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Lumen CEO Kate Johnson: In the age of AI, ‘what got us here isn’t going to get us where we need to go’

MOLLY WOOD: Today, I’m excited to be talking to Kate Johnson, President and CEO of the telecommunications giant Lumen, who’s here to discuss how embracing the potential of AI tools is powering a cultural transformation there. Now, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said that AI transformation requires not just technology, but that companies do the hard work of culturally changing how they adopt technology. Johnson is a former Microsoft executive…

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  • Reading time:24 mins read
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Apple shows iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Plus

  Built for Apple Intelligence with the all-new A18 chip, both models feature Camera Control, powerful upgrades to the advanced camera system, the Action button to quickly access useful features, and a big boost in battery life CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, built for Apple Intelligence, the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting…

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  • Reading time:18 mins read
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Restrictive Covenants: Employment Contracts -v- Commercial Agreements

Restrictive covenants/post-termination restrictions play an essential role in protecting business interests such as confidential information and commercial connections. These protections are most commonly found in employment contracts and certain types of commercial agreements. When assessing the enforceability of post-termination restrictions in an employment contract, the starting point is that such restrictions will be considered void as a restraint of trade unless it can be shown that they go no further…

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Revitalizing organizational health in the care delivery sector

Research conducted over two decades has continually affirmed that organizational health (how you run the place) is a valuable, competitive differentiator across industries. Organizational health has been linked to value creation, profitability, resilience, and safety metrics (see sidebar “How to assess organizational health”). Organizations in the care delivery sector are no exception: those that prioritize and invest in building a healthy culture, even as they confront persistent internal and external…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
  • Reading time:12 mins read
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The bumpy road to zero-emission trucks

As major trucking companies decarbonize their fleets, they are currently prioritizing lower-carbon fuels such as natural gas and biofuels over zero-emission trucks. Adopting these fuels marks a positive step toward sustainable commercial mobility but represents only an intermediate step toward zero-emission mobility in the commercial sector. Meanwhile, true zero-emission mobility in the form of electric or hydrogen-based trucking appears to be stuck in traffic as massive challenges delay adoption. The…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
  • Reading time:27 mins read
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How to determine the optimal ‘spans of control’ for your organisation

Determining the optimal ‘spans of control’ is crucial for maximising organisational effectiveness. This article explores how the ideal number of direct reports for managers varies based on factors like company culture, work complexity, and desired outcomes. It also offers best practices, potential pitfalls to avoid, and insights into customised span analysis. At Q5, we are often asked, “what spans of control should we have to maximise the effectiveness of our…

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The Four Guardrails That Enable Agility

Magazine Fall 2024 Issue Research Feature Large organizations can move as fast as startups if leaders empower employees to act autonomously via well-defined constraints. Nick van der Meulen September 10, 2024 Reading Time: 17 min  Anuj Shrestha What does it take for a large, established business to be as responsive to changing market conditions as the startups in its industry are? That question is a vital one for leaders seeking…

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Power your school year with AI solutions for educators, leaders and IT teams

With a variety of AI solutions for educators, leaders, and IT staff, we can help you create efficiencies that give you more time to focus on what matters most: students. Are you looking for new ways to reenergize this school year? Microsoft can help you to save time, personalize learning, manage day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, and ensure safe and more streamlined operations. With a variety of AI solutions for educators,…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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E-Evidence Package – A New Regime for Cross-Border Law Enforcement Requests

In 2020, we published a briefing considering the existing law enforcement requests regime. Since then, the final text of the anticipated e-Evidence Package, comprising Regulation (EU) 2023/1543 (“the e-Evidence Regulation”) and Directive (EU) 2023/1544 (“the e-Evidence Directive”) has been agreed. This briefing outlines key elements of the new regime, which is to apply in 2026. Legal Framework Parallel Application of Legislation The Law Enforcement Directive (the “LED”) applies specifically to…

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Flowers compete for pollinators with adjustable ‘paint by numbers’ petal design

The study, by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Sainsbury Laboratory, also found that bees prefer larger bullseyes over small ones, and fly 25% faster between artificial flower discs with larger bullseyes – potentially boosting efficiency for both bees and blossoms.Using the hibiscus plant as a model, the researchers selected plants with three differently sized bullseye patterns – H. richardsonii (small bullseye covering 4% of flower disc), H. trionum (medium bullseye…

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Flowers use adjustable ‘paint by numbers’ petal designs to attract pollinators

The study, by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Sainsbury Laboratory also found that bees prefer larger bullseyes over smaller ones and fly 25% faster between artificial flower discs with larger bullseyes – potentially boosting efficiency for both bees and blossoms. Patterns on the flowers of plants guide insects, like bees, to the centre of the flower, where nectar and pollen await, enhancing the plant's chances of successful pollination. Despite their…

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Technology alone is never enough for true productivity

As generative AI (gen AI) grips the attention of business, corporate leadership can support their companies’ growth most by prioritizing the needs of their workers while simultaneously standardizing the use of cutting-edge tech. In this episode of the At the Edge podcast, economist and Stanford professor Erik Brynjolfsson speaks with McKinsey’s Lareina Yee about how gen AI differs from previous technological innovations, why it will likely augment more jobs than it…

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  • Reading time:26 mins read
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Cancer researchers and astronomers join forces in fight against disease

The technology from Cancer Grand Challenges team IMAXT uses advanced spatial biology techniques to analyse tumours, some of which are based on technology originally developed to map the Milky Way and discover new planets. Now, other scientists will be able to access these technologies to create detailed tumour maps that could one day transform how we diagnose and treat cancer.Led by Professor Greg Hannon and Dr Dario Bressan at the…

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Scientists and astronomers join forces in fight against cancer

The technology from Cancer Grand Challenges team IMAXT uses advanced spatial biology techniques to analyse tumours, some of which are based on technology originally developed to map the Milky Way and discover new planets. Now, other scientists will be able to access these technologies to create detailed tumour maps that could one day transform how we diagnose and treat cancer.Led by Professor Greg Hannon and Dr Dario Bressan at the…

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Oxford launches Human-Centered AI Lab

  The University of Oxford has announced the establishment of the Human-Centered AI Lab (HAI Lab), a pioneering research initiative supported by the Cosmos Institute. This ground-breaking lab will create a space for technologists and philosophers to collaborate on translating philosophical concepts into open-source software and AI systems, fostering a vibrant community for big-picture thinking about a future of AI that enhances human flourishing. The HAI Lab will be led…

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A Better Way to Unlock Innovation and Drive Change

Anuj Shrestha Leading organizational change according to the conventional management playbook is difficult and often frustrating, and such efforts rarely stay on track. Executives set out with the sound ambition to transform traditionally hierarchical and siloed organizations into more agile, collaborative, and innovative ones: They formulate a compelling vision, communicate it, and try to inspire employees to do what’s required to achieve it. But they often find that people resist…

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Political Speech in the Workplace: Strategic Considerations for Employers

Quick Hits The First Amendment generally applies to governmental actors, but private employers still must comply with the NLRA, which protects employees’ right to engage in concerted activity related to their working conditions. Several states, including California, Connecticut, Colorado, and New York, provide additional protections for speech, off-duty conduct, and political affiliations and beliefs for private-sector employees. Employer strategies for maintaining positive, productive workplaces include developing and updating workplace speech…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
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3 effective tips to help you avoid the “singles tax” and plan for the future

When asked about her single status in a 2014 interview, pop icon Taylor Swift commented: “Life can be romantic without a romance.” It appears many people share this opinion as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports there were 8.4 million people living alone in the UK in 2023. Whether this is through circumstance or choice, many people are perfectly happy with single life and the independence it brings. However,…

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HR Ninja-ing: 9 ways to impact culture with $0 budget

Workplace culture is an uphill battle when the budget is tight or, worse, nonexistent. You’re expected to create a thriving, engaged workforce, but the reality is harsh: Gallup reports that only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. Meanwhile, disengaged employees are costing companies a staggering $450 to $550 billion each year in lost productivity, absenteeism, and turnover. The pressure is intense. The stakes are high. But here’s the…

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How Ventas used machine learning and AI to create a net-zero plan

Ventas, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) and S&P 500 company that occupies an essential role in the longevity economy. With roughly 1,400 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the company’s portfolio serves a large and growing aging population. Among its assets are senior housing communities, outpatient medical buildings, research centers, and healthcare facilities. In 2022, Ventas took a bold step toward its sustainability…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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We and Atomic Bombs

The presence of colossal stockpiles of nuclear weapons in two or three great military powers reduces the likelihood of a general war in its traditional sense. However, the state of “a world that will not be at peace” promised by George Orwell also looks like it is balancing on the edge of something that would render any theoretical constructions meaningless, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Timofei Bordachev. In the year…

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100 Years of IFA and Samsung’s AI

Internationale Funkausstellung Berline (IFA) — Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade show held annually in Berlin, Germany — is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Launched in 1924 as a radio exhibition, IFA has transformed over a century into a stunning display of cutting-edge technology that shares a special bond with Samsung Electronics. Home appliances and electronics have followed this evolution. What were once large, bulky machines have since become highly…

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A data leader’s operating guide to scaling gen AI

After almost two years of infatuation with generative AI (gen AI), companies are moving past the honeymoon phase to embrace the work that matters most: creating value from this tantalizing technology. Expectations are high. A recent McKinsey Global Survey found that 65 percent of companies across sizes, geographies, and industries now use gen AI regularly, twice as many as last year. Investment in gen AI continues to rise amid the belief…

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  • Reading time:17 mins read
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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Clarifies Franchisee vs. Employee Classification

Quick Hits In answering a question certified from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that under Massachusetts law, certain business-to-business relationships in which franchisees have chosen to operate their independent businesses using a business format franchise, the franchisees are not employees of the franchisor. In so holding, the court determined that the plaintiff franchisees at issue were not employees because they…

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  • Reading time:7 mins read
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Introducing o1: OpenAI’s new reasoning model series for developers and enterprises on Azure

We are excited to add OpenAI’s newest models o1-preview and o1-mini to Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Studio and GitHub Models. We are excited to add OpenAI’s newest models o1-preview and o1-mini to Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Studio, and GitHub Models. The o1 series enables complex coding, math reasoning, brainstorming, and comparative analysis capabilities, setting a new benchmark for AI-powered solutions.  The o1-preview and o1-mini models are now…

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  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Five fundamental truths: How B2B winners keep growing

Amid today’s economic uncertainty, the B2B landscape is undergoing significant transformation. Fueled by rapid integration of digital technologies, sellers continue to invest, innovate, and experiment with how they present their offerings. Their B2B customers are shifting toward consumer-like purchasing behavior. They’re also demanding a much more sophisticated buying experience and are willing to walk away if they don’t get it. In this ever-evolving environment, B2B decision makers are asking how…

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  • Reading time:19 mins read
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Margaret McGovern: Building an Integrated Health System

Harlan Krumholz: Howie, we’re back. Welcome to Health & Veritas. I’m Harlan Krumholz. Howard Forman: And I’m Howie Forman. We’re physicians and professors at Yale University, and we’re trying to get closer to the truth about health and healthcare. Our guest today is Dr. Margaret, or Peg, McGovern, but first we like to check in on current or hot topics in health and healthcare. And for our listeners, it’s worth…

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Build the Right C-Suite Team for Your Strategy

Anuj Shrestha The Research Thomas Keil and Marianna Zangrillo conducted a 10-year research program that examined how new CEOs and executives succeed, including how they build strong leadership teams. They studied the appointment of over 100 CEOs and executives in Europe and the United States through interviews with these leaders, board members, subordinates, and executive recruiters who supported their hiring. Benedetto Vigna drew on insights from his experience as a…

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The Science of Successful Start-Ups

In the competitive world of business, entrepreneurs have long sought novel formulas such as the Business Model Canvas and the Lean Start-Up Method in their quest for success. The most potent tool, however, might be one that's centuries old: the scientific approach.From a series of experiments involving 759 start-ups across industries in Milan, Turin and London, my colleagues* and I found that companies that embraced the practice of rigorously formulating…

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Personal carbon footprint of the rich is vastly underestimated by rich and poor alike, study finds

An international group of researchers, led by the Copenhagen Business School, the University of Basel and the University of Cambridge, surveyed 4,000 people from Denmark, India, Nigeria and the United States about inequality in personal carbon footprints – the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person’s activities – within their own country.Although it is well-known that there is a large gap between the carbon footprint of the richest…

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A new dawn for the technology officer

A new era of technological change is ushering the technology officer to the center stage, and expectations are high. Companies want their chief information officers (CIOs), chief technology officers (CTOs), and chief digital and information officers (CDIOs) to deliver on the often-elusive goal of turning the promise of tech into real value. To meet this goal, tech officers are adjusting to ensure that their organizations benefit from the trends that…

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New study aims to catch cancer earlier than ever before

Currently cancer is usually diagnosed when tumours are already developed requiring, often significant, treatment to remove them and prevent further growth. However, a research team at the University of Cambridge will receive over £1.5m from Cancer Research UK over the next six years to investigate how the immune system evolves, targets and kills cancer cells as tumours are developing.  They hope by detecting the trigger point when our own body starts to…

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Indonesia – Russia: From the Past to the Future, History and Prospects

Russian-Indonesian seminar of the Valdai Discussion Club, the National Archives of Indonesia and the Federal Archival Agency of the Russian Federation  On September 24, the Valdai Discussion Club, together with the National Archives of Indonesia and the Federal Archival Agency of the Russian Federation, will hold a Russian-Indonesian seminar titled “Indonesia – Russia: From the Past to the Future, History and Prospects”. The event will be held in Jakarta (Indonesia). …

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Five steps to take before the new tax year

The current tax year ends on 5 April 2024 with the 2024/25 tax year kicking off a day later. With the end of the tax year approaching, it’s a good idea to begin to plan what you need to do to ensure your taxes are in good shape. Peter Webb, our Head of Tax Advisory, shares his top tips. Before considering what you might need to do before 6 April…

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The beauty boom and beyond: Can the industry maintain its growth?

In 2023, global beauty market retail sales grew to $446 billion, up 10 percent from 2022. In the year since the release of our inaugural state of beauty report, published in collaboration with The Business of Fashion in May 2023, the industry—comprising fragrance, makeup, skin care, and hair care—beat expectations and outperformed other consumer sectors, such as apparel. But these headline growth figures only tell part of the story. While…

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What Makes Companies Do the Right Thing?

Anuj Shrestha The Research The authors first studied openly accessible documents concerning the COVAX initiative to understand the organization’s functions, vaccine procurement process, and allocation framework. They then conducted semi-structured interviews online with representatives of COVAX stakeholders, including pharma companies, public health organizations, NGOs, and grant-making organizations. Informants were selected to mirror the diversity of stakeholder perspectives. Their media analysis used the Factiva database to better understand the timing of…

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Honor Hispanic Heritage Month with Minecraft Education and Microsoft Copilot

Engage students with interactive Hispanic Heritage Month lessons that highlight the rich heritage and impactful leadership of Hispanic figures. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the US from September 15 to October 15 each year, Microsoft is committed to honoring and amplifying the voices and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx community. Through innovative tools like Minecraft Education and the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot, you have a…

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Is the Era of Shareholder Primacy Over?

For decades, the Business Roundtable, a professional association and lobbying organization formed by CEOs from many of the largest companies in the United States, asserted that companies exist to create value for shareholders. So, it was noteworthy when, in 2019, the leaders of 181 companies signed onto the organization’s revised “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation” that committed to creating value for all stakeholders. Recently, leaders of the Yale…

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Innovation hubs: How GCCs are shaping the future of business

Enterprises are looking to Global capability centers (GCCs) as critical innovation hubs to stay ahead in the competitive landscape, but the difficulty lies in aligning strategic priorities with the capabilities of GCCs to maximize their impact. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey partners Abhilash Sridharan and Malcolm Gomes, Debasis Panda of TransUnion, and Pravin Goel of BlackRock to discuss how GCCs are evolving…

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  • Reading time:19 mins read
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NVIDIA = Three Ways to Ride the Flywheel of Cybersecurity AI

The business transformations that generative AI brings come with risks that AI itself can help secure in a kind of flywheel of progress. Companies who were quick to embrace the open internet more than 20 years ago were among the first to reap its benefits and become proficient in modern network security. Enterprise AI is following a similar pattern today. Organizations pursuing its advances — especially with powerful generative AI…

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