Drones Are Everywhere!!

Drones are a hot topic, duh! What I should say is that we can't escape the conversation of drones on a daily basis. The media is covering the topic and even Kendra Baskett (Kendra On Top) talks drones on an episode of her reality TV show. So, how are drones benefiting us as a nation? With 7,000 miles of U.S. land to patrol increasingly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is relying on drones to help arrest illegal immigrants. That is one immediate benefit. Helping prevent terrorism from overseas is another way they could potentially help too.

Drones are causing a lot of controversy because the public believes they can, possibly and at times, violate privacy. And, drones are expensive. About $62 million dollars a year expensive! With only about 2k in arrests related to the use of drones last year, the $27k per arrest price tag doesn't seem to justify the use of drones within the country. These math figures alone are making the media even more eager to cover the topic.

Over the last ten years, the Department of Homeland Security's unmanned "Eye in the Sky" program has cost nearly $500 million and it's getting an additional $443 million in funding over the next few years. In fact, the DHS expected 23,000 total flight hours per year with this program in the past, but it has only logged about 5,100 in total so far. The DHS has claimed that the drones would operate along the entire southwest border, but according to the Inspector General, they did not. Armed predator drones have been used on the battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I don't think we have enough information right now to say if the program and drones are truly worth (or not worth) the expense. I do know that the amount of drug captures have been worth it. Hundreds of millions of dollars in cocaine have been taken off of US streets thanks to drones but somehow the media has failed to cover this. Like any new program or technology, improvements can and should be made. What I think the media is failing to cover is the cost of lives saved thanks to drones, which provide an invaluable safety element that takes boots off the war path.

So yes, drones are everywhere these days when you open or watch any media. I think the conversations are good and need to continue. I think we, as Americans, should consider drones as a useful tool that needs improvement.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Homeland Security and Holiday Travel

Next week the Thanksgiving holiday falls upon us and many of you will be traveling. In honor of the busy travel week, I have decided to put together a few basic tips to stay safe and secure.
First, if you are flying- show up early and expect delays. If you plan your flight to close to a deadline for a party or check-in, you will be stressed out. If you allow yourself plenty of time to arrive to your destination, without the pressure of a deadline, you will be more focused and travel safer. This is a proven fact.

Second, have a backup plan should something happen- and extra cash to! I tell everyone to travel with their emergency fund divided into cash and a debit account. In the event that a terrorist attack or security issue should occur, banks could be down or frozen. People don’t like to travel with a lot of cash, but you should have at least a thousand dollars (if not two) on you in the event of an emergency. Keep the same amount in the bank as an ER fund too.

As far as that backup plan, know what you would do if you couldn’t reach your destination and were to get diverted or stuck somewhere. Explain the plan to your fellow travelers and those you are going to visit. Your friends and family should know where you are going to be at all times- even if an emergency were to happen.

The holiday season is a stressful and wonderful time wrapped up into a matter of weeks. Keep an eye out for potential issues and report them if you do catch wind of anything suspect and keep cash on hand along with a viable plan. If you follow these steps, you will have a better and more secure holiday travel season.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

The Biggest Tech Trends!

Are you in the tech business? Maybe looking to become more tech savvy? Well, good thing you are here today. I'm listing my biggest tech trend predictions for business during 2013. Don't see your favorite trend on this list? Share it with me! Leave a comment of find me on Twitter!

1.Online workforce. Yes, hiring an online workforce and setting up a "virtual" office saves money in many ways, but it also promotes happier employees. You can hire an entire new team of professionals, each located in their home offices across the country or globe. Or, you can take your current workforce and let them work from home. Get rid of the office overhead and internal employee fights or potential sexual harassment issues by setting up an online workforce!

2. Grow your online business. Yes, don't rely on customer-to-business traditional sales anymore. More and more people are buying online without ever speaking to a customer service rep or a sales person from a company. Make your products or services easy to navigate so the purchase power stays with the online consumer.

3. Cut back on your IT department. Yes, I said it. Even in a virtual business playing field, today's culture means more people are computer Savvy and there are more independent contractors willing to charge less to come out and fix (properly) your computer issues. So, you will not be needing that "on call" IT department any longer.

4. The cloud.... Yes, I do love the cloud. Why? Any business owner knows what a necessity it is. The cloud is powerful and comes with services and new security systems emerging to support mobile, transitory, and an flexible workforce. Maybe you are keeping the office but now there is a blizzard. Employees are forced to stay home because streets are closed. The cloud allows your workforce to adapt to working from home on the days it may be required. Cut down on loss of work or employees from calling in sick because they are "contagious." Get the most bang for your employing buck by using the cloud!

5. The end of Facebook. We all see it coming so I am calling it. Companies spent the last few years going bonkers over a tight Facebook presence. The truth is Twitter is growing and Facebook is failing. Twitter allows people to be engaged and get direct answers and concerns immediately resolved. So, focus more on Twitter this year.