Archive for category: Filosophy

Management Musings 2.1

January 2, 2013/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

In bouncing around the internet this morning I found an article from Forbes contributor Mike Maddock on “Ten Resolutions Most Successful People Make and Keep.” It was interesting and particularly so when it came to the tenth resolution.

“#10 Plan vacations (now)

You have probably heard the saying, “Life is what happens when you are not paying attention.” Unfortunately for many of us, we let this become true. Do yourself a favor and plan your vacations for the next year today. I promise you that the days around your vacation will fill in nicely. I also promise you that you’ll have something to look forward to and the life that happens during your vacations will be precious.”

With the exception that I believe that “Life Is What Happens When You Are Planning Other Things,” it brought to mind an item in Peter Senge’s book “The Fifth Discipline” which I have tried to follow religiously since I read it in the 80’s.

He puts forward that when planning the activites of your work year you should plan your personal time before anything else. He suggests that if you don’t do that you won’t have any personal time. I found that to be true in the early years of starting our business. So I changed. From that point on I put on the schedule personal time and held it out of bounds for any other activity. It worked. I was more refreshed – I could think more clearly, my family liked me better – I was less of a bear to be around, and we ultimately became more successful. Try it you will like it.

The time is now.

Friday Filosophy #37

December 31, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today

Abraham Lincoln

The death of the heart is the saddest thing that can happen to you

Chinese Proverb

Be a good listener, your ears will never get you in trouble

Frank Tyger

Never Forget

December 31, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

Before you can be of any value to anyone else….you must be of value to yourself.

Friday Filosophy #36

November 11, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

He who is to be a good ruler must have been ruled.

Aristotle

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Buddha

God gave burdens, also shoulders.

Yiddish proverb

The time is now.

Friday Filosophy #35

November 3, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

Mark Twain

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use to being anything else.

Winston Churchill

What it lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.

Aristotle

The time is now.

Friday Filosophy #34

October 20, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

Nobody really cares if you’re miserable, so you might as well be happy.

Anonymous

Little things please little minds.

English Proverb

Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records.

Unknown

The time is now.

Friday Filosophy #33

October 12, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.

Norman Peale

Love is the force that ignites the spirit and binds teams together.

Phil Jackson

I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.

Lou Holtz

The time is now.

Thought of the Day #12

October 9, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

In looking around the media and the education community and the unemployed in America these days I am astounded that the main stream media (MSM) are expounding on the needs that the current President has to get out the vote of the young as he did in 2008. I don’t think that is very smart.

The facts as I know them include the fact that over 54% of the graduates in 2012 do not have jobs. I look at new terms for the part time workers, the educated men and women who are working at jobs considerably below their skills sets. I don’t know why the current President would want that group of people to be voting in the same proportion as they did in 2008. Do they think they will continue to vote for the results that have been produced in job creation over the past three and a half years?

These people are smart, they have taken exams, and they know what good results look like and when they are not good. Who do you think they will vote for this time around? Hope and Change? Or Please Move Aside? This is not a good job on which you should have a do over is it? Clint Eastwood had it right when he said “when they don’t do the job you just got to let them go.”

Some facts to consider

Age 25 – 54 unemployment rate 7.1%
Age 18 – 25 unemployment rate 15.7%
The share of working age population that has a job in 2009 at the bottom of the recession was 58.2%
The share of working age population that has a job in September 2012 is 58.3% after the Obama jobs recovery.

This is not a record that the younger people will find comforting. They will not be voting for the current President. They have had about all they can stand of his hope and change. I am struck with the MSM and the wringing of their hands that the younger voters will not be turning out this election and that this will hurt the current President. Au contraire mes amis, if they vote in numbers they will in all likelihood be voting for Romney. And none too soon. The time is now.

CAS Filosophy v1.3

October 5, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.

C.S. Lewis

I watched Titanic when I got back home from the hospital, and cried. I knew that my IQ had been damaged.”
Stephen King

And, to close, words to live by:

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!

Audrey Hepburn

The time is now.

WH Filosophy v1.5

October 5, 2012/in Filosophy/by learningwithoutscars

Thank you Bill.

The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.

John Burroughs, American naturalist and essayist

There is nothing so agonizing to the fine skin of vanity as the application of a rough truth.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, British politician, poet, playwright and novelist

The time is now.

TESTIMONIALS

Are Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities Haunting Your Dealership?

Kevin Landers is the President of rocketwise - an IT and Cyber Security firm based out of Knoxville, TN. He and his team support equipment and commercial truck dealers across North America. He makes his initial blog post for Learning Without Scars with, "Are Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities Haunting Your Dealership?"

Kevin possesses the unique ability to understand, and explain in non-threatening and non-technical ways how technology, business and team members work with, and sometimes, against each other. He has an innate ability to understand how technology works at the basic conceptual level and how it interacts with hardware, software, networking, people and business processes. A rare combination in today's technology arena.

He puts these abilities to work daily to make dealerships better by enabling them to deliver extraordinary service with rocketwise's "Dealer Ally Success Platform".

Kevin lives in Tennesse with his bride Summer, and their two sons - Caleb and Isaiah.

Let's delve into a topic that's crucial for dealerships like yours - cybersecurity. While you might not have old skeletons hidden away, there's a good chance that cybersecurity vulnerabilities are lurking in the shadows, just waiting to cause trouble. You can't address what you can't see, which is why it's time to shed light on these hidden dangers. This will empower you to take initiative-taking measures to safeguard your dealership from potential cyber threats. Here are some of the most common cybersecurity challenges faced by dealerships:

Outdated Software: The Neglected Nightmare

We understand that updating software can be a hassle, but running outdated software is akin to leaving the dealership doors wide open for hackers. When software vendors release updates, they often include crucial security patches that plug vulnerabilities. Don't let outdated software haunt your dealership's digital presence. Keep everything up to date to fortify your online defenses.

Weak Passwords: The Gateway for Cyber Intruders

If your passwords are weak, it's like handing over the keys to your dealership to cybercriminals. Using predictable passwords like "123456" or "password" is a big security no-no. Instead, establish robust and unique passwords for all accounts and devices. Consider a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Password managers can be invaluable for generating and securely storing complex passwords. As a dealership owner, set guidelines for creating strong passwords and employ software to enforce this policy.

Unsecured Wi-Fi: The Vulnerable Entry Point

Imagine a scenario where a cybercriminal lurks in a parked vehicle, exploiting your dealership's unsecured Wi-Fi network. Terrifying, right? Unsecured Wi-Fi can serve as an entry point for hackers to intercept sensitive data. Ensure your Wi-Fi is password-protected and use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption for an added layer of security. For critical dealership operations, consider implementing a virtual private network (VPN) to shield your data from prying eyes.

Lack of Employee Training: The Risk of Ignorance

Your employees can either be your dealership's strongest defense or its weakest link. Employee errors contribute to approximately 88% of data breaches. Without proper cybersecurity training, your staff might unknowingly fall prey to phishing scams or inadvertently expose sensitive information. Regularly educate your team on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing emails, avoiding suspicious websites, and using secure file-sharing methods.

No Data Backups: The Catastrophic Loss

Imagine waking up to find your dealership's data vanishing into the digital abyss. Without backups, this nightmare can become a reality due to hardware failures, ransomware attacks, or unforeseen disasters. Embrace the 3-2-1 rule: maintain at least three copies of your data, stored on two different media types, with one copy stored securely offsite. Regularly evaluate your backups to ensure they are functional and dependable.

No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): The Risky Gamble

Relying solely on passwords for account protection is a risky gamble, much like having a screen door at the entrance of your dealership. Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide additional authentication factors, such as a one-time code or passkey. This significantly bolsters your account security and makes it challenging for cyber attackers to breach your dealership's defenses.

Disregarding Mobile Security: The Vulnerable Phones

Mobile devices have become indispensable tools for dealership operations, but they can also be vulnerable to security risks. Ensure that all company-issued devices have passcodes or biometric locks enabled. Consider implementing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, remotely wipe data, and ensure devices remain up to date.

Shadow IT: The Unwanted Surprise

Shadow IT refers to the use of unauthorized applications within your dealership. While it may seem harmless when employees use convenient online tools, these unvetted applications can pose significant security risks. Establish clear policies for software and services usage within your dealership and conduct regular audits to identify any lurking shadow IT.

Incident Response Plan: Preparedness for the Unexpected

Even with all precautions in place, security incidents can still occur. Without an incident response plan, your dealership could be left scrambling. Develop a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines how your team will detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. Regularly evaluate and update the plan to ensure its effectiveness.

Don't let cybersecurity vulnerabilities haunt your dealership. We can assist you in identifying and addressing potential threats, ensuring a robust security posture that protects your business. Reach out to us today to schedule a cybersecurity assessment. Your dealership's security is our top priority.

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