How AT&T Employees Turned Process Gripes Into $230 Million Saved

AT&T found a way to help workers kill outdated processes and tools that wasted time, energy, and money — one drop at a time. Here’s how the approach works. Jeremy Legg March 18, 2024 Reading Time: 8 min  Kevin Foley/MIT SMR; Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR An $8 expense — rejected because…

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The Quest to Understand and Predict Behavior

The son of a German immigrant, Tuck associate professor Dan Feiler grew up in inner-city Pittsburgh and attended a Christian elementary school, a middle school with a Jewish plurality, and a high school that was majority Black. He frequently navigated varied and sometimes unfamiliar social environments, observing social cues and trying…

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Lower Prices or More Domestic Jobs? The Tradeoff in Corporate Mergers

In 2006, the two largest U.S.-based manufacturers of laundry appliances became one: Whirlpool purchased its close competitor Maytag for $1.4 billion, outbidding the Chinese company, Haier. Before the merger could go through, the Department of Justice reviewed the proposal to determine if it would run afoul of the Sherman Antitrust…

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The Brave Leader’s Edge: Vulnerability in Leadership

How many times have you cried in front of your team? How many times have you admitted to not having all the answers or feeling unsure about the direction ahead? In the traditional realm of leadership, these instances might have been considered taboo or signs of weakness. Leadership often conjures…

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Financial Settlements Within the BRICS Framework: Moving Forward, Despite Problems

The creation of new financial mechanisms through BRICS is one of the most promising fields for the development of the association. In the final declaration of the BRICS countries after the 2023 Summit, financial policy was given quite a lot of attention. In particular, it was stated that the BRICS…

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What has productivity got to do with HR?

The exodus of workers during Covid and the record high numbers of economically inactive have contributed to the UK’s 1.26 million vacancies and an understandable perception that the employment market is now employee-led. The increased demand for voluntary home working, which follows the enforced experience of it during the pandemic,…

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Following the Money: Forensic Accounting Tracing Methods, Best Practices

Most accountants are familiar with the first in, first out (FIFO) and last in, first out (LIFO) inventory pricing methodologies. These are also two of the most common tracing methods for forensic accounting, among other methods such as the lowest intermediate balance rule (LIBR) and pro rata method. With various…

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Microsoft Copilot for Security to be generally available April 1

Today, we are excited to announce that Microsoft Copilot for Security will be generally available worldwide on April 1, 2024. The industry’s first generative AI solution will help security and IT professionals catch what others miss, move faster, and strengthen team expertise. Copilot is informed by large-scale data and threat…

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Are you bamboozled by your company’s culture?

Your first day at a new job is a lot like embarking on an adventure. You step through the doors, eager and optimistic, your mind filled with expectations set by the promises of the company’s values and mission. For some, these principles are more than just words on a wall—they’re…

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Aviation industry: Guidance on ‘No Re-Export to Russia’ clauses

This requirement was adopted as part of the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia in December 2023 and aims to combat the circumvention of existing sanctions against Russia. The Article 12g Requirement: Who must comply Article 12g obliges EU exporters to contractually prohibit the re-exportation to Russia and the…

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A (very) confused EU

On security issues, the European Union does not speak collectively with one voice and member states are very far from having the same objectives on defence. Yet, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of a second Trump term, more needs to happen at the EU level. What…

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Whisper speech-to-text model in Azure AI now generally available

Human speech remains one of the most complex things for computers to process. With thousands of spoken languages in the world, enterprises often struggle to choose the right technologies to understand and analyze audio conversations while keeping right data security and privacy guardrails in place. Thanks to generative AI, it…

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The App Store, Spotify, and Europe’s thriving digital music market

The European Commission announced a decision claiming the App Store has been a barrier to competition in the digital music market. The decision was reached despite the Commission’s failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing…

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Ukraine’s path to European Union membership – long-term implications

Whether and when Ukraine accedes to the European Union will depend greatly on how and when its war with Russia ends and post-war reconstruction starts, and how the EU handles issues of governance, security, migration, trade, investment, the energy transition, decarbonisation and the EU budget. The enlargement process is likely…

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How Much is Your Culture Costing You?

Creating a positive workplace culture isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a key player in the success of any business. It goes beyond token gestures like wellness days and promotions; it’s fundamentally about how you treat your people, the support you extend to your team, and the pervasive culture that permeates…

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Southeast Asia quarterly economic review: Proving resilient

Southeast Asia’s economies exhibited robust performance in the fourth quarter 2023. GDP grew in all economies, with growth in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam increasing during this period, while Malaysia and the Philippines recorded slower growth (Exhibit 1). Strong domestic demand, backed by stable employment prospects and easing prices, along…

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OSHA’s Proposed Emergency Response Standard: A Closer Look and an Analysis for Covered Employers

Quick Hits OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard—an overhaul of the decades-old Fire Brigades Standard—would apply to firefighting, emergency medical services, and technical search and rescue. The proposed standard’s lack of specific definitions, action levels, and exposure limits makes its compliance expectations less than clear for covered employers. The proposed standard’s…

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AI innovation takes center stage at World Governments Summit 2024

We were privileged to attend the World Governments Summit 2024 event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 12 to 14, 2024. It was a momentous gathering of more than 10,000 leaders, ministers, and experts from around the world—coming together to shape the future of governments and find innovative solutions…

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Let’s Talk: Why It’s Time to Stop Avoiding Taboo Topics at Work

You feel your career stalling, with no clear path for advancement or a raise. You know the right conversation, artfully navigated, with the right individual at the right time is necessary—but approaching that moment requires ingenuity and skill.From politics to sex, hot-button topics arise all the time in the workplace…

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An Italian dispute over the strength of a trade mark

On 20th September 2023, the Italian Supreme Court issued an interesting decision that clarifies some questions concerning the qualification of the strength of a trade mark and the corresponding protection against the likelihood of confusion. Background – dispute between “Boss” and “Il boss dei panini” In 2016, a company active…

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Can Industrial Policy Help Revive Struggling Regions?

Economic inequality continues to widen—and not just between people, but between places, too. The United States, for example, has seen a regional divergence since the 1970s, when the country began transitioning away from heavy manufacturing and toward a service-based economy, resulting in dampened economic prospects and living standards throughout the…

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Three Things to Know About the Workplace Generation Gap

Magazine Spring 2024 Issue Radar Younger employees have high expectations for themselves, their leaders, and their weekends. Cynthia E. Clark March 11, 2024 Reading Time: 2 min  Topics Radar Brief insights on emerging trends in management from the opening pages of MIT Sloan Management Review’s quarterly print magazine. More in…

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DEI Under Scrutiny, Part VIII: Eleventh Circuit Strikes Down Florida Ban On Workplace DEI Training Under First Amendment

Quick Hits The Eleventh Circuit ruled a Florida law that would prohibit employers from holding mandatory workplace training programs that discuss certain DEI-related topics was unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The restriction was part of a broader law known as the “Stop WOKE Act” signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in…

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Enrich your teaching with 11 new updates from Microsoft Education

As educators, we recognize that you stay on the lookout for new ways to engage your students, enhance your teaching, and streamline your workflows. To help support your search, we’re excited to share a roundup of the latest features and resources available from Microsoft Education, each designed to empower you…

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A Legal Compass for Data Scraping in Europe:

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the hunt for information drives businesses to adopt innovative techniques like data scraping. This method, which automates the extraction of vast amounts of information from digital platforms, is a game-changer for anyone looking to gain insights, generate leads, or simply stay ahead in the market.…

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Driving Organizational Success Through Behavior Change

How can you make your workplace more exciting and successful?  Organizational success is not solely dependent on strategies or cutting-edge technologies. Instead, the key driver of success lies within the organization itself—specifically, within the collective behaviors of its members.  When the term “toxic employee” is mentioned, thoughts often gravitate towards…

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Mapping the road to prosperity and parity for Black and Latino residents across America

At a glance More than two-thirds of Black and Latino US residents live in the nation’s largest cities, compared to less than half of White residents. While this means some of the issues and barriers facing these two groups are highly concentrated, solutions also can be highly targeted. Nowhere do…

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In Search of Global Balance: Rethinking the Role of the UN and Sino-American Relations

The world has lost its understanding of the balance of power that is obvious to everyone, which makes international relations more complex. A large number of emerging crises are caused by the fact that “small” and “medium-sized” countries have begun to experiment: they see an opportunity for themselves to test…

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Insights to Impact: A weekly briefing on creating sustainable and inclusive growth

Subscribe to get the Insights to Impact briefing in your inbox weekly March 14, 2024 This week’s headline findings: Customer demands. Organizational customer care leaders find themselves trapped in no-man’s-land as they balance preparing for an AI-enabled future with managing escalating customer expectations in a rapidly digitizing contact center environment.…

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Balancing a career with being a mum 

How do you maintain a balance between work and family life? When I joined Valcon, I set clear boundaries for when I would finish my work day to pick up my children, which is around 4pm. Sometimes this means clocking in early or opening my computer for an hour in…

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The UK non-dom regime is ending. Preparation for the new era should start now.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement that the United Kingdom’s non-dom regime will come to an end should have taken nobody by surprise. The decision by Jeremy Hunt to phase out the controversial tax system puts a full stop at the end of an argument that has flared up periodically…

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Securities and Exchange Commission Pay Versus Performance Updates

Seyfarth Synopsis:  As reporting companies prepare their Pay Versus Performance (PVP) disclosures for their upcoming proxy statements, they should take into consideration the most recent guidance on the topic in Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Compliance & Disclosure Interpretations (CD&Is). The PVP disclosure rules (Item 402(v) of SEC Regulation S-K)…

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Bringing Copilot to more customers worldwide—across life and work

Copilot is your everyday AI companion, meant to bring the power of generative AI to everyone across work and life. We’re expanding availability and purchase options for individuals and organizations and bringing new value to Copilot Pro subscribers.   Since launching Copilot, it’s been exciting to see our customers bring AI…

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A Breakdown of the Distinctiveness Threshold and Why it Matters for a Federal Trademark Registration

Filing a federal trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) is something that often gets overlooked by small companies. However, a federal trademark registration acts as an important shield of protection for businesses and their brands. Trademarks are important for businesses as they help them to…

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Robert Alpern: Creating an Inspired Medical School

Howie and Harlan are joined by Robert Alpern, a Yale nephrologist and the former dean of the Yale School of Medicine, to discuss the importance of a fiscal base for enabling a medical school to deliver top-quality training, research, and clinical care. Harlan asks whether widespread norovirus is a reason…

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Analyzing Employee Survey Data – Avoid These Common Logic Biases

When reviewing employee survey data, it's easy to fall prey to logical fallacies. These errors in reasoning can lead to misguided decisions that may not effectively address the concerns or sentiments expressed by employees. Identifying and understanding these fallacies is crucial for making informed decisions based on your employee survey…

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Three Cambridge researchers awarded Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies

From atomically thin semiconductors for more energy-efficient electronics, to harnessing the power of the sun by upcycling biomass and plastic waste into sustainable chemicals, their research encompasses a variety of technological advances with the potential to deliver wide-ranging benefits.Funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Academy’s Chair…

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Who Profits the Most From Generative AI?

Magazine Spring 2024 Issue Unpacking what it takes to build and deploy a large language model reveals which players stand to gain the most — and where newer entrants might have the best prospects. Kartik Hosanagar and Ramayya Krishnan March 12, 2024 Reading Time: 18 min  Topics Data, AI, &…

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Seyfarth Announces Creation of Impact & Sustainability Partner Role to Help Drive the Future of Client Service and Innovation

March 12, 2024 — Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a leading law firm known for its innovative approach and client-focused services, today announced the creation of its first Impact & Sustainability Partner position, underscoring its commitment to aligning business goals with client values and demands. The firm has appointed seasoned partner Ameena…

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