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Microsoft open sources Retina, a cloud-native container networking observability platform

The Microsoft Azure Container Networking team is excited to announce Retina, a cloud-native container networking observability platform that enables Kubernetes users, admins, and developers to visualize, observe, debug, and analyze Kubernetes’ workload traffic irrespective of Container Network Interface (CNI), operating system (OS), and cloud. We are excited to release Retina as an open-source repository that helps with DevOps and SecOps related networking cases for your Kubernetes clusters and we invite…

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When It Comes to Climate Regulation, Energy Companies Take a More Nuanced View

Common wisdom holds that oil and gas companies, electric utilities, and other industries known for their large carbon emissions generally oppose clean energy policies. Now, a study of corporate advocacy spanning 30 years reveals that many companies are more flexible than previously thought. When confronted with political, policy, and market conditions that necessitate change, well-known companies like Duke Energy, Exelon, and Dominion Resources have in fact supported climate-friendly regulation when…

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Why We Need Co-Conspirators

In our day-to-day work at the Tuck Initiative on Workplace Inclusion, we speak with a lot of leaders across industries about just how much the modern workplace has changed in the past few years. Whether it’s a conversation about return-to-office policies, “quiet quitting,” the impact of generative AI, or employee burnout, it’s clear that leaders are navigating a lot that’s new. But for us, we’re deeply invested in a truly…

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Customer Data Can Reveal Revenue Fraud at Supplier Firms

Revenue fraud—when a company artificially inflates its revenue to meet investors’ expectations—can wreak havoc on financial markets, which rely on accurate information to function properly. In recent years, scholars have attempted to improve fraud detection methods by using machine learning, statistics, and even vocal emotion analysis software, which analyzes the speech of corporate executives on earnings calls. Yale School of Management Professor X. Frank Zhang and two co-authors have a…

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Cooley Recognized for Three Deals of the Year in China

Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai – March 19, 2024 – Cooley was honored for its work on three Deals of the Year in 2023 by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ). The publication noted the firm for deals across three practice areas – including mergers & acquisitions, private equity financing, and life sciences partnering and licensing. Each year, CBLJ recognizes the best Chinese and international law firms in various practice area…

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Taxes in the Age of Chatbots

ChatGPT, a language program based on artificial intelligence, is currently causing quite a stir. The software delivers answers, poems or programming codes in the blink of an eye. It stands for a new type of hardware and software that not only replace humans in simple tasks but can also increasingly take over complex activities such as writing high-quality text (excluding this one, of course). In unprecedented fashion we are being…

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Embrace agility in subscription business to boost customer lifetime value

In part six of our Drive to Subscribe series, we look at the benefits of incorporating agility in subscription business models and how to do so.In today’s digital age, the subscription economy is booming. Digital subscription companies boast a market cap of $14 trillion and the markets are continuously growing. The subscription box market will reach $105.4 billion by 2032, eCommerce subscriptions are set to reach $904 Billion by 2026…

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3 Organizations that are Combating Technology-Facilitated Abuse

The reach of technology is astonishingly broad. It’s awesome how it brings us all closer, but when it’s not handled well, it can cause some serious problems too. From monitoring phone conversations to tracking someone’s every move through GPS, access to emails, texts, and even altering messages in transit, technology can be quite invasive. Moreover, technology can go as far as activating webcams on personal devices or turning on cell…

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Better together: Process and task mining, a powerful AI combo

How do you create a superior customer experience while also improving cost efficiency, productivity, and employee experience? The tension between service and cost is a perennial challenge for organizations, and it becomes particularly acute during periods of economic uncertainty. Many companies are finding themselves in such a period right now. But today’s business leaders have advantages that their predecessors did not. The rapid evolution of AI technologies has redefined operational…

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Beyond Narcissism: How Leaders Can Avoid the Hubris Trap

Throughout history, leaders have been seduced by success, leading them down a path of hubris. This ancient Greek term, literally translating to "excess", describes a state of exaggerated self-belief andarrogance.An extreme example is Xerxes, king of the Persian Empire. Feeling invincible from past triumphs, Xerxes sought to conquer Greece. However, when a storm destroyed his bridge across the Hellespont, derailing his plans, he reacted outlandishly. Xerxes had the engineers who built…

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The human side of generative AI: Creating a path to productivity

Ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT exploded into public view in late 2022, the possibilities of generative AI (gen AI) have captured imaginations throughout the business world. When it comes to crafting an effective talent strategy, organizations have focused mostly on how gen AI can increase productivity levels. This is understandable, given the trillions in value at stake. However, it may not be the most strategic approach. To match the right talent…

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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 of a travel policy technicality — led to my own first “raindrop.” That term is unique to AT&T, but the…

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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 to make sense of norms new-to-him. Quickly he learned that cultural stereotypes didn’t offer much wisdom, as he experienced a…

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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 Act and the subsequent Supreme Court caselaw that interpreted it. The main question the DoJ needed to answer was whether…

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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 images of authority, strength, and unwavering confidence. However, things are changing. Vulnerability, previously avoided in leadership circles, is now being…

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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 Payment Task Force (BPTF) needs to prepare a report on payment mechanisms, including those based on cross-border payment systems. The…

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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, is contributing to employers’ perception that they must compete for talent by offering not only financial inducements, but different working…

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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 viable options, how do you know which approach is best for tracing ill-gotten gains? Jordan Sandberg JordanSandberg@hka.com I worked on…

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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 intelligence, including more than 78 trillion security signals processed by Microsoft each day, and coupled with large language models to…

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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 guiding lights, especially when one core value resonates deeply within.  But what happens when the reality within those walls seems…

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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 re-exportation for use in Russia of certain goods when exporting, selling, supplying or transferring those goods from the EU to…

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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 that entails depends on which country one is in. The result is a debate that is confused and pulls in…

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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 has become easier for enterprises to analyze every customer interaction and derive actionable insights from these interactions. Azure AI Build…

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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 fast. The primary advocate for this decision — and the biggest beneficiary — is Spotify, a company based in Stockholm,…

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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 to overlap with post-war reconstruction, increasing the EU's influence in fostering Ukraine’s institutional development. Ukrainian leaders will have strong incentives…

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  • Reading time:63 mins read
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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 your workplace. Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. Have you ever pondered the true cost of your organization’s culture? Does…

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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 with a continued recovery of the services sector—particularly tourism—and early signs of improvement in exports demand supported growth. The view…

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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 framework may impose additional compliance, implementation, and operational challenges on ESOs and WEREs/WERTs while impacting their ability to recruit and…

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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 for major challenges.  The themes of the summit included government acceleration and transformation, AI, economic development, sustainability, and global health.…

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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 and can be addressed wisely—or poorly—says Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Christina Wing, whose forthcoming book Unspeakable offers advice for…

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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 in the catering sector, Big Food Catering Industries – Ristorazione e Fast Food, filed an application for registration of the…

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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 Rust Belt. The widening chasm between richer and poorer regions has motivated policymakers in multiple countries to offer incentives, like…

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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 this series subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images What is the purpose of business, and what is…

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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 April 2022 to limit DEI in education and employment. The Eleventh Circuit rejected arguments that the law sought to stop…

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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 and your students to achieve your goals.  We’ll highlight some of the most recent updates from Microsoft Education that will…

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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. However, as handy as data scraping can be, it treads a fine line within the complex web of European legal…

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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 micromanaging, aggressive communication, threats, and more. However, research indicates that toxicity is more accurately attributed to specific behaviors than to…

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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 either Black or Latino residents experience even three-quarters the average overall well-being of their White neighbors, although Latino–White disparities are…

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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 the system of international relations and understand how much their freedom of action has expanded. “Older” countries, feeling that the…

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