Washington Works Blog

Is your business still gazing at the cloud from afar, wondering if it’s truly the promised land of IT efficiency? For many organizations, a move to the cloud for mission-critical operations can be complicated. Hesitation, while understandable, can be the biggest drain on your future potential. Let’s go through why those cloud migration worries might just be myths in disguise, and how we can help you shift into high gear.

Think of your business information that includes customer details, sales figures, product lists and more. All of that data is stored in your business’ databases. As a result, you need to understand how they work and what you need to do to best manage them and the data they contain. 

Here at Washington Works, we help businesses in DC Metro make sense of their technology every day. We’ve noticed folks often have similar questions about databases, so let's clear them up with some simple answers. Did you know, by the way, that the first "databases" were essentially just well-organized paper records? We've come a long way!

Cybersecurity solutions are all well and fine, but your team also plays a significant role in keeping your business safe. You need to acknowledge they are a potential threat and take steps to prepare them for the bevy of threats they’ll face. Today, we want to discuss why your employees are a cybersecurity threat and what you can do to mitigate it.

Being overwhelmed can happen to everyone, even the hardest workers you know. If you’re not careful, the weight of your agenda could drag you down and create more problems than it solves. While you could power through, this is usually counterproductive, and you’d be better served by taking a moment to step back, breathe, and perform a micro-reset.

Listen closely. Hear that? It's the subtle, almost invisible hum of technology, the tireless engine powering your sales, streamlining your communication, and orchestrating your daily operations. We've all become wonderfully reliant on this digital symphony. Here’s a thought that might not hum so quietly: what’s the environmental encore of all this tech that keeps our businesses thriving? It’s a conversation that’s not just worth having; it’s essential.

Cyberattacks aren’t just some far-off headline problem, they’re a real threat to businesses, individuals, and even governments. Hackers are smart, sneaky, and relentless. Fortunately, developing a few smart habits can make it really tough for hackers to mess with you. In this month’s newsletter, we’re breaking down how you can level up your security game and stay off a hacker’s radar.

A strong cybersecurity posture isn't just about installing the latest software or ticking boxes on a compliance checklist. It's about building a culture of security where every member of your team is actively engaged and invested in protecting your collective digital well-being… but how do you achieve that buy-in, beyond simply mandating policies? 

It starts with illuminating the "why" behind the "what."

Quick—how many passwords do you have to remember? Chances are, it’s more than you might expect… especially when you factor in both your personal ones and those you maintain for your business.

After all, it is risky to the point of irresponsibility to repeat your passwords across accounts, especially those you maintain for your business. This kind of repetition can easily lead to financial losses and reputation damage, as it facilitates a data breach.

Running a business today presents unique opportunities and challenges. For instance, safeguarding business information and systems—both physical and digital—is no longer just an IT department concern; it is fundamental to operational continuity and overall success.

The real question is whether or not you are prepared to deal with the threats you’re practically guaranteed to face.

Your desk can either help you get stuff done or totally drain your motivation. If your desk is messy, uncomfortable, or just boring, you might find yourself checking your phone every five minutes or suddenly deciding it’s time to reorganize your sock drawer. With a few simple changes, however, your desk can become your productivity power zone. Let’s break down how to set it up right.

Two things are invariably true in the modern business landscape: technology will play an integral role in operations, and obtaining this technology will require a relationship with vendors and service providers. As such, anyone seeking to run a business successfully must interact with these external parties and enter into business contracts.

This needs to be handled carefully, so while we aren’t offering legal advice, you should follow a few practices before and during the negotiation of an IT contract.

Running a business is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, blindfolded. You’ve got employees, customers, operations, and, of course, vendors. Vendors keep the gears turning, but if you’re not careful, those relationships can turn into a never-ending headache that eats up your time, money, and possibly your sanity. So how do you make sure your vendors work for you, rather than the other way around? Here’s how to get the most out of them without losing your mind.

Video calls have become the norm, whether you’re working remotely, catching up with friends, or trying to explain to your grandma how to unmute herself. To be honest, some video meetings feel like an endurance test. Bad lighting, poor audio, and distracting backgrounds can make them unbearable. Do you want to level up your video conferencing game? Here are five tips to help you look and sound like the professional you are.

You’ve probably been told that multitasking is the ultimate skill. Employers love it, schools encourage it, and everyone seems to brag about how they can juggle ten things at once. But here’s the truth: multitasking doesn’t actually work. In fact, it makes you slower, more stressed, and less productive.

People leave their jobs for all types of reasons. Sometimes they move on to different opportunities, sometimes they retire, and sometimes, the change is initiated by you. Regardless of the reason for their departure, they’re gone, and you have some loose ends to tie up before you can begin the process of finding their replacement. Let’s look at five things you need to do immediately when someone leaves your organization.

Happy Valentine’s Day! While this holiday is all about love, it just so happens to fall smack in the middle of tax season in the United States. So, while you’re hoping to get a sweet message from that special someone, there’s a chance you might also receive a text or an email from the Internal Revenue Service… or is there?

As it turns out, you won’t… but that’s a fact that scammers are hoping you won’t know.

Accessibility is a huge talking point in the world of IT. With modern technology solutions, accessible options are much easier to use and more inclusive, allowing workers to get their work done despite the circumstances. Today, we want to look at what the Windows operating system offers in terms of accessibility features.

Happy New Year! The coming weeks and months hold great promise for us all. Unfortunately, “us all” includes cybercriminals and hackers looking to use cutting-edge tactics to their fullest advantage. As a result, it is even more necessary to be aware of and prepared for the cybersecurity threats that 2025 is likely to see.

Having tools that help enhance your ability to support your customers is rarer than you may expect. One of the best tools a lot of businesses employ is Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The CRM system can transform how a business operates, but to make the most of it, you’ll need to employ some strategies. 

Taking care of your computer isn’t just about software updates and backups—it’s also about keeping it physically clean. A dust-free and tidy workspace helps your devices last longer and run smoothly. This month, we look at five straightforward tips anyone can follow to maintain a clean workstation.