Data Privacy Plan Quick Reference Guide
The Data Privacy Plan is the best way an organization can document and enforce the privacy of personal information it holds. A plan puts in place procedures and guidance for how to properly handle data, respond to information…
Velsoft Vipers get set for dragon boat races
Last year, when I worked as a reporter at the local daily newspaper, I went to the East River in New Glasgow to take photos of dragon boats being unloaded from a truck with a crane and placed…
Stressed at work? Try this
An acquaintance of mine is a yoga teacher and when she operated her own studio, several times she encouraged me to come try out the practice. When I told her I couldn’t possibly do yoga because I’m about…
From unjust experience to a teachable moment
My youngest son recently returned from a school trip to Quebec. He had many experiences that created memories he will carry throughout his life. He will undoubtably reflect upon this trip and smile, laugh and remember that one…
Privacy by Design: 7 Important Principles
Many businesses are reactive when it comes to data privacy, which was highlighted with the recent enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation. We see that when a new privacy regulation or law is enacted, many businesses have…
Velsoft Smile Power Day Story
Happy Smile Power Day! It's not Smile Power Day unless you put a smile on someone else’s face too! So I thought I’d ask everyone to create a Velsoft story by filling in the blanks in the story below.…
The 7 Most Important GDPR Principles
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a massive 261-page piece of legislation. It contains 173 regulations and 99 different articles, all outlining proper data privacy practices. With all of this information, it seems like a completely daunting…
Using Channels in Microsoft Teams
This is an excerpt from Microsoft Teams, the latest computer course released by Velsoft Training Materials. The courseware is intended to help all users get started with Teams, use messages and channels, communicate in different ways, and customize Teams…
GDPR Information Request Procedure
The Information Request Procedure outlines the steps that should be taken when an individual contacts an organization regarding their personal information. Citizens are granted certain rights in regard to their personal information under the General Data Protection Regulation,…
Dave’s Feng Shui Office Refresh Plan
Recently Dave’s wife went to a seminar on Feng Shui. Initially Dave was skeptical when she changed the drapes, moved furniture and changed the color of rooms but it grew on him. Dave empowered by the Feng or…
5 Success Solutions When Training goes off Track
Potential Problems Following from my last blog Top 10 Training Tips from Ben at Velsoft in which I confessed that I have made (and learned from) many mistakes during my training career I want to tell you that…
Communicate more efficiently with Microsoft Teams
Trying to decide whether you need a chat-based collaboration tool for your office? Also called group chat, collaborative business chat, workstream collaboration tools, workplace application messaging, team messaging or digital workspace, these platforms are designed to provide an…
GDPR Readiness: Creating a Data Privacy Plan
As Velsoft’s new Privacy Officer, my job is to make sure my company continues using good privacy practices, and that our customer’s data stays protected. In this digital age, it's a very important task. Data privacy is at…
Today is Dare Day at Velsoft! No not the cookies!
Today is Dare Day! No not the cookies! This is a day that we dare each other to do outrageous (but safe and legal) things. To commemorate the day, I sat down with a few (anonymous) staff at…
Top 10 Training Tips from Ben at Velsoft
Over the years delivering training I’ve made more mistakes than I can count. I’ve always gone with the philosophy that these mistakes make me a better trainer in the end- if you learn from them! It might be…
Collaboration Quick Reference Guide
Collaboration is a skill that is utilized with one or more people to produce or create a result or shared goal. Everyone in the group has a shared vision or outcome. The group not only has to work…
Small Business GDPR Awareness Primer
In the last few weeks chatter about the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has increased exponentially. The European Union's GDPR legislation has brought levels of panic for small businesses that hasn't been seen since Y2K! Here is an awareness…
National Wine Day, Which Wine Are You?
Today is National Wine Day in the United States and the eve of English Wine Week (May 26- June 3). I missed February 18th which is Drink Wine Day (putting it in my calendar now!). I thought it…
What’s new in leadership skills?
If I had to choose, which one of these famous people would I most like to emulate? Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II or Madonna? As it turns out, I’m a bit like all of them when…
Can You Learn to Train Others?
Can you learn to train others? Yes. That’s the answer. Here’s the proof. My father-in-law worked for several years in heavy industry in a variety of production positions. Eventually he moved from the shop floor to the office…
Museum Day: Velsoft’s Favorite Museums
Today is International Museum Day. I thought it would be fun to ask everyone here at Velsoft what their favorite museums are. I was amazed at the diversity of museums that people have enjoyed. Here are their top…
The World Needs Good Leaders Now
Late last year, the Velsoft team decided to create a series of free guides as resources for clients and others. The Conversations That Matter guides are intended to provide useful information, and to begin a conversation, with the…
3 Essential Leadership Skills Every Supervisor Should Have
Although it was quite a few years ago, I remember vividly being hired into my first supervisory role. I was fresh out of university and was put in charge of the field crew at a Department of Fisheries…
Marty leaving for ‘greener pastures’
There has been a great deal of talk in the office over the last two weeks about two subjects: the impending legalization of marijuana in Canada, and Velsoft account representative Marty leaving for ‘greener pastures’. I am able…
Power BI Desktop: Connecting to Data Sources
This is an excerpt from Power BI, the latest computer course released by Velsoft Training Materials. The courseware shows learners how to link and model data in Power BI and create visual reports that reveal data insights. Your…
Defining Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is a fundamental shift in how a business operates – from internal processes to front-end changes – in order to improve efficiency, take full advantage of changing technology and to meet customer needs in an increasingly digital…
Benefits of Using Storytelling in the Classroom
The concept of storytelling might be worrying if you think you have to write a literary novel or even a children’s picture book. But, that’s not the case: storytelling simply helps you to build pictures and connect with…
The ‘Galactic Forces’ and World Politics
In honor of May the 4th Be With You Day, I thought I’d talk a little bit about the politics that informed the Galactic Forces of the Star Wars movies (with help from Luke, our IT Summer Student).…
How to take the headache out of analyzing your data
What do a grocery store chain, a foundation that aims to eliminate pediatric AIDS, and an airplane engine company have in common? They all use Microsoft Power BI. Power BI is a suite of tools that helps businesses…
Top seven reasons why your business needs a digital transformation
So you’ve heard about digital transformation and you’re thinking about doing it at your place of business. But you’re not really convinced that it’s necessary. I’m going to tell you why it’s essential that you do it. But…