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Tag: innovation

  • Britain’s got some of Europe’s toughest surveillance laws. Now it wants more

    Britain’s got some of Europe’s toughest surveillance laws. Now it wants more

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    LONDON — The U.K. already has some of the most far-reaching surveillance laws in the democratic world. Now it’s rushing to beef them up even further — and tech firms are spooked.

    Britain’s government wants to build on its landmark Investigatory Powers Act, a controversial piece of legislation dubbed the “snooper’s charter” by critics when introduced back in 2016.

    That law — introduced in the wake of whistleblower Edward Snowden’s revelations of mass state surveillance — attempted to introduce more accountability into the U.K. intelligence agencies’ sprawling snooping regime by formalizing wide-ranging powers to intercept emails, texts, web history and more.

    Now new legislation is triggering a fresh outcry among both industry execs and privacy campaigners — who say it could hobble efforts to protect user privacy.

    Industry body TechUK has written to Home Secretary James Cleverly airing its complaints. The group’s letter warns that the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill threatens technological innovation; undermines the sovereignty of other nations; and could unleash dire consequences if it sets off a domino effect overseas.

    Tech companies are most concerned by a change that would allow the Home Office to issue notices preventing them from making technical updates that might impede information-sharing with U.K. intelligence agencies. 

    TechUK argues that, combined with pre-existing powers, the changes would “grant a de facto power to indefinitely veto companies from making changes to their products and services offered in the U.K.” 

    “Using this power, the government could prevent the implementation of new end-to-end encryption, or stop developers from patching vulnerabilities in code that the government or their partners would like to exploit,” Meredith Whittaker, president of secure messaging app Signal, told POLITICO when the bill was first unveiled. 

    The Home Office, Britain’s interior ministry, remains adamant it’s a technical and procedural set of tweaks. Home Office Minister Andrew Sharpe said at the bill’s committee stage in the House of Lords that the law was “not going to … ban end-to-end encryption or introduce a veto power for the secretary of state … contrary to what some are incorrectly speculating.”

    “We have always been clear that we support technological innovation and private and secure communications technologies, including end-to-end encryption,” a government spokesperson said. “But this cannot come at a cost to public safety, and it is critical that decisions are taken by those with democratic accountability.”

    Encryption threat

    Despite the protestations of industry and campaigners, the British government is whisking the bill through parliament at breakneck speed — risking the ire of lawmakers.

    Ministers have so far blocked efforts’ to refine the bill in the House of Lords, the U.K.’s upper chamber. But there are more opportunities to contest the legislation coming and industry is already making appeals to MPs in the hopes of paring it back in the House of Commons.

    Some companies including Apple have threatened to pull their services from the UK if asked to undermine encryption under Britain’s laws | Feline Lim/Getty Images

    “We stress the critical need for adequate time to thoroughly discuss these changes, highlighting that rigorous scrutiny is essential given the international precedent they will set and their very serious impacts,” the TechUK letter states.

    The backdrop to the row is the fraught debate on encryption that unfolded during the passage of the earlier Online Safety Act, which companies and campaigners argued could compel companies to break encryption in the name of online safety. 

    The bill ultimately said that the government can call for the implementation of this technology when it’s “technically feasible” and simultaneously preserves privacy. 

    Apple, WhatsApp and Signal have threatened to pull their services from the U.K. if asked to undermine encryption under U.K. laws. 

    Since the Online Safety Act passed in November, Meta announced that it had begun its rollout of end-to-end encryption on its Messenger service.

    In response, Cleverly issued a statement saying he was “disappointed” that the company had gone ahead with the move despite repeated government warnings that it would make identifying child abusers on the platform more difficult. 

    Critics see a pincer movement. “Taken together, it appears that the Online Safety Bill’s Clause 122 is intended to undermine existing encryption, while the updates to the IPA are intended to block further rollouts of encryption,” said Whittaker.  

    Beyond encryption 

    In addition to the notice regime, rights campaigners are worried that the bill allows for the more permissive use of bulk data where there are “low or no” expectations of privacy, for wide-ranging purposes including training AI models.

    Lib Dem peer Christopher Fox argued in the House of Lords that this “creates an essentially new and essentially undefined category of information” which marks “a departure from existing privacy law,” notably the Data Protection Act.

    Director of campaign group Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo, also has issues with the newly invented category. With CCTV footage or social media posts for example, people may not have an expectation of privacy, “[but] that’s not the point, the point is that that data taken together and processed in a certain way, can be incredibly intrusive.”

    Big Brother Watch is also concerned about how the bill deals with internet connection records — i.e. web logs for individuals for the last 12 months. These can currently be obtained by agencies when specific criteria is known, like the person of interest’s identity. Changes to the bill would broaden this for the purpose of “target discovery,” which Big Brother Watch characterizes as “generalized surveillance.”  

    Members of the House of Lords are also worried about the bill’s proposal to expand the number of people who can sanction spying on parliamentarians themselves. Right now, this requires the PM’s sign-off, but under the bill, the PM would be able to designate deputies for when he is not “available.” The change was inspired by the period in which former PM Boris Johnson was incapacitated with COVID-19.

    The bill will return to the House of Lords on January 23, before heading to the House of Commons to be debated by MPs | Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

    “The purpose of this bill is to give the intelligence agencies a bit of extra agility at the margins, where the existing Rolls Royce regime is proving a bit clunky and bureaucratic,” argues David Anderson, crossbench peer and author of a review that served as a blueprint for the bill. “If you start throwing in too many safeguards, you will negate that purpose, and you will not solve the problem that bill is addressing.” 

    Anderson proposed the changes relating to spying on MPs and peers are necessary “if the prime minister has got COVID, or if they’re in a foreign country where they have no access to secure communications.” 

    This could even apply in cases where there’s a conflict of interest because spies want to snoop on the PM’s relatives or the PM himself, he added.

    Amendments proposed by peers at the committee stage were uniformly rejected by the government. 

    The bill will return to the House of Lords for the next stage of the legislative process on January 23, before heading to the House of Commons to be debated by MPs.

    “Our overarching concern is that the significance of the proposed changes to the notices regime are presented by the Home Office as minor adjustments and as such are being downplayed,” reads the TechUK letter.

    “What we’re seeing across these different bills is a continual edging further towards … turning private tech companies into arms of a surveillance state,” says Carlo.

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    Laurie Clarke

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  • 5 major education trends in 2023

    5 major education trends in 2023

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    Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on equity, edtech innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year’s no. 1 most-read story focuses on some of the biggest education trends from 2023.

    With the start of a new year and education conference season just beginning, educators and industry leaders are discovering the biggest education trends for 2023. The past few years have seen a significant transformation for education and edtech, and 2023 will continue to bring new ideas and emerging technologies.

    This year, schools are placing a focus on supporting students’ individual needs and recovering pandemic learning loss. Because of this, we will see an increase in edtech to support learning, better accommodations for students, a focus on wellbeing, and new approaches to teaching that engage with students’ interests and future careers.

    Here are five of the biggest education trends for 2023:

    1. Social and Emotional Wellbeing

    The pandemic prompted the need for a stronger focus on supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of students and teachers alike. As we rebound from the academic, emotional, and community challenges that arose during the pandemic, schools will need to ensure they’re offering the support and resources that students and teachers need.

    Children and teens are currently experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts than before the pandemic, and the academic and emotional pressures that come with recovering pandemic learning loss continue to affect student wellbeing. In 2023, we will see schools working to improve mental health programs, provide new academic support systems and resources for students, and implement technologies and programs focused on social-emotional learning and student wellbeing.

    Teachers are struggling too: The demands of teaching have led to high rates of teacher stress and anxiety, and K-12 educators have the highest burnout rate of any profession in the U.S. To support teacher wellbeing and retain valuable, talented educators, schools will embrace new ways improve teachers’ work-life balance and wellbeing, including implementing new edtech tools, offering mental health resources, or even redesigning school spaces to better support educators in the classroom.

    2. Personalized and Self-Led Learning

    Personalized learning is by no means a new education trend, but learning models focused on an individualized or personalized approach will continue to evolve in 2023. Learning gaps widened during the pandemic, and as students continue to work to recover this learning, they will benefit from individualized learning opportunities. Schools will continue to provide struggling students with tutoring services, while advanced students will find new learning opportunities through online courses or internships outside the classroom.

    Self-led, active learning will also see a rise as teachers enable students to work at their own pace and make more decisions about their learning––from what types of assignments they complete to how they want to work in the classroom. We expect this to motivate schools to create more flexible, active learning spaces that can be modified to fit a wide variety of learning needs. This will include the addition of modular pieces, tech-enabled learning areas, and a variety of different seating options to ensure student comfort and encourage movement.

    3. Game-Based Learning and Esports

    Ninety-seven percent of adolescents play at least one hour of video games per day, so bringing games into the classroom is intuitive for students. Gamified learning motivates students to engage with educational content in a different way, keeping students excited about their progress and helping to synthesize learning. Bringing games into the classroom also gives students an opportunity to explore social-emotional principles, increasing their adaptability and communication and improving their ability to work with others.

    In the past several years, schools have also seen an increase in esports team participation. In 2023, we expect this trend to continue, with schools investing more resources into building esports teams and creating comprehensive esports spaces where teams can gather, practice, and compete. Evidence shows that academic esports benefits students’ overall academic performance and social emotional learning. Plus, students who are successful in esports competitions earn significant opportunities for college and scholarships.

    4. Microlearning and Nano-Learning

    “Microlearning,” or “nano-learning,” is a learning approach that has been successfully used in corporate training for a while, but it’s expected to really emerge in K-12 education in 2023. This bite-sized learning technique targets small chunks of learning content, which are presented to students in short, easily digestible tutorials or mini-lessons. Lessons focus on repetition of the same concepts spaced out over time, with the goal of increased retention.

    The rapid growth of short-form video content like TikTok and Instagram Reels has illuminated the possibilities of using microlearning to engage students. Students are already turning to TikTok for homework help, which can expose them to new ideas and topics, but also opens students up to potential misinformation. Microlearning emerging as a K-12 education trend will enable teachers to better curate the bite-sized content students seek out for their learning, providing them with engaging content that breaks down complex topics into less intimidating chunks.

    5. AR, VR, and AI

    Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are all projected to become more prevalent as educational tools and resources in 2023. These technologies will be working behind the scenes in some of the ways they will benefit education, such as AI being used to target students’ learning through edtech tools and platforms.

    In other applications, AR, VR, and AI will be used directly by students. Students will participate in VR and AR experiences, gaining access to more immersive learning experiences through these tools. With easy-to-use AI art generators becoming more popular, they may use AI in creative endeavors. There are also AI programs available to help students find quality resources for research assignments, help them refine their writing, explain complex math problems, and more. When students graduate, they will encounter and use these technologies in college and their careers, so early exposure will prove beneficial.

    We anticipate that this year will be exciting as new education trends transform learning in classrooms far and wide.

    Related:
    37 predictions about edtech’s impact in 2023
    4 thought-provoking videos about education
    For more news on edtech trends, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching page

    Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)

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    Dr. Christina Counts, Vice President of Education, MiEN Company

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  • Why Embracing Change Elevates Business Success | Entrepreneur

    Why Embracing Change Elevates Business Success | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    If you haven’t noticed, industries and the world at large are experiencing some pretty substantial changes as of late. Notably, innovation in artificial intelligence, massive shifts in the employment sector, and the continuing move toward sustainability have all impacted the way we run and grow our companies — and I am not just referring to the big guys. Even smaller organizations are modifying the definition of business as usual, as an unwillingness to do so could eventually threaten their very existence.

    This isn’t just rhetoric. Refusal or resistance to change can be devastating to both businesses and individuals. Perhaps this is best illustrated by a cover story titled “Change or Die,” published by Fast Company magazine nearly 20 years ago. The article chronicled a 2004 IBM conference speech by Dr. Edward Miller, the CEO and Dean of Medicine at John Hopkins at the time.

    It appears Miller shocked the audience when he shared just how many heart patients possess a destructive resistance to change. He claimed that of the nearly two million bypasses and angioplasties performed each year in the U.S., lives were rarely substantially prolonged. Miller said that half the bypasses were clogged again within a few years, and the angioplasties failed in as little as a few months. Why? He explained that even though the surgeries were traumatizing and expensive — and the stakes were extraordinarily high — many post-op heart patients simply refused to modify their unhealthy routines.

    “If you look at people after coronary-artery bypass grafting two years later, 90% of them have not changed their lifestyle. And that’s been studied over and over and over again,” Miller said. “Even though they know they have a very bad disease and they know they should change their lifestyle, for whatever reason, they can’t.”

    While Miller’s insight is jarring, it is honestly not surprising. Even in the most critical of circumstances, change can be very hard.

    So what is the difference between those who are able to implement healthy, positive change in their lives and their businesses and those who can’t? The answer might surprise you.

    Related: Why Employee Accountability is the Holy Grail of Every Successful Business

    The real catalyst for change

    Many people fear change. Or, at the very least, they fight it tooth and nail. According to renowned author and Harvard Business School Professor John P. Kotter, this resistance is generally due to one of four factors: a fear of losing something of value, a misunderstanding of the change and its implications, a belief that the change doesn’t make sense, or simply an overall low tolerance for change.

    Kotter posed that the ability to adapt is not solely based on building a proper strategy, structure, culture or systems. Instead, he posed that successful change is more specifically based on focusing on and altering behavior. We all know this is not as simple as it sounds, but there is hope. You see, Kotter explained that the key to behavioral change — in yourself, your leadership team, and your organization — is to tie the desired outcome to each participant’s feelings. The concept is rather straightforward. Emotional support and connection foster transformative action in just about everybody.

    Inspiring change in your business

    Let’s talk about your business. Ultimately, successful change in your organization begins by properly framing an issue in a way that connects with you and your team and motivates you all on a psychological level. Your message of change needs to be positive. It needs to be inspiring, and it needs to resonate. When presented with the need for change, it is also essential that those involved are provided with an appropriate support structure. The likelihood of successful change increases exponentially when people are surrounded by constructive feedback, encouragement, and the comradery of others rather than simply mandated actions.

    Related: 15 Strategies to Help Leaders Overcome Resistance to Change

    The power of your peers

    As an entrepreneur, your ability to change and adapt is arguably the single most important contributor to long-term success. Stagnant businesses simply can’t flourish, grow or (like those heart patients unwilling to modify their habits) survive. Ask yourself, how receptive are you to transformation in yourself, your processes, and your entire organization?

    Now is the time to evolve as a business owner. Start with an unwavering desire for continuous improvement. The next step is finding that emotional connection and the people or groups who can support you on your journey of change. For business leaders, these relationships are often found outside of one’s own company in the form of peer advisory boards or mastermind groups. Peer advisory boards provide business owners with the requisite support and emotional connection that act as catalysts for forward progress and even innovation.

    As the president and CEO of such an organization, I get to witness the transformative power of connection all the time. It is truly amazing to see what can happen between owners and executives who care about each other’s welfare and respect, support and elevate each other on their paths to transformation.

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    Jason Zickerman

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  • How Small Businesses Can Still Create Jobs Despite Inflation and Rising Interest Rates | Entrepreneur

    How Small Businesses Can Still Create Jobs Despite Inflation and Rising Interest Rates | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I’ve been fortunate to work with small businesses for more than a decade and have seen firsthand the impact they have on those around them — from the people they employ, the communities they serve and how they fuel our overall economy. One such small business (and, disclaimer, a QuickBooks customer) is High Five Events in Austin, Texas. High Five Events started with one small event and has since built a team that puts on large, key events like the Austin Marathon that brings the community together.

    I’m not alone in recognizing the importance of small businesses. In a 2022 survey of 8,000 Americans, 73% said small businesses make their community a better place to live. This isn’t surprising when small businesses make up 98% of all U.S. businesses, and more than a third (36%) of all workers in America are employed by small businesses.

    And while small businesses continue to be formed rapidly, they’re creating fewer jobs than before. Despite the number of new business applications skyrocketing, surpassing 5 million in 2022 compared to 2.1 million in 2005, the number of new businesses with employees during this same time period fell from 10% to roughly 8%.

    Why? I believe one of the primary reasons we’re seeing this shift is due to the unique strains entrepreneurs face when it comes to accessing financing, with record inflation and high interest rates creating an even more challenging environment.

    Related: Here’s the Secret to Growing Your Small Business, According to Execs at UPS, Airbnb, Mastercard, and Other Big Brands

    New findings in the Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report ultimately show that these macroeconomic issues and business growth are intrinsically linked.

    We typically look at inflation through the lens of the consumer, but its impact on small businesses shouldn’t be overlooked. Small business growth and stability are early indicators of the economy’s health, and right now, small businesses identify rising costs as the number one challenge they face. With small businesses’ cash reserves 20% lower today than before the pandemic, and credit card debt 15% higher than before the pandemic, businesses have less cash on hand and more debt accumulating, hindering their ability to create jobs and hire workers.

    In addition to inflation, business owners are contending with an increasingly difficult financing landscape. Small businesses are currently twice as likely to use their own savings to fund their business as they are to use loans from banks or other commercial lenders, with more than half (58%) of U.S. small business owners surveyed indicating they have self-funded their business — often by working other jobs.

    How entrepreneurs are adapting

    For business owners to navigate these headwinds and achieve growth — from both a revenue and workforce perspective — it’s essential they take advantage of the many resources and tools available to them.

    It’s critical to be smart and savvy when it comes to business banking. New data shows that finding the right banking partner can mean being able to access capital or not, as small businesses that worked with well-financed banks before 2022 interest rate hikes got more funding than those working with less well-financed banks. Understanding this, it’s important to be informed and ask a few basic questions when looking for the right bank.

    For example, is the bank FDIC insured? Does it offer a competitive annual percentage yield? Are there fees or a minimum balance required? Can the bank support other business operations — from payroll to credit card processing, automated bill pay or instant payments? You’ll want to get clarity around all these questions before making a decision.

    Businesses also need to tap into the power of digital tools. According to our recent Annual Report, more than half (55%) of small businesses that manage eight or more areas of operations with digital technology report revenue growth. However, this drops to 31% among those who use digital tools for up to two areas only. And high adoption of digital technology isn’t just supporting revenue — it’s supporting employment, too. Twenty percent of high adopters report workforce growth, but fewer than 1 in 10 low adopters report the same. Many digital tools are also increasingly leveraging AI to drive efficiencies, automate operational work, inform decision-making and reduce human error, which can have incredible benefits for small businesses.

    Related: I’ve Served Small Businesses for More Than 10 Years — Here Are 3 Investments to Consider That Will Help You Succeed

    Finally, working with an accounting professional can be an incredible resource in helping businesses navigate the current macroeconomic environment. Our report found that more than 80% of small businesses agree that their accounting professionals have helped them reduce the impact of inflation on the business. From keeping up-to-date and accurate records updated on everything from income to expenses and deductions, hiring an accountant and outsourcing bookkeeping can save small businesses time and money: on average, small businesses estimate having an accountant saves them $39,000 each month.

    As we face a year ahead where economic challenges may persist, it’s imperative that we foster an environment that is conducive to economic growth and small business resilience.

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    Rich Rao

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  • How we can improve literacy through student engagement

    How we can improve literacy through student engagement

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    Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on equity, edtech innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year’s 2nd most-read story focuses on literacy and student engagement.

    In this episode of Innovations in Education, Madeleine Mortimore, Global Education Innovation and Research Lead for Logitech details how classroom technologies, if used properly, can increase student engagement and ultimately test scores.

    Related:
    4 simple ways to put the science of reading into practice
    5 edtech resources that support literacy in elementary school
    For more news on literacy, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching page

    Kevin Hogan
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    Kevin Hogan

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  • Utah Nonprofit Awarded U.S. Department of Education EIR Grant for Youth Mental Health Program

    Utah Nonprofit Awarded U.S. Department of Education EIR Grant for Youth Mental Health Program

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    SALT LAKE CITY – The Cook Center for Human Connection has been awarded a $3.99 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for its program, “Helping Helpers Help: An Integrated Model for Empowering Educators and Parents as Partners in Supporting Student Wellness and Learning.” The Cook Center is among the first awardees to receive EIR funds for a project with an exclusive focus on mental health and suicide prevention as keys to improving school climate and learning. The program will serve 83 middle schools in New Mexico and Arizona by bridging systemic access inequalities to mental health supports, reducing barriers to learning, and helping educators, parents, and caregivers better support young people’s social-emotional well-being.

    The DOE announced $277 million in new grant awards to advance educational equity and innovation, earmarking $87.2 million for programs that support social-emotional well-being, an increase of nearly 20 percent over the previous year. “The Department of Education has recognized that youth mental health is a crisis that threatens the education and well-being of millions of students,” said Anne Brown, CEO and president of the Cook Center. “In a historic move, they have awarded the largest amount of EIR funding to social-emotional learning initiatives, and recognized that our program can provide critical support to underserved communities in addressing mental health challenges that hinder students’ ability to engage and learn.”

    The Cook Center’s model focuses on the protective factors for youth mental health and suicide prevention in which schools and parents play a critical role. Through the grant, the schools will participate in ParentGuidance.org, which includes one-on-one parent coaching for all parents of schoolchildren, interactive mental health series webinars hosted by trained professionals, and a library of on-demand online courses taught by licensed therapists. School faculty and staff will also participate in professional development sessions to complement the resources available to parents. 

    In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency, noting that child and adolescent healthcare professionals are “caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on them, their families, and their communities.” Mental health factors have become especially formidable barriers to learning following the pandemic, intensifying a national imperative for innovation in better supporting student mental health and wellness. 

    “The grant awards will fund some of the nation’s most promising efforts to raise the bar for academic recovery, excellence, and equity in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cordona. “All of this year’s grantees are pioneering exciting, evidence-based strategies to close opportunity gaps and provide young people with the engaging and impactful learning experiences they deserve so that they can achieve at high levels.”

    Research has established that school-based mental health and suicide programs that engage parents can increase the effectiveness of all interventions. The Cook Center’s newly funded project will serve two high-need areas: New Mexico, which has the second-highest suicide rate in the nation; and Arizona, where the suicide rate is 35% higher than the national rate. The EIR grant will advance the Cook Center’s model through pilot testing and iterative improvements, new culturally and linguistically responsive resources, and rigorous evaluation that addresses critical research gaps. 

    Though only two years old, the Cook Center’s model has already been adopted by 229 districts and 3,617 schools, offering more than 2.4 million families access to services across 37 states. The grant offers an opportunity to accelerate the adoption. For more information about the Cook Center’s work and its resources, visit CookCenterforHumanConnection.org.

    About the Cook Center for Human Connection

    The mission of the Cook Center is to bring together the best organizations, programs, and products to prevent suicide, provide mental health support, and enhance the human connections vital for people to thrive. The foundation’s current focus is on supporting children, families, and schools with youth mental health resources and on the goal of eradicating suicide. This work is accomplished through various grants to schools, programs for parents, and global resources to bring greater awareness to the support needed for those affected by mental health needs and suicide. It’s free resources created to support child mental health and suicide prevention include My Life Is Worth Living™, the first animated series about teen mental health and suicide prevention, and ParentGuidance.org, a mental health resource giving parents the tools to have important conversations at home. The content includes free on-demand courses taught by licensed therapists and family mental health nights hosted by trained professionals. Learn more at CookCenterforHumanConnection.org.

    eSchool News Staff
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    ESchool News Staff

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  • Learning enters the metaverse with “Mission: Mars” Roblox experience

    Learning enters the metaverse with “Mission: Mars” Roblox experience

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    Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on equity, edtech innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year’s 3rd most-read story focuses on immersive and interactive learning.

    The Museum of Science, Boston is making its first move into the world of immersive online education with its launch of “Mission: Mars,” an educational experience on Roblox, a global platform connecting millions of people through immersive 3D experiences.

    Developed in partnership with Filament Games, “Mission: Mars” challenges participants to engage in the Engineering Design Process, developing and iterating on vehicles ready to navigate the mysterious red planet and complete exploratory missions with friends to survive on Mars.

    The Museum of Science is the first Roblox Community Fund (RCF) recipient to launch their experience since the fund’s introduction in November of 2021. Through the initial $10M fund, RCF has been offering grants to educational organizations to develop innovative learning experiences and curriculum leveraging the platform in immersive and compelling ways. 

    The immersive 3D “Mission: Mars” experience focuses on engaging students of all ages in the Engineering Design Process, providing a high-quality, entertaining, and Next Generation Science standards-aligned digital experience for both formal and informal learning. It enables individuals to step into a Mars survival suit, navigate terrain in a hi-tech Mars Rover, help their team in specific level-based missions to discover past evidence of water, collect samples of water ice, and rescue fellow explorers from certain doom. Participants also design and create vehicles to help them in their missions and will be able to earn experience points and rewards along the way.

    Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie said: “The Museum’s entry into the metaverse is part of our aspiration to reach 100 million people in museums, classrooms, and online by 2030, breaking down barriers to engagement and creating greater equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. It’s not enough for the Museum to be the most popular destination for families in New England and to share hands-on curricula with educators and millions of students around the world­–we also want to leap into the metaverse to meet students where they are with top-quality STEM content.’’

    Filament Games CEO Dan White said: “The in-game mechanics and environmental design in ‘Mission: Mars’ are all based on true scientific principles, powered by actual data collected by NASA on Mars.’’ 

    “The Roblox platform offers developers like Filament the opportunity to deliver the kind of compelling deeper learning contexts that students and educators alike crave when exploring hands-on topics such as the engineering design process,’’ said Rebecca Kantar, Vice President of Education at Roblox. “Mission: Mars is a great example of putting the core learning objective, building and iterating for specific mechanical tasks and conditions, at the center of fun, rich experience design.”

    The Museum of Science is also home to EiE®, the award-winning PreK-8th grade curricula division that reaches over 2 million students per year across the country and world. “Mission: Mars” will also include a full suite of instructional materials and supplemental support for teachers to use it for engineering and science education in classrooms, all designed to

    • Support both engineering newcomers and experienced engineering educators;
    • Highlight the engineering design process within missions;
    • Explicitly link gameplay to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and EiE Habits of Mind;
    • Support student analysis of in-game designs through engineering discussion guides;
    • And point teachers to outside support for getting started in Roblox and organizing a class.

    Please go to mos.org/Roblox to learn more and here to access “Mission: Mars” directly on Roblox.

    Related:
    Everything you need to know about AI in education
    In 2024, education will move to adopt AI—but slowly
    For more news on immersive learning, visit eSN’s Digital Learning page

    Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)

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    Joseph Casale, Account Executive, Denterlein

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  • Venture Capital 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Startups Seeking Investment | Entrepreneur

    Venture Capital 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Startups Seeking Investment | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Every day, dozens of startups go through the Vibranium.VC funnel; some don’t pass the first scoring, while others move to the next stage towards potential investment. Drawing from my entrepreneurial background, I can confidently say that advice I received in the past from professionals in specific fields helped me be well-prepared and aware of the nuances that come along with the entrepreneurial journey.

    Advice for startup founders is crucial at the beginning of their journey as it provides invaluable insights and guidance from experienced individuals who have navigated similar paths. This advice can help founders avoid common pitfalls, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions, ultimately increasing their chances of success. The early-stage startup founders are often filled with uncertainties, and seeking advice from business role models can offer clarity and direction to set a solid foundation for the entrepreneurial journey.

    Related: Why Investors With an Entrepreneurial Past Are Crucial to Startup Success

    Secure your runway

    Begin your search for investments at least six months before your funds run out, ensuring your runway remains at 6-8 months. If you are raising seed, anticipate that this funding will sustain your runway for two years. Approximately a year or 1,5 years, you can move towards the Series A fundraising process. This timeline implies that you should attain Series A metrics within one and a half years, providing a six-month buffer while concluding the round with the next-level investors.

    Series A financing refers to an investment in a startup after it has shown progress in building its business model and demonstrates the potential to grow and generate revenue. It often refers to the first round of venture money a firm raises after seed round and angel investors.

    A healthy runway, representing the number of months a startup can operate before running out of cash, demonstrates financial stability and responsible financial management. Investors are more likely to be interested in companies that clearly understand their financial standing and can sustain operations over the mid to long term.

    A longer runway enhances your negotiating position: It reduces the urgency for immediate funding, giving the startup more negotiating power when discussing valuation, terms, and other aspects of the investment deal. This can result in more favorable terms for the startup.

    Additionally, a sufficient runway provides the startup with ample time during fundraising. This time is essential for due diligence procedures, negotiations, and other steps involved in securing investment. It allows both the startup and investors to thoroughly evaluate the opportunity without the pressure of an imminent cash shortage.

    Be prepared for a lengthy fundraising process

    As you initiate active fundraising, the second point is to prepare for an extended fundraising process from 3 to 6 months at best (sometimes even more). This is particularly crucial in the early stages, considering all due diligence procedures, negotiation processes, and other factors. The size of the funding round can influence the timeline: larger funding rounds often involve more extensive due diligence, negotiations, and legal processes, potentially extending the duration. For example, one of our longer deals took almost five months, while the shortest one was sealed after one month.

    Negotiating the terms of the investment, including valuation and other deal terms, can take time. The back-and-forth negotiations between the startup and investors contribute to the overall duration. And don’t forget about legal processes: finalizing legal agreements and paperwork can add time to the timeline.

    Related: 3 Alternatives to Venture Capital Funding for Startups

    Create a database of investors

    Build a database of 100 or more warm contacts with investors. Initiate conversations with them and strive to convert these interactions into closed deals. Have as many contacts as necessary to achieve the crucial milestones for the next round.

    Having a database of investors is a strategic asset for startups. It streamlines communication, facilitates relationship-building, and allows startups to make informed decisions throughout the fundraising process and beyond.

    The database is also crucial when it comes to your pitch. By understanding different investors’ preferences and investment histories, startups can tailor their pitches more effectively. This personalized approach increases the likelihood of capturing investor interest and aligning with their investment thesis.

    Related: Why Strategic Venture Capital is Thriving in a Founder’s Market

    Transparency is everything

    Be transparent, avoid fabrications, and don’t lie. We all know “Fake it till you make it ” cases, which have made investors more cautious about startups. Transparency is a way for startups to demonstrate accountability and lower the risk of investment for VCs. By providing clear and accurate information, startups show they take responsibility for their actions and decisions, reinforcing a sense of trust. Be truthful because, trust me, distorted information will surface during the Due Diligence process and can become a deal breaker. This could lead to losing investors, and more importantly, it will discourage them from engaging with you.

    Always remember that transparency is not just about sharing information; it’s about fostering a culture of openness, trust, and accountability.

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    Zamir Shukho

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  • Why You Should Learn New Skill Sets This Winter | Entrepreneur

    Why You Should Learn New Skill Sets This Winter | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Here’s a harsh truth: unemployed people are having a hard time finding a new job because many companies halt their recruiting efforts during the last quarter of the year. This is not new – it is a well-known fact that big companies often do a headcount at the end of the year, and they often significantly slow down their hiring process.

    Instead of unsuccessfully searching for opportunities when there is little to no hiring, many look to expand their arsenal of skill sets, which can propel their pursuit of better, bigger opportunities in the few months to come.

    For those looking to embark on the journey of acquiring new skill sets during the slower pace that winter months often offer, I’d like to delve into five unique avenues to discover inspiration for skill sets that can benefit your life and career in the near future.

    Related: Master New Skills From the Comfort of Your Home With This Bundle, Now Less Than $175

    Exploring LinkedIn job applications

    One valuable resource for finding inspiration for new skill sets is right at your fingertips: LinkedIn job applications. Start by identifying professionals with positions similar to your current role, your desired career path, or roles with the title of the person you used to report to in your last job. Take a closer look at the job description for those roles, paying close attention to the skills and qualifications they require.

    For example, if you’re in marketing and aspire to move into a leadership role, analyze profiles of Marketing Managers or Directors. Note the skills they require or those with that job title have honed over the years, such as data analysis, digital marketing or project management. These insights can guide your skill acquisition journey, helping you align your skill set with your career aspirations.

    Mentorship and networking

    Seek out mentors who can offer guidance on skill acquisition. If you are still close or have a great relationship with the last person you reported to, you may seek them for advice, asking which skill sets would be valuable for you to acquire if you intend to continue to pursue growth in your current career path.

    Conversations with mentors and industry peers can provide valuable insights into skill sets that have contributed to their success. These personal anecdotes and recommendations can steer you toward acquiring skills that align with your goals and aspirations.

    If you’re not in touch with them anymore or would rather avoid contact with them, engage in mentorship and networking activities to discover skill sets that have proved valuable for others. Attend industry events, webinars, or virtual conferences where you can connect with experienced professionals who may have a similar career path to the one you’re pursuing.

    In my experience, I found people I highly admire and invited them to step into a virtual group call once every other month. In our one-hour meetings, we discuss what’s been working for each of us and provide valuable guidance for everyone in the group. I like to call this exercise “Business Therapy,” in which we often discuss our past experiences and challenges and how we overcame them.

    Learning from the experiences of others may end up saving you years of continuous hustle. Never rely solely on your experiences when you can learn from the experiences of others.

    Related: Looking for a Mentor? The 7 Best Places to Start.

    Personal interests and hobbies

    Sometimes, inspiration for new skill sets can emerge from your personal interests and hobbies. Consider activities you’re passionate about outside of your professional life. These interests can be a foundation for acquiring skills that bring joy and fulfillment.

    For instance, if you’re an avid photographer, you may explore photo editing or digital marketing courses to promote your work effectively. Blending your passions with skill acquisition can lead to a well-rounded skill set that enhances your personal and professional life.

    Fun fact: that’s how my journey in the technology industry began. I am an Architect by profession, but I am such a tech nerd that I always sought to acquire technical skills, which is how I came up with the business idea that ended up becoming Replay Listings, the company I’ve led for over seven years now.

    Related: How to Turn Every Adversity You Face into an Advantage

    Tapping into industry trends

    As industries evolve, new demands arise, creating opportunities for individuals to acquire relevant skills. For instance, if you’re in the technology sector, consider the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These cutting-edge technologies are shaping various industries, from healthcare to finance.

    By understanding industry trends, you can pinpoint relevant skill sets and future-proof your career. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and advancements. Explore industry-specific publications, blogs, or podcasts to gain insights into emerging skills in your field.

    Online learning platforms and courses

    Online learning platforms offer various courses on various subjects, making skill acquisition more accessible than ever. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning provide various courses, from technical skills to soft skills like leadership and communication.

    Browse these platforms to discover courses that align with your career goals or personal development objectives. The flexibility of online learning allows you to acquire new skills at your own pace, making it a convenient option for the winter months.

    The bottom line is the slow winter months often present a unique opportunity to embark on a skill-acquisition journey. Whether you draw inspiration from LinkedIn profiles, industry trends, mentors, personal interests, or online courses, acquiring new skill sets can enrich your life and open doors to exciting possibilities. Embrace the season as a time of growth and discovery, and you’ll emerge with valuable skills that can shape your future success.

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    Rodolfo Delgado

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  • How Bitewell Won $200K on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch | Entrepreneur

    How Bitewell Won $200K on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch | Entrepreneur

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    Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch is the show where contestants get into an elevator and have just 60 seconds to pitch their business to our board of investors. In this ongoing article series, we’re celebrating the entrepreneurs who walked out with a win and sharing their tips for pitching success. (Answers have been edited for length.)

    Bitewell bills itself as the world’s first digital food pharmacy. The platform educates people on the use of food as medicine with its proprietary food navigation tool called the FoodHealth Score and then helps them shop for meals and ingredients that fit their needs, preferences, and budget.

    After a super-sweet appearance on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch, Bitewell co-founder Sam Citro walked out with a $200K investment from investor Kim Perell. Watch Sam’s pitch, then read on to learn how she prepared to make sure that the investors were hungry to be a part of her company.

    How did you prepare for the show?

    I have a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, so I have a bit of a leg-up when preparing for public appearances. It was a combination of doing investor pitch prep and scripted TV prep. I memorized my 60-second pitch and drilled it into my brain so that I was saying it in my sleep. For me, knowing the business fundamentals of my company is easy — it’s what I spend all day, every day building, so I know those numbers like the back of my hand.

    Related: See Who Wins Big on the High-Stakes Season Finale of ‘Elevator Pitch’?

    What did you think was going to happen? What was different from your expectations?

    I’ve been on TV before, so I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen. What I wasn’t expecting was the 12-hour day! I didn’t realize how much content we’d develop over the course of the shoot. It was incredible.

    Why do you think they opened the doors?

    You’d have to ask the investors to know for sure, but if I were a betting woman, I’d say it’s the combination of the market opportunity size and our demonstrated traction. Eliminating diet-related disease is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, and we’ve shown that we can make that vision a reality.

    How did the negotiations go? Would you do anything differently?

    I wish I would have pushed back on Kim a bit more about the valuation. Our business has grown so much since the last financing, and I let her in on the same terms. So, it was a great deal for Kim!

    What do you plan to do with your investment?

    It’s all going toward growth-related activity: marketing and hiring additional members of our sales team.

    Related: Would You Give a Former Hacker Your Money?

    What did it mean to you personally to get in the boardroom and walk out with a win?

    I believe in what we’re building, so when I went into the boardroom believing we’d come out with a deal. I think you have to be that confident, that sure in your business, to be a founder. That said, I’m incredibly proud and grateful that we left the boardroom with an investment from Kim. As a female CEO, it’s important to me to have equal representation of female investors around the table. I’m looking forward to all of the great work Kim and I will do together!

    What is your advice for anyone thinking of applying to be on a future episode?

    Do it! But remember that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Come prepared to walk out with a deal.

    Related: Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph Made a Surprise Move That Stunned Investors.

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • When embracing the ‘science of reading,’ we can’t leave out older students

    When embracing the ‘science of reading,’ we can’t leave out older students

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    Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on equity, edtech innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year’s 6th most-read story focuses on the science of reading for older students.

    This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education in communities across America. Sign up for our free New York newsletter to keep up with NYC’s public schools.

    The day before my first day of teaching middle school in 2018, I decorated my Brooklyn public school classroom with quotes from famous people reflecting on the importance of reading. Hanging on cream-colored cardstock were the words of Malcolm X, Toni Morrison, C.S. Lewis, Barack Obama, Maya Angelou, and dozens of other writers and thinkers. I hoped to inspire my students to fall in love with reading. I didn’t think to hope that all my students could do the very thing I was asking them to love. I didn’t know that part of my job as a sixth grade Humanities teacher would be to teach students to read in the first place.

    There was a round table in the very back of my classroom that a group of five sixth-graders bee-lined to on day one. On day two, I asked one, then another, to read aloud to me. My request was met with silence, guessing, a fist slammed on the table, and a student storming out of the room. When those sixth grade students finally sat down for a reading assessment, their ability to decode print text was at a first or second grade level.

    As a newly minted middle school English teacher, I was shocked by the number of students who entered my classroom unable to decode text. As I got to know them, I saw that herculean efforts to mask their reading disabilities revealed intelligence, determination, and traumatic relationships to school.

    Since my first year of teaching, I have dedicated a lot of time to understanding why that happened. With the toxic combination of inaccurate reading assessments and a whole-word approach that encouraged guessing rather than decoding, the Matthew Effect (rich get richer, poor get poorer) has been in full swing in middle schools all around the country. The children who lived in text-rich environments and/or with families who could afford supplemental private tutoring got to “get it.” And those who didn’t? Many never acquired the literacy skills that are tied to power and privilege in this country.

    Since my first day of teaching middle school, the “science of reading” — tying reading proficiency to explicit phonics instruction in addition to comprehension work—became a catchphrase for Facebook groups, professional development, and curricula. Lucy Calkins revised her popular but widely criticized “Units of Study” curriculum to include phonics-focused lessons. “Sold a Story,” a podcast series investigating reading instruction, became one of the top podcasts of the year. I also got trained in Wilson Reading Systems, an Orton-Gillingham and multisensory approach to teaching the basic phonics instruction many of my middle school students never received.

    In my experience, conversations about the science of reading are happening primarily with elementary and early childhood educators. Those conversations are preventing further literacy injustice and disenfranchisement. But how are we addressing the ways that the system has failed our secondary students when they first learned to read? How can I, a middle school ELA teacher, support the students in my class who were passed along without receiving the literacy instruction they needed?

    I am worried that secondary students and secondary education as a whole are being left out of the conversation on how children learn to read. It’s wonderful that (finally!) we are getting to the root of the issue, but what about the young people for whom Tier I instruction comes too late? What about students who, from here on out, will need intensive intervention in order to get on grade level?

    My former sixth graders are in high school now, preparing for college and careers, but the best preparation they can get is one that helps them, once and for all, become fluent readers. I am concerned that among the excitement of elementary curriculum overhauls, we will leave the children who’ve been wronged even further behind. I am afraid that we’ll do to them what this country has done to people who struggle with literacy since its inception: disenfranchise, hide, and erase.

    During that first year of teaching middle school, when I was shocked by the students in my class that struggled to sound out single-syllable words, who guessed based on the first two letters rather than sound out, and who, upon hearing they’d do partner reading, developed looks of panic in their eyes, I found hope in literacy intervention programs targeting adolescents who lacked key skills.

    I want more for these students. I want every secondary educator to be trained in not just teaching kids about reading; I want them to be trained to teach their students to read, should one or two or 10 sit down in the back of their class and not know how.

    I believe in the power of restorative literacy. Every day, I work with adolescents and pre-adolescents who have slipped through the massive cracks of our education system. What I have witnessed during my five years working in vastly different types of schools is that learning, achievement, and opportunity gaps either dramatically widen or dramatically close in middle school. Passion for social justice within our education systems is insufficient; the actual work — the literacy work — that makes change possible needs to occur.

    Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

    Related:
    How to improve literacy through the science of reading
    4 keys to teaching the science of reading in a virtual setting
    For more news on literacy, visit eSN’s Innovative Teaching page

    Latest posts by eSchool Media Contributors (see all)

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    Shira Engel, Chalkbeat New York

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  • Have Digital Portfolios Come of Age?

    Have Digital Portfolios Come of Age?

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    It’s one of the longest-running promises of edtech: Have students provide proof of work online. Get better assessment results. Provide students agency and enable them to express themselves creatively. Take teaching and learning to the next level.

    For the most part, we’re still waiting. But not Gary Heidt, who leads the Innovation Lab at Perkiomen Valley HS in Pennsylvania and is a champion of a tool called Unrulr. In this conversation, we discuss the implementation and impact of Unrulr in his classroom, where he tries to focus on creating a more human and reflective learning experience. Joining us was Aaron Schorn, Head of Growth and Community at Unrulr to detail how students can document their learning moments, create exit ticket reflections, engage in discussion boards, and build larger learning journeys.

    Here’s a link to a blog post that dives deep into Gary’s experiences when it comes to documentation and Unrulr. And here’s a link to the portfolio that Uses Unrulr public links throughout to tell the story of one student’s project journey.

    Key highlights include:

    1. Purpose-Driven Learning: Unrulr supports purpose-driven learning by enabling students to work on projects that are not only self-driven but also impactful on a community level.
    2. Agile Project Management Approach: The tool facilitates a flexible and agile approach to project management, incorporating concepts like Agile and scrums to adapt to different timelines and individual schedules.
    3. Building a Learning Community: Gary creates a sense of community by allowing students to publish and share their work not only with teachers but also with peers, fostering collaboration, support, and a deeper understanding of the learning process.
    4. Digital Portfolio Differentiation: According to Gary, Unrulr stands out as a process portfolio that goes beyond showcasing final products. It emphasizes the documentation of the learning process itself, allowing students to create dynamic portfolios that evolve over time.
    5. Reflection and Feedback: The tool encourages reflection, both from students and teachers, providing a space for individuals to assess their progress, share insights, and receive feedback. This reflective approach is seen as essential for meaningful learning.
    6. Equity of Access: Gary says Unrulr ensures equity of access by offering a web browser version in addition to a mobile version, accommodating various devices and school policies regarding technology use.
    7. Slow Approach to Learning: Gary mentions a “slow approach” to education, emphasizing the importance of making room for reflection and providing feedback. This approach contrasts with a rushed curriculum, aiming for a deeper understanding of content.
    Kevin Hogan
    Latest posts by Kevin Hogan (see all)

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    Kevin Hogan

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  • 5 Tech Tools To Impress Your Coworkers and Neighbors All Summer | Entrepreneur

    5 Tech Tools To Impress Your Coworkers and Neighbors All Summer | Entrepreneur

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    From a self-correcting selfie camera to an cooler that doesn’t need ice.

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    Mario Armstrong

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  • Boost Productivity with Coworking Spaces to Prevent Burnout | Entrepreneur

    Boost Productivity with Coworking Spaces to Prevent Burnout | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    This story originally appeared on Under30CEO.com.

    People who work remotely often overwork. In just roughly two months, there is every chance of professional burnout. An interesting paradox arises: when a person spends a couple of hours traveling to work and back, he feels freer. How do we identify the symptoms of burnout, enjoy work again, and make remote work comfortable? Let’s look into burnout and coworking spaces as thoroughly as possible.

    What problems can coworking solve?

    Professional burnout is not an empty phrase and not an excuse. This is a real state in which a burnt-out employee begins to work worse, loses interest in the business, and a previously attractive profession becomes unbearable for him. If nothing is done, a person may even develop depression. Therefore, the fight against burnout is also the responsibility of the employer. How can coworking spaces help with this?

    Coworking allows to go beyond the walls of the employee’s home. There will be more development opportunities. The employee will still be able to go to work at workshare offices and leave it at will. But at the same time, he will begin to meet people, make useful acquaintances, and exchange experiences.

    Working from home is likewise fraught with distractions. Trips to the grocery, obnoxious neighbors, and youngsters – the employee is in the thick of it all. Productivity declines since there is no conducive environment for work. Employees will benefit from coworking. Distractions are removed here, so people may concentrate only on their tasks. The house will become a comfortable location to unwind and spend time with family and friends. Finally, there will be a clear separation between their personal life and professional obligations, which will prevent stress and overwork.

    Coworking will help increase the company’s income. All visitors to the shared workspace can be potential clients or partners. They will help you find contacts of people who will provide profitable orders. You can also hold negotiations and business meetings within the walls of a coworking space. It has the necessary facilities for conferences, meetings with customers, and establishing long-term relationships with partners.

    What else does coworking offer?

    Friendly atmosphere

    Coworking spaces typically maintain a friendly business environment. Employees are surrounded by working people, which in turn allows them to get into a working mood. Moreover, the spaces are fully equipped with the necessary equipment and look great thanks to high-quality repairs and daily cleaning.

    Flexible working options

    Coworking is an opportunity to create a flexible office, one in which there are no strict regulations and employees are not tied to a specific location. Now the office sphere is changing in principle: people more often work from home, from cafes, from coworking spaces. Many people are introducing a flexible start to the working day so that both night owls and early risers can start at a time that suits them. This flexibility will allow the employee to organize their working time more comfortably, and therefore get more pleasure from work.

    Related: The 6 Best Non-Coffee-Shop Sites for Remote Work

    Equipped rest areas

    Coworking spaces allow you to relax and change your surroundings at any time. They are often equipped with kitchens and special relaxation areas, cozy and comfortable, allowing you to relax and not think about the difficulties of work for some time. Periodic breaks have a beneficial effect on the quality of work, so do not think that this will reduce efficiency. On the contrary: the experience of many large companies shows that employees who take better and more frequent rest, as a result, work more productively and are less prone to burnout. In addition, a pleasant environment, aesthetic design, and good views from the window are also factors that influence employee satisfaction.

    Wrap up!

    Protection against burnout is important and helps not to lose valuable employees, but at the same time increase their productivity. Coworking spaces can help with this – along with the competent organization of processes, entertainment events, and good working conditions.

    In addition to moving employees to coworking spaces instead of working from home, implement wellness programs.

    Many coworking space members enjoy perks like good Wi-Fi, coffee, and a nice desk. However, additional wellness benefits can go a long way toward helping members feel happier and healthier, which can help prevent burnout. This could include things like holding yoga classes indoors, bringing in someone to provide massages for members, or partnering with local spas and offering special deals on services for your members.

    You can also offer healthier beverages, host fitness classes or partner with a local gym, encourage walk breaks (or coordinate a group walk or run for lunch), and create outdoor spaces where participants can get some fresh air and vitamin D.

    Again, these are simply suggestions; how you implement them is ultimately up to you, but the main goal is to empower employees to deal with the stress that might contribute to burnout.

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    Kimberly Zhang

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  • AI Could Be the Best or Worst Thing for Your Business in 2024 | Entrepreneur

    AI Could Be the Best or Worst Thing for Your Business in 2024 | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    A little over four years ago, I was collaborating on a project with a colleague who happened to be working on his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence. Our client was in the online education space and looking to build a program that could examine a student’s history of learning and recommend what they should study next.

    The request was straightforward. The challenge was the data the client wanted to collect was in an array of formats: There was information from their online system, but also papers and exams, all of which were graded differently. While one might have been marked with a percentage or grade, another could have two check marks or a smiley face.

    As I tried to wrap my head around how we would evaluate the difference between a letter grade and an emoji, my colleague assured me AI could do that part for us.

    That was when my perception of AI changed. Up until then, I thought of AI as smart algorithms, capable of taking a set of data and boiling it down to an answer. I was blown away that it had evolved to take in unstructured information and cross-reference it against sources to generate recommendations.

    Fast forward to today and generative AI is sweeping through the business landscape faster than any technology we’ve seen to date — OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Startups and big tech alike are leveraging it to build new business models and drastically scale operations.

    Recently, I heard a speaker on a 50-city tour compare generative AI’s impact on the business world to an asteroid headed for every company that doesn’t embrace it. I like to think a little more optimistically. While there’s no denying AI is poised to drastically change business as we know it, I believe it has the potential to be the best or worst thing that happens to your company. Here’s how to make the most of the opportunity.

    Related: Entrepreneurs Are Rushing to Use AI. Here Are 8 Questions You Should Ask First.

    Resist the wait-and-see approach

    A lot of the CEOs and senior leaders I work with understand AI at a high level, but they’re taking a conservative wait-and-see approach. They want more case studies or feel it’s too early to make investments in the technology.

    This is a logical approach. I understand not wanting to pay the premium that early adopters incur when they invest in a new technology; not only can there be bugs and defects in early models, but you don’t benefit from new features often included in successive iterations as the tech evolves.

    When it comes to generative AI, however, there’s a lot of upside to understanding how the technology can transform your business early on. From improved customer insights to more cost-effective and scalable service delivery, early adopters of AI are quickly realizing the competitive advantage it offers. A recent survey from Salesforce showed that 67% of IT leaders have prioritized generative AI for their businesses in the next 18 months.

    For those who are hesitant, a great place to start is to identify one high-cost area of your business that could be made more efficient through an investment in AI. For example, we recently engaged in a project for a large enterprise that’s spending a significant portion of its marketing budget on language translation services. Leveraging AI to build the language technology in-house is a one-time investment that will cost them half of what they’re spending on outsourcing. Not only that, but the in-house solution removes internal processes and drastically improves the speed of translation.

    By tackling one tangible business problem through AI, not only can you realize significant cost savings, but you can also start to understand its capabilities and visualize how it can transform other areas of your business.

    Related: 10 AI Tools That You Should Be Using In Your Business This Year

    Understand the opportunity cost

    From Microsoft’s $13 billion bet on OpenAI to Amazon’s recent $4 billion investment in AI startup Anthropic, the race to capitalize on the business opportunities AI presents is on, and it’s not just big tech getting into the game — AI’s share of U.S. startup funding doubled in 2023, with more than 1 in 4 dollars invested in American startups going to AI-related companies.

    These investments aren’t just driven by the desire for improved ROI or cost efficiency, but by the potential AI holds to disrupt competition and pave the way for entire new markets. In 2024, we’re going to see companies being built on top of generative AI, carving out segments that didn’t exist before. It’s important that CEOs and leaders understand the opportunity cost this presents to their business.

    The early adopter advantage for AI is significant — companies that are investing in its capabilities to streamline operations and reduce overhead are also improving their end product or service at a fraction of the cost. Not only are these companies gaining valuable market share, but they are becoming drastically more scalable. In this sense, early adopters of AI are essentially becoming the asteroid that will hit competitors who sleep on the opportunity it presents.

    Related: Don’t Waste Money on AI. Unlock Its True Potential By Treating It Like a New Hire.

    Staying human in the age of AI

    As with any technology that presents great promise, it also comes with great responsibility. Many of the world’s greatest companies have been built by establishing strong cultures that center around their people. As we learn how generative AI can enhance ROI, redefine industries and create new frontiers of innovation, businesses need to navigate the landscape thoughtfully.

    For companies like Accenture or Ernst and Young that rely on a vast workforce of human experts, for instance, the adoption of generative AI raises intriguing questions. What if the same level of work could be achieved with significantly fewer human resources? How would this reshape industries where human expertise is the core value proposition? These are complex questions that require careful consideration as we enter this new era of business.

    Generative AI has opened Pandora’s box, and while the instinct to preserve jobs is noble, we must also pivot our thinking towards a more holistic approach. Rather than clinging to tasks that AI can accomplish more efficiently, leaders may be better off exploring reskilling opportunities and identifying areas where human talent is essential.

    I believe the age of AI need not be a threat to our humanity, but an opportunity to redefine our values as leaders and the purpose of our businesses. By embracing this transformation thoughtfully, we can chart a course where technology and humanity coexist, enriching the other’s strengths.

    As more companies navigate this complex path toward AI transformation, I believe those who embrace the journey will scale their organizations to new heights. On the other hand, those who stay stagnant may just find themselves in “asteroid territory.”

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    Chris Stegner

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  • Cybersecurity Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

    Cybersecurity Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, the traditional castle-and-moat approach is proving increasingly inadequate. The global average data breach cost in 2023 was $4.45 million. Compared with 2020, this is a 15% increase. Organizations must fortify their defenses with proactive and comprehensive strategies as cyber adversaries grow more sophisticated. In this era of uncertainty, the key to resilience lies in continuous monitoring.

    Related: The World is Doubling Down on Cybersecurity — Here’s What Business Leaders Should Know

    Understanding the value of continuous monitoring

    At its core, continuous monitoring is not just a tool but a mindset — a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. It transcends the reactive measures of the past, emphasizing continuous data collection, analysis and correlation. It is also not a one-time event but a perpetual vigilance system that allows organizations to stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries.

    The primary benefit, of course, is identifying threats early on. Furthermore, employing advanced analytics and machine learning helps go beyond signature-based detection and recognize anomalies that may indicate potential threats. This proactive stance is crucial in the dynamic landscape of cyber threats, where speed is often the differentiator between containment and catastrophe.

    When breaches occur, and they inevitably will, the monitoring system plays a pivotal role in isolating compromised systems and containing malware. This containment strategy limits the blast radius of an attack, preventing the spread of malicious entities within the network. In the aftermath of a breach, the ability to swiftly and effectively mitigate the impact is a testament to the resilience afforded by continuous monitoring.

    Related: 4 Ways Continuous Learning Will Make You and Your Business Unstoppable

    Knowing is half the battle, especially in the realm of cybersecurity. Continuous monitoring gives organizations valuable insights into attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). Organizations can strengthen their security controls and create an adaptive defense architecture by understanding how adversaries operate.

    Beyond resilience, in an era of stringent regulations and compliance standards, monitoring is crucial in demonstrating adherence to industry guidelines. By providing continuous visibility into security postures and monitoring activities, organizations can proactively address compliance requirements, avoiding the pitfalls of non-compliance.

    Finally, the financial burden of cyberattacks extends far beyond immediate remediation costs. Minimizing the impact of breaches and optimizing incident response significantly reduces the overall economic toll of cyber incidents. It transforms cybersecurity from a necessary expense into a strategic investment that safeguards data and the bottom line.

    Executing continuous monitoring in your organization

    To offer complete visibility, a comprehensive monitoring plan should consider every endpoint, network, and software your company utilizes. As such, the first step is assessing every asset within the corporate network. However, not all assets are equal. Prioritizing monitoring efforts is essential to protect the most valuable information. Allowing organizations to focus their resources where they matter most helps create a targeted defense that fortifies the digital crown jewels.

    A monitoring architecture should also include an incident response plan. Due to its ability to allow organizations to record, respond, and learn from cyberattacks, incident reporting is essential. Facilitating the development of well-defined incident response procedures ensures that organizations can react swiftly and decisively to mitigate potential damage when a threat is detected.

    Selecting the most suitable technology and monitoring tools is a crucial choice. To have complete visibility, the monitoring architecture established must account for every attack vector that can be used to launch a cyberattack. Considering the expanding nature of today’s attack surface, choosing the right tools is paramount.

    For instance, most enterprises start with a Security Information and Event Monitoring Tool (SIEM), followed by Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution. SIEM searches for patterns that make it easier for security teams to recognize attacks, breaches, and technical problems. An EDR, on the other hand, collects data from each endpoint and uses AI to determine threats.

    While on the outside, both SIEM and EDR offer visibility, EDRs focus on endpoints, and SIEM covers the entire network. However, EDR offers deeper capabilities regarding incident response, allowing security teams to fight back. UEMs, on the other hand, utilize their remote capabilities to keep track of device compliance. Furthermore, non-compliant devices, once identified, can be flagged and managed remotely. With new national and international regulations emerging, the consequences of non-compliance are grave indeed.

    The chosen tools must seamlessly integrate into the existing cybersecurity ecosystem, whether it’s network monitoring, endpoint monitoring or threat intelligence platforms. For example, selecting a SIEM with data loss prevention or a UEM with patch management capabilities saves IT teams from managing multiple platforms.

    Finally, let’s say you have implemented a reliable architecture. This, however, is not the end. There are always fresh risks to be aware of in the evolving field of cybersecurity. To respond to changing threats, continual improvement and refining are necessary. Regular reviews and updates ensure that the watchtower remains vigilant and resilient in the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.

    Last but not least — your employees. An issue with complex tools like SIEMs is that they require skilled security professionals to manage. Beyond security professionals, each employee must be updated on the latest cyber threats and attack vectors through regular workshops and training sessions. Knowing how criminals breach security will help them notice the minute details and signs that could help them identify a breach. Moreover, it also impacts how well they respond to a cybersecurity dilemma.

    Going forward

    As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the significance of continuous security monitoring continues to grow. It is not an exaggeration to portray it as a vital tool for businesses looking to safeguard their assets and ensure business continuity — in fact, doing so is a strategic requirement. The agility and responsiveness afforded by continuous monitoring are the building blocks of a resilient cybersecurity strategy in an age where digital disruption is the norm.

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    Apu Pavithran

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  • Deepfakes are Lurking in 2024 — Here's How to Unmask Them | Entrepreneur

    Deepfakes are Lurking in 2024 — Here's How to Unmask Them | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As artificial intelligence (AI) takes the world by storm, one particular facet of this technology has left people in both awe and apprehension. Deepfakes, which are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence, have come a long way since their inception. According to a survey by iProov, 43% of global respondents admit that they would not be able to tell the difference between a real video and a deepfake.

    As we navigate the threat landscape in 2024, it becomes increasingly vital to understand the implications of this technology and the measures to counter its potential misuse.

    Related: Deepfakes Are on the Rise — Will They Change How Businesses Verify Their Users?

    The evolution of deepfake technology

    The trajectory of deepfake technology has been nothing short of a technological marvel. Deepfakes were characterized by relatively crude manipulations in their infancy, often discernible due to subtle imperfections. These early iterations, though intriguing, lacked the finesse that would later become synonymous with the term “deepfake.”

    As we navigate the technological landscape of 2024, the progression of deepfake sophistication is evident. This evolution is intricately tied to the rapid advancements in machine learning. The algorithms powering deepfakes have become more adept at analyzing and replicating intricate human expressions, nuances, and mannerisms. The result is a generation of synthetic media that, at first glance, can be indistinguishable from authentic content.

    Related: ‘Biggest Risk of Artificial Intelligence’: Microsoft’s President Says Deepfakes Are AI’s Biggest Problem

    The threat of deepfakes

    This heightened realism in deepfake videos is causing a ripple of concern throughout society. The ability to create hyper-realistic videos that convincingly depict individuals saying or doing things they never did has raised ethical, social, and political questions. The potential for these synthetic videos to deceive, manipulate, and mislead is a cause for genuine apprehension.

    Earlier this year, Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned people about the dangers of AI content, saying, “It will be possible with AI to create, you know, a video easily. Where it could be Scott saying something or me saying something, and we never said that. And it could look accurate. But you know, on a societal scale, you know, it can cause a lot of harm.”

    As we delve deeper into 2024, the realism achieved by deepfake videos is pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. Faces can be seamlessly superimposed onto different bodies, and voices can be cloned with uncanny accuracy. This not only challenges our ability to discern fact from fiction but also poses a threat to the very foundations of trust in the information we consume. A report by Sensity shows that the number of deepfakes created has been doubling every six months.

    The impact of hyper-realistic, deepfake videos extends beyond entertainment and can potentially disrupt various facets of society. From impersonating public figures to fabricating evidence, the consequences of this technology can be far-reaching. The notion of “seeing is believing” becomes increasingly tenuous, prompting a critical examination of our reliance on visual and auditory cues as markers of truth.

    In this era of heightened digital manipulation, it becomes imperative for individuals, institutions, and technology developers to stay ahead of the curve. As we grapple with these advancements’ ethical implications and societal consequences, the need for robust countermeasures, ethical guidelines, and a vigilant public becomes more apparent than ever.

    Related: Deepfakes Are on the Rise — Will They Change How Businesses Verify Their Users?

    Countermeasures and prevention strategies

    Governments and industries globally are not mere spectators in the face of the deepfake menace; they have stepped onto the battlefield with a recognition of the urgency that the situation demands. According to reports, the Pentagon, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is working with several of the country’s biggest research institutions to get ahead of deepfakes. Initiatives aimed at curbing the malicious use of deepfake technology are currently in progress, and they span a spectrum of strategies.

    One front in this battle involves the development of anti-deepfake tools and technologies. Recognizing the potential havoc that hyper-realistic synthetic media can wreak, researchers and engineers are tirelessly working on innovative solutions. These tools often leverage advanced machine learning algorithms themselves, seeking to outsmart and identify deepfakes in the ever-evolving landscape of synthetic media. A great example of this is Microsoft offering US politicians and campaign groups an anti-deepfake tool ahead of the 2024 elections. This tool will allow them to authenticate their photos and videos with watermarks.

    Apart from that, industry leaders are also investing significant resources in research and development. The goal is not only to create more robust detection tools but also to explore technologies that can prevent the creation of convincing deepfakes in the first place. Recently, TikTok has banned any deepfakes of nonpublic figures on the app.

    However, it’s essential to recognize that the battle against deepfakes isn’t solely technological. As technology evolves, so do the strategies employed by those with malicious intent. Therefore, to complement the development of sophisticated tools, there is a need for public education and awareness programs.

    Public understanding of the existence and potential dangers of deepfakes is a powerful weapon in this fight. Education empowers individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter, fostering a society less susceptible to manipulation. Awareness campaigns can highlight the risks associated with deepfakes, encouraging responsible sharing and consumption of media. Such initiatives not only equip individuals with the knowledge to identify potential deepfakes but also create a collective ethos that values media literacy.

    Related: ‘We Were Sucked In’: How to Protect Yourself from Deepfake Phone Scams.

    Navigating the deepfake threat landscape in 2024

    As we stand at the crossroads of technological innovation and potential threats, unmasking deepfakes requires a concerted effort. It necessitates the development of advanced detection technologies and a commitment to education and awareness. In the ever-evolving landscape of synthetic media, staying vigilant and proactive is our best defense against the growing threat of deepfakes in 2024 and beyond.

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    Asim Rais Siddiqui

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  • Hooters CEO on Revitalizing a Brand | Entrepreneur

    Hooters CEO on Revitalizing a Brand | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Quality leadership is like a bag of golf clubs, says Hooters of America CEO Sal Melilli.

    A golf bag full of top-notch clubs — from putter to driver — gives a golfer the essential tools they need for a great 18-hole round.

    Being a good leader also means having a lot of available tools, people, and ideas around you at all times to make it easier to navigate the countless situations that occur every day as an executive.

    “You got different clubs in the bag,” explains Sal Melilli to Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “Here are some of the tools that we can look at or things you could possibly consider to help get you through the point where you are today.”

    The “clubs” you can wield might come in different types of inspiration — mentors, media, memory — just like in golf there are woods, irons, wedges, and more.

    Sal never thought he’d get into social media, but eventually he gave in to that new form of communication, and discovered certain key people who have influenced him.

    “I also keep different notes around my desk for inspiration,” Sal Melilli added about the ways he finds inspiration as the chief executive of a legendary restaurant company. “It comes in different places.”

    The Hooters Story

    Hooters was founded in 1983 on April 1. Yes, that is April Fool’s Day, but this was no joke.

    As legend goes, the brand was born in Florida when “six businessmen with no restaurant experience whatsoever got together to open a place they couldn’t get kicked out of.”

    They call it the happiest accident in restaurant history.

    Humble origins led to monumental growth. Four decades have passed, but the mentality remains the same as it was in the ’80s.

    The Hooters brand was created from day 1 to be about fun — to “rescue people from the ordinary.”

    Eventually Hooters with its comfort food and comfortable surroundings — and the fashionable and cheery Hooters Girls — became cultural icons. The brand continues to grow in new ways, including globally.

    These days, Hooters franchises and operates more than “420 restaurants” in almost every state in the US, and 29 countries.

    Hooters grossed $860 million in 2022, according to Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report published by Restaurant Business Online.

    Hooters of America (HOA) Brands also operates Hoots Wings, an emerging QSR franchise with lots of different styles to offer chicken wing fans.

    Sal Melillis said Hooters has learned to diversify within its strengths. The International Miss Hooters Pageant was a big success for the brand and has even inspired similar live events at a local franchise level.

    Related: The Over-the-Top Strategy That Is Creating Lifelong Customers for This Restaurant Group

    You’ll also be able to buy Hooters products in the grocery store. “We’re on the cusp of some pretty exciting opportunities that we’re building in the licensing part around this brand,” he said.

    Though live events and retail products are becoming a way to continue developing the brand around the globe, it’s the dining room Hooters experience that is the core of the company. Because of this Hooter is investing in sports betting.

    With more than half of all states in the US allowing legal sports gambling, there is lots of revenue to be earned from tapping into the customers’ desire to bet on sports while eating wings and drinking beer in a fun environment.

    Hooters has launched live betting at dozens of restaurants in multiple states and has also partnered with brands like DraftKings.

    With new opportunities to bring the company into the future, Sal said the core of the Hooters has always been the people who work there.

    40 Years of Hooters

    Sal Melilli’s ascent at Hooters took him from sink to c-suite. Starting as a dishwasher and intern, he found himself mastering job after job within the organization until landing at the top.

    The chief executive’s astronomical rise is not an uncommon occurrence at Hooters.

    The company publicly prides itself on providing workers with the skills and training to succeed and move up. Or employees can move on to other career paths but still retain with them what they learned.

    During its 40th anniversary year in 2023, Hooters leaned into spotlighting the essence of their brand — the Hooter Girl.

    Especially important to the Hooters I AM initiative (standing for “Image, Attitude, Memorable”) is how the more than 500,000 Hooters Girl alumni are not merely defined by their iconic Orange Shorts, but by their many achievements in life after donning that classic outfit.

    “You know, the Hooters Girl has been, is now, and will be the absolute essence of the business,” the CEO said. “40% of our management staff is female. So some of them move on to great careers with us. They move through the management ranks.

    “We’ve really tried to put a focus on celebrating the empowerment of women.”

    Former Hooters Girl Cheryl Whiting-Kish, who is now Hooters Chief People Officer, said the 40th anniversary was a chance to honor those who personify the most important part of the brand.

    “I think it’s time to honor who she is as an individual,” she said in FSR Magazine. “I also hope to give the women of the brand again a spotlight to say, ‘Hey, I’m a leader of myself. I’m choosing to work for this brand. I choose to wear these orange shorts. I choose to leverage my time here whether it’s to make money while I go to school or to learn communication skills,’ or whatever it is.”

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    Shawn P. Walchef

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  • What It Takes to Build a Best-In-Class Company | Entrepreneur

    What It Takes to Build a Best-In-Class Company | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    More than 5 million businesses were created in the U.S. in 2022. What makes the true industry giants stand out in a world of fierce competition? What separates an average company from a top-tier organization that’s successful and pivotal in shaping the future?

    Drawing upon 20-plus years as an entrepreneur, during which I’ve witnessed numerous businesses rise and fall, I’ve gathered insights into critical factors that differentiate outstanding enterprises from the rest.

    Let’s dig into the essential elements that elevate a company to best-in-class status, exploring how ethical conduct, innovation and social responsibility are admirable goals and vital drivers of success.

    Related: How to Take Advantage of Your Underdog Status and Conquer Industry Giants

    Ethical practices: A foundation of excellence

    When we talk about ethical conduct in business, we’re not just checking boxes to comply with laws and regulations. We are establishing a compass that guides our companies’ actions, shapes culture and dictates how we interact with stakeholders. In a time when trust can shatter like glass and reputation is everything, integrity is the foundation upon which best-in-class businesses are built.

    In my enterprises, I’ve learned that cultivating a culture that values doing the right thing, even when it’s tough, is critical. This means creating an environment where your team feels empowered to make ethical decisions, with you leading by example. Weaving ethics into your company’s DNA increases credibility, fosters trust and boosts profitability.

    And here’s the magic: When customers and clients trust your company, they become loyal advocates, bolstering your reputation and driving sustainable growth through word-of-mouth referrals. Ethical practices also attract socially conscious investors, further boosting your company’s financial health.

    To establish and strengthen ethical practices:

    • Create ethics and values statements as a team and share them internally and externally.
    • Incorporate your ethics and values into your brand messaging, recruiting, and training materials.
    • Embody these in your conduct as a leader and organization.

    Related: More Than Just A Moral Compass: The Power Of Ethical Business Practices

    Pioneering business practices

    Innovation isn’t confined to new technology and cutting-edge software. Best-in-class companies view innovation as a continuous pursuit of creative solutions to problems, whether in your products, services, how you treat team members or the processes that drive your business.

    Innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a significant driver of profitability. A recent McKinsey & Company study found that companies embracing innovation enjoy a substantial performance edge, outperforming their peers by a staggering 2.4 times in economic profit.

    Nurturing innovation doesn’t only mean hosting grand brainstorming sessions; it involves having a company culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute ideas regardless of their title.

    It centers on embracing diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging experimentation, and seeing failure as a stepping stone to success. Best-in-class companies are pioneers who establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

    I learned these principles early in my business career through observing successful companies and leaders. After a few years of ideation and experimentation, I found what worked for my leadership style and industry. Today, I’m still trying new things and paying close attention to results and the feedback of my teams, clients and other stakeholders.

    Which approaches to innovation will work for you? You’ll only discover by jumping in fearlessly and getting creative.

    To leverage innovation in your business:

    • Look for opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and results.
    • Include your leadership and frontline teams in planning from the start.
    • Talk to clients, investors and other stakeholders to gather unique perspectives and discover new ideas.
    • Due your due diligence: Study a variety of strategies and solutions.
    • Take risks (measured) — don’t be afraid to disrupt the status quo.

    Related: How To Use Entrepreneurial Creativity For Innovation

    Leading the charge for positive change

    To be a best-in-class company, you can’t shy away from taking on significant challenges.

    This means fully embracing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and addressing critical concerns such as sustainability, reducing your carbon footprint, promoting employee wellbeing and engaging with the community.

    It has become evident that stakeholders want, need and deserve a business approach that aligns with their values and addresses pressing global concerns.

    A recent study revealed global investors are increasingly focused on ESG issues in their investment strategies. Roughly 89% of investors considered ESG issues in some form as part of their investment approach in 2022, up from 84% in 2021.

    Equally vital is the commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion not only contribute to a more equitable society but also reap the rewards of being able to tap into a variety of perspectives and ideas.

    When you demonstrate an unwavering commitment to positive change, you enhance employee engagement and elevate your brand’s reputation, resonating with socially conscious consumers and investors.

    To become a more conscientious organization:

    • Listen to your stakeholders and the public to learn what’s most important to them.
    • Research more into what comprises ESG and DEI initiatives.
    • Hire professionals or retain consultants with relevant expertise.
    • As with ethics, share these values across your organization and let them guide your actions.

    Related: Why ESG-Conscious Companies are Resilient Companies

    Standing the test of time

    Success goes beyond the bottom line; it hinges on a relentless pursuit of excellence. Best-in-class companies understand this truth.

    They thrive by integrating ethics into their DNA, prioritizing innovation, and leading positive change by adopting ESG and DEI initiatives.

    Through these pillars, they enhance profitability, but more importantly, create a lasting positive impact that solidifies their best-in-class status, setting a high standard for all who follow.

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    Robert Finlay

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  • Teacher Shares Her Six Figure Super Easy Side Hustle | Entrepreneur

    Teacher Shares Her Six Figure Super Easy Side Hustle | Entrepreneur

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    There are very few things you can create once and then sell thousands of times over. Most businesses aren’t a fish and loaves situation. But then, Lisa Fink is an evangelist of sorts. Only she’s not promising miracles.

    Six years after starting a fully remote side hustle — one she was dubious would make even a few hundred dollars — she’s made a million in revenue, and retired 20 years early from teaching middle school.

    Now, Fink teaches courses showing people how to follow in her footsteps. “I want others to feel the relief I felt when passive income began rolling in,” she says. “There’s absolutely enough room for everyone.” Here, she shares her key insights.

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    Frances Dodds

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