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What Do Major Companies Spend on Information Security? Wells Fargo – $300 Million per year JPMC – $600 Million per year Bank of America – $ 1 Billion Per Year Google – $10 Billion over the next 5 years Microsoft – $20 Billion over the next 5 years IBM — paying to train 150,000 new cyber security professionals This is a shortlist of information security spenders. The headline grabbers. The companies that get summoned to the White House. This is only the tip of the iceberg. It does not include: Amazon (AWS), Salesforce, Oracle, or any of the other large Cloud Services providers. Algorithmic hedge funds Cryptocurrency exchanges. It does not include the payment providers. Streaming services Large retailers that have already felt the impact of data breaches. The established security products and services companies The hundreds of pre-IPO SAAS platforms, who view security as a competitive advantage as they attempt to disrupt legacy businesses The Above List Represents the “Information Security Haves” These are the companies that understand the business value that security brings to their customers, their partners, and their shareholders. The “Haves” are either technology companies or those that have long understood the value that technology investments have brought to their business. The “Haves” understand that information security is a core component of these technology investments and have considered information security in making these decisions. The “Haves” understand that security is non-negotiable, and that customer trust is everything. They understand that a breach of confidence is damaging to their brand equity and their business. They look at security as a competitive advantage, as a way to “win business” and to differentiate themselves from their competition. Then There Are the “Information Security Have Nots” The “Have-Nots” are the legacy companies. They are the companies that have been behind the curve as it relates to technology investments in their infrastructure and how they conduct business. These are the companies who initially viewed technology investments as something that they could put off, as operating in a business-as-usual environment insured that existing profits would persist in the short term. These are companies that were slow to hire CIOs and CTOs, and when they did so, they either hired inexperienced people or the “ones that they could afford.” Just like they were laggards as it relates to technology, their approach to information and cyber security was not any different. As security became more mainstream and security incidents became more publicized, information security was something that the “Have Nots” were reluctantly forced to address. To the “Have Nots,” information security is simply another operational cost that erodes profits. In these companies, information security is still viewed as an expense item and “a necessary evil.” Information security is something that they need to spend money on to satisfy the regulators and ensure compliance. Information security is just another “checkbox.” In these companies, the prevailing attitude is that the less that they have to spend on information security, the better off they will be. The Haves vs. the Have Nots The above represent two different approaches to security and business strategies. CEOs have choices on which paths they will go down and what type of companies theirs will ultimately become. CFOs have choices on how much money they want to allocate towards information security, and which metrics they utilize to determine these amounts. But in this game, these are not the only people who have choices that matter. Employees have choices. Skilled labor has more choices. Technologists have even more choices. Cyber Security professionals have even more choices. Which companies will they choose to protect? Hackers have choices. Hacktivists have more choices. Organized crime has even more choices. Foreign nation-states have even more choices. Which companies will they choose to attack?

Building up your resume and sharpening your technical skills is an important part of your professional growth. However, there is so much more to being a strong team member and employee than being the most technically qualified. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, Human Resources Professionals are favoring soft skills over hard skills when choosing the ideal candidate for a position. Hard skills: Measureable proficiencies, technical abilities that can be easily quantified (e.g. writing, mathematics, computer skills, etc.) Soft skills: “People skills” or “interpersonal skills” and other traits rooted in attitude and values. In speaking with some of our BGSF consultants, the following soft skills were highlighted as being crucial to pursuing and succeeding in a consulting role. Adaptability Moving from project to project, and role to role, a consultant must be able to adapt quickly and efficiently. Adapting includes learning and navigating new cultures, new leadership, new team members, and more. The quicker you can adapt to a new environment, the quicker you can start making a strong, positive impact on your project. Time Management Successfully managing one’s time is a crucial skill for almost any professional role. You have to make sure you have the bandwidth to complete quick requests, in addition to your long-term projects. Therefore, you need to be able to prioritize, set deadlines, and learn how to say no when you don’t have time! Accountability Almost all of our consultants highlighted the increased autonomy and independence that comes with many consulting roles. In this type of environment, it is critical to be able to hold yourself accountable. You are in charge of your hours, what you can get done in that timeframe, and how you manage your free time. If you’re not meeting deadlines and falling behind on your tasks, you need to adjust your strategy. Teamwork Teamwork makes the dream work, especially in the case of major projects. Consultants will work with a large variety of teams throughout their careers, so being a strong, contributing team member who can work effectively with any group is an extremely valuable quality when looking for the ideal employee. Communication Communication is key! How you communicate with your managers, team members, clients, vendors, etc. – it all matters! Strong communication skills can have a direct impact on your success in any role. If no one knows what you’re doing and how you’re doing it, there will be a major disconnect when trying to accomplish any tasks. Talk to your team and your leadership to stay on course and make sure you succeed in the task at hand. If you think you have the skills and attitude to be a consultant, apply to one of our open positions today!

WARNING: this post contains Dad Jokes. Click away if you are uncomfortable with dads laughing at their own jokes, bad puns, and facepalm reactions from their kids. Just like facial hair, these jokes and advice may grow on you. 🧔 With Father’s Day approaching, we asked our teams to share their father’s favorite advice (um, even if wasn’t the best…). We invite you to read some of our favorites and maybe even learn a few things yourself. Since much of a father’s best advice is not realized until years later, we hope these words of wisdom continue to inspire others along the way, taking a bit of our father’s everywhere we go. Here’s some 🌮 nacho average dad advice: A few tips my father passed along to me that I’ve been sharing with my boys: “Never squat with your spurs on.” “Never drink downstream from the herd.” “Never look up at a flock of birds.” – Michael Harnden, Recruiting Coordinator – InStaff My dad had polio when he was 12 years old, so he didn’t have full use of his legs. ONLY when he eventually had to ride on his cart did people see him with a disability. He said, “Gayla Dianne, do not ever let something get in the way of doing what you want to do – you can sleep when you have a toe tag on – otherwise enjoy every day you are above ground!”  He rode his cart down the aisle to give me away! – Gay Belt, Director of Business Transformation for the Professional Brands – BGSF Do your best and take every positive opportunity you can. Don’t be afraid to go for it! – Brittany Berrodin, Marketing Specialist, Professional – BGSF My father’s quote (there were so many, hard to choose): “If you’re going to do anything in life do it all 100% from cleaning toilets to running for president.” – Jason Breshears, Regional Sales Manager – BG Multifamily Be kind to everyone and always do your best! – Dave Campbell, VP Infrastructure and Development – Vision Technology Services I like to think I get my work ethic, blonde hair and sense of humor from my father. He has always taught me to work hard for what you want, and good things will happen in return. I am so lucky he was able to walk me down the aisle on my big day recently. Thanks, dad!!!! – Casey Cheskey, Sr. Managing Director of Delivery – Vision Technology Services “Sometimes we become so consumed with mastering our surroundings and the people in it, that we don’t take the necessary time to get to know and understand ourselves.” – Robert Flynn, Director of Operations – BG Multifamily Finish what you start. – Ozzie Leyva, Marketing Coordinator – BGSF “You took care of the easy part…you talked about it…. now you need to do it.” – Jesus Roldan, Onsite Supervisor – InStaff My dad taught me the value of a work ethic – always complete what you started and commit to. And he always said, “if you just take time to really think through problems, there’s always a solution – you can figure it out.” – Stuart Sides, Senior VP, Strategic Customers – BGSF His funny advice: always eat bread with fish (in case you swallow the bones). Also, you can tell it’s a dogwood tree by its bark. (get it?) His actual advice: People will always come and go in your life but the one person you can always count on is yourself. Sounds grim, but I was afraid of people leaving when I was little. This advice helped create a mantra and took the fear out of being alone. – Sarah Vickers, Marketing Associate – BGSF The advice my dad gave growing up… “Who cares what other people think? Do what makes you happy!” – Brad Yount, Managing Director of Delivery – Vision Technology Services Thanks for all the laughs and imparting lasting knowledge like dogs 🐶 can’t operate MRI machines, but catscan🐱. We thank everyone who was willing to share their father’s wisdom, guidance, and humor. Happy Father’s Day!

As offices begin to reopen, and some of you begin to make trips back into the office for the first time, your furry loved ones may have a hard time readjusting.  So, we put together some tips to help make the transition back to the workplace full-time, part-time, hybrid, or even just sometimes a little less stressful for your resident fur creature.  Full disclosure, we’re not professional dog trainers, just people who love their pets like family…let’s be honest sometimes we love them more than our family. It’s not their fault – The best thing you can do is understand that dogs, like most animals, are creatures of habit. This means a routine is what makes them feel safe and for the past year, staying home with you has been the only routine they know. Starting from a place of compassion will enable you to have the patience and care required for successful retraining. Just remember, you are their best friend, their whole life! Their whole world is shifting. Give them the benefit of the doubt and training will be less complicated. Start small. – You may notice, your dog likely wants to be by you all the time. While you’re still home, create spaces where your dog can see you but is separated from you. Maybe by a small baby gate or glass door in your office. Begin creating habits that show them it’s okay not to be by you all the time. It sounds a bit harsh but it will begin to wedge the need for your constant presence. Make your leaving routine relaxing. – We tend to spend our minutes before leaving in a panic and frenzy. This type of activity creates a whole lot of excitement and stress for your pup. They know something important is happening but don’t know how they are supposed to feel about it (if only they could talk!). Hearing the sound of keys or the zipper from coats can be a trigger for your dog, which causes the whining and barking we all know so well. Instead, take some time when you’ll be home for the next few hours and swing your keys around. This may start barking and other reactions from your dog. Rather than shush them or tell them no, just act like everything is normal. Make some more noise with your keys and then sit down on the couch for a few minutes. Make some more noise and walk to the kitchen. You may notice the dog is confused. That’s a good sign! It means that the dog is rethinking what the sound of keys or the motion of putting your shoes on means. Create their safe space – Not all dogs do well in a crate, but all dogs need a place they feel comfortable. This may be a bed, blanket, or kennel. Make this space fun and engaging with toys and treats when you are away from them. Pro tip: Freeze peanut butter inside a Kong toy for them to enjoy while you’re gone! Now you can leave, but not for long – This is where the real work begins. Our recommendation is to use an evening off or weekend with time to spare for this part of the training. Try to do some errands like unloading groceries but wait a little while longer than usual. When you walk back in, act as though nothing happened. If you are in a high rise, try walking down the hall and eventually take an elevator ride down by yourself to get a package. Be sure NOT to greet them with high praises and affection. (I know we are monsters for even suggesting that.) But it’s important to make coming and going a consistent and casual action. If available to you: try an at-home camera to monitor, like a Furbo Dog Camera! This is super helpful for this stage when you need to hit the right moment of arrival before your dog gets too anxious. Some cameras have a feature to talk to your dog and even dispense treats. Which might help with your separation anxiety and guilt. Another (cheaper) option is to use two cell phones and leave one on while you listen to the audio while you are gone. Finally – You got this! In a short time, your dog will accept you are leaving as a part of their daily routine. It’s best to start sooner than later as different dogs require different times to adjust to the transition. We hope these tips help as you return to the office and this can be an exciting new season for you and your furry best friend. Your future. Our purpose. Follow us on LinkedIn, and Facebook for more helpful resources.

We recently celebrated Customer Appreciation Day, which made us consider, “How do our customers prefer we connect?” We posted a poll on LinkedIn to gain valuable feedback on our follower’s thoughts, asking the question: What is the BEST way to practice outreach with your clients? The response options were: • Email • Phone • In-Person Visit • Other (please comment) In doing so, we also researched strategies to strengthen our connections and build more meaningful relationships. Customers drive our business, and their behavior offers great insight into which motivating factors (e.g., benefits, values, solutions, features, etc.) influence their decision to remain loyal or seek an alternative provider. The poll results may be a surprise to some, as a phone call received only 10% of votes, while an email received 37%. An In-Person Visit was the clear winner, with 49% of the votes. According to Motista, face-to-face interaction builds loyalty and trust, creating an emotional relationship. In fact, customers with an emotional relationship to a brand have a 306% higher lifetime value and recommend the brand 71% of the time versus the average rate of 45% (Motista.com). We also included the “Other” category to gain additional insight. One person responded that his client prefers different methods of contact in the morning versus the afternoon, but said that ultimately, “Getting to know your customers is the key to effective communication.” We couldn’t agree more, as adding that personal touch to every encounter makes all the difference. Be intentional with your outreach. It is those authentic and genuine interactions that allow you to discover the real reason for your customer’s frustration or delight (genesys.com). In summary, don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach with your customers. They want to be seen, heard, and feel special. Customize your interactions based upon your conversations and feedback to build the relationship and gain trust. Check-in, respond to concerns, and make interactions more personal instead of transactional. Interested in learning more about your customers? Create your own poll to learn how your customers prefer to connect. Your customers will thank you.

Appreciation. A word often overlooked and undervalued by companies today. It’s often overlooked because…well, just how do you measure appreciation? It’s not an exact science, and people are as different as they are complex. But the difficulties of understanding how our customers and staff feel appreciated does not mean we should ignore it. So, we decided to post a simple question on a poll to our 12,000+ followers on LinkedIn: What makes you feel most appreciated? The options were: Gift card or treats Personalized Thank you Providing Immediate Solutions Being Publicly Recognized The response was a little surprising, but ultimately … Which do you think was the top choice? Maybe upon reading through, one option jumped out to you as the clear winner. Interestingly enough, the responses were nearly equal across the board averaging close to 25% per option. However, the winner by a fair margin was – Personalized Thank You. Seems simple, right? There’s nothing easy about it. That’s because personal does NOT mean just including a customer’s first and last name in a mass email. Personal means you take the time to write something meaningful, taking care to remember personal details, accomplishments, or times they helped you out. Although, nowadays sending a thank you email isn’t enough; we’re too desensitized to digital. Personal means going above and beyond with a bespoke touch that cannot be duplicated. The old school is the new, NEW SCHOOL. Technology had made it faster and easier than ever to send an email or text. Due to its efficiency, the electronic medium has lost its value. That is why handwritten cards or letters are still well received and cherished to this day. It shows that someone took time and energy beyond what is normally given by most other companies. In an era of touchless and socially distant communication, sending someone a small trinket of their favorite sports team can go far beyond the average thank you call or email. Simply put, being appreciated equates to feeling seen. If done correctly, showing appreciation to our most loyal and dedicated customers can lead to a higher retention rate, and increased profits. While that doesn’t have to be your reasoning behind showing genuine appreciation, it certainly helps to know your efforts are never in vain. This month is Customer Appreciation Month. How will you show your appreciation? Check out the results of our Linkedin Poll. Give it a try and create a poll of your own so you can understand what makes your customers feel appreciated.

At BGSF, one of our goals is to transform lives by giving people purpose. This is what mothers do every single day. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we want to give a special shout-out to the amazing, hardworking moms at #BGSF. We invite you to read more about our BG Moms, including those from our field talent team. Learn about what they are grateful for this Mother’s Day, what inspires them, and what being a mom means to them. We hope their stories warm your heart and encourage you to take some time out to celebrate yourself, and each of those who serve as mothers to us. Before I became a mother, I didn’t know how broken I was. My babies have saved my life. I’m a better person and I’m growing as a mother each and every day. Tamekya Moore, Staffing Coordinator – InStaff I have been working for InStaff since 2005! I work every day to be a great employee with outstanding attendance and performance. But what drives me is being the only provider to my household, I strive to be a dedicated mother. Maria Cabral, Field Talent – InStaff Martha Rotenberry is an exemplary field talent employee and mom that has been working for InStaff since 2011! We are proud to honor her for her hard work and dedication to both on this Mother’s Day! Martha Rotenberry’s Family, Field Talent – InStaff I’m a mom of two; Damien, age eleven, and Eliza (Lizzie), age four. It’s the most fun, stressful, important, tiring, loving job that I’ve ever had. Even though they can drive me absolutely crazy some days, I wouldn’t trade the wild ones for the world. My mom was only 17 when she had me and it was extremely inspiring to see her earn a degree, work full time, buy a house, and achieve several other accomplishments while having a child so young. It was something I don’t think I fully appreciated until I became an adult and had children of my own. Having a young mom was also a blessing because it meant spending a lot of time around my grandmothers, as both of my parents still lived at home when I was born. All three women have overcome several challenges that I cannot even imagine. They have been a huge inspiration and I’m very thankful to still have them around!  My favorite “mom-ism” is, “Do as I say, not as I do…”  I usually reserve it for when my kids catch me shoveling a brownie into my mouth after I finished telling them, “no snacks until after dinner.” It’s still a favorite of my mom, who now uses it as a grandma. Holly Yingling, Field Talent – Vision Technology Services Being a mom has given me a new way to see things. They are the light at the end of my day. They can make the worst days just vanish with a smile or a funny joke. They definitely keep my battery charged when I need a kick or an extra push. We have a new member joining the family soon. Angel (oldest), Kylie, and Bruce (baby) keep me on my toes at all times. My mom has been there for me at my best and worst. I want to give my children the same individual, unconditional love that I experienced. Sandra DeLaCruz, Onsite Supervisor – InStaff My son, Xander, loves that his mom gives him cuddles and kisses, makes him laugh, and helps him with school. Xochitl Flores, Account Manager – BG Multifamily To my girls, “Everything I do is for you.” My girls are my rock and the reason why I will continue to strive for success. Thank you, BG Multifamily, for allowing me to be part of such an amazing work family. Alvina Quiroz, Staffing Coordinator – BG Multifamily I’ve never had anyone look up to me the way that my daughter, Ava, does. She is my strength and inspiration, while I’m her foundation. A mother’s job is never done! Ronesha Ellis, Staffing Coordinator – InStaff We have a very non-traditional family. My oldest is adopted, and we have been very lucky that we have been able to form relationships with the parents/ adoptive parents of all of her siblings. It isn’t easy all the time, but I’m beyond thankful for these moms and I honor them and their tenacity on this Mother’s Day! Betsy Kirkpatrick, Strategic Account Executive – BG Multifamily Being a working mom to a toddler in the middle of a pandemic has been tough. If anything, it’s taught me to enjoy these moments, give myself grace in the moments where I’m stressed, and don’t take things too seriously. (I remind myself to) Have fun and keep loving my baby the best way I know how! At the end of the day, I was chosen to be her mama and that’s all that matters. Chandler Griffis, Onboarding Advisor – BG Multifamily I became a new mom on May 27, 2020, and started with BGSF 3 months later. I had no idea how supported, encouraged, and acknowledged I would feel when I introduced myself and told everyone I was a new mom. My colleagues ask about my son often, I’ve made so many new mom friends (who give amazing advice), and the whole company truly cares for and supports working parents. As we approach Louie’s 1st birthday, I am overwhelmed with love for my family and appreciation for where I am in my personal and professional life. Brittany Berrodin, Marketing Specialist, Professional – BGSF We thank each of our moms who were willing to share with us. You inspire us daily by balancing multiple roles at once, enriching our lives with great values, and paving the way for the next generation of women who can do it all! We see you; we appreciate you; we thank you. Happy Mother’s Day!

This year, BGSF is celebrating Cinco de Mayo in a fun and new way! This brief article will help unpack some interesting facts about the holiday we all know and love. You’ll learn how Mexico and the US became allies during the time of the Civil War and how Cinco de Mayo is more like the movie 300 than Nacho Libre. Let’s dive in and learn five things you might not have known about Cinco De Mayo. 1. Not Mexico’s Independence Day. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. That historic date falls on September 16, 1810. So, what is Cinco de Mayo? The fifth of May marks a significant military victory known as the Battle of Puebla; a similar comparison to American history would be the Battle of Gettysburg. While notable and revered, this battle was famed for its struggle and strategic military boast given to the war efforts as a whole. Like any battle that results in lost lives of brave soldiers, the battle associated with Cinco de Mayo is held in higher regard by locals rather than the nation. Similar to the way in America we don’t celebrate numerous famous battles with fireworks and parades. Instead, we reserve that excitement for a single day of celebration on the Fourth of July. 2. Cinco de Mayo is NOT widely celebrated in Mexico. As mentioned before, the Battle of Puebla was a minor victory that was part of a larger struggle in the fight to gain independence. Because Mexican citizens understand that historical context, the holiday isn’t widely celebrated throughout most of the country. It is however celebrated every year with parades, dancing and song in the city of Puebla. The area where the battle took place located southeast of Mexico City. 3. The battle was prompted by unpaid debts. Mexico was indebted to Britain, France, and Spain. Both Spain and Britain were able to come to an agreement while France saw this as an opportunity to take a military stronghold in the Americas. At the time Napoleon III saw the Civil War to the north of Mexico as the perfect distraction to set up a military advantage that was certainly not going to end with the overtaking of Mexico. Napoleon had his eyes on the strategic prize that was the robust and vulnerable United States. 4. The French weren’t expecting a fight. (Similar to the Persian army in 300 The Movie) Like the Battle of Thermopylae in the movie 300, the Persian army expected a certain victory due to the sheer number of soldiers on their side. The French commander was under the impression that the town was pro-France and had planned to overthrow the local municipality as soon as they arrived. This would prove to be a costly mistake even though they outnumbered the Mexican forces 3:1. Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza used the landscape of the mountainous region to his advantage. While the Mexican troops were poorly equipped and untrained, he was able to lead them into victory; only suffering the loss of 83 soldiers in comparison to the 462 total French fatalities. To continue the similarity to the battle of Thermopylae, the French, like the Persians would come back in much larger numbers to win the battle they had initially lost in humiliation. However, the continued resistance of battle like these gave the US time to establish itself during the Civil War, and funds were delivered went South after Lincoln’s reelection of 1864 by way of Mexican-American communities, along with donations from other sympathetic American communities. 5. Mexican silver and gold miners are to thank for the holiday here in the US. Some of the first recorded celebrations of Cinco de Mayo took place in California when native-born Mexican miners caught wind of the victory. They were so filled with national pride that they began shooting guns in the air and celebrated with music and song. To this day, the festivities of Cinco de Mayo have taken a life all its own. The day is celebrated throughout the US with parades, food, and music. However you chose to celebrate this year, remember the history of this special occasion, and celebrate the unity that was formed by Mexico and the United States, as each country struggled side-by-side, and not against one another, in their own fight for freedom. Written by – Ozzie Leyva (Marketing Coordinator) To learn more, check out these links. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo https://coffeeordie.com/battle-of-puebla/

At BGSF, we continue to establish ourselves as a leader in workforce solutions, through the thoughtful evaluation of our customers’ desired outcomes. Therefore, BGSF’s Professional Division is evolving our managed services to fit your needs. Our entire Professional Division is here to assist you in your project journey! Please contact us anytime for additional support.

Okay, so you finally received a call for an interview; now what? I recommend you find out as much about the company from any public relations publications. No one cares if you can regurgitate a 1990’s mission statement or whatever else shows up on the first page of a company website. A more impressive approach is to read up on a recent acquisition or presentation given at a Zoom conference. Here is why this is important: You sit down for an interview and the person asks, “What do you know about our company?” First of all, it’s a vague question, which means you could go down a rabbit hole the interviewer couldn’t care less about. Rather, since you’ve done some research, you can say, “I read about your company’s recent acquisition from nine months ago that’s expected to increase your company’s sales by 20%, how’s that going?” Now you’ve just placed what can be an ambiguous question back in the lap of the interviewer and they are talking about the original question rather than you.