From virtual snowstorms to golden locker boxes, today’s thriving stores feature experiences shoppers can’t get online. Consider five successful tactics. Rob Angell May 02, 2024 Reading Time: 9 min Neil Webb/Ikon Images Many retailers with physical stores have felt as if they have been fighting for their lives during the past decade. A constant stream of media and industry analysis has poured cold water on the retail channel, documenting how…
Quick Hits Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS service centers stopped accepting paper-filed I-129 petitions requesting H-1B and H-1B1 classification, instead requiring petitioners to file at designated lockbox facilities. As a result, the filing volume at USCIS lockboxes has increased, and USCIS has now confirmed that it is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices. Employers may wish to consider these delays when preparing time-sensitive filings that require a receipt notice for…
Get ready for the pinnacle of startup innovation as the Imagine Cup World Championship unfolds live at Microsoft Build on May 21! Three outstanding startups from across the globe are poised to showcase their AI-solutions on the global stage, vying for the coveted title and a chance to win USD100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella. Since the start of the 2024 season back in…
Howie and Harlan discuss health and healthcare headlines. From flatlining telehealth to Walmart closing retail clinics to months-long waits for healthcare appointments, they try to untangle the challenges in delivering healthcare. Also considered, H5N1 bird flu increasing the risks of drinking unpasteurized milk, promising research on open-source moderation of misinformation on social media. Links: Yale Repertory Theater | The Far Country CDC | H5N1 “US bird flu outbreak spreads to…
On May 14–15, 2024, the Valdai Club will hold its fourth annual Central Asian conference, titled “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World”. Programme of the 4th Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club “Russia and Central Asia: Development and Security in a Changing World” Ufa, May 14–15, 2024 Attention! The time specified in the programme is local (GMT +5) May 14, Tuesday …
In this episode of Nevermind the Pain Points, host Sophie Brazell-Ng and guest experts Sarah Partridge and Dr. Kristina Curtis explore the critical role that coaches play in unlocking the full potential of leaders. Tune in to discover how coaching can be your ally in navigating challenges, identifying your strengths, and steering your career towards success.Listen here or read on for an edited transcript. Sophie Brazell-Ng: Welcome back, everybody. Hello.…
Star Wars Day on 4 May is a celebration of the legendary sci-fi saga that has been capturing audience imaginations since the release of Star Wars (later called A New Hope) in 1977. The film launched one of the biggest franchises in history, spanning 12 films and nine TV series, as well as countless books, comics, and video games. Generations of fans enjoy the galactic adventures of iconic characters including…
2 May 2024By Claudio Bassi, Markus Behn, Michael Grill, Massimo Libertucci, Pär Torstensson and Peter WelzSome banks reduce balance sheet items around reporting dates. Such “window dressing” camouflages the true risks of a bank, impairs markets as well as bank resilience and supervision. The ECB Blog looks at how regulators and supervisors are taking action. Banks commonly report and disclose financial information and regulatory metrics at the end of every…
Finding and keeping great employees can be tough for companies all over. With changes in employee expectations, advancements in technology, and shifts in the job market, it’s a real challenge. In 2019, a whopping 42 million U.S. workers alone said “so long” to their jobs voluntarily. Yep, you read that right – 42 million! It’s a staggering number that highlights the magnitude of the challenge companies face in retaining their…
Aggressive Israeli policy, the desecration of Islamic holy sites in Palestine by Israeli fanatics, and the unlimited support provided by successive US administrations give individuals, organisations, and even states in the region a justification to engage in activities that threaten its security and peace, writes Saleh Muhammad Al-Khathlan, Professor of Political Science and Senior Advisor at the Gulf Research Center, Saudi Arabia. The recent confrontation between Israel and Iran reaffirms…
Disasters can act as brutal audits of organisations to which even veritable institutions like Boeing are no exception. In the wake of two fatal crashes as well as a mid-flight door blowout, Boeing has shaken up its C-suite and pledged to prioritise safety over profit. Will these measures solve its problems? We address this question in the context of operations, safety and organisational economics.Drawing on a wide body of research and…
A new artificial intelligence model helps physicians and nurses work together at Stanford Hospital to boost patient care. - By Hanae Armitage An artificial intelligence model in use at Stanford Hospital helps physicians and nurses know when a patient may be in decline, so they can act quickly to keep them out of the intensive care unit. vachcameraman - stock.adobe.com With large language models that take notes during patient visits and algorithms…
Research Feature What do CEOs who led through a serious cyberattack regret? Use this guide to learn from their experiences and take smarter actions before, during, and after an attack. Manuel Hepfer, Rashmy Chatterjee, and Michael Smets May 01, 2024 Reading Time: 13 min Michael Glenwood Gibbs/theispot.com On May 7, 2021, executives at Colonial Pipeline discovered that cybercriminals had launched a ransomware attack on its IT systems. To prevent the…
Quick Hits Restrictions on contact have been modified to eliminate mutual no-contact orders as the default. Supportive measure decisions are appealable. Procedures for emergency removal of a student respondent and placement of an employee respondent on administrative leave have been clarified. The final regulations take effect on August 1, 2024. § 106.44—Recipients’ Duty to Address Sex Discrimination Knowledge and Notice Section 106.44 provides specific requirements for the institution’s response to…
Kate Hawkins: Hi, it is Kate Hawkins, a principal associate in the advertising law team at Gowling WLG. One topic that I discussed in the recent AD LAW seminar was online choice architecture and the regulation of pressured selling techniques in an online environment such as countdown timers and " act fast " messaging or dark patterns as they are sometimes called. It also touched on free trials and subscriptions,…
This commentary originally appeared in Chief Executive. From the 1960s through the 1970s, AT&T advertised its long-distance service as “the next best thing to being there,” suggesting phone calls were a good substitute for seeing family members in person—but that might not work for the boss. Virtual meetings that save travel costs and provide visibility for CEOs of vast enterprises who can’t be everywhere at once are necessary but no…
Confidence, or rather a lack thereof, is reflected throughout the economy: in retail sales (up 5.5% year on year in February, falling short of the consensus), private investment, imports (down 8.2% in February) and, above all, real estate indicators. Real estate is the main focus of concern: far from improving, key variables like housing starts, square footage sold and new construction have all deteriorated further in the early part of…
Data classification and grading is an obligation that each data handler must comply with under the Chinese data protection laws. Data handlers have been waiting for clear requirements and standards on how to carry out the relevant work. The newly published national standard GB/T 43697-2024 Data Security Technology – Rules for Data Classification and Grading sheds light in this area. Basic rules As a general principle, sectoral authorities shall publish…
Topics Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy The Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy initiative explores the growing use of artificial intelligence in the business landscape. The exploration looks specifically at how AI is affecting the development and execution of strategy in organizations. In collaboration with More in this series Get updates by email Please enter a valid email address Thank you for signing up Privacy Policy Actor Tye Sheridan may not…
Seyfarth Synopsis: In Mobley v. Workday, the EEOC filed an amicus brief supporting a class-action plaintiff's theory that a Human Resources software company could be directly liable for employment discrimination allegedly caused by the vendor's artificial intelligence tool under theories that the organization was acting as an employment agency, indirect employer, or agent of the employer. Employers, HR vendors and service providers, and AI developers should take note because even…
Quick Hits The EEOC issued a final version of new guidance for employers clarifying its positions on the applications of federal laws prohibiting harassment and retaliation. The new guidance is the first update to the EEOC’s workplace harassment guidance since 1999 and incorporates several new developments in the law and modern workforces. Key to the new guidance is that it recognizes unlawful harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals and addresses workplace protections…
Each May in the United States, we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, taking the time to reflect on the experiences and contributions of the AANHPI community. Schools nationwide greet the faces of AANHPI students every day, embodying the rich diversity and cultural tapestry of our classrooms. In fact, every county in the United States has an AANHPI presence. The Pew Research Center projects the…
In the 1990s, when Harvard Business School Professor Lynn S. Paine was researching and writing about examples of corporate misconduct, she hoped more businesses would take decisive action to root out fraud and other unethical behavior.Many companies have since formed ethics and compliance programs designed to boost responsibility, yet corporate misconduct has persisted—and in many ways worsened, often to the tune of billions of dollars in losses. Perhaps that’s because…
An unrestricted, no-strings attached approach to philanthropic giving is growing in popularity in Asia - and Hong Kong is at the forefront, says Dorothy Chan. ESG in banking
Ready, Set… Go Circular!In the ever-evolving landscape of commerce, businesses are increasingly pivoting towards sustainable practices. Among the myriad of strategies, subscription-based models (SBMs) have emerged as a beacon of sustainable innovation. These models enable organisations to participate in the Circular Economy, where products are purposely designed to be better reused, refurbished and repurposed, thus decreasing the impact on our landfills and reducing energy and material usage. By intertwining convenience,…
Quick Hits DHS announced relaxed employment authorization standards for Ethiopian and Palestinian F-1 students who are eligible for work authorization. During the school year, work-authorized Ethiopian and Palestinian F-1 students may increase the number of hours worked and reduce their school course load. Students who utilize this benefit will still be maintaining their status despite not having a “full course of study.” On April 12, 2024, Secretary of Homeland Security…
By working together, the BRICS+ nations have shown that multipolarity can work, notwithstanding differences amongst them. This has been achieved while those adhering and aligning with unipolar efforts at enforcing homogeneity flounder amid the realities of an international political economy in flux. The global CoVID-19 pandemic and vaccine apartheid showed the world that the current hegemonic forces in world affairs are only interested in their own interests, and that the…
Topics Innovation Disruption Column Our expert columnists offer opinion and analysis on important issues facing modern businesses and managers. More in this series subscribe-icon Subscribe Share Paolo Beghini/Ikon Images On his office door, Clayton Christensen — who at one point I called my teacher, mentor, boss, colleague, coauthor, and, most importantly, friend — had a handcrafted sign saying, “Anomalies Wanted.” Like a good scientist, Christensen believed that the things you…
Quick Hits The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that a retailer’s commission-based compensation plan violated the Massachusetts Wage Act by paying commission-based sales employees their overtime and Sunday premium pay out of their earned commissions. The retailer used a compensation plan that functioned like an advance on sales employees’ future commissions, with sales employees being paid three different types of advances and charged with a “negative…
Over the last year, we’ve seen how Microsoft Copilot is transforming how people interact with the web. It’s influencing behavioral shifts that are reshaping how businesses of all sizes connect with their audiences. People are making purchase decisions faster, reducing the journey from nearly 30 days to just over 20 when using Microsoft Copilot. In addition, one of our unique ad formats in chat, multimedia ads, has seen triple the…
(Illustration created using image generated by Midjourney, an artificial intelligence tool.)Last month, I posted a column in HBS Working Knowledge titled, “What’s Enough to Make Us Happy?” Over the last few months, I’ve been asking myself the same question: “What’s enough?” My answer, as it turns out: Twenty-four years and 287 columns on a variety of management-related topics, my record as of this month. This month marks my last column…
Global minimum tax, unresolved relations with the EU, shortage of qualified personnel, the banking crisis: the risks for Switzerland as a business location seem countless. For years, there have been warnings of a deterioration of framework conditions – even Avenir Suisse occasionally joined in. But what is the real state of Switzerland’s competitiveness and quality as a business location? In this regard, rankings comparing countries are an important source of…
Following the threat of significantly larger penalties since 2018 (the enhanced fines under the General Data Protection Regulation as compared to the legislation that went before), companies have asked us time and time again, “what is my financial risk for data protection non-compliance in the UK?” The publication of the Information Commissioner Office’s new fining guidance offers some clarity on this question; including a published methodology the ICO will use…
New research by INSEAD faculty explores the potential downsides of anti-corruption efforts and the various ways incumbent firms successfully defend themselves against new technologies that could displace them. Another paper examines how job candidates self-censor when negotiating pay at firms that frame the work in terms of its social impact. Other published articles delve into the impact of short-term-oriented data on financial forecasting, and what happens when entrepreneurs use scientific approaches.1.…
Our firm receives dozens of calls from small public companies that have been misled by rogue advisors claiming they do restructurings, debt remediation and turnarounds. We won’t name who the advisors are here, but these names may find their way into lawsuits filed in federal courts soon. Many small public companies trading on the OTC Markets that carry convertible and other debt are easily baited by groups offering to resolve…
The hospitality, gaming, and leisure industries encompass diverse businesses such as hotels, resorts, casinos, theme parks, and entertainment venues. Companies in hospitality, gaming, and leisure face various challenges, including fluctuating consumer demand, competitive pressures, regulatory requirements, and operational complexities. Navigating these challenges requires strategic planning, innovation, and operational excellence. Management consultants play an essential role in supporting companies in the hospitality, gaming, and leisure sectors by providing industry expertise, strategic…
On April 23, 2024, the FTC announced its Final Non-Compete Clause Rule (“Final Rule”), which bans post-employment non-compete clauses between employers and their workers. The Final Rule becomes effective 120 days after being published in the Federal Register (Effective Date).[1] As of the date of this paper, the Final Rule has not been published in the Federal Register. Key Provisions Scope: The Final Rule prohibits an employer from entering into,…
The swift rise of generative AI is reshaping how schools approach creation, problem-solving, learning, and communication. Your schools are in a pivotal moment when critical thinking and metacognitive skills are more important than ever as new technology develops.As we continue to learn, Microsoft believes it is important to share our early findings from our AI in Education Report. In this report, we highlight insights from our research, as well as…
Dr. Hon Pak, SVP and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics sat down with Samsung Health Advisory Board members in early spring 2024 at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul to discuss the future of health and how wearables powered by AI will play a big role in driving the industry forward. Dr. Michael Blum, M.D., CEO and co-founder of medical analysis platform, BeeKeeper AI, former…
On April 18, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) released further guidance regarding to Corporate Transparency Act compliance (CTA) by updating and expanding the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule (FAQs). Importantly, the updates provide insight on BO access by foreign governments, law enforcement and financial institutes. 1. Understanding Beneficial Ownership Reporting A beneficial owner is an individual who either…