Smart Dolphins IT Solutions

Time for a work from home security check up! Over the last six months, many business leaders realized there was work to do and gaps to close with their technology, if they were to weather this storm and stay productive. Read more at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/checkup/

Stability and optimism in the Southern Vancouver Island commercial real estate market: A conversation with Ty Whittaker

Congrats to Paul for completing his Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification. Way to go Paul!

Curious about the state of commercial real estate on Southern Vancouver Island? Tune in to this week's podcast with Ty Whittaker of Colliers International to learn about some of the market trends and challenges. Listen at: https://smartdolphins.com/blog/s2e1/

In our final episode of Season 1, Paul and Dave talk with Executive Director Rosalind Scott of the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. Rosalind shares how local businesses are being innovative in their efforts to navigate the challenges that the pandemic has presented. She provides some useful tips for business leaders and describes how their own organization has helped both their clients and the community at large adapt to the new normal. Tune in at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode13/

One of our core values at Smart Dolphins is always be growing. What this means is that we are driven to pursue the bigger and better person the world needs us to be tomorrow. We wanted to acknowledge the professional growth of Virtual IT Manager, Ross Speirs in completing the following certifications to better serve our clients and upgrade his skills in areas now critical in the modern workplace: CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ & MS-900. Congrats Ross!

By mid-March 2020, all organized sporting activities for kids came to a sudden stop. KidSport Greater Victoria, a local not-for-profit organization that provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees, paused funding. In this episode, Paul and Dave chat with Jill Shaw, executive director of KidSport Greater Victoria. She explains how her role and her organization’s mission has shifted over the past months. Fast forward to September 2020 and some local sport organizations have started up again, funding has resumed, and some children are returning to sport. Reflecting on the pandemic, Jill shares her renewed belief in just how critical their mission is for children’s well-being. Check out their upcoming annual (now virtual) fundraising event Play it Forward at: https://www.jonmontgomerypizzapigout.com/

The pandemic has had an extensive and varied impact on businesses. In episode 11 of Island Thrive, we chat with Ryan Burles President of the @mvcoho about how the pandemic and the subsequent border closure brought their operations to a halt. Find out how they are staying afloat at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode11/ Support Black Ball at: https://shop.blackball.com/

In episode 10 of Island Thrive, Paul and Ty are joined by Marilyn Sing, Certified Information Privacy Professional and Principal of IPP Consulting to discuss how the pandemic and in particular, the rush to work from home resulted in lax oversight in privacy policy and practices across a broad spectrum of businesses. Marilyn details the evolving landscape noting some of the top concerns and breaches since the start of the pandemic while Paul and Ty offer their perspective on issues where technology intersects with privacy. Tune in at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode10/

Are you considering joining a peer group in your city or your industry? Well, at Smart Dolphins we think it's a good business decision. President of Smart Dolphins Dave Monahan has been in one peer group or another for the last 15 years. Participation in these groups has greatly influenced his life - both personally and professionally. Tune into episode 9 of our podcast to hear what long-time MSP peer and COO of Compassmsp has to say about peer groups, success and heightened IT risks in the SMB market. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode9/

Do you know Jesse Smith our COO? Throughout his 16-year career at Smart Dolphins he has witnessed a dramatic evolution in how we use and embrace technology in the workplace. Tune into our podcast to listen to what Jesse has to say about Microsoft, hidden risk and the modern workplace. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode8/

It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly all local organizations. Many businesses are experiencing a significant disruption and are adjusting by cutting costs and staff. That said, other leaders hold a sense of confidence and maintain a "business as usual" mindset and are more worried about team morale and safety than lost revenue. There was also a minority that have been drastically hit and have had to take radical measures to survive. We have put together... another Business Outlook Survey with the hope that it will help us better understand the impact of the pandemic on the local business community...five months later. Complete the survey at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/covid19surveyv2/ We intend to release the results late September. Thank you, stay healthy and productive.

Tune into Island Thrive for an inspirational conversation with Andy Spurling President of Proline Management Ltd. Learn about how one business is thriving through a pandemic and take in some important lessons in business leadership. https://smartdolphins.com/blog/episode7/

For the third year in a row, we have been recognized as a top managed IT service provider. Thank you to all of our clients and the POD for helping us achieve this recognition.

Not-for-profits have been faced with unique challenges due to the pandemic. In episode 6, we chat with Susan Howard of the Victoria Women's Transition House about the major adjustments they had to make to deliver their services. These changes coupled with an increase in calls from women fleeing abuse has forced them to be innovative. Listen at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode6/

Tune into episode 5 of Island Thrive and listen to President of the British Columbia Construction Association, Chris Atchison talk about the impact of Covid-19 on the BC construction industry. Chris highlights how the recognition of the construction industry as essential paved the way for innovation, collaboration and heightened workplace safety. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode5/

Tune into episode 4 to learn about the local work from home transition. Dave, Ty and Paul talk about collaboration, business continuity, productivity and cybersecurity. They paint a picture of the workplace of the future - one that is no longer confined to the four walls of an office and unpack the competitive advantages of embracing the cloud. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode4/

Has your business had to layoff employees during the pandemic or are you considering layoffs? Tune into our podcast with guest Sheridan King of Ramsay Lampman Rhodes for a run-down on constructive dismissal, severance obligations under the Employment Standards Act, employment agreements and more! Thank you Sheridan for taking the time to share this important information with the business community. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode3/

The University of California San Francisco recently paid a $1.14 million ransom, after NetWalker threat actors infected several servers of its School of Medicine with ransomware.

Due to the holiday this week, we are releasing "leading with values" today! In this episode, Paul and Dave talk with Victoria Shannon president of Hansbraun Investments a local commercial property management firm. Victoria shares the ways in which their business values became the compass that is helping them navigate the fallout of the pandemic. She unpacks how Hansbraun had to quickly innovate and attributes much of their success to their business values and strong workplac...e culture. Victoria is optimistic long-term and predicts that we’ll see a revival in the buy local movement. Tune in to find out how Victoria and her team are making a difference in our community. Tune in at: https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode2/ Subscribe at: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1179041.rss

Introducing our brand new podcast: Island Thrive: Conversations with Business and Community Leaders. Dave and Paul chat about both the opportunities and the challenges that the pandemic has created. Paul shares his experience on the rush to get Vancouver Island professionals working from home and the quick shift in his role as Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) to Lead Online Trainer. They raise key questions on digital transformation, cybersecurity risks within remote workforces, innovation and productivity. Dave highlights the results of the Business Outlook Survey and they tease the audience with what is to come in the first few episodes. https://www.smartdolphins.com/blog/episode1/