Monthly Archives: August 2016

The historic Panama Papers leak has exposed the extensive use (and often abuse) by world figures, business leaders and celebrities to set up shell companies as off-shore tax havens. Although this has been the major headline as this historic data breach unfolds, perhaps as disturbing is how easy it was for the hacker (or hackers) to acquire the data, an estimated 2.6TB of stolen records making it the biggest cyber attack ever. As Paul Ducklin of nakedsecurity (IT security firm Sophos’ online newsletter) shares here, “This was not a traditional break-and-enter, and the hacker or hackers behind it didn’t run off with filing cabinets of printed material. Presumably, the hackers needed to get in, […]

For decades Fortune 500 companies have gravitated to cause marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs with the belief that doing well by doing good is good business. Now small and mid-size businesses are picking up the social responsibility gauntlet. Locally active companies are balancing support of worthy causes with their focus on growing their businesses.  There are a lot of great reasons for companies of all types and sizes to embrace societal and environmental causes beyond the motivation to give back. First, there is the positive brand affinity that comes from being associated with a well-regarded charity. The right cause can be a powerful catalyst for advancing and protecting the company’s reputation with employees, customers, consumers […]

None of us likes to think of the possibility that our life may end sooner than planned. Not that anyone is planning to die. It simply is a foregone conclusion. At some point. Hopefully, later. After we’ve enjoyed a few years lounging in the sun or traveling the world with our spouse at our side. Retirement nirvana interrupted only by the occasional visit from our children and grandchildren. While it’s a subject most of us don’t want to confront, the unexpected death of a loved one is something most families plan for through the purchase of a life insurance policy to replace income or cover debt in our absence. We hope that we’ll never need […]