This article explores the impact of internal “ways of working”. Specifically, how the intangible elements within daily interactions, decision-making, and workflow structures are pivotal for business growth, beyond just a solid reporting structure. Drawing reference to ‘open working styles’, we provide you with a tool to use as a reflective exercise for teams and leaders to assess their current ways of working against future objectives. What does that mean and…
For a town of barely 13,000 people, Athens, Texas, is not shy about putting itself on the map. It calls itself the black-eyed pea capital of the world. It claims the hamburger was born in a little café on its courthouse square. And its school district proudly proclaims itself the “Home of the 4-Day Instructional Week.” That last one resonates across rural America. In recent years, hundreds of small school…
The authors have been studying procurement and automation for two decades.i Mary Lacity has conducted more than 50 case studies on enterprise use of automation technologies. Remko Van Hoek and Lacity have been studying early adopters of procurement technologies for three years, including companies using e-auctions, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, such as blockchains. For this article, they interviewed senior executives, business unit leaders, managers of centers of excellence…
As the great illusionist Harry Houdini once said, “The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do.” Entrepreneurial huckster Vivek Ramaswamy has graduated from being the court jester of corporate governance to now becoming a serious contender for the GOP presidential nomination as some 5% of primary Republican voters indicate they are entertained by his antics. As one of the…
The California Public Utilities Commission recently approved petitions from two taxi companies, Waymo and Cruise, to operate paid robo-taxi services around the clock in San Francisco. The first-of-its-kind move has been widely seen as a major step forward for fully autonomous vehicles and a springboard for similar driverless car rollouts in other cities. Proponents say autonomous taxis are safer and more reliable than manned vehicles and will bring numerous safety,…
In a world where digital transformation and Agile methodologies are not just buzzwords but essential frameworks, the way we approach professional development and learning must evolve. Blended learning—once a novel concept—is now a strategic asset for organisations committed to staying at the forefront of educational technology and innovation. It combines the immediacy of face-to-face instruction with the flexibility of online modules, creating a dynamic and adaptable learning environment. At Elabor8…
There has been an abundance of discussion regarding “counterfeit shares” flooding the public markets amongst retail investors for quite some time now. The average retail investor understands that this kind of activity is detrimental to companies for obvious reasons such as shareholder dilution and sinking share prices due to increased selling activity. Unfortunately, I think it is not so clear to the average retail investor as to what they can…
If you saw the action-adventure movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, you might have had the same reaction we did. Impressive and exciting? No doubt — that’s one reason why it won seven Academy Awards. A portent of the future? Perhaps — as scientists explore the idea of a multiverse, the film provides one vision of what it might look like. Somewhat bizarre and confusing? Well, to us anyway. JoAnn…
Across the United States, renewable energy sources are impacting natural gas generation. The growth of renewables in the grid, compounded by the increased electrification of energy demand, will expose the grid to the risks of an intermittent renewables supply to meet growing power demand. As a result, in the coming decades, a fully “dispatchable” backup energy supply will be required to ensure the reliability of the power grid for multiday…
Innovation in material science has shaped the world and civilisation as we know it, from the first use of concrete-like material around 8000 years ago to the development of a new alternative material for effective thermal management in advanced wearable electronics just this year. Scientists are constantly looking for new ways to make existing materials lighter, stronger, or vastly improved in some way. In many cases, developing new materials entirely.…
Q: In 2012, you and Yvon Chouinard co-authored The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 40 Years. Now, you have released The Future of the Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 50 Years. Why the new book? So much of what is going on in the world is heartbreaking and scary. But there’s also so much learning going on. We now have the potential to…
Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced that it has developed the industry’s first and highest-capacity 32-gigabit (Gb) DDR5 DRAM1 using 12 nanometer (nm)-class process technology. This achievement comes after Samsung began mass production of its 12nm-class 16Gb DDR5 DRAM in May 2023. It solidifies Samsung’s leadership in next-generation DRAM technology and signals the next chapter of high-capacity memory. “With our 12nm-class 32Gb DRAM, we have secured a…
Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, said that change is natural and constant. Nowhere is this adage more alive than in the business world; the entrepreneur’s origin story is built on change. Recently, Frontier Airlines enacted a change by removing its customer service phone number. This leaves customers to find solutions through digital channels. With this change, the customer experience will transform entirely, creating a significant difference in the organization. This approach will allow…
University athletic administrators all across the country are welcoming back their athletes for the 2023–2024 athletic season. Athletes and coaches alike will meet with compliance administrators for a refresher on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) bylaws, nutritionists to discuss proper nutrition, and even media relations staff to discuss media obligations. What sometimes can be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of college athletics—and the desire to get to the practice…
At the beginning of this month, hundreds of August 1 speeches were held in festive marquees with the smell of bratwurst in the air. And as every year, the infamous reports on the nation’s well-being generally unfolded in three clearly defined acts: Act One, the country has been extremely successful so far. Act Two, the environment has changed. And Act Three, for Switzerland to remain successful, something has to change.…
Student debt: seeking out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth vbois August 31, 2023
As generative AI and large language models (LLMs) continue to drive innovations, compute requirements for training and inference have grown at an astonishing pace. To meet that need, Google Cloud today announced the general availability of its new A3 instances, powered by NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs. These GPUs bring unprecedented performance to all kinds of AI applications with their Transformer Engine — purpose-built to accelerate LLMs. Availability of the…
AI is helping us transform Google products and businesses — and it’s how we help Google Cloud customers transform theirs.
Intercultural communication is like a bridge that helps people from different backgrounds talk to and understand each other. It’s not just about language, but also about how we express ourselves. Take me, for example—I’m from the Philippines, working at Civility Partners, a US company, and reporting to Catherine, my American boss. Even though we both speak English, our communication styles might be different. Catherine’s big on chit-chat, using small talk…
For some economists, the answer to world peace is simple: Promote more trade. In the 18th century, French philosopher Charles Montesquieu described commerce as “a cure for the most destructive prejudices.” Buyers and sellers may both profit, the argument goes, but in order to do so, each party must trust that the other will honor their side of the deal. The more they trust each other, the better the trade,…
At the beginning of August, Avenir Suisse’s report on the full financial implications of so-called real bracket creep caused quite a stir ‒ and rightly so. The phenomenon and its effects are largely unknown to the general public, even though the Basel FDP politician Baschi Dürr already described (and named) it back in 2007. Real bracket creep describes the way the entire population slowly rises up the tax table as…
With rising geopolitical tensions and urgent global challenges such as the climate and digital transitions, Europe needs to bolster its resilience to shocks and invest strategically. In order to achieve this, we need to work together, as a more integrated Europe is better positioned to realize shared goals in a fragmented global economy. Central to this strategy is the creation of an integrated European capital market — a vision set…
Two pitfalls to avoid, according to research.
Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is an award-winning, multidisciplinary artist whose work has been recognized and displayed in prestigious institutions and venues such as The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Art Basel Miami Beach and even the White House. His inspiration stems from a diverse cross-section of cultures — embracing a wide variety of mediums from fashion and film to live art performances and beyond. His unique artistry exists at the junction where…
U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August held a trailblazing trilateral summit. The summit's particular focus was on countering military threats in East Asia, and it hailed “a new era of trilateral partnership” in which the three countries “are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people,…
Nigel Farage made headlines recently after a public dispute with high net worth banking and investment establishment, Coutts, when they closed his account. Their official reason was that he had fallen below the £1 million minimum investment and borrowing threshold after paying off a mortgage. Farage, on the other hand, claimed it was for political reasons. While Coutts initially denied this, the former UKIP leader released a document containing evidence…
In a recent judgment, the Tribunal awarded a substantial £357,000 to a 22-year-old trainee Project Supervisor from the National Grid, for 26 acts of sexual harassment and 8 acts of victimisation at the hands of her manager, who was also her mentor. The sexual harassment continued over a period of 1 year, until she resigned. The award included, but was not limited to, £40,000 for injury to feelings, £10,000 for…
The current climate has made it more important than ever for suppliers to see you as their most highly prized stakeholder – but how do you compete in a sellers’ market? Marketing, communications and engagement – traditionally these aren’t words one would associate strongly with procurement. Yet over the past few years procurement and supply chain has been thrust into the spotlight like never before, with the war in Ukraine,…
If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming place with stunning natural beauty and a vibrant local culture to retire to, Ghana is an excellent option that’s gaining popularity among retirees and expats. Americans who want to embark on a thrilling new adventure in their golden years should give Ghana some serious thought. In this … Can Americans Retire In Ghana? Read More » The post Can Americans Retire In Ghana? appeared first on Acheampong & Associates.
The days of sticking with one job through retirement are long gone. Younger workers are prioritizing happiness over workplace loyalty, often out of necessity. Harvard Business School senior lecturer Christina Wallace offers a roadmap for this rebalance in her new book, The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card, which explains how to treat work-life calibration as you would…
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Ever wondered if the tried and tested way organizations navigate the volatile economic landscape – slashing budgets and cutting costs – is the most effective? The sentiment is understandable. We all grapple with surging costs – rising mortgages, soaring living expenses, and salaries that lag behind inflation. Add to that the relentless uncertainties of global macroeconomics – wars, cyber threats, and unstable supply chains. It’s no wonder cost-saving measures have…
The year 2022 was a notable one in the history of our climate—it stood as the fifth warmest year ever recorded1. An increase in extreme weather conditions, from devastating droughts and wildfires to relentless floods and heat waves, made their presence felt more than ever before—and 2023 seems poised to shatter still more records. These unnerving circumstances demonstrate the ever-growing impact of climate change that we’ve come to experience as…
Becoming part of a couple is an exciting time. But along with the anticipation of a shared life it’s important to consider some of the practicalities – including finance. George Howard, our Chartered Financial Planner, looks at some of the important money conversations to tackle with your partner. Talking about money is sometimes challenging and can expose some of your or your partner’s vulnerabilities. Yet managing your finances jointly will…
Dealing with environmental change – be it unforeseen supply chain shocks, sudden fluctuations in demand or rapid developments in the competitive landscape – is par for the course for companies doing business today. For start-ups to grow and mature, they must find a way to successfully navigate the opportunities and risks presented by these dynamic conditions. Prior research has investigated how external changes to the business environment influence venture performance…
China stands at the precipice of an imminent and severe economic collapse, while experts predict that the United States is likely to remain relatively insulated from its repercussions, as reported by Daily Express US. President Xi Jinping's attempts to foster a robust post-Covid economic resurgence have been thwarted by a significant property crisis, plunging the Chinese economy into turmoil. Concurrently, Chinese exports are plummeting, and consumer spending is diminishing,…
Email marketing is a powerful business tool for connecting with audiences, boosting brand awareness, and driving sales. However, it’s crucial to assess and handle personal data protection issues carefully when using this strategy. In the European Union (EU), there are certain rules in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive (ePrivacy Directive) that businesses need to follow when sending email marketing. In this article,…
Ofcom has opened a consultation that sets out proposals for new rules and guidance in relation to roaming and inadvertent roaming. Ofcom’s newly proposed rules seeks to bolster customer protection, with rules proposing that UK mobile customers must be notified in a clear, comprehensible and accurate notification about any roaming charges that apply to them when travelling abroad. The consultation closes on 28 September 2023. On 20 July 2023, Ofcom…
In the dynamic landscape of cloud-based computing services, organisations have come to rely on the flexibility and scalability offered by various models, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). However, alongside the advantages these services bring, negotiating contracts that accurately reflect the unique aspects of each model is crucial. This article delves into the differences between SaaS, PaaS, and…