Empower your Office with Crew-Tech

Slow internet speeds got you down? For many businesses, simply having Wi-Fi feels like enough, until slow internet speeds start to hurt productivity and customer satisfaction. Taking a few simple precautions can help avoid these issues and drastically increase your office internet speed today. Here's how to get started: 1. Wi-Fi Router Placement It's common for businesses to hide their routers to avoid clutter, but this is a common mistake. Walls, metal, and obstructions actually weaken Wi-Fi signals. Generally, a central location will provide the best coverage in office spaces, but there are a few different ways to check. According to Net Spot, signal levels around -75 dBm or higher is strong enough for stable browsing, video calling, and streaming. dBm stands for decibel milliwatts, which is just the unit of measurement for the power levels of a Wi-Fi signal. 2. Optimize Channel and Bands One of the most common Wi-Fi problems is interface from overlapping channels. Luckily this problem is also a quick fix. You can utilize a Wi-Fi channel scanner to see if your network is overlapping with others. There are two common "bands" with various "channels" in them. A 2.4GHz band (pictured below) has 3 channels that don't overlap (1, 6, and 11) and provides a longer range of signal. A 5GHz has 25 channels that don't overlap and is a common bandwidth for large companies to support a variety of devices with faster speeds. When selecting a channel, empty channels are the best option to increase internet speed. If an empty channel is unavailable, choose a channel with another network, don't try and overlap channels to fit into an empty space. Wi-Fi networks can detect each other in the same channel, overlapping channels is what causes bandwidth issues. The example above has two overlapping channels, although this will not decrease the Wi-Fi speeds drastically, best practice would suggest moving them to channel 11. 3. Optimize Device Placement and Antennas Although similar to optimizing router placement, optimizing device placement is regularly overlooked. Positioning devices close to the router can reduce the need for Wi-Fi signals to travel long distances, speeding up your device's internet speed in return. Another trick to increase Wi-Fi speeds, without rushing to upgrade the entire router, is through the antennas. Check to make sure the antennas are not obstructed by anything, but if they aren't and the bandwidth still isn't strong enough considering upgrading them. High-gain or directional antennas can increase Wi-Fi speeds dramatically compared to the defaults. 4. Reduce Access Points Many people assume that when Wi-Fi is unstable in larger offices there is a simple fix: add another access point, but too many APs can actually make a network slower and less predictable. Increased interference, confused devices, and roaming problems could be a sign you have an overload of APs. According to Net Spot, you may have "too many" APs if your devices randomly cling to different access points or if speeds fluctuate while not in use. Conclusion With today's technological advancements and bandwidth demands, older routers will struggle to keep up no matter what. Optimizing router placement, device position, bandwidth, channels, as well as reducing access points and upgrading hardware like your router's antennas will help your router keep up. If you continue to have problems after implementing these changes it may be helpful to partner with an IT provider in your area, especially if your company doesn't have an internal IT department.

The business landscape in 2026 is anything but predictable. Economic pressures, demographic shifts, and rapid technological advancements are reshaping how companies operate and compete. From a cooling job market and evolving employee expectations to an aging workforce and changing consumer priorities, leaders face a year of both challenges and opportunities. Add to that the accelerating pace of AI adoption and cybersecurity concerns, and it’s clear that adaptability will be the defining trait of successful businesses. This article explores five critical trends shaping 2026—offering actionable insights to help you prepare, pivot, and thrive in the year ahead. The Job Market in 2026 As the job market cools, unemployment rates are gradually rising. According to Trading Economics, the unemployment rate in November of 2025 was 4.6%, which is a 0.4% increase compared to 2024. According to Vistage, unemployment benefits hit its highest rate since 2021 this past June. As less jobs are posted and candidates stay on the market longer, some are starting to refer to it as a "no fire, no hire" market. Finding candidates will not be an issue, but top talent will be difficult to obtain. Especially as demand for specialized skills in AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity increase. Remote and hybrid work models are here to stay. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 69% of the US workforce was on a hybrid or fully remote schedule during the peak of the pandemic. In recent years, the percentage has dropped down to about 22%, but according to Statista the pre-pandemic remote/hybrid work rate was only 17% of the US workforce. Insight: Top talent will gravitate toward companies offering growth opportunities and flexibility, not just higher pay. Implement skills-based hiring and reduce reliance on degree requirements. Offer micro-learning programs for AI and cybersecurity to attract ambitious candidates. Highlight career progression paths in job descriptions to stand out. Employee Satisfaction and Well-being Mental health and work-life balance are top priorities when it comes to employee satisfaction and well-being in today's workplace. Many companies have started offering flexible benefits and personalized perks to help maintain employee satisfaction and their retention rates. While retention rates are important, employee engagement rates can also give insight into employee satisfaction. According to Vistage, two-thirds of employees are not engaged or checked out at work. Company culture can have a huge effect on employee retention and satisfaction rates. According to Forbes, 98% of the US workforce would like to work remote at least a portion of the time. Insight: Retention hinges on culture and flexibility, not perks alone. Launch quarterly engagement surveys and act on feedback quickly. Provide mental health resources and flexible scheduling options. Create personalized benefits packages (e.g., wellness stipends, remote work allowances). The Aging and Shrinking Workforce The global crisis of an aging and shrinking workforce is coming to the US. In 2025 there was about 37 retired individuals for every 100 working individuals, but there has been a significant drop in the number of people added to the US. According to Vistage, from 1995-2024 about 70 million people were added to the US population but only 23 million people are expected to be added in the next 30 years. This is due to a variety of factors including the decrease in birth rates and new policies regarding immigration. Insight: Knowledge gaps will widen as older workers retire so succession planning is non-negotiable. Develop mentorship programs pairing senior employees with younger staff. Build a digital knowledge hub to preserve institutional memory. Invest in automation for repetitive tasks to offset labor shortages. Shifting Consumerism In 2026, the gap between inflation and wage growth continues to influence how consumers prioritize purchases. While wages have seen modest increases, they often lag behind rising costs of essentials like housing, healthcare, and food. This imbalance is driving a more value-conscious mindset among consumers. In a late 2024, 83% of Americans said saving money is a bigger priority now than in previous years (Vistage, 2025). As consumer priorities shift, business priorities should shift with them to adapt and meet consumer wants and needs. Along with that, the income gap is widening, according to Vistage the top 10% of wage earners makes up for 50% of consumerism. Actionable Tip: Consumers are value-driven and sustainability-conscious which means brands must align with these priorities to sell to them. Audit your pricing strategy and sales funnels to ensure affordability without sacrificing quality. Communicate sustainability efforts transparently in marketing. Introduce loyalty programs that reward eco-friendly choices or cost-saving bundles. Technology Trends Driving Change AI will continue to reinvent IT and technology trends into 2026. According to the Information Technology Research Group, agentic AI is expected to exceed generative AI adoption by the end of the new year. Currently, 58% of small businesses use some type of generative AI and 95% of enterprises will use generative AI by 2028 (CEO's Right Hand, 2025). Complete AI adoption within businesses could see productivity gains of 20-30%. AI and autonomous processes are reinventing businesses, cutting labor but increasing efficiency and reducing overall labor costs. According to Vistage, autonomous vehicles are helping with last mile deliveries, warehouse handling, simulation tools and more. With the adoption of new technology comes new costs. Technology advancements in 2026 will continue to level the playing field for small businesses but also raise the stakes. According to a report by Vistage, 75% of companies that implement AI report higher spending on data management. Cybersecurity is also a top business priority as new threats are slowly uncovered. On average, companies allocate 11% if their IT budget to cybersecurity (Vistage, 2025). Insight: AI adoption is no longer optional; it’s a competitive advantage. Start small: use AI-driven analytics for customer insights or predictive maintenance. Train teams on interpreting AI outputs to make informed decisions. Allocate budget for cybersecurity upgrades alongside AI investments. Conclusion The trends shaping 2026 aren’t just challenges, they’re opportunities for businesses willing to adapt. A cooling job market, shifting employee expectations, demographic changes, evolving consumer priorities, and rapid technological innovation all point to one truth: success will belong to organizations that embrace change with agility and foresight. Rather than reacting to disruption, lead the transformation. Invest in your people, align with consumer values, and leverage technology as a strategic advantage. The businesses that thrive in 2026 will be those that plan boldly today. The question is: are you ready to take the next step?

As the year draws to a close, businesses face a critical moment: the chance to reflect on what worked, address what didn’t, and set the stage for a successful new year. Ending the year strong isn’t just about wrapping up, it’s about creating momentum that carries into Q1 and beyond. Here’s a strategic roadmap to help you finish the year on a high note and prepare for growth in the first quarter. 1. Conduct a Comprehensive Performance Audit Before you can plan for the future, you need a clear picture of the past. A year-end audit is essential for understanding where your marketing and sales efforts delivered—and where they fell short. Review: Campaign performance: What channels drove the most engagement and conversions? Sales cycle: What does your sales cycle look like and what are the bottlenecks that slowed closing deals? Lead quality: Are the leads being brought in your target audience? ROI: Which initiatives drove the best return? Brand consistency and content: Do you have a brand identity and is it consistent across all content and channels? Use this data to identify trends, miss opportunities, and set benchmarks for Q1. A thorough audit ensures your next steps are informed, not guesswork. 2. Maximize Year-End Budget If you have remaining budget in Q4, don’t let it go to waste. Strategic spending now can give you a head start in the new year. Ways to Invest: Branding: Refresh your brand identity, messaging and/or website to stay competitive. Technology: Audit current tools and consider upgrading your marketing tools or CRM systems for better efficiency. Evergreen content: Create blogs, videos, or guides that will continue to drive traffic and leads into the new year. High Impact: Focus on SEO improvements, targeted lead generation campaigns to capture last minute holiday traffic, and/or data-driven analytic tools. 3. Align Sales and Marketing Teams Misalignment between sales and marketing can cost businesses time, money, and opportunities. Year-end is the perfect time to bring both teams together, if they aren't already. Action Steps: Meet together with both teams to review key performance indicators (KPIs) and shared goals. Define qualified leads for Q1. Align messaging to ensure brand consistency across campaigns and conversations. Update CRM, pipelines, and shared priorities. When sales and marketing work as one, you create a seamless experience for prospects and accelerate revenue growth. 4. Optimize Your Digital Presence Your website and social channels are often the first impression for potential customers. It is important to make sure they reflect your brand at its best. Action Steps: Website: Audit for speed, mobile responsiveness, and SEO performance. Content: Refresh outdated blogs, email campaigns, and landing pages with current data and trends. Social media: Audit content across channels to ensure consistency with branding and messaging, and update profiles to align with your latest offerings. Retarget ads: Leverage and retarget any running ads to create a short and thoughtful end of year campaign to capitalize on the holiday web traffic. A strong digital presence not only builds credibility but also sets the tone for Q1 campaigns. 5. Prepare Q1 Campaigns in Advance Don't wait until the new year to start planning! You cannot expect to have a profitable first quarter if you aren't prepared. Action Steps: Define Q1 objectives (SMART goals, KPIs, etc.). Map out campaign themes and timelines; identify key dates (industry events, product launches, or seasonal trends) and build campaigns around them. Create content calendars for blogs, social posts, and email marketing (outline theme, channel, and distribution methods). Experiment with new trends; AI generated or assisted content, interactive content, and short-form video content is all currently trending. Early preparation means you can launch campaigns with confidence and capitalize on early-year opportunities while competitors are still catching up. 6. Highlight Success and Show Gratitude Before you dive into planning the new year, take time to celebrate the wins from the past year. Recognizing the efforts of your team, partners, and customers can go a long way into the new year. Action Steps: Share a year-in-review post highlighting company, client, and employee milestones. Personalize thank-you messages to clients and partners. Host a virtual or in-person end of year celebration for your team. Gratitude builds morale and strengthens relationships, creating a positive foundation for the year ahead. Final Thoughts Ending the year strong isn’t just about closing deals, it’s about setting the stage for sustainable growth. By auditing performance, aligning teams, optimizing your digital presence, and planning ahead, you’ll enter Q1 with clarity, confidence, and momentum.