Business, Management, Marketing, Money, Tax, Law, People

Healthy lifestyle can help prevent depression – and new research may explain why

In research published today in Nature Mental Health, an international team of researchers, including from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University, looked at a combination of factors including lifestyle factors, genetics, brain structure and our immune and metabolic systems to identify the underlying mechanisms that might explain this link. According to the World Health Organization, around one in 20 adults experiences depression, and the condition poses a significant burden…

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How Consumers Use Generative AI

It’s been 9 months since ChatGPT was released and 7 months since it became the fastest consumer application to reach 100 million monthly active users, ushering in a new era of generative AI. But other than ChatGPT, how are consumers interacting with generative AI (GenAI) products? In which categories do incumbents dominate—and where are new companies breaking out? Who might be the next “big winner”? To begin to answer these…

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Some employees are destroying value – Others are building it

The pandemic has forced major changes in how, when, and where people work. It has also bedeviled employers. Due in part to new hybrid and remote-working models, companies are struggling to find objective ways to gauge employee effectiveness—a critical challenge as labor costs have increased and worker productivity has declined. According to new McKinsey research, employee disengagement and attrition could cost a median-size S&P 500 company between $228 million and…

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Changes for ‘Over The Top’ communications services following their inclusion within the European Electronic Communications Code  

In so doing, obligations under the ePrivacy Directive that apply to traditional communications services (voice phone calls (fixed and mobile) and text messaging (SMS)) and obligations under the European Accessibility Act now extend to OTT services, such as messaging, web-based email and voice over IP. Additionally, while the provisions transposing the EECC into Irish law only commenced in June 2023, the application of the EECC with regard to these services…

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Business Transition and Succession: A Comprehensive Guide

Succession planning is a deliberate and methodical process aimed at identifying and nurturing individuals within your organization who are poised to assume pivotal leadership roles in the future.  Introduction The process of business transition and succession planning is a pivotal aspect of managing a thriving enterprise. Whether you oversee a small family-owned business or a sprawling corporation, comprehending the nuances of transitioning ownership and leadership is vital for long-term viability.…

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Apple shows new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus

A huge leap forward for iPhone with a gorgeous new design featuring a durable, color-infused back glass and new contoured edge, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP Main camera with 2x Telephoto, and USB‑C. CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, featuring an industry-first color-infused back glass with a stunning, textured matte finish, and a new contoured edge on the aluminum enclosure. Both models feature the Dynamic…

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U.S. Israel – Parallel Paths

What makes the current situation in Israel so fascinating to an American observer are the parallels between what is happening in Israel and what is happening in the United States. Both countries are deeply divided, socially and politically. Uncompromising partisanship has hollowed out the political center. Comity in political discourse has been replaced by the demonization of political opponents and increasingly bellicose rhetoric. The terms “treason” and “tyranny” appear frequently.…

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The Manager’s Role in Mastering Retention

As someone who has spent quite some time in the workplace, I’ve noticed something odd: talented people seem to leave their jobs more often than not. It’s always a bit baffling when someone with all the skills and abilities a company needs up and leaves for seemingly no reason. A study has shown that 57% of employees leave because of their manager.  So, what can managers do to retain their…

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Finance is linear – Organizations are not

In private, talent operating partners are frustrated with investment teams lack of understanding about organizations. Likewise, investment managers are frustrated that they can’t find the right executive talent fast enough. Frictions have spiked with economic headwinds increasing pressure to deliver operational improvements. These tensions are an inevitable aspect of the “Third Wave” in private equity, as the focus shifts from leverage and simple operational improvements to complex organisational drivers of…

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In the aftermath of a storm: reshaping of wealth management

Abhishek Singh - A perfect storm has swept through the wealth management industry. For nearly a decade, the industry experienced significant growth. In 2022, that all changed. Population decline and falling numbers of high net-worth individuals (HNWI) coupled with geopolitical woes and macroeconomic conditions crafted an uncertain future. Yet, as the storm began to settle, the industry looked to rebound. What had been blown away presented an opportunity for a…

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UK Parliamentary Committee – The future of artificial intelligence governance policy

On 31 August 2023, the UK Parliament’s House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee issued its interim report (“Report”) on the governance of artificial intelligence (“AI”) – a matter that has for some time been the focus of policy development across the world. The report is a result of an enquiry by the Committee, to which both Coran Darling and Tim Clement-Jones contributed evidence as we push towards a…

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Professor Walker on the Morocco earthquake disaster

Professor Richard Walker (Department of Earth Sciences) describes the background to the devastating 8 September 2023 Morocco earthquake, which has a  current death toll of nearly 2,500 lives. Professor Richard Walker. Image credit: Dr Claudia Bertoni. Parts of the Atlas mountains and the city of Marrakech were strongly shaken and damaged by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake late Friday evening. We have seen images of the widespread destruction, the damage to…

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The Why, What, and How of Skills-Based Talent Practices

More jobs than ever require a four-year college degree, including many that never did in the past. Beth Berwick is among those calling for a retreat. “You have to take that requirement off of job descriptions,” she said. “It’s excluding 64% of the population — including 76% of Black Americans and 80% of Latinos.” Instead, she maintains, organizations should be hiring based on the skills they need. Berwick made her…

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The 32-Year-Old Samsung Dehumidifier Keeping a Korean Craftsman’s Studio Comfortable

The basement studio of Man-gi Park features numerous traditional Najeonchilgi masterpieces. Najeonchilgi refers to objects finished with Ottchil1 and inlaid with Najeon (mother-of-pearl, various colorful and vibrant pieces of shellfish). Najeonchilgi require highly intricate designs and high levels of craftsmanship at each process of production — from building the base product to applying numerous layers of natural lacquer to adorning the façade with small pieces of shellfish — and are thus…

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Your game plan for future-proofing sports data and analytics

The global summer sporting calendar has drawn to a close with the Women’s World Cup 2023. This summer’s tournament follows a record-breaking Women’s Euros 2022, which reached over 365 million viewers and smashed previous betting stats, closing out at over 1.5 million online bets placed throughout the tournament. Increased interest in women’s sports also led EA Sports to release their first global FIFA 23 edition with a front cover featuring…

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  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Organizational Change Management Strategy for a Veeva Implementation

An international biopharmaceutical company was planning on implementing a new quality management system (QMS), Veeva Vault QMS. This would be a multi-year implementation that affects thousands of employees across the globe. The biopharmaceutical company was looking to engage in a holistic end-to-end organizational change management (OCM) strategy to drive the successful adoption and usage of the new technology and to minimize the day-to-day impact to the business post go-live. The…

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Our commitment to the Nordic financial services sector

Valcon, a prominent European consultancy specialising in technology, data and consulting, has made a significant commitment to expanding its presence and capabilities in the Nordic financial services sector. This expansion is driven by our dedication to the financial industry and our desire to strengthen our position in the Nordic region. Valcon has a commendable track record in the financial services sector, with expertise in areas such as operational improvement, compliance,…

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NVIDIA Partners With India Giants to Advance AI in World’s Most Populous Nation

The world’s largest democracy is poised to transform itself and the world, embracing AI on an enormous scale. Speaking with the press Friday in Bengaluru, in the context of announcements from two of India’s largest conglomerates, Reliance Industries Limited and Tata Group, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang detailed plans to bring AI technology and skills to address the world’s most populous nation’s greatest challenges. “I think this is going…

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Engaging Executives: Bridging the Gap Between Analytics and Action

In the bustling corridors of corporate strategy and executive decision-making, consultants often find themselves navigating a complex maze of beliefs, biases, and barriers. From statements reflecting complacency to misunderstandings of data and employee needs, the challenges that consultants and HR professionals face in executive consultations (EC) and executive presentations (EP) are multifaceted. This article outlines some common statements and offers insights into handling them effectively, including drawing on the power…

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How “carry forward” could boost your savings tax-efficiently

The generous tax relief available on pensions makes them a great choice for retirement saving. You usually benefit from an immediate 20% boost to your savings when you make a contribution – meaning a £1,000 contribution only “costs” you £800. If you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer then further relief is normally available through self-assessment. However, to balance out this generous relief, the Annual Allowance limits the amount of tax-efficient…

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Can China Avoid Japanification?

As growth decelerates in China and the economy slips into deflation, there are fears that the country may be heading towards a situation reminiscent of Japan in the early 1990s, a quagmire that could take decades to shake off. The question on everyone’s minds is whether Beijing will make the necessary tough calls to ease the Chinese economy through this critical phase. Or will fear of political instability and social…

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NLRB Narrows Past Practice Defense for Employer Unilateral Action During Bargaining

On August 30, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released two decisions that will make it more difficult for employers to implement past practices during a break in bargaining or at an impasse, opening the door for unions to hold employers hostage by dragging out collective bargaining. Quick Hits Management rights clauses that do not explicitly state they survive contract expiration will not survive contract expiration and cannot be…

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“Deepfake” social media scams – Here’s how to protect yourself

In a study from MoneyAge, 35% of people said that they trusted financial advice from Martin Lewis over their friends and family or their own research. However, you may need to be careful about turning to the presenter for help after recent reports from Good Morning Britain of a “deepfake” scam using his likeness. Deepfake technology allows users to create a fictional image or video of a person to manipulate…

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How to beat bad science

Bad science is a big problem for society, says guest Jonathan Osborne, an expert in science education, but we don’t have to surrender to it. Beating bad science requires young people to learn three skills, Osborne says. First is an ability to size up conflicts of interest. Second, to evaluate a source’s qualifications. And third, to more rigorously question those who go against consensus. The whole goal of science is…

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Directors’ conflicts of interest

Under Section 177 of the Companies Act 2006 any director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a proposed transaction or arrangement with a company, has a duty to declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other directors (unless it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest). Purpose of the director’s duty to declare an interest The…

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The Potency of Shortcuts in Decision-Making

  How do CEOs make good decisions? At a time when senior leaders have access to more data and sophisticated analytics tools than ever before, the central challenge of making good decisions about hiring, product development, and resource allocation is increasingly not a lack of information. Rather, it is knowing how much information is enough, and how to use it.   Scholars of decision-making have long recommended that CEOs and…

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Thriving After Failing: How to Turn Your Setbacks Into Triumphs

Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson experienced her first big-stakes professional failure when she was just starting out in her academic career, some 30 years ago, after a decade working in engineering and consulting. Little did she know at the time, but that mortifying defeat would open the door to major success down the road. In 1993, as a doctoral student at Harvard, Edmondson conducted a study at two local…

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US climate deniers have no faith in universities

Based on a survey of thousands of U.S. voters, co-authors Cambridge Zero Fellow and Assistant Professor Ramit Debnath, Professor R. Michael Alvarez and Mr. Danny Ebanks from Caltech, found that Americans who expressed negative and distrustful opinions about universities and academics were also the most likely to believe climate change is not caused by humans and is not a problem for the United States. Despite increasing catastrophic weather events such…

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The answer to solving financial crime lies in data

Financial institutions are engaged in a constant battle to fight money laundering, bribery, fraud, terrorist financing and corruption and adhere to sanctions levied against countries and individuals. And financial crime takes a massive toll – it puts global financial systems at risk, it negatively impacts economic growth and causes massive losses to companies and people. It’s been estimated that annually, it costs the global economy as much as $2.1 trillion.…

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Closing loopholes or creating a noose?

Anything but casual… In the first of our series examining the Closing Loopholes Bill introduced into Parliament yesterday, we look at the new measures for casual employment. The Orwellian title of the Closing Loopholes Bill foreshadows its intentions: casual employment is double-plus-ungood. Premised on the doublethink notion that casual employment is a bad moon on the rise, the Bill proposes wholesale changes to the casual employment test, including measures to…

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E-invoicing solutions – optimize your invoicing process to drive competitive advantage

Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan - Leveraging proven AI-driven accounts payables solutions from an experienced service provider can help you implement a best-in-class e-invoicing tool that delivers improved compliance, accuracy, efficiency, cost saving, and sustainability. In recent years, e-invoicing has gained increasing importance as organizations look to reduce invoice processing costs and cycle time, improve working capital management, and expedite tax settlement. Indeed, the current trend is for suppliers to register invoices with…

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Cyber-national security: The importance of National Security Investment Reviews and regulations

Today, the nations of the world have integrated so much so that digital technology is both apparent in every man-made structure and beamed across the globe wirelessly, and invisibly, by satellites and other devices. All these interconnections present a tremendous opportunity, but also a pathway for bad actors. Cyber threats and incidents are front-page news, causing public humiliation and financial loss to governments and organisations alike. These threats must be…

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BarbAIrians at the Gate: The Financial Opportunity of AI

“Teldar Paper, Mr. Cromwell, Teldar Paper has 33 different vice presidents, each earning over 200 thousand dollars a year. Now, I have spent the last two months analyzing what all these guys do, and I still can’t figure it out. One thing I do know is that our paper company lost 110 million dollars last year, and I’ll bet that half of that was spent in all the paperwork going…

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New ‘droplet battery’ could pave the way for miniature bio-integrated devices

Small bio-integrated devices that can interact with and stimulate cells could have important therapeutic applications, including the delivery of targeted drug therapies and the acceleration of wound healing. However, such devices all need a power source to operate. To date, there has been no efficient means to provide power at the microscale level. To address this, researchers from the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry have developed a miniature power…

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Canadian corporate beneficial ownership registry requirements

In March 2023, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tabled legislative amendments regarding the creation of a Canadian corporate beneficial ownership registry. The proposed amendments, which recently passed the second reading in the House of Commons,1 apply to entities incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the CBCA). Non-compliance with the proposed amendments will carry significant administrative sanctions or criminal penalties. Background A beneficial ownership registry publicizes information on individuals with significant…

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Dive into intelligent cameras for Teams Rooms

When you join a meeting in Microsoft Teams, what do you expect to see when you have participants in a shared, physical space? Today, most cameras in Microsoft Teams Rooms show a view of the whole room, what we have become accustomed to as the “default” for meetings. If you’re joining a Teams meeting remotely, you usually see all the in-room meeting attendees in one wide video frame. Some cameras…

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