Big data has become one of the biggest and most recognizable terms in commerce in recent years. In truth, the term big data is self-explanatory. Big data is simply large amounts of data, and while there is nothing new about the concept of big data, the things we can do with it now are cutting edge.

Even though there is no true definition for big data, there are some characteristics that you should expect from big data technology. Continue reading to learn more about the features of big data analytics and how your company can benefit from a big data strategy.

1. Big data is big.

As the name indicates, one of the main characteristics of big data is that it’s big—in fact, it’s ginormous. To get an idea of who “big” big data truly is, with capable big data technology, you can manage petabytes of data. Petabytes are equal to 1,024 terabytes.

As you can imagine, the larger the volume of data your company has to work with, the easier it is to pinpoint areas of the market that are ripe for the taking and identify ways to make your operations more efficient. Through data mining, big data technology can analyze data from large databases and provide different types of analytics from predictive to streaming.

As one of the industry leaders in big data technology, Tibco actively seeks to increase what we’re able to do through data analytics. In fact, one of their main goals is to equip the data scientists of the future with the big data analytics software they need to continue making our technology smarter and more customized.

2. Big data is fast.

Another one of the most important big data characteristics is velocity. Businesses, governments, and NGOs need big data in real-time, making velocity a critical feature. The quicker you can get insights into markets and operations, the quicker you can make adjustments and crucial decisions.

You can credit the velocity of big data to the use of machine learning algorithms that employ artificial intelligence to collect and clean terabytes of information as soon as it’s available. Big data increases the speed with which insurance companies make policy decisions and played a monumental role in the velocity of the global COVID-19 response. So you can see why big data is big business.

3. Big data is accurate.

When gathering a large amount of data from various data sources, including the internet of things (IoT) and relational databases like social media, it’s paramount to ensure the veracity of such a huge amount of data. One of the best features of big data is that it’s much more accurate than traditional data means and methods.

The old ways of collecting and analyzing data were too prone to human error. When you’ve got data from different data sets such as data lakes and data warehouses, veracity is of the utmost importance and integral to data quality.

4. Big data promotes variety.

Another great characteristic of big data is that you can collect, manipulate, and analyze a variety of data from multiple data sets. From mobile devices to various social media platforms, you can collect all types of data and use it to optimize your business operations and products. Data mining technology enables you to compile large amounts of data and recognize variables that enable different types of analytics like predictive analytics and visualization.

5. Big data is time and cost-efficient.

The traditional methods of managing a large volume of data aren’t only outdated, but they’re also costly and time-consuming. Big data processes make intricate data easier and cheaper to collect, store, and manipulate. The time and money spared by big data business processes mean that execs can designate data stewards within the company to watch over and manage data rather than enduring the IT specialist hiring process.

While there is no real definition for big data, it’s revolutionized the way we collect and apply business intelligence. With the ability to store and manipulate large volumes of data and different types of data from different sources in real-time, big data analytics is the wave of right now and the future.

Most adults are aware they may need life, auto, and homeowner’s insurance. Business owners and employees may need additional forms of insurance to protect their income and business.

Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and audiologists are medical professionals who may have a medical practice. If you’re a healthcare provider with practice, you may need additional insurance, including tail insurance.

What is tail insurance?

Insurance that covers medical professionals after they’ve left a job is called tail insurance. Healthcare providers need medical malpractice insurance to protect themselves from medical malpractice lawsuits. Malpractice insurance covers the costs of legal fees and settlements in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.

Once you leave your job, however, your medical malpractice insurance for that place of employment ends. This means you aren’t covered for any future claims related to your last place of employment.

You can protect yourself from future claims when you leave a job by securing tail insurance from an insurance company. The only living medical professionals who do not need to pay for tail insurance are those who become disabled or retire.

Tail insurance is expensive. Instead of paying additional premiums, policyholders must pay a one-time lump sum for tail insurance. Following a career change, insurers offer policyholders 30 days to obtain tail coverage.

Why do medical professionals need tail insurance?

Medical professionals may be sued for several reasons. Medical malpractice doesn’t just encompass active wrongdoing on the part of healthcare providers. Malpractice suits can be filed for negligence if the patient feels you haven’t provided the minimum standard of care required.

The needs of each client can complicate allegations of negligence. For example, when communicating with seniors, medical professionals must consider the unique needs of older adults. If you’re treating an older adult with Alzheimer’s, you may also need to communicate with caregivers or family members. This can present legal issues if the patient hasn’t assigned medical power of attorney to a caregiver or family member, because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents medical professionals from disclosing patient information without legal authorization.

Healthcare professionals may also face communication challenges if they’re treating patients whose first language isn’t English. Miscommunication can complicate healthcare delivery and lead to potential legal issues. Ultimately, securing tail insurance is a good idea because it ensures you can change your place of employment with peace of mind. If legal issues do arise, your insurance company has an active policy that will protect you from bearing the costs of legal fees and settlements.

How do healthcare providers obtain tail coverage?

Start by contacting your current insurance company to get a quote for tail insurance coverage. Once you’ve received the quote, contact other insurance providers to determine the best rate they offer and find the best tail policy option. For example, MEDPLI employs tail insurance specialists who strive to provide the amount of coverage required for the best rate possible. Comparison shopping is the best way to ensure you get the amount of coverage you need at the best price.

You can prepare for your career change by setting aside extra money to cover tail coverage costs. It’s normal for tail insurance to cost over $10,000.

What other forms of insurance do medical professionals need?

As a healthcare worker, you need multiple forms of insurance. You need medical malpractice insurance to protect yourself if you’re sued. Malpractice insurance pays for your legal expenses. It also covers the costs of a judgment or settlement.

You also need income protection insurance, particularly if you have a practice. Income protection insurance protects you if you’re unable to work. If you’re injured in an accident or become ill, your income protection insurance provides compensation while you’re off work. Since medical professionals are regularly exposed to viruses through their work, income protection insurance is the best way to protect your income.

You should also obtain a term life insurance policy. You can review policy options from life insurers by accessing life insurance quotes online. Follow the prompts to receive a free quote to determine how much coverage you can receive and your coverage premiums.

Medical professionals may face unique challenges that make it challenging to communicate effectively with patients. Since medical professionals can be sued for negligence, it’s crucial healthcare providers who change jobs obtain tail insurance. Tail insurance extends their malpractice insurance to protect them from lawsuits filed after they change their place of employment. Healthcare providers also need other forms of insurance, including income protection insurance and life insurance.

Management isn’t easy, whether you’re running a train station, a gallery, or a research lab. That being said, running a lab comes with more risks than running a boutique clothing shop does. There are plenty of hazards that the house team at a lab comes into contact with daily. Various dangerous materials, complicated machinery, and other dangers lie in wait for laboratory workers. There’s a reason that OSHA standards exist, and it’s to make sure that laboratories remain safe spaces for people to work in, whether they’re filled with software developers or chemists.

While this may sound daunting, there are a few key things to keep in mind that can make running a research laboratory a smooth experience. Read more to find out about the best way to maintain occupation safety and avoid unnecessary hazards to your house team’s health.

1. Keep everyone awake and hydrated.

Sometimes software developers, scientists, and other laboratory employees have to work long hours on detailed tasks. This is especially common if the laboratory you’re running is part of a small business that’s trying to make waves and stand out on the scene. If this is the case, you want to ensure that your team isn’t falling asleep as they work, especially when there are health hazards lying about and dangerous machinery that shouldn’t be operated when drowsy. However, despite wanting everyone to be awake, you also don’t want to blow your entire small business’ budget at Starbucks or Peet’s.

One solution to this problem is to sign up for a coffee delivery service. Really excellent coffee service will allow you to choose the blend and roast of the coffee you’re ordering, whether it’s espresso or brewing coffee, and you can even add flavor preferences or specialty teas to your order. With a coffee subscription, you’ll be saving money on cups of coffee and making sure that the house team at your startup is focused on the task at hand and not keeping their drooping eyelids from closing.

2. Make sure you’re using pure water without contaminants.

If you’re developing software, you don’t need to think about pure water, deionizers, or reverse osmosis processes, but many other research facilities do need to be aware of these issues. If you’re working with delicate materials, you know that tap water will not do the kind of tasks you’re carrying out. Deionized water (DI water) purified through reverse osmosis is free of contaminants and impurities, not to mention minerals like calcium that are often found in ‘hard water.’ If you want to adhere to best practices for maintaining water purity and keeping ions and minerals like calcium, sodium, or magnesium out of your water source, you need to invest in a deionized water solution for your laboratory. While it may seem like an extravagance, bear in mind that impurities and ions in the water can compromise your whole research project, so taking care of the liquid you use is actually a crucial part of managing a successful research facility.

3. Learn more about OSHA requirements.

Safety has to be the priority, regardless of what you’re researching and which time zone of the United States you’re operating in. After all, a supervisor’s role is to make sure everything runs smoothly, which means keeping the workplace secure and comfortable. Some supervisors show resistance when they learn all they must do to adhere to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. Still, the truth is that a certificate of OSHA compliance shows that employer responsibility is being taken seriously in a facility.

If you’re a supervisor or project manager who needs to get your facility up to code and aren’t sure where to start, OSHA training courses are available for that purpose precisely. During the OSHA training course, a trainer will walk you through all the steps involved in getting your facility OSHA compliant. Everything from mitigating hazards to fall protection comes up during the training course, so you’ll be sure to be prepared for anything the OSHA representatives ask of you.

4. Put software outsourcing to good use.

A project manager can keep everyone on task and safe by using a software outsourcing company to manage databases, manage projects, and get customized software geared to a facility’s specific needs. Software out sourcing and working with software developers or software engineers who have the ability to understand your needs and streamline your employee experience will make everything easier.

By employing a software solution grounded in machine learning and artificial intelligence, a business owner or supervisor such as yourself can be using programs that are continuously learning about your specific business needs. Keeping track of suppliers, streamlining workflow and communication, and data management or analysis will all take your capacity to the next level. This is critical for several important reasons. By relying upon an outsourced company for software development, you’ll be working with sharper tools without the expense of paying someone on your house team to figure out the nuts and bolts for you.

5. Invest in employee experience.

Happy employees take more care with their work, and that’s just the simple truth. In fact, this may be the most important thing that a business owner can invest in. You can have the best coffee, the purest deionized water, and the smartest software developers, but if your employees aren’t happy, you can count on a lousy workflow. That, of course, means that you won’t bring financial success to your small business the way that Prabir Purohit brought to Dominion Energy. Take an example from Purohit. He knew that it’s not just about being the most important worksite in the U.S.; it’s about having a development team that cares about company values and feels committed to one another. Whether you’re in South Carolina, Maine, New York, or California, you need to have a finger on the pulse of your house team’s social dynamics. Ensure everyone is happy and fulfilled, and you’ll be running a successful worksite in no time.

A degree in Sports Psychology can open the door to a variety of careers. Since sports are such an integral part of our lives, it’s no surprise that sports psychology is a growing field. While athletes may appear unstoppable on the field, more often than not they are being assisted behind the scenes by a sports psychologist to strengthen their mental health in order to enhance their athletic performance and personal goals.

In addition to the obvious physical requirements of being an athlete, there is an also extreme psychological side to sports. With a degree sports in sports psychology, you can work with athletes to ensure that they maintain their strongest performances by providing them with an essential support system. By providing an athlete with psychological and motivational assistance, a sports psychologist can help athletes strengthen their mental health and reach their ambitious goals.

For sports psychologists who work directly with athletes, some of their responsibilities could include helping these athletes develop a competitive mindset, creating efficient pregame routines for the athletes, ensuring the athletes effectively handle loss, and helping the athlete enhance the quality of their practice. It is also common for an athlete to require the assistance of a sports psychologist when they become injured. A sports psychologist provides the necessary support for an athlete to get through the recovery process as well as return to their sport. The psychological aspects of sports injury can be traumatic for some athletes, but with the assistance of a sports psychologist, it is possible for an injured athlete to have a successful recovery and return to their sport.

Some of the more specific career paths that this degree may be used for include: team coach, sports research specialist, sport psychology professor, clinical sport psychologist, applied sport psychologist, and sports rehabilitation therapist. A sport psychology degree will allow you to thrive in these areas, as you will be capable of assisting athletes on both a physical and mental level—two of the most important aspects of becoming a successful athlete.

While it may sound limited, there are many career options outside of the sports world that one can choose from with a sport psychology degree. This degree expands beyond the realm of sports and has been increasingly recognized as “performance psychology”, and will allow you to work with people in all aspects of society. Doctors are among some of the professionals who often benefit from performance psychology. A performance psychologist may assist a doctor in gaining the confidence they need to perform a difficult surgery or return to their practice after losing a patient. Overall, this degree will allow you to work with a wide variety of people on an individual level as you assist them in obtaining their personal goals.

As a sport psychologist, it is important to understand what are OKRs and how they can be implemented in your work. OKR stands for “objective and key result,” so by utilizing this method you will help your clients understand their goals and how to achieve them. The OKR system is commonly used by businesses and teams to work together to reach an outcome rather than focus on individual performances. Research has shown that goal setting is an effective management tool as it allows teams to become more successful than they would otherwise.

The sport psychology degree comes in various forms and can be attainable through different types of higher-level education. Faulkner University provides students with the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s degree in sports psychology. This private university is a good choice, as its students take a variety of sports psychology courses while developing psychological perspectives and research methods. Faulkner University offers an online sports psychology degree option.

It is possible to further your sports psychology bachelor’s degree by receiving a master’s degree in sport psychology. For example, Drexel University offers online programs to achieve a master’s degree in Sport Coaching Leadership. Similarly, the University of Denver offers a master’s degree in Sports & Performance Psychology. If a full degree program does not fit into your schedule, California Southern University offers an accredited sports psychology certification program that will provide its students with similar benefits to the full sports psychology degree.

These national universities offer sports psychology degree programs in which the student will gain practical experience in the sports psychology field. Although these undergraduate programs and graduate programs may be executed in different styles, they are all national universities with accredited sports psychology programs. Regardless of whether you attend online programs or rely on a classroom setting, by attending a national university, you will be exposed to courses in sport science and higher-level sports such as those in the NCAA division, which will provide invaluable educational and real-world experience while striving toward your psychology degree.

Whether you achieve your sports psychology degree through an online degree program or an in-person degree program, you will experience sport psychology courses that will ensure your success in the world of sports or a related field.

The fictional character Dr. Derek Shepherd (more commonly known as “McDreamy”) is, of course, best known for his love affair with the star of the show, Meredith Grey. (Where are the “Grey’s Anatomy” buffs at?) After this, he is best known for his signature pre-surgery line: “It’s a beautiful day to save lives.”

For many, this line embodies the reason why they decide to go into a medical field. Not only is this career route full of prestige, but it allows for a great sense of accomplishment as it allows us to help save people’s lives, every day. A worthwhile and respectable goal to say the least.

Regardless of whether you’re already on track to studying in a medical field or are just interested in knowing more, it never hurts to investigate our options. Check out these five programs for students considering entering a career in health and medicine.

 Dentistry

A career in dentistry not only allows for a more reliable and flexible schedule (as opposed to an “on-call” doctor), but it also allows for a sense of accomplishment by changing people’s lives. Not only can dental problems cause a considerable amount of pain, but according to the Mayo Clinic, studies suggest that we may be more prone to certain diseases when certain bacteria associated with severe forms of gum disease are present.

Plus, for children going through the awkward years of trying to “fit in” a crooked smile can lead to years of unneeded self-consciousness. This is a good reason why you should consider studying Ortho at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

Nursing

Not only does a career in nursing bring a ton of job satisfaction and flexibility, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statists, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. This growth is expected due to the rising age of the population, the rise of chronic conditions, and the fact that there is expected to be a nursing shortage by 2020. All the more reason to consider pursuing an online nursing degree.

Tip: If you’ve already finished your nursing degree, check out ACLS certification online to make getting certified easy.

Physical Therapist

This option is quite grueling but very rewarding. As a physical therapist, you’ll be helping people regain mobility and manage pain, but will also have to study just as long as a regular doctor (about 7 years). However, once you complete the prerequisites at a four-year university, then you can complete the actual Doctor of Physical Therapy degree online. Plus, there seems to be quite a bit of job security in this field as well. According to U.S. News, the field of physical therapy will grow by 28 percent between 2016 and 2026. They also say that in 2017, the median annual salary for a physical therapist was $86,850.00.

Medical Laboratory Technician

To become a laboratory technician, you must complete two years in an approved associate’s degree program and then get certified. This career path is probably one of the easiest ways to become part of a very important diagnostic process. By helping doctors diagnose serious conditions, you could be helping save lives.

Health Care Administration

For those who may be a little squeamish when it comes to the human body, but are still interested in health care and helping people; a degree in health care administration may be the way to do it. This way, we can help people without ever seeing any blood or being around sick people. Plus, according to Glassdoor.com, the average annual base pay for a healthcare administrator is $78,378.00 (not too shabby for not even needing to get our hands bloody).  

When you set up a call center, you streamline the process for your team to achieve goals. A great set up starts with considering how many employees you’ll need and setting concrete objectives for your call center. 

Once those are established, you’ll want to make sure the call center equipment you use is right for your needs. Here are some tips for getting your new system running. 

Find Practical Computers

Call center operations use sophisticated software to enhance the customer experience and ensure that all calls are routed to the right agent for minimum frustration and maximum efficiency. The desktop computer is the basic element undergirding the whole operation. Even when using cloud-based call center software, agents need a way to access it.

Locate your nearest uBreakiFix location so any computer issues can be fixed the right way the first time, and with minimal downtime. As you buy, choose desktops over laptops. While some laptops are cheaper, there are good reasons to prefer desktops: 

• Faster processing speeds at a lower cost than equivalent speeds on a laptop
• More storage space
• More connections for working with headsets, microphones or any other add-ons
• Greater safety for your investment, as a larger size, makes them harder to steal and less likely to be moved and dropped

Use Efficient Headsets

Your personnel needs quality headsets. The traditional phone simply won’t do the job, and a poor quality headset will result in frustrated customers (and agents). Agents will have difficulty hearing the customer over the noise of the call center, and customers will have trouble making out the agent if the headsets aren’t equipped with a quality microphone.

While choosing a headset is always a balance of cost and quality, good headsets have a few things in common:

• They are wired since wireless headsets have to be recharged and cost more for equivalent quality
• They are comfortable so that agents are not tempted to remove them frequently
• They offer noise reduction technology that enables agents to hear customers clearly
• They have a reputation for quality, so you don’t have to replace them in just a few months
• They have USB connections for the best sound quality and voice clarity

Select User-Friendly Software 

The software you choose for your call center should improve quality and speed. Good software gets your agents, customers and business goals all on the same page and reduces handling times, callbacks, and transfers. The right software will also offer you a high degree of functionality without the need to invest in extensive on-premises infrastructure.

There are many types of cloud-based call center software available, but not all are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

• Omnichannel integration so you can communicate with your customers seamlessly across channels
• Call center quality management so you can observe, measure, and evaluate how the call center is performing
• Consistent, reliable uptime with 24/7 customer support
• Scalability so your call center can respond flexibly to your business needs
• Predictive dialers with CRM integrations and customizable workflow

Settle In With Comfortable Equipment

Call centers have an unpleasant reputation for high turnover among agents. Every time an agent leaves, you have to find a new one, retrain them, and accept slower speeds and lowered efficiency for a while as the new agent learns the ropes. One simple way of retaining your call center agents is by making them comfortable.

You may choose to make agents comfortable by hiring them to work from home, but if you have them come to your facility, here are some things to consider getting:

• Chairs comfortable enough to sit in for hours at a time
• Desks designs and computer mice that minimize repetitive stress injury
• Lighting that is comfortable rather than glaring
• Blue light filters for computer screens to minimize headaches and eyestrain
• A break room where agents can decompress

Deciding on a major when you get to college can be daunting. What’s even more daunting is when you decide to go into a field such as engineering, which has countless applications in several areas and industries. So, how do you decide which focus is the right fit for you? Looking at successful engineering companies and firms can help you figure out what your most lucrative choices might be. When it comes down to being an engineering student, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what your life will be like as an engineering major as well as post-graduation.

What To Expect As An Engineering Major

Majoring in engineering requires studying a variety of fields, including science, math, and even business. The broad nature of the skills you master in your introductory years as an engineering student means that there are a variety of disciplines for you to choose from as you continue to specify your education. You’ll be trained in identifying and solving problems, communicating effectively, and formulating and carrying out experiments. Depending on your concentration, you may also need to take courses in ethics.

Each engineering major will have a different set of skills that they hone in undergrad. These skills will ultimately prepare you to work effectively in the environment most relevant to your field of study, and each environment is different. For example, if you’re planning on becoming a biomedical engineer, you may need to learn how to use medical technology like MRI machines. You may also need to learn how to use specialized work gear such as flame-resistant clothing if you’re working as a fire engineer. Fire engineers help keep buildings up to code and may also investigate certain fires. If you aren’t as excited about science but are still interested in finding a lucrative engineering job, Civil Engineering may be a good fit for you. While considered one of the “easier” engineering jobs to get, the day-to-day demands of your actual career are much more stressful than other types of engineering. Ultimately, what concentration you choose to focus on as an engineering major comes down to your aptitudes and interests. However, keeping in mind the average starting salaries as well as where you would like to be working in five or ten years can also help inform your decision.

It’s important to note that, regardless of the field of study you choose, a career in engineering entails dedicating yourself to staying up to date on the latest advancements, discoveries, and creations. Engineers are lifelong learners, so you must be willing to attend conferences and presentations even once you receive your degree. Doing so ensures that you will always stay at the forefront of your field and stay competitive in the job market. How exactly do you find a job, though?

Staffing Agencies Are One Route To A Career

Of course, once you graduate with your engineering degree, you’ll need to find a job to put your skills to use. Enter businesses like Enser Corporation. Enser Corp is an engineering staffing agency that was established in 1947 to provide solutions for engineering service demands, including areas like design, testing, and analysis. The agency can help place you in a job ranging anywhere from Mechanical Design to Finite Element Analysis, making them the perfect choice for recent graduates. Enser prides itself on offering a caliber of service that’s unmatched by other engineering firms. Best of all, since they serve both you and a specific client, it’s in their best interest to find suitable job placements for both parties. This can make the job application process much simpler and far less stressful. Some agencies will even be able to help coach you through designing your resume and fielding interview questions.