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

Solving the Problem of Remote Work

The discussion around remote work — which has dominated news headlines, Slack conversations and water-cooler chats since countries relaxed their Covid-19 guidelines — is only getting more contentious. Many workers wish to continue working remotely in some capacity, while insisting that leaders’ productivity concerns are unfounded. However, some high-profile executives have been vocal about their opposition. Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman declared that working remotely “is not an employee choice”.…

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
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Less Common Defenses to Patent Infringement

Intervening rights - Intervening rights stem from the inequities of a person obtaining a patent — and thus putting the public on notice as to a claimed invention — and then later changing the scope of the claimed invention through a reissue application. Whether the scope of the reissue patent is broader than the original patent, or narrower to avoid prior art, so long as the scope of the claims…

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Are your job offers turned down by candidates?

You met a great candidate, and you are really excited to possibly bring them on the team, so you make them an offer. But... They turned down your offer. You are wondering what went wrong and eventually, you might even tell yourself: “ It wasn’t meant to be”. The recruitment process has a lot of moving parts and a good chunk of those are not in our control: such as…

  • Post category:Finance Malta
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USA vs. Taiwan: Trading at the Price of Stability

Neither Washington nor Beijing are ready for sharp escalation at the moment. The Americans are looking forward to the presidential election in 2024, and China continues to experience economic problems. Nevertheless, the desire of the United States to prove its readiness to support Taiwan continues to increase the level of hard tension in this part of the planet, where, as it seemed earlier, a relatively stable status quo had developed, writes Roman Romanov. US President Joe Biden signed an executive order to launch the first phase of the…

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Designing wellness outcomes: Meet Codey Lyon

Codey Lyon is our newly appointed Technical Director, Health Sector Lead for our Buildings + Places business line in Victoria and South Australia. She brings a wealth of salutogenic health experience in designing supportive health environments and her design-focused approach, integrating her clinical and architectural backgrounds to embed engineering, is critical to achieving wellness outcomes in health projects. We sat down with Codey to get an insight into her passion…

  • Post category:AECOM Blog
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Generative AI can transform work – boosting productivity and democratizing innovation

  Generative AI could drive a wave of potential opportunities for the technology value stack, according to researchers from the Oxford Martin School.   Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the Oxford Martin School and report co-author, said, ‘Generative AI is a dual-edged sword that offers enormous potential to accelerate solutions to a number of the world’s greatest challenges, with new health cures, energy and innovation. But it also…

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The Push for Sustainability in the Luxury Retail Industry

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important consideration in all industries, it’s inevitable that luxury retail will also continue to experience increasing demand for more sustainable products and practices – particularly as a new market segment of younger and eco-conscious consumers, such as Gen Z and Millennials, begin to fuel the luxury retail market as they move into careers with more flexible income. In fact, last year Millennials and Gen Z…

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What you need to know about PFAS

Global awareness of the risks and liabilities associated with the use and persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been growing over the past two decades. In response, governments in Canada and elsewhere have been grappling with how to regulate these “forever chemicals.” As discussed in our prior article, Understanding PFAS in Canada: An emerging risk, PFAS are a group of over 4,700 synthetic chemicals characterized by a fluorinated…

  • Post category:BLG law firm
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UK – Moving to fixed price ROCs for electricity

Towards the end of the summer, the UK Government, the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive published a call for evidence outlining the case for transitioning to fixed price ROCs (also known as Renewables Obligation Certificates) in 2027. This is the first government policy document regarding fixed price ROCs since before the Energy Act 2013, over ten years ago. The topics raised by the call for evidence have the…

  • Post category:Gowling WLG
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5 Corporate Shortcomings for Newly Promoted Managers

If you’ve ever been promoted from the ranks of the worker bees to the lofty position of a manager, you know it’s like jumping into the deep end of the corporate swimming pool without knowing how to swim. It’s a thrilling, yet terrifying experience that can often leave you feeling like a fish out of water. And, to be honest, it’s not entirely your fault if you feel that way…

  • Post category:Civility Partners
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Chinese Companies must Reinvent Themselves to Drive Sustainable Growth

Accenture identifies five capabilities to accelerate the reinvention of Chinese companies  Beijing; Sept. 21, 2023 – The latest edition of Accenture’s (NYSE: ACN) China Digital Transformation Index shows that just 2% of Chinese companies are undertaking the holistic, continuous digital transformation steps needed to drive long term, sustainable growth. Samantha Zhu, chairperson of Accenture Greater China, said, “A convergence of external forces like technology innovation and shifting consumer preferences is…

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New technologies aid the fight against human trafficking

Until now, identifying charcoal camps believed to be using forced labor has been reliant on tips, many of which are anonymous. With an overwhelming number of tips to process simultaneously, prioritizing which leads to follow becomes a challenge for the authorities. “Tracking down the exact location of these sites can be extremely challenging, and it used to take days to pinpoint them,” Assis said. And even once a camp is…

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New Microsoft security tools to protect families and businesses

Today marks an exciting milestone in Microsoft’s AI journey. This morning, at an event in New York City, we made several major announcements to empower people across work and life—you can read more about Microsoft Bing and Edge with Copilot, what’s new from Microsoft 365 Copilot and Bing Chat Enterprise for work, Microsoft Designer and Copilot in Microsoft 365, Windows 11, and new Surface devices in Yusuf Medhi’s blog. These…

  • Post category:Microsoft
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SEC Continues Enforcing Against NFT Projects

Cyprus CEO summary: On September 13, 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a cease-and-desist order against Stoner Cats 2, LLC (SC2) for allegedly conducting an unregistered securities offering through the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) valued at $8.2 million. The NFTs were linked to a web-based animated series, and NFT holders received exclusive access to episodes and other benefits. The SEC considered these NFTs as investment contracts,…

  • Post category:Latham & Watkins
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Young people’s mental health deteriorated at greater rate during the pandemic

Cyprus CEO summary: Researchers at Oxford University's Department of Psychiatry conducted a study comparing the mental health of thousands of UK secondary school students who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and three lockdowns with a group assessed before the pandemic. Published in JAMA Network Open, the findings reveal that students during the pandemic faced increased depression, social and emotional difficulties, and worsened mental well-being compared to their pre-pandemic counterparts. Depression cases…

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The Desk Jockey’s Dilemma – Working from home has its pros and cons

In the age of remote work and digital connectivity, our workdays have become synonymous with long hours spent sitting at our home office desks. While the convenience of working from home has its perks, the sedentary nature of this lifestyle can take a toll on our health and well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s essential to stay active while working from home and share some easy ways…

  • Post category:Perficient
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Disaster Recovery Creates Its Own Bubble

The initial estimates of damage from the wildfire on Maui last month suggest it will cost $5.5 billion to rebuild just the town of Lahaina. But that is certain to be too low, and not just because construction costs in Hawaii are about 20% above the national average. When one house burns down, it's relatively simple to estimate the cost of building a new one. But the math on disaster…

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Suppressing negative thoughts may be good for mental health after all, study suggests

Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit trained 120 volunteers worldwide to suppress thoughts about negative events that worried them, and found that not only did these become less vivid, but that the participants’ mental health also improved. “We’re all familiar with the Freudian idea that if we suppress our feelings or thoughts, then these thoughts remain in our unconscious, influencing our behaviour and wellbeing…

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Millets: Rediscovering ancient grains for a sustainable and nutritious future

Millets, a diverse group of small-seeded grasses, have a long history of cultivation spanning centuries and have been a staple in the diets of various communities worldwide. These hardy crops offer numerous advantages, such as their adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions and their exceptional nutritional content. However, over the years, millets have experienced a decline in India for several reasons. The decline in millet consumption in India can be attributed…

  • Post category:Avalon Consulting
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How new model boosts supply and lowers prices for generic drugs

Cyprus CEO summary: Civica Rx, a nonprofit drug manufacturer formed by US health systems and philanthropic groups, has significantly improved drug supply security and reduced costs for 20 medications, according to a study in NEJM Catalyst. Civica's unique structural approach prioritizes access over profit and has proven effective in addressing generic drug shortages and high prices. It provides over 75 critical medications to US health systems and is governed by…

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Balancing democracy and meritocracy

Cyprus CEO Summary: In the late 1940s, a pivotal debate unfolded between Vannevar Bush and Harley Kilgore regarding science funding and education in America. Bush championed elite university labs and commercializing discoveries, while Kilgore advocated for broader scientific literacy and public officials setting research priorities. The National Science Foundation was established, mainly following Bush's arguments. However, during the pandemic, the importance of public scientific knowledge became evident, challenging Bush's vision.…

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Banking Cooperation between Iran and Russia – Capacities and Constrain

The banking and financial relations between Iran and Russia have developed significantly in recent years under the influence of several factors, which is unprecedented in the history of relations between the two countries, Vali Kaleji writes.  In his article, Dr. Vali Kaleji, a Tehran-based expert on Central Asia and Caucasian Studies, postulates that banking and financial relations between Iran and Russia have developed significantly in recent years, which is unprecedented…

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Surviving from Pandemic to Inflation: Strategies for Grocery Retailers in 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce grew drastically in several industries, with online grocery shopping becoming a popular option. Many customers sought to avoid in-person shopping altogether, so grocers began to offer curbside pick-up and delivery for customer purchases. As the impacts of the pandemic are now waning, digital grocery shopping sales are seeing a decline, and eCommerce grocery shopping recorded a 1.8% decline in the first 6 months of 2023…

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Defending short-term rentals against city regulation

Recently, the City of Quincy attempted to shut down a client’s ability to rent part of her home on Airbnb.  We defended the client in a hearing in July, and this week the court ruled against the City and in favor of our client. Many municipalities including Quincy have recently been tightening their regulation of short-term property rentals through services like Airbnb. On March 15, 2021, Quincy passed a zoning…

  • Post category:Rich May law firm
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7 useful tips to embrace the circular economy at home

Did you know the UK generates more than 220 million tonnes of waste a year? Of that waste, around 44% is recycled, but a large proportion goes to landfill. Read on to discover how embracing the circular economy could reduce waste. Not only is a huge amount of waste going to landfills, but the production of items could be costing precious resources too. The circular economy aims to provide a…

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Third Party Harassment and Relief for Employers

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill proposed to make employers liable for harassment of their employees by third parties, including sexual harassment.  However, the House of Lords recently amended the Bill to remove the proposed third party harassment provisions. Employers were concerned that they would be held wholly responsible by the courts over a third party’s conduct.  The Lords’ amendment has therefore come as relief to employers;…

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How the Hell Will the companies Behind ChatGPT, Bard, and LLaMA Make Money?

The dizzying explosion of generative artificial intelligence platforms has been the big business story of the past year, but how they’ll make money and how smart companies can use them wisely are the questions that will dominate the next 12 months. “Students and executives are no longer asking whether we should adopt AI—but rather, when and how to do so,” says Andy Wu, the Arjun and Minoo Melwani Family Associate…

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Major boost for Oxford University’s battery research

The Faraday Institution remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and invest in battery research initiatives that hold the greatest potential for making significant societal, environmental, and commercial contributions. This announcement signals the completion of our latest round of project refocusing, enabling us to allocate even more effort towards those areas of research that offer maximum potential in delivering transformative impact. Professor Pam Thomas, CEO, Faraday Institution. The Faraday Institution…

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A workforce of bees tracks pollution and boosts biodiversity, assisted by AI

When Karl Wenner looks at his farm on Upper Klamath Lake in the mountains of southern Oregon, he sees a landscape in transition. He and his partners converted part of their fields of barley into wetlands along the shore of the lake to filter runoff and protect the quality of the water that eventually flows back into the Klamath River, which empties into the Pacific on California’s coast. The project…

  • Post category:Microsoft
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Social media’s role in polarization

Polarization has become the defining feature of the U.S. political landscape, and a common refrain is that social media is to blame. Online echo chambers and filter bubbles spread misinformation, fuel extremism, and stoke antipathy toward those with different beliefs — so the thinking goes. Facebook, in particular, has come under fire for its role in spreading divisive content. Lawmakers have even weighed proposals to regulate the algorithms that determine…

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Fair Multipolarity: How to Ensure Security and Development for All. The 20th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club

The 20th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, titled “Fair Multipolarity: How to Ensure Security and Development for All” will be held in Sochi on October 2–5, 2023. The meeting will be attended by more than 130 experts, politicians and diplomats from 43 countries throughout Eurasia, Africa, North and South America. Traditionally, at the Annual Valdai Meeting, the majority of guests are foreign participants. In recent years, the reports of…

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In the Emergency Department, Patients from Marginalized Groups Are More Likely to be Bypassed in the Queue

Even in the best of times, a hospital emergency department (ED) is an environment of controlled chaos. Patients come in at irregular intervals with a wide range of symptoms, from a bloody finger to cardiac arrest. There’s only a limited number of rooms. Who gets to see the doctor first and who will have to wait, sometimes for hours? “The crowding in EDs is an increasing trend over the last…

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You should Design Your Marketing to Fit Your Company’s Growth Stage

An early-stage company requires a different organizational structure than a mature one. Marketing leaders must adapt their teams and strategies accordingly. Kimberly A. Whitler and Jonathan Metrick   Determining the optimal design of a department or function is a key aspect of organization design and one of the most important decisions C-level executives make. Organization design establishes the essential infrastructure that enables or hinders companies’ effective deployment of strategic decisions,…

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FCA Board Focuses on AI

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its latest board minutes highlighting its increasing focus on artificial intelligence (AI), in which it “raised the question of how one could ‘foresee harm’ (under the new Consumer Duty), and also give customers appropriate disclosure, in the context of the operation of AI”. This publication indicates that AI continues to be a key area of attention within the FCA. It also demonstrates…

  • Post category:Latham & Watkins
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The next wave could be Alternative-seafood solutions

Billions of people rely on healthy oceans as a source of jobs and food, and demand for fish protein is only increasing. Projections show growth of 14 percent by 2030 versus 2020 levels, driven by growing markets in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. That said, the amount of wild-caught seafood remains flat, with more than 85 percent of the world’s fisheries pushed to or beyond their limits. This means…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
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