Here's something you never want to see: intruder alert, intruder alert. So catch it before it's too late!

Great news coming out of IES today. We are now taking preorders for the IES HoneyPot. Now you can setup a "sting" operation 24/7 on your network, often alerting you - and us - of an issue before it becomes a real problem.

What is a honeypot you ask? "It's a sacrificial computer system that’s intended to attract cyberattacks, like a decoy. It mimics a target for hackers, and uses their intrusion attempts to gain information about cyber criminals and the way they are operating or to distract them from other targets".

Despite the compact size of our honeypot device, it looks like a real computer system to hackers - with applications and data, fooling cyber criminals into thinking it's a legitimate target. For example, a honeypot could mimic a company's customer billing system, a frequent target of attack for criminals who want to find credit card numbers. Once the hackers are in, they can be tracked, and their behavior assessed for clues on how to make the real network more secure.

It is important to note that a honeypot isn't set up to address a specific problem, like a firewall or anti-virus software. Nor is it meant to replace these network necessities. Instead, it's an information tool that can help you understand existing threats to your business and spot the emergence of new threats. With the intelligence obtained from a honeypot, security efforts can be prioritized and focused.

WE ARE GIVING THESE DEVICES AWAY for a limited time to any of our clients that are interested. We just ask that you cover the annual subscription fee of $365...yes, just $1 per day. Contact us today (781-816-9437 or contactus@iesadvisors.com) to learn more about our devices and see how they can help add a layer of security to your network. Since the devices are plug and play, we can ship it right to your location. Simply plug it into power & Ethernet so IES can do the rest!

Computer system outages can cost some serious money...just ask Delta.

The numbers are in - and it's amazing how much a five hour system outage can cost!

The problem occurred when the company lost power at its operations center in Atlanta early on the morning of August 8, causing computers needed to book in passengers and fly jets to be down for nearly five hours.

The airline eventually canceled about 1,000 flights on the day of the outage and ground an additional 1,000 flights over the following two days. It also agreed to give affected customers refunds and vouchers for future travel.

The cost of the outage was disclosed in a presentation Delta made to investors Wednesday to the tune of $150 million. The losses came out of pre-tax profits, but the airline did not provide a break down of the various costs.

Delta is not the only airline to experience these kinds of computer problems recently.

British Airways was hit with its own computer problems on Tuesday. Southwest had to deal with a computer outage in July that resulted in canceled flights over three days.

Southwest said in an investor presentation on Wednesday that the outage hurt its quarterly revenue. The airline didn't place a precise dollar figure, but it did give ratios that would work out to at least a $177 million hit to passenger revenue.

Despite the news about the cost of the outages, and information from both airlines that fares continue to be lower than they were a year ago, airline stocks are up broadly as a group in trading Wednesday. The data on fares showed less of a decline than many investors had feared.

Clearly system outages cost some serious money. If you want to protect your business' important computer systems, call IES today at 781-816-9437 or email contactus@iesadvisors.com. We can help you prevent a costly outage.

The hackers are coming! The hackers are coming!

Hacking: it’s not just for Anonymous and the U.S. government anymore.

Cybercrime is ever-encroaching and can happen to anyone. Including you and your business. In fact, it’s cost the global economy more than $400 billion, and it’s increasingly hurting smaller operations.

The problem goes far beyond the leaking of sensitive emails and sexy selfies. Targeted attacks against small businesses nearly doubled in 2013. And of the one in five that experience a cyber attack annually, 60% will close their doors within six months as a result (source: Symantec).

But not you. Protect your business with these three tips:

1. Be password savvy. If your password is still “Password123,” it’s time to get serious. Create unique codes for each of your accounts, and make sure they’re at least 8 characters long (with a few special ones thrown in). Use password managers like LastPass 3.0 or Dashlane 3 to keep track.

2. Encrypt emails and valuable information. If a hacker does breach your system, encryption makes it that much harder to get away with critical data. Voltage, DataMotion, and Proofpoint are industry leaders worth checking out. 

3. Back up your data. Copying your key company data onto a cloud based system, such as Dropbox or Carbonite, or a USB hard drive takes minutes, and will save you time and anxiety if your system is ever compromised.

For professional help, call IES today at 781-816-9437. We can have you safe and secure in hours, not days!

What traits do you need to start your own small business?

When it comes to starting your own venture, there are certain character traits that are essential. Here are five traits you need to successfully start your own small business...

Work Ethic:
You’re going to need a solid work ethic for two reasons: First, if you’re smart, you’ll begin your small business while still working at your current career. That takes a ton of pressure off of you in the beginning regarding revenue generation. Many businesses take some time to turn a profit, so it helps to keep cash flow coming in from another source until that happens. And second, starting a small business requires a ton of hard work – regardless of any overnight Internet sensation success stories you may have read about.

Time Management:
Again, if you start your business while at your current job, you’ll need to maximize each and every minute of your working day. Create a to-do list, cut off all Internet distractions such as social media or fantasy sports leagues, and take care of personal errands like grocery shopping or dry cleaning on your daily trek to and from work. Proper time management is crucial, as every minute you can free up is one more minute you can devote to your small business.

Passion:
If you don’t truly believe in what you’re doing, your chances of success are minimized. If you’re not supporting a cause you truly feel enthusiastic about, you’ll have a hard time staying motivated. Often, the joy it brings you is the only thing you’ll have to fall back on when times get hard.

Ingenuity and Flexibility:
Being creative and ingenious are also parts of small business success. You might think about starting a landscaping business, but later find that organic gardening is more popular than landscaping with ornamentals. If you thought your ticket to success was social media marketing, but that hasn’t worked out, you might have to branch out into other advertising options. Being willing and able to change is a key asset in small business success.

Perseverance:
Unless you’re extremely lucky and find success rather early on, you’ll need to be patient. Realize that patience is a virtue when it comes to launching your small business idea. It’s a stellar strategy if you want to get into small business ownership while still working at a traditional career, and you never know what might come of it.

Still on the fence of whether or not you should make the leap into being a business owner? IES can help you with a professional website, marketing, and social media plan. Give us a call at 781-816-9437 or email contactus@iesadvisors.com.

1. Work Ethic

You’re going to need a solid work ethic for two reasons: First, if you’re smart, you’ll begin your small business while still working at your current career. That takes a ton of pressure off of you in the beginning regarding revenue generation. Many businesses take some time to turn a profit, so it helps to keep cash flow coming in from another source until that happens. And second, starting a small business requires a ton of hard work – regardless of any overnight Internet sensation success stories you may have read about.

2. Time Management

Again, if you start your biz while at your current job, you’ll need to maximize each and every
minute of your working day. Create a to-do list, cut off all Internet distractions such as social
media or fantasy sports leagues, and take care of personal errands like grocery shopping or dry
cleaning on your daily trek to and from work. Proper time management is crucial, as every minute you can free up is one more minute you can devote to your small business.
- See more at: http://blog.fiverr.com/traits-need-start-small-business/?utm_source=el_ct&utm_term=n492#sthash.S5qgntss.dpuf

Own a business? Here's why a professional website will be the best investment your business has ever made.

Hello, and welcome to the 21st century - the era of technology. If you own a business and don't have a website, you are significantly missing out on acquiring new customers. If you own a business and have a cheap, template driven site (example: Intuit, Homestead, FatCow, GoDaddy Website Builder, etc.), you are still missing out.

Why? Nearly all consumers - 97% - now use online media to shop locally. (This includes searches from computers, laptops, or mobile phones). I think it's safe to say the Yellow Pages have officially died.

So how would a website help? Well, it's all about exposure and being found on Google. A simple, cheap website builder usually does not accomplish that. Not only does your website need to be aesthetically pleasing, but you need title tag optimization, descriptive tag optimization, image description optimization, keyword optimization, and a large amount of content. That simply cannot be done using a template builder.

And let's not forget about the tax advantages! Usually, websites are 100% tax deductible business expenses. After all, it is a marketing expense. *Legal disclaimer: I am not an accountant, please consult your tax advisor.

So if you're ready to pull the trigger on a professional website, give IES a call or shoot us an email! We look forward to helping you build your business.

IES, Inc.
781-816-943
estimates@iesadvisors.com

3 facts that every business blogger needs to know.

FACT: viewers are 85% more likely to purchase after watching a product video.
Auditory and aural learners prefer to hear new material. You can accommodate them by adding narrated video to your website. Further down the funnel, you may want to offer instructional webinars.

Creating these content assets doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, especially if you’re working with a savvy marketing partner. But if you’re stalled in this capacity, you can still cater to auditory audiences by using rhythmic language and patterns in your written content.

FACT: Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text.
A picture is worth a thousand blogs when it comes to customers who are predominantly visual learners. And we’re not talking about generic stock photos of random business people, either. For every two or three written pieces you create about a new product or service offering, try to develop a visual equivalent like a workflow chart or a custom illustration.

This is not to say visual learners can’t comprehend an email blast or follow text only directions on a landing page. But it helps to remember that most people are drawn to vibrant photos and colorful graphs.

FACT: Social shares can trigger Google’s algorithm for “freshness,” giving your rank a temporary lift.
There's not much to say here, other than encourage your followers to share stories from your blog that they find interesting. One share can end up netting you 1,000 views of your blog in the end; which in turn can net you one new client.

7 essential things you must live by as an entrepreneur.

According to the Small Business Association, more than 50 percent of new businesses fail within the first five years. Why? Because many entrepreneurs today are naïve to the struggles and triumphs that accompany owning their own business. They underestimate the amount of time, energy, devotion and care it takes to develop a meaningful, successful organization.

Here’s what entrepreneurs need to keep in mind both before opening shop, and in the first phase of operation -- so they can stay afloat and beat the overwhelming odds:

1). Pinch pennies
This seems obvious, but frugality is essential for entrepreneurs. The biggest area people spend foolishly on is technology. People buy huge servers for potential, yet technology changes so fast, that they bought too much, too soon and could have grown into it. Companies can also save money when investing in an executive team. Entrepreneurs forget that they don't need to build the executive team of a $100 million company when they’re just starting out. The people they hire to start and build the company probably won't be the same ones they’ll need when they achieve certain milestones.

2). Go all in
Entrepreneurs need to be able to commit to working 60, 70, 80 hours a week, to being on call all the time and to taking a substantial pay cut (hopefully only initially). They need to be able to put their business first and themselves second.

3). Be resilient
Building a business is like having a child. You love your child unconditionally and are proud of all their accomplishments, but you know along the way there will be hardships. You don’t stop loving your child because of their mistakes or faults, instead you help them to grow and support them no matter what. This is how entrepreneurs should run a business.

4). Talk to successful people
To succeed, surround yourself with people you trust and who are smarter than you.

5). Build and leverage relationships
When an entrepreneur is just starting out, everyone should know about it: family, friends, former colleagues and acquaintances. Everyone is a potential investor or client. At the same time, entrepreneurs need to develop new relationships. They need to be transparent and honest with prospects, recognize the big events in their lives and show appreciation for their time and consideration.

6). Create the culture
A company's culture must be implemented from day one, communicated daily and instilled in each new hire. Culture is difficult, if not impossible to change. A unique culture is founded on strong values and maintained by a dedicated team.

7). People make the difference
Expand your team with people who share similar values and beliefs, those who are passionate and dedicated and all around good people. They will help grow the business and increase client satisfaction.

Source: Fox Business

The five best things to know when starting a business.

Starting a business can be overwhelming, regardless of whether you’ve started one before or if you are a rookie entrepreneur. For those who have already started a business, most will agree that there are some keys to the business world they wish they were aware of before opening their doors. While the advice may vary slightly by industry, here are our top five tips to anticipate those impending business surprises.

You probably won’t strike it rich...At least not right away.
This may not come as a shock, but the first few years of owning a business aren’t as much lucrative as they are about getting established in the community. Between the startup costs and maintenance, you probably won’t be able to pop the cork on a champagne lifestyle just yet. Along with this comes long hours and over-servicing. A 70-hour week is not completely out of the realm of possibilities during the first few years of business.

Be prepared to wear many hats.
While you many have majored in Business at your local college, you will quickly become an expert in marketing, operations, public relations and sales. At the very least, you will become a skilled multitasker.

You may have more power than you’re used to.
Since you will be the main decision-maker, you will have the power to see your ideas become reality. While this is an exciting proposition for many of us, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations on both individual and business levels. The key is not to promise yourself or others too much. We recommend managing business the way we all try to with our personal lives – within our means.

You will have stiff competition.
While you may think your bakery is the best thing since sliced bread, chances are your potential customers already have a favorite bakery in your area. We have found that the most success comes after you identify the competition and understand their strengths and weaknesses as a brand. Only then do you have the leverage to forge a business that has a fighting chance at winning over a new customer base. Learning how to differentiate your business from the competition is a key step in establishing a successful operation.

You will likely fall off the proverbial horse.
But if you’re smart, you’ll get back up. Having a business plan will account for these kinds of setbacks. Also, tapping into available business resources, like using a registered agent, may help you stay on track and out of litigation troubles. Dealing with slow growth? Nearly every startup rides the roller-coaster revenue train at one point or another. The key is remain honest with customers, continue to provide great service/products and finally, to weather the storm.

Source: BizFilings

Business bartering: is it really worth it? YES!

Many people have asked me if barter is really worth it lately. For the record, and I can not stress this enough...YES, it is! Belonging to IMS, a professional barter network, saved our company over $25,000 in 2012 between travel, dining, and supplies used to run our business.

You may be asking youself $25,000? Really? Let me explain how this is possible...

Every member of IMS receives their own trade broker whose sole job is to promote and broker trade opportunities for them within the network. This provides a completely unique opportunity to sell your product and services to companies you didn’t even know about (or ones that didn't even know about you).

Now you may be asking, "Isn't barter just a lost cash sale"?
No! Absolutely not! We think of it like this: someone who is looking to barter is trying to spend as little money aspossible (if at any at all). It doesn't matter if your company is on the opposite side of the country; a business owner is much more likely to spend their barter dollars with you then they are to spend real money with a local company.

The benefits of IMS are clear to our firm. When travelling to NYC, we expect nothing less than a four to five star hotel or a luxury apartment on 5th Ave. Dinners while entertaining clients of $300, $400, and even $500 have been enjoyed without even blinking an eye. $250 spa giftcards for our  employees (and their mothers) have been handed out nonstop. The list goes just goes on...barter truly is king.

Here's some information on IMS if you're interested in learning more...
"The international IMS Barter network has 16,000 member businesses, allowing your company to conduct business-to-business trading for goods and services outside of your normal markets. This gives you the opportunity to purchase goods and services for your business using trade dollars, instead of cash. Which means your business can save cash on normal business expenses like printing, repairs and improvements, professional services, travel, office equipment, corporate gifts, company meetings, and much more, by spending your earned trade dollars instead."

Visit IMSbarter.com for more details. Should you choose to signup, tell your broker that International Enterprise Services referred you to the network. (This will wave all application & setup costs).

Think social media isn't important to your business? Think again!

With over one billion users on Facebook alone, you're missing out on a large advertising opportunity if your business isn't present through social media. Check out this 4 minute video for some interesting facts:

“It’s not the economy….”

Fiscal cliff, sequester, debt-ceiling, meteors crashing down on Earth’s surface…..

From the headlines, it seems that the end of the world is near. Maybe the Mayans really knew the world would end in 2014 but just told us 2012 so they could get the last laugh. Despite this, we still have to get up and go to work in the morning, but one cannot help but wonder about the always dreaded R word - recession.

The truth is, if you are worried about the possibility of another recession and its impact on your business, you are normal just like the rest of us. However, if you constantly worry about it, even if you are in a more cyclical industry, there is something wrong with your business. If you truly believe in what you are selling, and you are providing something of value at a reasonable price and treating your customers right, you should not be worried about another recession. Even now current economic conditions do not meet the requirements to be classified as a “recession” but my opinion is that the economy is slightly contracting or extremely weak at best (maybe 0.2%-0.5% GDP growth if any).

But I majored in Economics, so what the heck do I know? Especially when I am only at the Bachelor’s Level and most renowned economists with PhD’s still get it wrong. I seriously considered underwater basket-weaving but almost drowned when I accidentally weaved my hands together in UBW 101.

Back to the economy…uncertainty from Washington’s theatrics, Europe’s sovereign debt woes, and China’s banking system reminiscent of ours in 2006, has driven many consumers to curb spending and businesses to curb investment. Credit is also hard to come by and consumers do not seem to be rebounding back to their pre-recession spending tendencies, even those who have deleveraged (another factor behind weaker demand).

So we can say there is less demand in the macro economy. This means there are probably fewer prospective customers out there now than there were a year ago. But this is by no means a death sentence. You simply have to work harder to keep existing customers, and work smarter and harder to get new customers. You are competing with other businesses for fewer and fewer customers. Separate your business from your competition and you will do fine. Again, the businesses that sell something of value that is needed or desired will do fine regardless of the economy.

Clearly, all of us would prefer the economy be booming with 5% GDP growth but like that classic song, “you can’t always get what you want”. Maybe a tougher environment could be “what you need” to kick-start your creativity. Maybe you will come up with your next big idea.

Avoid these five mistakes and keep your customers happy...

Entrepreneurs will fight tooth and nail in their quests to get ahead. Always on the lookout for the fast track to success, we want the tips and tricks to become the next Mark Cuban or Bill Gates and we want them now.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

We have to start somewhere, though. No matter how big or small your entrepreneurial aspirations may be, it all comes back to square one. That is; are customers coming through the door? Whether you're running the corner store or a multi-billion dollar web conglomerate, the wheels don't turn unless your customers are helping put money in your pocket.

Oftentimes we focus on how to acquire more customers, although perhaps we should take some time and consider how businesses manage to lose customers. It's rather common for businesses to go downhill quickly. For example, how often do we see the one of the best restaurants in town with a great location fall to pieces under new management? How often do we see businesses experience a boom just before they go under?

Losing customers is a slippery slope. A strong customer base is one of the most powerful weapons in a small business' arsenal. As soon as that base begins to crumble, your business has to work quickly so that its foundation doesn't crumble as well. Is your business keeping up with its customers? Consider the following ways that many businesses today are losing their followers:

A Failure to Communicate
One of the quickest and easiest ways to lose out on both potential and existing customers is by being clear. From the world "go," customers should know how to reach you, find your store, your Facebook, etc. There's no need to make the process of obtaining such information into a challenge or puzzle; if you do, such customers will just move on to another business that's more visible.

Furthermore, ensure that you're speaking to your audience and being cordial at all times. How you communicate, both online and off, is paramount in regard to customer service. Whether talking to a customer online or standing five feet away from you, be polite and welcoming. If it feels as if customers are shying away from you or your business, the problem is most likely yours, not theirs. Communication is a two-way street; therefore, always consider how you approach others and they approach you whenever you're doing business.

Not Looking the Part
Regardless of your industry or business, keeping up a professional look is key. Once again, this rule applies both online and offline. Your business' website should be modern and presentable, not resembling something that just stepped out of 1996. Additionally, you and your employees need to look like you care. Whether you do this through uniforms or business attire is completely you to.

While some entrepreneurs may roll their eyes at such advice, there's no denying that first appearances count. Looking the part will help let your potential customers know that you're putting forth an effort. Ask yourself what sort of message your business is sending out through it's outward appearance, both online and off.

Not Living Up to Expectations
By failing to live up to the expectations of your customers, you immediately betray their trust. Don't advertise a product or service that you don't provide. Never say your product does this when it really does that. Don't advertise this sale when you're having that sale. There's no need for your business to lie or live in the fine print; your customers will see right through cheap tactics and it'll leave a bad taste in their mouths. Chances are, they won't be back.
 
Customers both old and new should feel welcomed, not trapped or tricked.

Bad Information
Whether you're trying to reach a new audience or client, you're going to need to know exactly who you're talking to before you carry out a successful strategy. You wouldn't go blindly into a meeting or job interview without researching the new company first, would you? Improper research can lead to awkward situations or even cause your customers to think that you don't care. If you can't take the time to research your customers, why should they consider doing business with you?

Every business must take the time to conduct proper research and testing for every new initiative or project they roll out. Don't make assumptions when it comes to your customers, especially if your business is still wet behind the ears.

Coming On Too Strong
Being overly aggressive is poison to the modern small business. You don't have to play hard to get, but there's no need to drown your customers in sales language, useless information and a do-or-die attitude. Instead, speak their language, be cordial and reasonable. Take to your customers, not at them.

Don't sound rehearsed. Don't sound like a robot. Don't cause your customers to believe that their wallet is the only thing on your mind. Relax. While there's nothing wrong with giving customers a bit of a push when it comes to making decisions, don't push them over the edge. Not everyone is going to want to do business with you. Guess what? That's okay.

The Bottom Line
Your customers are the foundation of your business; treat them well and you'll prosper. Don't let the foundation of your small business crumble due to poor decision making or simple mistakes. Are you rolling out the red carpet for your customers?
__________________________________________________________________________________
About the author: Brent Barnhart is a young yet avid writer with a wide range of interests and specialties. Whether it’s music journalism, technical editing, or literary criticism, there is little ground that Brent hasn’t covered through the written word. He writes with the intention of leaving an impression, following the belief that any piece (as “boring” as it potentially could be) has the ability to capture.

We all know "that" business. The one we envy and want to be. Here's how to accomplish just that...

Every now and then we come across that business - the business we envy - the business that's been around forever - the business that never makes a mistake, pushes all the right buttons and never loses its step. We want to be that business. But how do we get that point?

Learn From Your Mistakes
Businesses run into a lot of roadblocks. We constantly hear about the struggles of small businesses, where things went wrong in certain companies, and how to move forward. Sometimes it's hard to recover from mistakes; either our pride or egos take a big hit or we suffer a huge financial blow. Regardless, making mistakes is part of the process of running any business. From those mistakes we better understand what path to take our businesses as we learn that certain paths just plain aren't working out.

Nobody's perfect. Even Mark Zuckerberg makes mistakes. The key is that we don't keep repeating the same mistakes and are willing to admit that something has gone wrong.

Regret is only natural, especially when we sink a lot of time and money into a project that flops. In reality, it's just another lesson learned. This is a tough pill to swallow, but consider your mistakes as an opportunity for your business to ask more questions, set better goals and determine where it needs to go.

Wise Businesses Don't Waste Time
Businesses can't afford to waste time. This may sound like an extremely elementary principle; however, many small businesses sink their time and money into various avenues in order to avoid the reality of business. Being a small business owner isn't temporary. It's a commitment. Moreover, it's a lifestyle.

It's often said that "you get out what you put in". So, what are you putting into your business? What do you expect to get out of it? Many people turn to entrepreneurship because they want to be their own boss or their sick of the 9-to-5 grind. For such people, the reality of today's business world is sobering. It's definitely a challenge; however, the rewards are great for those who manage to stick it out.

Wise Businesses Know the Value of a Dollar
Time is money. Just as businesses today can't afford to waste time, they also can't afford to waste precious capital.

Companies like Apple, Starbucks and Dell all came from next to nothing. Small investments don't seem so small when their applied to big ideas and innovations. Entrepreneurs have proven that you can build an empire from your parent's garage or with next to nothing.

What is your business capable of? How far can you stretch a dollar? Keep such questions in mind before you splash cash on your business.
__________________________________________________________________________________
About the author: Brent Barnhart is a young yet avid writer with a wide range of interests and specialties. Whether it’s music journalism, technical editing, or literary criticism, there is little ground that Brent hasn’t covered through the written word. He writes with the intention of leaving an impression, following the belief that any piece (as “boring” as it potentially could be) has the ability to captur.

Windows 8 giving you problems? You're certainly not the only one!

"It took me 20 minutes to figure out how to shut it down..20 minutes...to turn a damn computer off"!

"I'm ready to throw them all to the ground and stomp on them".

"I just want to print...how the hell do I print"?

"This thing sucks; I'm sending it back".

"I can't do anything"!

DailyTech reports that 80% of businesses will never adopt the Windows 8 operating system. But can you really blame them? Trying to use this operating system to accomplish anything is damn near impossible. From attempting to find an installed program that's not pinned to your start screen or desktop to figuring out how to exit a simple program like Adobe Reader to browsing the web on a non-full screen Internet Explorer, and even shutting the computer down - it's just not worth the struggle! Employees simply can not be productive with their time if they can't use the technology of the 21st century. Microsoft sure made a mistake bringing this operating system to market.

Our clients and staff are not the only ones complaining about Windows 8. Check out this hilarious 23 minute animated rant from freelancer Brian Boyko. He decided to experiment with the new operating system thinking, "What could go wrong" and quickly found the answer to be "Just about everything".

*Over the last week, I have asked some of the firm's clients about their thoughts on the Windows 8 operating system. They responded with the quotes at the beginning of this blog post.

Got a good idea? GoDaddy made it clear at the Super Bowl that it is important to be first to market. It's time to act!

Yesterday, we saw the conclusion of a close game between the Ravens and the 49ers after a half hour power outage. I'm sure everyone watched the commercials, many of which were funny as usual. But one stood out in specific that was relative to our industry: GoDaddy's YourBigIdea.co ad. What's the message being portrayed here? If you have an idea for a business, act on it quickly before someone beats you to it.

IES can secure your domain, build your website, and help you form a brand for your business. Give us a call today at 781-816-9437 so we can get started securing your idea!

Watch the 30 second Super Bowl commercial below:

*International Enterprise Services is affiliated with GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. Links, GoDaddy name, and commercial used with permission.

Casual Fridays go formal...

A Foosball table, M&Ms, Fruit Loops, he bottle of whiskey on top of the fridge....these are the things you see at a Silicon Vally start up, along with staff casually dressed in sweatpants, hoodies, jeans, flip flops, or even pajamas.

Many American companies have come around to practicing Casual Friday, encouraging employees to dress down after four days of business wear. Silicon Valley was a pioneer of just that, with one exception: many opted for casual dress every day. Now, however, you will no longer see casual on Fridays!

Welcome Dress Up Friday, where normally comfortable employees dress in suits and ties, silk dresses, and pumps. Just the opposite of what you would expect any company to do. But hey, "Sometimes you just want to bring the heat for no particular reason at all, and Corporate Friday is your opportunity to suit up."

Read the full Wall Street Journal article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324677204578184022807118216.html