Tag Archive for Coffee

| January 15, 2024
Comments Off on 2023 Bach Seat Most Popular Posts

2023 Bach Seat Most Popular Posts

2023 Bach Seat Most Popular Posts2024 is here. We made it through another year. Some good, some bad, some questionable. 

The Good

 The markets ended up in 2023. Michigan football – the University of Michigan won the College Football National Championship and the surprising Detroit Lions are in the NFL playoffs. 

The Bad

The war in Gaza started and the war in Ukraine continues. Politicization of the Supreme Court. Trump. Climate Change.

The Questionable

Artificial Intelligence has gained widespread popularity for good or bad.

The OMG

In the OMG I’m old category, some things that turned 50 in 2023.

 Top 10 posts on the Bach Seat

Here are the top 10 posts on the Bach Seat in 2023, as voted on by you, the readers of the Bach Seat.

  1. Frank Lloyd Wright for the Work From Home Era
  2. Quick Microsoft Teams Shortcuts to Increase Your Productivity in 2023
  3. What You Need to Know About MailChimp SecurityBill Nye the Science Guy
  4. 8 Upgrades to Elevate Your Work from Home Setup
  5. Why Meta Released Threads Now
  6. Climate Change and the Future of Coffee
  7. A Coffee Nap Can Boost Your Energy
  8. Rockin’ at the Office
  9. KOSA: A Bad Idea for Online Safety
  10. How the RESTRICT Act Will Ruin Your Online Privacy 

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| October 15, 2023
Comments Off on Coffee is the Project Managers Secret Weapon

Coffee is the Project Managers Secret Weapon

Coffee is the Project Managers Secret WeaponResearch has found that drinking coffee is just as good as exercise on your job performance. One cup of coffee improves your working memory as much as spending 20 minutes on a treadmill. Coffee can contribute to enhanced cognitive function, including working memory.

caffeine is a natural stimulantThe primary active compound in coffee, caffeine, is a natural stimulant. When consumed, caffeine blocks the action of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which promotes relaxation and drowsiness. By inhibiting adenosine, caffeine promotes wakefulness and alertness, including enhanced cognitive functions like working memory.

Coffee Improves Working Memory

Working memoryWorking memory is key to our ability to function as a curious human being. It helps the learning process and makes it possible to store information, such as phone numbers or a shopping list, in the short term. Working memory has a significant impact on a project manager’s job performance. Working memory plays a crucial role in many cognitive tasks required to be a successful PM. Here are some ways in which coffee-enhanced working memory can affect your job performance:

Communications

Effective communication is at the core of being a project manager. Effective communication relies on listening, comprehending, and responding to information. A strong working memory capacity enables you to follow conversations, retain key details, and formulate thoughtful responses.

Problem-Solving

Problem Solving

Project managers are always solving problems and making decisions. Working memory is essential for holding and manipulating relevant information when analyzing problems and considering potential solutions.

Information Processing

Working memory is responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information. As PMs, we need to process and remember information, such as instructions, data, and task sequences.

Learning and Adaptation

Learning new information and skills is a continuous process for PM’s. A good working memory facilitates the acquisition and retention of new knowledge, as it allows individuals to process, connect, and store information for future use.

Time Management

Time Management Time management involves planning and organizing tasks. Working memory helps in keeping track of deadlines, schedules, and task priorities, which is crucial for meeting project-related goals.

Creativity and Innovation

Project managers utilize creative problem-solving to keep projects moving forward.  Creative problem-solving and innovation require holding multiple ideas or concepts in mind, manipulating them, and exploring new connections. Working memory supports these processes, allowing for more innovative solutions.

Task Execution

Project managers must complete tasks efficiently. Completing tasks often involves holding intermediate goals or steps in memory while working toward a larger objective. Working memory assists in task execution and reduces the risk of errors.

Accuracy and Error Reduction

When individuals can hold and manipulate information more effectively, they are less likely to make mistakes or overlook critical details.

Stress Management

Project managers with strong working memory abilities may better manage stress and high-pressure situations by staying organized and focused during challenging times.

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Coffee can improve working memory by increasing alertness, focus, and concentration, promoting faster information processing, and reducing mental fatigue. These effects make coffee the project manager’s secret weapon to boost job performance.

 

How you can help Ukraine!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| September 30, 2023
Comments Off on Coffee Day 2023 – Five Ways to Celebrate

Coffee Day 2023 – Five Ways to Celebrate

Coffee Day 2023Happy National Coffee Day 2023, everyone! If you’re like me, you can’t start your day without a cup of joe.

Or two. Or three. Or four. Okay, maybe I have a problem.

But today is the day to celebrate our caffeine addiction and enjoy the many benefits of coffee. Followers of the Bach Seat know that coffee can boost your mood, metabolism, and memory, It can also lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Plus, it tastes amazing and smells great. So how can you make the most of this glorious day? Here are some ideas:

Try a new brew

Ground Control RoastersThere are so many ways to brew and enjoy coffee, from cold brew to cappuccino, from hazelnut to pumpkin spice. Experiment with different methods and ingredients and find your new favorite. You should try the Salted Maple Latte from Ground Control Roasters as an alternative to the mega-brand pumpkin spice thing.

Go local

Apothecary Espresso & CoffeeSupport your community and discover some hidden gems. You might be surprised by the quality and variety of coffee available in your area. Check out Apothecary Espresso & Coffee. They specialize in craft coffee drinks.

Learn about coffee

Our daily cuppa has a rich and fascinating story. According to Britannica, wild coffee plants are thought to have been native to Kefa (Kafa), in Ethiopia. According to legend, the coffee plant was discovered around 850 discovered by a goatherder called Kaldi. Kaldi noticed that his goats became very lively after eating certain beans. By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in Arabia (Yemen) and placed under cultivation by Sufi monks.

The coffeehouses appeared in Mecca in the 15th century and spread to Constantinople (Istanbul) in the 16th century. Coffee spread throughout Europe as the Otterman empire grew. Coffee came to the Americas in 1607 by Captain John Smith, the founder of the Virgina Colony. The brew made it to space in 1969 on the Apollo 11 space mission.

Get some coffee swag

Sure, you can buy a new mug, a grinder, a frother, or a t-shirt. Why not a Starbucks Coffee Cell Phone Plug? The Starbucks Cell Phone Plug is an ideal way for coffee lovers to customize your cell phone. The plug looks like a 12 oz. ceramic mug. It its into any cell phone with an audio jack and will showcase your java jam.

Give some swag

Finally, you can also donate to a charity that supports coffee farmers like Grounds for Health. Since 1996, Grounds for Health has partnered with coffee cooperatives and local health organizations to create sustainable cervical cancer prevention programs in Latin America and Africa.

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Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy your coffee today and every day. Cheers!

How you can help Ukraine!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| September 24, 2023
Comments Off on 8 Upgrades to Elevate Your Work from Home Setup

8 Upgrades to Elevate Your Work from Home Setup

8 Upgrades to Elevate Your Work from Home SetupWork from home is a thing, despite the opinions of billionaire bullies. CEO blowhards like Biffle, Gurner, Diamon, Musk, and Jassy railing against working from home, obscure what’s happening around flexible work arrangements in many workplaces. According to the September Flex Report from Scoop, many of the largest companies have embraced hybrid work.

Fortune says the firm found that 293 of the Fortune 500 companies they follow offer workplace flexibility. The most common arrangement being two to three days required in the office. Since work from home is not going away it is time to upgrade your hastily- assembled COVID workstation. Here are eight items that can upgrade your work from home rig.

More outlets for your work from home office

More outlets for your work from home officeThe first upgrade for you work from home (WFH) rig could be this wall charger from Powrui. The device comes with six outlets and two USB fast-charging ports to keep all your devices and accessories at 100% so they won’t die in the middle of that team meeting. Retrofit your space to keep your laptop charged, monitor running, iPhone and iPad charged for those times when you have to wander beyond the safety of your WHF bunker. This model is available on the web for around $17.99.

More privacy

Privacy signIf closing the door to your WFH space is not enough to let others know you are working this is for you. You can post this privacy sign on your WFH office door. The statuses are in bold on green, red and blue background makes it easy to see from a distance. The sign has three choices. DO NOT DISTURB, WELCOME PLEASE KNOCK and OUT OF OFFICE. The status will remain unchanged unless you change it manually because inside the sign there are small magnets that will keep the status stay in place. You can find this update to your WFH space on the web for around $9.99.

More screen space for your WFH work

Portable monitorA portable monitor can expand the work area on your work from home laptop. They have the advantage of being portable so you can take your second monitor with you to work at Starbucks or god- forbid the office. This Portable Monitor is a 15.6 Inch Full HD 1080P monitor with a USB-C to USB-C cable, a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable, and a power adapter (with a USB-A to USB-C cable). It also includes a foldable case, which can double as a stand and speakers. There are many options on the intertubes starting around $150.00

More productivity

Rotating timerOn of the things the bully billionaires complain about is work from home productivity. This rotating timer from Znewtech can keep you productive. You can set the Hexagon Rotating Timer for a specific amount of time to apply to a specific task or remind yourself that you need to take a break every once in a while.  This addition to to your WFH rig can be set for 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 30-minute blocks by rotating it to the time you want. Get it online for $18.99.

Better coffee for working from home

mug warmerHome-brewed coffee at home is undoubtedly an upgrade from office coffee. If you get easily distracted with work tasks this electric mug warmer from Vobago is for you. It can regulate the temperature of your coffee so you can nurse your drink for hours without sipping an ice-cold brew. It also warms Tea too. You can buy this coffee warmer online starting at round $25.00.

Enhance Your WFH space with a Dry-Erase Sticker Board

You can bring the office whiteboard to your WFH haunt with This dry-erase sticker board. The Kassa Chalkboard Wallpaper can turn any surface into a place where you can write notes. You can stick this to basically any surface -ever your desk- and can cut it to any size. The adhesive on the back means you can easily remove it (without damaging the surface) and move it to a different spot. The environment will even thank you for reducing your paper use. The Kassa Chalkboard Wallpaper is available online starting at $12.99.

Standing Desk

Standing DeskAdd a FlexiSpot standing desk. The FlexiSpot standing desk can be adjusted. You can raise or lower it suit your needs while working from home.  The 48 inch model is big enough to hold two monitors and a laptop and has a 132-pound weight capacity. This model starts at$179.99 at several online retailers.

WFH treadmill

TikTok has here. caught up exercising while working trend I have been covering on the Bach Seat since 2009. The Goyouth 2-in-1 Under Desk Electric electric treadmill has an LED display that shows the time, speed, and distance, a quiet motor, and Bluetooth capabilities so you can play music through while you get your steps in during work-time instead of me-time. Treadmills like the Goyouth start at $318.99 online and they go up from there.

Work from home outdoors

Work from home outdoorsThe sport-brella is perfect for enjoying the outdoors while working from home. It enables you to be outdoors, sip a cool drink, and prevent your laptop overheating and the sun making it nearly impossible to see the screen. It is built with SPF 50+ material and a universal clamp. This is available at all the web store starting round $27.00.

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If you have other suggestions how you customized your work from home set-up be sure to share them.

 

How you can help Ukraine!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| July 26, 2023
Comments Off on Climate Change and the Future of Coffee

Climate Change and the Future of Coffee

Climate change is threatening one of the most popular beverages in the world: coffee. Coffee lovers not only enjoy the rich aroma and comforting warmth of a cup of Joe but also cherish the ritual of sitting down with a fresh brew. With over 2 billion cups consumed daily, coffee plays a vital role in the economies of more than 50 countries along the Coffee Belt, spanning the globe along the equator. However, climate change poses significant challenges to coffee production, impacting the quantity, quality, and associated costs and risks of growing beans.

the Coffee Belt

How climate change affects coffee plants

The most unexpected effect of climate changeMost people in the world drink coffee made from either arabica (Coffea arabica) or robusta (Coffea canephora) coffee beans, both of which are susceptible to the effects of a warming climate. Climate change affects coffee plants in multiple ways, including reduced growing areas, increased pest prevalence, and diminished quality. Coffee plants rely on specific temperature and rainfall patterns for growth. Inadequate or unpredictable water supply can hinder the growth and bean production of coffee plants. Extreme temperatures, whether too high or too low, can stress the plants, resulting in lower yields and decreased quality. Additionally, the changing climate is impacting the suitability of areas where coffee plants thrive.

How climate change affects coffee plants

Coffee plants are sensitive to changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunlight, as they require specific climatic conditions to produce high-quality beans. Climate change can disrupt these conditions, causing various issues for coffee plants, such as:

  1. Heat stress: Higher temperatures can reduce the photosynthesis and respiration of coffee plants, leading to lower yield and quality. Additionally, warmer temperatures can encourage the proliferation of pests and diseases like the coffee borer beetle, which damages crops by boring into cherries and laying eggs inside the seeds. The rising temperatures have also created favorable growing conditions for coffee rust, a fungal infection that can reduce yields. Conversely, lower temperatures can impede the growth, development, flowering, and fruiting of coffee plants.
  2. Water stress: Sufficient and consistent water availability is crucial for coffee plants to grow and produce beans. However, climate change can lead to droughts or floods, disrupting the water balance and stressing the plants. Droughts decrease soil moisture, impacting photosynthesis and transpiration, resulting in smaller and fewer beans. Floods increase the risk of fungal infections and waterborne diseases that can harm both coffee plants and beans.
  3. Altitude shift: Coffee plants thrive within specific altitudes, soil types, shade, and biodiversity. Climate change may force coffee farmers to relocate or adapt their production systems. For example, studies suggest that by 2050, up to 50% of the currently suitable areas for Arabica coffee, the most widely consumed type, could become unsuitable due to climate change. This would necessitate coffee farmers to move to higher altitudes or switch to more resilient varieties like Robusta or hybrid coffees. However, these options may result in higher costs, compromised quality, or loss of traditional knowledge and culture.

How climate change affects coffees flavor

Climate change also affects the flavor of coffee. Several factors can impact the quality of coffee, including:

  1. Flavor and aroma: Coffee’s flavor and aroma primarily derive from chemical compounds in the beans, such as sugars, acids, oils, and volatile compounds. These compounds are influenced by temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunlight during the growth and development of coffee plants. Climate change can alter these factors, leading to different or undesirable flavors and aromas. For instance, higher temperatures can diminish acidity and sweetness, while lower temperatures can delay ripening and reduce aroma.
  2. Nutritional value: Coffee contains various antioxidants, including polyphenols and chlorogenic acids, which offer health benefits. The antioxidant content of coffee beans is influenced by environmental conditions during growth. Climate change can affect the metabolism and biosynthesis of these antioxidants. For instance, higher temperatures can reduce the polyphenol content of coffee beans, while lower temperatures can increase it.

How you can help coffee adapt

Coffee represents not only a beverage but also a culture and livelihood that warrant protection. You can contribute by supporting the diversification of coffee. Certain varieties, such as Liberica (Coffea liberica), are more heat-tolerant and are gaining attention from coffee importers and sellers. Consider purchasing Liberica online.

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Speak up about climate change. Pick a topic and act on it – we all need to do something. It is all one world. 

 

How you can help Ukraine!

Related article

 

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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