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6 Reasons To Hire An Interior Designer

May 16, 2021 By

The Linen DuckWhether remodeled or brand new, your home deserves to look its best. You might have a vision of what your home should look like, but you can’t quite seem to bring it to life or you simply do not have time to decorate your home due to your busy schedule. If this sounds like you, a professional interior designer can put it all together. Forget the notion that hiring the services of an interior decorator is only for the rich and famous who have money to burn. If you’re looking for interior design services in Nashville, it’s actually one of the smartest decisions you’ll ever make. Here are 10 reasons why:

  • An interior designer can help you save money in the long run.

This might sound counterintuitive since you’ll be paying for professional services. However, your interior designer can help you avoid costly mistakes associated with DIY decorating projects. 

  • You’ll see your home in a different light.

Having an interior designer is like having an extra set of eyes trained to zero in on details you might not have noticed otherwise. Interior designers think spatially and see the big picture. Your interior designer will provide you with a professional assessment of your home and a solid course of action.

  • You’ll be able to reallocate your time and resources to things that are just as important.

You’ll have to spend countless hours visiting stores and browsing websites to research products, brands, and prices if you’re decorating your home on your own. An interior designer can take care of all the legwork for you and introduce you to options that are under your radar.

  • Your interior designer doubles as your project manager.

The interior designer will communicate your vision to the architect and the contractor. He or she will also make sure that deliverables are on schedule and you are within your budget.

  • Benefit from your interior designer’s network and sense of style.

Because of their connections, interior designers have access to resources and merchandise that might not be available to the general public. They have a network of trusted suppliers and tradespeople they collaborate with on their projects. These factors, paired with their impeccable taste, can make your home look polished yet reflective of your personality and lifestyle.  

  • Interior design can help increase your home’s market value.

If your home is up for sale, well-thought-out interior design can increase its value, setting it apart from the competition.

The Linen Duck is a boutique furniture store offering interior design services in Nashville TN. Sit down with one of our in-house designers and discuss space planning, art, accessories, and other elements of design for a space you are working on. Be inspired by this complimentary, one-on-one service to turn your vision into reality. We will review your room measurements, color swatches, fabrics, etc. to make sure you are on track. Please book your appointment at least 3-5 days in advance. 

Schedule your next project or refer us to a friend. Call us at (931) 548-2422 or visit our website to learn more.

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Summer Mold Prevention Tips

April 27, 2021 By

Rytech NashvilleAlong with the arrival of summer comes an unwanted guest: mold. These fungi need a warm and humid environment to survive. Preventing mold growth might require prep work, but it’s easier and more affordable than dealing with a full-on mold infestation later on, which will require an expert mold remediation specialist, like Rytech Nashville.

Here are some steps you can take to stop mold growth before it even starts.

Clean and disinfect your home. Focus on areas prone to mold growth such as your bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, attic, walls, and ceilings. Dirt and moisture can facilitate mold growth; taking these out of the equation can help prevent a mold infestation from taking place.

Fabric surfaces such as couches, curtains, clothing, rugs, and towels are porous and susceptible to mold growth, especially if they’re left wet for too long. Keep them dry at all times.

Also, make it a habit to remove any standing water on any surface immediately.

Keep humidity at bay. Hot showers, cooking, and the warmer summer air all add to your home’s humidity. Use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity level inside your home. Ideally, indoor relative humidity should be between 30 to 50 percent to prevent mold growth. It also deters pests such as cockroaches and dust mites.

It should be an automatic thing to turn on the exhaust fan in the bathroom while you’re taking a shower and in the kitchen while you’re cooking. Steam provides a sufficient amount of moisture for mold to thrive.

Control the temperature. Summer means temperatures are higher than normal, even inside your home. Even if you are trying to save a few bucks on A/C, setting your thermostat within 69 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit makes it more difficult for mold to grow. Mold grows best between 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Improve air circulation. Consider investing in ceiling fans. Opening all interior doors will allow air to circulate more efficiently throughout your home, which in turn will lower temperatures.

Do seasonal maintenance checks. Inspect your home for busted pipes, leaking roofs (especially if it’s a rainy summer), and repair them immediately. Make sure your HVAC system is checked by a professional every 6 months or at least once a year at a minimum.

Mold can damage your home not just during the summer months but any time of the year. If you notice a musty smell in your home, there’s probably mold growing somewhere. If the odor is there but you can’t find any traces of mold growth, it’s best to get in touch with a mold remediation professional. Rytech Nashville has delivered quick and effective mold remediation solutions to Middle Tennessee residents since 1995. IICRC-certified technicians will discuss the types of mold found and suggest an immediate and efficient plan of action to remove the mold and detect the moisture causing it. Schedule an appointment today – a member of Rytech Nashville’s Customer Service Team will get in touch and see how they can help.

Rytech Nashville has become a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. From its humble beginnings in one location, the company has reached exponential growth and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information.

Filed Under: Water Damage Specialist Tagged With: , , , , ,

Cybersecurity: Organizations Must Remain Vigilant

April 2, 2021 By

ImageQuestBusinesses should not let down their guard when it comes to cybersecurity. Cybercriminals persist in sending malicious attachments, links to fraudulent websites, and scams related to Covid-19, with the intent of deceiving people into sending confidential information or into donating money to supposedly charitable causes.

Recently observed cyber attacks include phishing, wherein an email is sent by a supposedly reputable source, but it actually leads to a bogus site; the goal is to obtain valuable information such as user credentials and profit from it.

Fortunately, businesses can mitigate cybersecurity risks by implementing the following steps.

Create a cybersecurity resilience plan

Organizations need a cybersecurity plan that allows them to:

  • Disconnect systems from the internet that do not need internet connectivity to ensure secure operations.  Controls must be in place in the event that connectivity cannot be removed.
  • Plan for manual process operations should systems become unavailable.
  • Identify system and operational dependencies.
  • Immediately restore devices and services.
  • Backup critical resources, such as firmware, software, ladder logic, service contracts, product licenses, product keys, and configuration information. These resources must be stored off-network, with a duplicate copy secured in a safe location.
  • Test and validate data backups and processes should data be lost because of cybersecurity attacks. 

Simulate your plan

Businesses should have an incident response plan in place to mitigate security risks.

  • All personnel, including the management team, must have a walkthrough of this incident response plan.
  • Key decision points must be discussed. The team has to identify who has the authority to make important decisions and under what circumstances.
  • Partner with a reliable Managed IT Services provider for support. Review service contracts for emergency incident response and recovery support.

Strengthen network security

  • Remove access from networks, such as overseas IP addresses, if applicable, that do not have legitimate business reasons to communicate with the system.
  • Mitigate internet-accessible connections immediately. Best practices include:
    • Patching all internet-accessible systems.
    • Deploying modular networks to protect workstations from direct internet exposure.
    • Ensuring all communications to remote devices use a strongly encrypted VPN, which is protected by multifactor authentication. 
    • Filtering network traffic to only allow known IP addresses. Consider geo-blocking where appropriate.
    • Connecting remote workstations to network intrusion detection systems where feasible.
    • Capturing and reviewing access logs from these systems.
  • Investigate which devices are internet-accessible and connect to business, telecommunications, or wireless networks.
  • Secure all required and approved remote access points and user accounts.
    • Discourage the use of default passwords on all devices.
    • Remove, disable, or rename any default system accounts wherever possible.
    • Implement a stringent password security policy (e.g., length, complexity).
    • Require users to change passwords periodically.
    • Plan to implement two-factor authentication for all remote connections wherever possible.
  • Disable unnecessary features and services (e.g., discovery services, remote management services, remote desktop services, etc.).

Advocate for consistent systems monitoring

A vigilant monitoring program detects anomalies in the system, including many malicious cyber tactics.

  • Log and review all authorized external access connections for misuse or unusual activity.
  • Monitor for unauthorized controller change attempts.
    • Implement integrity checks of controller process logic against a known good baseline.
    • Where possible, ensure process controllers are prevented from remaining in remote program mode while in operation.
    • Lock or limit set points in control processes to reduce the consequences of unauthorized controller access.

Founded in 2007, ImageQuest LLC offers managed IT services for companies in Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; and Bowling Green, KY. Technology solutions include consulting, infrastructure, data compliance, cybersecurity services, and regulatory IT audit assistance. For more information, contact ImageQuest at 888.979.2679.

Filed Under: Cybersecurity Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Surviving 2020 and Looking Into 2021: Top Learnings From The McKeeman Team

March 6, 2021 By

McKeeman CommunicationsThe year 2020 has definitely been an unprecedented one for PR firms in Raleigh, NC and beyond. It was a year headlined by massive changes and one pivot after the other. What have we learned from this past year, and how do we leverage those learnings to successfully navigate through the opportunities and challenges of 2021? Here are some key takeaways from all of us here at McKeeman Communications.

What we learned in 2020: It’s okay to be vulnerable.

Businesses are being innovative, thinking out of the box and venturing beyond their comfort zones, doing whatever it takes to survive. Clients have learned to adapt to the current landscape, supporting local heroes when sales have been cut in half and rolling out programs that in normal situations would take months – even years – to take shape. 

These unprecedented times have given us permission to be vulnerable. We’ve learned that telling emotionally-engaging stories that resonate with audiences prompts positive action. Share stories on how COVID-19 has truly affected your business, the steps you’re taking to protect both employees and customers, and how people can show support for you and other local businesses during this time.

Virtual events are in.

Forbes earlier reported that virtual events were up by 1000%. Schools, sports, and even nonprofits have ventured into virtual hosting. Reliable technology and a short but entertaining program are keys to a successful virtual event.

Be where your market is: in social media.

A 2020 Harris Poll revealed that between 46% to 51% of adults in the US were using social media more than they were before the pandemic. They use social media to get news updates, connect with friends and family, and shop. If you still aren’t into social media yet, now is the perfect time to jump right in. Increase your chances of social media success with these steps:

  • Develop a social media calendar. Don’t just focus on selling – focus on your people, your customers, and telling your story.
  • Create compelling visual content. This could be images, graphics, or, even better, video, as it has the highest organic reach.
  • Invest in social media ads. Fewer than 5% of your followers will see your average organic post. Ads can be targeted toward relevant audiences; this helps cut through the clutter and introduces your content to an even bigger market. 

Acknowledging the pandemic, having an action plan, and following through with that plan will help ease customer fears.  

Even if no one in your company has it, or has come in contact with COVID-19, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address its potential impact. Acknowledging that you have control over your business’ situation creates confidence for others, from your employees to your customers.

By putting together a plan focused on preventive measures against the virus, your leadership team can help gain employee trust. Ensure that this plan is shared by everyone within the organization. Your customers will likewise be thankful that an issue that feels like an elephant in the room is being confronted, addressed, and dealt with. 

Acknowledgment, taking responsible action, and following through on action plans offer the most effective way to navigate a crisis. While we can’t always see a crisis coming, we can be prepared for them, and sometimes even avoid them altogether.

Public relations strategies in 2021: What lies ahead?

Accept the fact that it’s still not business as usual.

We have, and still are, going through some really challenging times. The world around is changing by the hour. The future remains uncertain, and that’s okay. Embracing this reality allows you to meet customers and key audiences where they are. 

Now is not the time to sell. 

Traditional marketing during these times is just white noise and can be perceived as thoughtless, unsympathetic or opportunistic. Regroup and consider how your messaging will land in today’s climate. Adapt your messaging specifically for each channel you’re using.  

Be there for your customers. 

You may have a great product, a great experience, or the next big thing – but that might not be what your customers need right now. Understand what their real needs are and help them address those needs.

How you communicate in this new normal speaks volumes, now and in the future, and can set you up for success. Authentic empathy will actually strengthen your customer relationships. 

Prepare a crisis action plan.

Consider the following questions:

  • Does your company have a documented crisis/issues action plan that’s shared by all? If you don’t have one, start by meeting with your leadership team to discuss the top three to five recurring issues your organization has been facing that you’d like to address.
  • Do you have a crisis management team? Who in your company is consistently involved when a crisis or issue hits? If it’s your sole responsibility to do this, that needs to change. And fast.
  • Is your company’s mission, core values, and messaging shared by everyone on your team? It’s essential that your employees share consistent messaging and live and breathe your core values. This needs to start from the front lines.

Recognized as one of the leading PR firms in Raleigh NC, McKeeman Communications is an independent PR agency working with companies that are experiencing rapid growth or change.  We help localize and share messaging that builds awareness and trust for their brands. Visit our website to learn more.

Filed Under: Public Relations Tagged With: ,
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