2021 | FTC-I

Jul

22

2021

7 Valuable Lessons Businesses Can Learn From the Pandemic

The global coronavirus pandemic forced American companies large and small to rethink their approaches to doing business. Unfortunately, the precautions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 led businesses everywhere to close their doors, many of them even permanently. But the crisis also offered some valuable learning experiences for the businesses that survived the unique challenges it presented. Consider these seven important lessons hammered home by the pandemic that businesses can harness to boost their durability and flexibility moving forward: Expect the unexpected — As the pandemic made clear, unforeseen events can have huge impacts on a business’s...

Jul

19

2021

7 Tips for Truly Unplugging From Work During a Vacation

In the modern business world, workers’ accessibility does not end when they leave the office or even when they leave the city, state, or country. Thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones, most members of the workforce can be easily reached no matter where they are, what they are doing or what hour of the day (or night) it might be. And while this could create significant and wide-ranging benefits for a business’s productivity and agility, it can also make it hard for workers to ever step away from the job truly and relax. Of course, this can also defeat the...

Jul

15

2021

6 Great Road-Trip Destinations … and 1 Essential App or Website for Each

The FTC service area and its regional surroundings in the Palmetto State are filled with amazing places to visit and many of them are within easy reach via a quick road trip. And of course, every destination offers something different, making for one perfect app visitors should install or website they should visit to enhance their adventure. Consider these six great road-trip destinations (including a couple undeniably quirky ones) located within 100 miles of Sumter, along with the perfect app/website for each: The South Carolina State House — Located less than an hour west of Sumter, the 130,000-square-foot seat of...

Jul

06

2021

July Is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month: 8 Etiquette Tips to Keep in Mind

For most American consumers, the smartphone is a nearly constant companion these days. And for many, it could even be considered an essential everyday tool that they might be lost or even borderline helpless without. But as helpful as the smartphone can be for modern consumers, it also presents clear drawbacks in some areas —and courtesy is an obvious top contender. (Just ask consumers who spend a lot of time in crowded places such as airports or movie theaters how annoying an inconsiderate smartphone user can be.) Such is the inspiration for National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, which is observed...

Jun

30

2021

5 Essential Smartphone Accessories for the On-the-Go Worker

Offering a wealth of mobility while enabling easy access to a range of the tools needed to get the job done and stay in touch with clients and colleagues, the smartphone is an indispensable tool for today’s on-the-go worker. And while the 21st century device can deliver a range of powerful capabilities on its own, it can become even more effective when accompanied by the right accessories. For business owners looking to boost productivity levels of their out-in-the-field workforce, here are five smartphone accessories that offer great ways to ramp up mobile workers’ on-the-go capabilities: Portable battery charger/power bank: When...

Jun

23

2021

6 Steps a Business Can Take in Advance to Support Continuity After a Natural Disaster

When natural disasters such as violent storms, wildfires or earthquakes strike, the effects can often reverberate throughout the business world. And the impacts commonly felt after such calamities, which can include service delays and even facility closures, are clearly not good for the bottom line. But by taking the right steps in advance to prepare for the worst, business owners can minimize the service slowdowns and interruptions that such incidents can sometimes cause. For business owners and managers seeking ways to proactively prepare their business to return to normal as quickly as possible after a natural disaster, taking these six...

Jun

21

2021

5 Security System Add-Ons That Protect Beyond the Break-In

When seeking to keep a family safe, preventing intruders is, of course, a top priority. And a security system offers an effective way to do just that. In fact, statistics show that burglars are three times less likely to target homes equipped with a security system than those without one. But as nearly all residents are aware, the threats to a home can extend well beyond a break-in. Fortunately for those who have a compatible security system in place, adding a level of protection against a wide range of threats can be accomplished through a number of available add-ons. Below...

Jun

14

2021

3G Devices Need Replacing

To meet the area’s increasing demand for mobile broadband data, AT&T has begun updating its network to the new LTE wireless technology. As part of the ongoing upgrade process, the older 3G technology will soon be discontinued, resulting in 3G devices becoming inoperable over the AT&T wireless network. This includes FTC’s cellular towers and the cellular equipment on 3G security systems, wireless handsets and personal alert devices, including the Numera Libris. While the upgrade is expected to be completed no later than Feb. 2, 2022, the conversion process will be gradual, and as equipment is changed out, 3G coverage will...

15 Smartphone Apps That Are Terrific for Travel

For today’s travelers, being well-prepared for a journey can be achieved with much lighter baggage than what the travelers of the past had to lug along. This is largely thanks to smartphones and the apps that can be loaded onto them, a convenient combination that allows users to fit many of the top accessories needed for a trips right into their pockets. For digital denizens with a trip on the horizon, here are some of the top travel-related apps in the marketplace: Airbnb — This app connects travelers in need of lodging with homeowners the world over who have rooms,...

May

27

2021

5 Great Apps for Receiving Timely Storm Warnings

As those who live in areas close to the coastline tend to be keenly aware, sometimes rough (and even dangerous) weather can sneak up quickly and without warning. But by keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, residents can be better prepared for the worst. And with the right storm-warning applications installed on their smartphones, users can have this vital, safety-related information at their fingertips or within easy reach at all times — even during the overnight hours when most people are sleeping. For an extra level of warning and added time to prepare for inclement weather, consider these...