum, new tab pages are replaced with a display featuring a picturesque scene from some far flung destination along with a motivational quote and information like the time, date, and local weather. It’s an ideal blend of optimism and practicality.

…wait, what’s that you say? You don’t really go for all that incense and peppermints jazz? Well, fear not, you disappointed idealist…I have something for you as well.

Demotivators is a resource showcasing images best appreciated by those of us that realize there are more flakes and nuts than honey clusters in the cereal of life…it might not leave you pumped up to climb a mountain or run through a wall, but it is pretty hilarious.

Holiday Theatre

The holidays are the best time to watch and rewatch favorite movies, and instead of a traditional Christmas movie like “Die Hard,” I think I’m going to find myself taking another ride with this fun little movie called “The Big Sick.”

It’s based on a true story, and it follows a struggling Pakistani stand-up comic, an American grad student and their culture-crossing love. Without giving too much away, what I found so compelling about the movie is that the characters actually feel like people, and they manage to cover some pretty tricky topics like prejudice and the nature of family in a touching and mostly lighthearted way.

If you have the time to check it out, I definitely suggest it…it may not be directly a holiday film, but the types of connections explored and built in the film are the foundation on which these traditions are built, and I think it captures the spirit of the season more than most. It’s also free to watch for Amazon Prime users, which I assume is pretty much all of you by now, right?

The Last Word

Well, that should about do it for this week. As always, I want to express my sincere appreciation for everyone that has continued to make “Brad’s Blog” Archway’s highest rated customer newsletter. Expect me back in your inbox in six days’ time, and mine is open in case you want to drop me a line before then. Have a great week!

The post No Holiday for Hackers first appeared on Archway Computer.

Okay fine, I’ve seen the public service announcements…it’s a few weeks too early to be scouting for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. We have to let Thanksgiving have its’ turn, it is holiday law.

Still, I’m always encountering neat little gadgets that make everyday life just a bit more convenient, and those typically make the best presents because although almost no one actually buys a programmable coffee cup or high end ice ball maker for themselves, just about everyone would be happy to receive gifts in that category.

In short, somebody on my shopping list is going to find a everyday magic under their tree again this year. One of the products I’ve fallen in love with lately is this water jet flosser from Waterpik, which has singlehandedly taken the results of gum checkups at my dental evaluations from “bad” to “good.” Now that’s making a difference.

The other indispensable essential that someone can expect to share my enthusiasm for this holiday season is this handy electric trimmer from Braun. As you can imagine, my lifestyle of running through airports, shaking hands, and kissing babies doesn’t leave me a lot of time for a meticulously close shave each day, but with this great foil shaver I can get one anyway.

Perfect Your Proposal

If preparing proposals is a big part of what you do, you know how important making an impression is…and how tedious the process of turning out a winning product can be. That’s why I’ve taken a liking to a resource called Proposify, which streamlines the production of a quality proposal so you can keep your team on task and close deals faster.

Workforce Multiplier

As far as in-agency communications go, there’s never been a broader array of options. From the traditional emails of our forefathers to tools fully integrated with some of the latest agency management systems. Still, with resources like Slack and Hipchat enabling you to instantly share and review contracts, budgets, schematics and other documents from mobile devices as well as from a desktop, you can make your 5 member team feel like 50…in the good way.

Island in the Sun

If you ever find yourself on the isle of Maui–yearly vacation, game show prize, favorable drop-off point post alien abduction–I can confidently recommend a dinner cruise on the AlliNui.

Not only is the boat absolutely gorgeous–it is Hawai’i, you know–but they also offer an amazing array of activities from snorkeling and diving in the crystal blue waters surrounding the island to sailing excursions that take you out amongst the splendors of the open Pacific.

I recently took a vacation there with my 80 year old mother and she had the time of her life. We took some great photos as keepsakes, but none of us will forget our memorable visit to Maui anytime soon.

The Last Word

All right, well that seems like a good place to leave things for the week. Thanks as always for making time in your work week boot sequence for another captivating installment of “Brad’s Blog!” I’ll likely be back in your inbox within 6 days or so, but if you miss me too much in the meantime or want to chat about the best things in life, drop me an email!

The post Is It Really November Already? first appeared on Archway Computer.

Well, college football is finally back, and in a big way. If you haven’t yet heard, my UCLA Bruins somehow engineered one of the greatest comebacks in modern sport this past weekend, and that’s not even one of my signature overdeclarations of truth.

That’s right, led by QB Josh Rosen, the team managed to dig its way out from a 44-10 hole in just over a quarter of play. The winning score come on the old Dan Marino fake spike play with 43 seconds on the clock, so it was definitely one of the most thrilling games I can remember.
The reversal of fortune was something you pretty much only see in college football, which is why I’ve long been a fan of the amateur game. It was a sight to behold even for non-UCLA fans…anyone with a love of the game can appreciate such a valiant and victorious effort.
Well, except you, Kenny (you know who you are). Better luck next Saturday.

Whale Watching Wonders

Hope everybody had an enjoyable Labor Day…we celebrated the advancement of American labor by enjoying one of the freedoms workers struggled so fervently for, namely time off from work.

We took a trip down to the Orcas Islands, and while I was a little disappointed not to see any whales in the vicinity when we got there, seeing two pods of them on the boat ride from Victoria, BC more than made up for it.

We got a few good shots from our Labor Day adventure, otherwise our friends and family won’t believe we went anywhere—that’s the world we live in—and you can check out some of the evidence here. I highly recommend the excursion if you’re ever in the Seattle or Victoria areas.

ESPN Evolves

This weekend’s twist of fate on the gridiron has me pretty excited about my Bruins’ chances of making a big bowl this year, but what has me even more giddy is ESPN’s newfound commitment to streaming. The Worldwide Leader makes almost all of its content available for viewing online, and that’s something even Texas A&M fans can get pumped up for in a few days.

Highs and Lows

I don’t partake myself, but I have mixed feelings about the legalization of marijuana, which has been enacted here in California and is making its spread state by state across the nation.

On one hand, it’s good to see less non-violent individuals in the prison system, but on the other hand I’m worried about what seems like a normalization of driving while “high.”

That is not okay.

The fact is that it’s no more safe to drive while high than it is to drive drunk or under the influence of prescription drugs. The hard numbers bear it out: piloting a 2 ton steel missile while intoxicated is a bad idea.

Convenient Conferencing

I recently experimented with video conferencing using Google Hangouts and I have to say I came away impressed. The video quality was remarkable, the connection stability was rock-solid, and the meeting went off without a hitch. Another great free resource from the rainbow letter crew.

The Last Word

Okay, that feels like a good place to put a bookmark in things, eh? Thanks as always for making time so early in your week for another exciting edition of “Brad’s Blog.” I’ll be back around right on schedule, but if you want to chat before then don’t be shy about shooting me an email!

The post College Football Kickoff and a Laborless Day first appeared on Archway Computer.

Dante’s Infirmary

Well, I certainly had a mixed bag of a weekend. It started out on a real down note when our dog Dante was attacked by a pack of coyotes right in our backyard…he did the best he could to defend himself, but by the time I heard what was going on and ran out to help, he was already in pretty rough shape.

Fortunately coyotes are more scared of humans than I was of them, not that it wasn’t a pretty close contest, and they ran off immediately when I ran out brandishing my latest purchase from the Acme catalog…unfortunately, the damage had already been done and our Dante spent the next couple of nights receiving care at a medical facility.

Though of course it was well worth it to see him on the road to recovery after the incident, the fact is that patching our pet up wasn’t exactly cheap. The entire ordeal and its resulting expense has me wondering whether pet insurance is a good investment…can any of you tell me whether it’s worth it or recommend me some options? Dante thanks you in advance.

A Passage Back to the Place I Was Before

On a much more enjoyable note, I also spent some of my weekend at the Classic West festival in Dodger Stadium.

The big-name vintage rock jam session featured acts like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, and since I had never gotten the opportunity to see the latter with original lead singer Glenn Frey before he passed away, it was an experience a long time coming.

Their set was a touching tribute to the classic rock legend, giving country star Vince Gill the mic and even letting Glenn’s talented son Deacon take center stage for a few songs.

Here’s a pic of us at the concert along with a friendly reminder not to block the view of someone behind you by holding up a phone (or tablet, as I have actually seen) to record the entire thing.

It was a truly amazing event that I won’t soon forget, and I recommend anyone living on the wrong side of the country check out Classic East when it rolls through New York at the end of the month. It really made my weekend, which is saying something given its’ start.

Cracking Crackdow

Hey…just between us and this is totally off the record, but I’m sure we’ve all had some software that we couldn’t exactly produce the receipt for, right?

That cracked version of Microsoft Office you used once upon a time, the tax software you “borrowed” one spring, your “extended free trial” of Kerbal Space Program…it’s okay, you’re among friends. I won’t tell if you promise not to check my kids’ computers.

Surprisingly, many organizations are using software that’s pirated as well…in the age of infinite downloads, it’s pretty to stumble across something that shouldn’t be free even if you weren’t looking for it. I’m no whistleblower, but if your firm is “accidentally” using pirated software, the Business Software Alliance could cause big problems for you down the line.

Yes, just as Napster once set out to lock up teenage Linkin Park fans for their terabytes of stolen music, the BSA is cracking down on pirated software use by businesses, and it could happen to you…so read this to protect yourselves and accessories to your digital misdeeds.

Clientele Connection

It has perhaps never been easier for agencies like ours to connect with those we serve than in the digital age, and three tools in particular make it even more convenient.VisualVisitor offers browsing information for web traffic that would otherwise remain anonymous, and YesWare provides insights into how your emails and other outreach methods are performing.’

Of course, communing with the machines is a great way to collect raw data, but nothing lets you know who you’re dealing with like direct engagement. That meansLinkedIn is another important tool for us, and so it’s a good thing I recently found this cool little article spotlighting 21 nifty little tricks for getting the most out of the resource.

The Last Word

All right, that’s about all the new business we have time for today, so thanks as always for reading, but if you’re not quite sick of me yet, I’ve got one last nugget of good news: we’ve just overhauled the archives over at myarchway.com, and it now features every post from 2017!

If you have a few minutes you’re not using today, take a trip back down memory lane to relive all the gadgets and giggles from the front half of the year…you can even download them if you like, it’s freeware.

The post A Pirate’s Life for You first appeared on Archway Computer.